“What? What is that…?”

At some point, it was something that needed to be addressed. But Amelia had been avoiding it because she was afraid of getting the opposite answer from Leonel.

“Mother?”

“I’m asking if you want to become the Grand Duke of Siegfried.”

It was a topic they had been avoiding, unsure of each other’s response. Leonel surely expressed his desire to be with her, but he never mentioned the circumstances. Amelia, too, only thought about leaving Siegfried with Leonel. If they delved deeper, it was clear that they had to go through such a process.

“I…”

Since birth, Leonel has received lessons as the successor. They believed that he would inherit the title of Grand Duke of Siegfried from the moment he was born. And so did the Leonel she knew. He considered it his destiny and longed to become the perfect Grand Duke of Siegfried.

Would Leonel really leave Siegfried with her? Because of her doubts, Amelia has been avoiding having this conversation with Leonel.

“If you can’t answer right now, you can do it later.”

“No, I can answer.”

His grip on Amelia’s finger tightened. It was incomparable to the force that was somewhat weak just a moment ago.

“Leonel?”

The expression on his face was unimaginable for the child, who had been crying just a moment ago. The dullness around the eyes was gone, replaced by a sharp gaze that met Amelia’s eyes, surprising her.

“My answer will affect my relationship with my mother in the future, won’t it?”

“No matter what answer you give, it won’t change.”

As expected, the perceptive child understood everything right away. Even if Leonel wanted to stay with Siegfried, she would accept his decision. And she would support him from the sidelines. Though not completely by his side.

“I’m not forcing you. Whether you want to become the Grand Duke or not, I won’t leave you.”

While others might not have known, Amelia knew Leonel very well. To Leonel, being the Grand Duke of Siegfried was both a pain and a source of pride. He strived to become a perfect Grand Duke more than anyone else. It could be said that all his goals revolved around being the Grand Duke of Siegfried.

Although it was unclear whether it was due to childhood trauma or some other reason, it was clear that being the Grand Duke of Siegfried meant a lot to Leonel.

“I don’t need it.”

“What?”

“I don’t want to be like Grand Duke Siegfried.”

Amelia found it hard to believe the answer that came from Leonel. She thought he might be lying to avoid separating from her, but it didn’t seem like that was the case. His light, chocolate-colored eyes stared at her without wavering, conveying that message.

“Leonel. I just said it, but…”

“I’m serious. It’s become meaningless.”

Did Siegfried become meaningless? Leonel did resent Raphael at the moment of his death, but he had made countless efforts to gain his approval. Of course, it was impossible to ever receive it.

“But… Mother doesn’t like it, right?”

“What are you talking about?”

“That I don’t have silver hair…”

Disliking someone because they don’t have silver hair. Amelia couldn’t understand what he was talking about.

“When you see me, it reminds you of Father.”

She never expected the child to have such deep thoughts. Honestly, she would be completely lying if she said it didn’t occur to her. It was inevitable because Leonel resembled Raphael so much, minus the eye color. He could easily be mistaken for Raphael during his childhood.

“When you look at me, do you think of the past me who tormented you?”

“No! Absolutely not.”

Amelia chuckled at Leonel’s desperate gesture. It meant she trusted him even without him going to such lengths. She knew Leonel liked her very much. No, how could she not know. The child’s pure and genuine affection was remarkable.

So this is what it means when they say love is visible; she realized that now.

“My previous mother was different. So… different from my current Mother…”

She didn’t even know what he was talking about, but his rambling plea was too adorable. It was clear she would’ve disliked him for sure, but Leonel accepted her from the beginning. She couldn’t have done that because of her memories from before.

“I feel the same way.”

“….”

“I don’t look at you and think of the Grand Duke.”

Of course, initially, she couldn’t help but associate Leonel with Raphael. Worried that nobody would believe he wasn’t Raphael’s son, Leonel was a miniature version of Raphael. But as time passed, when she looked at Leonel, Raphael did not come to mind.

Leonel was Leonel.

“Leonel is Leonel.”

He was a child she couldn’t help but love.

“I like my mother. I don’t have to be like Grand Duke Siegfried.”

“Even if that means leaving Siegfried?”

At this moment, he could be saying these because he didn’t want to leave her side. The child was still too young to understand and bear all of this. What does it mean not to become a Grand Duke like Siegfried?

“It’s okay. After all, I… I’m not a proper Siegfried either, right?”

Even though he might be trying to convince her, she felt sorry for Leonel, who must be thinking that he was inadequate. For some reason, Leonel couldn’t fully awaken even after becoming an adult. But it didn’t mean that Leonel was not a perfect Siegfried.

Leonel was a Siegfried. She had read everything, including his true awakening.

“Leonel, you are a Siegfried.”

“I…”

“No matter what others say, the real Siegfried is you alone.”

The closer the lineage to Siegfried, the stronger the power. Currently, the direct descendants of Siegfried are scarce, and those who remained were merely superficially similar. They criticized him for not being Siegfried just because his hair and eyes weren’t golden. Even before his awakening, Leonel was able to calm down demonic beasts.

“I’m not saying this just to comfort you.”

What was he thinking in that little head of his? Amelia gently brushed away his swollen cheek.

“You’ll awaken when you become an adult.”

“…….”

“You’ll become the Siegfried you desire. With golden eyes, and the ability to control instincts.”

Amelia smiled teasingly at Leonel’s astonished reaction.

“But you still don’t want to become the grand duke?”

His decision might change when he hears this. It was something Leonel had longed for so much. Whatever decision he made, she would respect the child’s choice. And no matter what choice it was, Leonel would never be alone.

“No.”

“Leonel?”

“I don’t need to be recognized anymore.”

His decision was not swayed by Amelia’s words of his awakening. In fact, she expected Leonel to waver. But his eyes remained steady and focused.

“…I thought being recognized by Siegfried… was everything.”

Amelia tightly closed her eyes at the child’s carefully worded response. And understandably so. Before the possession, the only thing Amelia had ever said to Leonel was that he was a poor child.

“I don’t need it anymore!”

Amelia didn’t know how to respond to his words. Whether she should consider it fortunate or if she should say he had endured well.

***

In the end, Amelia couldn’t say anything. Embracing the child was all she could do. Meeting Leonel only intensified her headache. Leaving Siegfried with Leonel. It was easy to say, but difficult to do.

Would Raphael really let go of Leonel? Right now, there’s an excuse that he hadn’t awakened yet, but she couldn’t know in the future.

“Ah…”

Again, even if he didn’t awaken, Leonel was Siegfried’s successor. Although everyone disliked the idea of him as a successor.

It was like jumping from one mountain to another¹“산 넘어 산이었다” metaphorically to convey the idea that one difficulty or challenge has been overcome, only to be faced with another.

“Your Highness, are you okay? Should I call a doctor?”

“I’m fine.”

Before, she didn’t care even if she was in pain, but now she even offered to call a doctor. Amelia lay on the bed and shook her hand. No matter how she acted, she knew that every aspect of her life was being observed.

“Everyone, leave.”

She wondered why they hesitated and didn’t leave. Her headache had worsened enough during her conversation with Leonel. In truth, there was a separate reason why she didn’t talk to Leonel.

She didn’t want to hear his resentment. She knew that her current choice would have a big impact on the child.

If Leonel started to hate her later on? Would she be able to bear it?

“Excuse me, Your Highness…”

“What’s wrong with all of you?”

I have no idea why they can’t speak and hesitate like this. Is it about Raphael? The maids have only one reason to hesitate.

Raphael Lloyd Siegfried. Their master.

“His Grace will not return today…”

They kept hesitating and couldn’t say that simple thing just now? They even closed their eyes tightly and waited for the impending punishment.

“Really?”

“Yes, yes… Your Highness?”

Amelia turned her body away from Ann and Jane, who looked at her in surprise. It seemed like in the past, Amelia had been upset whenever Raphael didn’t come back.

But she was rather pleased. What does it matter whether that human returns or not? If he stays out, she will welcome it with open arms.