One Day, I Picked Up a Mom - Chapter 73

—————
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 73

We crossed the center of the massive banquet hall and made our way to the distant platform ahead.

Two men sat centered around the empty, ownerless throne.

On the right sat Crown Prince Gaien, the future of the Empire, and on the left sat His Majesty Osric, the Empire’s actual ruler and regent.

Their arrangement seemed to reveal the upheavals the Empire had endured over the years.

Ten years ago, the Emperor and Empress along with the Crown Prince lost their lives in an unexpected accident.

When the second prince who succeeded as Emperor also mysteriously disappeared, the Empire fell into uncontrollable chaos.

The one caring for state affairs in place of the 8-year-old Gaien Markelbroc, who was left alone in such tragedy, was Gaien and Ludrio’s uncle.

It was Osric Markelbroch.

Regent Osric, who protected the throne in place of the young Gaien, had led an era of peace and prosperity for the past ten years without a single mistake.

He reformed the relief system and dispatched inspectors to each region to root out corruption.

Most importantly, he developed Brock Port on the eastern coast into the Empire’s largest trading hub.

Hark praised such an Osric as a guardian without greed, and a ruler both strict and benevolent.

As I took in Osric once more, Ludrio stopped right in front of the platform and knelt on one knee while holding Iban’s hand.

I too released the Dowager Countess’s arm and lowered myself while gripping my dress hem.

“Count Ludrio Rharhart. I pay my respects to His Majesty the Regent and His Majesty the Crown Prince.”

“…Raise your head.”

When I raised my head, I could see Osric and Gaien looking down at us.

When Gaien had come to meet us at Count Roderich’s estate, he seemed to smile often, but sitting on the platform he looked like a completely different person.

He wore an expressionless face as if he had no acquaintance with us at all.

He slowly blinked and turned his head.

“…Uncle?”

At Gaien’s cautious call, Osric finally nodded and slowly opened his mouth.

“I received the letter the Count sent. You’re getting married soon.”

“Yes. This is Luciana Oren who will be my companion, and my son Iban Rharhart.”

Ludrio said while embracing Iban’s shoulders.

“…Iban.”

Osric spoke the child’s name as if savoring it.

His gaze lingered on Iban for a long time.

“I see. Congratulations on your marriage, Count Rharhart.”

At Osric’s blessing that finally flowed out, Gaien silently nodded in agreement.

“Thank you.”

“The lady also looks healthy, so I’m relieved. You’re still in good health.”

Osric’s gaze turned toward the Dowager Countess.

“Thanks to Your Majesty’s concern.”

At the Dowager Countess’s brief answer, Osric quietly nodded. His gaze touched Iban once more.

“Then have an enjoyable time.”

Permission to withdraw was granted.

As we slowly withdrew, those standing near the platform made way for us.

Ludrio naturally went and stood in that spot.

“Congratulations, Count.”

Then someone who had been watching us smiled slightly and spoke.

“Following the Dowager Countess, a beautiful fiancée, and even a reliable heir. Seeing the Count’s side so full makes my heart warm. It’s truly a wonderful sight to behold.”

He politely bowed his head to the Dowager Countess standing beside me. His voice mixed appropriate friendliness with proper respect.

Then his gaze briefly shifted to me and Iban.

“I’m late with introductions. I am Count Casian Delmar.”

Count Delmar.

He was the person the Dowager Countess had told me about before. Behind him, several people gathered around us as if surrounding us.

As if they intended to exchange greetings after the Count.

“I am Luciana of the Oren family.”

I lightly gripped my dress hem and bowed my head. As soon as my greeting ended, Count Delmar’s lips moved as if he wanted to say something more.

But before that, the Dowager Countess standing beside me folded her fan and cut off the flow.

“Count Delmar, let’s leave the greetings at that for now.”

At her cold and firm voice, the Count’s mouth awkwardly closed.

“Before I get more tired, there are people I want to introduce this child to.”

“Ah, I see. My lady. I was too hasty.”

He laughed softly and looked a bit embarrassed.

“Still, tonight is the longest night, so I’ll see you again later.”

The Count stepped back. Then those who had crowded behind him also let out small sighs and gradually stepped back.

Swallowing their disappointment as they realized there was no opportunity for them.

The lady who had rather coldly dismissed the person who greeted us first turned toward Ludrio without any sign of remorse.

“I’ll go around with Luciana.”

She patted the child’s head several times as if telling him to stay well with Ludrio, then gestured for me to follow.

“You remember what I told you about Count Delmar recently, don’t you.”

She who had been walking silently whispered quietly.

‘Count Delmar will be very favorable toward you. If he can get connected to the Rharhart family through you, it would be an incomparable benefit to him. He might make you feel good to have around, but he won’t be helpful, so treat him appropriately.’

That’s what she had said about Count Delmar.

“Yes, of course. You told me to treat him appropriately.”

“Your expression is off. Do you think I was too harsh to him?”

“It’s not that.”

I quietly shook my head.

I did feel sorry for him being embarrassed, but that was all.

I had neither the thought nor the qualification to comment on a long-standing relationship.

“Tsk, Delmar enjoys lording over his territory’s people and nobles weaker than him. Don’t worry about it.”

I really hadn’t thought much about it.

The lady added as if feeling uncomfortable.

“…So that’s why you told me not to get close to him.”

After briefly wondering how to respond, I quietly nodded and replied. It felt like I should agree with her.

“You were thinking I was too harsh. I knew it.”

Then the lady glared at me sourly as if she had expected this all along.

“No, what do you mean…”

I was speechless at the strange conclusion she had jumped to.

“No need for excuses.”

She cut off my words immediately.

“I don’t want to look like a good person to you either.”

Even while saying that, she pulled my arm closer to her as if telling me to stay closer.

Just then, someone walking from the opposite direction smiled brightly and bowed their head.

“I greet the Dowager Countess. It’s been far too long, my lady.”

“Lady Belmont. Have you been well?”

“Hoho, are you really curious about my news?”

Lady Belmont.

She was one of the few people the Dowager Countess had told me to stay close to.

“I contacted you several times asking to have tea time together after hearing you came up to the capital, but you rejected them all.”

“I wanted to hold the wedding very grandly. Please understand my circumstances.”

A woman who doesn’t get swayed by trends or factions and moves only according to her own beliefs.

She had also said that despite watching Lady Belmont for a long time, she had never once spoken ill of others.

“Nice to meet you, Luciana Oren. I’m Adelaide Belmont.”

A gentle-looking middle-aged woman smiled brightly at me.

“Hello, I’m Luciana Oren.”

“Yes. I’ve been wanting to meet you.”

As I politely bent my knee and offered my greeting, she gently took my hand and nodded her head.

“I exchanged letters with the Dowager Countess several times to arrange this meeting, and goodness, it was all about you.”

“…About me?”

Lady Belmont nodded with a mischievous smile while glancing at the Dowager Countess.

“You’re talking nonsense. I merely wrote the facts.”

The Dowager Countess cleared her throat awkwardly and turned her gaze away.

Lady Belmont, whom I looked at again, merely shrugged her shoulders slightly.

Whatever words the Countess had shared with her, they would have been for the Family’s sake, not mine.

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