Blake understood the meaning of Jedd’s unexpected words but, instead of replying, sat down at the desk and picked up some documents.
On the desk were quite a few documents waiting for his signature.
“Are you really going to take the child as a foster daughter?”
“What’s the problem?”
“Ah, no.”
Jedd flinched and waved his hands at Blake’s sharp gaze.
There are. Many, in fact.
It was not common for a commoner to become a noble, but even rarer was a duke’s family adopting a child.
Usually, when nobles adopt children, it’s to continue the lineage.
However, the four ducal families of the Rocksha Empire were known for producing one Abilityuser per generation to inherit the head of the family.
For hundreds of years, ability users were always born, and the head’s position never went vacant.
The ducal families had a strong image of a family that outsiders could not enter.
“There’s no problem, but… if you announce it, the rumors will spread quickly.”
Such a ducal family had taken a foster daughter.
Even more, it was the most closedoff Ludwik Ducal Family.
‘The other ducal families will watch. Even the emperor might move.’
The empire was maintained by the balance of power between the emperor and the four ducal families.
So, an unusual action was bound to attract attention.
He knew that, but Blake would know as well.
“What can those things do?”
Blake chuckled lightly.
“……You knew, didn’t you? That the child would read the name.”
He talked about giving a name if she read the letters, but it was clear that he knew all along.
Look at him now.
Blake did not deny or affirm Jedd’s question, but a faint smile touched the corners of his lips.
As if a person who had anticipated this situation.
I knew it.
He felt a frustrating sensation, but what could he do?
In the first place, in this family, the head’s word is absolute. Nothing changes if Jedd opposes it.
Jedd rubbed his neck and asked.
“Then please tell me the reason. The reason for taking her as a foster daughter. If it was for my lord, she could have just been a playmate.”
Blake closed his lips for a moment.
The fact that he thought tenderly of Riché, remembering the child he had lost with his beloved wife, was true.
But that reason was far from enough to adopt a common, filthy girl he had met for the first time yesterday.
The biggest reason was that the ability user’s power responded to Lertium, but how could Blake know that?
He defended his actions to me and Jedd with plausible words that we could accept.
Family is special. If a younger sibling is born, Deon will feel responsible and act differently than before. Right now, Deon is too isolated. More than any other Lodwick.
Blake spoke seriously, and Zed gave him a doubting look inwardly.
‘An excuse for the young master.’
Of course, Blake’s words had some merit.
Zed snorted inwardly.
‘Call me Dad from now on~? Not father, but Dad~?’
I’ve been at the Lodwick mansion for 16 years. I never thought I’d see Blake speak like that.
He was a great person who never once told his own son Deon to call him Dad.
I wanted to tease him, but my life is precious, so I must endure.
“Master.”
“Why.”
I wonder how the illtempered young master will react when he suddenly finds out he has a younger sister.
He won’t throw a congratulatory party just because I have a younger sister.
Zed scratched his cheek, mumbling to himself.
“……You won’t kill the young lady, will you……?”
The two were silent for a moment.
Blake asked Zed.
“Did you tell anyone the child was named today?”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“Then Deon doesn’t know yet. Don’t worry, I’ll go tell him.”
The butler, Paul, is tightlipped, so the rumor must not have spread in the mansion.
“But Lady Riche might have told Anna.”
Zed recalled the suspicious look of his younger sister when he went to pick up the child.
She must have interrogated Riche when she returned, asking ‘Did Zed do anything wrong?’
There would be other maids besides Anna.
Ah, the word has gotten out.
The two had the same thought.
Blake put down his papers and stood up from his seat.
Zed followed him out of the room.
‘He caught on at first glance.’
Zed shrugged, watching the indifferent, fastwalking Blake.
If asked if he was worried about the child, he would deny it.
Had there ever been a time when someone was more important to Blake Lodwick than work? The way he got up without any attachment to the documents.
‘I see it. Our master has become a doting father.’
The thought of a stumbling Blake, awkwardly holding Riche, gave him chills.
Then he saw a bustling servant in the corridor, rushed over, and grabbed his shoulder.
“What’s the matter?”
“I, I, Zed Sir! Ah, Master!”
The servant who was shouldered by Zed hurriedly spoke, noticing Blake walking down the corridor.
“The young master has disappeared! And the child you brought home yesterday is not in sight either!”
(This is a time separator.)
“…….”
Keeoow.
A ghastly bird’s cry was heard. The dense forest path was dark as the sun didn’t penetrate.
Riche walked along the forest path, looking at the clear sky through the thick leaves.
“There.”
Then she spoke to the back of the head of the blackhaired figure walking ahead.
No reply came.
A sigh escaped her small lips.
‘Where are we going?’
About two hours ago.
When Riche returned to her room, she spilled the beans about the name she received to Anna and the maids.
Explosive interest from the servants followed, and she hid in the wardrobe as it was overwhelming.
Then, not long after, the wardrobe door swung open.
It was Deon.
She didn’t know how he found her, but from his angry face, it seemed he had heard that she had taken the Lodwick name.
His red eyes glared at her and then opened his mouth.
“Follow me.”
That’s how they ended up here, following Deon, riding horses.
The forest near the Lodwick Duke’s mansion. The horses were tied at the entrance to the forest.
‘He keeps going further in.’
She didn’t sense any murderous intent from Deon, but she was anxious as she didn’t know what he was up to.
If it continued like this, they might even get lost in the forest, but he wouldn’t even answer her.
‘Is this the only way?’
Riche ran up and slightly grabbed Deon’s sleeve.
“Brother.”
“……What?”
Deon turned his head. An annoyed voice, as if asking why I called him brother.
Certainly, this is what it takes for you to deal with me.
Liche made a face like a puppy that was purposely caught in the rain.
“Liche’s leg hurts.”
Deon’s expression distorted suddenly.
Male lead fell into her trap — and shattered when she walked away
This is also on my reread list!
This one is a slow burn, but when it burns, it burns hard.
Definitely worth a read, y’all!
The story follows a thousand-year-old seductive spirit who, on a bet, sets out to charm the male lead—a once-promising but unfortunate cultivator.
But just when she succeeds in making him fall for her, she heartlessly leaves, driving him to madness.
Determined to find her at all costs, he captures her, keeping her by his side no matter what, even if she hates him.
I love this kind of trope—I enjoy watching the male lead suffer in agony.
The ending drags a bit with unnecessary filler, but that’s fine.
As long as I enjoy the beginning, I’m good.
Intro
As an enchantress, Su Heng possesses captivating eyes and charming beauty, easily manipulating the joys and sorrows of living beings at her fingertips.
But to enchant a god, making him taste the bitterness of love’s separation, long-lasting resentment, unattainable desires, and inability to let go…
Do you dare?
Su Heng assists a divine lord in his cultivation, aiming to make him experience all the sufferings of love, so that he can attain the Great Dao.
Only after being chased down from the heavens by the divine lord, confined and completely possessed by him, does she realize how successful she has been.
The once gentle and polite youth has transformed into someone she no longer recognizes.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
