Chapter 70
Even so, does that justify abuse?
Before branding the child as a liar, a devil, useless, did anyone attempt to truly listen to his story?
‘Besides, it’s possible that the child was labeled a liar because of me.’
The unnamed child shrank among the knights, his golden eyes shining fiercely through his bangs. The intensity in his eyes belied the accusation that he always lied.
So, whose responsibility was it?
Amber felt compelled to take responsibility for the child in some way. It seemed the only way to ease her conscience.
“What should we do?”
“Violence can never be justified.”
Amber responded firmly to Igmeyer’s question.
The rest was up to Igmeyer. It wasn’t her place to punish the village chief.
“Hello, little one.”
Instead, Amber focused on the child.
“Can you tell me your name?”
But why did she feel such a sense of familiarity?
Observing the child’s black hair, Amber tilted her head. She sensed a resemblance to someone she knew well.
“…I don’t have one.”
“Then, may I give you a new one? I’ll choose something you like.”
Even if the child had a name, Amber intended to offer a new one.
Considering what to name the child, Amber glanced at Igmeyer.
“You two look quite alike.”
“Me, and the Grand Duke?”
“Yes. Your name will be… Jason. How does that sound?”
Though his face was obscured by unkempt hair, Jason’s excitement was unmistakable. He liked the name.
Seizing the moment, Amber signaled, and Nora promptly handed her a handkerchief.
“Now then,…. Jason, would you like to come with me?”
Amber gently wiped the boy’s, now Jason’s, face. He didn’t resist, though he flinched when his bangs were touched, but didn’t push her hand away.
“Oh my!”
The exclamation came from Nora as Jason’s face was revealed.
“Madam, his face…!”
“…This is surprising to me too.”
With eyes shimmering like the evening star and a stubborn set to his mouth hinting at a fiery temperament. The boy had an undeniable sharpness, even in his youth.
Yes….
“He does bear a striking resemblance to Igmeyer.”
Amber’s murmur drew Igmeyer closer, who then scrutinized Jason.
Just as Nora and the knights were taken aback by Jason’s face, so was Igmeyer.
“Let’s get one thing straight, he’s not my son.”
“…..Right.”
After saying so, Igmeyer swept back the boy’s bangs to examine his forehead. He looked up and noticed the slight protrusions on the forehead bones.
‘S**t.’
Upon touching the child’s forehead and noticing the distinctive protrusions—a physical trait inherited only by those of Niflheim bloodline. This feature was prominent in childhood, typically recedes around the age of 15.
It seemed this boy had let his hair grow long to cover these marks.
“It seems my father had another child out there… He still has energy. That dying old man left a spare, huh?”
Amber was slightly taken aback by this revelation. Understanding the mindset of rulers and nobility, she knew the implications well.
‘The previous Grand Duke had been widowed early, with no children from his marriage. Thus, the illegitimate Igmeyer had succeeded him.’
Everyone had thought Igmeyer was the Grand Duke’s only illegitimate child.
‘The Grand Duke had started to openly acknowledge Igmeyer as his son only after he had distinguished himself as a mercenary. But there was never any mention of another child.’
Thus, Igmeyer was deemed ‘sufficient’.
Any other illegitimate offspring were considered irrelevant. If Igmeyer hadn’t been satisfactory, perhaps another would have been chosen as the heir.
“Could there be more children like him?”
Amber asked with a trembling voice, to which Igmeyer quickly shook his head.
“No. That’s not like the old man. This boy is probably the only ‘spare’.”
“My God…”
Jason listened to the conversation about him while grimacing. At nine years old, he was unsure how to react and remained quiet.
Igmeyer, mirroring Jason’s expression, looked down at him.
“Hey. Little Pea.”
“I’m not a pea!”
“I’m your half-brother. Probably. Anyway, come with me.”
“I, I don’t want to!”
A clash of red and golden eyes ensued. A fierce glare-off lasting a few seconds before Jason, now labeled Little Pea, darted behind Amber for cover.
Watching this, Igmeyer couldn’t help but let out an incredulous chuckle.
Discussion
0 CommentsReactions
No comments yet.