Stepmothers Are Not Always Evil

“My parents?”

I widened my eyes at the unexpected suggestion.

“The Viscount visited not long ago, but your mother hasn’t seen you since you got married.”

“I’m fine, but aren’t you busy?”

“What do you mean I’m busy? I have nothing to do.”

Helios said in a playful tone.

“Let’s go and rest for about ten days. She must be very worried, but you have to show her your face.”

“I’d love to go, but are you sure… is it okay?”

Considering her father’s personality, it would be difficult for us to be welcomed, so when I asked the question again, Helios gave a sullen smile.

“Am I so busy?”

“It’s not that… You know my father’s personality. I’m afraid he’ll hurt you.”

“I’ll take the cussing, I deserve it, don’t worry about it, just get ready.”

*****

“Young master, look at that willow over there! That’s a 400-year-old willow!”

“Mary, you’ll fall.”

Mary, who had been screaming with her neck out the window, shrugged and entered the carriage.

It was a pretty excited face that was bursting with laughter.

She couldn’t say a word in front of Helios, but she was pretty sure Helios was in the driver’s seat.

“Is it that good?”

“Yes. How long has this been!”

Mary smiled and asked Escal.

“Are you looking forward to it too, young master?”

“Huh? Y-yes.”

Escal barely nodded with a nervous look on his face.

No wonder he was afraid, after all the trouble my father had caused.

I hugged Escal quietly and soothed him.

“Nothing to be nervous about. Mom is with you.”

“That’s right. The Viscount is a bit quick-tempered, but he’s not a bad person. He’s a really good person.”

Mary helped me.

Escal barely released his expression after he had been told that there was no need to worry.

“Anyway, we’re almost there.”

Mary looked out the window and said in an excited voice.

The carriage was passing a small stone bridge. Crossing this bridge was Viscount Evelyn estate.

The Viscount Evelyn was a small town that was embarrassing to even call it a manor, with nothing to show for it, but it was scenic and quiet, perfect for a rest.

As we entered the village through the narrow path, a large lake appeared.

The mansion located on the shore of the lake was as cute as it would appear in a fairy tale book.

“We are here, Lena.”

Helios parked the carriage in front of the mansion and opened the carriage door.

I took Escal’s hand and got off the carriage.

Pushing the small door at the waist and entering the mansion, a middle-aged woman watering flowers from one side of the garden lifted her head.

A smile filled her gentle face.

“Lena!”

My mother, who threw out the watering can, rushed towards me.

“Oh my God, look who it is!”

Then she hugged me with a very happy look. The warmth of her embrace was indescribable.

“Mom, how are you?”

“Yes. I’m fine. Let me see my daughter’s face.”

My mother gently caressed my face.

“What’s wrong with your face? I heard that you were injured. Are you okay?”

“I’m okay.”

“Are you really okay? You’re not lying because you not want me to worried about you, aren’t you?”

“Really. If not, would I have come all the way here?”

I rolled my eyes and reassured my mother.

It was the first time I was worried like this from a mother, so my heart was tickled.

Helios, who was standing next to me, bowed his head politely as I finished my emotional greeting.

“How have you been, madam?”

“Welcome, Duke Anthemion.”

“I’m sorry I haven’t seen you in a long time.”

“No need to apologize. You’re busy and I’m glad you’re here.”

My mother responded kindly. I took Escal’s hand and introduced him to my mother.

“Mother, say hello to Escal. He is my son.”

“Ah, hello.”

Escal bowed his head with a nervous expression on his face.

For a moment, I wondered if she would be as reluctant as my father.

“You must be Escal.”

My mother bent her knees and made eye contact with Escal.

“Welcome home. You’re a very handsome, tall and bright boy.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“And also smart.”

Mother gently stroked Escal’s head and got up.

“You must have a hard time coming here, so let’s go inside.”

Mother took Escal’s hand and led the way into the mansion.

“What are you all doing, come on out!”

At the sound of Mother’s voice, a few servants inside the mansion rushed out.

“Oh, my lady! When did you come?”

“You are here! I missed you!”

“Welcome, Duke!”

Mary, who came along with the luggage, greeted the servants warmly.

It felt like my soul was drained by the fussy welcome.

“I’ve cleaned out the room, so go get some rest.”

“Yes. What about father?”

“You said you were coming, so he went grocery shopping.”

“We can eat anything.”

“It’s fine, but we have to feed the little ones well. Don’t worry, come in.”

“I’ll change my clothes and go out.”

I entered the room with two men.

The interior was cozy with well-maintained wooden furniture arranged neatly.

The bed, which seemed a little small for three people, and the sofa, which seemed to fill up when two people sat, only felt warm and cozy.

“The room is beautiful.”

“It may be uncomfortable because it’s narrow.”

“What’s wrong with that? If it is narrow, it’ll be better.”

Helios pulled me while I was unpacking and put me on the bed.

Then he gently lowered the cardigan I was wearing and whispered in a small voice.

“Tonight we…”

“Oh, Escal! You should change your clothes.”

I jumped up from my seat, avoiding his hand.

“Didn’t you wash your hands? Let’s wash your hands first.”

“Yes.”

“Oh and….”

Helios smiled sadly and unpacked his bag.

There were few maids, so it was inconvenient to have to do minor tasks yourself, but Helios didn’t seem to care much.

I changed Escal’s clothes first, then put on my robe and left the room.

My mother, who was cleaning the vase in the living room, turned her head.

“You must be tired, so why did you come out without resting?”

“I’m not tired. What can I do to help you?”

“No. How can I let a guest do those things? Don’t say anything like that, get some rest and go up.”

“I don’t know if I’m bothering you by coming here.”

“You’re not bothering me, you’re bothering your parents, and you shouldn’t say that in front of your mother.”

I laughed at the warm pinpricks and changed the topic.

“How is father feeling? The last time he stopped by the mansion, he got angry and left.”

“Well, it’s always the same. I heard your father had a big accident?”

“It’s not an accident…”

“That’s not true, I heard that old man was senile and said anything he couldn’t say.”

My mother cut off the flower twigs and spoke.

“He bullies people around him because he doesn’t like them. No matter how old you are, you should age gracefully.”

“Mom.”

“Why? I didn’t say anything. You know your father’s personality, right?”

Well, it’s not wrong.

Instead of answering, I laughed.

After finishing arranging the flowers, my mother stood up.

“I told them to prepare dinner early, so wait a little bit. You must be hungry, can I get you some refreshments?”

“I ate a lot for lunch. If I eat anything now, I can’t eat dinner.”

“Okay, then If you need anything, just say it.”

“Yes.”

I watched my mother go into the kitchen and then headed back to the room.

With a strangely quiet feeling, I carefully opened the door, Helios and Escal were sleeping on the bed side by side.

They look like father and son the way they sleep.

I pulled the covers over their bodies and turned my attention to the window.

The scenery outside the window was like a painting.

The smell of summer wafted in through the open window. The wind blowing from the lakeside shook the zelkova tree in front of the house.

I closed my eyes to the feeling of the fresh wind tickling my face, feeling the wind, and a large hand suddenly wrapped around my waist.

“What are you looking at?”

“He-Helios—.”

“Shhh, Escal is sleeping.”

Helios whispered softly and put his hand under my clothes.

I stomped on his toe, telling him not to do it, but he didn’t budge.

When did he wake up after sleeping so soundly?

“There’s Escal, so what are you doing?”

“What? It’s thrilling and it’s good.”

Look at this man!

“In this case, Escal and I will use a separate room.”

“Okay, I won’t.”

Then Helios gently released his hand.

“But, if it’s for Escal, don’t you think it would be better if we show our good terms in front of him?”

“Do you think my father would like to see it?”

“… That’s also the case.”

Helios muttered with a sad expression on his face.

That time when I swallowed my smile thinking that if I said this, he would do less stupid things.

“Lena’s here?”

A loud voice was heard outside the door.