Rather Than The Son, I’ll Take The Father

Grand duke Kallakis’ residence was tidy. No, there weren’t many things present so it felt hollow.

No servants nor any maids. Instead, Aedis’ subordinates, who all appeared to be knights, were clustering the area.

Weelll, it’s kind of pitiful but it’s not like I don’t understand. Gilbert presumably breaks a lot of stuff and hits the servants, so they might’ve been driven out by him.

But why was there the aroma of food lingering around at this hour?

“Huh?”

As I passed by the hall, I paused.

What’s that?

The dining room, which for some odd reason was connected to the first floor, exposed a majestic feast.

Whoever cooked that meal seemed to forget that it was midnight.

Did they think I’d be moved by a delicious meal?

Puzzled, I passed by the roasted turkey without sparing it a glance.

“Sob, but I worked so hard on it…….”

A young green-haired boy suddenly burst into tears. It was Prokeon.

Vega whispered to him.

“Look, I told you she wasn’t gonna eat it.”

Guys, I can hear you.

I narrowed my eyes.

I didn’t know much about Prokeon or Vega, since they were mere supporting characters in the novel.

All I knew was that they were knights who served Aedis, so for the very first time, I learned that Prokeon has a gift for cooking and Vega doesn’t know how to speak with his inside voice.

Even in the novel, Prokeon was nicknamed ‘the kid knight’. He even seemed younger than Rehan, who was only eight at the moment.

It seemed like he hadn’t lived in the north for very long. He had tanned skin and freckles scattered across his face. Those round and droopy eyes of his reminded me of a puppy, so my first impression of him was ‘cute’.

But this wasn’t it. You’re a bit too passionate, sweetie.

How am I even supposed to digest turkey at midnight?

I had a somewhat sullen tone.

“What about my room?”

“Her excellency’s bedroom is located on the third floor, not too high yet not too low. It’s the best area when it comes to sunshine and moonlight so that every morning you can wake up to…….”

You’re just writing a poem.

I saw Sarah pinch herself in order not to laugh, but I just pretended not to see.

“Stop.”

“Pardon?”, Prokeon asked, puzzled.

Vega was quickly able to read the atmosphere and pushed him back.

“The lord…… I’m incapable of showing you to his excellency’s bedroom, no, should I?”

The two knights in front of me looked to be trying their best.

The reason for the absence of servants in the mansion was because of Gilbert’s tyranny. Since the servant issue was related to me, I felt the need to be generous. Of course, I’m not saying Gilbert isn’t a son of a bitch.

“Please do so.”

When I smiled at them, they both rushed me over to Aedis’ bedroom. It was located on the fifth floor, all the way at the end of the hallway.

Ummm, it’s quite far from my temporary bedroom.

Sensing my gaze, Prokeon’s face flushed and he tried his best to explain.

“That…… I don’t believe he’s used to it yet. Our lord’s impression is kinda, uh, yeah.”

There’s also the fact that I’m not used to being served turkey at midnight……

Not knowing what was happening, I sighed and knocked on the door.

“Mr. Aedis? It’s me, your wife.”

“Come in.”

He gave me his approval in an elegant tone. He said it loudly, though it seemed like he adjusted his tone so that it doesn’t sound like a command

Prokeon hit his chest before opening the door.

“Cough cough, w-what are you doing right now…….”

The two knights who were guiding me suddenly coughed, as if something was stuck in their throats.

“C-captain, I think the time for me to die has come.”

“I, too, have just heard something absurd.”

Even though they whispered silently in disbelief, there wasn’t much distance between us.

Do all the knights from the north act like this?

It disturbed me a bit, but for now, I’ll just open the door.

A desk, a bed, and a small tea table. The bedroom that came into my line of sight was really minimalistic.

A man who resembled a sculpture sat at his desk.

When I put my luggage on the floor, Aedis’ expression changed into a strange one.

“Naturally, I thought that you’d want a separate room.”

Huh? Why?

I cocked my head to the side.

“I only asked for one, but for some reason, we have separate rooms.”

He drew his mouth into a line, as if not wanting to seem too enthusiastic to sleep with me.

“Is it because of the successor thing? I remember you said it’d be difficult to have children. Are you sure there’s no need to discuss it again?”

I questioned him as I opened my bag.

I didn’t have much besides personal belongings. At the moment, I just had plain pyjamas to wear at night, a jewelry box with a lock and a few ornaments.

“Yes, but……”

Then what’s the problem?

I asked as I picked up my pyjamas this time.

“My dear Mr. Aedis, do you enjoy sadistic play?”

“That’s……”

Aha. So that’s what you like.

I gave him a big smile.

“But not as much as I do.”

“……”

“I’ll be right back after I change. Or should I do it here?”

“That way.”

He immediately pointed over to the powder room.

This man, the more I got to know and learn about him, the more he seemed different from the indifferent and listless adoptive father Rehan had in the novel.

Maybe he wasn’t able to express his feelings well because he was a supporting character?

Or……

Sarah was waiting nearby, but since I didn’t wear an overly-complicated dress that required help to take off, there was no need to call her. After I took it off, I brushed my hair with my hand. When I came out, Aedis said as if he were waiting,

“Marquis Morgana didn’t seem surprised when he saw me.”

“I told them in advance that my husband wasn’t some dying old man like everyone else thinks.”

I answered without much thought and brushed my hair.

Ouch, it got tangled.

“Are you not going to ask me about where I heard about it?”

It was a question that he had asked me at the imperial ball.

Back then, I avoided answering, but now we’re married. Since we’re partners now, I was willing to answer somewhat truthfully.

He smiled with his eyes closed.

“It’s fine since I’m having fun now.”

“I’m glad you find this fun.”

I stood absentmindedly before pulling out a chair and sat next to him.

He laughed when he saw me.

“For the wedding, is there anything you want in particular?”

Huuh? I raised a brow.

“Something I want?”

“Something you want.”

“You’ll walk with me in the ceremony hall even though you find it bothersome to save face? Are you really this considerate?”

“Aedis.”

You seem to dislike it when I don’t call you by your name.

“Considerate Mr. Aedis, do you like being called by your name this much?”

“It’s not bad.”

“We’re in no rush for a wedding. Let’s just do it when the timing is right.”

“The timing is right.”

Do you think I don’t dream of a romantic wedding?

I don’t want to force myself into the arms of a groom who’s about to die from boredom.

Though I kept that to myself and said something else,

“Also, where did all the servants go?”

He responded to my inquiry,

“They cried for me to fire them, so I let them go.”

“So, only Mr. Aedis’ men are left?”

“I guess so. I’m searching for new employees, but rumours have spread so much that no one will apply no matter how high the salary is”

“That’s unfortunate.”

“Two people were killed and thirty were assaulted. When I came here, the first thing I had to do was clean up the bodies.”

Truly, a man who lived up to my expectations.

“I thought you’d ask me about Gilbert’s room first.”

“I wouldn’t bolt on the first night just because I was left alone, even if it seemed quite fun. Anyways, tonight’s our first night as a married couple. I know my priorities.”

“Is that so? What do you wish to do? Since today is special after all.”

Even though he smiled softly, I felt his deep blue eyes stare at me unwaveringly.

“Eve.”

“Yes?”

“You have a sinister look on your face.”

I forced a smile.

“How about now?”

“I’m afraid I’ll see you in my nightmares.”

Huu.

I sighed and sank into my chair.

“To be frank, I’m quite angry. Not enough to crack his pathetic little head open but I’ll end up doing something unwise in the long run.”

No matter how young I was, I’d still be a stepmother with two sons as soon as I got married. An image embedded into the public’s mind.

Let alone the fact that my stepson was a cruel and pathetic villain both in a novel and now real life.

I don’t want to be seen as a perpetrator, especially since I’ve lived much kinder than that guy.

I’ve already rejected Gilbert’s proposal with one stroke and rumours were circulating about how I poured wine on him at the imperial ball.

Was it necessary to add to those rumours here too?

And so, I came straight to Aedis. Please stop me.

“That misfortunate fucker.”

Aedis asked me with a smile.

“Eve, are you really a noble?”

“Of course.”

Can’t nobles curse too? Every once in a while I’d search for my ancestors and tell them that.

Ah really, I have a lot to say to them.

I attempted to untangle my hair with a grumpy look on my face when Aedis suddenly reached out to me. He looked to be trying to feed me something, so I opened my mouth on impulse.

Huh?

“Candy?”, I asked as I chewed something tiny and round. Aedis shook his container of candy. As he did that, red round candies coated in sugar moved around.

I-I thought you gave it to me so that I can calm down, but this flavour……..

“Since it’s red, shouldn’t it taste like cherry or strawberry? It tastes like a boiled tomato.”

Like it came out of some subtle business market.