How The Sub-Male Lead’s Stepmother Teaches Love Chapter 170

Since it was revealed that Catherine had damaged the tower’s security, he now had to apologize for leading such a large force to the tower.

 

Of course, he had his own reasons for taking Raenel and Noah in that manner, but in the end, both of them had come to the tower of their own will.

 

‘If I wanted to argue, I could…but…’

 

He had heard that the Silver Frost Tower had suffered significant damage from the barbarian attack.

 

As for that part, just as he was about to open his mouth to apologize, Marilyn, who had misinterpreted the clicking of his tongue, quickly began speaking.

 

“Not only His Excellency the Marquis, but also the Marquise and the heir are in this tower, so it is only natural that you have brought such a large force! I would like to tell you in advance that we absolutely do not dare to express our discontent.”

 

“No, that’s not what I—”

 

“However, with the concealment magic broken and our tower’s existence revealed, other magic towers keep trying to contact us, thinking the doors of the Silver Frost Tower are open… If this continues, we need to recast the concealment spell before any wizards decide to come here themselves.”

 

“But my knights being outside the tower are getting in the way of that, is that what you’re saying?”

 

“Well, rather than saying they’re in the way… if they get caught up in it, they could be in danger. Since it’s a large-scale spell with a wide range. We can prepare a comfortable resting space for them, so we were wondering if you could have them disarm and wait inside… That’s the request I came to make.”

 

Judging from the way she was cautiously watching his reaction, the most important part of that request was probably the ‘disarming’ part.

 

Of course, with dozens of knights carrying swords on their waists, it’s only natural that the tower’s wizards would be anxious.

 

Now that the misunderstanding has been resolved, there is no need for the knights to provoke the wizard of the Silver Frost Tower. 

 

Leonhard nodded obediently.

 

“I’ll gladly accept that. I will order the knights and wizards of Ajas to disarm and wait until further instructions.”

 

“Oh my, really? Thank you!”

 

She had clearly not expected Leonhard to agree. She first looked surprised, then deeply moved as she bowed her head.

 

Leonhard, who felt awkward for no reason at that sight, waved his hand lightly.

 

“There’s no need to be thankful. It was my misunderstanding from the beginning.”

 

“No, my master wasn’t entirely without fault, either. No matter the circumstances, if he was going to invite the Marquise and the heir of Ajas, he should have followed the proper procedures…”

 

Marilyn let out a heavy sigh without realizing it.

 

It was fortunate that Raenel had made it clear that she had come to the tower of her own will. Otherwise, Felix would have had no excuse if he were accused of kidnapping the Marquise and the heir of Ajas.

 

‘No, it wouldn’t even be an accusation—it would be the truth.’

 

It was only natural that the Marquise of Ajas was shocked and brought his troops, as her master had brought his wife and heir without even having time to contact the castle.

 

What man in the world would remain rational when both his wife and son disappeared at the same time?

 

“I heard that one of my knights was ultimately responsible for this incident. Though it was unintentional, I will formally apologize for the damage caused by Ajas’s knight to the tower. Once the damages are assessed, send someone to Ajas—I will ensure the compensation is sufficient.”

 

“Oh, there’s no need for further apologies. And as for the damages, the Marquise has already promised compensation. If you agree, we’d like to settle the matter.”

 

Catherine broke the defensive and concealment spells on the Silver Frost Tower, and the owner of the Silver Frost Tower brought the Marquise and Heir of Ajas to the tower without any formalities.

 

Both matters could be blown out of proportion if one wished.

 

The two people, who confirmed each other’s intentions with a brief exchange of glances, came to a clean agreement to put an end to the issue there.

 

“I heard that the owner of the Silver Frost Tower is my son’s biological father. I don’t know what circumstances led to that, but for now, I hope to maintain friendly relations with the Silver Frost Tower for the sake of my son.”

 

“We’re the same….But, um, actually…”

 

Marilyn hesitated, clearly struggling to get the words out. Leonhard gestured for her to speak freely.

 

Marilyn then looked at Leonhard’s expression and barely opened her mouth.

 

“Have you… by any chance heard anything about Young Master Noah’s bloodline?”

 

“Other than the fact that the master of this tower is his biological father?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Marilyn clenched her trembling hands into fists and blurted out, 

 

“Actually, my master is half barbarian!”

 

“I know. The power Noah possesses must be an ability inherited from the barbarians. So?”

 

“Wait… Huh? You already knew? How?”

 

“I heard it from Noah. Since we’re on the subject—who else knows Noah was of barbarian blood? Have you told anyone?”

 

“Oh, um, I didn’t say anything. Our master was the one who mentioned it… For now, the Marquise knows, and everyone who came with her does too. That barbarian knight, Catherine, as well.”

 

‘Ethan, Leona, Sage, and Catherine. They weren’t all talkative. Catherine’s naivety was a slight concern, but she only interacted with a limited number of people.’

 

“Can I count on you to keep this a secret from anyone else? There’s no benefit in getting this information out.”

 

“Of course. Honestly, if Your Excellency weren’t Young Master Noah’s adoptive father, I wouldn’t have mentioned it at all. But…um…”

 

Marilyn stole a glance at Leonhard’s face, which seemed calm on the surface, before cautiously asking,

 

“Are you… really okay with that?”

 

“You mean with Noah having barbarian blood?”

 

Marilyn nodded slowly.

 

“To be honest… I was already preparing to bring Young Master Noah to the tower…”

 

The moment he heard those words, Leonhard’s face distorted just as Marilyn had expected.

 

“Why?”

 

“Because the barbarians are Ajas’s enemies…?”

 

Marilyn lowered her gaze with a gloomy face.

 

“To be honest, I was shocked when I saw Young Master Noah. I never imagined Lady Louise would have a child after leaving the tower the way she did.”

 

Leonhard was momentarily overcome by a strange emotion.

 

It had been a long time since he had heard her name spoken by someone else, as the name Louise had become taboo in Ajas.

 

Moreover, he never thought he would hear her name in such a longing voice.

 

“What was your relationship with my sister?”

 

“Well, it’s hard to say for sure what kind of relationship we had… But I can tell you this for sure. I was the closest person to Lady Louise in this tower. I’m sure even my Master would agree with that.”

 

Marilyn puffed out her chest proudly but quickly deflated with a sigh.

 

“But I never completely closed the distance between us. If Lady Louise had stayed in this tower, maybe I would have… But it’s all because of my master.”

 

Marilyn’s eyes turned red as if the sadness she had been holding back was rising.

 

But perhaps it was because she was more angry than sad. Before she shed tears, Marilyn began to pour out all the words she had been holding in her heart as if it were a good moment.

 

“My master knew better than anyone just how much Lady Louise despised and resented the barbarians.”

 

“Not you?”

 

“Yes. As much as it frustrates me, it was my master. If Lady Louise didn’t return after going out to subdue the barbarians, it was my master’s duty to leave the tower and bring her back.”

 

“…I see.”

 

“To be honest, I was a bit nervous about when Lady Louise would find out the truth. If he wasn’t going to tell her beforehand, he should’ve just kept it a secret forever. I don’t understand why he chose that timing to confess!”

 

“That timing?”

 

“When he found out Lady Louise was pregnant… I suppose, in the end, it really was the last possible moment. At that point, he couldn’t keep quiet anymore.”

 

Even so, Marilyn sometimes wondered.

 

What if her master hadn’t revealed that he was part barbarian at that moment? What if he had kept it hidden until the end?

 

Of course, she knew that hiding it wasn’t the best solution. Perhaps the worst outcome would have been to unfold.

 

But maybe—just maybe—it could have turned out better than what it is now.

 

That lingering “what if” was what tormented her the most.

 

“Since we’re on the topic… could you tell me how Lady Louise is doing now?”

 

She had been watching Leonhard closely from the start, so she didn’t miss the way his face instantly hardened.

 

“Oh, I don’t mean to ask for too much. I just… I just want to know if she’s doing well…”

 

‘If the Silver Frost Tower hadn’t cut off communication with the outside world, I would have been able to figure it out on my own.’

 

“If you adopted the young master, did Lady Louise leave the castle after giving birth to the child? Or…. Or perhaps….”

 

“My sister is dead.”

 

“…..Ah, so that’s what happened.”

 

Judging from the fact that it wasn’t a big shock even though it was unexpected news, it seems that she had already guessed that it would happen.

 

Even so, the rising sadness was unavoidable. She lowered her head and put her hands in her pockets. 

 

Strangely, the hand that was gripping the piece of wood didn’t loosen.

 

“By any chance—”

 

“If you don’t mind—”

 

For a moment, the two voices overlapped in the air. 

 

They locked eyes, and Leonhard gestured for her to speak first.

 

“If you don’t mind, could you tell me the story of Lady Louise? I’m curious about what happened after she left the tower.”

 

“I don’t mind sharing, but I don’t know much.… Actually, I have a request as well. Could you tell me how my sister lived here? Did she stay in this tower the entire time?”

 

“Yes. If we’re being specific, about a year…? She lived here.”

 

“A year…. That means she must have arrived at this tower about seven years ago.”

 

Leonhard lowered his gaze, lost in thought, recalling the time when he had been eighteen.

 

“How did my sister end up here? Could you tell me about your first meeting?”

 

“Of course! But it’s a bit of a long story. Are you sure you’re okay with that?”

 

Leonhard nodded without saying anything.

 

Since things had already turned out like that, he took it as a break.

 

Deciding to fully enjoy that moment, Marilyn even brought along the refreshments before starting her story.

 

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