I’m The Brave Puppy That Will Save The Villainess - Chapter 48

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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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Episode 48

 

* * *

 

“But the Sacred Mark did appear, didn’t it? Disowning her would be too cruel!”

 

Ruth rebelled against Duchess Lucretia’s words.

 

“An Incomplete Mark appeared, Ruth. And it’s not like I’m disowning her and throwing her out on the streets. Cruel? If you put it that way, you make me look like such a terrible person.”

 

Whether Ruth’s face turned bright red or not, Duchess Lucretia elegantly opened her mouth.

 

“The fact that only half the Sacred Mark appeared means she’s only half-blessed.”

 

“Ah…”

 

“It means she’s a child who inherited only half of God’s will.”

 

The Elders standing on Duchess Lucretia’s side looked at each other and nodded their heads.

 

An old man with yellowed teeth grinned and raised his hand.

 

He was the Viscount Family Head who had connections with Duchess Lucretia.

 

“If you would permit it, I would like to adopt the Little Master into my family. Of course, I can treat her very well.”

 

Coco’s complexion turned pale.

 

Duke Ardos whispered quietly.

 

“Shut up.”

 

“…”

 

In the chilled atmosphere, Duchess Lucretia opened her mouth again as if trying to reverse the situation.

 

“Well then, it would be good to confirm whether the Special Ability she possesses is remarkable. As Ruth said, even if it’s an incomplete Sacred Mark, a mark is still a mark, so she must surely possess an amazing Special Ability, right?”

 

At that moment, Coco suddenly raised her hand high.

 

“It’s a Special Ability that allows deep Empathy with animals! I can show you!”

 

“Ha.”

 

The atmosphere turned cold at Coco’s words. The ability to empathize with animals was among the lower-tier Special Abilities.

 

“Oh my. Her ability is quite lacking too. That’s not all. When a true Blessed Child appears, if there’s already an adopted child, it could become problematic, couldn’t it? The real Blessed Child might not be able to adapt properly.”

 

“That’s too simple a reason. We don’t even know if a real Blessed Child will appear, but couldn’t we just help them adapt?”

 

One of the Elders on Duke Ardos’s side grumbled with a disgruntled expression. Then one of Duchess Lucretia’s Elders countered without backing down.

 

“Look here, it’s not such a simple matter. Having too many adopted children in the main family line also creates quite troublesome issues with inheritance laws and such.”

 

As if enjoying the heated situation, Duchess Lucretia raised one corner of her mouth.

 

“Everyone, please calm down. You seem to be interpreting my intentions too extremely, but I don’t mean to coldly cast the child out to a commoner family. We would disown her from our family and find her another adoptive home, wouldn’t we? Then she’d still have ties to our family, so it wouldn’t be a loss for the child either.”

 

Duchess Lucretia’s words were certainly eloquent.

 

In a situation where numerous Elders couldn’t unite their opinions and remained silent, Duke Ardos stood up.

 

He was aware that if he rashly protected Coco now, Duchess Lucretia could scheme even more meticulously.

 

Perhaps that’s why.

 

He embraced the child and then looked around warningly.

 

“This doesn’t seem like a matter to decide right now. Everyone watch your words and wait without acting rashly.”

 

“Please consider the family’s position.”

 

Lucretia raised one corner of her mouth as she watched his departing figure.

 

Confident that she would never adopt Coco, who had driven out her own daughter Theresia, as her own daughter.

 

* * *

 

Private meeting time with the Elder Council Chairman.

 

Duke Ardos looked at his counterpart with an uncomfortable expression.

 

“I don’t feel good about it either. But surely Your Grace knows as well.”

 

The Elder Council Chairman cleared his throat a couple of times before speaking.

 

“…The priests that Lady Lucretia brought from the Temple this time.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“They also refuse to acknowledge the Little Master as a Blessed Child.”

 

“How dare they.”

 

“…It’s because it’s an Incomplete Mark, after all. There’s another problem. Among the priests Lady Lucretia brought, there are several who possess buff-type Special Abilities, aren’t there?”

 

The only weakness of Ardos Territory was precisely the lack of resources.

 

It was a territory that had grown solely through human resources.

 

‘Of course, there was once someone who possessed the highest-grade Vidento-class buff ability.’

 

A Special Ability user who could amplify others’ abilities tenfold.

 

Unfortunately, they had completely left the Family House now, so they had to be considered absent.

 

Duke Ardos gritted his teeth as he received the list of buff-type priests that the Elder Council Chairman handed over.

 

“Yes. How impressive indeed. To amplify Special Abilities by more than double…”

 

“Yes, so the expectations of those with Special Abilities within the Family House are quite high. They very much desire the priests’ buffs.”

 

“Grr…”

 

“Already, voices supporting Lady Lucretia are rising. If you acknowledge her contributions, you should at least pretend to listen to her words.”

 

“…Elder Council Chairman. The Child has contributions too. Didn’t she help Grand Duke Rivera? You all seem to forget that easily.”

 

“Of course, it was truly remarkable. But you must also consider that Lady Lucretia has devoted herself to the Family House for over ten years.”

 

“…”

 

“If there were justification it would be different, but opposing without justification would cause internal strife within the Family House.”

 

There was nothing wrong with the Elder Council Chairman’s words.

 

Of course, ultimately all matters within the Family House should follow the Family Head’s will.

 

But without justification, he would merely become a tyrant.

 

As Duke Ardos’s expression twisted, the Elder Council Chairman bowed his head and said.

 

“Please consider all the various circumstances.”

 

After the Elder Council Chairman left, someone knocked on the door from outside.

 

“Duke!”

 

“Ah.”

 

Had she heard everything they were discussing inside?

 

The process of checking the Sacred Mark must have been hurtful to the Child as well.

 

Duke Ardos’s expression darkened.

 

When the Secretary opened the door, Coco came running toward him and smiled brightly.

 

“But, am I going to be disowned?”

 

“That’s…”

 

Looking into the child’s crystal-clear eyes, he couldn’t figure out how to respond at all.

 

“But you know, even if Duchess Lucretia opposes it, it’s okay. For me.”

 

“…”

 

“I don’t want to become Duchess Lucretia’s daughter anyway, so it’s fine!”

 

“What?”

 

At the innocent answer, Duke Ardos sighed and looked at Coco.

 

“It’s not such a simple matter, Coco.”

 

Coco muttered quietly with a dejected expression.

 

“I just need to be Chloe’s little sister… Why do I have to become Duchess Lucretia’s daughter?”

 

“…Huh?”

 

Seeing Coco’s sparkling expression, Duke Ardos paused for a moment.

 

* * *

 

Meanwhile, rumors were steadily spreading within the Ardos Family estate.

 

The laundry area of noble houses is a hotbed of gossip.

 

One loose-lipped servant girl spoke in a hushed voice.

 

“Did you hear the rumor that Little Master is fake? They say the disownment is confirmed because of it?”

 

“Well, what appeared on the back of the hand was only a half-mark after all.”

 

“Oh my…”

 

“Is our Ardos Family just any ordinary family? No matter how much merit one achieves, adoption would be difficult if they’re not a Blessed Child.”

 

“But I thought Little Master was really a Blessed Child, guess not.”

 

“Still, since there are merits achieved, the Family Head will surely arrange a good position. Let’s worry about our own futures instead.”

 

Just as the conversation seemed to be wrapping up, an elegant voice was heard nearby.

 

“So such rumors are circulating.”

 

The maids who had casually looked up immediately showed panicked expressions.

 

Lucretia Ardos.

 

The mistress of the family house!

 

The maids immediately jumped to their feet and bowed their heads.

 

“M-Madam. We apologize.”

 

They had dared to speak carelessly about the Family Head’s blood relatives.

 

It was something that should never be done as attendants.

 

But strangely, Lucretia was smiling gently.

 

“It doesn’t matter.”

 

“M-Madam.”

 

As Lucretia gracefully left the area, the maid following behind her gave a warning.

 

“Since this is just foolish chatter among servant girls, Madam is letting it slide just this once.”

 

“Yes, yes! Maid…”

 

“But he said there would be no mercy next time.”

 

Regardless of whether the maids exchanged glances at this unexpected turn of events, Duchess Lucretia was elegantly touring the mansion.

 

The maid hurriedly followed behind her.

 

“Madam, it seems the rumors have spread quite a bit.”

 

“As they should.”

 

All of this was Duchess Lucretia’s plan.

 

Everything was going smoothly. The only problem was that Duke Ardos seemed to have an extraordinary interest in Coco.

 

‘But no matter how great the Family Head is, he can’t do something that everyone opposes.’

 

At times like this, public opinion would be the most effective weapon to counter his persuasion.

 

She had taken the position of mistress of this family in place of the deceased Former Duchess.

 

Though no one knew, this was thanks to a deal with the Imperial Consort.

 

‘She asked me to become a bridge between the Ardos Family and the Imperial Family.’

 

Among countless noble ladies, there was one reason she had been chosen.

 

It was because she was excellent at devising schemes.

 

‘And now a mere five-year-old little girl dares to ruin my plans.’

 

Not only had she sent her own daughter, Theresia, to the convent.

 

She had also eliminated the priest she had planted, which was equally irritating…

 

“Continue monitoring the situation.”

 

Then, the maid spoke carefully.

 

“But, Madam. What if that child’s Sacred Mark completes later and she actually becomes a real Blessed Child…”

 

“It doesn’t matter.”

 

What mattered to her wasn’t such things.

 

‘It’s the future of me and my daughter, Theresia.’

 

Her gaze as she toured the Duke’s Mansion turned coldly distant.

 

* * *

 

The next morning.

 

Duke Ardos gathered the direct blood relatives and elders in the Grand Conference Hall.

 

Unlike the others who had to look up at Duke Ardos, Duchess Lucretia sat beside Duke Ardos on the platform.

 

However…

 

‘I can’t figure out what Duke Ardos is thinking at all.’

 

After remarrying by the Emperor’s command, they had lived under the same roof for over ten years.

 

It wasn’t as if they shared physical intimacy.

 

But they had been a couple who respected each other.

 

‘But lately, I just can’t tell…’

 

Duke Ardos, who had been surveying the conference room with eyes that were much calmer than yesterday, opened his mouth.

 

“Well then, let’s begin the meeting about the Blessed Child. An Incomplete Mark appeared. But the Council of Elders and the family are opposing it. Saying we must find the real Blessed Child.”

 

“Yes, the Council of Elders’ opinion is as follows. We believe it would be appropriate to proceed with the disownment as planned, but send her for adoption to one of the family’s branch families.”

 

Duke Ardos turned his gaze with an expression that revealed nothing of his thoughts.

 

“I see.”

 

“Yes, Duke.”

 

Duchess Lucretia opened her mouth as if to lend weight to the Council of Elders’ opinion.

 

“The atmosphere within the family is that adoption would be difficult, so it has become regrettable.”

 

Duke Ardos hardened his expression as if thinking about something.

 

The gazes of the Elder Council Chairman and Duchess Lucretia met in the middle.

 

“Though it is truly unfortunate for the child.”

 

“Yes, I will take all of your opinions into consideration.”

 

Countless people were waiting only for Duke Ardos’s decision.

 

Not only Duchess Lucretia and the Council of Elders, but also Chloe and Ruth who sat as members of the main family line, and even Coco.

 

Duke Ardos declared in a quiet tone.

 

“I disown the child who was adopted as the Blessed Child.”

 

Chloe and Ruth unconsciously bolted upright.

 

Coco’s eyes also shook violently.

 

Her shoulders drooped.

 

She looked like a defeated puppy with her tail hanging down.

 

But just then.

 

Duke Ardos stood up.

 

Everyone focused on this inexplicable action.

 

And he approached the dejected Coco and lifted her close to his chest.

 

He stared intently at her small, trembling, upset face…

 

Then quietly declared.

 

“And.”

 

…And?

 

At this unexpected turn, people looked at Duke Ardos again.

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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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