Chapter 21

In the scrap of paper, there wasn’t a single vulgar word like “get lost” or “get out.” Nevertheless, looking at Adrian—who was practically beaming while choosing to run away from home—Ramona couldn’t help but let out a sigh.

“There is no mention of you being kicked out.”

“He is using indirect speech to avoid a direct confrontation. Look at this. Telling me ‘don’t you dare say you’re my son’—doesn’t that mean I should live while hiding my identity?”

‘No, it doesn’t.’

Wasn’t that just something parents say when they’re fed up with their children’s antics?

Ramona thought his ability to twist and interpret things in such a way was impressive, in its own way. For a brief moment, she actually felt a pang of sympathy for Grand Duke Cassius.

“Are you truly planning on staying here?”

“I never speak idle words. Unless… do you wish to show Raon a father who has been kicked out of his home and reduced to a beggar?”

‘What is he talking about?’

Just selling one of those items over there could probably buy several nice houses.

As Ramona’s gaze drifted toward the pile of belongings, Adrian stepped in between, blocking her view.

“I’m sending all of this back anyway. The servants brought the wrong things.”

Reaching behind him, Adrian swept the ornaments into a box in one go and practically threw them to the attendants waiting outside. After purging everything that looked expensive, Adrian sat back down in a chair with a nonchalant expression.

Just as she was wondering if that kind of brazenness was a prerequisite for surviving on the battlefield, a peculiar sound filled the room.

Growl—

Adrian, who had been checking his documents, instantly turned beet red. It was clear he had rushed here the moment he saw the video stone without eating a thing. Under Ramona’s persistent gaze, he slightly averted his head.

Gurgle, growl—

As his empty stomach roared as if the air inside were dancing the tango, Ramona shook her head. She went into the kitchen and soon returned with something in her hands.

“Regardless of the situation, I cannot let a guest in my home go hungry. Please, eat first.”

Adrian shook his head as he looked at the food she brought.

“Isn’t this what Raon ate earlier? No matter how hungry I am, how could I lay a hand on food meant for my sick son? I’d rather starve.”

“I made it for Raon, but I made it for myself too. That’s why I made extra.”

To be honest, she had found it bothersome to cook separate meals for herself and Raon, so she had intentionally made a large batch of abalone porridge.

“Then… may I eat?”

“Yes, so please don’t feel burdened. You can have seconds if you like. I boiled a whole pot of it.”

Ramona sometimes cooked in bulk to avoid the hassle of daily chores, and today happened to be one of those days. Thus, she could generously offer Adrian a bowl overflowing with abalone porridge.

Adrian hesitated for a moment at the sight of the unfamiliar dish, but remembering Raon’s praise, he carefully cooled a spoonful and put it in his mouth.

“Oh? It—it’s delicious. Savory and smooth.”

Following the potato dishes and the omurice, the porridge was nutty and flavorful. He was almost curious how she achieved such a taste.

“I’m glad you like it.”

She didn’t say much more. Distracted by his hunger, Adrian devoured the perfectly seasoned bowl of porridge in the blink of an eye. Then, casting aside his shame, he requested another bowl.

“I will surely repay you for this meal.”

“That’s a good mindset to have.”

Seeing him eat so ravenously reminded her of Raon. When Raon was healthy, he too would finish his abalone porridge with incredible gusto.

After two bowls, Adrian was finally full. As a sense of satiety settled in, a smile spread across his handsome face.

“I’ll help with the dishes. Um, to be honest, I’ve never done them before, so I would be grateful if you could teach me.”

Judging by his request to learn how to wash dishes, it seemed he had no intention of leaving anytime soon. Resigned, Ramona taught him the method. Since he couldn’t cook, Adrian insisted on contributing this way and began washing the dishes with clumsy hands.

“If the Young Duke stays here, are there many people who will report your every move?”

“There might be, but my father likely doesn’t have the luxury to worry about such things right now. He’s probably busy digging through Count Neyno’s affairs to the point of peeling off his scalp.”

Indeed, given how things had exploded, few people would be able to let it slide quietly.

Whether the Count was caught or Aria was cast out, it was no longer her concern. Ramona picked up her work and went into Raon’s room. Sitting beside the softly snoring child, she resumed the needlework she had left unfinished.

Time flowed in a restless yet slow manner. When Raon woke, she fed him more porridge and medicine before putting him back to sleep. Her heart ached every time Raon looked at her with teary eyes, and she could do nothing but stroke his damp hair.

“How is Raon?”

“He’s much better than before.”

“That is a relief. Truly.”

Exhaling a sigh of relief at the news, Adrian cleared the documents occupying the dining table to one side. Once space was made, Ramona brought over the reheated porridge. Though there were no special side dishes, it was a perfectly satisfying meal.

“If you need any ingredients, please tell me.”

Seeing Adrian look ready to raid the Cassius duchy’s storehouse at a moment’s notice, Ramona shook her head.

“I don’t wish to receive any more help.”

“I see. Understood. I will stay by the child’s side from now on. You should get some deep rest tonight, Ramona.”

As he was finishing his second bowl of porridge, a knock was heard. Ramona put down her spoon and opened the door to find Anna standing there with a bright smile.

“I heard Raon is sick. I brought this hoping it might help. It’s a cooling herb—if you brew it, soak a towel, and put it on his forehead, it’s supposed to be very refreshing.”

Anna had brought the fever-reducing herb, likely having heard the news from Brown. Knowing that these herbs only grew deep in the mountains, Ramona accepted them gratefully.

“Thank you. I’ll put them to good use.”

“Don’t mention it. But is Raon okay? Poor thing, how lonely he must have been in that massive house without any protection. If they were going to neglect him like that, they shouldn’t have taken him at all. Honestly.”

Knowing that Anna spoke out of genuine concern for Raon, Ramona didn’t stop her. Meanwhile, behind her, Adrian’s hand froze.

“He’s the only child they have, and they have servants, yet they couldn’t even look after him properly. If it were me, I wouldn’t even be able to lift my head.”

True to her words, Adrian’s head began to sink lower and lower.

“Actually, he’s doing exactly that right now.”

“How do you know that, Sister?”

“Because he’s sitting right there.”

Ramona stepped aside. Anna’s eyes went wide as saucers when she saw Adrian, who had his head practically buried in the dining table.

“U-Sister… I won’t be dragged away and killed in the middle of the night, will I?”

“Don’t worry about that. No matter how much he failed at being a father, he isn’t the type of person to secretly kidnap someone just for stating the facts.”

“So… he’ll kidnap me in broad daylight instead?”

“Hmm, maybe?”

Anna flinched and gave an awkward smile. She had heard plenty about the eccentric personalities of nobles. She looked at Ramona as if pleading for her to say something on her behalf.

“Ahem, th-that will not happen.”

Unable to watch any longer, Adrian stood up awkwardly and spoke.

“Of course it won’t. This is the wife of Brown, the one who first learned Raon was sick and contacted me.”

“Ah! I see. I am in your husband’s debt. I will ensure you are properly compensated, so do not worry.”

Seeing Ramona had secured a definite pardon for her, Anna bowed her head deeply with an awkward expression. Normally, Brown should never have told Ramona about the condition of the Cassius heir.

The heir’s health was always a state secret.

“Co-compensation? My husband was just doing his job. We’ve all received so much help from Sister… I’ll be going now. Sister, please let me know when Raon is healthy again!”

Without waiting for an answer, Anna zipped back into her house—though it was just the house next door.

Once Anna left, Ramona quickly pushed Adrian into Raon’s room. He didn’t understand why at first, but a moment later, the silence was shattered.

“Ramona! I heard Raon is sick. Mr. Thomason told me. Here, take these potatoes! When Raon wakes up, make him something to eat.”

“Oh my, you didn’t have to…”

“It’s the least I can do to repay the favor. Thanks to you, Ramona, those thugs who used to bully us can’t even show their faces anymore.”

The neighbor chatted with a grin before heading home. After that, more people came by to comfort Ramona, bringing various items.

“Sister, these are from the apple tree in our yard. I remember Raon enjoying them before, so I brought some over.”

“Is Raon very sick? Tell him we have to play together once he’s healthy!”

“Why did you bring so much?”

“You saved the lives of me and my son, Sister. There’s nothing we wouldn’t give you. You can even use the child’s father as a servant if you need to! You have every right to do so.”

Looking at Emile and Branson, who had brought a large basket full of apples, Ramona gave a faint smile.

It wasn’t just those two. Afterward, the townspeople practically wore down the threshold of the house, coming by to pray for Raon’s recovery and bringing gifts. Watching this through the crack in the door, Adrian was stunned.

There were those who owed their lives to her for driving off thugs, and even those who said they barely survived because she had lent them money when they were destitute.

In this neighborhood, it seemed Ramona’s influence was far greater than that of the Cassius Ducal House.