One Day, I Picked Up a Mom - Chapter 85

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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 85

Ludrio roughly loosened his necktie.

His neat appearance and well-groomed hair became disheveled in an instant.

“Haah…”

Declaration of renouncing succession rights.

That deceptive move by his uncle was tightening around Ludrio’s throat.

The corpse was already buried in the ground and even the villa had been demolished.

Although obtaining proper evidence to prove his uncle’s crimes was nearly impossible.

Ludrio hadn’t endured all those long years just to obtain intangible evidence.

Two days later.

Gaien’s birthday.

The day he would shed the shackles of minority and be recognized as a true adult according to imperial law.

The moment when the Crown Prince’s coming-of-age ceremony would be held was just two days away.

The day Ludrio had long awaited was also the day he could shake the legitimacy of his uncle, who had been appointed as regent.

The justification that had allowed his uncle to maintain that position until now was simple.

There was the missing Emperor’s decree, and above all, Gaien had been too young.

‘It is a long-standing custom and legitimate right of the Empire for an adult heir to inherit administrative authority.’

Though not law, ever since the Empire’s establishment, the first-in-line successor had always received part of the governing authority.

This was to learn practical affairs in case of emergency and to reduce discord during power transitions.

It was a virtue the Imperial Family had long maintained.

So that day, he planned to bring up that topic in the banquet hall.

In that place where countless people would be watching.

Before Gaien ascended to the throne, receiving power to learn practical affairs and eliminating potential discord from power dispersion in advance.

The logic of stabilizing the political situation through this would appear as loyalty that no one could deny.

“…Count. Please depart first.”

A benevolent and unambitious guardian.

If everything had gone according to the original plan, that disgusting reputation his uncle had carefully built over the years would finally become the rope to strangle him.

If he hesitated at that moment, denying Gaien’s rights, the mask of loyalty he had carefully constructed would crumble instantly.

The council members would feel the need to reorganize real power in preparation for any possible situation.

“You’ll be late for the meeting.”

Conversely, even if he agreed while being conscious of public attention, there was no way out.

They would just pressure him to step down from regent as he said and transfer governing rights to the Crown Prince.

The moment he didn’t resign, that agreement would become empty words exposing his true intentions, and if he resigned, he would lose power.

Either way, it was a perfect checkmate leading his uncle to destruction.

‘Either way would have been fine.’

Right. Whichever his uncle chose, his greed would eventually be exposed and that would be the end.

He had held the Empire’s decision-making power for a full ten years.

Even though he appeared to work for the Empire and rarely showed signs of coveting power.

The nobles already harbored vague distrust toward him for maintaining power for ten years.

So the situation was on Ludrio’s side.

He was certain of that, but…

‘Renouncing succession rights.’

That was a cunning and perfect shield that instantly neutralized all the logic Ludrio had prepared.

His uncle already knew.

…The topic of power transfer that would pour toward him the moment Gaien became an adult.

He was no longer an old man blinded by power and coveting his nephew’s position. He couldn’t become such a despicable old man.

By renouncing the throne himself, he had ascended to sanctuary.

People would obviously praise that noble selflessness.

Was there a way to corner such an uncle again…

“What would happen if we brought up the succession of administrative authority as planned in this situation?”

“I’m sorry to say, but it would appear as humiliating the noble Count Roderich, who just declared he would renounce the throne, by demanding he give up real power because we can’t trust him.”

“Right. It would provoke backlash from the council members.”

A self-deprecating laugh escaped between Ludrio’s lips.

There was no way he could achieve what he wanted like that.

“I need to see Kairon before departing.”

“Yes, I’ll relay the message.”

Things had gone very wrong.

After the chief aide left, Ludrio let out a deep sigh and rubbed his face.

His uncle’s renunciation of succession rights would likely be rejected by Parliament with high probability.

Though engaged, Gaien was still unmarried and had no children.

From the Empire’s perspective, which valued bloodlines, having the second-in-line successor completely relinquish his rights was a major risk.

The council members would obviously raise their voices, citing potential emergencies and insisting the uncle’s succession rights should be maintained until the Crown Prince had an heir.

“…”

Now there were only nine months left until his brother’s disappearance would be legally processed as death.

Next September.

Even if his uncle maintained the regent position after Gaien became an adult, that was all the time he had left.

Would someone who had remained silent and crouched for ten years make a move just to hold the position for nine more months?

That was impossible.

“Perfect groundwork.”

This was a move for what comes next.

This time he truly intended to kill Gaien and ascend to the throne.

“What exactly was he waiting for?”

But even so, it didn’t make sense logically.

“Why now, of all times. At this point.”

What Osric wanted to gain from this charade was clear.

Reputation and legitimacy.

But he couldn’t understand why this charade had to happen now specifically.

Not at all.

Ten years.

He had a full ten years of time.

What if he had declared he would renounce succession rights from the early days of becoming regent?

Parliament would have opposed for the same reasons back then too.

Rather, the wider the gap between the succession renunciation declaration and Gaien’s death, the easier it would be for his uncle to distance himself from people’s suspicions later.

“What other scheme is he plotting?”

Was he confident that this assassination attempt wouldn’t touch a hair on his head either?

The pressure that he might not be able to uncover it this time either pressed coldly against Ludrio’s nape.

Knock knock.

“Count-.”

“Come in.”

Ludrio’s permission fell before Kairon could finish speaking.

The door opened and as if reading the cold atmosphere in the room, Kairon furrowed his brow and quietly approached, bowing his head.

“You called for me?”

“Did you hear?”

“Yes. I heard that Count Roderich declared he would renounce succession rights.”

Ludrio quietly nodded.

“From now on, tell them not to take their eyes off him for even a moment. Same goes for Gaien.”

“Yes, understood.”

Kairon answered quietly.

“There’s definitely some plan this time too. A perfect method to kill Gaien and cover up the situation.”

Ludrio’s deeply sunken voice quietly echoed through the study.

Like those who had burned beyond recognition under the blue flames that would not extinguish.

Like his brother who had disappeared without a trace.

Uncle was once again preparing a tragedy that no one would suspect.

Ludrio’s clenched fist began to tremble slightly.

“If there’s anything even slightly suspicious, I’ll report it immediately.”

Ludrio swept his face once more, trying to erase the emotion that was slowly rising within him.

“….”

“Count Roderich.”

“….”

However, despite his efforts.

That formless thing instantly put on a vivid mask.

Luna, who was watching Edmen who had suddenly barged in, and Iban, who was quietly pretending to eat while observing the situation.

The thought of the two people who would be continuing their meal downstairs.

It was probably because he was afraid after all.

“Assign people to Luna and Iban as well. Make sure they can’t leave the estate if possible.”

“Understood.”

Miserable helplessness washed over him once again.

No matter how much he struggled, it remained out of reach.

The truth he could never get his hands on in the end.

His head throbbed from the deep sense of defeat that had tormented him for so long.

He realized anew how futile the peace he had felt was.

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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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