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Interestingly, Jude’s insistence that he wasn’t a child made him look more like a child for the first time. His pale cheeks were tinged with a hint of embarrassed blush.

After a moment of contemplation, I decided to give in to Jude’s wishes.

“Alright. So, what do you want to do?”

The blush on his face was gone, and Jude returned to his original demeanor. He spoke with a firm voice.

“I can sleep alone.”

“I think it would be better for him to sleep with me,” Jafflin’s voice chimed in simultaneously.

“Hmm….”

“It wouldn’t be proper. A child should be treated like a child, don’t you think?”

Jafflin seemed to emphasize the word “child” deliberately. Jude must have sensed this as he glared at Jafflin with his murky golden eyes.

“No, thank you….”

“I also don’t feel comfortable with that. For now, you need someone to take care of you. We can’t leave you alone overnight. It’s best if you share a room with one of us.”

“…Why did you take me in the first place?”

Jude, who had been quietly listening to us, suddenly asked.

“You nobles, huh? If it’s not to use me as a toy, then why would you bring someone lowly like me?”

“…….”

His tone was defiant, but his face was cold and hardened.

“I never wanted nor needed pity. There are plenty of children like me here.”

Though he seemed to be asking us, his words carried a self-deprecating bitterness. Seeing this deep-rooted tragedy in the boy’s demeanor left me momentarily speechless. Jafflin, too, seemed at a loss for words.

“…We didn’t take you out of pity.”

“My lady.”

As I managed to speak, Jafflin looked at me with a gaze that seemed to say, ‘Are you really going to reveal it here?’

I responded with a telepathic glance of my own, ‘What else can we do?’

“Sigh….”

I composed myself and approached Jude, leaving the bewildered Jafflin behind.

“We brought you because….”

At that moment, an unexpected voice interrupted from the side.

“My Lady, you have arrived.”

It was a maid who had arrived at the inn earlier. She bowed to Jafflin as well. Instinctively, I moved in front of Jude, shielding him from her view.

“Oh? Oh, yes… I’m here….”

I couldn’t hide my distressed expression, thinking about Jude behind me. I hadn’t explained anything to the maids yet. I planned to treat Jude’s injuries and then slowly tell them everything. If they saw Jude now without any explanation, there would be an uproar. Anyone could see that Jude bore a striking resemblance to the Bannister family.

At that moment, Jude stepped out from behind me, moving to the side.

“…Huh?!”

Jude, now standing beside me, looked at my face, probably puzzled by my awkward behavior. Naturally, his side profile was exposed to the maid.

“Oh….”

It was too late. I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the impending reaction.

“……?”

But no sound came. I cautiously opened my eyes.

The maid was staring at Jude with a curious expression.

Could it be that she doesn’t recognize him? His messy hair and shabby clothes might make him less recognizable.

‘That’s possible….’

“Ahhh!”

Nope. That face couldn’t be hidden by any disguise.

“Th-That child….”

The maid’s hand trembled as she covered her mouth, stammering.

Jafflin nodded understandingly. Jude, meanwhile, was staring intently at the maid who had screamed.

“M-My Lady. Who is this?”

The maid instinctively used an honorific for Jude.

“Don’t tell me….”

I nodded at her, confirming her suspicion.

“Yes, it’s exactly what you think.”

Her mouth dropped open in shock. She stared at the boy, unable to hide her disbelief.

It made sense. Because of Roan’s influence, the Bannister family’s servants were very secretive about anything related to illegitimate children. But to find out there was another of Roan’s siblings, not born from the legitimate wife, was bound to be a shock.

I sighed lightly and asked her,

“Could you explain this to the other maids? I’d rather not hear multiple screams.”

“My Lady…. Yes, I understand.”

For some reason, the maid called out to me in a pitiful tone before replying energetically and leaving.

After she left, Jafflin relaxed his tense shoulders and spoke.

“This news will certainly have a significant impact on the servants. It’s only natural.”

“Indeed.”

Jude looked confused.

“…Why are they looking at me like that?”

“Well… explaining it to you might take some time.”

At that moment, I noticed the bruises around Jude’s neck. The sight of this child, who stood tall despite the abuse he had suffered, filled me with both pity and a renewed anger towards the brute responsible.

“Let’s get you treated first. Who do you want to share a room with?”

I asked, hoping for a particular answer. Jude, who seemed to be deep in thought without any change in expression, finally spoke.

“That person.”

What? Jude pointed at Jafflin and then walked decisively towards his room without hesitation.

Momentarily frozen by Jude’s response, I shouted.

“You heartless little brat!”

Jafflin chuckled and tapped my shoulder from behind.

“My lady. It can’t be helped. My first impression is probably more favorable than yours.”

“…Hmph.”

I wanted to respond sincerely, but I couldn’t deny it. Though I was undeniably beautiful, I had the kind of beauty that made people wary rather than friendly. In contrast, Jafflin had a warm, welcoming smile.

I gritted my teeth and smiled.

“…Just bring Jude out. He needs to see a doctor, charming master.”

“Of course.”

Jafflin laughed as he walked towards the room. I decided to wait outside, thinking there was no need for me to enter. But then, Jafflin suddenly stopped.

“My lady.”

Without turning around, Jafflin asked me.

“Are you really okay with this?”

“Excuse me?”

His voice had a hint of concern. He muttered, almost to himself.

“I still can’t believe it, even with the child right in front of me….”

I realized that Jafflin was more affected by this situation than I had initially thought. I replied,

“I know. But it’s already happened. The actions were wrong, but the child is innocent.”

“…True.”

Jafflin hung his head, still not turning around. I couldn’t see his face, but I sensed that his expression wasn’t a pleasant one.

“If you ever need help, don’t hesitate to say so.”

After a few moments, Jafflin spoke again.

“A master isn’t just there to impart knowledge, after all.”

“Two heads are better than one, is that what you mean?”

I attempted to lighten the mood with a joke. It was an Earth proverb, so it might not exist here.

“…I suppose that’s similar.”

Jafflin seemed to grasp the gist of it.

“Yes. I understand. Now please, bring Jude. I saw his injuries, and they don’t look minor.”

Jafflin nodded and continued towards the room. Watching him, I was struck by a new realization.

‘He has a stronger sense of ethics than I thought.’

I knew that illegitimate children were not uncommon in the noble world. I had assumed that Jafflin would merely scoff at such a thing, but his reaction showed otherwise. Perhaps he had a softer heart than I had given him credit for.

TL NOTE: More advanced chapter of this story is already up on the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories