IMCG 15

Chapter 15

“They said it wasn’t something you should see, so why are you looking, Aunt?”
“…When did I ever say that? I only said it’s not something a child should see. I’m an adult, so it’s fine.”

Curious about the latter part of the article, I furrowed my brows and reached toward Luka.
Instead, Luka hugged the newspaper tightly and ran to a corner of the room. I, too tired to chase him, adopted a stern tone.
“Luka, bring it here. I was trying to do some research in my own way.”

“Research? What research are you talking about?”

At that moment, Rüdiger, who had been reading the newspaper, suddenly interrupted. I was caught off guard by his gaze as he put the newspaper down.

I was curious about gossip concerning the Duchess, but I wasn’t naïve enough to tell her straight to her own son. Honestly, I couldn’t answer properly, so I stammered vaguely.
“…Well, I’m just trying to get a sense of the atmosphere in Winterwald.”

“Such gossip newspapers only look at the surface and make assumptions to write novels. They’re not reliable at all. You should just ask me.”

“If I ask, will you answer properly?”

“Of course.”

Rüdiger nodded willingly. Finally, here was a chance to ask what I’d always wanted but couldn’t.
Excited, I asked bluntly,
“How far along is the discussion about your marriage to the princess?”

As soon as I asked, Rüdiger’s face stiffened.
Wait, you told me to ask! I asked, and now you’re serious? His handsome face became even more intimidating as he scowled.

Seeing me frown back at him, he seemed to realize his expression and cleared it with a small cough.
“…Did it really say that in the newspaper?”
“Yes.”

Rüdiger’s thick eyebrows twitched. It was clear he was annoyed but couldn’t openly show it. He sighed and answered,
“That’s not true. Didn’t I say the media isn’t reliable?”

“I saw something about a railway concession or something, and it seemed like you’d have to marry into the royal family.”

“With Luka here, it doesn’t matter.”

Rüdiger’s tone was firm, sharp as a blade. His steel-blue eyes felt more cold than icy.

I knew you had no intention of marrying! I get it! Don’t show your irritation just because marriage came up!

Even knowing Rüdiger would be displeased, I had my reasons to bring it up.
“Still, wouldn’t marrying into the royal family help solidify the bloodline and reduce potential controversy? Perhaps concerning the cadet branch…”

After thinking it through, marrying into the royal family seemed the easiest way to keep Franz in check. In the original story, Rüdiger would have been furious thinking only Luka needed handling, but marrying a princess would mean dealing with the royal family as well.

Franz might be greedy and ambitious, but he wasn’t reckless enough to act without thinking.

I suggested it just in case, even knowing Rüdiger had no intention of marrying. Unsurprisingly, he let out a deep sigh.
“Are you serious?”
“Excuse me? About what?”
“Are you really hoping I marry into the royal family? If so, Luka likely won’t become the heir. The next king would prefer to make my sister’s son a duke over my niece’s grandson.”

“Well… becoming a duke doesn’t necessarily guarantee happiness…”

I shrugged. In the original story, Luka did become a duke, but he was far from happy. Thinking of the last scene of the novel still makes my aunt-heart ache…

Honestly, whether Luka becomes a duke or not doesn’t matter to me. I just want him to grow up safely.

To do that, I need to somehow change the genre of this revenge story…

Could I suppress Franz’s schemes and turn this story into a warm, lighthearted coming-of-age tale? The future looked bleak, but I had no choice but to try. If I could change the genre, I might survive safely too.

Thinking about changing the genre—or the future—suddenly made my shoulders feel heavy.

Wait… now that I think about it, Rüdiger subtly revealed he might actually make Luka the heir. I know from the novel that Luka becomes the heir, but for someone unaware, this would have been shocking.

Was he serious about making him the heir, or just testing me? Perhaps he was genuinely gauging my thoughts.

I cleared my throat softly. There was no need to be cautious with Rüdiger. In fact, I needed him as an absolute ally.

Soon, we’d arrive in Winterwald—a place completely different from Emden, where customs and etiquette didn’t matter.

There would be many eyes watching, plenty to worry about. Surviving while anticipating Franz’s potential schemes wouldn’t be easy.

My only connection in Winterwald was Luka, but he was too young and would also struggle to adapt.

So I needed at least one trustworthy ally who would back me up. If it was Rüdiger, all the better.

Even though our current relationship was decent, building a positive image with him could only help.

I put on a modest, sincere face and added,
“And going to Winterwald isn’t really about making Luka a duke, right? We’re just visiting since he has grandparents there. Rüdiger, you even said so yourself.”

I wasn’t lying—there was an ulterior motive, but it wasn’t deception!

I met Rüdiger’s gaze brazenly.

He looked slightly stunned, like he’d just been caught off guard. Even handsome men look good flustered, apparently. His smooth face seemed almost amusing as he struggled, which gave me a strange sense of satisfaction.

While I was mentally congratulating myself, Rüdiger finally spoke softly.
“Judith…”

His low, pleasant voice trembled faintly. I’d grown accustomed to it, but it could still surprise me at times.

He blinked slowly, staring at me. In his steel-blue eyes, there was a warmth that made me feel embarrassed just meeting his gaze.
“You really… seem like a good aunt. I even respect you as a person. I don’t think I could be that devoted to Luka.”

No, you’ve been extremely devoted! You even risked your life for Luka!

In the original story, Rüdiger thwarted multiple assassination attempts on Luka, risking himself to protect him, and ultimately died in Luka’s place during the carriage attack. Luka survived, and with all direct heirs dead in Winterwald, Franz was forced to adopt Luka as the heir.

But I couldn’t exactly say all that.

Seeing his admiration and slight awe at my devotion to Luka left me flustered. The last time he mentioned raising Luka as if he were his own child, I’d been surprised, and now this was even more overwhelming.

I awkwardly scratched my neck and looked away.
“Well… anyway. From what I see, Rüdiger, you could also be a good uncle…”

“Really? I’m glad I appear that way to you.”

Somehow, we ended up complimenting each other.

Meanwhile, Luka, holding the newspaper and glaring at us, looked horrified. He seemed embarrassed by our exchange of pleasantries about being a good aunt and uncle while he was right there.

Finally, he couldn’t take it and shouted,
“Both of you, stop! Isn’t it my decision whether I become the heir or not? Why are you two acting all lovey-dovey over my issue?”

The first part I could understand, but the second part…

I fixed my expression and corrected the misunderstanding.
“Luka. This isn’t lovey-dovey. We’re just being polite.”