Can We Become a Family?

3. Trap

Thanks to the mana stone mine, all of Duke Agnes’ riches were gold.

The golden chandelier on the ceiling was decorated with top-class crystals, spreading the light more beautifully. The red carpet was woven from expensive wool. Only the most fashionable combination of furniture made from rosewood by the best artisans everywhere, ceramics featuring paintings with delicate technology, and masterpieces created by family painters and sculptors.

Nikan Agnes, who owned a mansion comparable to the Imperial family’s, had nothing to fear in the world. There was no difficulty for him. There were only things in the world that were easy or could not be done. What he couldn’t do was become the Emperor himself. The easy task was the making of the next great Emperor.

Eventually, he could take over the Empire.

“Let go! Let go, you bugs!”

But for the first time, he thought that everything was a mess.

Nikan looked down at his son kicking knights with his cold and evil green eyes. Wood resembled Nikan’s childhood.

His superior build, his natural talent for magic, and his strong impression.

It was like his son. However, that idiot screaming on the floor was not what he wanted.

“Bring that low-life b*tch! I’ll kill her!”

It was unbecoming of a noble to be so angry at a powerless commoner. The stress of yesterday’s disturbance did not go away.

But today too…

“Ha…”

Just when Nikan sighed,

“Brother!”

‘Vivian?’

When he heard his daughter’s sharp yell, he looked back to see Vivian with a painful face. Nikan was briefly taken aback by the unexpected situation.

Vivian pouted her lips and snapped at Wood.

“I heard you and Sister Navia played in water? Why didn’t you call Vivi?”

“Lady…!

The maids who followed to stop Vivian looked at Wood and Nikan’s face with worry. It was because of the tense atmosphere that was definitely not the aftermath of playing.

Nikan spoke gently because he couldn’t scold his young and sick daughter.

“Vivi, your Brother and Navia never played in the water, so stop…”

However, it was faster for Wood to burst than for Nikan to finish his sentence. Wood was so angry he shouted threats with a violent expression.

“Do you want to die? Get lost!”

Wood was already feeling tremendous shame and humiliation over what was happening. In that situation, Vivian was pouring oil and fanning the flames without realizing it.

“Wood!”

Nikan hurriedly shut Wood up, but Vivian had already been shouted at. Vivian hardened in shock from the thunderous roar.

Then she slowly began to realize what Wood said. What did Brother say?

No way, right now, to Vivian… did he threaten to kill her?

Vivian has a time-limit, so she received all the affection and attention from everyone in the duchy and was only protected.

The warm and sweet constant was ruined in one moment.

Vivian’s face turned white.

“How, how could you say that to Vivian…?”

Her big eyes filled with tears in an instant. Vivian eventually burst into tears.

“Heuk, heu…uaaang! You’re so mean!”

Nikan covered his face with his arms and hugged the sobbing Vivian.

His expression was distorted like the devils.

“You’ve gone too far!”

Wood stood up to Nikan’s roar.

“The low-life is mocking me!”

“What did Vivian do? Your little sister is only six years old!”

Wood was heartbroken by Nikan, who kept scolding him, unable to reach him.

“Father, why are you only blaming me? The low-life tried to kill me earlier, so why didn’t you cut off her neck!”

Nikan felt a dizzying anger because of Wood, who kept blabbing nonsense.

Even if they say your child doesn’t follow your wants, is there ever this much trouble?

He eventually released a spell with mixed mana.

“You’re bringing my prestige to the bottom today.”

Wood wanted to refute but was overwhelmed by Nikan’s determination and exhalation.

“Fine. If you keep going on like this, your whole allowance will be cut.”

“Father!”

“The hunting trip will be cancelled, and you won’t be able to go to any social parties.”

Wood sensed that his father would not withdraw.

‘Why would I, Agnes’ successor, suffer this humiliation?’

Wood, whose world was as easy as it is, was helplessly frustrated in front of the huge wall that suddenly appeared. Wood slowly lowered his eyes.

“…I’m sorry. I was wrong.”

Nikan had finally gained the momentum. His mental fatigue gathered.

He spoke in a low and subdued voice.

“Go back to your room.”

Wood had to obey his father’s orders.

Nikan looked around and asked sharply, “Where’s Philippa?”

“Ah, that…”

The maids were speechless for a moment. Philippa would be slacking off somewhere right now.

Nikan kicked his tongue as if he knew and then passed Vivian, who was still crying, over.

“Just take Vivian away.”

“…yes.”

Nikan walked out of the East wing of the first floor with a cold expression. They pretended not to, but curious eyes could be felt everywhere.

He clenched his fist from his rising anger and managed to regain his composure.

“Anyone who adds useless gossip to today’s childish quarrel will be punished!”

When the Duke spoke fiercely, the servants immediately lowered their knees to the floor.

“Yes, Master.”

Nikan went back to his office.

Only then did he recall leaving Edward without saying anything.

The butler, Lyndon, spoke.

“Sir Spencer left first, saying that he hasn’t seen or heard anything about today.”

“…yes.”

Nikan leaned back on the sofa, responding roughly as if he didn’t want to think anymore. It was when there was a deep silence suffocating the office.

Knock knock.

Someone knocked on the office door.

“Master, Lady Navia sent some snacks.”

Nikan frowned slightly.

Lyndon, the butler, kicked his tongue.

‘The Master isn’t even a child, what kind of snacks.”

“Go back, the Master has to rest.”

Nikan shook his hand.

“Let her in.”

Lyndon quickly lowered his head and followed Nikan’s orders. When the door opened, Charlotte came in cautiously with a tray.

“Navia sent it?”

“Yes, Master.”

Nikan looked curiously.

“Bring it.”

Charlotte laid the tray on the table with great politeness. Lyndon approached and checked the tray.

The snacks were simple. Cold herb tea and Pumpkin porridge.

Lyndon snorted inwardly after checking the contents. It’s not a high-quality dessert made by a well-known chef. What is this commoner-like food?

Lyndon spoke in a hurry, worried that his already depressed master might be angry.

“Lady Navia is still young, so she seems to lack insight. I will bring something else…”

“No.”

Nikan picked up the spoon and tried the pumpkin porridge. The soft texture spread around his mouth. Nikan, who had never eaten the yellow porridge before, kept eating with a tilted head. Strangely, it fit his tastes perfectly.

Whenever he ate the fancy snacks that the chefs prepared, he had always thought that snacks were childish.

He rinsed his mouth with the cold tea after eating all the porridge. He felt much better.

“Did Navia tell you directly to prepare this?”

Charlotte answered with her hands together and her head down.

“Yes. She said Master may be hungry, so she asked for simple dishes to be prepared.”

Lyndon had a prickly expression from Charlotte’s words.

Wood was trapped in a pillar of water. It was so frantic that the time for a quick dish before dinner had passed.

“Haha…”

Nikan put down the teacup and let out a shallow laugh. It was ridiculous that Navia, who was not even his own child, acted as the most ideal child.

“Navia is mature for her age.”

Even though he was of a superior descent, Navia seemed to have more affection than his rotten children.

It was the wish of all parents for their children to be smart and nice. It was also a parent’s desire for their kids to be lovely.

Nikan also felt more comfortable because he felt that his decision to choose Navia was not wrong.

“Thinking about it, Navia will need new winter clothes and accessories.”

When Lyndon realized that Nikan was feeling better, he replied with a hasty smile.

“It seems so. I am ashamed that Master is so careful in taking care of the house that there is no place for this young man to step up.”

“Haha, you really are good with your words.”

Nikan seemed to be lost in thought for a moment until he opened his mouth.

“Tell Ansier Boutique to send items that Navia can use.”

Not only Lyndon, but Charlotte also looked surprised.

Ansier Boutique was a very expensive premium boutique that only dealt with high nobles.

Originally, the clothes Navia wore were from general clothing stores, which couldn’t even be called boutiques and didn’t have a sign.

Lyndon expressed concern, which was quite unconventional.

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“Master, however, there is…”

“Are you trying to reverse my decision right now?”

“…no. I will take care of it.”

Charlotte greeted him with couresty.

“The Lady will be very happy.”