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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: An Early Morning
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***
Morning came.
As soon as the sun rose, a man's humming could be heard from the Lanshuss estate.
To Joseph, the world seemed particularly brilliant today.
Light here, light there!
It felt as if all the light in the world was shining down just for him.
Lightly, lightly.
Joseph, who had descended to the dining hall early with a spring in his step, ate the breakfast served by the kitchen staff who had been spared from the list of dismissals.
The food was impeccably delicious.
No, even if it had been tasteless, he would have eaten it with relish.
After all, Joseph was the happiest man in the world today.
“Oh? Uncle, you’re up early.”
“My eyes just opened on their own.”
Lumina sat down in the seat across from Joseph.
Unlike Lumina, who merely picked at her food despite the endless parade of rich, delicious dishes, Joseph was feasting.
Yesterday’s incident had certainly broken Teresa’s spirit.
As proof, Teresa, who should have been making her way down to the dining hall by now, was nowhere to be seen.
He predicted she would likely spend the entire day stewing in her room, nursing her indignation.
*‘Now, all I have to do is fill the Lanshuss estate with my own people!’*
Joseph was already under the delusion that he had swallowed the Lanshuss family whole.
The meal couldn't have been sweeter, like honey, or gone down more smoothly.
Emboldened, Joseph spoke to Lumina.
“It must be inconvenient without any servants. With two invalids in the house, we should hire new staff as soon as possible.”
“Ah, Uncle. That’s true, but I’m actually planning to go out today.”
“Out?”
“The Duke of Heart is looking for me. Now that I’m his ward, it seems he has something to discuss with me.”
Oh, what a little treasure!
She could be irritating at times, but since she was creating a connection with the Duke of Heart, there was no greater blessing.
*‘She takes after her mother; she does crazy things when she gets worked up, but now that she’s the Duke’s ward, I can certainly put up with a bit of craziness.’*
For some reason, he felt lucky today!
Last time, with so many other relatives around and Teresa loitering about, he hadn't had a chance to step forward.
He must have had a premonition that today was the day he would firmly make his impression on the Duke.
Joseph said with a silly grin, not bothering to hide his ulterior motives.
“In that case, as your guardian, I should also go with…”
“No.”
Lumina cut Joseph off mid-sentence. Then, with a smile, she stated firmly.
“It would be best if…”
“I don’t want to.”
“How about…”
“Please don’t.”
*So she’s finally acting out.*
Joseph had been fine when Lumina slapped Teresa’s cheek.
He had also been able to laugh it off when she, claiming to accept both their opinions during the argument with Teresa, fired all the servants.
Because it had been to his advantage.
But having his request denied soured his mood once again.
“Why? Is there some reason I can’t go?”
“The Duke summoned only me. I’m already being called for the first time as the ward of such an incredible man, so I need to make a good impression. Imagine if I went with you, Uncle.”
Lumina said sharply.
“He’ll think I’m a coward. The House of Heart despises cowards and liars, so he might suddenly withdraw his guardianship.”
Lumina emphasized that her relationship with the Duke was still fragile.
*‘Honestly, I just don’t want to take my uncle with me.’*
Joseph, who had been listening to Lumina with a slightly displeased expression, nodded as if he had no choice.
As long as he was related to Lumina by blood, he would eventually form a connection with the Duke.
It was only a matter of when.
“Alright, then. Go on and come back soon.”
“Yes! In fact, I was planning to wear the clothes the Duke gifted me last time!”
Lumina replied cheerfully.
The slight grimace on Joseph's face as he recalled the discarded dress he had spent a fortune on was an added bonus.
***
The carriage sent from the ducal estate was scheduled to arrive soon.
Having packed a simple bag, Lumina left her room early, ready to depart immediately.
“Endymion?”
But Endymion was waiting in front of her door.
“I will carry that for you.”
Lumina was holding a small, light bag.
The moment he saw it, Endymion readily took it from her.
“It’s not heavy. I can carry it myself.”
“Thanks to you, Sister, I am no longer in pain. But you are not.”
Endymion insisted.
Deciding it would be difficult to get it back, Lumina gave up on persuading him.
An awkward silence followed.
Lumina could only walk slowly due to her aching leg. Endymion matched his pace to hers.
Because of this, the two of them came to a stop after passing through the main gate somewhat late.
Uncomfortable with the prolonged silence, Lumina carefully broke it.
“Endymion. I haven’t told the adults, but I’ll be gone for a few days after I leave today. There’s a reason for it, so you don’t need to worry.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“And what do you think about going to the academy?”
“Understood.”
“...Huh?”
Lumina was momentarily taken aback by his overly compliant answer.
*‘All I did was ask what he thought.’*
“Is it not your wish for me to go to the academy, Sister?”
“It’s a suggestion. Not a demand.”
*Is he willing to do anything I want?*
It didn't seem like they had built that much trust yet. His mature demeanor was subtly suspicious.
Looking at Endymion’s small, round head, Lumina spoke.
“There, you’ll be able to receive specialized training to become the head of the family. Even if you don’t want the position, it will be helpful.”
“...”
“The more you study, the more options you’ll have, so it won’t be a bad decision.”
“Are you taking care of me because I am your person?”
Endymion said, looking up at Lumina with his bright, clear eyes.
In that moment, Lumina realized that Endymion still didn’t trust her.
*So she has another deep, unspoken plan.*
*He's just going along with it with that thought in mind.*
It seemed he figured that since Lumina’s reckless plans—so reckless she even harmed herself—appeared to be working quite well, it wouldn't hurt to follow along for once.
“That’s right. We’re family.”
“...”
“Endymion. I know now that you’re not a bad brother. So I’m thinking of trying to be a good sister to you.”
She added the last part, worried he might perceive it as a plot to do something to the family while he was away at the academy.
*‘And I really am trying to be a good sister.’*
Nothing in Lumina’s life plan would bring harm to Endymion.
Lumina had been quite honest about her intentions. But the reply she received was a little strange.
“There is no need for that.”
It was a clean, firm retort.
*Why on earth?*
*Isn’t a good sister better than a bad one?*
She wanted to ask, but just then, Joseph approached them, and their conversation was naturally cut short.
Though it was just the carriage from the ducal estate arriving, Joseph was polished and preened as if he were meeting the Duke himself.
Taking her bag back, Lumina half-heartedly joined in Joseph’s chatter while sneaking glances at Endymion.
The boy, still cute with his baby fat, remained silent.
Soon, the carriage arrived.
With the family crest stamped on it, anyone could tell it was a carriage sent from the ducal estate.
Escorted aboard, Lumina sat on the plush sofa.
Even as the carriage started to move, Lumina couldn’t stop thinking about her conversation with Endymion.
“...Does he mean it doesn’t matter how hard I try?”
The carriage sped through the streets as quickly as her misunderstanding had deepened.
With a groan, Lumina, who had been staring out the window for a long while with a rather serious expression, suddenly cried out.
“Wait! Please stop here!”
At Lumina’s request, the carriage came to a halt.
*Hop.*
*Stumble!*
Her disobedient leg caused Lumina to stagger as she got out of the carriage, but she managed to catch her balance.
Then, as if nothing had happened, she feigned nonchalance, her lovely pink eyes twinkling.
*‘I just remembered something I have to do before I meet the Duke.’*
There was no time to stay disheartened over Endymion.
***
Lumina lifted her head, her gaze indifferent.
A mansion, far larger and more opulent than the Lanshuss estate, stood tall before her.
Though it could have been intimidating, Lumina remained unbowed, walking with a confident posture as she was guided along.
The interior, which showed signs of wealth at every turn, was as well-maintained as the exterior suggested.
“Your Grace. I have brought Lady Lanshuss.”
“Send her in.”
The door opened, revealing Lucius sitting in a solemnly decorated office.
Lumina could feel his sharp gaze scrutinizing her, his menacing black sunglasses on as usual.
An ordinary child would have taken a step back.
But Lumina, unfazed, gave a perfect greeting that was flawless in its etiquette.
“Hello, Your Grace. It’s been a while.”
“It’s only been a few days. That’s hardly ‘a while.’”
He replied brusquely, setting down the quill he was holding and asking casually.
“Make yourself comfortable. But what about your leg?”
*I tried my best to walk as if nothing was wrong, but it must have been obvious.*
She thought he would overlook it, but he mentioned it the moment she entered his office.
Fearing he might cast her out for being frail, Lumina quickly replied.
“I twisted it by accident. It’s nothing serious, so you don’t need to worry.”
She added a smile brimming with confidence for good measure.
*‘My leg hurts a lot from healing Endymion’s wound, but I can’t afford to dither. Even now, my uncle and aunt are targeting the family.’*
Today, Lumina had come here to fulfill her contract with Lucius.
And she had another purpose as well.
To achieve her goal, she subtly took out her first bribe.
