Chapter 30

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: I'll Raise the Villain Properly - Chapter 30

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"You should say hello to our Lucian too."

He might not be as polite as Amelia, but he's still your son—your own flesh and blood.

I was just about to rudely butt into the conversation.

"How have you been faring?"

"Yes. The estate is so vast, I was a bit overwhelmed at first, but Lucian helped me out, so I managed to find my way to my room without getting lost."

Amelia smoothly steered the topic toward Lucian.

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Time flies when I'm with Lucian."

Only then did the Bellomon Duke's gaze shift to Lucian. He looked startled by the unexpected mention of his name.

I gave a gentle push to Lucian's back, where he was hiding behind my skirt. His face was etched with obvious tension as he opened his mouth.

"I-It’s been a long time, Father."

Lucian's voice trembled visibly. He even stuttered, which was rare for him.

'Talking to Dad must be this tough.'

I softly took hold of Lucian's pale, white-knuckled hand. Then, forcing the brightest smile I could muster, I spoke up.

"It's truly a pleasure to see you again. The journey must have been arduous—aren't you tired?"

If Lucian couldn't manage it, then I had to be the one to act friendly toward the duke. For our Lucian's sake.

"I've prepared some tea that's good for relieving fatigue. Please, have some and unwind from your travels."

The corners of my mouth, tugged up by sheer will, quivered faintly.

My pride stung.

Isn't it common sense and basic etiquette to greet your family first when you return home?

No matter how little interest the duke had in Lucian, the boy was still his family.

Yet here he was, addressing Claude and Amelia first, ignoring Lucian entirely.

He could have at least given a nod or a glance, and I wouldn't have felt this upset.

Even though Lucian had been standing right next to Claude, the duke hadn't spared him a single look.

At least put up a front for the guests' sake. What will Claude and Amelia think of Lucian now?

'They'll think he's some puppet young master.'

I didn't care how others looked at me. I'd already cast aside my pride and reputation the moment I decided to leech off my brother-in-law's family.

But Lucian was different.

He was the legitimate heir to the Bellomon Ducal Family. And he was only six years old.

Why would a father do something so cruel as to carve away at his own child's flesh?

"Very well."

Oblivious to my inner turmoil, the duke nodded nonchalantly.

"Marquis, care to join me for some tea? It's been a while."

"...Sure."

Claude hesitated for a brief moment before nodding at the duke's invitation for tea time. In that split second, his gaze flicked toward me before returning to normal.

'Why's he looking at me?'

I wasn't even invited anyway.

I turned my head away from the two men entering the room through the open door.

"Lucian, let's head inside too."

"Mm."

I needed to loosen up Lucian, who had turned into a stiff little statue from all the tension.

"I've heard the explanation. You plan to stay at the Bellomon Ducal Residence until your injuries heal."

"Regrettably, that's the case. Once I'm mobile again, I intend to return to Agris territory."

"That could reopen your wounds. Please, stay until you're fully recovered."

The voices of the Bellomon Duke and Claude echoed through the spacious drawing room. As was typical among nobles, their conversation was full of rote pleasantries.

"Then... I'll impose on you for a while."

Though his response sounded sincere, Claude's mind was elsewhere.

'I'll get to see more of the Lilfrey lady.'

He had no desire to linger uncomfortably in someone else's home. But if Lucella was there, it changed everything.

The longer he stayed at the ducal residence, the more time he'd have with her.

He pretended otherwise, but Claude was inwardly pleased by the duke's invitation.

That didn't mean he approved of the duke's behavior, though.

Claude recalled how the Bellomon Duke had approached him without so much as glancing at his own family moments earlier.

He knew the duke didn't dote on his son.

Yet the man valued appearances and authority. With Amelia and Claude watching, he should have gone straight to Lucian out of propriety.

That was etiquette. That was family.

Even if it was just for show, he should have made it look like family came first in front of others.

Instead, he had chosen to approach Claude first, ignoring his own son.

He could imagine the treatment Lucella and Lucian received from the duke.

A sidelong glance confirmed it—Lucella's expression was grim, blue veins bulging on the back of her hand.

No wonder; being snubbed like that in front of outsiders couldn't feel good.

Thank goodness sharp-witted Amelia had deftly changed the subject.

'Sounds like she's been mooching off her brother-in-law's family and eating cold stares. Maybe I should take her back to our place and treat her right.'

Amelia's words suddenly came to mind.

He'd doubted it at the time, but it turned out to be true.

'Maybe I should do as Amelia said.'

As he'd told Amelia, marriage wasn't something you could rush into.

But if Lucella was enduring this kind of neglect at the ducal residence, wouldn't it be better to bring her to the marquisate?

"...I was worried that Lucella might have made some blunder in the marquis's presence."

The perfunctory exchange paused as Lucella's name suddenly arose, sharpening Claude's gaze.

"A blunder? Quite the opposite—the Lilfrey lady helped me adjust here quickly. She even cared for my niece so attentively."

"Is that right?"

"Yes."

Of course. There'd be no reason for him to stay longer without her.

"She's the one who saved my life, isn't she? I'm always grateful to the Lilfrey lady. Without her, I'd have ended up buried in the dirt, never reuniting with my niece."

Claude deliberately emphasized Lucella's contributions.

Lucella didn't deserve such shabby treatment. The duke needed to realize what a remarkable, extraordinary woman she was.

"I heard. Lucella stepped up herself to rescue the marquis."

"Yes. She collapsed right after saving me. Putting others before herself isn't something just anyone does."

Saying it aloud made him appreciate her feat all the more.

A noble lady who'd never done menial work, wielding a shovel herself. And she'd even unleashed hunting dogs to track her down. She was exceptionally wise and decisive.

"That's not all. Thanks to the Lilfrey lady, I was able to find my long-lost niece."

"How did Lucella know Amelia's whereabouts? The girl didn't even know her uncle was searching for her."

"Did you know the Lilfrey lady volunteers at an orphanage?"

"I've heard something about it."

The duke's response was lukewarm. He clearly disapproved of Lucella wasting time on such frivolities.

Then it was time to show him her efforts weren't pointless.

"The Lilfrey lady devoted herself to caring for children in tough circumstances. Her warmth and sincerity won over my niece."

"Won her over...?"

"She revealed her identity to the lady and asked her to find her uncle."

The duke's eyes widened at Claude's words, his dry expression cracking.

"Amelia's clever and wary. She knew revealing her identity could cause trouble, so she deliberately hid who she was."

Yet that very girl had taken the initiative to ask for help.

"Can you imagine how kindly the Lilfrey lady must have treated Amelia?"

It took more than ordinary effort.

"She could have dismissed it as a child's lie. But the lady didn't brush it off. She listened carefully and acted on it immediately."

That's how he'd been able to reunite with Amelia.

Claude's voice grew firmer as he added that final note.