Before Eloide’s death, the relationship between Duke Lisianskus and the two Rothweil young lords was not bad.

Given the two brothers’ initial outrage over Eloide’s marriage news, this was quite surprising. However, anyone who knew how Luke treated Eloide would understand.

Dylan and Lennon also knew this well. Eloide was a woman who would be loved wherever she went, but no man could love her more than Luke.

Eloide loved Luke too, so as brothers who wished for her happiness, they eventually had no choice but to bless the marriage.

Luke always held a grateful heart towards Eloide’s family.

It was, after all, the place where his beloved Eloide was born and raised.

The three, who adored Eloide immensely, got along quite well behind the scenes. Usually, Dylan or Lennon would come up with something ridiculous, and Luke would add to it.

But that was when Eloide was alive.

Eloide was always frail.

Asthma made it difficult for her to breathe even after a little exercise, and with every change of seasons, she suffered from severe colds accompanied by high fever. Naturally, they had no choice but to worry about her and take extra care.

However, her health wasn’t so poor as to cause her early death.

The crucial cause of Eloide’s death was the stress from a difficult pregnancy, childbirth, and the subsequent stillbirth, which her weak body couldn’t withstand. If she hadn’t been pregnant, she might still be alive.

That drove Dylan mad.

He knew there was no fault of Duke Lisianskus in her death.

Luke had always been concerned about Eloide’s health and opposed her pregnancy. He even suggested adopting a successor from his brother’s sons.

It was actually Eloide who insisted on the pregnancy.

“No! I want a child that looks like you and me. Don’t you?”

“Well…”

“A daughter with pink hair, walking towards me, calling me ‘Daddy’…”

“Alright, alright.”

It’s said that in love, the one who loves more loses. Luke and Eloide’s relationship was exactly that. Dylan knew it.

And deep down, he too was looking forward to it.

A niece resembling Eloide – how adorable and lovely she would be. Surely a daughter or even a son resembling Eloide would be delightful.

But when Eloide’s childbirth became dangerously prolonged, when the child she bore risking her life died without even crying once, and when Eloide finally passed away in agony, Dylan regretted it countless times. If he could, he would turn back time and prevent Eloide’s pregnancy, even if it meant punching Duke Lisianskus in the face.

But nothing would change. Life is one-way, and regrets are always late.

And emotions, they are beyond control.

Dylan tried to calm his boiling emotions and rolled his feet rhythmically. The regular sound filled the drawing room.

It was then that heavy footsteps approached.

The steps of a man whose height seemed to dwarf the average adult male, like a beast walking on two legs. If the floors of the duke’s mansion were any less sturdy, one might fear they would cave in.

But Dylan was not frightened by those footsteps. His greatest fear remained in the past, leaving no room for fear now.

The door opened, revealing a man whose head almost touched the ceiling. Dylan’s coral-colored eyes narrowed.

Eyes the same color as Eloide’s.

“Welcome to our visit, Lord Rothweil. And Mr. Lennon.”

“It’s been a long time since we met.”

Dylan did not show particular respect towards Luke.
It was certainly a breach of etiquette for him, merely a minor earl, to show such an attitude to the kingdom’s only duke. However, his brother Lennon did not bother to correct him, as he too was thoroughly upset.

The towering man sat opposite them. His posture was proper but somewhat distant.

He picked up the prepared teacup, his large hand making the delicate cup look like a toy.

After sipping the warm tea, he asked, “So, what brings you here so early in the morning?”

“Are you asking because you don’t know?” Lennon retorted sharply, and Luke chuckled dryly, his face expressing full understanding. Lennon’s mood soured at this.

“I heard you’ve taken in an heir.”

“Heir.”

Luke’s face softened as he thought of Bonita. The change was so dramatic that even Lennon, who was trying to remain calm, was slightly surprised.

Luke’s smile was reserved only for when he reminisced about Eloide.

At least, that’s what Lennon had thought until now.

‘Is she that precious to him?’

Lennon’s mood twisted further. While he was grinding his teeth, Luke, with his hands clasped over his knees, said, “I’d rather call her my daughter than heir. Of course, she will naturally succeed me as the Duke of Lisianskus. I’ll make sure of it.”

“I heard the child is seven years old.”

Dylan interjected. Luke readily agreed, “That’s right.”

Dylan clenched his teeth.

Just as he feared, it was true.

‘I thought he was a good man, but is he just trash?’

Misinterpreting Luke’s intentions, Dylan’s pink eyes blazed with anger.