Chapter 12.1 – The Prodigal Son’s Decision

Traveling with a baby was not easy. Although he managed to hire a doctor, Liam could not find a nanny to accompany them to the capital.

Staying awake all night, Liam resolved to find a nanny to care for the child as soon as they arrived at the train station.

With this in mind, when they finally reached the capital after three days, Liam rented an inn and immediately hired a nanny. It was not easy to find a nanny, but the amount Liam offered made it possible.

Afterward, Liam borrowed a horse and set off. His destination was the Marquis of Conrad’s estate.

He knew well that it would be useless to suddenly visit the Rozier family. When he bore the surname ‘Conrad,’ it might have been possible, but now he was Arthus.

A rural lord on the outskirts. A bumpkin who could wield power only there. His treatment would also be lowered to that level.

The Conrad family might not welcome him warmly, but it would be better than going directly to the Rozier family. After all, he had grown up in this household once.

The Marquis of Conrad’s estate, which he visited after several years, was not much different from his memory. The mansion was grand, and everything was neatly trimmed and perfectly maintained.

Getting off his horse, Liam took a deep breath and approached the gatekeeper at the entrance of the Conrad estate.

“Please inform them inside. Liam de Conrad is here.”

* * *

The news that the expelled prodigal had returned quickly spread throughout the marquis estate. Some servants and maids pressed their ears against the parlor door, trying to eavesdrop on the conversation.

Such behavior was unthinkable in a proud noble family, but given the situation, everyone was too curious to resist. Even though they couldn’t hear the conversation well from inside.

“It’s been a while, Brother.”

“Yes, it’s been a while.”

“The experience of being cast out must have been harsh. For you to greet me so politely.”

Etienne said with a gentle smile. Etienne, the second son of the Conrad family, was as gentlemanly inside as he appeared on the outside.

In truth, everyone in the Marquis of Conrad was like that. Despite their gentle and kind appearance, the only one rotten to the core was Liam himself.

A piece of trash who lived wielding rights as if they were natural, without gratitude for the opportunities and environment given to him. Thus, a b*stard deserved to be expelled from the family.

“Still, the timing is good. Mother is out at a meeting, and Father has gone south for a hunt with His Majesty. Father won’t be back for a while.”

Etienne informed him of the family’s whereabouts and added.

“And as you know, if Mother or Father had seen you, they would have kicked you out immediately…”

“I am grateful for that.”

“It’s strange to hear you say such things.”

Etienne observed Liam curiously. But Liam was sincere. If the person in the mansion had been the Marquis of Conrad or the Marchioness, he wouldn’t have even set foot inside.

“What about Brother Benoit?”

“He went on a summer vacation with his wife. He’ll be back in two months.”

“Brother got married?”

“Last fall.”

It was a fact he didn’t know. Not even invited to his own brother’s wedding.

In fact, he had no right to feel wronged. Liam hadn’t invited a single person from the Conrad family to his wedding either.

“Now, let’s talk about you. Why have you returned?”

“Do you know about Lazunis disease?”

“Lazunis disease? I’ve never heard of it. Wait. Are you sick?”

“No. Not me. My child is sick.”

“Your child? You, you! You’re married? When did you have a child?”

“Last year. The child was born recently.”

“Wow… Even Brother Benoit doesn’t have a child yet, and you already… Well, it’s you, so of course, but that’s not the point. The child has Laz… what disease?”

“Lazunis disease.”

“What kind of disease is that?”

“I don’t know much except that it often appears in premature babies. But they said he might die…”

“What? That’s serious. Ah, so that’s why you came? You want to borrow the family’s power?”

“I know it’s shameless, but please help me, Brother.”

“You’re well aware of your shamelessness.”

A sharp voice cut through. Both Liam and Etienne turned to the source of the sound.

A lady entered through the door, which had opened so quietly that they hadn’t noticed.

The woman, who entered so gracefully that even the sound of her heels was barely audible, was the Marchioness of Conrad.

“…Mother.”

“Mother? When did you arrive?”

“Just now.”

The Marchioness looked at Liam with a cold gaze that didn’t match her tidy face.

“The servants were acting uncharacteristically frivolous, so I wondered what was happening. As expected, an uninvited guest is here, trying to coax my innocent second son.”

“It’s been a while. How have you been?”

“It’s amusing to see you pretending to be human. Since when have you been so polite?”

“…”

“No matter how eloquently you speak, your rotten nature won’t change. Please leave immediately.”

“Mother! You don’t have to say it like that, do you? Liam hasn’t been here in a while.”

“No, the Marchioness is right. It’s true that I came uninvited and tried to make an unreasonable request.”

The Marchioness of Conrad remained expressionless. She looked at Liam with an uninterested face and elegantly fanned herself.

“It’s fortunate you understand. Now, please leave.”

“Madame Conrad.”

Liam stood reverently before the Marchioness.

“Forgive my sudden rudeness. But I need your help. I may have sinned, but my child is innocent.”

“…”

“Please help me. I beg you. If you help me this time, I will never come back. So, please…”

“The child is innocent? How amusing.”

Contrary to her tone, which seemed like she might scoff, the Marchioness was perfectly expressionless.

“Being born with someone like you as a father is a sin. Just as you were born as our child and enjoyed many things.”

Liam paused. He was quite shocked by the unexpected harsh words. But the Marchioness of Conrad continued without stopping.

“I had to apologize, bow my head, and endure humiliation from many people because I had you as a child. Consider that your sins are also shared by your child. I no longer wish to claim to be your mother.”

“…”

“And Etienne, if you were thinking of helping him, don’t. If you want to preserve the surname attached to your name.”

That was her final word. The Marchioness of Conrad left the parlor as if she didn’t want to see him anymore.

The servants and maids who had gathered outside to secretly watch quickly dispersed.

“Well… You heard what Mother said, right?”

Etienne looked at Liam with a troubled face and patted his shoulder.

“I’m sorry, Liam. But let’s at least keep in touch sometimes.”

He then left the parlor, following the Marchioness. He probably intended to explain what had just happened.

Left alone, Liam exited the marquis estate before a servant could come and officially expel him.

But he couldn’t go back like this. Yvonne was waiting, hoping for Claude’s treatment, and if he returned empty-handed, Claude would die.

So he had to take something. Anything…

As he exited the main gate, the gate of the estate’s outer fence closed. Liam exhaled and knelt slightly off the roadside.

The sight made the gatekeepers flinch in confusion. If he had sat in the center of the main gate, blocking the way, they could have expelled him with a valid reason for obstruction. But he sat cleverly where there was no issue with the passage, yet visible from the estate, making it ambiguous on how to handle him.

Eventually, one of the gatekeepers, who had been whispering among themselves, went to inform the butler of the situation. Liam’s actions quickly reached the ears of the Marchioness.

The Marquis of Conrad had been away for a long time, following the King to a foreign land for a hunt. Thus, the highest authority in the family was currently the Marchioness, and all reports were directed to her.

Upon receiving the report, the Marchioness of Conrad checked beyond the window. She saw the well-maintained trees and the central fountain along the straight path from the mansion to the main gate.

Her gaze followed the straight path to the main gate. It was as the butler had said. In front of the gate, a man with dark brown hair was kneeling.

Though the distance was considerable and his head was lowered, making his face unrecognizable, there was no need for confirmation. Even from the silhouette, she could tell it was her third son, whom she had given birth to.

“Madam, what shall we do?”

“Leave him be. He’ll return when he’s tired.”

She knew her son well. He was a child who had lived as a scoundrel for years. Despite attempts to reform him, he remained unchanged, leading to his eventual expulsion.

That twisted nature wouldn’t change. Having grown up without ever going hungry, he would surely tire soon and return.

The Marchioness drew the curtains to cover the window.