NOVEL NEXT Chapter 11 - Family
In my childhood, it was like living in a nightmare.
Being different meant being a target for bullying, especially among children, who can be cruel without hesitation, even when adults turn a blind eye.
Nobles were no different—in fact, they were even more merciless.
“Hey, I heard his mother was the Duke’s mistress.”
“Oh, really? So, that hair and those eyes come from his mom?”
“It seems she’s from another country. What a disgrace, bringing an outsider into the esteemed Duke’s family.”
“Why didn’t she go back to her homeland? Is she planning to take over!?”
“It’s plausible. After all, the Duke himself is an adopted son-in-law.”
“Oh, terrifying, absolutely terrifying..”
“That’s what my mom said. It’s outrageous for the son of a lowly woman to inherit the Duke’s title.”
“Is she from commoner origins?”
“I heard she didn’t even attend social gatherings of mistresses. Rumor has it she didn’t even greet the Duchess, his legal wife, even once. She must have been an uncouth woman.”
“Ew! An unofficial mistress, huh…”
“My mother suggested she might have been a lady of the evening trade.”
“”A lady of the evening trade? Is she from some merchant’s family?””
“……….”
“What’s wrong? Was I wrong?”
“No… that was unexpected. Just stay as you are. It’s rare to see such innocence these days.”
“Wha-!?”
“Hey, if you’re gonna say that, why not ask the person himself?”
“Good idea.”
It wasn’t the right place to talk in the Duke’s estate.
In no time, I found myself surrounded by a few boys, bombarding me with questions.
Back then, I was too scared to say anything.
But—
“Stop it!!”
Suddenly, my step-sister intervened.
Ignoring my stunned expression, she confronted the boys.
Her words were firm and brave.
Though harsh for a noblewoman, she didn’t say anything wrong.
Afterwards, even my stepmother scolded me, but what stayed with me the most were my stepsister’s words.
“Miguel. You must become a person worthy of the Pezzalot family’s eldest son. No, you have to. It’s what will protect you!”
It wasn’t until years later, after losing my stepsister, that I understood the meaning of those words.
Perhaps if I had realized and acted sooner, things might have been different.
Regrets are endless.
“…Thank you, sister. I’ll work hard to become someone you can be proud of.”
“That would be a relief.”
My stepsister smiled with satisfaction.
A beautiful and noble sister.
She had gone through a lot for me in the past.
From the Duke’s family, the royal family, and above all, my brother-in-law.
This time, I’ll protect them.
Who else will carry the burden of the Duke’s family if I don’t strive for it?
Last time, I unconsciously dumped all of that responsibility on my stepsister.
Because of that, baseless rumors spread about her being a haughty and arrogant lady.
I won’t make the same mistake again.
Though I’m still immature, I have memories of this world.
I also have knowledge and wisdom that I didn’t have last time.
I’ve vowed in my heart to use all of that to become an honorable son who won’t bring shame to the Duke’s family.
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