Chapter 110
Chapter 110
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: Reason for Existence (8)
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"You're here."
"Still that cold tone of yours, Duke."
"You never call me by name either, do you, Calamity?"
"You won't even call me Duke. Whatever, I don't mind."
The red-haired woman who had barged into the office without permission, Duchess Calamity, flopped onto the plush sofa and crossed her legs.
She had an appearance so young and beautiful it was hard to believe she was in her mid-to-late forties, but Duke Lebedev didn't spare her a glance.
"Jeez. When someone's here, at least look their way."
"You're no guest, so there's no need to entertain you."
"Then, if I brought some news about young Julius, even without an invitation, could that make me a guest?"
At those words, Duke Lebedev's golden hair swayed slightly as his head snapped around with lightning speed. His menacing expression brimmed with the resolve to exact a fitting price if it turned out to be a lie.
"Scary stuff. Sit down first and let's talk. My husband loses it just hearing I've come here. Gotta wrap this up quick and head back."
"That idiot still holding onto what happened back when we attended the Academy?"
"A wife having an affair? No man forgets that, no matter how many years pass. During those four years at the Academy, was there anything you and I didn't do?"
Duke Lebedev shut his mouth.
Right. He had locked eyes with this damned Calamity's only daughter and done every reckless thing imaginable.
"Haha. When Julius first stepped into high society, I wished so hard he was my kid."
"He's the child from my wife's womb. There's a chance I'm not the father, but zero chance you're the mother."
"That's just it. I nearly died of regret. Should've just broken off the engagement and married you, I thought."
"A kid like my son coming from you? Impossible."
"Don't hit me with such a sad truth."
The brief banter dredging up old memories had eased the tension between the two dukes a bit, and Duchess Calamity promptly got to the point.
"Julius hid himself well, so there's nothing to be done about that. But lately, my idiot daughter's been acting strange."
"That moron?"
"Hey, hey. She's still my daughter. Call her that, and it makes me look bad too."
"Then what do you call her?"
"Retard. Ah, of course, that's what I call her—not saying you should."
"...Fine. I'll just use her name then."
Duchess Calamity nodded once and her mouth started moving rapidly.
"So, our little retard's been acting less retarded lately. And no matter how I think about it, the only possible trigger is young Julius."
"Is that all the info you've got? Then I'm done treating you like a guest."
"Nooo, not even close. The Academy doesn't talk about internal affairs as a rule. But words aren't the only things that speak, right?"
"Things like goods coming in and out, or hiring new people—they all hint at internal matters."
"And something you can't hide: a corpse was carted out. Right after, materials for repairing buildings and floors came in, external security got way tighter. And around then, our retard suddenly started acting all praiseworthy."
"There was an external intrusion. Someone dealt with it. And after that, Rias's behavior changed—so that someone must be Julius."
"Bingo. Our little retard's trying to cover it up too, but she's still a retard."
The way she referred to her daughter was brutally harsh, but considering the stress Rias had caused her since the engagement, it felt entirely appropriate.
Duchess Calamity pulled out a cigar, clipped the end, lit it with magic, exhaled a cloud of smoke for a while, then blew out the smoke she'd been holding in her mouth with a whoosh, removed the cigar, and spoke.
"Anyway, it's pretty much certain. Our retard, that Ermina girl, and your daughter—they all seem to have a rough idea."
"Word travels fast."
"Of course. You know how humiliating it is for a daughter to get dumped and have the engagement broken off? I've been keeping our second daughter unengaged, ready to send her your way just in case."
"Your second daughter..."
"She's raring to go. Wants to shove the retard aside and take that spot for herself."
Before the cigar went out, Duchess Calamity quickly put it back in her mouth and started puffing slowly. Duke Lebedev asked her,
"What do you plan to do?"
"Ugh, ask slower. Tsk. Anyway, I don't care either way. As long as the family connects through Julius, first or second daughter, whatever."
"Hm."
"So what about you? Even a monkey could see you and your son don't get along."
"I'll leave. That's the right thing to do."
"Oof, harsh. And sappy. Sounds good—abandoning your title for your son—but really, you're just running 'cause you can't face reconciling."
"..."
"Hey. Have a proper talk with him. He's not some kid who'd fall apart learning his dad actually likes him. Far from arrogant, that little guy."
"...Yeah. I lack the confidence for an honest conversation. That boy is kinder, stronger, and more capable than me. Kind but not a pushover, strong but doesn't overestimate himself, talented but doesn't look down on the incompetent."
"Look at you, praises pouring out now that you've opened up."
"That's exactly why he can't be held back by a worthless father like me. No matter what I do, it won't yield better results than what he can achieve. He must never halt even for a moment to accommodate or care for me. That's what an incompetent old generation like me owes him."
Duchess Calamity listened quietly to Duke Lebedev's words, took another drag from her cigar and exhaled, uncrossed her legs and set her feet flat, leaned forward, and opened her mouth.
"Hey. Ratty."
"Don't use that old nickname."
"Whatever. You ditching the frog pond?"
"Have you lost your mind?"
"From what I hear, sounds like the dad here's got some inferiority complex toward his son? Hook up with a badass woman like me once, and your confidence'll shoot up."
"Cut the nonsense."
"Hey now. Back in our youth, we were stuck together like glue, weren't we?"
"Enough. If you're just gonna spout crap like that, go home."
"It's advice. Advice from someone you've known in high society for nearly forty years—once a friend, once a mistress. You. Get laid properly, pray to the goddess at church, then at least ask your daughter—that incest freak. You won't solve shit without a real talk."
"...If I just disappear..."
"Think that punk with the guts to run away from the Academy will inherit a territory full of shitty memories?"
Duke Lebedev was at a loss for words.
As his mask began to slip, revealing the subtly timid side of his old friend, a smile crept onto Duchess Calamity's lips.
A sturdy swordsman. A gentleman of high society. A man whose stoicism was once called cool. But beneath it all lurked someone who struggled with communication and lacked self-assurance.
It was that gap that had made her fall for him and commit adultery back then.
Unable to hold back her laughter at seeing that face after so long, Duchess Calamity let words tumble out.
"Ah, damn. Look at that sexy expression."
"...Go home."
"Not going. Let's do it for real. You've got me all worked up."
"No. Please, just go!"
What a shame.
She smacked her lips in regret, returned to her seat, and puffed on her cigar again.
"So. I need to hear your side too. If Julius comes back, what then? I'd love to shove our retard into a convent and pair her off with someone new."
"...We should respect his wishes."
"Most boring answer ever. Mind if our retard marries him then?"
"On that... I'll hold my tongue."
Doomed.
Thinking of her own daughter, who was only now trying to change a little at this late stage, the duchess exhaled a sigh along with the smoke from her cigar.
Thick smoke clouded her vision.
Hm, can't see ahead—must be Rias's life.
"Guess I'll marry him then."
"Have you lost your mind?"
"Kidding. But like you said, better than my husband or you. Best option on our end would be our third... no, pair the second with him. She's motivated, but Julius's personality means he won't accept it."
Duke Lebedev slumped in his chair like a dried fish, drained of energy. Glancing back at him, Duchess Calamity chuckled and said,
"Worst case, break the engagement once, and when he marries someone else, slip her in as a concubine. For our retard, even that'd be a blessing."
"My son's reputation..."
"Not illegal. Goddess doesn't forbid it. Perfect spot for our retard."
Fine. Do whatever. I can't worry about my son's future. He's better than me—he'll handle it.
The woman who had always sucked him dry of energy whenever they met finally left after finishing her cigar, stuffing herself with drinks and dinner.