LRVP 58

Chapter 58

“No! You can’t go!”
“Lucian.”
“I said nooo!”

Lucian lay on the floor, kicking his arms and legs in protest. He was flailing around so much that his shirt had ridden up, showing his belly—but he didn’t care.

“I don’t want to be apart from Lia either…”
Edwin sniffled too, trying hard not to cry. His face was bright red from the effort.

“Guys, it’s not like you’ll never see each other again. Amelia said she’ll write letters.”
“A stupid piece of paper can’t replace Lia!”

“Lucian, did you just call my letters ‘a stupid piece of paper’?”
“Uh…?”

Lucian’s wild kicking stopped at Amelia’s icy tone.
“My letters are just ‘stupid paper’ to you?”
“N-No!”

Lucian quickly sat up from the floor, a panicked look replacing his tearful one.
“Amelia’s letters are treasures! I’ll put them in my treasure box and keep them forever and ever!”
“Of course. That’s what you should do.”
Hic!

Lucian began to hiccup, but the tears were gone.
As expected of Amelia…

I clicked my tongue in awe at her. Lucian usually cried for at least three hours once he started, but she had calmed him instantly.
Can I really manage without Amelia…?

The moment that cheat-code called Amelia was gone, childcare difficulty would skyrocket to “hell mode.”
Lucian and Edwin, no less…

Those two were like oil and water—total opposites. The only reason they’d managed to get along so far was thanks to Amelia.

They might ignore my words, but they always listened to her.
I couldn’t help but worry whether they’d behave or get along once she was gone.

“If you want, we can stay a few more days if you’d like. The marquisate isn’t so busy.”
Claude made me a sweet offer.

But I couldn’t accept it so easily.
“Marquis, I really don’t want your retainers to resent me.”
“…”
“You can’t leave your territory unattended without a reason. I’m fine, really, so don’t worry about me.”
“I understand…”

Claude’s reply was weak.
“Well then, have you packed your things?”
“Yes. We didn’t bring much to begin with, so we’re almost ready. We’ll probably leave tomorrow or the day after.”
“You’re heading straight to the Agress territory, right?”
“No. I’ll drop Amelia off at the estate and head straight to the capital. His Majesty asked me to make an appearance.”
“I see.”

Claude had been away from the monster subjugation force for quite a while to find Amelia. Now it was time for him to return and sort things out with the Emperor, especially with the new year approaching.

“Lady Rilfrey.”

While I was still talking with Claude, someone called me.
“Sir Gillian?”

It was Gillian, dressed in his outdoor clothes.
“What’s the matter?”

I turned to look at him, not noticing Claude glaring at him from behind.
“A letter just arrived from the Duke. It’s addressed to you.”
“To me?”

I took the letter with a puzzled look and unfolded it.
The message was simple: Bring Lucian to the capital.

***

“Wow! Look at all the sheep!”
“I’ve never seen sheep before. They’re way bigger than I thought!”

The children were chattering as they pressed their faces against the carriage window.
We were passing by a pasture and had now entered a mountain path.

“Ugh, Auntie… I feel sick…”

Lucian was experiencing motion sickness for the first time in his life.
“Lie down on my lap and try closing your eyes. That should help a bit.”
“Okaay…”

Lucian lay his head on my lap, and I gently stroked his hair.
Luto, cuddled in Lucian’s arms, drooped its ears.

“Is this Lucian’s first time on a long trip?”
I nodded at Claude’s question.
“Yes. He hasn’t been to the capital since he was a baby.”

We were on our way to the capital because of the Duke’s summons.

Although he had only called for Lucian, I couldn’t bear to send him alone.
He’d never been away from me before.

So I decided to accompany him.

“Can I come too? I don’t want to be alone…”

And we couldn’t leave Edwin behind in a mansion without Amelia or Claude.
Claude needed to visit the Emperor anyway, so he came with us.
Amelia followed too, not wanting to part from her uncle.

“Why did Duke Bellomon summon Lucian?”
“I’m not sure. I suspect it’s because of Lucian’s ability.”

I had already told the Emperor that I didn’t want Lucian to meet him.
So why was he being called to the capital now?
Something didn’t feel right.

***

When we arrived in the capital, we split into two groups.
Amelia and Claude headed to the Agress townhouse, while I went to the Bellomon townhouse with Lucian and Edwin.

“Auntie, what’s a ‘townhouse’?”
“I’m not exactly sure myself.”

It was my first time at the Bellomon townhouse, too.
Feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness, we entered through the gates.

“Welcome.”

The staff greeted us warmly.
“You must be tired from your long journey. I’m the butler here, Mulder.”

The man who introduced himself as Mulder bowed politely.
“Would you like some tea while your luggage is unpacked?”
“No, I’d like to see the Duke first. The children can rest.”
“Then I shall take you to His Grace’s study.”

Leaving the still-sick Lucian and Edwin in the maids’ care, I followed the butler.

“Your Grace, Lady Rilfrey has arrived.”
“Come in.”

The butler opened the door at the Duke’s response. I gave him a nod and stepped inside.

“It’s been a while. Have you been well?”
“Thanks to you, yes.”

Yeah right. If he was so curious, he could’ve visited even once.
But I couldn’t say that to his face.

“You arrived earlier than I expected.”
“I wanted to know why you summoned Lucian to the capital.”
“This may take a while. Let’s sit and talk.”

The Duke rose and moved to the sofa.
I sat across from him.

“Didn’t you refuse His Majesty’s request?”
“I did. But now, the Temple wants to see Lucian. And you’re curious too, aren’t you?”
“The Temple?”

He nodded.
“They’re curious about his purification ability. Even high-ranking priests don’t have that. There’s a lot to confirm.

His Majesty said it was fine, but I could tell he was secretly curious too.”

If the Temple—the second most powerful institution after the Imperial Palace—wanted to see Lucian, I couldn’t refuse.

“I told them we’d visit after lunch tomorrow. You can meet the Emperor after that.”
“Will you come with us?”
“No. If I go, Edwin will be left alone.”

As expected, to the Duke, Edwin was still his only child.
“I understand. I’ll go to the Temple with Lucian.”

Fine. Let’s think positively.
It’d be hard enough managing Lucian. No way I could bring Edwin to such a solemn place.

I ended the conversation with the Duke on that note.

***

The next day, after lunch, I took Lucian straight to the Temple.

“Lucian, you must be quiet in the Temple. No running either.”

I repeated my warning over and over to the curious Lucian.
“Especially in front of His Majesty. You must be polite. Got it?”
“Got it.”
“Auntie is such a nag.”

I pretended not to hear Lucian’s muttered complaint and climbed the Temple steps.

“Welcome. We’ve been expecting you.”

Inside, we were greeted by a man in white robes with a cross pendant—along with several young priests.

“I am Archbishop Joseph.”
“I’m Lucian’s aunt, Lucella Rilfrey. Lucian, say hello.”

At my prompting, Lucian bowed his head.
“I’m Lucian Bellomon.”
“As charming as I’ve heard.”

Smiling, Joseph and the priests led us into a room.

“Ugh.”

The moment I stepped inside, I felt an uncomfortable, slimy energy, and my face twisted instinctively.