Chapter 17: 17

Knowing the character of the original male lead, I made up my mind before meeting Luc for the first time.

No matter what Luc says, don’t be offended.

Luc is a child, so even if he says something like ‘I hate my sister!’ one day, I should be understanding.

But contrary to my expectation, Luc was a very kind child.

A child who listens well, studies hard and follows me well.

And for the first time, I was experiencing the difficulties of parenting.

“Luc. Isn’t it time to study now?”

I squatted, held Luc’s hands and asked.

At my question, Luc kept his mouth shut.

As usual, Luc was supposed to head to the study while I headed to the office.

But something was strange, and when I turned around, Luc was standing still without entering the study.

I asked Luc what was going on, wondering about the situation.

“Luc. You don’t like to study?”

Luc hesitated for a moment but then nodded.

Well, I understand.

Not everyone wants to study.

Still, I was relieved to hear that Luc was good at studying and that he showed a high enthusiasm to learn.

“Our Luc, why don’t you want to study?”

Luc did not answer.

I was perplexed.

Teacher, help me!

My child doesn’t want to study!

What do I do in this situation!

“Do you hate studying because it’s difficult?”

Shake shake.

Luc shook his head.

“Hmm…Then, do you not like the teacher? Would you like to study if I change the teacher to the one that taught Luc before instead of Treon?”

Luc hesitated for a moment, then shook his head again.

Sigh, what should I do?

If Luc was an ordinary child, I could say ‘Yeah, just use your talents instead of studying!’ and promote other fields.

Because our Luc is a sword prodigy!

Even if he only focuses on the sword, he can strive well to survive in this world.

But Luc was the heir of Valruga and would lead the duchy.

He couldn’t just simply wield a sword and know nothing…

Of course, I will undoubtedly accept Luc as he is as my baby.

But what if someone wants to devour our Luc?

No, rather, what if Luc doesn’t want to become the Duke of Valruga?

Then what should I really do?

“Hmm…Luc, is studying currently too difficult?”

“…No.”

“Then, why don’t you want to study? Can’t you just tell your sister? Sister will take care of it.”

At my words, Luc lifted his lowered head and looked at me.

His red eyes were watery.

My heart aches.

Ugh…The sentence ‘Forget studying, do whatever you want Luc!’ is filling up my throat.

Instead of answering, Luc hugged me.

“Sister……”

“Yes, Luc.”

I hugged Luc back and patted him.

It was then.

Luc suddenly turned around and blocked my view as if he was protecting me.

When I looked up, Treon was watching the two of us.

“Butler, what are you doing here?”

Treon answered my question.

“It’s nothing.”

I don’t think it’s nothing.

Treon looked at the two of us with a faint stunned expression.

After having a class with Treon, Luc said he didn’t want to study, so Treon must have been the root problem.

I hugged Luc and looked at Treon.

This spawn of evil!

“…Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Like what?”

“…Nevermind.”

“Sister. Don’t worry about it, let’s go.”

Luc grabbed my hand and tugged me.

Treon made a troubled expression, looked at Luc and bowed his head.

“I was wrong, Duke.”

When I glanced at Luc, he held my hand tightly and looked down at Treon.

“My actions were presumptuous.”

“I don’t really blame you.”

Luc’s calm voice was different from what I usually hear, but I didn’t notice it as I was trying to grasp Treon’s gaze on me.

What? What’s going on?

Why is he looking at me?

Luc stared intently at Treon as if he was urging him something.

Treon hesitated for a long while, contemplating how he should choose his words, then spoke with difficulty.

“I tried to estrange the madam and duke’s relationship. I apologise. I will accept any kind of punishment willingly.”

It wasn’t too surprising.

It was because Treon didn’t want me to completely take over the duke’s power.

Maybe he said something along the lines that he shouldn’t be swayed by me.

It would have been more surprising if Treon didn’t say anything.

“If sister wants to kick him out, you can kick him out. Or you can put him in jail.”

“No, why is it that extreme…”

“That’s not true. It is an unforgivable felony for me to try to separate the two of you.”

Wow. It’s rather terrifying for this man to become humble like that.

“It’s really okay. Well, what can you do? It’s natural for the butler to think I have spread strange rumours or doubt that there might be another family behind me.”

Treon looked at me with stunned eyes but quickly controlled his expression.

I guess I was right.

In a sense, he was a man who did not deviate from my expectations.

“If you’re really concerned, I will cut your salary by three months. There are not enough people in our castle for us to kick you out.”

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“Thank you.”

Treon bowed again.

“Sister is too kind.”

Luc pursed his lips.

“Luc, is that why you said you didn’t want to study?”

Luc shut his mouth at my words.

Ha, this little kid was trying to protect me in his own way.

“Because I have to protect sister.”

‘It’s alright, you don’t have to do this in the future. I can take care of myself.’

I tried to draw the line by saying that, but Luc’s small hand fumbled and latched onto mine.

I couldn’t bear to say anything about protecting me in his own way when he was still a lot younger than me.

So I simply told how I honestly felt.

“Thank you, Luc.”

Luc smiled brightly as if I had answered correctly.

＊  ＊  ＊

Luc went to the library to study with his original teacher, while Treon and I headed to the office.

Treon made a cup of hot tea and placed it in front of me.

‘Was it a truce for now?’

I thought as I sipped on the tea that Treon had brewed.

He was still hesitant about me being in charge of the castle’s household, but it seemed that he had decided not to express his dissatisfaction.

‘I don’t even wish for loyalty, so I hadn’t thought of dealing with him secretly…’

There was nothing more painful than a knife that was stabbed by an ally.

While I observed Treon, Treon feigned ignorance, and Naol was in the middle of organising the letters that have arrived today.

The task was done a lot faster compared to when it was just Naol and me in the office, but it felt suffocating.

At that moment, I became envious of Blackie who was sleeping soundly on the soft cushion.

Naol, who had finished organising the letters, spoke.

“Madam. Today, all you need to look at is the letter from Count Martech.”

I looked over it carefully.

Treon’s face instantly turned pale at the mention of Count Martech.

Treon hardened like a statue, then bit his lips as if he was holding something back and took a deep breath.

After that, he returned to his usual expression.

It was a brief change that I would have missed if I hadn’t been watching him the whole time.

“Count Martech? What does he want?”

An answer appeared after my question.

“It’s a letter requesting to meet you in person because he wishes to discuss this year’s trading contract.”

“Do we still have anything left to sell on our land?”

“There is a mine where light irons are produced. It’s not much, but fortunately, Count Martech gave us a good price, so the profit is pretty good.”

“Why did Count Martech give us a good price?”

When that matter was questioned, Treon’s face that I was observing made a look as if he had never expected me to ask that.

“I’m not sure. Maybe it’s because the quality of the ore is good? The butler was always in charge of the contracts with Count Martech, so I don’t know much.”

Naol’s gaze turned to Treon.

Treon answered without panicking.

It was a clear answer as if he had prepared it beforehand.

“That is correct. The quality of the light iron produced in our land is consistent and good, so it is better to let the Count handle it. We have been trading since our predecessor, so they offered a good price.”

“What does Count Martech do with the light irons?”

“He makes swords. Skilful blacksmiths live together in the Martech County, so they make high-quality swords and gain profit by selling them.”

“Are they a family that specialises in raising blacksmiths?”

“Yes. Count Martech started as a blacksmith who supplied swords to the Imperial family and later obtained the title in return for his loyalty. At that time, there was a rumour that he bought the title using money.”

Unlike Naol, whose main job was accounting, Treon clearly knew more about social affairs and noble families.

“If such a family even purchases from us, our light iron seems to be of really good quality. Will Count Martech come here to talk about the contract?”

“No. Normally, I would go to the Martech County and return after signing the contract.”

“You?”

“Yes. If there is no issue, I will go again this time.”

I pondered for a while.

Wouldn’t it be possible to meet an information trader in the Martech County?

Information traders were all over the continent, and I knew how to find them from the original story.

The Valruga Duchy was so ruined that even the information traders had all left, but in the Martech County, wouldn’t there be some information traders as well?

“Is the Martech County far from here?”

“It takes about two days by horse-drawn carriage.”

“Is it very busy there?”

“It’s a rich family.”

“Then, I will go too.”

“Yes?”

A bewildered look flashed across Treon’s face.

“It’s fine. I can go to that far place there on my own. The road is very rough for a young lady to travel.”

That was all just a ridiculous claim.

I recalled Treon’s pale face when he heard the word Count Martech.

What was this reaction?

In the original story, Treon was Luc’s loyal vassal.

I trusted Tron after reading the original story, but was it possible that even Treon secretly betrayed the Duke?

I shook my head and said.

“No, I don’t mind. I won’t interfere with the contract you make, and I’ll stay quietly by your side. I’m more curious about the County than anything else.”

“But Madam, Martech County is a risky place. Wouldn’t the absence of two people affect the castle’s business?”

“Then I will go. You can remain here.”

“That’s impossible!”

Treon exclaimed.

Then he quickly shut his mouth as if he had made a mistake.

At this point, Naol also looked at Treon with puzzled eyes.

The more anxious Treon became, the more I knew I had to follow him.

“……I apologise for raising my voice. However…”

Treon continued to make excuses, but I did not give up.

In the end, Treon surrendered and said.

“…Alright. But you must follow my instructions when you get there. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

No matter what, Treon’s secret must be revealed.

And if it was really a betrayal…

I looked at Treon with cold eyes.

Even if he was a faithful vassal in the original story, he had to be dealt with.

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