Chapter 48
Viscount of Delphinium (1)
Of course, Luke ended up getting up, saying he’d rather be the one to leave.
“If you try anything foolish, you’ll lose your head—so be careful.”
It was quite a threatening remark.
But contrary to the harsh words, his hands were tender as he pulled the blanket back over Bonita’s stomach. A duke cold to the world, but warm only to his own—through and through.
“Yes, yes. No need to worry,”
said Aria, not looking the slightest bit serious.
Luke frowned slightly as he watched her.
She was already crawling under the covers, as if he didn’t matter in the least. Her blue eyes, fixed on the sleeping Bonita, were practically dripping with affection.
Luke felt a knot in his chest.
Just moments ago, he’d been imagining a future where he, Elodie, and Bonita had lived together.
To him, it felt like Aria had taken Elodie’s place.
And he hated that Bonita seemed to like that woman so much more.
But what could he do?
The ideal family he’d once dreamed of was lost forever. Still, he couldn’t just tell Bonita to stop loving that woman.
She wasn’t his doll.
She was a full person with her own life. He had no right to control her emotions.
Even if he was her biological father.
And, though he didn’t want to admit it—
If Aria had truly raised Bonita with love…
Then tearing them apart just because she didn’t sit well with him would be far too cruel.
“Are you going to keep standing there?”
As if unaware of his inner turmoil, that damn woman asked him with innocent eyes.
Let’s see how long you can hold out.
Her tone was playful, like she was teasing him.
At the look on her face, Luke was suddenly struck by a memory from the past.
“Luke, when are you going to get in bed? Are you really that shy about sleeping next to me?”
“W-wait, Elodie…”
“Seriously, I can’t believe my husband’s this awkward.”
Elodie had grumbled sweetly, sitting halfway up and tugging gently on the hem of his shirt.
It was such a weak pull.
But Luke, unable to resist her charm, had flushed red from head to toe and ended up collapsing onto her.
Elodie had smiled.
“I love you, Luke.”
“Your Grace?”
The past and the present overlapped for a moment.
But unlike back then, the one calling him now wasn’t his sweet, loving wife—it was the woman who never stopped getting on his nerves.
Luke rubbed his brow.
“Wait, are you really leaving?”
He didn’t want to hear her voice anymore. Without a word, he slipped out of the room.
Standing alone in the hallway, he whispered quietly,
“…I miss you, Elodie.”
****
“Your Grace, a reply has arrived from Viscount of Delphinium.”
While Luke was working in his office after a meal, his attendant Ed came to report.
Luke quickly took the letter. It read:
Dear Brother,
How have you been, Brother?
It feels like it’s been ages since I last wrote to you, ever since I moved up north.
As you asked—I’m doing well.
Bentley seems to have matured a bit lately. I’ve been teaching him about estate management, and it looks like he’s taking a liking to it. His tutor has been praising him a lot.
And Morgan, out of nowhere, has decided he wants to attend the Imperial Academy.
I told him only the children of counts or higher from the Kingdom of Aleph can enroll in the political science department, and he cried and threw a fit. It broke my heart. My wife didn’t take it well either.
Oh, and Bonita.
I still can’t believe my niece is alive!
I was so shocked when the temple first contacted me.
I’m a bit hurt you didn’t tell me first, but knowing how much you’ve had on your plate, this big-hearted younger brother will let it slide. Ahem!
Anyway, when we heard the news, my wife and sons were all delighted to hear we had new family.
Bentley especially said he really wants to meet his cousin.
And now that you’ve invited me to the Duke’s estate, I’m planning to bring Bentley with me.
I truly believe he can be a good older brother to Bonita.
So, tomorrow evening (or probably today, by the time you read this), we’ll arrive at the Lysianthus Ducal Estate by carriage.
P.S. I heard Mother has returned to the estate too? I tried inviting her so many times, but she never came. I guess home really is the most comfortable place for her.
P.S. Recently, some strange rumors have been circulating in the capital about the Duke’s household… Have you heard about them?
Your one and only brother,
Oliver
“Rumors?”
Luke, who had been reading Oliver’s letter with a relaxed expression, murmured in puzzlement.
He called for Ed.
“Ed. What are these rumors going around the capital lately?”
“Rumors… Your Grace?”
Ed’s expression turned slightly uneasy.
“If you ask like that, I can’t give you a precise answer. The capital’s social circles are always overflowing with fleeting gossip and groundless chatter, changing every day.”
“About the Duke’s household.”
“Ah.”
Ed let out a small sigh.
“In that case, there are two major ones.”
Luke nodded slightly.
Meaning: Go on.
“The first is a rumor that Young Lady Bonita is actually a genius.”
“Really?”
Luke looked genuinely surprised.
Of course, Bonita was cute, clever, and even kind, but he hadn’t expected such a rumor to have already spread in society.
Meanwhile, Ed thought of it more as exaggerated fuss over a newly revealed noble girl.
He continued calmly,
“The rumor seems to have started from the ladies who attended the social gathering at the Marquess of Hyacinth’s residence. I didn’t hear the full details myself, but they say the young lady is very mature and intelligent for her age.”
Genius might’ve been an overstatement, but it was true that Bonita acted far more grown-up than most children.
‘Should I be bringing in a more advanced tutor than I thought?’
What if she learns the alphabet in just a day?
Then word will spread nationwide that Bonita is cute, charming, smart, lovable, and kind too.
It was a train of thought born from full-on dad-mode.
If Ed had known, he’d have been horrified—but thankfully, he couldn’t read his superior’s mind.
“The second rumor is about Miss Hilton.”
“…Miss Hilton?”
Luke’s cheerful daydreaming ground to a halt.
His tone stiffened.
“What kind of rumor is going around about her?”
“Well…”
Ed glanced nervously at Luke before opening his mouth.
‘Should I say it or not?’
As soon as Aria’s name came up, Luke’s expression grew visibly colder.
If he actually said the rumor out loud, something serious might happen.
Luke was composed and rational in most situations, but when it came to his late wife, he completely lost all reason.
Like he became a different person altogether.
His deep, tragic love was enough to leave people speechless. It was surreal to witness such a cold, calculating man care and long for someone so deeply.
“Speak.”
“…There’s a rumor that Your Grace is secretly in a relationship with Miss Hilton.”
Luke’s hand, which had been folding the letter, came to a halt.
Creak.
He slowly raised his head.
His grim eyes gleamed crimson.
“Who started such nonsense?”
“Well, as with all rumors… there’s no way to know who first spread it. If I had to guess, I’d say it likely started with the maids or servants in the mansion…”
Sweat poured down Ed’s back as he spoke.
He had never seen Luke show such open hostility. It felt like ominous black magic was crawling out from behind him.
“Y-Your Grace?”
Ed’s voice trembled.
Luke looked like the calm before a storm.
One wrong word, and he might explode.
‘This is going to be bad!’
Ed, now pale as a sheet, rushed to explain.
“B-but it’s just gossip among the socialites! As you know, even before Miss Hilton arrived, there were always baseless rumors swirling around. I’m sure this is no different—”
“Get out.”
“…Excuse me?”
“I said, get out. Edward Suren.”
The duke called him by his full name in a voice sharp as ice.
That only happened when he was truly furious. Ed jumped like a spring.
“Y-Yes! Understood!”
He replied quickly, shut the door, and disappeared. His heart pounded in his chest.
“Whew… I’m al—”
Just as he was about to sigh in relief—
Bang! Bang! Bang!
A loud crashing sound echoed from the office, like someone was pounding on the walls with full force.
A chill ran down Ed’s spine.
He clutched the back of his neck with both hands, trembling.
****
“Do you understand, Bentley?”
Oliver earnestly reminded the son sitting across from him.
“Smile nicely in front of her. Don’t cause any trouble. Make sure to leave a good impression on your uncle.”
“Ugh, I got it, Father. How many times are you going to say the same thing? You’ve been repeating this for days.”
Bentley, Oliver’s eldest son, waved his hand dismissively, clearly annoyed.
“You got it, huh! Are you sure you even understand properly?”
“Why are you so worried?”
Bentley asked, tilting his head as if genuinely puzzled by his father’s fussing.
“Didn’t you say that when the time comes, Uncle would obviously adopt me anyway?”
“You foolish boy!”
Oliver snapped, yelling sharply.
“That was before the young lady returned! Back when there was no duchess’s daughter, sure, it made sense—better to choose a nephew than a total stranger as heir. But now that the ducal daughter’s suddenly come back, your future is to live the rest of your life stuck in that speck of a rural estate as a viscount. Do you get it?”
