Chapter 31: Parents Are True Love, You Are the Accident
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 31: Parents Are True Love, You Are the Accident
"This... this is..."
Watching his father and mother with their fingers intertwined, gazing into each other's eyes with deep affection as if no one else existed, Muen suddenly felt a wave of utter bewilderment, as if he’d been blindsided by a freight train.
This wasn't how the script was supposed to go.
I, Muen Campbell, am supposed to be your dearly beloved son, right?
Where is the doting?
Where is the meticulous care?
And now you're just suddenly ditching me and running off? Is that reasonable?
Is it!
And where did this sudden younger brother or sister come from!
So, the reason Muen Campbell ended up so miserable in the original book was actually because you guys had new children and just forgot about him, wasn't it!
"Um... Father, Mother, if you both leave, what am I supposed to do?"
Muen felt he still needed to stage a rescue—at the very least, he had to go with them. He couldn't stay in this dangerous, godforsaken place called Belland.
"Maybe I should also—"
"Hmm? What should you do?"
Noyce looked over with a puzzled expression.
"Little Muen, isn't your school term about to start? Saint Maria Academy provides room and board; it's safe and reliable. What is there to worry about? If you're worried about pocket money, there's no need. We've already handed your allowance over to An. If you want to spend anything, just get it from her."
"No, that's not what I meant..."
Saint Maria Academy was where the protagonist's party and Celicia were. How could it possibly be safe and reliable for someone like Muen!
"What I mean is... what if I encounter another assassination attempt?"
Muen's mind raced as he searched for an excuse.
"Exactly, that's it. Last time I just got lucky. If I run into another assassin next time, won't I be finished?"
"Assassination? Why would you be assassinated?"
Lorne frowned, appearing genuinely unable to comprehend the idea.
"What benefit is there in assassinating you?"
"Well, obviously because I'm..."
I'm the son of a Duke.
Muen had intended to say that.
But halfway through, he froze.
Right.
He was indeed the son of a Duke, but who would bother assassinating him for no reason?
Would killing him deal a blow to the Campbell family?
No.
Because the current Duke Campbell was his father, Lorne Campbell.
The "Lion King" was in his prime.
And most importantly...
Muen's gaze flickered toward Noyce's lower abdomen.
Now that the Campbell family had a second-in-line heir on the way, who would be stupid enough to risk the Duke's wrath just to assassinate a useless playboy like him?
Were they that bored?!
"I know that incident with Celicia left you with some psychological trauma, but rest assured, no one is bored enough to come after you."
Lorne patted Muen on the shoulder, offering consolation with an expression that clearly said 'Since you're this useless, just relax and enjoy the ride.'
"Besides, even if someone did try to assassinate you, they wouldn't send anyone particularly strong. I've reinforced the barriers around the Duke's estate; there won't be any problems."
"..."
Muen wanted to cry but had no tears.
Was this supposed to be a consolation? You're just stabbing your son right in the heart, old man.
"But..."
"No buts."
Lorne sighed. "I know you're loath to part with us, but do you think we feel any different?"
"Unfortunately, in this world, it's hard to have it both ways."
"I, your father, must go to the front lines to command the troops. It was already an exceptional mercy for His Majesty to allow Noyce to return to the countryside to nurse her pregnancy."
"As for you, Muen, you must remain in Belland."
"Originally, I was quite worried about you, but your recent performance has greatly exceeded my expectations."
Lorne lightly punched Muen in the chest, looking gratified.
"You've grown up, Muen Campbell. You're starting to act like a real man."
"Father..."
Muen was so moved by his father's words that his eyes grew warm.
But he snapped out of it immediately.
Wait? No?
Isn't this just leaving me in Belland as a political hostage while you go off to hold all the power at the front?
What if one day you decide to slap your thigh and say, "This King has countless brave generals and an army of a hundred thousand; that dog of an Emperor is incompetent and surrounded by traitors, why don't we just rebel?"
Wouldn't I be the first one the Emperor executes?
I don't want that kind of ending!
But Lorne didn't give Muen another chance to react. He swept Noyce up in his arms and strode toward the carriage.
"Well then, Little Muen, we're off. Be diligent at school, okay?" Noyce leaned out of the carriage window, waving to Muen.
"Wait..."
"Ah, right."
Lorne looked at An.
"An, I'm leaving Muen and the estate in your hands for the time being."
"Rest assured, Master," An said respectfully.
"I will definitely serve the Young Master well. I won't let anyone harm him."
"Haha, you're as reliable as ever."
After saying that, Lorne suddenly winked at Muen. His lips moved, but his voice appeared directly in Muen's ear.
"Muen, if you can't find any other noble ladies for the time being, An is an option too. I'm not like those stuffy old nobles; as long as they can bear sons for the Campbell family, I've never cared about status.
Besides, with your mother and me gone, you and An will have plenty of time alone. Isn't that a golden opportunity? An definitely won't resist you!"
"Father, what are you talking about!"
Muen snapped, flushed with embarrassment and annoyance.
"Haha, say no more, we're off!"
Lorne laughed heartily and snapped the reins.
The griffin let out a deafening screech, its wings unfurling violently, and actually pulled the carriage into the sky.
"Goodbye, Little Muen!"
Noyce was still waving vigorously.
"Goodbye, Mother."
"Goodbye, Father. Have a safe trip."
Muen could only respond with a tearless lament, watching his greatest source of security gradually disappear from his sight.
...
"Ah, Fate, oh Fate, why must you torture me so? Is this the price I must pay for that one ten-pull with five SSRs?"
Staring at the empty gates of the estate, Muen felt his heart was just as empty.
With his father gone, his "perfect plan" from earlier had completely gone up in smoke.
He was still like a newborn baby, facing all sorts of hidden dangers stark naked.
"Does this world really hate me, the yellow-haired villain, that much?" Muen laughed self-deprecatingly.
"Young Master Muen, is something wrong?"
Noticing Muen's strange behavior, An asked worriedly, "Are you too sad?"
"I'm fine."
Muen shook his head and walked back into the estate.
"Then what are your plans, Young Master?"
An followed him.
"Would you like breakfast first, or shall we go to the garden? It seems the new variety of tulips the Madam brought in has bloomed."
"No, neither," Muen said.
"I'm going to the library."
"Eh?"
An froze.
She looked at Muen's back with a hint of disbelief.
The Young Master, who never liked reading, was going to the library of his own accord?
"Then, breakfast..."
"Bring it to the library."