Chapter 4

“Right now… What did you just say?”

“Yes?”

It wasn’t just May. All the maids in the room had no idea what was wrong. It seemed like this life was completely normal to them.

“I said it’s something that should be done by a Siegfried…”

It’s something a Siegfried should do. Siegfrieds, those who had imprisoned Leonel for a lifetime. His father, Raphael, and the people of the family—all of them.

“I’m going to the western forest border right now.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Leonel is still young. How could he take a child like that to such a cruel place?”

Amelia pushed away May’s arms, who was still looking at her in disbelief, and left the room. This was clearly nothing but child abuse. Raphael Lloyd Siegfried, that indifferent and careless human, was incapable of properly taking care of a child.

The fact that she was still alive was evidence that Leonel hadn’t reached the age of six yet. In Korean terms, he hadn’t even entered elementary school yet. Of course, even if he was an elementary student, that didn’t mean it was allowed. Even adults would be scared of those scenes.

‘He couldn’t possibly become a villain.’

This home environment itself was a shortcut to becoming a villain. It was at the level of a villain breeding ground. There would be no human who could grow up well in a place like this.

“Madam!”

“Your Highness! No!”

They called her ‘Madam’ and then ‘Your Highness,’ yet they were completely doing as they pleased. That meant their discipline was non-existent.

“The western forest… the western forest…!”

It was dangerous. She knew that well. A place where demons lurked, a world of brutal survival of the fittest. If a human entered it, they could never come out of the forest unscathed.

And now, that crazy bastard Raphael Lloyd Siegfried had taken his own son, a young boy, into that place.

“Where are you going?”

“Huh…?”

As she mindlessly walked down the stairs, she heard a firm voice calling out to her. When she turned her head, there was a man with black hair and brown eyes standing there. He had an expressionless face that could tell her to go away.

“I’m going to the western forest.”

“Why are you going there?”

Who is this man anyway? Even though she had read books, she didn’t remember all the characteristics of every character. She couldn’t even recognize May, one of the maids, at first glance. Therefore, it meant that she didn’t know who this man in front of her was.

“Why am I going…? Of course, to find Leonel…”

“The western forest is dangerous. It’s not a place for Your Highness to go.”

Even so, this man was properly calling her ‘Your Highness’. At least there was one person in this household who had their head straight.

“And even if you go, His Highness the Grand Duke won’t meet with Your Highness.”

Is he really saying that she’s throwing a tantrum because she wants to see Raphael? It wasn’t her delusion. It was the annoyance hidden behind his indifferent expression. It was as if he found the begging Grand Duchess to be a nuisance. 

“Do you really think I’m forcing myself to see His Highness the Grand Duke?”

“……” 

“You have no answer.”

She didn’t know who the man in front of her was, but at least he had more sense than May and the other maids. Even if it was the right answer, he wouldn’t say it out loud. Is this her position in the grand ducal household? Always wanting to see Raphael at any opportunity?

It made her curious about how the original Amelia had lived.

“That will never happen. Do you think I would go to such a dangerous place just to see His Highness the Grand Duke?”

“……”

Once again, there was no answer.

“I’m worried about Leonel, I’m not going to meet His Highness the Grand Duke.”

“… Yes, I understand.”

His delayed response was oddly distrustful of her words. Amelia lightly tapped her chest in frustration, but the other person’s expression remained the same.

“Still, it’s impossible.”

“What?”

“Going to the western forest without His Highness the Grand Duke is tantamount to suicide.”

Without Raphael, it was no different from committing suicide. This meant that the western forest was even more dangerous than she knew.

“So please wait a little longer. Even if you’re worried about the young master…”

His last words felt like they were added reluctantly. Even she couldn’t just blindly go to the western forest. Besides, she didn’t even know where the western forest was located. She didn’t know the inside of this castle and could get lost inside.

“But…”

“There’s nothing wrong with this situation, and the knights won’t move either.”

“This situation isn’t wrong?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

May’s reaction, as well as that of the entire Siegfried grand ducal household, seemed insane. It was absurd for a child to go to such a dreadful place. Just a moment ago, they themselves said it was no different from committing suicide.

“It will be safe if His Highness the Grand Duke goes with you.”

“……”

“Safer than being in this castle.”

Amelia understood the meaning behind those words. It meant that she would be much safer than being tormented in the castle. It was strange. A mother who had hated her son to death until now suddenly became worried about her child’s safety.

“There’s no need for that.”

Unable to say anything, Amelia only bit her lip, but from behind, a sharp and cold voice could be heard. A voice she once heard, one she could never forget. One of the first people she encountered since coming here.

It was Raphael Lloyd Siegfried, who had left to patrol the border.

“Your Grace…?”

“You’ve arrived.”

Raphael’s appearance, calmly receiving the greetings of his attendants, was dignified. He was the man at the top of the food chain. The ease that exuded from his strength was something no one could imitate.

“Why, why did you come so quickly?”

“Leonel, whom you worry about so much, said he couldn’t handle it anymore.”

“What?”

Amelia’s eyes widened upon hearing his words. Leonel was a child who couldn’t even say that he was struggling, especially to his father, Raphael, whom he feared. For Leonel to say that he was in pain meant that it was truly difficult.

“Leonel, Leonel!”

“Why are you so curious about that?”

Leonel often fell ill. Whenever he sees the child like that, he feels displeased, saying that he was weak and fragile, not like a Siegfried. Knowing Raphael’s nature, Leonel went to great lengths to hide his pain. But he couldn’t do it as well as when he was younger.

“Is it wrong for me, as his mother, to be curious when my child is in pain?”

“…..”

“Your, Your Highness…! My lord.”

Amelia’s eyebrows furrowed at May’s approach as soon as Raphael arrived, considering she didn’t even appear when Amelia was talking to the man. With such obvious behavior, anyone could tell that May had feelings for him.

“May, we need to go see Leonel.”

“What are you trying to do, holding onto a child who isn’t feeling well?”

“It’s better than Your Grace going on patrol with a child.”

Since when did he care about Leonel. Raphael was never a good father. Maybe he’s a good patriarch. Ah, he wasn’t any good either. He didn’t take care of his people in the family.

“Let Leonel know… in advance about my visit.”

Part of her wanted to rush over immediately, but she couldn’t. It would surely surprise Leonel, given his personality. He wouldn’t feel comfortable about her visit.

“Yes, I understand.”

Amelia’s eyebrows rose again at May’s reluctant attitude, seeming as though she didn’t want to leave. Raphael surely knew about this too. Yet there was only one reason why he kept May in that position. May’s loyalty is something that can’t be bought, even with money. He truly lived as a man devoted to the Siegfried family.

“…..”

“Ah, Your Highness. I couldn’t inform you because of the circumstances, but I have increased your dignity maintenance allowance¹품위 유지비 refers to the expenses incurred by individuals, especially high-ranking officials or executives, to uphold a certain level of dignity or reputation. It encompasses costs related to maintaining one’s appearance, such as clothing, accessories, and grooming.”

Amelia also looked at Raphael’s unwavering gaze without wavering, as he continued to watch her without leaving.

“It’s not necessary. I told you that it’s not necessary, Your Grace, but it seems you didn’t hear me.”

“Yes…?”

“Leave it as it is.”

I clearly said that there was no need to increase my dignity maintenance allowance, but she did as she pleased. She acted as someone who was annoyed that I was desperate for money. Judging by the way she talked about the budget, it must have been Edward who had been talking to her all along. Edward was the Grand Duke’s subordinate and practically his butler, managing everything in the grand ducal household.

“Since I won’t be spending any money anyway, do as you please.”

There was no time left to continue arguing with Raphael here. No matter how much they increased, it didn’t matter if she didn’t spend it.

“Please guide me to Leonel.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Amelia gestured to one of the remaining maids. It was obvious why May wanted to personally see Leonel. She would likely try to frighten Leonel with all sorts of nonsensical words.

“Stop the Grand Duchess.”

“What…the hell…”

As soon as he spoke, knights stood firm in front of her, blocking her path. Not only that, but the maids who had been with her until just now also blocked her.

“Why don’t you stop acting now.”