Let’s Make Saving a Habit - Chapter 108

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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 108
The Duchess Papiope, who had gone missing, returned to the Duke’s Mansion late in the evening alongside Aiden.
What was particularly noteworthy was that the two of them were holding hands.
They looked like an affectionate couple.
When I saw Aiden rush off in alarm at news of the Duchess Papiope’s disappearance, I thought it was an opportunity—but I never expected the effect to be this dramatic.
The results exceeded my wildest expectations.
“Mother! Father!”
I had been prepared to shift perspective at the first sign of trouble, but instead I broke into a wide smile and rushed toward them both as they returned safely.
As I threw myself into the Duchess Papiope’s arms, she gently patted my back.
“You must have been worried, Tania.”
“I knew Father would rescue Mother, so I was fine. Lucian was the one who worried much more than I did.”
Only then did the Duchess Papiope’s gaze shift toward Lucian, who stood behind me.
He hung his head in shame, unable to step forward.
“Mother…”
The Duchess Papiope laughed softly at the sight of him and spread her arms wide.
“Come here, Lucian.”
After hesitating for a long moment, he finally stepped into her embrace.
I found myself caught between them both, wrapped up in the embrace as well.
He had grown so much that he was now the one holding us instead.
“I’m relieved you’re safe, my son.”
“That’s what I should be saying. I’m truly grateful you’re safe. I thought something terrible had happened to you because of me, and I was so—”
Lucian, who had clearly been through considerable emotional turmoil, continued with a guilt-stricken expression.
“I apologize. This entire situation—the danger that befell myself and the Red Knights—was entirely my fault for being greedy. I will accept whatever punishment you deem appropriate.”
“Indeed. When I traced the path of your messenger bird, it led to the heart of the Monster Habitat. You clearly deserve proper punishment for disobeying my orders.”
The Duchess Papiope’s voice suddenly turned sharp and cold.
Wait, wait. Wasn’t this a touching moment just seconds ago?
Even I, who had done nothing wrong, felt cold sweat breaking out.
But Lucian did need a proper scolding.
Sensing the sudden shift in atmosphere, he loosened his grip and quietly moved his hands behind his back.
He then stood at attention, looking as though he might prostrate himself at any moment.
One word from the Duchess Papiope seemed ready to send him face-first to the ground.
“Lucian, before I give you the punishment you deserve, I have one question.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“I heard you received help from the Golden Silver Mercenary Company. How did you come to meet them?”
“They happened to be passing through that area and came to our aid.”
“…They just happened to be passing through?”
Her gaze naturally drifted toward Aiden.
But since this had nothing to do with Aiden, I quickly raised my hand.
“I called them! Since I couldn’t participate in the monster subjugation, I wanted to help in some way, so I commissioned them—though I never expected they would end up rescuing Lucian.”
At my explanation, the Duchess Papiope’s expression shifted subtly.
“Tania, you… you saved Lucian.”
“What? No, it was the Golden Silver Mercenary Company who saved Lucian! I only commissioned them to subjugate monsters.”
I couldn’t understand why I was suddenly being credited with saving Lucian.
The credit should go entirely to the Golden Silver Mercenary Company…!
Duchess Papiope tilted her head slightly.
“You didn’t foresee that Lucian would be in danger?”
“That can’t be. If I had foreseen it, I would have prevented Mother from being in danger too, but I didn’t.”
Duchess Papiope stared at me as I made my excuses, then raised her hand and gently stroked my head.
“In any case, I’m grateful. I heard it was you who told Aiden my location.”
“Ah, just now…”
Didn’t she just call him Aiden instead of Aiden?
My eyes blinked rapidly as I suddenly realized the thanks weren’t meant for me, and I quickly opened my mouth.
“Elysion found Mother’s location through magic and told me! I only relayed the information, so please thank Elysion instead.”
“Elysion?”
It was Elysion’s work. I couldn’t take credit for something he did.
Then Elysion, who had been watching our family’s conversation the whole time, made a strange expression.
He looked like he had a lot he wanted to say.
“…When did I?”
“I saw it in my foresight—you found Mother’s location.”
“Ah, so that’s how it works?”
Elysion covered his face and his shoulders began to shake.
It seemed he was trying to hold back laughter for some reason.
What was this uncomfortable feeling?
His ears, the only part visible through his covering hands, had turned bright red from how hard he was laughing.
It took Elysion quite a while before he finally stopped laughing.
Once he seemed to have composed himself, Duchess Papiope thanked him.
“Thank you, Elysion. Though I heard about it through foresight, it was still helpful.”
“Not at all. Even if the New Maid saw it through foresight, I actually did nothing.”
After the light pleasantries ended, Duchess Papiope looked at Lucian and issued a punishment.
“First, Lucian will be excluded from this monster subjugation.”
“Mother, that’s…!”
Then Duchess Papiope’s eyes narrowed fiercely. Her gaze made it clear she would not accept any objections.
“Furthermore! I’m issuing a confinement order—you are forbidden from leaving the Duke’s Mansion for three months. During that time, you will train and deeply reflect on what happened.”
“…Understood.”
Before her stern demeanor, Lucian quickly lowered her head.
She too understood her own wrongdoing.
Duchess Papiope tidied up her surroundings with a weary expression.
“We’ll conclude for today. We’ll discuss the detailed circumstances and compensation for the Golden Silver Mercenary Company saving Lucian and the Red Knights tomorrow.”

✦ ✦ ✦
According to the physician’s diagnosis, Duchess Papiope’s core suffered no significant damage, fortunately.
She recovered quickly, and within a few days, she could use her abilities again.
Taking the first day’s carelessness as a lesson, the monster subjugation proceeded as safely as possible under Duchess Papiope’s command.
And so, a month passed.
The monster subjugation concluded successfully….
Just as we were beginning to prepare for our return to the Capital.
Duchess Papiope called Lucian and me to her office, saying she had something important to discuss.
“Mother, I heard you called for me.”
“Yes, you’re here? Sit on the sofa beside me.”
Aiden was already present in the office, standing beside Duchess Papiope.
I knew Raspi was handling my escort duties today and that Aiden was resting, but I hadn’t known he was with Duchess Papiope.
Since that day, Aiden had been spending considerably more time with Duchess Papiope.
Once Lucian and I settled onto the sofa in the office, Duchess Papiope set down the documents she’d been reviewing and sat across from us alongside Aiden.
What is this strange arrangement?
Aiden had always been beside me, so this positioning felt quite unfamiliar.
I was trying to gauge what she might say.
Duchess Papiope slowly crossed her legs and opened her mouth.
“I’ll get straight to the point. I’ve decided to marry your father.”
“I’m sorry?”
Wait, this seems to be moving rather quickly.
Ah, but then again, it took six years to reach this point, so perhaps it’s slow?
I didn’t know how to react and stammered like a broken wind-up doll.
It was the moment I’d dreamed of, but because it happened without any warning, my mind went completely blank.
I spoke without knowing what I was saying.
“Wait, Mother is going to marry Father? Does that mean Aiden will truly become part of our family?”
“Yes. I wanted to tell you first. Actually, I wanted your permission.”
“Tania, Lucian. Will you give us your blessing for our marriage?”
There was no way I could refuse.
Memories of my childhood surfaced—times when I had secretly called Aiden “Father” to shift my perspective.
Tears of joy streamed down my face.
Now, I was truly becoming family with Aiden.
Legally and completely, my father.
As I suddenly began to cry, the two of them grew flustered and tried to comfort me.
“Tania, if you’re unhappy, please say so freely. You are always our priority.”
Worried the misunderstanding might linger, I quickly shook my head.
“No. I’m just too happy.”
Then I rushed over and embraced both of them with my short arms.
“You two absolutely cannot cancel this marriage! Where else could you find such a perfect pair!”
“If you hug us so clumsily, we’ll both run away.”
Aiden wrapped his enormous arms around Duchess Papiope and me, drawing us into an embrace as though he meant to shelter us from the world itself.
I turned my head sharply to look at Lucian.
“Brother, what are you doing? Come here and join us!”
“Oh, oh? Yes, of course.”
Lucian, who had been standing uncertainly, finally approached and joined our embrace.
With Aiden and Lucian’s arms encircling us from the outside, the feeling became even more solid and secure.
It felt as though no trial, no matter how severe, could ever tear us apart.
Had there ever been a day as happy as this one?
Even as I called Aiden “Father,” I had always known it was false, and that knowledge had left a hollow ache in some corner of my heart.
But now, I suspected that emptiness would never return.
If only our family could remain like this forever.

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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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