The Baby Who Regressed Refuses Childcare - Chapter 226

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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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The Imperial Palace Tutor always told Adrian.

“As citizens of the Empire, you must always remember and never forget the three graces.”

“Three graces?”

“First is the grace of His Majesty the Emperor who watches over and governs the Empire. Second is the grace of a teacher who guides disciples on the right path.”

“What’s the third?”

“The grace of parents who bestow boundless love without expecting anything in return.”

According to the Imperial Palace Tutor, the existence of parents was like a tree planted by the water.

“They spread lush leaves to create shade, and when your legs hurt, they let you lean against their trunk to rest. Each season they bear sweet fruit to fill your belly, and with firmly rooted foundations, they steadfastly guard that place.”

So you must never forget the grace of your parents, the Imperial Palace Tutor had said.

Adrian swallowed the fruit he had been chewing.

“…I want to meet that person, no, my father.”

Miel’s eyes widened.

“When you say father…”

“Jayden Abner.”

Annellia, who had been reading a book, glanced at Adrian.

“That won’t be possible. Until your brother’s execution, visits are prohibited. Only His Grace the Duke can enter the West Wing.”

“But he’s Adrian’s father, isn’t he?”

“Still, it’s not allowed. I don’t think that person would want to see you anyway.”

“That’s not true!”

When Adrian jumped up, the chair wobbled.

Miel grabbed the chair tightly to prevent the child from falling and stared at the huffing Adrian.

“It was Mother who said she didn’t want to see Adrian, but that person didn’t say anything!”

Annellia snapped shut the book she was holding.

“Adrian Hunt. What’s not allowed is not allowed.”

At the words that seemed to remind him of his changed status, Adrian’s mouth closed.

However, the child soon replied tearfully.

“Then when will Adrian remember the grace of parents? If that person dies, I’ll never see him again!”

“The grace of parents?”

“The Imperial Palace teacher said that the grace of parents who brought you into this world is the most important of the three graces…”

Adrian, who had been biting his lips, suddenly jumped down from the chair.

Then he quickly opened the door and went outside.

Soya jumped up from her seat in surprise, but Annellia shook her head.

“Just leave him be.”

“What? But…”

“It’s also ridiculous to selectively reveal the truth. There’s nothing wrong with saying he won’t be able to see him if not now.”

Soya and Miel exchanged worried glances.

Annellia calmly picked up her book again and began turning the pages.

“…Let’s not be scared. Brother said if you’re scared, you lose.”

Adrian fidgeted with his nails with anxious eyes.

The corridor where Sharon had left after crying for a long time was eerily empty.

At the desolate sight with not even a passing servant, Adrian gulped.

“Grace…”

Then he carefully took a step and finally reached the door.

Adrian took a deep breath and slowly turned the doorknob.

Whether the window in the room was open, a cool breeze immediately ruffled Adrian’s hair as it passed by.

He could see a man sitting on the bed with his back turned in the distance.

“…I’m done with meals.”

At the voice he heard, Adrian closed his mouth.

Then he answered in a crawling voice.

“It’s not about meals…”

Jayden’s back stiffened.

Soon he slowly turned his body around.

Eyes that still hadn’t lost their sharpness turned toward Adrian.

“Who let you in here?”

Adrian rolled his eyes.

“No one sent me, I came by myself…”

Deep wrinkles formed between Jayden’s brows.

He got up from the bed and strode toward Adrian.

Then he grabbed the door and opened it wide.

“Get out.”

Adrian’s shoulders shrank.

But the child didn’t leave and boldly retorted.

“I won’t go out! I haven’t finished saying everything yet!”

The moment Jayden’s eyes widened, Adrian slipped under Jayden’s arm.

Then he scurried over and climbed onto a chair in the corner of the room.

The child placed both hands on his knees, sat in a neat posture, and said.

“Yan will become the Duke of Hunt in a month.”

“…What?”

A hollow laugh burst from Jayden’s mouth, but Adrian didn’t back down.

“If he goes to Hunt Territory, he’ll live happily. Until he becomes an adult!”

“…”

“And, Yan’s favorite fruit is strawberries. His favorite toy is the rocking horse that Brother made for him, but he left it at the Imperial Palace…”

Adrian stared at Jayden.

“What does Father like best?”

At the word “Father,” Jayden’s eyes wavered.

“What about toys? What toy do you like best? Adrian told you, so Father should tell me too.”

Jayden didn’t continue speaking for a while.

He faced Adrian with clenched fists and replied dryly and coldly.

“…My favorite fruit is also strawberries.”

Adrian’s eyes widened.

“Really?”

“The toy I liked was the swing my father made behind the palace when I was young.”

“Wow, a swing! Then what’s your favorite color?”

“Black. Not pitch black, but the kind of black with a blue tint just before sunrise. Is that enough now?”

Adrian nodded.

Jayden, who let out a short breath, narrowed his brows fiercely.

“Then your business is finished. Now get out of my room…”

That was the moment.

“Yan will remember everything.”

Adrian’s calm voice echoed through the space.

“…”

“Father’s favorite fruit, and toy, and color. Yan will remember them all.”

The corner of Jayden’s mouth trembled slightly.

He gritted his teeth and soon opened his mouth in what seemed like an angry voice.

“Why would you remember me.”

His tone was bristling with fierce thorns.

“You have no fear. You’re excessively naive. What were you thinking coming here? If you were going to Hunt Territory, you should have just lived your whole life not knowing me.”

Jayden’s eyes rippled deeply.

“You don’t know anything. How dangerous I am to you.”

“….”

“I’m someone who can drag you down even after death. Someone who can destroy you and drag you down to the bottom. And yet you remember me? You?”

“I won’t be dragged down. I won’t be destroyed either. I won’t be pulled down!”

At that moment, Adrian shouted with a sullen face.

Jayden’s face stiffened with a start.

“…What?”

“It’s not Father’s fault or Yan’s fault, so why should that happen? Big brother said so. A tree that centers itself and puts down roots can’t be shaken by any wind!”

Adrian spoke with a spirited face.

“So, even though it’s sad that Mother and Father will go to heaven in a few days… I understood.”

“….”

“I accepted it well like Princess Annellia said. Bravely.”

Jayden’s breathing became rapid.

Watching his head begin to drop, Adrian spoke his final words.

“So I’m going to live happily while remembering Father and Mother.”

Jayden raised his head and looked at Adrian.

He felt unbearable pain in his chest, but he was grateful.

Adrian didn’t resemble Jayden.

His gaze remained on Adrian for a long time.

It was to capture in his eyes the face of his son who said he would remember him and not forget.

The next day, Karin was transported to the Imperial Capital without meeting Adrian until the end.

In the Imperial Capital, all the crimes she had committed were thoroughly exposed.

Among the various crimes, the greatest was undoubtedly the crime of attempting to assassinate the Emperor.

Additionally, it was revealed that Karin was behind the demon beast incident that occurred seven years ago.

However, her list of crimes did not include fabricating Adrian as the Emperor’s child.

“I already had a rough idea. Just leave Adrian as my offspring.”

Because the Emperor made an unexpected decision.

“If the Dowager Empress decided to grant that child the Hunt Ducal title. If Tian decided to protect that child.”

“….”

“I will follow that sentiment as well. There’s no need to be more cruel than necessary.”

Nevertheless, on the day Karin was executed, an unprecedented crowd gathered in Judiciary Square.

People threw stones and filth at Karin during transport and spat on her.

Her corpse remained hanging on the gallows for a long time even after the execution.

Around sunset, the order for Jayden’s suicide was issued to Abner Territory.

Jayden ended his life with poison made by Isabel.

It was a drug that slowly hardened the lungs and heart, but he departed with a peaceful expression.

“…Thank you for taking care of me all this time, Duke Abner.”

That night, Adrian also departed for Hunt Territory.

The child was scheduled to build a new household there with people sent by the Dowager Empress.

But when Adrian arrived at Hunt Territory.

“…What is this?”

Men wearing Imperial Palace knight uniforms presented Adrian with a long, large box.

“There was an order from the Dowager Empress.”

Adrian, who opened the box, collapsed to the floor with a thud.

The child’s small shoulders began to tremble.

“…Ugh, Mo-Mother….”

He thought he would never see her again.

Because the Dowager Empress had said harshly that she wouldn’t even recover the corpse.

Adrian cried and cried while holding onto Karin’s cold arm.

What the Dowager Empress had sent was Karin lying cleanly with a few white roses.

Two months later.

The old research lab located in the basement of Abner Territory.

“Then let’s begin.”

At Rico’s words, Annellia nodded.

The ritual altar that Crookiatus had given to the first Hunt.

A new ritual altar created by copying that altar exactly but with different techniques.

When Annellia placed her hand on it, bright light began to spread along the patterns.

Wooooong-

To seal Crookiatus again when he resurrects.

The curtain was rising on the plan Annellia had begun.

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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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