One Day, I Picked Up a Mom - Chapter 25

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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 25

“I never said I would take the child along.”

Ludrio’s nonchalant response left my mouth agape.

I naturally thought he had included me in his time with Iban, but that wasn’t the case.

“…Then why am I.”

In my bewildered and dazed mind, only brief questions floated about what this situation could possibly be and what this time was meant for.

“Is it uncomfortable?”

He called that a question.

I swallowed the thoughts that almost spilled from my mouth and stared at him intently.

Though it had already been a week since I started staying at this estate, nothing had changed between Ludrio and me from before.

The only time I spent with Ludrio, who frequently left for outings, was during a few meal times.

Even then, we had never had what could be called a proper conversation.

When I couldn’t easily answer his question and only let out a small sigh, he shrugged his shoulders lightly and said.

“I simply need a conversation partner, so there’s no need to be so tense.”

“…A conversation partner.”

It was an even stranger reason than I had expected.

What kind of conversation could someone who had lived his entire life as a nobleman possibly have with me?

His tone was matter-of-fact, as if he had no other ulterior motives…

‘What on earth is he thinking.’

I carefully observed his expression, making sure he wouldn’t notice.

Despite becoming more deeply entangled with Ludrio after unexpectedly staying at the estate, I still couldn’t easily define what kind of person he was.

The Ludrio Rharhart I had observed so far frequently left the estate, living up to the rumors about his love for gambling and nightlife, but he didn’t seem as corrupt as the rumors suggested.

Since that night when I collapsed after eating seafood, he had never unnecessarily approached me or attempted any trivial physical contact.

When dealing with the employees, though indifferent, he showed no violent behavior.

Also, while not affectionate toward his son Iban, he would occasionally ask how life at the estate was going, showing his own form of consideration.

“Do you perhaps have something to say about Iban?”

Iban. Suddenly I remembered that there was one common interest between him and me.

Ludrio looked at me quietly before slowly opening his mouth.

“I heard he’s studying writing diligently. Did he originally want to learn?”

Without answering my question, Ludrio arbitrarily changed the topic.

“…Yes. Opportunities to learn writing don’t come easily. He’s studying hard.”

While I dutifully answered the question he asked, I quickly tried to figure out why he would ask such a thing.

Though he had provided a teacher, Ludrio hadn’t shown particular interest in my studies until now.

To him, I was someone who would be leaving soon.

‘But why is he suddenly asking about this.’

Somehow his question toward me didn’t seem to come from purely innocent intentions.

“Thank you for sending me a teacher as well, Count.”

Nevertheless, I expressed my gratitude to him once more.

“How is life at the Duke’s Mansion?”

“Ah, yes. Thanks to your consideration, I’m living without any shortcomings.”

Formal questions were exchanged.

The kind of questions that might be shared when trying to ease the atmosphere between awkward parties.

Even though Ludrio had no reason to make such efforts, the questions continued.

Just as I was trying to understand his intentions, Ludrio, leaning back in his chair with his legs crossed, spoke.

“I heard you know how to ride horses.”

“…Pardon?”

A reflexive question burst out.

“I heard you ride well. Is that not true?”

He tilted his head as if finding it strange.

I was momentarily flustered by the unpredictably jumping topics.

Belatedly, his question registered in my mind.

‘Luna knows how to ride horses?’

Could it be that horseback riding was commonplace in this era?

…No. No matter how different this world was from the one I lived in, learning to ride required having horses and space to keep them.

That would certainly require a lot of money.

But how could Luna, who lived in a tiny house in the slums, know how to ride horses?

“…Did Iban say that?”

This time too, Ludrio gave no answer to my question.

Looking at his expressionless face as if telling me to answer his question first, I almost let out a sigh.

‘Iban must have said something to Ludrio.’

Since he ignored all my questions, I had no choice but to come up with the answer myself.

‘Has Iban ever seen Luna riding a horse?’

That might be possible, and if I rashly said I couldn’t ride, it would definitely seem strange.

Especially if today’s conversation reached Iban’s ears later.

“I do… know how to ride.”

I had no choice but to nod reluctantly.

“But I’m not particularly good at it. So, I just…”

“Knowing how to ride is enough.”

However, my excuse was quickly rejected.

…Enough for what.

“I really only barely know how to ride.”

I started making excuses again. Meanwhile, my palms became damp with sweat.

The fact that Ludrio brought Luna without Iban – could it be that he hoped I would ride horses and accompany him on a hunt?

Would I have to ride horses and chase after Ludrio?

“Count, it’s not like I have to ride horses too, is it?”

I didn’t know how the previous Luna had learned horseback riding, but at least the current me didn’t know how to ride horses.

My experience with horses was limited to one trial ride in my previous life.

More precisely, when I was quite young, I had once mounted a horse held by a safety officer at an experience center and went around the enclosure once.

“…”

“I would surely only interfere with your hunt, Count.”

I spoke very earnestly to the silent Ludrio, but.

“…Let me see for myself.”

In the end, those words fell.

Right, somehow I had a very bad feeling from the beginning. This must have been it.

“…”

To Ludrio, the fact that someone from the slums like me could ride horses seemed quite interesting. That’s why he brought me along.

Once I knew the identity of my anxiety, the strength drained from my body.

I sat there blankly for a while, thinking about the absurd future that awaited me.

“What was the neighborhood where you lived with Iban like?”

“Just a slum.”

“So you lived there the whole time?”

“Yes.”

He asked several questions about my past life, and I seemed to continue answering mechanically as well…

But inwardly, I constantly cursed Luna, who couldn’t even eat shellfish yet had learned horseback riding well, and Ludrio’s unpredictable and capricious personality.

Meanwhile, the carriage that had left the capital arrived at Ludrio’s villa located in the outskirts.

* * *

A villa situated on vast grassland.

Having changed into riding clothes, I walked toward the riding arena following an employee and seriously pondered.

However, having come this far, having tied my hair back completely and changed into neat, neutral-colored riding clothes, there was no way to escape now.

Unless I suddenly fainted or something.

‘Still, if I fall off the horse, that’ll be the end of it.’

I thought this while staring helplessly at the back of the employee walking ahead of us.

If I fall off the horse and pretend to be injured, then I’ll be able to spend time at the villa.

If I say I made a mistake because it’s been a while, it wouldn’t seem too strange either.

‘Right, falling off a horse won’t kill me. Well, it’ll hurt for a moment and then be over…?’

As I touched the thin riding clothes, wondering just how much impact this outfit could absorb.

“Do you like this villa?”

The employee turned around to look at me and spoke with a good-natured smile.

“…Yes, it’s very beautiful.”

“This villa was personally chosen by the previous Count. It’s not too far from the capital, but it’s very quiet and the air is good too.”

“I see.”

“The Counts use it as a hunting ground, but it’s also a perfect place for enjoying horseback riding. The forest path that continues beyond the hill in the back…”

I roughly rubbed my face against the sigh that was about to spill out and reminded myself of what I had to do.

Right. If I pretend to make a mistake and fall before picking up full speed, everything would be perfectly over.

From then on, I’d be able to rest at the villa using my injury as an excuse.

Ludrio would have to go hunting without a companion, but what’s the big deal about that?

…When I’m about to die.

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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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