I Became the Youngest Sister-in-law of the Ruined Reverse Harem’s Male Leads - Chapter 62

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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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#.62

The grandmother Edgar called Aunt Grandmother entered the kitchen with a frown on her face.

The deep wrinkles between her brows were frightening.

“What is this mess supposed to be?”

The grandmother walked over to Edgar and brushed off the flour with her gloved hands, tapping lightly.

“Seeing you do work that only maids should do, I can clearly understand what His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress are thinking.”

“It’s been a long time, Aunt Grandmother.”

“That’s enough greeting. And you…”

The grandmother looked at me, who was clinging tightly to Edgar. Her gaze was as frightening as a tiger’s, so I quickly greeted her.

“Ah, hello! I’m Lilliana Berchio!”

“Just by looking at your black hair, I can tell you’re from Trobancha. Most people from there have black curly hair. I am Edgar’s great-aunt.”

“Uh… Nice to meet you, Aunt Grandmother!”

“Address me as Duchess Ecroyd.”

“Yes…”

Rolling my eyes.

I rolled my eyes and searched through my mind.

I feel like I’ve heard about Duchess Ecroyd before, but I can’t quite remember.

Where on earth did I hear about her?

“Edgar. Let’s go.”

“Huh? Where to?”

“We need to go see His Majesty. I intend to tell him that I’ll take you with me, as I mentioned in my letter.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“There’s no point in being stubborn while looking like that.”

“Please don’t say that.”

Ah! I remembered.

The letter that was in Edgar’s wardrobe last time was sent by Duchess Ecroyd.

She had told Edgar to pack his things, but since Edgar had been staying at the Imperial Palace all along, I had forgotten about it, thinking it had been called off.

“Edgar. Are you moving?”

“I’m not going!”

When I asked urgently, Edgar’s complexion turned pale.

I gripped Edgar’s hand tightly.

“Edgar says he’s not going.”

“It’s none of your concern, so go wash your face and change your clothes.”

When the Duchess gestured, the maids picked me up.

As I struggled and resisted, Edgar said weakly,

“I think it would be better if you went to wash up and change clothes as Aunt Grandmother says.”

“Edgar?”

“I’ll go see my brother and come back, so let’s meet at dinner time later.”

Edgar left me stunned and exited the kitchen with the Duchess.

Somehow I felt anxious, as if my friend was going far away.

‘I wish I had the legendary wizard’s staff…’

Then I would wish for that scary grandmother to go home alone.

* * *

Edith and Marius were discussing the event that would take place in two days.

“If we throw a big birthday party, it would serve as a warning to the others too.”

“Political matters are something adults should handle separately, and birthdays should be spent with family.”

“Come to think of it, what kind of gift does Lilliana want to receive? Edgar is still worrying about it.”

Lilliana’s birthday was in two days.

Everyone, including them, Regina, and Leopold, was engaged in a subtle competition over Lilliana’s birthday gift.

“Leopold bought the acorn-shaped moonstone she said she wanted last time.”

“Regina asked Countess Ruman for help and succeeded in getting limited edition teddy bear pajamas.”

“Only we haven’t decided yet.”

“I don’t think it’s just us.”

Edith answered proudly.

“I got a dress and hair pin set that’s the latest trend in Trobancha.”

Marius gaped like a fool, feeling betrayed.

With only two days left until the birthday, what should he do?

He squeezed his eyes shut. He couldn’t think of any really great gift.

Just then, an unexpected guest appeared.

It was Duchess Ecroyd.

“I greet Your Majesty.”

“Has it been a year? It’s been a long time.”

Following the Duchess, Edgar entered in a disheveled state, nervously fidgeting with his clothes.

“Edgar. Why do you look…”

“Your Majesty. The young Duke is not only a child of House Waldrafen but also a collateral member of the Imperial Family. How could you neglect such a child like this?”

“I wanted to go into the kitchen myself.”

“If you looked in a mirror, you wouldn’t be able to say that, Edgar.”

Just as Marius was about to speak, the Duchess shot back with fierce intensity.

“I know you’re busy focusing on state affairs, but you should have paid attention. The same goes for Her Majesty the Empress.”

The Duchess had long forgotten even the original reason for coming to the Imperial Palace.

She had certainly intended to pressure Regina by presenting her with signatures from society ladies.

However, seeing Edgar covered in flour and eggs, anger rose to the top of her head.

To her, who was over seventy, cooking was not play or experience for a young child, but lowly work that servants should do.

“I will take Edgar with me.”

“Is that what you have to say as soon as you arrive?”

“I’m not criticizing Your Majesty, but I’ve had many doubts about Edgar’s upbringing from before. Last year, when I visited the ducal estate again, Edgar didn’t have a single friend.”

The child, who was only six years old at the time, had said with hostility that he was comfortable being alone.

This was evidence of improper development.

“The reason I returned to the Empire was also to take Edgar with me.”

“First, let’s calm down and have a slow conversation.”

“Duchess. I think there’s been a misunderstanding. Please sit down first—”

“For Leopold to meet a proper woman and marry, it would also be wise for me to take Edgar away.”

“Be careful. That’s not something to say in front of Edgar.”

As soon as the excited Duchess finished speaking, Edith’s expression turned serious.

Though it wasn’t enough to frighten Edgar, there was a weighty presence that the excited person couldn’t ignore.

She checked on Edgar, who was holding his breath behind the Duchess.

“Marius. Have your conversation with the Duchess.”

Edith walked past the Duchess toward Edgar.

Taking Edgar’s hand, she left the room.

Walking down the corridor to find the drawing room, Edith closed the door and immediately knelt on the floor to meet Edgar’s gaze.

“…I was trying to make a cake with Lilliana. But suddenly Aunt Grandmother came… I’m sorry. Because of me…”

“Cake? Making cake must have been fun. What flavor was it?”

“I ruined it…”

“It’s okay. Everyone does that when they make it for the first time.”

“…Am I a burden to Leo?”

Edgar pressed his lips together with a dejected expression.

Seeing his heartbroken appearance, Edith gently stroked Edgar’s cheek.

“It’s not a burden, it’s a joy.”

“That can’t be true.”

“Marius says that having Edgar gives him strength even when he doesn’t want to work.”

“My brother?”

“Yes. And he asks me every day. Would Edgar get angry if I called him little tiger like I do with Lilliana?”

“Really?”

“He thinks about it every single day because he wants to get closer to Edgar. And Leopold…”

Eyes filled with anticipation captured Edith’s heart.

“He says he wants to teach Edgar swordsmanship when he turns fourteen. He’s looking forward to it, thinking they’ll become closer.”

“Really?”

“I don’t lie.”

Edith spread her arms wide and hugged Edgar tightly enough to crush him.

While adults usually dislike such tight hugs because they feel suffocating, interestingly, children often find them comforting.

As she expected, Edgar felt the affection and warmth directed toward him through that overwhelming sensation.

This must be what it would feel like to have a mother.

Edgar, who had the same thought as his best friend Lilliana, sorted through his sad feelings in that embrace.

* * *

Marius persuaded the Dowager Duchess of Eckroidt, who wanted to take Edgar away immediately, to stay at the Imperial Palace for a few days.

Leopold, who came running after hearing the news, was the first to visit her room.

“Taking Edgar away? There was no such talk.”

“Even if you are His Majesty, raising a child is a separate matter. Childcare is not state affairs.”

“Leopold and I can raise him well.”

“Does the woman you’re planning to marry want that too?”

“Aunt Grandmother!”

Even when Leopold raised his voice, the Duchess didn’t bat an eye.

She stared at the setting sun with a cold expression.

“For His Majesty who married and started a family, for you who needs to start a family, and for Edgar who needs a stable caregiver—this is the best solution.”

“You don’t know the Empress and Regina.”

“I don’t want him to feel awkward between this adult and that adult.”

“That has never happened.”

“The Empress is a foreigner. Don’t you think Edgar might be confused under her care?”

“Those are all hasty assumptions. So please stop, rest comfortably in the Empire, and then return.”

The Duchess clenched her wrinkled hands into fists.

“I’m going crazy with worry about both you and Edgar! You want to raise Edgar? Then meet and marry a trustworthy woman I’ve chosen!”

“No. The only person I will marry is Regina. I warn you, it would be best if you stayed quiet.”

There wasn’t a hint of falsehood in Leopold’s warning.

“Are you thinking of suing me?”

“I’ll start with a lawsuit. I don’t want to roll around in the mud with you, Aunt Grandmother. I don’t want to suppress you with force either.”

Overwhelmed by Leopold’s presence, the warrior-like Duchess swallowed hard.

He wasn’t piercingly sharp like Marius, nor did his energy fluctuate like Edith’s, but Leopold had something difficult to oppose.

It was a unique weightiness created by mixing the hardships he’d walked through with Marius and his innate uprightness.

“…I hope your rest in the Empire becomes a time to learn about Edgar, the Empress, and Regina. Please rest comfortably then.”

After closing the door, Leopold banged his forehead against the corridor wall.

Rummaging through his coat, a small box emerged.

Opening the box revealed an old diamond ring inside.

It was a ring with deep history—used long ago when his grandfather proposed to his grandmother, and when his father proposed to his mother.

And this time, he had brought it to propose to his lover.

‘I’ll have to make another restaurant reservation for a different day.’

Putting aside his disappointment, he walked away to meet Marius.

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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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