Translator and Editor: Skye and Nabi

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Chapter 24

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If I had possessed a wicked woman, I would have run right away and poured cider on Ludva’s cheek, but sadly, I am an insignificant character with zero ability. So, it would be highly likely that nothing would be done favorably if I ran to Ludva alone. My power is to be parasitic, and Duke Icard has a whole lot more power than I do.

And, of course, I am good at being a parasite.

‘’Father, look carefully.”

I could have made it more obvious, but I need to be cautious for my own safety.

‘If I get caught being smarter than they think, they’ll be on the lookout.’

I had to create a hole for myself to escape. This is because the only words that came from this novel were almost like small pieces of me.

Even from the poor performance of my health condition, things still went smoothly for me.

Fortunately, I think the timing is right. Evan and an adult man in a blue uniform are confronting each other with swords behind the rose garden. Though for a moment… it could be recognized that their swords are entirely different.

They didn’t seem to notice our presence yet.

As I got closer, I could hear my voice clearly.

“Have you seen that rose garden?”

A man with a sharp impression was pushing towards Evan bluntly. Perhaps that was the man named Ludva.

“This is the place where she took care of it with all her heart and soul.”

Duke Icard’s jaw hardened after hearing Ludva’s words.

“And now it’s turned into such a devastating mess, like the duke.”

I watched the scene while holding my breath. Evan turned his back towards us, so we couldn’t see his face.

“It’s all because of you.”

The Duke of Icard, as well as I, were so surprised that I let out a single gasp.

‘No, what is he talking about? Is he crazy?’

“So, your life must be ruined as well.”

I couldn’t see his expression caused by the harsh words, but when I looked, it seemed that Evan wasn’t rightfully getting the same sword as Ludva.

Evan was holding a short wooden sword, while Ludva was facing Evan with a real sword.

“I think you have forgotten it because no one told you.”

I don’t know anything about swordsmanship, but I could see that it is not fair at all.

It’s an adult against a child. No matter how tall Evan is compared to his peers, he is still smaller than Ludva.

“Don’t dare to dream of happiness. Live in the feeling of atonement.”

When Ludva hit Evan harshly on his waist with a sword, he fell.

I almost screamed, though technically, I didn’t have to hold it back anymore. Since the Duke of Icard walked out towards them, took Ludva’s sword, threw it away, and grabbed him by the collar, and threw him on the ground.

“How dare you.”

It was a voice full of anger.

“Are you tarnishing Matilda’s name to my son?”

I ran and hugged Evan.

“Evan!”

Evan looked at me with a puzzled expression.

I picked up his clothes with trembling hands. His body had more wounds than when I saw him yesterday. If I hadn’t noticed or if I kept falling asleep alone because I was sleepy every day, he would have endured these painful times for longer?

No, has Evan always been this big in the original story?

“What happened?” Evan asked calmly, and I answered right away.

“I begged father to come to see you train with me. By the way, what are you talking about…”

Suddenly, Evan dragged me to his chest and hugged me. Then, he covered my ears and whispered.

“Don’t look. Don’t listen.”

“What?”

“It’s rough.”

I’m just here to see the ugly stuff!

I was confined to Evan, with my eyes and ears closed. However, no matter how hard Evan tried covering my ears, I could hear the screams clearly.

No, I want to see how the duke teaches him a lesson!

“You don’t have to look at this.”

No, I want to see…

However, Evan’s strength is so much stronger than what I expected to the point I was not able to lift my head up even if I struggled.

A group of servants rushed after hearing Ludva’s scream. Only then did Evan slightly relax his hands that covered my ears.

I quickly pulled my head out of Evan’s arms.

“Send him to prison. Soon, I will follow him myself.”

Duke Icard’s voice sounded like frosty ice. A blood-stained figure was dragged by the servants.

‘That’s right. We can’t end it like this! We’re going to scold him even more!’

I was cheering internally, and Duke Icard slowly turned to us.

“You.”

After the man who appeared to be Ludva was taken away, Duke Icard spoke, looking down at Evan with cold eyes.

“How stupid are you listening to all that crap?”

Father! What are you talking about? Is it time for you to say those lines?

I wanted to hit him on the back. Though, surprisingly, Evan was calm.

“…When you look at it, what he said is true.”

“What?”

“I shouldn’t have been born…”

Duke Icard did not answer. Instead, he spoke in a low voice.

“You are the successor to the Duchy of Icard.”

Why are you talking about that now? Does anyone here not know that Evan is his successor?

“Don’t let a mere subordinate treat you recklessly from now on.”

After looking at Evan for a while, he turned to stare at the rose garden for a long time, leaving us behind, and strode away.

No, is this the end? Is it over if he just stepped on Ludva like that? You know It’s not just about hitting him, and everything’s going to be alright.

Shouldn’t you tell Evan everything Ludva said wasn’t true?

Eventually, I looked Evan in the eye and said.

“It’s all wrong. How is it your fault?”

Well, the only one who hurt him was gone, but the situation hasn’t gotten any better.

“How could you say that, Evan? It’s not your fault that your mother died.”

“But I’m the cause.”

“Still…”

“I made everyone unhappy. I couldn’t hold my subordinates back because I didn’t think too much about it, but… everything Ludva said was right.”

No, no, that’s not true… Why would the duke say that? I felt so sorry because of Evan’s expression that I hugged him tightly.

“You too… Stay away from me because I’m not worth it.”

“No, Evan.” And I gently patted his black hair.

“Don’t say that. I’m glad I can hang out with you.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re cute.”

It was sincere. I knew he was indifferent, but Evan is cuter than I thought. His appearance is definitely far from lovely, but there is a subtle cuteness that only I felt.

When he sees something he likes, I want to see him bite his lips and hold back his smile, so I enjoy choosing his clothes. It is cute how he mumbled to himself, “I’m sorry.” However, I never knew there was such a heartbreaking situation.

I felt strangely sad when I saw Evan, and my heart became even weaker.

It is a little different from me struggling to survive here. My feelings for Evan were only sincere.

Of course, he’s a little old than me, but in the future, he’ll definitely have an appearance that makes him look younger than others.

To be honest, I couldn’t actively say that all Ludva’s words were not true because I don’t know Duke Icard’s thoughts. Still, I patted him on the shoulder and whispered.

“Even your late mother would not want you to live in ruins.”

“But…”

“Father, um… well, just because your mother’s dead doesn’t mean that you are to blame for everything and had to live like a dead man.”

In fact, Ludva is to blame more than anyone else. As far as I know, he’s planning a scheme without letting the Young Master of Icard sleep peacefully.

“Don’t you think it’s better for you to live your life to the fullest?”

In my opinion, it is impossible to end up living warmly as I used to hope, given the relationship between Duke Icard and Evan is still worse even after this situation. Well…they have a long twisted family history, and I couldn’t solve everything all at once.

“Really?”

“Yeah. Absolutely.”

“…Laria.”

Evan called my name quietly.

“I’m sorry. I was wrong.”

“How are you wrong?”

“Saying harsh things… ignoring your sincerity…”

“Don’t say that. It’s all right.”

“How is that okay?” Evan’s red eyes shook.

I patted him on the shoulder in a mature manner. “Couples go through rough times, but we’ll be fine over time.”

“Then…”

“Huh?”

He held his breath for a while and spoke hesitantly.

“…Don’t ever throw me away.”

“Evan?”

“Forgive me…”

Oh, he’s not in the right mind. He must be emotionally unstable from all the emotional abuse from that bad guy.

Though it was somewhat inevitable, no one was reassuring Evan, and he was getting abused without anyone knowing.

I looked straight up at him after he spoke.

“Let’s get along well from now on, all right?”

“Okay, okay.”

I didn’t do this to improve my relationship with him. I immediately responded because of my sympathy.

Hugging me, it seemed like he was still limping and had a difficult time getting up.

“Evan, is it hard to get up?”

I anxiously swept his arm.

Then, what was that superhuman power he had when he covered my ears and embraced me a little while ago?

“A little bit…”

“Let’s go. Let’s apply some medicine. Why did you get beaten up like a fool… you said you were good at swordsmanship.”

As soon as Evan tried to say something, my chest suddenly tickled.

Damn it, the coughs supposed to come out in front of the duke! Why didn’t it come out when it was needed. My throat was hurting because I was gasping like crazy earlier.

I glanced at Evan’s face.

‘No…I’m not in the mood to vomit blood.’

The person that should be comforted now is Evan.

‘You’ll find out one day, but not now.’

If I vomited blood here, Ludva already caused enough issues for the duke to be devastated, I could not add more into it.

“Let’s hurry and treat you… there, there! Evan, let’s go.”

I quickly left the rose garden with Evan after beckoning a servant who had been far away.

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