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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: The Impostor's True Identity
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And a few days passed.
Can hatred ultimately turn into love?
Lost in such thoughts on his way back to headquarters, Masera spotted the black-haired boy he had seen at the hospital collapsed on the street.
Unlike before, the boy wouldn't open his mouth, and no matter how much he inquired around, he couldn't find the child's parents.
In the end, Masera decided to take the child in.
"He appears to have psychological trauma from the bombing, which is why he won't speak."
The child shunned people due to severe aftereffects.
His direct subordinate Dalia, who had been discharged due to injury, helped care for the child alongside him.
It was only after the war ended that Eugene finally opened the door to his heart and began to speak.
"Do you remember anything? I'll find your parents for you."
Judging from his clothes at the time of discovery and his table manners, it was clear he was nobility.
"Mom and Dad... they're gone now."
Had they died in the bombing?
"...Then we need to find relatives at least, so tell me what you know."
But at Masera's question, Eugene's face filled with terror whenever parents were mentioned.
With nothing known except that his name was Eugene, the investigation couldn't proceed further.
"Uncle, don't abandon me. I want to live with Uncle Masera at the official residence."
Seeing those light green eyes filled with fear of being abandoned, Masera felt an inexplicable sense of kinship.
"Yeah. Let's do that."
And so, Masera became family with Eugene.
Finishing the recollection, Masera leaned back lazily in his chair and closed his eyes.
He had sensed something suspicious from the various reports about Hayden in the meantime.
But since it was someone Eugene particularly liked, he couldn't help but hesitate.
'To make the child go through another loss...'
"An adult who discriminates against and hates someone will end up hated by everyone."
Cynthia's words weren't wrong.
Eugene would keep growing and eventually become an adult. It wasn't possible to overprotect and shield him forever.
As a guardian, it was right to guide him down the proper path, even if it was a harsh one.
Having reached a conclusion, Masera summoned Diego.
"A-already? Are you done?"
He gave instructions to Diego, who arrived with a flustered face.
"Eugene's home tutor was in possession of seditious books. Detain him and investigate for violation of the National Security Law and suspicion of treason."
The next morning, I ran into Major Rodriguez on my way to the official residence for a report.
I waited for him to finish his business and handed him a souvenir from my honeymoon.
"It's a longevity rabbit brooch I bought at a souvenir shop in Media."
"Thank you. It's truly cute, just like you, Lady Cynthia."
Like me? I looked down at the bizarre rabbit brooch shaped like a turtle shell.
"I'll treasure it always and make sure to live a long life."
He said as he pinned the silver rabbit brooch next to the medals on his uniform.
Seeing his delighted reaction made me feel great.
"You went to Media, I hear. Having been in the cadet corps at Eiford University in Media, seeing things from there brings back fond memories."
"Eiford University?"
Wasn't that the prestigious university Masera had mentioned at dawn that Hayden had attended?
"The Brigadier General is from the rival Lambrij University cadet corps. He earned his degree with the Queen's support."
As I chatted idly with Major Rodriguez, a commotion erupted from somewhere.
"The princess is trying to oust me—she pulled some scheme!"
The home tutor Hayden was being dragged into the investigation office, yelling at the top of his lungs.
Then, our eyes met, and he shouted excitedly.
"That woman gave me the seditious books, and when I found out, she framed me! Ask Eugene! Ask who gave them to me!"
Oh no, Eugene would side with that man.
I approached the being-dragged-away Hayden.
"Hey, you're sure you graduated from Eiford University in Media?"
In response, the NCO escorting him answered instead.
"Professor Hayden is well-known for publishing books on political science and diplomacy. This incident seems unrelated to any academic credential suspicions."
Still felt off.
When I'd checked the study materials before, not only was the education level inappropriate for Eugene, but the solution methods were strange too.
It wasn't the lesson plan of someone properly educated.
[Can't even understand Media dialect, yet acts all high and mighty.
]
Hayden muttered in Media dialect.
I tilted my head pretending not to understand, and he smirked mockingly.
"I knew it. She's jealous of me, a prestigious university graduate! A woman who didn't even go to college!"
"What's the name of the famous sandwich shop in front of Eiford University?"
I threw out a honey trap question.
"I don't like sandwiches."
"Then, the name of the group that has its own independent building on Eiford University campus and holds debates on various topics?"
Hayden's face flushed red as he couldn't answer.
"Back in my day, there wasn't anything like... "
"Eiford Union."
Major Rodriguez answered in his place and looked at Hayden.
"It's a group that's existed for two centuries, so any graduate would know it."
The major turned to me, narrowing his blue eyes.
"His Media accent is off for someone who attended Eiford University, too."
Cornered by a real prestigious graduate, Hayden spotted the hiding Eugene and made a desperate face.
"Eugene! Your teacher has been wrongly accused! If you tell the truth, I can clear my name!"
At Hayden's call, Eugene startled and began to flee.
But he soon stopped, turned back, and returned here.
"Eugene, 'Queen of the Eyes' was the book the princess gave you, right?"
Hayden asked the returning Eugene in a gentle tone.
Had they rehearsed this? If Eugene said yes, it would get quite troublesome.
Eugene, receiving the question, bit his nails showing anxiety symptoms.
"No matter what you answer, it's fine. No one will get mad at you or hate you."
I smiled kindly at Eugene. The truth wouldn't change no matter what the child said.
"That book..."
"Eugene! You wanted to get rid of the princess bullying you from the official residence, right? This is your chance! Answer honestly! I'm the only one who understands you!"
Hayden began urging Eugene, who was delaying his answer.
Eugene's spring bud-like eyes turned to me.
"Big sis... is a bad princess."
"Right. I'm bad. But I want to be a good person to you."
Then, tears welled up in Eugene's eyes.
"Even if it's a bad princess, chasing her out with lies would make me a bad person too."
Eugene added, rubbing his eyes with his sleeve.
"Emil, I don't want to lie anymore. Stop imitating Professor Hayden. Mom and Dad will be sad in heaven."
The face of Hayden—called Emil—went pale. Like he'd just received a death sentence.
Eugene looked straight up at me and began revealing the truth.
"Actually, Emil was a servant who used to work at our house long ago. But he said he had to pretend to be Professor Hayden. If he didn't, he'd get caught and killed... So I lied to Uncle and hid it for him."
"You insolent little brat! I kept quiet about your mother's matters all this time, spoiled you, and this is how you repay me? You trying to get me killed?!"
In the end, the fake Hayden, whose secret was exposed, flew into a rage and screamed.
"...Don't tell me you've been living by impersonating a dead person all this time?"
At my words, Eugene hung his head low. Tears were dripping onto the floor.
"Uncle Masera said it. That if someone precious does something wrong, you have to stop them."
Eugene looked at Hayden with teary eyes.
"I've been listening to you all this time because you're precious to me. I wasn't afraid of being abandoned by you. I didn't want you to feel that way."
The one afraid of abandonment was Hayden—no, Emil.
Not realizing the sincerity that had hidden his identity, Emil glared at Eugene with wide eyes.
"You don't care if I spill everything about your parents?"
"I don't care anymore. I don't want to lie any longer."
I didn't know the details of Eugene's secret, but there was definitely something between those two.
"That filthy Esat... "
Emil muttered something as he was dragged away, but it wasn't important.
I tightly grasped Eugene's hand.
"It must have been hard, but you were brave."
"...Still don't like big sis."
"I like you."
Eugene looked up at Major Rodriguez with his tear-streaked face.
"White uncle. Sorry for what I said back then."
It was a moment when the child realized and apologized on his own, not due to anyone's pressure.
The major, who had been silently looking down at the child, smiled brightly.
"It's okay. Thanks for saying that. Let's get along from now on."
Major Rodriguez scooped Eugene up in his arms, looking like a wish fulfilled.
"Finally got to hold him. If he had the Brigadier General's strict personality, he'd have seen through the impersonation easily..."
"There were so many applicants for home tutor, from scientists to education experts. It was because the kid liked him."
In the heartwarming atmosphere, Masera suddenly appeared, openly showing his displeasure as he approached.
"More importantly, what are you doing holding my wife and kid, you outsider?"
Masera's gaze was fixed on the rabbit brooch awkwardly pinned between the major's medals.
The major, staring at Masera, tilted his head slightly and smiled beautifully.
"Is that not allowed?"
Oh no, why provoke that ill-tempered guy?
