Let’s Make Saving a Habit - Chapter 40

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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 40
“Did your mother teach you to strike others? She always instructed you to be kind to those around you! How dare you raise your hand?”
I observed his great anger for a moment, then turned my gaze back to Lucian.
He stood rigid with a pallid expression, his eyes fixed upon his grandfather.
“These are the people who dress you, prepare your meals, and manage everything your hands touch!”
Wait. As I listened quietly, something felt amiss.
…It seemed he believed Lucian had struck Lena.
Likely because I was cradled in Lena’s arms, my body obscured her view of who had actually been hit.
As if to confirm my suspicion, the former Duke’s reproach toward Lucian continued.
“Yet instead of being grateful to these extensions of yourself, you treat them like toys to be used and discarded?”
“I’m s-sorry…. Hic!”
Lucian trembled violently, consumed by terror, his breathing shallow and uneven.
I understood he deserved a stern rebuke.
But Declan’s oppressive presence and momentum were overwhelming—even a grown man could not withstand it.
For a child, the intensity was far too severe.
If this continued, he might develop a trauma that would irreparably damage his relationship with his grandfather.
I had no choice. I would have to step in and mediate.
[Overwriting the current timeline with Timeline 1.]
I exhaled softly and extracted myself from Lena’s embrace, positioning myself before the former Duke.
“Grandfather, I believe there’s been a misunderstanding.”
“You, you…!”
The former Duke’s eyes widened as he took in my face, his mouth falling open in disbelief.
That’s right.
The former Duke of Duke Papiope’s Household was the Old Gentleman in Mask I had encountered at the Underground Auction House.
The very man whose wish token I had so deftly torn away.
Regardless of his shock upon seeing my face, I continued speaking without hesitation.
“It was not a maid who received a strike on her hand from Lucian—it was me.”
“What?”
“By the way, I’m not a servant. As of yesterday, I’m your granddaughter, Tania Papiope.”
“Hmm.”
I grasped the hem of my dress and offered a respectful curtsy, while the former Duke pressed the bridge of his nose wearily between his eyes.
Lucian, bewildered by the sudden shift in atmosphere, glanced between me and the former Duke before cautiously opening his mouth.
“…G-grandfather, have you met her before?”
With my back to Lucian, I placed my index finger to my lips and made a shushing gesture toward the former Duke, signaling him to keep it secret.
Unable to tell his grandson “I met this child while visiting the Underground Auction House to purchase people,” the former Duke hastily changed the subject.
“Ahem, never mind that! You say the one who struck you wasn’t a servant, but rather this girl? I need an explanation.”
“Exactly as I said. Lucian didn’t strike a servant—he struck me.”
The former Duke’s eyes narrowed sharply as he turned his gaze toward Lucian, as if demanding confirmation.
Lucian bit his lower lip and glared at me for my betrayal before finally lowering his head.
“…Yes, it’s true.”
“Lucian, I am deeply disappointed in you.”
The former Duke was composing himself, preparing to unleash his anger anew.
“Just a moment, please.”
I stepped forward before he could speak, beginning my mediation.
“It’s true that I was struck, but Lucian only carried out the penalty imposed on me after defeating me in a fair duel.”
“…What? A duel?”
“Yes. A single round of rock-paper-scissors with our pride on the line.”
An expression of bewilderment crossed the former Duke’s face.
But I shamelessly looked at Lucian and urged him to play along.
“Isn’t that right, older brother?”
“Huh? Um, uh…”
When I suddenly took Lucian’s side, he stammered in confusion.
Frustrated, I began winking at him from every visible angle until he finally nodded.
“Y-yes, that’s right.”
However, the former Duke did not fall for such an obvious lie.
“That’s absurd! Even if I were to be extremely generous and assume you really did make such a wager, the fact remains that he used violence against a child far younger than him…!”
“Grandfather!”
I grabbed the former Duke’s leg and cried out, causing him to pause momentarily.
“Please calm down. I keep telling you that I’m fine, and it seems you’re being too harsh on Lucian.”
The former Duke, who had been about to speak again, closed his mouth firmly and stared at me intently.
After a long moment, he raised his hand and ordered Lucian to leave.
“Lucian, you go inside. I’ll speak with this child alone.”
“…Yes.”
Lucian glanced at me, his footsteps reluctant as he departed.
After he had completely left.
I bowed respectfully and sought forgiveness.
“I apologize. As you’ve likely guessed, the story about a fair duel with Lucian was a lie.”
I cowardly use my foresight ability, so I’ve never lost a single game of rock-paper-scissors.
“Pfft—!”
At my quiet addition, I heard Lena beside me struggling to suppress her laughter.
I felt a small sense of satisfaction at having made her laugh and looked up at the Duke.
The former Duke Declan was no fool.
He would have certainly seen through the obvious lie I had presented.
He knew everything, and sent Lucian away to speak with me.
Perhaps he was surprised that I immediately admitted the lie. The former Duke’s eyebrows twitched.
“Why did you protect Lucian?”
“Because I’m truly fine. I also felt sorry for my older brother trembling under your intimidating presence. He’s still just a child, after all.”
“…But you’re an even younger child than he is, are you not?”
“I’ve lived such a harsh life that I won’t cry over just one blow to the back of my hand.”
A bruise would form, certainly, but what does that matter?
“Older brother made a mistake, but Grandfather, you were too harsh as well.”
“I was too harsh? Not Lucian, who struck you…?”
“No, you were both too harsh.”
To reiterate, I did not think Lucian had acted well.
Declan, who had attempted to discipline his grandson only to find himself scolded (?) instead, gazed down at me with a complicated expression.
Anticipating his rebuttal, I produced another reason.
“Think about it, Grandfather. Since I defended Lucian today, perhaps he might see me differently—not as someone he despised.”
“….”
“I want to get along well with Older Brother. Wouldn’t you help me just this once?”
This was my way of asking him to overlook Lucian’s mistake.
The answer came surprisingly quickly.
“…Very well. Since you say it’s fine, I’ll let it pass this time.”
“Really?”
“However, Lucian’s attitude is clearly problematic. If I witness such behavior again, I will not overlook it, regardless of your defense.”
“That’s right. If he shows no remorse after this incident, he deserves severe punishment.”
I nodded as though his words were entirely correct.
Declan regarded me with a bewildered expression for a moment, then cleared his throat.
“Ahem. More importantly, I’m curious how you came to be here.”
“How? Naturally, I entered the Talent Cultivation Institute and won the adoption tournament hosted by the Duke.”
“You clearly know that’s not what I’m asking.”
“Pardon?”
I blinked rapidly and fluttered my eyelashes as though I understood nothing.
Declan seemed to want to broach the subject of the Underground Auction House, and ultimately issued an order of dismissal even to Lena, who stood beside me.
“This won’t do. You must step away for a moment. I need to speak with this child alone.”
“Yes, understood.”
Lena accepted the command and promptly left.
With only the two of us remaining, he poured out everything he had wanted to say.
“…Child, did you know from the Underground Auction House that I was part of Duke Papiope’s Household?”

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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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