Stepmothers Are Not Always Evil

‘Why he hasn’t come out?’

Lenia looked anxiously at the entrance to the mine.

Even after a long time had passed, Helios hadn’t shown any sign of coming out.

In the meantime, the flames that were set to lure the guards were almost completely extinguished.

‘The guards will be back soon.’

Lenia, who was hiding among the trees, approached the entrance to the mine. It was then someone shouted.

“Intruder! catch her!”

The angry shout pierced her eardrums. Somehow the guards had been alerted, and they rushed into the mine.

At the same time, Helios had just come out of the mine. One of the guards who spotted Helios released his arrow.

“Shoot!”

With a short command the arrow flies.

“Helios!”

Lenia jumped in front of Helios without thinking about it. A sharp arrowhead pierced her back.

“Lena!”

“Ugh!”

Helios supported the fallen Lenia.

“Lena, stay with me, Lena!”

“Ugh… Helios. Move, we have to avoid…”

Gritting his teeth at the sound of her voice, Helios pulled out the arrow. Fortunately, the wound was not deep.

The guards, swords drawn, slowly closed in on the pair, as if closing in on them.

Helios gripped the sword and bit his lips.

There were about ten guards who were confident enough to deal with him, but if he made a mistake, Lenia could get hurt.

He hesitated, unsure of what to do.

“Ugh!”

Suddenly a scream was heard in the darkness, and the guards began to fall one by one.

‘Is it Dustin?’

Helios stared intently into the darkness.

A large man swung his sword beautifully as if dancing and cut through the guards.

‘Who is that person?’

Just as he thought it was a movement he had seen somewhere, the man glanced back at him.

“Get out of here, Duke.”

Helios recognized the identity of the man’s deep voice.

“Baron Hazel?”

****

“Ugh…”

A moan came out before I woke up. I opened my eyes in the rattling carriage.

“Lena, are you okay?”

“… Helios.”

The first thing I saw was Helios’ face.

He sighed in relief and stroked my cheek.

I stroked his hand, enjoying his cool touch, and slowly pulled myself up.

“Where am I?”

“On the way up to the capital. You’ve been asleep all day.”

“Ah…”

I remember Baron Hazel showing up and dealing with the guards.

Seeing that I had no memories after that, it seems that I have fainted.

That’s why my head was heavy.

I grabbed my banging head and tried to calm myself, but Helios gently placed a hand on my back.

“Lena, your back….”

“My back?”

Helios, pursed his lips as if he had something to say, then changed the topic.

“No, are you okay?”

“Yes. I’m okay. What happened?”

“Baron Hazel helped us.”

“How did he get there…?”

“It looks like he has come to collect the Magic Stone.”

“Ah….”

Even if we offered him a magic stone, he refused.

After all, he owed us a favor, and now he had a chance to repay us.

Helios said that shortly after Baron Hazel had dealt with the guards, the soldiers, who noticed the commotion, rushed to the mines.

At a moment when he almost got caught, Marquis Hallstile’s people came to support.

“How did he know we were there?”

“I thought something like this would happen, so I called in advance.”

“Ah.”

Helios continued, saying that was the errand he had given Dustin.

“I was waiting nearby in case I got in trouble for trespassing on the estate without the lord’s permission, but the Duke of Eton’s exploits have come to light, so I was able to get in.”

Helios said so and pointed out the carriage.

Unseen soldiers were escorting the front and back of the carriage, layer by layer. In the meantime, Baron Hazel was also seen.

“Now, all we have to do is go up and uncover the Duke of Eaton sins.”

Helios said with a more relaxed expression.

It was fortunate that it was over, but the most important issue still remained.

“Didn’t you catch the person who took Escal?”

“I missed him, but Escal is safe, so don’t worry.”

“How do you know that?”

****

“I have Escal with me.”

“I see.”

Helios, who returned safely to the inn with the help of the Marquis Hallstein, smiled bitterly at Baron Hazel’s confession.

“I didn’t tell you because the child didn’t want to speak.”

“Did Escal hide his identity from the Baron?”

Baron nodded his head.

“He said he had no parents and no home.”

“Did he…”

“I don’t know what happened, but he didn’t say anything about himself. Still, he resembled the Duke so I quickly recognized him.”

Helios wiped his dry face.

“Is Escal okay?”

“He fell off a cliff and injured his arm a little, but nothing serious.”

“Thank you for taking care of my son.”

Helios bowed his head deeply.

Baron Hazel quickly waved his hand.

“No. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you sooner.”

“Where can I meet Hhim?”

“I’ll go back first and talk to him and tell you.”

Baron Hazel answered cautiously.

Helios slowly opened his mouth as he looked at Lenia who was asleep at the words that he had no intention of forcing the child unless he had made up his mind.

“All right. Then please.”

“Whatever the answer is, I will tell you right away.”

“Yes. I don’t know how to repay you. It is small, but please accept it.”

Helios held out a small box to Baron Hazel. What was in the box were high-quality magic stones.

Baron Hazel pushed the box away with a bewildered look on his face.

“It’s too much. Escal hasn’t made a decision yet…”

“This is in return for saving me, my wife, and my son. Let me know if you need anything more and…”

“… .”

“If Escal doesn’t want to come back, I’ll set up a mansion in the capital.”

“I don’t need a mansion. It wasn’t something I was hoping for…”

“I know. It’s just, I’m saying this because I think it will put my mind at ease.”

Baron Hazel silently looked at the man in front of him.

It was very different from what the Duke of Anthemion and his wife he had heard of.

‘I’ll have to talk to him again.’

The Baron’s mouth opened after he had finished thinking.

“Okay. See you soon.”

****

Baron Hazel returned to Daleswood at full speed and headed straight for Roderick Cronen’s house.

“Tia, don’t do it!”

“Hehe!”

The laughter of children was heard from far away.

Baron Hazel stood a little farther away, watching the two children, and then moved on.

“Tia.”

“Huh? Grandpa!”

Tiaris, who found the Baron, ran to him and embraced him with her muddy hands.

The Baron lifted up Tiaris.

“How are you? Are you not sick?”

“Yes! Tia is doing well!”

Baron smiled on his face, much better than before he left.

“You back.”

Escal, who was standing still, bent down. Baron Hazel lightly patted the boy on the back to greet him.

“Yeah, Escal, it’s been a long time since. Let’s go inside.”

When I entered the house with the children, I heard a mumble from inside the living room.

“Roderick, I’m here.”

“Who is coming?”

Roderick, who was taking medicine, ran out barefoot. Roderick, who looked at Baron Hazel as if he had met a ghost, smiled broadly.

“I thought you were going to die this time, but you live a long life.”

Baron put down the box, letting out a mischievous joke.

“What is this?”

“It’s a magic stone.”

“Magic Stone?”

Roderick’s eyes widened as he opened the box.

“This man has been successful! How did you get it?”

“It’s a long story, I’ll tell you later and let’s treat Tia first.”

“Oh yeah, of course, Tia came to your uncle.”

Roderick took Tiaris from Baron Hazel’s arms and carried her into the treatment room.

When he was alone with Escal, the baron spoke.

“Escal, would you like to talk to me for a moment?”

“Yes.”

Baron took Escal to a tree trunk far away from the house, sat him down, and opened his mouth first.

“Escal, don’t you want to go home?”

“Yes?”

“You’ve been here for almost a month now, and it’s time to go home.”

“……”

“Your mother misses you a lot.”

Lie. Escal replied with his head bowed.

“I… I don’t have a mother.”

Baron Hazel clicked his tongue at the stubborn answer. I don’t know what happened, but the wounds in his heart seemed deep.

“Escalium Anthemion. Do you really think so?”

Baron asked quietly. Suddenly, hot tears began to fall at Escal’s feet.

“Uh, my mother… Order him to, kill… me…”

Escal, stammered, sobbing softly.

It was only then that Baron Hazel realized that Escal had been deeply misunderstood.

“Escal, that’s not what your mother does, it’s the Duke of Eaton’s plan.”

“What?”

A child with a face full of water, turned to the baron.

He continued, wiping Escal’s drenched face carefully.

“Duke Eaton tricked you into taking revenge on your father.”

“I-Is that really true?”

“Yes. So your mother got hurt trying to find you.”

“My mom?”

Baron shook his head.

“Ho-how bad?”

“The wounds aren’t too bad, but she’s got hurt because worrying about you, so she’s in a lot of pain.”

“……”

Another beady tears flowed down his cheek. Baron Hazel asked, wiped the corner of the child’s eyes.

“Do you not want to see your parents?”

“I want to see….”

“Do you wish to return home?”

Escal nodded slowly.

“Okay, I will take you.”