Lia is an ordinary maid, coming from a humble household, daughter of a Knight. However, her life isn't great at all. Her father joined the war and shortly died while protecting a princess. Because of the news of her husband passing, her mother fell ill and died a year later after her husband died. Her sister is the only relative she has left, it led her to find jobs to raise her, but before she had her 10th birthday, she died.
After a year of mourning, she became a maid in the Farlon at the age of twenty. She devoted herself to the Farlon and didn't marry.
She worked there for many years until she became the nanny of the late marquis, treating him like her own sibling while maintaining the role of a nanny. It was like that until he succeeded the Marquis and married Amanda.
She was against it at first.
After all, the lady has many rumors going on around her. Even the late marquis reputation almost lost his reputation because of these rumors, but she couldn't say anything about the lady since he was happy around her and he even had a son that looked like him.
In which, she deeply regretted it since it cost his life. After that, everything went downhill as the Marchioness mistreated the kid and she couldn't do anything.
"Because, if she openly showed that she cared for you back there. There will be no one else to help you, if the marchioness removes her."
I said and watched his face pale, "Master everyone is gone." I nod and clasp my hands in front of him.
"The Marchioness don't care about you especially if you exactly look like the former Marquis. She only married your father because of power..."
"...why"
It wasn't a question. It seems like he is trying to wake up from reality by confirming his thoughts.
"Because she wants what my mother has."
just to rise and have a small gap to reach the duke she decided to ruin these lives.
the food has turned cold. "Is that why Mother killed father?"
I stopped midway and looked at him. He hung his head low, his bangs barely covering his eyes, "Yes."
I don't think that keeping it longer for him will make it easier to accept this. Lane also has a faint idea about her mom since he saw her putting the plant on his food and when he learned it was poisonous, he was scared and angry.
besides, this will remove any small lingering attachments to her mother and he won't follow her in the future.
"Then, she poisoned Dad...."
"Hmm.. yes. Unfortunately, The Marquis is the only one who will be punished severely and your mom will likely suffer only from stripping of her title"
since there is no sufficient evidence to heavily punish the Marchioness about her murdering her own husband.
Another worrying thing is the inheritance in Farlon. Lane is still young. Other than that he doesn't receive education as an heir. I didn't transmigrate here to be stressed about others'lives, but here I am thinking of a solution.
"Lane, why don't you testify against your mother?" I quickly spun around to see my brother smiling while tapping the table not too far away from us.
Lane has his brows creased, "Once your mother is charged, you might stand no chance of inheriting the estate and your title that is rightfully yours."
"Brother..."
"He was the direct heir and her child if he didn't do something before his mother went to the court, he may find himself under the guidance of his relatives. If he testified he can request to remove his mother as a family member and he can choose his guardian until his coming-of-age."
"..."
the two of them stared at each other with silence. For me, I think there is something behind this because his smile is slightly different than his usual. He has the same look as Father does.
"You want me to pick the Duke as my guardian and you want something in return." my brother's smile widens. Damn it, there really is!
"You are quick-witted I like that. What I want is one property your father has. The mine in White Mountain, give it to me."
White mountain? I believe it is another mountain that has been abandoned since they do not find anything there. I wonder why my brother wants it.
Seeing Lane doesn't answer he moves closer and says, "Not only you will protect yourself. Your Inheritance will be secured. Other than that, you may not see your mother again and you have the Vacarella on your back."
"Marchioness will face execution isn't she?" Lane flinched and looked shocked at what I said, "What?"
Didn't he think that his mother would get out alive after killing a noble?
"If it was proven that she killed your father, she will face execution. That is, If you testify against your mother."
Caesar left with a smile, and waved his hand, "Think about it. You still have at least 4 days."
Caesar's suggestion and deal isn't bad at all. If Lane wants to survive and get out of her mother's grasp, then he should keep it. But I don't want to pressure him after seeing that kind of look he have.
A look that he's in the state of collapsing.
---------------------------------------------------
after the two left the room, Lane stared angrily at the food in front of him before he finally left.
he was dazed and didn't notice that his own feet brought him to the garden. The smell of flowers blooming entered his system and he made a nostalgic expression on his face while gazing over the flowers.
"This is like our home back when he was still alive." he reminisces the remaining memories he had about his father.
Warm. His home is once warm like this.
"You are the only one who can inherit my title, Lane"
he finally understood what it meant by what the siblings had said. Even though the marchioness has never shown affection towards Lane and often abuses him, he still has some lingering attachment. However, Lane was determined to remove those attachments for him to get back what she ruined.
His father, who smiles often in his memory, is because of the people around him in his territory.
His heart throb in a familiar way he felt when he met the Duke. It is similar to when a predator found its prey.
Stench of blood soon mixed with the roses, Lane has slow reflexes. It was fast, he did not see the shadow on top of him. A cold and sharp weapon is on his throat with someone grabbing his hair, raising it.
"Who are you?" Lane saw a ferocious pair of eyes staring at him. He suddenly sweats, surely everyone in the estate must know that he is a hostage of the Vacarella.
Well, guest to be exact. Wren and the others still say he was a hostage and it imprinted on his mind and there's no way someone in the Duchy is going to point their swords at him, but he finds himself in this kind of state when he finally thinks that he's not going to die here.
"Colton what are you doing?!" Milla asked when she saw the scene, "He was suspicious. He roams around and he has such a grim face..."
"..."
Lane suddenly frowned with such disbelief eyes on him, "Is it wrong to walk around?"
Besides, the grim look is because he remembered the old days!
"..." Colton did not answer, instead he pushed the blade a little bit more in his flesh and said, "state your name."
It was an order and unlike the first time someone in this duchy has threatened him and he cowers, this time he looks at him and the eye and wants to rebuke him.
Milla approached and patted his shoulder, "He must be the young lord. That fancy clothes and..."
heavy and fast steps clacking on the ground followed by someone shouting, "YOUNG MISS YOU MUSN'T RUN!!!!"
Colton spun around then his eyes grew wide. Milla and Lane have their mouths open in horror as Yessenia was seen floating in the air, landing in front of him and spread her arms wide.
"Young Miss!" Colton worriedly called her name and hastily threw his blade out and tried to catch Yessenia.
"Do not bully this kid!" she said and heavily kicked Colton on his chin, making him fly to the other side of the garden. He eventually hurt his back.
"this kid is our new toy!"
Lane did not even bother to refute what she said. He already accepted everything here like he was destined to hear this.
"Colton!!" Milla runs over and shakes him over. Dizziness clouded over as he gently tapped Milla on her hands and he obviously fell asleep.
Yessenia puffs and pouts. "Oh my, how lively. You have return."
Wren said and chuckled while fanning herself under the hot weather. She then glanced over the unconscious Colton on the ground, "When did you guys come back?"
"Just now, Young Miss" Asa answered with his head low.
Asa also joined the monster hunting on the mountain alongside Colton and Milla. The reason why Colton is wary of Lane. If you are asking who Vacarella joined in the hunt. The answer is only Laxus.
Though he came home most of the time.
"then, rest first," she said and turned around. Leaving them behind, "welcome back stupids."
the knights stared dumbfounded as Cervi stuck out his tongue before turning around to follow Wren. This of course, made their blood boil as they raised their middle fingers despite Yessenia's presence.
"What are you doing now?" her question seemed to realize what they have done in front of the noble.
A disgraceful act made their sweats cold and violently shook their heads.
"Nothing, Young Miss" Asa answered and cleared his throat. Yessenia seemed to brush it off as she walked away to drag Colton away from the garden.
"I will borrow this guy first. You all get a rest!" she ordered while dragging him on the ground.
"He looked dirtier than ever."
"Right. He also has a weird master"
the two knights agreed as well as Anne who heard it even though there was a distance.
***
A knock on the door disturbed Caesar on reading a book on the couch. He glanced over the clock and it was already quarter to midnight.
"... I suppose I can sleep after this." Before he could return his attention to the book, three light knocks on his door could be heard.
an unusual and grim look at his face as he quietly strode to the door with a blade behind his back. Since there are some rats who can still enter just to kill him.
however, as soon as he opened the door, he had an expression of surprise in his face which turned pleased after a second.
"I see... well then. Come inside." he opened the door wide to let him enter and he glanced around warily before closing the door behind them as both of them sat on the chairs.
The wood crackles with the sound of cocoa pouring on a cup. It has been a few days since he talked to this kid and Caesar is kind of surprised with Lane's visit.
"Here, drink this first" he put down the cocoa in front of Lane with some biscuits on the side.
Lane stared at the table first when Caesar said, "I thought you might visit so I always prepared some. Also this is a habit of mine since my little siblings go to my room." he said as he poured himself some of the cocoa.
"..."
The room again fell silent. Caesar put down his cup and asked, "What's your decision?"
he bluntly asked and Lane's answer was...
"I accept," Caesar smiled. Seeing the resolve in his eyes he pops a question in his head, "What made you accept this??"
after seeing Lane's expression when Wren brought up Execution. He was sure that he will not accept this and just will go with his mother.
"The estate and everything else is mine. Father left it for me. I will get it back."