LUCIA

Chapter 30 Damian

In order for him to take over in the future, the Duke intended for him to know about everything. No matter how long he was away from the house and no matter whether he was in a boarding school that was cut off from the outside, Damian was informed about everything. It was all so that the Duke would never hear the words, 'I didn't know'.

Damian had memorized the letter that was sent, word for word.

"These are just my thoughts but since you both have a mother-son relationship now, I think you should get to know each other as a family." (Ashin)

'Mother-son relationship, you say?'

Damian inwardly questioned. His father was not such a delicate person. The idea that the Duke would want them to have a strong mother-son relationship did not make any sense. Maybe he and the Duchess would bite and tear at each other and the Duke wouldn't even be interested till one of them dies.

"He didn't say anything else?" (Damian)

"Ah...he...wanted you to...not be rude to your mother. Said you should show proper respect..."

'Well, that's that.'

Ashin had simplified it but he had delivered the warning. He just had to stay there quietly without being nervous. Even though the young lord was the successor, he was still illegitimate. Which meant that he shouldn't get on the Duchess' nerves for no reason.

Even if the Duke didn't warn him, Damian had no intention of confronting his stepmother. Before he was officially legal, his identity was one that couldn't be shown anywhere and the consent of the Duchess was absolutely necessary to elevate his status.

"Is she pretty?" (Damian)

"Huh? Ah...I've only seen her a few times..."

'You only needs to see someone once to know if they are pretty or not.'

Due to Ashin's hesitant response, Damian came to a conclusion.

'She must not be that pretty.'

Damian's interest in his stepmother was only to that extent, after which he folded that thought.

Looking at things from his stepmother's point of view, Damian didn't expect to be welcomed. He expected that while he was in Roam, they would only meet a few times.

He planned to live quietly as if he were dead. If she didn't want to see his face, he would lock himself up in the room and if she harassed him, he planned on just enduring it if it was tolerable.

Damian wasn't very surprised when he heard that the Duke was getting married. He suspected that the Duke had only done so because it was about time for him to get married.

Damian was beginning to understand the cold temperament of his father which was only moved by necessity. Even if the Duchess were to give birth to a child, Damian's status as the successor would not be shaken. His father was never a good father but he was someone that you could have firm belief in.

Damian's thoughts then switched towards the Academy. The sudden summon at the beginning of the semester had messed up his schedule.

He was initially worried about leaving and falling behind since he didn't know when he would be returning. At worst, he would have had to give up on the entire semester.

'At most, I'll be there for a week.'

It would take about three weeks if the journey back and forth was included.

If he didn't want to fall behind when he returned, he couldn't let any of his time be spent in vain.

Damian had already filled the trunk of the carriage to the brim with books.