Stepmothers Are Not Always Evil

He seemed to think that Helios had overturned his decision because of Escal’s fight with that child.

That wasn’t the main reason, but it seemed like the best excuse to convince him, so I nodded.

“Thanks to the Duke, that day ended that way, but there is no way that it won’t happen again when the child is alone.”

“If it’s because of that, you don’t have to worry about it.”

The Baron cut off and said.

“I have dealt with all the things that harmed Escal.

Do you mean ‘deal’?

Who the hell did you ‘deal?

The Baron charged me while I was silent on a bad feeling.

“The academy is ready to welcome Escal. We have completed the maintenance of the dormitory where Escal will live, and we have also invited famous teachers.”

“I should have contacted you sooner, but I’m sorry for making it so troublesome. If there is any loss, I will make up for it, so please send me a bill.”

The Baron’s face hardened even more when I spoke around that the decision would not be overturned.

“I will have a conversation with the Duke.”

“It was a decision I made after thorough discussion with the Duke.”

“Your Excellency didn’t say that.”

“You must listen to the Duke to clear your doubts, then do whatever you want. You’ll hear the same thing anyway.”

If you really want to annoy a lot of people, that’s it.

When I responded with a smile, the Baron’s face showed a clear expression of anger.

“You’re fooling around.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Didn’t you persuade Your Excellency not to send the child to the academy?”

The Baron questioned me in a suspicious voice.

It was a reasonable doubt. He’d be an idiot if he didn’t notice, from the dean’s office I said I didn’t want to send Escal to the academy.

Even so, a Baron can’t be so rude to me who is a Duchess.

“Isn’t it none of the Baron’s business what I say to the Duke. What I said as Escal’s mother and the wife of the Duke of Antemion—”

“Do you think people will recognize you as the real Duchess?”

What?

“If Duke Anthemion thinks of you and says that he will take the child away, would it be better to just accept it? Do you want to pretend to be a benevolent woman who even embraces her stepson?”

“Look at this, Baron Rockefeller.”

“Isn’t it better to be honest? You’re saying it’s not easy for you to get the child out of the Duke’s eyes?”

“Baron Rockefeller!”

“Ah, if you send the child to the academy, is it because monitoring will be difficult? After graduating from the academy, he will become a soldier anyway, and in all likelihood he will be torn to death by monsters, is there anything to worry about?”

“Get out now!”

This crazy guy has been talking nonsense with his mouth?

I can ignore swearing at me, but I can’t stand the downing of Helios and Escal.

Mary, who was waiting outside the drawing room, heard my voice and ran inside.

“Madam? What are you doing?”

“Mary, the guest is done speaking, she will see you off.”

“Yes?”

“Goodbye, Baron. I hope we never meet again.”

“Huh.”

The Baron snorted and left the drawing room.

The hand I was holding trembled in an attempt to suppress my anger.

I’m glad I didn’t send Escal. Really.

****

“Butler said Baron Rockefeller was here?”

Those were the first words Helios uttered after returning home late in the evening after going out all day.

I was going to talk after dinner, but someone seemed to have told him.

“He came and went because of Escal’s academy admission problem.”

“I was out of my mind and forgot to contact him. Why didn’t you just send him back.”

“Why bother? I said it well.”

I took Helios’ robe and turned around, pretending to hang it.

“I said that Escal was too young to be admitted to the academy, and he said yes.”

“He say ‘yes’ without hesitation?”

“Yes.”

The Baron will not raise the job, although he returned angry.

There’s no point in turning the Duke of Anthemion into an enemy for only a little money and pride.

And I didn’t want to grow a job, so I didn’t want to tell the Baron’s abusive language to me.

“I heard there was a loud noise.”

Who else said that?

Helios turned around and grabbed my wrist and pulled me in.

He hugged me tightly and whispered softly.

“Aren’t you going to tell me?”

“It really didn’t matter.”

“Then do it. That’s not a big deal.”

“… I think he spent some money on Escal’s admission. He got angry when I said I’d pretend it didn’t happen.”

Helios smiled bitterly as if he knew that.

“It must have been quite unfair because the promised donation flew away.”

“A donation?”

“I was going to give him 300,000 gold.”

“So many? With that money—”

“One academy is enough. It didn’t happen, so let’s move on.”

You told me to leave because you were negotiating a donation.

“And again.”

“You’re pretending to wrap Escal in order to look good on me.”

“You talked as if you didn’t have me.”

Helios mumbled, grinding his molars. He hurriedly loosened his hand as his caught wrist frowned.

“Never mind. I’ll take care of it.”

‘Process?’

Suddenly, I remembered what the Baron had said.

“Don’t make a big deal out of it, Helios.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll talk to you so you can understand.”

“Really?”

If it’s his job, he’s a person who doesn’t go back and forth, so I have to be able to trust it.

Helios met my suspicious gaze and kissed me lightly.

“Can’t you believe me?”

“… I believe you.”

But why am I so anxious?

****

Even in the hectic days, the seasons have returned steadily.

After a bitter winter, the weather was clear and warm in the beginning of spring.

The scent of flowers carried in the gentle breeze tickled the tip of my nose.

After I got out of the cramped room for a long time, I sat down at a table on the terrace and immersed myself in embroidery with the sound of Escal’s cheering in the background.

My heart was rushed at the thought of the freedom that I could only enjoy until Helios returned from an outing.

It’s actually more pleasing to receive a gift like this without knowing it.

I was already feeling proud when I imagined Helios who would be happy to receive the gift.

‘Do you think people will recognize you as the real Duchess?’

“Ah.”

The tip of the needle pierced my finger.

I’ve been thinking about something else for a while.

I put my bloodied finger into my mouth and looked at the embroidery.

Drops of blood were dripping on the gold thread that held the leopard’s rim.

“I have to tear it all apart.”

I’m glad it didn’t smear on the fabric, but I got annoyed at the thought that all my hard work had been in vain.

It’s all because of Baron Rockefeller.

I haven’t been able to concentrate since that man came and went.

Helios told me not to worry because he would take care of it himself, but he seems to have no time to worry about even the smallest details as he’s been troubled by Escal’s custody issues.

‘I have to deal with all the things that harmed Escal, so there will never be an accident that his wife is concerned about.’

How did you deal with it?

The baron’s words and the way he was kicking the child lingered in my head.

“Ha…”

Forget it, we’ll never see each other again.

I shook my head and brushed away my thoughts.

“Why?”

“Huj?”

Escal, who suddenly approached me, looked at me and asked.

His face, which was reddened from swinging his sword in the sun, looked like a ripe peach.

“Did you hurt your hand?”

Escal looked at my bloodstained fingers and gave a worried expression.

“I just got stabbed with a needle, it’s okay.”

“Are you in a lot of pain? I’ll blow it.”

The kindness of the child blowing my fingers was so sweet that the pain seemed to go away.

“How is it?”

“It doesn’t hurt at all now. Thanks, Escal.”

I stroked his ebony hair and smiled brightly.

“Have you finished your swordsmanship practice?”

“Oh, yes. I’m going to rest for today.”

Escal answered, hiding a branch.

When I glanced behind his back, I saw a branch broken in half.

“Is it broken?”

“It’s okay, I can pick it up again.”

Escal replied bravely.

If I pick it up again, it will break again.

I got up from my seat after looking at Escal with a sad heart.

“Let’s go in.”

*****

Helios, who returned home late in the afternoon, said he had urgent business and prepared to go out again.

“Is it going to take a long time?”

“It will be three or four days.”

“Three or four days? Where are you going?”

“I’ll tell you when I’m back.”

Chu. Helios kissed my lips and avoided answering.

He has never been like this before, so can’t you tell me?

I wanted to ask if it was dangerous, but I didn’t want to make him feel uncomfortable with unnecessary worries.

“Be careful.”

“Don’t worry about me, take care of yourself. Don’t go anywhere while I’m away, just stay in the mansion. Understand?”

“Where am I going? Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”