“This… this… this…”
Watching his parents, fingers intertwined, gazing deeply into each other’s eyes as if no one else existed, Mu’en suddenly felt like he’d been metaphorically run over by a dog.
This development doesn’t make sense.
Me, Mu’en Campbell, shouldn’t I be your beloved son?
Where’s your doting?
Where’s your over-the-top care?
And now you’re just ditching me like this? Is that reasonable?
IS THAT REASONABLE?
And why the heck did a little brother and sister suddenly pop up out of nowhere?
So, the reason Mu’en Campbell ended up so miserable in the original book was because you guys got new kids and just forgot about him, right?
“Um… Father, Mother, what am I supposed to do now that you’re both leaving?”
Mu’en felt like he still had to try to salvage this. At the very least, he should go with them and not stay in this dangerous hellhole called Bairland.
“Maybe I should also—”
“Huh? What are you supposed to do?”
Noyas looked at him with a puzzled expression.
“Little Mu’en, aren’t you about to start school? Saint Maria Academy provides food and lodging, and it’s safe and reliable. What’s there to worry about? If you’re worried about pocket money, don’t be. We’ve already entrusted An with managing it. You can get it from her whenever you need.”
“No, that’s not what I meant…”
Saint Maria Academy is where the protagonist’s group and Celicia are. How could that possibly be safe and reliable for him, Mu’en?
“What I mean is… what if I encounter another assassination attempt?”
Mu’en’s mind raced as he searched for an excuse.
“Exactly! Last time I was just lucky. What if I run into another assassination attempt next time? I’ll be done for!”
“Assassination? Why would you encounter an assassination?”
Long En frowned, looking utterly confused.
“What good would assassinating you do?”
“Of course it would! I’m the—”
I’m the duke’s son.
Mu’en was about to say that, but he suddenly froze.
Right.
He ‘is’ the duke’s son, but who would bother assassinating him?
Would assassinating him deal a blow to the Campbell family?
No.
Because currently, the Duke of Campbell is his father, Long En Campbell.
This “Lion King” is in his prime.
And most importantly…
Mu’en’s gaze flicked to Noyas’s belly.
—The second heir to the Campbell family is already on the way. Who would be so stupid as to risk the wrath of the duke’s family just to assassinate a good-for-nothing playboy like him?
Are they that bored?!
“I know the incident with Celicia left some psychological scars on you, but rest assured, no one is that bored to come after you.”
Long En patted Mu’en’s shoulder, his expression saying, ‘You’re so useless, just stay down,’ as he comforted him:
“And if someone really does try to assassinate you, they wouldn’t send anyone too strong. I’ve reinforced the duke’s mansion’s barrier, so there’s absolutely no problem.”
“…”
Mu’en was on the verge of tears.
Is this supposed to be comforting? You’re just stabbing your son in the heart!
“But…”
“No buts.”
Long En sighed. “I know you’re reluctant to see us go, but we feel the same way.”
“But in this world, it’s rare to have things go perfectly.”
“Your father has to go to the frontlines to take command of the army. The fact that His Majesty allowed Noyas to return to the countryside to rest during her pregnancy is already an exceptional favor.”
“As for you, Mu’en, you’ll have to stay in Bairland.”
“Originally, I was really worried about you too, but your recent behavior has truly surprised me.”
Long En lightly tapped Mu’en’s chest and said comfortingly, his expression filled with relief and warmth.
“You’ve grown up, Mu’en Campbell. You’re starting to become a real man.”
“Father…”
Mu’en was moved to the point of tears by his father’s words.
But then he immediately realized—
Wait, what?
Isn’t this just leaving me in Bairland as a hostage while you go off to wield power on the frontlines?
If one day you decide, ‘I have countless capable generals and a hundred thousand elite soldiers, and that foolish emperor is incompetent with corrupt officials in power, why don’t we rebel?’
Wouldn’t I just be instantly executed by the emperor?
That kind of ending—NO THANK YOU!
But Long En didn’t give Mu’en any more time to react. He simply scooped Noyas up in his arms and strode toward the carriage.
“Well, little Mu’en, we’re off now. Be good at school, okay?” Noyas leaned out of the carriage window, waving at Mu’en.
“Wait…”
“Oh, right.”
Long En looked at An.
“An, Mu’en and the duke’s mansion are both in your hands for now.”
“Don’t worry, my lord.”
An bowed respectfully.
“I will ‘definitely’ make sure to take good care of the young master. No one will harm him.”
“Haha, you’re as reliable as ever.”
With that, Long En suddenly winked at Mu’en, his lips moving as his voice directly echoed in Mu’en’s ear.
“Mu’en, if you can’t find any other noble ladies for the time being, An is also an option. I’m not like those stuffy old nobles. As long as she can give the Campbell family a son, I don’t care about her status.
Besides, with your mother and I gone, you’ll have plenty of alone time with An. The opportunities will be endless! An definitely won’t resist you!”
“Father, what are you saying?!”
Mu’en blushed in embarrassment.
“Haha, I’ll stop now. We’re off!”
Long En laughed heartily and flicked the reins.
The gryphon let out an ear-splitting screech, its massive wings spreading wide as it pulled the carriage into the sky.
“Goodbye, little Mu’en.”
Noyas was still waving energetically.
“Goodbye, Mother.”
“Goodbye, Father. Be careful on the road.”
Mu’en could only respond with a tearful expression as he watched his biggest source of security gradually disappear from view.
…
“Ah, fate, fate, why must you torment me so? Is the price of that ten-pull with five yellow cards really this high?”
Looking at the now-empty gates of the mansion, Mu’en suddenly felt his heart was just as empty.
With his father gone, the perfect plan he’d just come up with was completely ruined.
He would still have to face all the hidden dangers of this world like a newborn baby, completely exposed.
“Does this world really despise me, the blond-haired villain?” Mu’en laughed self-deprecatingly.
“Young Master Mu’en, what’s wrong?”
Noticing Mu’en’s unusual behavior, An asked worriedly:
“Are you too sad?”
“I’m fine.”
Mu’en shook his head and walked toward the interior of the mansion.
“So, what are your plans now, young master?”
An followed him:
“Will you have breakfast first, or would you like to visit the garden? The new variety of tulips Madam introduced seems to have bloomed.”
“No, neither.”
Mu’en said:
“I’m going to the library.”
“Huh?”
An was stunned.
She looked at Mu’en’s back, disbelief written all over her face.
The young master, who never liked reading, was going to the library ‘voluntarily’?
“What about breakfast…”
“Bring it to the library.”
