~Chapter 89~
“I greet the Young Duke.”
“…Fate has led us to meet again. It’s been a long time, my lady.”
Temon looked at the two of us with a puzzled expression.
“Lady Bella? You already know my son?”
“We’ve met a few times at Eastern social gatherings.”
“Ah, then this is easier. This is my son, Leon. Leon, this is Lady Rohiltern.”
Even though we already knew each other, the formal introduction meant we were expected to greet properly.
I stood and gave a formal curtsy. The Young Duke rose as well to accept it.
“It seems we’ll have a long conversation, but first let’s eat—hm?”
Temon frowned at a servant who hurried up behind him. After listening to the whisper, his expression changed.
“What? Eblain already found out?”
Eblain was Aisha’s family name. I couldn’t hear the servant clearly, but from the situation, it sounded like someone had caused trouble.
“I apologize, Lady Bella. Something urgent has come up—I must leave.”
Temon straightened his clothes, checking himself several times, then gave Leon a signal.
“Leon, after the meal, escort Lady Bella to the garden.”
And with his parting words, he stayed true to his mage-like nature:
“She will be your younger sister, so don’t go scaring her for no reason!”
Even retreating, he couldn’t resist throwing a wide-area attack.
“……”
The atmosphere froze.
I lowered my gaze, unable to handle the awkwardness.
The table was filled with luxurious food, but the heavy mood pressed on my shoulders so much that I couldn’t even lift my spoon.
There was also the burden: If I ate too freely, would that mean I was truly becoming part of this family?
Temon’s talk about adoption wasn’t new. But until now, I had dismissed it—because adoption wasn’t something he could decide on his own.
Consent was needed, not only from the person being adopted but also from the family’s members. Adoption came with inheritance rights, after all.
And Temon was a man with much to give—including the solid heir sitting right in front of me.
No sane person would accept a stranger, not even of distant blood, suddenly joining as a sibling.
…Or so I thought.
“Do you dislike fish dishes?”
“Huh?”
“You’ve been staring at the table for a while.”
Only then did I realize my behavior might look like I was being picky with food.
“N-no, not at all!”
It would be rude to leave without touching anything after being invited to a meal.
Like a broken doll forcing its joints to move, I awkwardly reached out for food. That’s when the Young Duke spoke.
“It’s been two years since we met in the East. Have you been well?”
“Yes. I’ve stayed safe and healthy, thanks for asking.”
“I’m glad. In truth, Camilla was very worried about you.”
“…Pardon?”
“Do you know that Camilla has recently become an Imperial Palace knight?”
The way he emphasized “Imperial Knight” made it sound as if she had taken that role just to see me.
“From your expression, I see you haven’t met her.”
“Our posts are different.”
Besides, unless something special happened, I was stuck in the research lab.
“What a shame. If I had known I’d meet you today, I would have told Camilla to take leave.”
After showing regret for a while, Leon suddenly paused as if remembering something.
“Ah, I should tell you—Sir Aphella and I are very close. If nothing changes, we’ll be engaged next spring.”
“R-really? Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
I had already known the two were close. Still, seeing his normally stiff face soften into a springlike smile told me clearly—he truly dreamed of a happy future.
I wondered, Could Armians smile like that too?
“Perhaps it’s too early to say, but I wish for you to join our family.”
“…What?”
“As Father may have told you, the House of Durnar has produced mages for generations.”
“I hadn’t heard.”
“I see. Well, I’m an only son who chose the path of a knight, which deeply disappointed my father.”
I thought of Aisha, who had smacked Temon on the back when he first brought up adoption. She had seemed weary of it, not surprised. This meant Temon’s plan had been long in the making.
“The best option would have been to bring in someone from our branch family, but among those who awakened magic, none met Father’s standards. And most of all…”
“?”
“Most of all, since you are someone Camilla likes, I believe it would be fine for us to become one family.”
“W-wait! Hold on a moment.”
I raised my hand to stop him.
“I understand Sir Aphella’s feelings, but what about your own, Young Duke?”
“Camilla’s opinion is mine.”
“But Imperial law gives adopted children the same inheritance rights as birth children. Aren’t you concerned about that?”
“Don’t worry about it.”
Of course, a man like him would have thought everything through.
“If Father adopts you, I intend to give up my position as Young Duke.”
What—he planned to step aside, just so my adoption wouldn’t cause conflict?
“…What?”
“This has already been discussed with Camilla. For now, I hold this seat because no one else is suitable…”
“Th-then the Ducal House would…”
“Be passed on to you, my lady.”
I couldn’t even speak.
“From your reaction, I can guess why Father didn’t tell you. He must have feared you’d be crushed by the burden and run away.”
The Young Duke added:
“But a matter this important should not be kept secret. I hope my words today will help you think of this in a positive light.”
“….”
“Do you have any more questions?”
I had many. But if I asked, it would probably end with, So you do want to be adopted after all!
His gaze was already heavy enough.
So instead, I stuffed a mouthful of cake into my mouth and forced a smile.
“Th-this cake is delicious. Could I learn the recipe?”
In the end, all I could say was something foolish.
In truth, I couldn’t even taste the cake. I didn’t have the luxury.
Still, I kept eating. If I didn’t, the Young Duke might try to start another conversation.
The result was…
“Ugh…”
Overeating.
“It’s already late. I’ll escort you back to the Grand Duke’s residence.”
“No, really, there’s no need.”
I refused again and again, but the Young Duke didn’t listen.
“Your complexion looks pale. Why don’t you rest here tonight? I’ll have a room prepared in the mansion—”
What?!
If I stayed overnight here right after hearing about adoption… the rumors would be obvious.
I jumped to my feet.
“For the Young Duke himself to escort me, I’ve received a grace beyond measure. Let’s go at once.”
“……”
We soon arrived at the Grand Duke’s residence. For some reason, Armians was already waiting outside.
“Bella.”
His smile softened as he saw me—but the moment his eyes fell on the man following behind, his expression froze.
“…Your Highness the Grand Duke.”
Leon greeted him with only a short bow, the way a noble of the Four Ducal Houses might greet royalty.
But Armians didn’t even look at him.
“Did you meet the Young Duke?”
“Yes, somehow…”
“She stayed for a short while at our mansion.”
“Bella? At the Ducal House? For what reason?”
“To picture a serious future together.”
Armians’s eyes sharpened.
“What future? And why would Bella have any part in your future?”
“Your Highness,” Leon said with a smile,
“A man who clings too tightly is not attractive.”
I was startled. In the future I had once seen, the Young Duke was Armians’s loyal vassal. I had never imagined he would tease him like this.
“So, please don’t be too angry.”
Leon lifted the hand he had been using to escort me, showing it off as if to boast.
“Who knows? We may end up becoming good in-laws someday.”
The veins on Armians’s forehead bulged.
😂😂😂😂