I Stole the Child of My War-Mad Husband

That’s a lie.

He never planted flower seeds on the ground when he was young.

‘Was the first person I buried an official from a nearby village?’

His beautiful mother lived alone with him when he was young on the outskirts of the village. Because of that, she had been the target of crime on several occasions.

Fortunately, Rupert was able to kill most adults from around the age of 5 because of the curse, so there was no big problem.

It was all over when he stabbed an opponent’s neck who was caught off guard, thinking of him as just a harmless child.

When there was a body like that, his mother handed him a shovel and said just one thing.

“Bury it.”

Then he dragged the corpse with a shovel in one hand and a leg in the other.

There was always a fixed place to bury: the mountain behind his house.

Eating raspberries one by one on the way down after burying all the bodies is also his memory.

There was nothing else that could be called a memory from when he was 5 years old.

He always ate if his mother wanted to, killed if his mother wanted to, and buried if his mother wanted to.

Because he always lived with her alone and she was the only adult he knew.

He had never been taught any standards of right and wrong, so he naturally followed his mother’s words like the law.

“―then what kind of flower seeds did you plant, Father?”

Rupert snapped out of his reverie when he heard Leah’s voice.

‘Flower seeds?’

Only a few flower names he knows.

“It was the same one you are planting now.”

Leah was delighted. “Ehehe, then it’s the same!”

“Yeah, it’s the same.”

Upon hearing a satisfactory answer, Leah was absorbed in planting flower seeds again.

He looked at her side profile in a rather curious mood, then turned his head to the gaze he suddenly felt.

In the distance, his eyes met the person standing by the window of the outbuilding.

It would not be possible to identify the opponent with normal human eyesight, but he could.

‘Michael Berris.’

The first time he saw him was at his wedding when he was present as Noel’s guest.

‘He is glaring at me.’

He doesn’t even seem to want to hide his animosity.

At that time, Rupert did not know exactly why this person he had never seen harbored hostility towards him. But now he could guess.

‘He knows about my curse.’

I don’t think I can fool that archmage’s eyes anyway.

Michael Berris loves Noel. Enough to aim for an opportunity to take her away from him.

Because he knows I am dangerous.

‘Her ideal type is that guy?’

At least it was clear she has a terrible eye for a man.

Rupert could roughly guess why Michael obeyed the Crown Prince’s orders and cooperated with matters related to forbidden magic.

Because there is only one reasonable way to get rid of Rupert himself.

‘Annoying brat.’

Otherwise, he might choose to tell her everything about the curse.

Or both.

Either way, he has determination.

‘Why are twisted human beings always around Noel?’

While grumbling inwardly, Rupert mouthed ‘get off’ towards the window.

Michael Berris smiled and waved his hand.

As if to say goodbye.

***

Noel turned the key and opened the drawer. Inside, there is a red marble that was put in yesterday.

As soon as she grabbed it, a pale figure appeared.

“Nas, I have a favor to ask you.”

He grumbled, [It hasn’t been long since we met.]

“I know it’s shameless… still, I want you to say a proper goodbye to my daughter. I don’t even know how to explain the fact that you are a dead soul.”

[Right. I will do it. Because I am your friend.]

She put on a puzzled expression. “I’m so sorry I don’t remember. But where did we meet?”

He grinned. [A long time ago.]

“Tell me more.”

[That’s not allowed.]

What is he really doing?

“Then finish what you were going to say yesterday. What happens if this marble breaks?”

[The power inside spreads. In other words, the power to summon the dead soul. A person who has killed many people will surely be in danger.]

“How do I break it?”

[It’s simple, just collide it with stronger forbidden magic.]

“If forbidden magic collides with each other, will the weaker side break?”

Nas nodded. [That’s right, in the past, when I couldn’t find a way to dismantle it, there were quite a few times when I used this method in a hurry. The only drawback is that we cannot guarantee the side effects]

“Side effect?”

[The body of the weaker side explodes? Bang!]

At that level, isn’t it the same as blowing a whole person away?

‘Anyway, I’m glad I didn’t give this to Rupert yesterday.’

It could have caused a catastrophe.

“Thank you for letting me know. And please say goodbye to Leah later.”

[Okay.]

At just the right time, a knock rang outside.

“Madam, Lord Michael Berris is here.”

‘Michael?’

She hastily put the marble back in the drawer.

‘He, like Rupert, is in a position to catch people practicing forbidden magic. I can’t be caught having this.’

“Oh, in the drawing room―”

In an instant, the door burst open.

Both the maid and Noel were surprised, but Michael, the person who opened the door, was carefree.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

“Oh, no!”

Noel eagerly responded to the maid’s restraint. “Right, get out, get out!”

“It’s all right.”

What the hell is all right?

While the two women were speechless at the blatant remark, he locked the door.

“Oh, wait―”

Hearing the maid restlessly outside the door, Noel sighed.

“Don’t worry and go.”

Soon after, she shot him. “What are you doing all of a sudden?”

“That’s what I’m going to ask, Noel.”

“What?”

He walked over without answering. Noel stood still.

Michael, standing right in front of her, looked down with a smile.

“Can you step aside for a moment?”

“What’s the matter?”

He let out a small sigh.

“Don’t you remember? I’ve told you since I was a kid. Don’t get involved in anything dangerous.”

“W-what? I don’t know what―”

“You’re not very good at lying.”

At the same time, he lifted her up trying to cover the drawer as much as possible.

Like luggage, of course.

She struggled. “No, what are you doing?! Why is everyone carrying me on their shoulders like a piece of luggage!? Treat me more politely!”

He didn’t treat her politely, but his tone was kind. “That’s why I told you not to get involved with anything dangerous.”

Then he opened the drawer, which she had been blocking with her body, and took out the marble.

“It’s dangerous to have something like this.”

“I-I was going to tell you!”

“Really?”

Of course not.

“Let me down first!”

Having achieved his goal, he meekly followed her words.

As soon as her feet hit the floor, Noel protested. “Give it back.”

“No.”

“…since when did you notice?”

“From the moment you get a good night’s sleep.”

That’s right.

As soon as she realized that Nas was the ghost that had poked her cheek, her fear disappeared.

“Just because of that?”

“I know you better than you think.”

That sounds scarier than the existence of ghosts.

“Do you know how to get rid of this forbidden magic?”

“No, this is not on the record.”

“Then what are you going to do?”

“We must proceed according to the procedure. Whoever invokes it is sentenced to death, then seal its core, this marble.”

“…….”

“The longer you wait, the more dangerous it becomes. The completion of this forbidden magic is to call the dead souls in piles.”

Seeing Noel’s sullen face, he shook his head. “You’re too weak to get rid of it.”

Then he lowered his head and met her eyes.

“Are you upset that I didn’t take your side?”

“No, everything Michael said is right.”

‘I am the one on the weak side. I didn’t even come up with an answer to this question after thinking about it for a long time.’

“I’m the one who did something wrong, I’m sorry for treating you like you’re a bad person for no reason.”

At those words, Michael put on a troubled expression.

He didn’t want to see her sad. He sincerely wanted to hear whatever she wanted.

‘Besides, I’m not a good person.’

Noel will soon find out.

Maybe she already has a vague feeling.

It was much faster than I expected when I saw her in person, Michael thought.

She’s already regaining her real memory.

Originally, he intended to lure her out before she noticed, but he didn’t even have enough time for that.

He had to revise all his plans.

‘Then wouldn’t it be okay now?’

He always keeps a good attitude, and Noel believes that.