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IBP 48
“But a holy stigma did appear, didn't it? To dissolve the adoption now is far too heartless!”
Ruth rebelled against Lucrezia's words.
“A scar-mark appeared, Ruth. And it's not as if I'm dissolving the adoption and throwing her out onto the streets. Heartless? If you put it that way, it makes me sound like such a villain, doesn't it?”
Regardless of whether Ruth's face turned beet red, Lucrezia spoke with elegance.
“The fact that the holy stigma only appeared halfway means she is a half-measure.”
“Ah...”
“It means she is a child who has inherited only half of God's will.”
The elders standing on Lucrezia's side looked at one another and nodded.
An old man with yellowed teeth grinned and raised his hand.
He was the head of a certain Viscount's house with ties to Lucrezia.
“If you permit, I would like to adopt the child into my family. Of course, I can provide for her exceptionally well.”
Coco's face turned pale.
Duke Ardos whispered lowly.
“Shut up.”
“...”
Amidst the chilling atmosphere, Lucrezia spoke again, as if attempting to turn the tide.
“Then, it would be good to verify if her supernatural ability is anything impressive. As Ruth said, even if it is a half-measure holy stigma, a stigma is still a stigma, so she must possess a remarkable ability, right?”
At that moment, Coco shot her hand up.
“It's an ability to deeply commune with animals! I can show you!”
“Ha.”
The atmosphere turned frigid at Coco's words. This was because the ability to commune with animals was considered a low-tier ability among supernatural abilities.
“Oh dear. Her ability is severely lacking. And that's not all. If a true blessed child appears while there is already an adopted child, wouldn't that be problematic? The real blessed child might fail to adjust.”
“That is too simple a reason. A real blessed child might appear, but couldn't we just help them adjust?”
One of the elders on Duke Ardos's side muttered with a grumpy expression. To this, an elder on Lucrezia's side countered without backing down.
“Look here, it is not such a simple matter. Having too many adopted children in the direct line is quite troublesome due to inheritance laws and other issues.”
Lucrezia curled one corner of her mouth, seemingly enjoying the overheating situation.
“Everyone, please calm down. I think you are overinterpreting my intentions; I am not suggesting we heartlessly cast the child out to a commoner's family. I'm saying we dissolve the adoption within our family and find another adoptive home, aren't I? Since she will still be connected to our family, it is not a loss for the child either.”
Lucrezia's words were certainly as fluent as flowing water.
While the numerous elders remained silent, unable to reach a consensus, Duke Ardos stood up.
He was aware that if he rashly protected Coco now, Lucrezia might plot her schemes even more meticulously.
Perhaps that was why.
After pulling the child into his embrace, he looked around the room as if issuing a warning.
“This does not seem to be a matter to be decided right this moment. Everyone, watch your tongues, do not act rashly, and wait.”
“I trust you will consider the family's position.”
Lucrezia curled one corner of her mouth as she watched his retreating back.
She was certain that she would never adopt Coco—the child who had driven out her own daughter, Theresia—as her own.
* * *
A private meeting with the Head of the Council.
Duke Ardos looked at his counterpart with an uncomfortable expression.
“I do not feel good about this either. However, Your Grace knows as well.”
The Head of the Council cleared his throat a couple of times before speaking.
“...Regarding the priests Lady Lucrezia brought from the temple this time.”
“Yes.”
“They also refuse to recognize the child as a blessed child.”
“How dare they.”
“...It is because it is a scar-mark, after all. There is another problem. Among the priests Lady Lucrezia brought, are there not several priests with buff-type supernatural abilities?”
The only weakness of the Ardos territory was its lack of resources.
It was a territory that had grown solely through human resources.
'Of course, there was once someone with a vidento-class buff ability, the highest grade.'
An ability user who could amplify another's supernatural ability tenfold.
Unfortunately, that person had completely left the family, so they were effectively gone.
Duke Ardos ground his teeth as he looked over the list of buff-type priests handed to him by the Head of the Council.
“I see. Quite impressive. To be able to amplify an ability by more than twofold...”
“Yes, therefore, the expectations of those with supernatural abilities within the family are not small. They desperately desire the priests' buffs.”
“Ugh...”
“Voices advocating for Lady Lucrezia are already loud. If you acknowledge her contribution, you should at least pretend to listen to her words.”
“...Head of the Council. The child also has contributions. Did she not help Grand Duke Rivera? You people seem to forget that far too easily.”
“Of course, it was a very great feat. However, you must also consider that Lady Lucrezia has devoted herself to the family for over ten years.”
“...”
“Unless there is a justification, opposing her without one will only incite internal strife within the family.”
There was nothing wrong with the Head of the Council's words.
Of course, in the end, all matters within the family should follow the will of the head.
However, without justification, one would simply become a tyrant.
As Duke Ardos's expression distorted, the Head of the Council bowed his head and spoke.
“I ask that you please consider the various circumstances.”
After the Head of the Council left, someone knocked on the door from outside.
“Duke!”
“Ah.”
Had she heard everything spoken inside?
The process of verifying the holy stigma must have been traumatic for the child.
Duke Ardos's expression clouded.
When the secretary opened the door, Coco trotted up to him and gave a little "Hmph" smile.
“But, am I being dissolved from the adoption?”
“That is...”
Facing the child's crystal-clear eyes, he had no idea how to put it.
“But you know, it's okay if Lady Lucrezia opposes it. For me.”
“...”
“I have no intention of becoming Lady Lucrezia's daughter, so it's fine!”
“What?”
At the bright answer, Duke Ardos sighed and looked at Coco.
“It is not such a simple matter, Coco.”
Coco muttered softly with a discouraged expression.
“I just want to be Lady Chloe's younger sister... Why do I have to become Lady Lucrezia's daughter?”
“...Eh?”
Looking at Coco's sparkling expression, Duke Ardos paused for a moment.
* * *
Meanwhile, rumors were steadily spreading within the Ardos household.
The laundry areas of noble houses are hotbeds for rumors.
A loose-lipped maid whispered in a suggestive voice.
“Did you hear the rumor that the child is a fake? I heard the dissolution of the adoption is practically confirmed.”
“Well, they say what appeared on the back of the hand was only a half-measure mark.”
“Gasp...”
“Is our Ardos family just any ordinary family? No matter how many achievements they make, if they aren't a blessed child, adoption would be difficult.”
“But I really thought the child was a true blessed child. I guess not.”
“Still, since there were achievements, the head of the house will probably arrange a good position. Let's just worry about our own futures.”
Just as the conversation was roughly wrapping up, an elegant voice was heard nearby.
“So, such rumors are circulating.”
The maids, who looked up nonchalantly, immediately wore panicked expressions.
Lucrezia Ardos.
She was the mistress of the house!
The maids immediately sprang up and bowed their heads.
“M-Madam. Our sincerest apologies.”
They had dared to speak loosely about the blood relatives of the head of the house.
It was something a servant must never do.
Yet, strangely, Lucrezia was smiling softly.
“It matters not.”
“M-Madam.”
As Lucrezia elegantly left the area, the lady-in-waiting following her warned the maids to keep their mouths shut.
“The Madam is overlooking this only because it happened among incompetent maids.”
“Yes, yes! Lady-in-waiting...”
“However, she said there will be no mercy next time.”
Regardless of whether the maids exchanged glances at the unexpected turn of events, Lucrezia was elegantly surveying the mansion.
The lady-in-waiting hurried to keep up behind her.
“Madam, it seems the rumors have spread quite a bit.”
“As they should.”
All of this was Lucrezia's plan.
Everything was going smoothly. The only problem was that Duke Ardos seemed to have a profound interest in Coco.
'But no matter how great the head of the house is, he cannot do something that everyone opposes.'
At a time like this, to oppose his persuasion, public opinion would be the most effective weapon.
She had taken the position of the mistress of this house in place of the deceased former Duchess.
Though no one knew it, this was thanks to a deal with the Imperial Concubine.
'Did she ask me to be the bridge between the Ardos family and the Imperial family?'
The reason she was chosen among numerous noblewomen was one.
It was because she was exceptional at weaving schemes.
'And yet, a mere five-year-old brat tries to ruin my plans.'
Not only did the child send her daughter, Theresia, to a convent.
It was also irritating that she had gotten rid of the priests she had planted...
“Continue to monitor the situation.”
Then, the lady-in-waiting spoke cautiously.
“But, Madam. What if that child's holy stigma is completed later and she becomes a true blessed child...?”
“It matters not.”
That was not what was important to her.
'What matters is the path forward for me and my daughter, Theresia.'
Her gaze as she looked around the ducal residence turned cold.
* * *
The next morning.
Duke Ardos summoned the direct blood relatives and the elders to the grand assembly hall.
Unlike the others who had to look up at Duke Ardos, Lucrezia sat beside him on the platform.
However...
'I cannot tell what on earth Duke Ardos is thinking.'
After remarrying by the Emperor's command, they had lived under the same roof for over ten years.
It wasn't as if they shared a bed.
However, they had been a couple who respected one another.
'But lately, he's completely...'
Duke Ardos, surveying the hall with eyes that were considerably calmer than yesterday's, spoke.
“Then, let us begin the meeting regarding the blessed child. A scar-mark appeared. However, the Council and the family are opposing it. They say we must find a true blessed child.”
“Yes, the opinion of our Council is as follows. The dissolution of the adoption should proceed as planned, and it is deemed appropriate to send the child for adoption to one of the collateral branches of the family.”
Duke Ardos turned his gaze with an expression that made it impossible to tell what he was thinking.
“Is that so.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Lucrezia spoke, as if to lend strength to the Council's opinion.
“Since the atmosphere within the family is that adoption is difficult, it is quite regrettable.”
Duke Ardos stiffened his face as if contemplating something.
The gazes of the Head of the Council and Lucrezia met in the middle.
“It is truly a pity for the child.”
“Yes, I shall take all your opinions into account.”
Numerous people were waiting only for Duke Ardos's decision.
Not only Lucrezia and the Council, but also Chloe, Ruth, and even Coco, who were present as direct members of the family.
Duke Ardos declared in a low tone.
“I dissolve the adoption of the child who was adopted as a blessed child.”
Chloe and Ruth instinctively sprang up.
Coco's eyes also shook violently.
Her shoulders slumped.
She looked like a defeated puppy with its tail drooping.
But right then.
Duke Ardos stood up.
Everyone focused on his action, the reason for which was unknown.
Then, he approached the disheartened Coco and lifted her close to his chest.
He stared intently at her small, shivering face, filled with sorrow...
And declared lowly.
“And.”
...And?
At the reversal of the situation, people looked back at Duke Ardos.
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