One Day, I Picked Up a Mom - Chapter 13

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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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One Day I Picked Up a Mother – Episode 13

“The place where Iban lived was cruel to the child.”

I recalled Iban burrowing into my arms, crying pitifully and sorrowfully.

From leaving the village until arriving at the capital.

I often pondered why the child had so suddenly pleaded that night to leave the village.

When I learned about the village’s security issues and suggested we move, he clearly seemed reluctant.

Then suddenly I had this thought.

Perhaps Iban hadn’t been honest because he was afraid his words might hurt his mother.

“So it’s because of me. Everyone avoided the child because his mother was a prostitute.”

He was a smart child.

So he must have clearly known where the discrimination against me came from.

The child cried sorrowfully about being hated, yet never once resented his mother.

Being such a deep-hearted child, he might have shut his mouth that day when I asked if he wanted to move.

Then he couldn’t bear it anymore and let it out.

Thinking this way, that night when he cried his heart out, unable to breathe properly, pierced me deeply once again.

I swallowed dry saliva once and clasped my hands tightly on my knees.

“…I heard that Your Grace doesn’t have an heir yet.”

I knew this could be perceived as rude.

So I had practiced several times, imagining facing the Count or someone from his family.

“So I thought Your Grace might need Iban, which is why I came.”

Actually, the words I had prepared weren’t this direct or rough.

My mind went blank under his cold gaze.

“Then surely you would raise him well. Your Grace can give him things I absolutely cannot, so it would certainly be better for the child.”

Despite all my practice, the words coming out of my mouth were nothing but raw expressions.

Even while speaking, and after speaking, I only thought this wasn’t right.

My fingertips grew cold as if all the blood in my body was rapidly draining, and my head began to spin.

I thought it would be better to shut my mouth even now.

“However, if Your Grace doesn’t need the child, or if the child cannot be sufficiently loved here, then I want to raise him myself.”

But when I came to my senses, I had already said everything I shouldn’t have said.

“…”

And the Count remained silent.

The prolonged silence pressed heavily on my shoulders.

I wanted to see what the Count was thinking, what expression he was making, but I couldn’t even lift my head in the heavy atmosphere.

The carpet pattern on the floor filled my vision dizzily.

The Empire’s scoundrel.

There were no rumors of him being violent, but I had never heard that he didn’t hit people either…

Only after my rough breathing echoed through the study and returned to my ears did I realize and shut my mouth tight.

Even after quite some time.

“It sounds like you came to find me solely for the child’s sake. Did I understand correctly?”

Those were the words the Count murmured.

“You want nothing else in return for giving me the child.”

It wasn’t a difficult question.

It was a very straightforward question with nothing to think about.

Yet it took quite some time to properly understand the Count’s words.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Was it because he was a noble? Or was it because of his ominous rumors I had heard?

It wasn’t easy to relax.

“…As long as you raise him well.”

I belatedly added a word and cautiously looked up to see the Count watching me with the same expression as before.

A faint smile hung at the corners of his mouth.

“Yes, I do need a child.”

He slowly rubbed his chin as if weighing Iban’s necessity and value, then nodded after a moment.

“Good. I’ll take the child.”

Then he added as if there was nothing to worry about.

“As long as that child is my blood, I’ll support him with everything, so don’t worry about the child’s treatment.”

“…”

“As you know, despite my efforts, I don’t seem to have heirs easily.”

Having made his decision, Count Roderich pushed my fear aside and fixed my gaze on him.

His face looked refreshed, as if he had thoroughly considered the situations of accepting the child or not.

In the end, he needed Iban and was saying he would support the child in every way.

This was the situation I had hoped for when I came. It was ultimately what Iban wanted…

Somehow I wasn’t happy at all.

Watching Roderich, who seemed to regard the child as nothing more than a tool, made me uncomfortable.

Even though Iban was illegitimate, he should still be a child obtained with difficulty…

I couldn’t feel any affection toward the child from him.

“Instead, never come looking for the child again.”

He said while picking up the brooch from the table.

Perhaps my expression wasn’t good, as he frowned.

“It wouldn’t be good if it became known that the bloodline of a child who must inherit House of Rharhart is a prostitute.”

“What?”

Even though his words weren’t finished, I reflexively asked back.

A child who must inherit House of Rharhart…

I looked at Roderich with surprised eyes.

Did those words mean he would make Iban his next heir?

The Empire’s scoundrel, who appeared reeking of gunpowder from his entrance, had acted as if trying to reject us with rude questions as if something displeased him.

Yet when Iban collapsed, he personally carried the child.

Even now he seemed indifferent as if he had no affection for Iban himself, yet he was saying he would make him the family’s heir.

“Ah…”

“You seemed to care so much for the child, why don’t you like it?”

At the Count’s question as if to make things clear, I shook my head.

‘I want to live with Dad.’

The family’s heir.

I couldn’t be certain it would be a beloved life, but if the Count had marked the child as his next heir, at least he wouldn’t be ignored.

He would receive the best support as promised.

So as long as I, the child’s lowly origin, wasn’t revealed.

“No, I don’t dislike it.”

Iban was a lovable child. So living with the child, the Count might gradually open his heart to Iban too.

Above all, this was what the child wanted.

“Then the discussion is over. You may leave now.”

He stood up from his seat while putting the brooch in his jacket.

“Wait outside and a servant will come.”

He passed the couch and approached the large desk in the center of the study, or rather the wall near it, and pulled a cord.

‘Is he telling me to leave the estate now? Right now?’

Wondering if it was an order to leave, I looked at the Count.

The Count, whose eyes met mine, looked at the couch where I was sitting as if telling me to get up.

“…I want to see the child before I go.”

I hadn’t even seen Iban awake yet. I hadn’t exchanged any greeting with the child.

I slowly stood up from my seat and asked once more.

“When the child wakes up, couldn’t I just greet him and then leave?”

“Why, do you need to say a final farewell?”

Count Roderich let out a deep sigh as if annoyed.

“You had plenty of time on the way here too.”

“Still…”

“Tsk, do as you wish.”

He clicked his tongue softly and waved his hand.

“Go out and tell the servants to prepare a room near the infirmary.”

“Thank you, Count.”

Though the Count openly showed his annoyance, the permission that came without much difficulty made her bow naturally.

After leaving the study and closing the door, a deep breath escaped her involuntarily.

As her tension gradually eased, she thought that Iban, who would wake up soon after hearing this news, would be very happy.

Though it was regrettable that she would have to part with Iban forever, she felt somewhat relieved that things had gone more smoothly than expected.

Never dreaming that all of this was his test.

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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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