I Became the Keeper of a Suspicious Forest - Chapter 27

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 27

 

“We have arrived.”

 

“Mm, let me get out right away.”

 

Following the coachman’s words, the carriage door opened. The servants and maids waiting outside bowed their heads.

 

Then Gideon stepped down and naturally received their greetings.

 

He had been serving as the proxy of the Devonham Duke for nearly 20 years now.

 

There had been many concerns surrounding him when he first took the position as proxy, but that was all in the past now.

 

Now, no one in the nobility dared to disregard him.

 

Over the long years, Gideon had not only perfectly integrated into his role as the Devonham Duchy’s proxy but had also mastered both the symbolic authority and practical power of the Duke.

 

This could be seen just from the attitude of the servants who had lived in the Imperial Palace for over 10 years, keenly sensing and responding to the political currents.

 

And recognizing the person standing behind Gideon, they also showed signs of sympathy.

 

There were also those who couldn’t identify the boy due to his indistinct presence.

 

Guided by the servants, he passed through the vast Imperial Palace and arrived at the Audience Chamber.

 

“I greet the Sun of the Empire.”

 

“Yes, Gideon. It’s been a while.”

 

Though he had come because he was summoned, the Emperor spoke in a gentle tone as if welcoming an unexpected visit.

 

“You’re already going through difficult times, so I wonder if I called you too hastily.”

 

“Not at all. Your Majesty’s consideration actually gives me strength.”

 

“Well then, that’s fortunate. I do want to see your face, but shouldn’t there be one more person here?”

 

The Emperor, who had been looking around Gideon with questioning eyes, spotted the small figure standing behind him.

 

“Oh yes! Young Lord Devonham came along too. I didn’t recognize you for a moment.”

 

“I greet the Sun of the Empire.”

 

It wasn’t by chance that everyone in the Imperial Palace failed to recognize Aren Devonham.

 

Compared to his last visit, Aren had appeared completely changed.

 

The boy who used to follow his brother and uncle to the Imperial Palace had eyes overflowing with aspiration.

 

He would try to learn anything, saying he would become an outstanding talent like his brother and uncle, and would practice etiquette, claiming he would be praised as an excellent gentleman in high society.

 

The boy who loved his family knew the honor of his house and was always proud of his family members.

 

The boy had grown up looking up to his family.

 

Therefore, it was a natural progression that the aspiration disappeared from the boy’s eyes, and he became so broken that he couldn’t even properly look at his beloved uncle.

 

“It’s been almost a month since Young Lord Devonham went missing. As his brother, you must be suffering greatly.”

 

“…Thank you for your concern.”

 

Aren only responded to the Emperor’s words after Gideon gave him a subtle signal.

 

His head was always turned toward the floor, and he had become skin and bones from not eating properly.

 

The Emperor, showing sympathy, turned his gaze to Gideon, who had also grown gaunt.

 

“This incident is unfortunate for me and for the Empire as well. To think that the heir of a family that supports the Empire has an uncertain fate.”

 

The Emperor, who had been silent for a moment with a deeply troubled expression, made an unexpected proposal.

 

“The Imperial Court will spare no support either. If you need manpower, I can provide as much as needed, so just say the word. I’ll even lend you my personal staff.”

 

Those directly employed by the Emperor were an organization of elite few who moved only for the Emperor’s sake.

 

Offering to lend such people meant that his trust in the other party was exceptionally high.

 

The Emperor’s words didn’t end there.

 

“However, we cannot help but consider even the worst-case scenario. We must also think about the situation where the young lord cannot return. What do you think?”

 

The main topic had emerged.

 

The concern about Sionel was merely a facade. What he was really focusing on was what to do about the heir position of the Ducal House.

 

This was why the Emperor had summoned not only Gideon but also Aren.

 

From the beginning, Gideon had firmly stated that he would remain as proxy until Sionel became Duke.

 

However, with Sionel’s disappearance, the situation had changed significantly.

 

His position as the Ducal House’s proxy had expanded incomparably from the beginning, and he enjoyed deep trust both in political circles and within the family.

 

At the time of the previous Duke and Duchess’s accident, all the family retainers who insisted that the eldest son Sionel must unconditionally inherit the ducal title had lost their power.

 

With one firm path disappearing, two diverging roads had emerged.

 

The second son of the previous Duke and Duchess, Aren Devonham, and Gideon.

 

Aren, who had been overshadowed by his brother and hadn’t distinguished himself in political or social circles, was no match for Gideon.

 

Depending on Gideon’s answer, the Emperor’s perspective on the Ducal House would change.

 

“If that happens, the next Duke will be Aren. My role was to care for Sionel and Aren in place of my brother. The Ducal House is not mine.”

 

“Hmm… Is that so? I was one of those who thought you were qualified to become Duke.”

 

“I am only honored that you hold my abilities in such high regard.”

 

Perhaps contrary to his expectations, the Emperor observed his intentions a bit more before offering a lukewarm pleasantry in response to Gideon’s firm words.

 

The conversation had come to an end.

 

Having secured the Emperor’s promise of support, Gideon and Aren left the Audience Chamber.

 

And outside, Gideon’s subordinate who had been waiting discreetly handed him a small note.

 

Gideon showed no particular expression as he read the note.

 

However, only Aren noticed that the note had made Gideon extremely uncomfortable.

 

Between the family members sitting face to face, there was no trace of intimacy or comfort.

 

Aren couldn’t keep his gaze still. Whether he was aware of it or not, his body’s trembling grew increasingly severe.

 

Gideon gently wrapped his arms around his nephew’s arms.

 

“Aren, what are you so dissatisfied about?”

 

The trembling stopped.

 

“I heard from Adam. These days you lock yourself in your room and do nothing.”

 

“…”

 

“Seeing my only nephew like this breaks my heart as well.”

 

Only nephew.

 

Aren mulled over those words.

 

His uncle treated Sionel as if he didn’t exist at all in front of him.

 

The hand gripping Aren’s arm tightened.

 

“You were the one who chose me.”

 

He whispered in his characteristically gentle voice.

 

“I was the one who took everything Sionel had, but you were the one who took away the thread of hope that child possessed.”

 

“…”

 

“It was you, no one else, who abandoned your brother and came to me.”

 

Knowing that Aren couldn’t bear this fact, Gideon continued to emphasize it.

 

“We’ve been in the same boat since then.”

 

So that he could handle Aren well.

 

“I want to remain a good uncle to you.”

 

That way, no one in the world would suspect him.

 

He intended to remain as the most outstanding duke of the Devonham Duchy.

 

“So I hope you’ll continue to be a good nephew like you are now.”

 

“…”

 

“You should answer.”

 

“…Yes, Uncle.”

 

Gideon embraced him.

 

Once, this embrace had felt as warm as his father’s and seemed like it would protect him. Now only coldness circulated where they touched.

 

Quietly surrendering himself to that embrace, Aren recalled in his mind the contents of the note his uncle had crumpled.

 

Searching for target

 

* * *

 

Creak.

 

Leaving Ponia sleeping and even snoring, Sionel left the cabin.

 

Having spent the night in the cave the previous day, it seemed his fatigue hadn’t properly recovered.

 

Just as he was thinking he should probably skip today’s patrol.

 

“Oh, Sio!”

 

Chad spotted him from below the cabin and waved his hand.

 

“Unlike Nia, you seem to be an early riser?”

 

Even though it was obvious he wouldn’t receive a greeting in return, Chad shouted without caring.

 

Sionel went down the stairs.

 

“Even cousins are so different. Ah, are siblings different like this too? Haha.”

 

“…”

 

“Did you eat breakfast? Ah, are you going to eat with Nia? I picked some apples nearby, would you like to eat them if it’s okay?”

 

The round glasses covering his eyes and curly hair suited Chad’s simple-minded personality well.

 

That’s why he could be even more certain.

 

“Chad Moreau.”

 

Sionel called him quietly.

 

“Why don’t you drop the act.”

 

This was the type of person he found most disgusting.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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