I Became the illegitimate son of a duke

21 – I hope we get to know each other

When did I open my eyes to this?

Have you been twisted by abuse? No, that’s not it. Because I have always lived in a harmonious family.

Whether it’s my halva, my mom, or my brother, everyone in my family has always loved me, and they still do.

Then… Because your first meeting with them went wrong?

No, not even that.

Yes, I… The first time I saw these cute things… I had an irresistible urge.

Even so, he didn’t try to satisfy his desire right away. From then on, he must have instinctively known that he shouldn’t be seen by his family.

“Ha ha… Ha ha…”

But now, why the hell is this…? I shouldn’t have been like this… I should have endured it somehow…

It’s hard to hide completely outside the house. It’s hard to find because I’m not familiar with the road.

I have to hide this somehow before anyone sees it.

“Whoa…”

Okay, this would be nice.

It’s dark because there’s a tree right next to it… And the bushes are thick.

Be careful not to break the bush—-

“There…”

“Huh…”

No… I haven’t hidden everything yet…

Don’t come… Don’t come…

“Are you Ines?”

“N, yes…?”

You know me…? Even worse if you get caught.

Oops… Just toss it…

Udududukㅡ

Okay, it’s surprisingly good.

The branches of the ornamental bush are a bit broken… But there are many leaves on the top, so it doesn’t show well.

“That, that’s…”

“People from Laurel are looking for you. Please follow me.”

I’m glad I didn’t notice. Looking into those eyes, you really care about me.

Even the face… I can allow you to come closer with this – wait, why are your hands sticky…

“Wow…”

There is blood on your hands.

Uh, why…? I didn’t use any tools like at home… I just choked it with my hands, but why was the blood…

No, it’s not that important. You can’t let that person know about this.

“Oh, don’t come…”

“Yes…Yes? Ah, ahahahaha… If you’re afraid of the touch, you can just follow me.”

Good thing. Because you are a kind person

…………

“You told me to wear pretty clothes to my heart’s content, don’t you like it?”

I won.

I won.

My master was more startled when he saw me than that year. That means… I was more beautiful.

To be honest, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous at all… Yes, there’s no way I’m going to lose to a b*tch like that.

I’ve only seen her a few times a few years ago, and I’ve always been with her. The depth of accumulated memories is different.

Above all, these clothes are made just as the owner told me before. My clothes will suit the master’s taste more than those white clothes.

“…Thank you very much. My name is Ines of Laurel.”

As expected, the map seems to know that it lacks itself, right?

It’s hard to say hello with a stiff expression like that… Kugh, really.

Looking at her body tightly wrapped and decorated with jewels, it seems that she is not very confident in her body. My skin is pale and my eyes are red, which makes me feel bad.

At times like this… As the strong, you have to show the weak some room.

“hehehe, thank you for taking care of me too, Mr. Ines.”

I greeted you with my own formality… You don’t seem to like it? Your expression became more subdued.

It’s okay, I’ll be generous with my big heart. If it doesn’t harm the master, I won’t kill him.

…………

Chloe… Chloe, yes.

He once told me that he has an adopted sister.

I don’t remember other people’s names very well, so it took me too long to remember.

“…You’re on good terms.”

But they don’t seem to think so.

Those eyes… Are the eyes of a girl in love. It’s not just family love.

It’s disgusting, don’t you know where you are? It’s a love that can’t come true, right?

You dare to provoke me in front of me just because you’re a little older and you’re wearing a little more flashy clothes when you can’t beat me with nobility, looks, or relationships…?

“Ah, Ines… This is so…”

“It’s okay, you told me that night we were alone together. Isn’t Chloe your little sister?”

Oh… Is there a response?

Your expression, which was just a while ago, was lost in an instant.

She kept sticking by her side, so I tried it once. Do you think she has a personality that gets hot when there is a story about a guy she doesn’t know?

mmm, I understand. I also have a personality where a child who has been hooked once has to find out everything in detail until the end.

But… That doesn’t mean you can’t look at me that way, can you? You need to know the subject

“Ines, Chloe and I—”

“Yes, I know. Although they are siblings, Claude is the son of the previous duke, and Chloe is an adopted child, right? I won’t tell you.”

“Ugh, yes…”

It’s been 4 years since I’ve seen you, but you haven’t lost your unique cuteness, and you’ve grown even more.

hehehe, there’s no way I’m going around talking about that. It would only do you harm.

“…”

As expected, emphasizing the brother-sister relationship makes their expressions even more rotten.

I really like how it reacts greatly when touched a little. It’s like the chicks who were disposed of all at once because they will live in Dijon from now on.

Originally, if you were being rude to me like this, I would have taken care of it right away… But the reaction is cute and he will be sad, so you shouldn’t do that.

“Duke, it’s time for the coronation to begin soon.”

“Oh, is that already? Chloe, Ines. I have to go to prepare for the coronation. Have fun at the ballroom without me.”

“Yes!”

Sure, I think I’ll have enough fun in Dijon in the future, not just in the banquet hall.

“…Yes.”

Take a look at this.

With such a fun toy, how can you not have fun?

…………

“Your Highness, General Arras has sent a messenger to tell you that the head of the rebels in Bar was betrayed and killed by his men.”

I was upset because I had to go to work immediately after the banquet after the coronation.

I’m sure the work will be done.

As expected, they were the ones who noticed that I couldn’t get rid of my great uncle recklessly and used them as bargaining materials. The execution speed is very fast.

Even though the lord changed from the Holy Empire or the Carolingian Kingdom to the Principality of Burgon, he must have maintained his vested interests.

“So what happened to the rebels he led?”

“Everyone laid down their weapons and surrendered, even those with close ties to the rebel leader.”

Hmm… This hurts my pride a bit.

Aside from the mercenaries, conscripts, and forced vassals, even those who belonged to my uncle’s clique surrendered without hesitation.

Originally, it is normal for those who are deeply connected to the rebel leader to resist until death if the rebellion ends in failure.

There has never been such a thing in all times and places. Because surrender leads directly to death.

But… These guys didn’t. They say they think I can’t kill them.

“…Count Leclerc. Disband the conscripts and forced vassals, hold the mercenaries captive and tell Arras to release them for ransom, and the others…”

Others, those who belonged to my great-uncle’s clique.

“First… Arrest everyone and bring them to Dijon.”

“…Are you all right? That would be hard to deal with.”

Leclerc alludes to the fact that if you don’t deal with the mutineers behind the scenes, they’ll be harder to deal with if you drag them onto the stage, to Dijon.

“Don’t worry, I’d rather make you beg to die.”

“Yes, I understand.”

If you kill them, the title will be inherited, but since the inherited ones are innocent, it will be difficult to take away the title and territory.

First of all, it’s better to keep them alive. My eldest uncle couldn’t help it, but he should make a lot of profit here.

“Master, I brought you something to drink.”

At that time, Chloe, who had been waiting for our words to end, brings tea to drink next to me.

“Ah, Chloe. Thanks.”

“…Yes!”

As soon as I say thank you, my face instantly bleeds. After all, Chloe’s smile melts away all stress.

When I was with Ines at the banquet hall—- that’s right, Ines.

“Count Leclerc. Where is Ines?”

“Ines-sama is in Louis-sama’s room, and the vassals who came with him are in the servants’ room next to it.”

There are many rooms in Dijon Castle, except for the Duke’s room, which I am currently using, the most prestigious is the room used by Louis, the successor of the Duke. Not only is it classy, but it is also the most spacious and splendid, so it must be the best room for the duke’s fiancé.

But… The problem is that the other side might hate it a little as the previous owner died in an accident.

“Did you say anything special? For example, about Louis, the owner of the room.”

“Yes, it’s just the same room, we changed all the furniture we used, we cleaned it, and when we told you about the situation, you understood.”

Currently, all the rooms Ines can use in Dijon Castle are empty rooms created by the death of the previous owner.

If you tell me this, you’ll feel a little embarrassed, but the other side can’t help it either. I changed the furniture and cleaned it, so I showed sincerity enough.

‘Hmm… I’ll go and ask if it’s worth staying. No, I’ll ask in the drawing room.’

It’s extremely rude to enter a woman’s room, even though it’s my last name. Even if you don’t know after marriage, you’re still a fiancé.

It looks like Chloe and Ines are a little awkward… Wouldn’t it be nice to get acquainted with each other?

We’re going to see each other a lot in the future, and it would be good for both of us if we get to know each other as soon as possible.

“Chloe, tell Ines to make arrangements for a meeting in the drawing room in an hour.”

“…Yes.”

A deep shadow is drawn on Chloe’s face, which had been smiling brightly until just now.

…I hate it so much.

But since we just met, we don’t have any bad ties, so if we keep talking and spend time looking at each other’s faces, we’ll become close someday, right?

More than anything else, Chloe and Ines are both kind, so you’ll be able to get close quickly.