I’m Done With Unrequited Love - Chapter 44

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 44
“You’re stating the obvious.”
…
Yet his curt reply didn’t inspire confidence.
Ariel looked down at Rene and asked, “Is he treating you well? Aren’t you frightened?”
Rene shook his head quickly.
“No, I’m fine. He said he’d adopt me, and…”
“What?”
At Rene’s bombshell, Ariel’s gaze swung back toward Ernan.
“Is that true? You intend to adopt Rene?”
“There’s no reason to lie to a child.”
“Good heavens.”
Ariel’s eyes widened like saucers.
“You’re saying you’ll become his father.”
It had happened that way.
On the last day I’d seen Ernan before the hearing, he’d said this to me:
“I’m curious about your thoughts on proceeding with adoption immediately after a favorable verdict.”
Ernan had framed it as a question, but it was merely a notice. Still, I’d had no room to object.
“I approve. I support this adoption. I think it should be carried out at once.”
I’d been too busy welcoming it with open arms.
Rene was getting a family.
‘In the end, it went according to the original work.’
Rene being registered into the Cleor Ducal House.
Becoming Rene Cleor.
…It’s a relief that nothing changed.
“Then, when were you thinking of carrying out the adoption?”
“Today.”
“Pardon?”
Ernan checked the wristwatch on his left wrist before correcting himself.
“To be precise, in approximately ten minutes.”
…
Ariel’s lips trembled.
Rene’s and my expressions shook as though struck by an earthquake.
“…Truthfully, I was satisfied merely by the Custody Rights not reverting to my parents.”
Ariel, who had been lost in thought with a serious expression, nodded and continued speaking.
“Binding him not only by blood but also by law to those people—isn’t that terribly cruel?”
…
“If the Duke Cleor were an odd sort of person—or rather, unsuitable—I’d planned to intervene then. Prioritizing, of course, after the Custody Rights were stripped from my parents first.”
“I’d prefer you speak your mind freely.”
“If this is adoption rather than simple guardianship, it will be far more difficult for me to rescue Rene later if I should try. Are you truly a trustworthy person?”
Ernan’s head tilted.
It was the expression of someone looking at something incomprehensible.
“Surely you don’t think you’ll get a proper answer by asking the person in question within ten minutes.”
“Assessing someone fully in ten minutes is difficult. I have no other option but to ask the person directly.”
“Ah, well then. You’re welcome to ask me.”
At my interjection, Ariel’s gaze shifted to me.
She sighed—ah—as though only now grasping it.
‘Right, that makes sense.’
When people panic, their vision narrows naturally.
I raised my hand and spoke.
And then,
“I’ll vouch for him.”
A guarantee that wouldn’t stand even between family.
Not a debt guarantee, exactly, but still.
“Ernan Cleor is very sound, entirely safe, and quite wealthy.”
“Doesn’t the last part seem odd?”
“I’m taking your side, so stay quiet.”
Ariel asked,
“Do you have even the slightest grounds for me to believe your word?”

“I…”
“Yes.”
“I…”
“Go ahead.”
Hmm. Well.
I spoke, my mind wavering.
“A person I’ve grown fond of. You needn’t worry about his character.”
“……”
“……”
Had I ruined it?
“I’m sorry. Forget what I said.”
Diego spoke up from beside me.
“Certainly, an evaluation from someone who harbors personal feelings toward the subject lacks credibility.”
That word, credibility.
Just as in the trial moments ago, I felt I’d heard the word credibility enough to last a lifetime.
“Perhaps it would be better to stake something tangible instead.”
“For instance?”
“Money, honor, position—things like that.”
“I see.”
That wouldn’t be difficult.
I raised my right hand as if taking an oath.
“I, Fidellia Jonas, am the heir to Jonas House and a provisional senior member of the Corbalyeu Imperial Academy. I also possess substantial personal assets held in the Luca Central Bank. I stake all of this on the oath that Ernan Cleor will never bring harm to Rene.”
Should it prove otherwise, I would be stripped from the House and Academy, and all my wealth would be transferred to Ariel Flora.
“Would you serve as a witness, Diego?”
“If you wish it.”
I looked back at Ariel.
“How is it now?”
“……It is believable, at least. Especially given that you’ve staked something of equal worth to the succession of Jonas House.”
Ariel’s expression had softened considerably, and she brushed back the hair that had fallen across her forehead.
“Now I understand why my friend has taken such an interest in you.”
“……What?”
What was she saying now?
“Ah, please don’t misunderstand. It’s not romantic feeling—my friend is a woman, after all.”
A woman?
“Lady Ariel. But I have learned that love has no reason, no conditions, and no falsehood.”
Ariel’s eyes widened slightly.
“My friend speaks in much the same manner.”
“It’s a passage inscribed in the Church’s sanctuary. Your friend must be a devoted believer.”
“Well……. I suppose one could see it that way.”
Ariel furrowed her brow, speaking as though uncertain of her own conviction.
“Then, this adoption—might we consider it to be proceeding with the consent of Rene’s elder sister, Ariel Flora?”
“Yes. At this point, there’s no helping it. If Rene is willing, then so am I.”
As Ariel’s gaze fell upon her, Rene nodded quickly.
And at that, Ariel’s expression became wistful.
“It’s time.”
Ernan spoke.
“I should see you out.”
I’d heard that adoption, unlike guardianship, required a daunting array of procedures. We had to leave Ernan and Rene behind and depart first.
Before we parted, I dropped a subtle hint to Ernan.
“I’ll press Siren for information and let you know what I find.”
<I suspect Siren, you know.>
Ernan questioned my earlier statement.
<You suspect your partner?>
<That was a one-time partnership. And I’ve had my doubts about Siren for a while now.>
<But it’s only suspicion at this point.>
<Then I’ll press for a confession, Ernan Cleor.>
Thus, once this case was closed, I had already scheduled Siren for interrogation…….
“Rene, take care. I’ll write sometimes. Answer when I call.”
“O-of course……!”
Then Ernan and Rene headed off to another department within the Court to proceed with the adoption formalities.
Rene waved at us the entire way until she was out of sight.
The three of us remaining waved back until her figure disappeared completely.
……
My heart felt strangely complicated.
Perhaps that was why.
“Come now, Fidellia. My dearest friend.”
The next day, I sought out Sarubia.
* * *
—Think back. Among those around you, who bears a coloring that resembles Kiara’s exactly?
At those words, only one person came to mind.
The empire’s princess, now a Grand Duke.
The Emperor’s sister.
<Aren’t we friends? I gave you special permission myself. What was my name again?>
‘Sarubia.’
Sarubia von Dilailah.
My…… dearest friend.

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