Let’s Make Saving a Habit - Chapter 60

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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 60
The Duke’s measured voice pierced Lucian’s biological father’s ears.
Compared to other nobles, she was remarkably honest with her emotions.
She raged when angry, laughed freely when joyful.
Yet when her fury became unbearable, she grew eerily composed instead.
No matter how turbulent her inner world, her face revealed nothing—her emotions locked away behind an impenetrable mask.
The Duke extended her hand silently into the empty air.
A masked man who had been lurking in the shadows placed a pair of black leather gloves into her palm.
The shadow completed its task and vanished swiftly into the darkness.
The Duke drew on the black gloves slowly, one finger at a time, and continued speaking.
“I’m the type who acts first and deals with the consequences later. I’ve always preferred the saying that the fist is faster than the law.”
For a noble, I was rather simple and direct.
Once prepared, the Duke seized Lucian’s biological father’s jaw with brutal force.
“Clench your teeth. It’s going to hurt.”

✦ ✦ ✦
At Tania’s persuasion, Lucian had confessed everything to his mother, Viviana Papiope.
With his mother’s assistance, they investigated Jack and uncovered evidence of embezzlement.
Afterward, he had locked himself in his room without eating.
The shock of discovering that his trusted personal servant had been exploiting him was overwhelming.
Lying in bed, he cursed the heavens for his misfortune, wept bitterly, and questioned what he had done to deserve this.
“…Still, I’m glad I spoke up.”
Now that he would never have to see his biological father again, the fog that had clouded his vision lifted, and his path forward seemed clear.
He had hesitated countless times before confessing, unwilling to expose his shame to his mother.
But following Tania’s encouragement, he had found the courage to speak, and remarkably, everything had unraveled smoothly.
His mother had shown no disappointment in him.
She promised to find the pendant containing his birth mother’s portrait and swore he would never encounter his biological father again.
She even showed consideration by handling the matter discreetly, ensuring no other servants would learn of it.
For the first time since his birth, he had broken free from the shackles of his biological father.
“Why did I hide this from Mother? Such a simple problem to solve…”
As he dwelled on his regrets, an unexpected visitor arrived at his door.
At the polite knock, he granted permission to enter, and Aiden stepped inside.
The man Tania had brought with her when she joined Duke Papiope’s Household.
He had defeated the Blue Knight Commander in an exhibition match, causing quite the uproar.
He had become the Black Knight Commander and ultimately became Tania’s guard.
He had temporarily protected Tania, and he was a man of both excellent character and skill.
Lucian envied Tania for having such a reliable ally as Aiden.
Listening to the two of them converse, their relationship seemed less like master and servant, and more like father and daughter.
It stood in stark contrast to his own situation—a father who was worse than useless.
“Young Master.”
“What brings you to me, Aiden? Did Tania send word?”
“No, sir. I came because I was concerned about you, Lucian.”
“…You came because you were worried about me?”
Aiden, who had sought me out, spoke words of unexpected tenderness despite his characteristically impassive expression.
“It is presumptuous of a mere knight to say so, but you have endured so much all this time.”
In that moment, I found myself unable to speak.
How profoundly that small gesture of comfort moved me.
“Unable to confide in others, anxious and restless—how much you must have suffered in silence.”
It felt as though I had encountered someone who understood the full complexity of my emotions.
Of course, Tania had also recognized my situation first and provided considerable help, but….
I could not burden her with the weight of my feelings.
From the very act of receiving aid from someone so much younger than myself, a subtle shame had taken root.
Even as I recognized how narrow-minded it seemed, the feeling was unavoidable.
“You have confided well in the Duchess. Everything will turn out fine.”
“Aiden.”
Though I knew it was an abrupt question, I found myself speaking without thinking.
“Why did you leave the Golden Silver Mercenary Company and take it upon yourself to become Tania’s guardian?”
“….”
After a moment of silence, Aiden seemed to have reached a decision and parted his lips.
“I will tell you, provided you swear to tell no one else.”
“I swear by the name of Papiope that I will tell no one.”
“…I wished to become a father to Tania.”
He said Tania—not “the new maid” or “the young lady,” but Tania.
Moreover, to speak of becoming a father to Tania, who had already become a member of the household, was an extraordinarily dangerous statement.
Yet I felt neither anger nor indignation.
Rather….
“Forgive me for taking your precious time. I hope you have a peaceful evening.”
As I watched Aiden depart swiftly after dropping that bombshell, I found myself thinking:
How I wished he would choose to be a father to me as well.

✦ ✦ ✦
Aiden’s decision to seek out Lucian was purely impulsive.
Perhaps it was because he thought of Tania, who had endured such hardship due to his own poor judgment.
Ever since learning that Lucian suffered because of his biological father, his heart had found no peace.
Though their blood did not mix, Lucian was still Tania’s brother, and somehow a sense of responsibility had taken root within him.
That was why.
He had gone to Lucian’s room to offer comfort before leaving.
As Aiden stepped into the corridor from Lucian’s room, he encountered Viviana Papiope.
When he offered a brief bow, the Duchess tilted her head and asked.
“Why are you coming out of Lucian’s room?”
“I overstepped my bounds, beyond what my station permits. I thought that since he had lost the person closest to him, perhaps he might need someone to lean on.”
Upon hearing the explanation, the Duchess gave a light shrug.
“There’s no need to apologize. If the prickly Lucian hadn’t raised his voice and thrown you out, then you clearly didn’t overstep too far.”
“Thank you for your trust.”
After their brief exchange, a heavy silence fell between them.
It was the Duchess who broke the silence first.
“Aiden, how is Lucian?”
“When he learned of the Servant’s betrayal, he seemed deeply wounded.”
“I see…”
The Duchess’s heart sank heavily.
Thinking of the emotional pain Lucian must have borne alone, her mood grew troubled.
“But he is a strong person, so I’m certain he will recover quickly. The fundamental cause that has been tormenting Young Master Lucian will also be resolved.”
Though Aiden had not known the Duchess for long, she understood that he lacked talent for empty flattery.
But that was precisely why his comfort struck her so deeply.
Because she knew it was not mere formality.
“Do not waste your time on me. Please, go to him. I believe he needs you right now.”
“Do you think I have the right to do so?”
“I’m not certain what right you’re referring to.”
“I never dreamed that Lucian was being threatened by his own father.”
…
“The reason I began providing monthly support was because I saw signs that he was trying to exploit the child to extract something from me.”
The Duchess confessed the guilt she harbored honestly.
“Unlike when I offered you support because I truly wished to repay you, it was closer to telling him to take this pittance and disappear.”
“I see…”
“Yet knowing that Lucian’s father was greedy, I neglected to act—that is clearly my fault, is it not?”
The Duchess secretly hoped that Aiden would blame her.
Perhaps then the guilt would feel more bearable.
But Aiden neither blamed her nor took her side.
Instead, he withdrew a handkerchief and offered it to her.
“Please, do not cry.”
“…I haven’t shed a single tear, and you’re telling me not to cry?”
The Duke was flustered.
It was true that his heart had been consumed with worry over Lucian’s situation, but his eyes were dry at this very moment.
Then Aiden added an explanation as if to resolve the confusion.
“I’m giving this to you in advance because I thought you might shed tears when you’re alone.”
“…Do you really think I would cry over something so trivial?”
“It wasn’t trivial. You truly cherish Prince Lucian, do you not.”
It was a remark that struck at the heart of the matter.

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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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