Chapter 31 : Chapter 31
Volume 1
Chapter 31 : Your Parents Are Each Other’s True Love; You Were an Accident
“Th-This...”
Watching his father and mother lace their fingers together and gaze lovingly into each other’s eyes as if nobody else existed, Muen suddenly felt utterly dumbfounded, as though he had just been thoroughly screwed over.
This was not right.
Wasn’t I, Muen Campbell, supposed to be your dearly beloved son?
Where was your doting affection?
Where was your meticulous care?
And yet now you have suddenly left me behind and run off together. How was that reasonable?
How was that reasonable?!
And where in the world did this little brother or sister suddenly come from?!
So the reason Muen Campbell ended up so miserably in the original novel was actually because once you had a new son or daughter, you forgot all about him, right?!
“Um... Father, Mother, if both of you leave, what am I supposed to do?”
Muen felt that he still had to struggle a little.
At the very least, he had to go with them instead of being left alone in the dangerous hellhole that was Belland.
“How about I also—”
“Hm? What are you supposed to do?”
Noyas looked over at him in confusion.
“Isn’t school about to start for you, little Muen? Saint Maria Academy provides food and lodging. It’s safe and reliable, so what is there to worry about? And if you’re worried about spending money, then there’s even less reason to be. We’ve already entrusted your allowance to Ann. If you need any, just get it from her.”
“No, that’s not what I meant...”
Saint Maria Academy was where the protagonist’s group and Selicia were.
How could that possibly be safe and reliable for Muen?
“What I mean is... what if I run into another assassination attempt?”
Muen’s thoughts raced as he searched for a reason.
“That’s right, that’s exactly it. Last time, I was just lucky. If I run into another assassination attempt, won’t I be finished?”
“Assassination? Why would anyone try to assassinate you?”
Lorne frowned, clearly unable to understand.
“What benefit would there be in assassinating you?”
“Well, of course there would be. I’m the...”
I’m the Duke’s son.
That was what Muen had intended to say.
But halfway through, he froze.
Right.
He was indeed the Duke’s son, but who would go out of their way to assassinate him?
Would killing him deal a blow to the Campbell family?
No.
Because at present, the Duke of the Campbell family was his father, Lorne Campbell.
This 【Lion King】 was still in the prime of his life.
And most importantly...
Muen’s gaze drifted toward Noyas’s lower abdomen.
The Campbell family’s second-in-line heir already existed, so who would be foolish enough to risk the wrath of a ducal house just to assassinate a useless, good-for-nothing playboy like him?
Did they have nothing better to do?!
“I know the incident with Selicia has left a certain psychological shadow on you, but rest assured, no one is going to be so bored that they come to assassinate you.”
Lorne patted Muen on the shoulder, wearing an expression that seemed to say, You’re such a good-for-nothing that you can just lie flat in peace, as he tried to comfort him.
“Besides, even if someone really did try to assassinate you, the person they sent would not be very strong. I’ve reinforced the barrier around the ducal residence, so there definitely won’t be any problem.”
“...”
Muen wanted to cry.
Was that supposed to be comforting?
That was clearly stabbing his own son straight through the heart.
“But...”
“No buts.”
Lorne sighed. “I know you can’t bear to part with us, but how are we any different?”
“Unfortunately, it is hard to have the best of both worlds in this world.”
“I have to head to the front and take command of the army. The fact that His Majesty is willing to let Noyas return to the countryside to rest during her pregnancy is already an exceptional act of grace.”
“As for you, Muen, you can only remain in Belland.”
“I was originally very worried about leaving you behind as well, but your recent performance has far exceeded my expectations.”
Lorne lightly punched Muen in the chest and said with gratification:
“You’ve grown up, Muen Campbell. You’re finally starting to look like a real man.”
“Father...”
Muen was so moved by his father’s words that the corners of his eyes grew warm.
But then he immediately came to his senses.
Huh? Wait, that’s not right.
Wasn’t this basically leaving me in Belland as a hostage while you went off to the front and held great military power?
If one day you suddenly slapped your thigh and declared, “Beneath my throne are countless fine generals and a hundred thousand elite soldiers. That dog-emperor is foolish and incompetent, treacherous ministers dominate the court, so why shouldn’t we rise in rebellion?”
Then wouldn’t I be executed by the Emperor on the spot?!
I do not want an ending like that!
But Lorne gave Muen no chance to react any further.
He directly scooped Noyas up by the waist and strode into the carriage.
“Well then, little Muen, we’ll be leaving first. Be diligent at school.” Noyas leaned out through the carriage window and waved at Muen.
“Wait...”
“Oh, right.”
Lorne looked at Ann.
“Ann, I’m leaving Muen and the ducal residence in your hands for the time being.”
“Please rest assured, Master.”
Ann replied respectfully:
“I will definitely, definitely take good care of the young master. I absolutely will not let anyone harm him.”
“Haha, you’re as reliable as ever.”
After saying that, Lorne suddenly waggled his brows at Muen. His lips moved, yet his voice sounded directly beside Muen’s ear.
“Muen, if you can’t find any other noble young ladies for the time being, Ann is also an option. I’m not like those old-fashioned noble lords. As long as she can bear children for the Campbell family, I’ve never cared much about status. Besides, once your mother and I leave, you and Ann will have far more chances to be alone together. Won’t that mean your opportunities will greatly increase? Ann definitely won’t resist you!”
“Father, what are you even saying?!”
Muen cried out in embarrassment and anger.
“Haha, enough of that, we’re leaving now!”
Lorne burst into laughter and abruptly snapped the reins in his hand.
The griffin let out a deafening cry, spread its wings wide, and actually pulled the carriage up into the sky.
“Goodbye, little Muen.”
Noyas was still waving as hard as she could.
“Goodbye, Mother.”
“Goodbye, Father. Be careful on the road.”
Muen could only respond tearfully as he watched the greatest pillar of support that had given him a sense of security gradually disappear from sight.
...
“Ah, Fate, O Fate, why must you torment me like this? Could the price of that one ten-pull with five golds really be this great?”
Looking at the empty entrance of the ducal residence, Muen suddenly felt as though his heart had become just as empty.
Now that his father had left, the perfect plan he had just come up with had completely gone up in smoke.
He still had to face all sorts of hidden dangers like a newborn baby, stark naked and defenseless.
“So this world really does hate me, the blond villain, doesn’t it?” Muen laughed at himself.
“Young Master Muen, what’s wrong?”
Noticing that something was off about Muen, Ann asked worriedly,
“Are you too upset?”
“I’m fine.”
Muen shook his head and walked toward the interior of the residence.
“Then what are your plans next, Young Master?”
Ann followed after him.
“Would you like to have breakfast first, or take a walk in the garden? It seems the new variety of tulips Madam introduced has bloomed.”
“No, neither.”
Muen said,
“I’m going to the library.”
“Eh?”
Ann froze.
She stared at Muen’s back, disbelief flickering in her eyes.
The young master who had never liked reading was taking the initiative to go to the library?
“Then breakfast...”
“Bring it to the library.”