🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 81
It was precisely rumored that he avoided women, indulged in gambling, and squandered his fortune.
“Unfortunately, Count, it will be difficult for you to have an heir in the future.”
“What? I… I…!”
One day, after being attacked by an intruder in his mansion, the doctor shook his head and delivered the grim news.
The doctor had diagnosed him as no longer able to fulfill his role as a man, and the words struck him like a bolt from the blue. He had no children to inherit his legacy.
On top of that, after inheriting the title of Count, Baton had eliminated all his brothers and relatives who could pose a threat to him.
In short, there was no one left to inherit this vast fortune.
“So the Simon Count line ends with me!”
While ordinary noble families might adopt an heir to continue the lineage, the Count refused even that.
“I’d rather spend it all and die than leave my wealth to someone who doesn’t share a single drop of my blood!”
Eventually, he immersed himself in alcohol and gambling, spending lavishly. Yet even so, his inexhaustible fortune showed no sign of dwindling and continued to grow.
Today, the Simon Count spent yet another day in a drunken stupor.
“M-Master, you should come out for a moment. Someone is requesting to see you outside…”
The butler said to the Count, his face a mix of embarrassment and hesitation.
“Someone came to see me? As far as I recall, I have no appointments today.”
“It’s… a young woman who came to see you…”
The butler’s trailing words made the Count frown.
“A young woman? Who exactly came here!”
Staggering drunkenly, the Count rose from his seat.
“She… she brought a child with her…”
“Speak properly!”
The Simon Count shouted, flinging the bottle in his hand at the trembling butler.
“I-I apologize! According to her, the child she brought along is… your bloodline, Master…”
“What? My bloodline?”
The Count stepped outside to meet the woman who had come to see him.
It was impossible. Many women had crossed his path, but he had always been cautious, never wanting just anyone to bear his heir.
“My bloodline… impossible. How dare some brazen woman try to trick me…”
He stormed into the reception room, throwing open the door, and froze at the sight before him.
The woman who had come to see him was someone he knew.
He remembered her—one of the women he had particularly cherished for her striking beauty.
But next to her stood a child who looked up at him, and the Count could only be stunned.
The boy bore a striking resemblance to him; there was no doubt he was his own blood.
“O-Oh, it’s been a while. Your name is…”
The Count’s voice softened, despite his original intention to scold and drive her away.
“Silvia. Silvia Lane. And this child is my son, Aiden. Aiden is your… Count…”
Silvia trailed off, looking at the Count with a tender expression.
“My… son, huh.”
The Count continued her words. Silvia nodded, choking back tears.
“Haha… my son. My very own blood continues in you, Aiden!”
The Simon Count was choked with emotion at this unbelievable truth.
Earlier, he had been angry at the thought of an unwanted child, but seeing him in person changed everything.
This boy was his only bloodline in the world.
Overcome with emotion, he embraced Aiden tightly.
“Child, I am your father!”
Silvia, watching the heartfelt reunion of father and son, wiped tears of joy from her eyes.
“Silvia, you must have endured so much. Had I known sooner, I would have sought you both out earlier!”
Then, lifting Aiden into his arms, the Count warmly embraced Silvia as well.
It was a picture of a truly happy family.
The commissioned task was progressing smoothly. For any inquiries or additional requests, you could visit the nearest Icarus branch for consultation.
If you wished a private meeting with the Master, you were instructed to tear the magical scroll enclosed with the letter.
Using the scroll incurs an additional fee!
A short while after returning to the Rayford household, Lucy received a letter from the Master of Icarus.
From start to finish, the letter was filled with business-like wording, and included a small magical scroll.
Curious if there were instructions, Lucy searched the envelope, but it contained only the letter and the scroll.
“A magical scroll? Shouldn’t there be instructions on what happens if I tear it? Seriously, all he cares about is money.”
From her previous experiences, Lucy already knew how costly a private meeting with the Master could be—independent of any commissions.
“This scroll will only be used when absolutely necessary. I’ll likely have more requests in the future.”
Lucy was pleased to hear that the work she had commissioned through Icarus was proceeding according to plan. Though she was curious for more details, she decided to wait for the next update rather than risk paying extra fees.
A few days later, a message from Duke Miller arrived at Navid Trading, which Lucy managed.
He wished to inspect the Ops cultivation fields in person.
Bruno’s successful cultivation of the divine grain, Ops, was a revolutionary crop that could solve the world’s food shortages. Its release also meant potential threats from rival powers coveting the technology.
To protect the Rayford family and the Pablo Trading Company from such dangers, Lucy had established Navid Trading, operating primarily from the capital.
She used the alias Valencia Donis to honor Valencia, who had passed away young before she could fully realize her talents.
“Just wait. I’ll make an achievement that will be remembered in history under your name!”
Lucy saw this as her way of repaying the late Lady Meriel and the Rayford family. By now, they had truly become her family.
She sent a reply to Duke Miller, promising to send a carriage to personally escort him, as the Ops cultivation site could not be exposed to outsiders.
The next letter came from Lucas.
Planning to move entirely to the capital, Lucy had written to him, wanting to host a meal in gratitude before leaving.
“I wish I could witness the Simon Count’s downfall before I leave, but alas…”
Although she wished to watch the Simon Count’s decline up close, she could not let such trivial matters delay more important tasks.
Her only lingering concern was Lucas. Knowing she would see him less often in the capital, she used the meal as an excuse to send a letter.
Lucas replied promptly:
“Previously, I had the honor of two splendid meals at the Rayford Count’s residence. Won’t you grant me the opportunity this time?”
The lengthy reply was filled with joy and even suggested he wished to invite Lucy to the Cretaine Grand Duchy.
“Oh, I’ve never seen the Cretaine Grand Duchy before. This will be a perfect opportunity to visit!”
Lucy happily agreed and began preparing gifts for him.
On the day of her visit to Cretaine Grand Duchy, she loaded the carriage early in the morning with gifts for Lucas.
The journey from the Rayford mansion to the Grand Duchy would take several hours by carriage.
Just as she was about to depart, a large carriage approached the Rayford mansion.
And when someone stepped out, Lucy’s eyes widened in surprise.
