One Day, I Picked Up a Mom - Chapter 37

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

One Day I Picked Up a Mother – Episode 37

 

“What?”

 

A short question burst from the man. Ludrio turned his head toward me, leaving behind Gaien who was clearly bewildered.

 

“It would be better to have a proper introduction later formally.”

 

“Ah, yes…”

 

When I nodded reflexively at Ludrio’s question as he stared intently at me, he slightly raised the corners of his mouth.

 

“We have a guest, so unfortunately we won’t be able to have breakfast together today.”

 

At his notification that I should skip breakfast, I nodded once again.

 

And I quickly turned my mind.

 

Seeing how he said we’d have a proper introduction later, it seems Ludrio wants to separate us two.

 

Should I go to my room until Gaien leaves? So they can have breakfast alone together?

 

“Should I excuse myself?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Fortunately, it seemed I had given the answer he wanted, as Ludrio quietly nodded.

 

Then he slowly walked toward the door. As if telling me to follow.

 

I bowed to Gaien in greeting and hurriedly followed behind Ludrio.

 

“Well done.”

 

Slowly opening the door to the study, Ludrio whispered in a small voice.

 

“There won’t be any more conflicts with Gaien today…”

 

When I raised my head, our eyes met as he looked down at me.

 

An indifferent gaze and blunt lips. A calm voice.

 

“I hope you can have a comfortable meal with Iban.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Despite his expression, it was quite a caring wish.

 

‘He didn’t mean for me to skip breakfast, but that he would skip it himself.’

 

I quietly looked up at him, then belatedly nodded and slipped out of the study through the open door.

 

* * *

 

Following Luna, even Hark left the study.

 

Ludrio returned to the couch and quietly sat down.

 

Then he quietly observed Gaien, who sat across from him muttering the word “Oren” as if quite shocked.

 

Gaien’s eyes were shaking severely, unable to get his bearings.

 

“…So. You’re saying you’re getting married?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Ludrio’s answer was short and firm.

 

The situation where Gaien, who had barged in recklessly, ended up encountering Luna was unexpected even for me.

 

Well, the regent probably already knows about Luna and Iban whom she brought with her.

 

I’ve already prepared a plausible identity for her too. There shouldn’t be any major problems.

 

“Why?”

 

Gaien leaned his upper body forward and asked urgently.

 

“Why so suddenly. And with a young lady from a family I’ve never heard of…”

 

Then, as if realizing something, his expression gradually hardened.

 

“Don’t tell me, is she pregnant?”

 

Before Ludrio could say anything, Gaien covered his mouth with both hands.

 

As if realizing it was rude to mention illegitimate children, even though he was unmarried.

 

While it was openly tolerated for noble men to have lovers and keep mistresses, illegitimate children were another matter entirely.

 

Even if that were the truth.

 

“…Is that it?”

 

Gaien’s voice trembled slightly.

 

“Yes.”

 

At the brief affirmation, his mouth fell open blankly.

 

“Ha…”

 

Then a powerless sigh flowed out. After rubbing his face several times, he opened his mouth again.

 

“Oren. I’ve heard of it a few times. It was a baronial family near a small southern city, I think. Is the Oren you mentioned really that place?”

 

Though it was a noble family, it was a baronial house on the verge of ruin.

 

A family that had never prospered, with minimal influence even in provincial social circles.

 

To remember such an Oren. It showed how diligently Gaien had studied noble political history and family genealogies.

 

“You’re going to marry a woman from such a family. Just because she’s pregnant?”

 

While Ludrio was silently satisfied with his knowledge, Gaien continued questioning as if interrogating him.

 

“If you want to take responsibility, there are many ways other than marriage. You could provide financial support, adopt just the child later, use the guardianship system…”

 

“Gaien.”

 

At the short call, his continuing words finally stopped.

 

As if realizing his words had crossed the line again, Gaien bit his lips.

 

So I thought it would end there.

 

“What, why. Are you really crazy?”

 

Instead, Gaien raised his voice even higher with wide eyes.

 

“What’s the reason for trying to legitimize through marriage something that could just be covered up? What are you trying to gain by throwing away even the family’s dignity?”

 

As if he had been waiting for just this moment, he began firing questions relentlessly.

 

“It’s not like you love that woman.”

 

Gaien’s face as he said this held unwavering conviction.

 

“You’re not someone with a strong sense of responsibility either. If you were, you wouldn’t have enjoyed such a dissolute lifestyle in the first place.”

 

As if he had finally finished saying what he wanted to say, Gaien closed his mouth.

 

Though his expression still showed displeasure with many things, his eyes were trembling slightly.

 

As if belatedly retracing the words he had spat out.

 

Even while biting the inside of his mouth, the gaze that met mine was stubborn.

 

Had he decided to be shameless since he had already said it and couldn’t take it back?

 

“When have I ever asked for your opinion. This is already a decided matter.”

 

I knew that the reason this young brother was so heated about my marriage was ultimately for my sake.

 

So I had chosen the gentlest words possible.

 

But Gaien’s expression noticeably hardened.

 

“…Don’t get worked up over nothing.”

 

Ludrio hurriedly added.

 

Hoping that Gaien’s mood, which had already deflated, would improve even a little.

 

“Right. I was being meddlesome.”

 

However, it seemed insufficient to satisfy his delicate emotional state.

 

A self-deprecating smile appeared on Gaien’s lips.

 

“But tell me the reason. Why you decided to get married.”

 

He said while slightly avoiding eye contact.

 

“I’m family, so you should at least tell me that much.”

 

His voice was full of hurt feelings.

 

Though his pride must have been wounded by the words drawing a line, Ludrio quietly swallowed a sigh at Gaien’s attitude of trying to continue the conversation again.

 

“Because it’s a marriage I have to have anyway.”

 

However, unfortunately, Ludrio couldn’t tell such a brother the true reason for planning to marry Luna.

 

“I also need a child to succeed me.”

 

So while answering with a lie, Ludrio slowly turned his head away from Gaien’s gaze.

 

He couldn’t say that their uncle, who had wanted to become emperor, had killed their parents and older brothers, and might be looking for an opportunity to eliminate even him.

 

He also couldn’t mention the fact that their uncle had been monitoring him all this time, or that he had started sending people again from a few months ago.

 

So there was no way he could truthfully explain the reason for deciding on this marriage.

 

“Is that all?”

 

At Gaien’s quiet confirmation, Ludrio silently affirmed while still turning his head away as if avoiding his gaze.

 

And he quietly waited for this topic to end.

 

Even if he asked anything more, the only words I could offer would be plausible lies.

 

“….”

 

Then, at a sudden thought that came to mind, his brow furrowed subtly.

 

“Ah….”

 

Ludrio reflexively raised his head and slowly retraced the thought that had suddenly emerged.

 

“Brother?”

 

Gaien tilted his head as if asking what was wrong.

 

Ludrio continued pondering for a moment longer before voicing the thought he had just encountered.

 

“…We’re well-suited. She and I.”

 

Though that wasn’t the absolute reason he had decided to marry her.

 

“It’s comfortable.”

 

That was the reason he hadn’t hesitated to marry a woman whose name he didn’t even know.

 

Something he had never once brought up, not to others, nor even while sorting through the situation himself.

 

The truthful reason.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————