I Became The Stepmother Of An Irrevocable Dark Family

Luca couldn’t hide his surprise.

“Umm, Leona….?”

“It’d be better not to give them financial aid. After all….”

Excessive kindness makes people lazier.

No wonder the beggars seemed to have lost their motivation, this was the reason.

“Did other nobles always do this kind of charity?”

“That’s right.”

“….Was it always like this in other regimes? I’m not talking about the current regime….”

“No. It was the current emperor who implemented this policy. He initiated it because he himself was a victim of discrimination.”

“….That’s really not good.”

It was truly the worst policy. If I had a say in the policy-making process, I’d definitely resort to another solution.

Rather than encouraging people to get back to work, it was absurd to instill the idea that they could live without doing anything.

“Come to think of it, there are so many beggars for a country that isn’t at war. Are there more people turning into beggars these days?”

I didn’t usually pay attention to them, so I couldn’t remember what they were like before. But it shocked me even more when I saw them closely now.

“That’s right.”

“So this is the result of implementing the wrong policy.”

“Yeah. I’m sure you’d create a different policy if you were the emperor, Leona.”

“I’m not sure. I don’t even know much about politics. Even if I were the emperor, I wouldn’t come up with a great solution either, but at least I wouldn’t think of doing that.”

If I were an emperor or someone powerful enough to give him some advice, I’d never think of wasting money recklessly on people.

I could create more job opportunities for the purpose of strengthening the state security.

It’d be better to let them know that making money isn’t only possible for people with talent or capability. Money is something you earn yourself, not from someone else.

“You leave me in awe every time.”

“Me?”

“You seem to have a different take on every matter.”

I couldn’t help but smile awkwardly at Luca, who seemed to read my thoughts.

“Luca thinks too highly of me.”

“Is it because I’m in love?”

“That seems to be the case. Because I always admire how cool you are every time I see you.”

He smiled brightly and reached out his hand to me.

“So where do you want to go, milady?”

“Let’s go around and look at things first.”

“I’ll guide you.”

My heart was pounding when I took his warm hand.

The sound of children running around or people arguing with the merchant, asking for discounts. And the sound of horse hooves as they passed by us. All sorts of sound was mixed in the air.

But as I walked with Luca next to me, I felt like I was in a different world.

“Somehow, it feels like a date. My heart is racing.”

“It’s better to think so. I’m actually very happy these days.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes. I’m very happy. I didn’t think I could take some of your time as you were very busy, but we have been together often lately.”

In the meantime, my eyes were caught by a small toy vendor on the street. It was exactly what I had been looking for.

“That’s it!”

“Those are toys.”

“The Duke has done so many things for Rere. It’s not an exaggeration to say that he bought her all the toys that exist in the world. But thanks to all that expensive stuff, Rere never got the chance to own these little things.”

People who have everything are rather interested in what they do not have. That’s why this would be a new gift for Rere.

“Which one are you buying?”

“I will buy a lot of these. I want to show her that there are many interesting toys, even if they are not expensive.”

For Rere, toys were all about big dolls in a big playhouse or high-quality tin soldiers.

“Do you think she will like it?” Luca’s eyes trembled uneasily.

“Luca may have been watching Rere longer than me, but I’m pretty good at dealing with children.” With a nod, he looked at the other toys without hesitation.

He looked excited as if he was grocery shopping. At last, we returned to the duchy with a big box full of toys.

But as soon as the carriage arrived at the mansion, the servant waiting at the door rushed to me.

“Madam, His Excellency is looking for you.”

“Really?”

“Yes. He ordered you to meet him as soon as you arrived.”

“I haven’t even met Rere yet.”

“But he wanted you to see him right away.”

Is it possible for someone to be this annoying?

“I’ll inform the young lady about your arrival, madam. So you can go ahead with ease.” Luca said calmly, as if he was used to this situation.

“Okay. I’ll be right there. You have to hide the box well.”

“Alright.”

A sweet smile was plastered on his face as he moved away. Meanwhile, with a heavy step, I had to follow the servant who led me to the Duke.

The road to him was always unpleasant. As always.

“Sigh….”

I could only sigh deeply. Fortunately, his room wasn’t too far from the entrance, so we arrived in front of his room already.

As if he already welcomed my visit, the servant knocked once and opened the door right away.

The Duke was looking at documents and raised his head.

“I was wondering when you’d be here, but you’re very late today.”

“I have some business to attend to. And I just came from the market.”

“If you need anything, you can just get someone else to run your errand. It’s not pleasant to see the Duchess walking about.”

At this moment, I was so irritated by him.

“Are you trying to lock me up here?”

“No way.”

“But isn’t it the same as you saying ‘don’t go anywhere’? The more this happens, the more I want to get out of here. I stay here only for Rere’s sake, but I may change my mind if this keeps going on.”

Only then did he narrow his brows.

“You must be very offended by what I say.”

“I was born with a quick temper, so stop ordering me around.”

“…I’m sorry if I offended you.”

After giving an apology faster than he usually would, he leaned back and murmured.

“Anyway, thank you for coming. Did you find what you wanted?”

“I think I’ll have to visit the temple a few more times.”

“…Seems that you like the temple.”

“I felt relieved, so it was good.”

“They’re just a bunch of scammers, though. Is that really the only reason?” He asked sharply.

“Of course, that’s why I will donate and pray every time I visit. I hope God will heal Rere-”

“Nonsense. There’s no such thing as God. If God existed, none of this would ever happen.” His eyes became as sharp as ever.

“…Did I say something wrong?”

“……”

“Human beings are inherently weak animals, and sometimes they cry for help to God even if the deity doesn’t exist. That’s exactly what I do.”

“I understand, but you’d better not go to the temple.”

“Why? Because you already know Rere’s secret?”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s just as you heard. Otherwise, you wouldn’t hate the temple this much. So there must be something going on there.”

“…..”

“So what the hell is going on?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Are you still trying to hide it from me? I’m sure you’ll be lashing out again once I find out what you’re trying to hide, and I really don’t know how to deal with you every time that happens.”

As if our relationship could never be mended, we glared at each other like enemies.

“Forget that. What about the temple?”

“….I heard a strange story from the High Priest.”

“Strange story?”

“He said that one-year-old Rere was bigger than a normal child her age. Does this have anything to do with what you’re trying to hide? Does it have anything to do with your antipathy toward the temple?”

He shook his head at my question.

“…About that…”

“Are you sure that Rere is five years old?”

“I don’t want you to know or ask me anything. Go back now. I don’t care if you go to the temple or not, just leave my child from your affair.”

“Affair, huh? You still like to think as you like. You’re really the worst.”

The Duke rose from his seat as if he was very affected by my words.

“Why do you always think badly of me? I’m just…I’m….”

“What?”

“…I’m just worried about you.”

“Why would anyone like to be ordered around? You never change even when Rere already changes a lot.”

“…Because this is me. That’s who I am.”

“Right? Then please live like that for the rest of your life. I don’t care what happens to people who don’t matter to me. Then, I’ll excuse myself.”

His face stiffened as if he took a huge blow. I didn’t pity him even if he made that face.

Because Rere was my priority right now.