I Became the Youngest Sister-in-law of the Ruined Reverse Harem’s Male Leads - Chapter 163

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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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#.163

During the joint training, the Order finally caused an incident. As a result, inspectors with past experience cooperating with the Empire were naturally selected.

Among them was Edith. She had stayed in the Empire for a long time and had a track record of dealing with the Order.

“Information about the route is expected to come in around tomorrow afternoon. We need to end the entire situation at sea to prevent them from landing on shore.”

“Naval combat… That’s Trowance’s specialty.”

“Since dark mages exist, we must consider various scenarios. Also, since it’s at sea…”

After finishing the meeting, she encountered Marius who was just entering the knight’s barracks.

Marius’s gaze briefly touched Edith before falling away.

He passed by Edith pretending not to notice. Or rather, he tried to.

At least now wasn’t the time to put personal feelings first. But.

“Edith.”

Suddenly turning around, Marius called out to Edith.

He had no intention of telling her to step back because it was dangerous. Marius knew her abilities better than anyone.

In his past life, the reason the Empire struggled so long with the Trowance invasion was precisely because of Edith, who stood at the forefront.

“What is it?”

“While you’re away, I’m the guardian, not Andrea. Whether you want it or not, whatever the law says… that’s right.”

Before she could feel fear, Marius quickly continued his explanation.

“I’ll step forward and protect, so don’t worry about anything and go.”

Since there was no specific designation, anyone listening would assume he was talking about Lilliana.

The fact that the Emperor cherished his youngest sister-in-law like a child was undeniable to anyone in the Imperial Palace.

Edith’s face contorted strangely.

If he had been greedy about the child and acted aggressively, she could have responded with peace of mind.

But he showed every consideration he could. Even though he could actually claim the child’s rights.

‘If only he’d drag this into a mud fight, I could cut off my emotions too.’

After telling such a terrible lie, why was he being so considerate now? Edith could only feel resentful.

“Don’t you hate me?”

“Isn’t that something I should be saying?”

Marius smiled faintly like a dying candle.

To kill the sadness that welled up without her knowing, she bit her lower lip firmly, but eventually Edith tensed her jaw until it contorted.

A person who laughed carelessly and seemed bland but was actually delicate and kind. The man she had loved remained unchanged.

That fact was quite sorrowful. Because neither love had changed, nor had the person.

“You’re right. I hate you so much. Why you told such a cruel lie and twisted the situation like this… I resented you for such a long time.”

“I’m afraid that apologizing might hurt you.”

He couldn’t dare imagine how much time it would take and how difficult the effort would need to be to restore the trust that had been shattered to pieces.

Would grabbing him by the collar and throwing him down make her feel better? Edith barely managed to sort out her turbulent emotions.

“Just one hour.”

“One hour?”

“I’ll contact Regina today, so visit tomorrow. You should see her properly at least once. …Then I’ll be going now.”

After bowing politely, Edith left the knight’s barracks to find her colleagues.

Marius, who had been watching her retreating figure for a long time, finally exhaled the breath he had been holding once she disappeared.

* * *

“What do 5-year-olds like these days? Dolls? Blocks? No. Wrap everything from here to there.”

Marius, who handed over a whole sack of gold coins, gathered an enormous amount of toys and set off for the ducal residence.

His palms were sweating so he kept rubbing them, and even though the carriage was running at full speed, it seemed too slow so he kept looking out the window.

When he arrived at the ducal residence like that, his hands trembled from being too nervous.

“Brother. Calm down.”

Edgar, who greeted him, couldn’t stand it anymore and patted his back.

Then Marius grabbed Edgar and almost clung to him while confessing his worries.

“What if she hates me?”

“She’s only 5 years old. She doesn’t think like that.”

“You could read and write when you were 5. You acted so smart.”

“That’s because I was exceptional… Sigh. Let’s go first.”

Edgar dragged Marius along to the playroom.

Regina and Edgar’s voices flowed out from beyond the playroom door.

“Edgar. You look so cute with the pin. How about being Lady Edgar?”

“Great-aunt. I’m a boy! I’m going to be a cool hunter when I grow up!”

“But right now you’re Lady Edgar?”

“No way!”

Marius checked on Edgar, who was bickering with Regina through the slightly open door gap.

Edgar, with his bangs swept back with a strawberry pin, resembled him remarkably.

Amid the crossing of excitement and tension, Marius gently knocked on the door.

“…Come in.”

Regina gave permission to enter a beat late.

Marius took a breath and grabbed the door handle, pushing it open.

“Hello.”

Marius worried whether his smile might be stiff.

Upon seeing him, Edgar quietly hid behind Regina.

“The strange uncle came again.”

“Edgar. He’s not a strange person, he’s Edgar’s older brother’s brother.”

“Brother’s brother? Like Filippo, who is Yosiyas’s older brother?”

“Yes. There’s a big age gap with Edgar.”

Marius knelt on one knee to lower himself and introduced himself in a gentle voice.

“Uncle’s name is Marius.”

Edgar hid tightly behind Regina and whispered to her.

“I want to see Aunt Mandy…”

“Edgar. Don’t be like that. Uncle Marius gives really good piggyback rides and is really fast at running!”

“Really? Can I trust that?”

“Of course. He used to give piggyback rides to your youngest aunt every day.”

“This uncle is faster than Uncle Leo. I know because I’ve ridden too.”

“Ahem. Uncle brought lots of presents for Edgar. Want to see?”

When Marius pulled out a toy from behind his back, Edgar’s eyes sparkled.

As he let down his guard and approached slowly, Regina and Edgar tactfully left the spot.

“Uncle. Are you only playing with me today as a special occasion?”

Since he grew up like siblings with Lilliana, his way of speaking was just like young Lilliana.

“Uncle. Are you good at sword fighting?”

“Of course. Don’t I look like it?”

“No!”

“No. Uncle is really good at sword fighting.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

He had only seen him twice in total. However, the moment his eyes met with this child who resembled him and the woman he loved most, his world was transformed.

He felt like he wanted to give this small, unfamiliar child everything in the world.

He felt like he could sacrifice his life.

Affection of unknown origin quickly rose and consumed him.

“Uncle! Then let’s sword fight now!”

Edgar, who had unwrapped the package, rushed at Marius wielding the toy sword.

Marius quickly snatched the sword away and swiftly lifted Edgar, throwing him onto the sofa.

When raising the well-behaved Edgar, she hadn’t known, but watching Leopold play with the twins, she realized that playing with boys required being a bit more rough.

“Kyahahaha!”

As expected, Edgar was excited and jumped at him again.

When he laughed, Edith’s face showed quite clearly. The teeth visible through his bright smile also resembled Edith.

He was the son of him and the woman he loved most.

That fact made his heart ache with joy, and he was as sad as he was happy.

“Mister, again! Do it again!”

“I’m not tired! Uhyahyahya!”

“Kiyaaaaa! Giddy up! Giddy up!”

The small body climbing on his back and hanging with arms around his neck was endearing.

Marius giggled while carrying Edgar on his back.

“Mister. Come again next time!”

“Would you like it if mister came again?”

“Uncle Andrea is sick so he can’t play. Mom is too busy.”

“So you were bored?”

“No. Aunt Mandy and big brother Antonio play with me so I’m not bored. But playing with mister is super fun!”

Small hands repeatedly grabbed his nape then tickled his chin.

Even though he was drenched in sweat, he cherished this time.

“Hehehe. I’m going to brag to Aunt Mandy. That mister played with Edgar.”

“Really? Was it that fun?”

“Yes! In grape class, only Edgar doesn’t have a daddy, so I couldn’t play horseback riding or flying in the sky games.”

“Daddy…”

Marius bit his lips hard.

Not mister, but daddy.

Though he had decided to stay silent to avoid confusing the child… it was too painful not being able to tell the truth.

Suffocatingly, as if his heart would tear apart.

He was the owner of the Empire who occupied the imperial throne, yet he had become the most miserable man in this world.

Therefore, Marius unknowingly asked.

“Edgar. Don’t you miss your daddy?”

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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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