One Day, I Picked Up a Mom - Chapter 88

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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 88

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Knock, knock.

“….”

Ludrio’s gaze briefly turned toward the door.

“Count.”

It was the servant.

“The Dowager Countess has sent a telegram.”

“…Come in.”

The heavy door opened and the servant who entered quietly held out a telegram placed on a silver tray.

“She arrived at the estate around three o’clock this afternoon.”

Ludrio silently snatched the paper.

[I heard you didn’t accompany Luciana to the Emperor’s coming-of-age ceremony. I clearly told you to attend together. You seem to enjoy making a mockery of the child who will be your wife even before the ceremony takes place.]

Ludrio, who had skimmed through the brief content, pressed his forehead.

The events of the past four days quickly flashed through his mind.

As expected, Orick’s declaration of renouncing his succession rights was rejected by the Parliament.

Then Gaien’s birthday banquet was held, and that day Orick submitted his resignation from the regency.

He definitely thought it was some kind of scheme.

So he mobilized all available personnel from the Duke’s Knights to thoroughly search and prepare around the banquet hall, but nothing happened.

The coming-of-age ceremony was sickeningly peaceful, and Gaien became regent with near-unanimous approval.

And Orick had left for the Southern Villa a few hours ago.

“….”

If he had wanted to scheme something, the time when he was sitting in the regent’s position would have been best.

Since he held all the real power, it would have been easy to cover things up too.

What opportunity could he possibly be waiting for?

“Count….”

At the presence of the servant who was still standing there, Ludrio looked at the telegram once more.

“It doesn’t seem like she’s expecting a reply?”

“It’s not that, it’s about meals. Since yesterday you haven’t touched them and just sent them back, so I’m worried.”

Only then did Ludrio’s gaze fall on the meal pushed to the edge of his desk.

Cold meat dishes sat on top of congealed white grease.

“Should I bring a new one?”

It was making a fuss over just skipping a few meals.

“…I’m eating when I need to.”

He clicked his tongue softly and gave a brief reply.

“But….”

Toward the servant who was still moving his lips trying to add something more, Ludrio raised his hand.

It was a clear dismissal.

“Yes, I understand.”

Only then did the servant quietly leave.

Ludrio stared quietly at the tightly closed door, then got up from his seat and began slowly pacing around the study.

Until now, he had thought he perfectly understood Orick’s plans and his sphere of action.

He had rooted out every single informant he had sent, and received reports on when and whom he met.

Even though no proper evidence had come into his hands for the past 10 years, the reason Ludrio could steel his resolve was precisely because of that.

The belief that at least now, unlike in the past, he was controlling him.

“….”

Ludrio’s footsteps stopped in front of the window.

Cool moonlight seeping through the thick curtains crossed his face.

Deep worry cast over Ludrio’s expression.

* * *

I quietly looked at Ludrio’s study.

‘The Count hasn’t eaten at all.’

The plate that had been in the servant’s hands as he came out of Ludrio’s study.

I had asked what was wrong with the intact plate that showed no signs of being touched, and that was the reason I was now standing here.

‘Um…. Would Lady Luciana please take a look?’

The servant who had been nodding with a faint smile suddenly said such a thing.

‘Please, I beg you.’

I had also expressed concern this morning about Ludrio, who barely touched breakfast and skipped dinner.

Ludrio had said there was nothing to worry about since he would eat lunch and dinner when he went to Parliament anyway.

The servant had earnestly bowed his head to me as if caring for a young child who would be in big trouble if he missed even one meal.

Knock, knock.

“Count, it’s Luna.”

I shifted the tray to one hand and quickly knocked on the door.

It was quite heavy with how full it was packed.

“May I come in for a moment?”

However, even after waiting quite a while, no answer came from inside.

As I was wondering whether to knock once more, the door quietly opened.

He who opened the door silently looked down at me.

After quietly examining the tray in my hands, he slightly frowned.

“Did the servant send you?”

He asked as if displeased while taking the tray from my hands.

“Yes. He was very worried because you’ve been skipping meals.”

“Don’t do this kind of thing.”

“Pardon?”

It was a very cold voice.

“Don’t be swayed by the servant’s words. There’s no reason you should have to carry this food.”

Did Ludrio think I was standing here helplessly because of the servant’s orders?

“The servant didn’t order me to come.”

I hurriedly corrected his misunderstanding, but Ludrio didn’t have much of a reaction.

He nodded roughly and slowly blinked his eyes.

As if pondering whether to let me in or close the door as it was.

“….”

A brief silence flowed.

I was about to say goodbye and leave.

“…Have you been very busy lately?”

Such a question suddenly popped out.

From the day that person called the Chief Aide came to the Dining Room, Ludrio seemed very busy.

Even when Iban tried to make conversation during our shared meal times, he couldn’t give proper answers.

Like someone whose mind was completely elsewhere.

Hark had said that the Regent had handed over all the work he had been handling to him on the day of the Emperor’s coming-of-age ceremony.

As widely known, the Regent had no desire for power whatsoever, and it was a good thing for both the Emperor and the Empire, he had said.

‘Is it because of that budget proposal?’

I couldn’t pinpoint it exactly, but he looked strangely complicated.

Was it because of the deep fatigue settled under his eyes that made him look that way?

“…Want to come in for a moment?”

Ludrio, who had pondered briefly, stepped back and asked.

When I nodded, he opened the door a bit more so I could enter.

Ludrio roughly placed the tray I had brought on his desk and moved toward the couch.

“The wedding preparations are proceeding without any problems.”

As I took a seat, he brought up the topic.

6 days until the wedding.

Today marked the end of the final dress fitting.

“The fresh flowers for decoration are being supplied as scheduled, and so is the banquet food.”

I quietly nodded my head.

In truth, there wasn’t much I needed to worry about for this wedding.

The Dowager Countess had planned everything step by step, and the family employees were executing it all perfectly without missing a single detail.

“After the ceremony, I’ll make time for about 3 weeks. It won’t be very long, but let’s go on a trip together.”

“A trip?”

Ludrio quietly nodded his head.

“That would look good to other people.”

It seemed he meant we’d appear like a harmonious couple.

A wife beloved by the Count, something like that.

“Choose whichever nearby kingdom you’d like.”

“…Iban will come with us too, right?”

“Yes.”

Ludrio nodded while pressing around his eyes several times.

His voice and the way he treated me, his manner of speaking, were all the same as usual, but perhaps due to the dark circles under his eyes, he looked extremely exhausted.

“Haven’t you been sleeping well lately?”

At my question, he removed his hand from his face.

“The circles under your eyes have gotten darker since this morning.”

“…It’s nothing to worry about.”

Ludrio ended the topic with an ambiguous answer.

It seemed he didn’t want to tell me about it.

He only avoided answering both my questions about whether he was busy and my words of concern.

There was definitely something going on.

‘It’s probably not because of issues like budget problems.’

It didn’t seem like Ludrio was being sensitive because the funding allocated to the Count’s residence had been cut or anything like that.

The House of Rharhart, which was said to have accumulated wealth rivaling the Imperial Family, wouldn’t be swayed by such money.

Moreover…

[The Empire’s True Guardian, Regent Osric Resigns… Emperor Gaien Opens the Curtain to a Brilliant New Era]

There was also the headline on the front page of the newspaper on Ludrio’s desk.

On the day the Chief Aide had urgently sought out Ludrio, rumors swept through the estate that the Regent had suddenly announced his renunciation of succession rights.

‘Is it because of the Emperor? Or Orick?’

I quietly looked at Ludrio before rising from my seat. It seemed that not bothering him further was what he wanted right now.

“Count, then I’ll be going now.”

I hurriedly shook my head at Ludrio, who was trying to stand up to follow me.

“If you’re going to eat, please make sure to eat it while it’s warm.”

“Alright.”

There was no need for him to escort me all the way to the door.

Just a simple nod would have been sufficient, but he stubbornly rose from his chair.

His quiet footsteps followed behind me.

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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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