Chapter 26

“A superior from the battlefield, you say? Even so…”

“That’s none of your business, so stay out of it. And mind your language in front of the children. Goodness, I’m terrified our Branson might learn something shameful from you.”

Baylor shrugged off the looks of those wondering why he was acting so deferentially to a mere “superior.” Unable to reveal that the man was actually the Young Duke of Cassius, Baylor simply hoisted Branson—who was clinging to his waist—into his arms.

“Branson, it’s important to stay close with Raon, but if you don’t want to—”

“No! I’m going to play with Raon. Raon doesn’t discriminate against kids who don’t have a mom or dad. And he studies really hard. I’m going to study hard too, so I can stay with Raon even when I grow up.”

Branson was actually quite fond of studying. However, Emile, who had been left alone until Baylor’s return, had neglected the boy’s education slightly. Sensing his father’s regret, Branson leaned in and whispered into Baylor’s ear.

“When Auntie Ramona taught Raon, I listened from the side. She praised me and said I was really good at it! Hehehe.”

At his son’s words, Baylor looked like he might die of joy, showering the boy’s small cheeks with loud, smacking kisses. Even without being taught, the child seemed to have developed a survival instinct—the ability to grab onto a “golden rope” at such a young age.

Ramona’s “rope” was indeed the strongest in the world.

“Well done. From now on, you must be very polite to Auntie Ramona and Raon’s dad too. Understood?”

“Yup! I’m always good to them. Honestly, Auntie’s home cooking is hundreds of times better than Mom’s.”

“Hahaha, is that so? Well! Your mother said she’d put some effort into dinner today, so let’s go home and eat.”

As Baylor led Branson away, the surroundings finally grew quiet. Seeing the proud Baylor bow his head, people began to suspect that Raon’s father was no ordinary officer. But it was too late to go and apologize to Raon now. The milk had already been spilled.

***

“Whoa, Toto! It’s been a while!”

The next day was a school holiday, so Branson came over to play. Seeing a beaming Branson, Raon took Toto and headed out to the yard. Toto, seemingly familiar with Branson, didn’t take an aggressive stance.

“Does Lance visit often?” Adrian asked Ramona as he watched the two boys and the rabbit playing through the window.

“Yes, they spent a lot of time together before Raon went to the Cassius estate.”

“I see. Hmm.”

Adrian held a rag in his hand, looking lost in thought. Since he had to live as a member of this household for the time being, he was helping with the chores. Ramona had told him not to, but his stubbornness was not easily broken. She wondered if Raon had inherited that trait from him just as her eyes met his. Seeing Adrian’s eyes crinkle into a soft smile, Ramona quickly looked away.

“About yesterday… someone asked if you and I were married.”

“Since Raon’s father is staying here, it’s only natural such talk would arise. If you continue to stay here, it’s only a matter of time before unnecessary rumors spread.”

Adrian wasn’t slow enough to miss her meaning. It was a subtle hint: If you don’t want to hear strange rumors, leave this place and go back to the Cassius Duchy.

“I don’t mind whatever rumors spread. I’ve already had my fill of being targeted by the nobility anyway.”

The fact that he had returned from a victorious war only to be permanently disabled—and that his fiancée was a single mother—was juicy prey for the nobles. He knew they would tear him apart behind his back, but he didn’t care.

Adrian had no interest in high society. That didn’t mean he would just sit still, though. Even if he let things slide for himself, the moment someone breathed a word against his family, he planned to pave their future with iron thorns.

Despite these grim thoughts, he kept a smile on his face as he watched the boys run around.

“What happened to that woman?” Ramona asked.

“That woman? Oh! I sent her back to Count Neyno’s estate. You won’t have to see her again, so rest easy. And about that memory crystal… I’m sorry, and truly grateful.”

If it hadn’t been for Ramona, not only Raon, but the entire Cassius family might have been shaken.

“I can do that much for Raon. Of course, from now on, that’s a father’s job. But how long do you plan to stay here?”

“Mmm, I’d like to stay a bit longer. I’ve already received permission from my father.”

Since he was caught up in a scandal, the Duke had ordered him to stay out of sight until the rumors died down. Hearing that, Adrian planned to stay proudly at Ramona’s house while waiting for the talk to subside.

“I see. Then, with your wealth, why not find a house nearby? Staying here will only subject you to vulgar rumors.”

“It’s fine.”

As long as he could eat the food Ramona made herself, he was confident he wouldn’t care if those rumors crossed the entire continent.

“An unmarried man and woman living in the same house will fire up people’s imaginations. There might even be rumors that Raon has a sibling in my womb. So, please, leave it at this and go back.”

“Even if rumors spread that Raon has twin siblings, I’m not leaving. My son is here; where else would his father go?”

Ramona shook her head at his insistence on staying where Raon was. Part of her wanted to kick him out, but since Raon followed and liked his father so much, she felt she had to wait and see.

“Even if you glare at me like that, I have no intention of leaving immediately. Ahem, that spot looks a bit dirty too. I’ll wipe it clean. Don’t you think my mopping skills have improved lately? Hahaha.”

Sensing Ramona’s mood, Adrian quickly scrambled to another spot. Not that it mattered; it was a small house, and there was nowhere out of her sight.

“Well, there’s nothing for it. This is only temporary! Temporary! Please leave as soon as possible. I’ve only fulfilled my part of our contract. If you have a complaint, take it up with the ‘Young Duke of the past’ who wrote the contract.”

Ramona crossed her arms, then immediately began boiling water in a large pot and started her needlework. She had to finish a commission she had received recently. Adrian, sneaking glances at her, stopped his work and crept closer.

‘Wow.’

He let out an internal exclamation. The embroidery on the fine silk looked incredibly sophisticated. Flowers began to bloom beautifully under Ramona’s hands, showing a skill that surpassed the seamstresses of the Cassius household.

He watched her sew for a while until a loud thump sounded from outside. He quickly turned toward the window. It seemed Branson and Raon had tangled together and fallen while playing.

Adrian rushed out, feeling relieved when he saw the boys laughing hysterically despite their scraped knees.

“You should play carefully. Does it hurt?”

“No, we’re okay!”

Branson stood up, dusting himself off, and reached out to Raon. Raon took Branson’s dirt-covered hand and stood up, laughing like a mischievous imp. Toto, sitting nearby, just tilted his head side to side.

“You rascals! I knew this would happen. Come inside and wash up immediately!”

At Ramona’s call from the window, Raon and Branson dashed into the house.

“Take off your clothes and wash.”

“Yes! Oh, Mom! Wash Toto too. He hasn’t washed, so he stinks.”

Toto, who lived a life far removed from baths, had entered the house only to start backing away upon hearing Raon’s words. Just as the rabbit found the perfect timing to bolt, Adrian grabbed him by the scruff of the neck.

“I’ll give Toto a ‘laundry’ session.”

“Then wash together! Oh! And make sure water doesn’t get in his ears!”

At Raon’s instruction, Adrian stuffed cotton balls into Toto’s ears and proceeded to “scrub” the rabbit fur alongside the children. Though Toto struggled, he was no match for Adrian’s strength and had to endure the bath.

His dirty fur turned a lovely soft pink, but Toto glared at Adrian, looking deeply offended. Adrian, unfazed by the glare, patted Toto’s fur dry with a towel and placed him in front of the kitchen hearth.

“Being here reminds me of roasted rabbit. It was quite delicious back then… well, not really. It smelled quite gamey. So don’t worry, Toto. Even if humanity runs out of its last scrap of food, I won’t eat you.”

Seeing Adrian take his revenge for the previous flying kick, Toto’s nostrils flared and twitched.

While Raon and Branson were being treated by Ramona, Toto’s whiskers trembled as he held Adrian’s undivided—and somewhat mocking—attention.