How The Sub-Male Lead’s Stepmother Teaches Love Chapter 181

‘Oh, I heard that such a story has already spread not only in the castle but also within the castle city.’

 

Since it wasn’t something to hide, I simply nodded.

 

“That’s right. That’s why I accepted Felix’s invitation so easily. I figured there was no way he’d harm his own son or the person who took care of him.”

 

“Oh my god, there are so many bad people in the world. Next time, please don’t trust someone so easily just for that reason. Got it?”

 

“Uh… I know, but it’s not like I’m completely naive about the ways of the world.…”

 

However, Layla’s bright, smiling face looked a little scary, so I quickly nodded in agreement.

 

“By the way, the fact that the master of the Silver Frost Tower is truly the young master’s biological father—now that’s good news.”

 

“Good news?”

 

“Yes. As I mentioned before, some vassals and servants refused to acknowledge the young master because of bloodline issues. But if the master of the Silver Frost Tower is actually his biological father, those who dismissed him, assuming he had barbarian blood, will be in for a shock.”

 

“Ah, but wait—”

 

“That means one less thing to worry about. We should spread this wonderful news across the entire northern territory first, and then make the official announcement on the wedding day.”

 

“Hold on, there’s something important—”

 

“Just trust me, Lady of the Northern Territory. From now on, no one will be able to look down on the young master!”

 

After saying that, Layla ran out of the living room before I could stop her.

 

“Wait, stop!”

 

By the time I tried to catch her, she was already gone.

 

‘What on earth should I do?’

 

Left alone, I could only sigh helplessly as worries surged in.

 

* * *

 

“So, it was Lady Cloud’s doing.”

 

“That? Her doing?”

 

Leonhard nodded absentmindedly to my question.

 

“I have received reports that rumors regarding Noah’s biological father have been rapidly spreading within the castle city today, and It seemed too deliberate to be a coincidence.”

 

“Really….?”

 

If it was suspicious enough to be noticed within just half a day, that meant Layla had acted rather hastily.

 

I couldn’t be sure, but I thought I could guess why.

 

“She said it would be best to officially announce Noah’s lineage at our wedding… I guess she’s laying the groundwork in advance.”

 

“Well, the wedding is only two weeks away.”

 

I felt a little strange when Leonhard nodded.

 

‘Two weeks, huh…..’

 

“Why do you look like that?”

 

“Mm… It doesn’t feel real yet. Two weeks feels like both a long time and no time at all….”

 

“At this point, postponing or canceling it is out of the question.”

 

“Tch, who said I wanted to?”

 

I gave him a playful glare, and Leonhard chuckled before pressing a kiss to my cheek.

 

‘Ever since his confession about falling for me at first sight, our physical affection had noticeably increased. Not that we hadn’t been affectionate before, but…’

 

‘We’ve kissed a lot.’

 

Remembering how persistent he was every time made my cheeks grow hot.

 

To hide it, I sat on Leonhard’s lap and leaned my face against his chest.

 

“By the way, if we want to stop Layla, we should do it now…..”

 

“Do you want to stop her?”

 

Leonhard played with my fingers as he asked. I teased him back, playfully intertwining my fingers with his.

 

“To be honest, I’m fifty-fifty.”

 

I hadn’t stopped Layla because I truly wanted to eliminate the resentment toward Noah.

 

But at the same time, I couldn’t fully support her because…

 

“Half or quarter, it’s true that Noah inherited the blood of a barbarian, right? If we keep quiet now and the truth comes out later, the backlash might be worse. That worries me.”

 

“That is possible. No secret stays hidden forever.”

 

Through his chest, I could hear his heart beating.

 

Despite its fast rhythm, the sound felt oddly comforting, making me sleepy.

 

‘Well, it is late….’

 

I reached for the wine glass on the table, but instead, Leonhard fed me a biscuit.

 

“Actually, I think this is a reasonable approach. Given the prejudice against barbarians in Ajas, it’s better to erase any doubts about Noah now.”

 

“But what if the truth is exposed later?”

 

“Then we just won’t lie. Isn’t the rumor going around right now that Noah’s biological father is the owner of the Silver Frost Tower?”

 

“Oh….”

 

I understood what he meant.

 

“There is not a single rumor that says that Noah did not have barbarian blood.”

 

“Exactly. And since the original rumors were only whispered among vassals and servants, even if the truth comes out later… Well, who would dare confirm it?”

 

True, ordinary people would just laugh and gossip about it for one night before moving on.

 

There are more than a few rumors floating around the streets.

 

“But the vassals could ask you about it directly. They’re loyal to Ajas.”

 

“Them? No, they can’t.”

 

“Why?”

 

Leonhard simply smiled at my question.

 

Then, as if to distract me, he popped a piece of cheese into my mouth.

 

Somehow, it felt like he was avoiding the question…

 

‘Did he do something he can’t tell me about?’

 

It’s not ‘They won’t be able to do it’ but ‘They can’t do it’.

 

‘How can he be so sure?’

 

“More importantly, Ma’am….”

 

“Ahh! Oh my gosh!”

 

Just as I felt a hand touch the back of my knees, my body was suddenly lifted.

 

I reflexively hung on Leonhard’s neck and protested by hitting his shoulder.

 

“I told you to stop picking me up without warning!”

 

“Did you? I don’t remember.”

 

“Wow, look at you playing dumb.”

 

Even as I glared at him in annoyance, Leonhard simply smiled, clearly amused.

 

Surely he wasn’t drunk from a glass of wine.

 

“Oh! I barely sipped my wine!”

 

“You should go to sleep now, ma’am.”

 

“But that’s exactly why I should drink it. Wine before bed is the sweetest thing.”

 

“You sound like quite the drunkard.”

 

“You said smelling like alcohol isn’t a big deal in Ajas.”

 

“I can still smell the wine on you.”

 

“Really? But I only had one sip…..”

 

Before I could finish my sentence, Leonhard’s lips briefly brushed against mine.

 

He playfully bit my lower lip and stepped back, then smiled beautifully and spoke to me.

 

“Don’t I smell like wine too?”

 

“…….You drank the whole glass.”

 

To be honest, I don’t know if there was a scent of wine or not. The kiss was too short for me to tell.

 

While I was thinking about whether to check again if it was really me, my body was lying down on the bed.

 

He leaned over me slightly and cupped my cheek with his hand.

 

“Nell.”

 

“What….?”

 

“When are you moving up to the fifth-floor bedroom?”

 

Yes, that’s right. The place we are now is my bedroom.

 

However, considering Leonhard had been staying here for several days since returning to the castle, calling it “My bedroom” felt a bit inaccurate.

 

“Um….. maybe when we get married?”

 

“Aren’t we already married?”

 

“I mean the wedding in two weeks. Since we’ve delayed it this long, wouldn’t it be meaningful to spend our first night there?”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

His eyes held genuine curiosity, mixed with a hint of disappointment. Instead of feeling bad, I found myself smiling at his reaction.

 

“Why? Do you really want to sleep on the fifth floor?”

 

“Then you don’t like it?”

 

“It’s not about liking or hating it—I just don’t see the difference between the fourth and fifth floors. My legs just hurt because of the stairs.”

 

I did understand why the fifth-floor bedroom existed.

 

I don’t know when it started, but in this castle, the spaces of the Count and Countess were strictly separated into the East and West palaces.

 

After that, the couple created a separate place to sleep together so as not to invade each other’s private space.

 

‘They say the previous Duke and Duchess were especially firm about it.’

 

Apparently, it was highly unusual for Leonhard to stay in my room every night instead of his own. Technically, if I kicked him out, he would have no choice but to leave.

 

I never paid much attention to those traditions, though. To me, it only made sense for a married couple to share a bedroom.

 

“You’re right. Between us, there’s no real distinction between the fourth and fifth floors.”

 

Leonhard emphasized “between us,” and I eagerly nodded, determined to avoid the extra stairs.

 

“Or you could just let me use your bedroom.”

 

“My bedroom?”

 

“Honestly, it’s not fair. You come to my bedroom every day to sleep, and I don’t even get to see what your bedroom looks like.”

 

Leonhard chuckled at my grumbling.

 

“Then shall we sleep in my bedroom tomorrow?”

 

“Hmm, I’ll lie down on your bed first and then decide.”

 

I grinned as I playfully threatened to return to my room if his bed was uncomfortable.

 

Leonhard simply nodded without protest.

 

“As long as I’m beside you, I don’t mind where we sleep.”

 

“By the way, doesn’t it hurt? Making a pillow with your arm for me.”

 

To my unnecessary concern, Leonhard burst into laughter.

 

“Did you forget? The sword I wield is much heavier than you. I could hold your head up for days without issue.”

 

“Now that you mention it, I want to try it.”

 

‘Would he really last for days? Or would he end up whining about how numb his arm was?’

 

As I was giggling at the thought, Leonhard laughed along, not knowing what was going on in my head.

 

“Shall we try it?”

 

“I’m confident because I like to roll around. But you’d probably get restless.”

 

“I’d never be restless as long as my wife allows me to share the bed with her.”

 

* * *