How The Sub-Male Lead’s Stepmother Teaches Love – Chapter 188

Author: Chewyy

“Of course, I remember. How could I not…?”

She had never met him in person, but she was aware that she had caused him a fair amount of trouble.

To him who had shown such politeness in his letters, hadn’t she been rude to him until the end by running away without saying a word?

“He wants to see you, lady.”

“Ah……”

She almost foolishly asked if he was here.

It would be natural for Count Howard to be here, since he was the one who saved her.

“He said he wouldn’t force a meeting if you’re uncomfortable.”

Leonhard was considerate enough to offer her that choice.

No, in truth, it was Count Howard himself who was being thoughtful.

She wanted to say she didn’t want to meet him, but…

After causing him so much trouble and being saved by him, how could she refuse now?

Unless she was a beast, she should have apologized and thanked him.

“I’m fine. Please let me meet him.”

As soon as she gave her consent, Count Howard came to visit her.

* * *

“This is the first time we’ve met in person. I’m Oliver Howard. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you so much for your help. I’m Sophia Vincent.”

Sophia also stood up from her seat as Oliver bowed slightly in greeting.

But before she could kneel, he gestured for her to stay seated.

“Are you feeling unwell? Please sit comfortably.”

She guesses she feels uncomfortable with his kindness because she has done many things wrong.

Despite his gesture, Sophia felt like she was sitting on a bed of thorns.

Then Oliver handed her a small bouquet.

“If I’d had more time, I would’ve prepared something better, but I had to rely on my sister’s help. These flowers are gentle and not burdensome for patients—please accept them.”

“Thank you….”

The flowers, wrapped in pure white paper and wrapped with a ribbon, were a yellow color similar to her eyes.

Although he said he didn’t have time to prepare, Sophia really appreciates his sincerity in taking the time to do so.

Placing the bouquet on her lap, Sophia thanked him once again.

“You must have been very surprised when a woman suddenly popped out at you as you were passing by. You could have just passed by, but thank you for helping me without hesitation. If it weren’t for the Count’s help, I would have definitely died.”

“As a gentleman, how could I ignore a lady in danger? I was just doing what I had to do, so don’t worry too much about it.”

Just then there was a knock on the door and a maid came inside dragging a trolley.

The tea poured into the cups was a medicinal herbal tea. The bitter scent slowly filled the quiet room like fog.

“Please, drink.”

Sophia took the teacup in her hand as Oliver had suggested, and felt the warmth of the tea warming her insides, releasing her tension.

There was no need for him to drink it too, so Sophia felt her heart flutter as she watched Oliver drinking the same herbal tea out of consideration for her.

‘He’s… so kind.’

She must have caused him a lot of trouble by running away.

Her father had acted as if they were already connected through marriage with Ajas, so he wouldn’t have given up on this man so easily just because she ran away from home.

Sophia’s heart grew heavy, wondering just how much Oliver had suffered under her father’s persistence.

Then—

“I have some rather shocking news to share with you, lady. May I?”

“What…?

“It’s about Baron Vincent.”

What Sophia thought at those words was that her father had caused trouble again.

Her father, who would jump out of bed at the smell of money, could’ve done anything.

A flood of possible disasters crossed her mind.

Just imagining it left Sophia unable to raise her head in despair.

This was especially true because the man in front of her was no longer just a former blind date, but was now her savior.

“I don’t know what my father did, but let me apologize on his behalf. I’m sorry.”

“Huh? No, there’s no need for that. That’s not what I’m trying to say….”

Oliver hesitated for a moment, then said it directly, thinking it might be good news for Sophia.

“Baron Vincent is dead, and the Vincent family is now going through bankruptcy proceedings.”

“What…?”

‘Who died?’

“It seems you haven’t heard the news. It’s already been a month since Baron Vincent’s death.”

“A month….”

Sophia mumbled in shock, unable to believe what she was hearing.

Dead? That repulsive, disgusting man she couldn’t stand?

The man who would’ve clung to life simply because he was too broke to die?

“How…? How did it happen? He didn’t have any illness.”

Oliver looked into her face for a moment and gave a short answer.

“He was murdered. By a creditor.”

“Ah…..”

Her expression showed a mix of emotions—perhaps even a hint of relief.

But the confusion was stronger, and her face contorted as if she might cry.

Whether it was sadness, she didn’t know. But an overwhelming sense of helplessness filled her whole body.

Oliver quietly watched her drooping shoulders and sipped his tea.

‘I guess it’s better not to mention that all this started because she ran away. If she had felt only joy at her father’s death, I would’ve told her everything.’

Baron Vincent had promised his creditors that Sophia would marry the Count of Howard, who is Ajas’s brother-in-law, and that the marriage would bring in a huge dowry.

So they should just wait a bit longer. But then Sophia ran away, and the marriage fell through.

It is a bit misleading to say that the marriage fell through because the blind date wasn’t properly arranged in the first place.

Anyway, one creditor who had trusted the Baron’s empty promises snapped when he heard the Baron had lost money at the gambling hall again.

He rushed over, demanding payment. The Baron said he had no money.

“Then where’d you get the money to gamble?!”

They argued. The Baron grabbed him by the collar first, shouting about lawsuits.

Was it bad luck or karma that he stumbled under the force of the blow and ended up hitting the back of his head on the poker table?

At his simple funeral, which was held by the mansion’s butler, it is said that there were more creditors who came to collect money than those who mourned his death.

Recalling the rumors that had even reached his estate, Oliver set his teacup down.

“As for the title of Baron, the inheritance is currently on hold. You, the first heir, have been officially declared missing. Other successors were contacted in order, but they all refused—because inheriting the title means inheriting Baron Vincent’s debt as well.”

“All of them?”

“All of them. I heard that you’re the only one left, Lady.”

That was precisely why the title of Baron was suspended in a state of suspended succession.

Being declared missing meant there was still a chance she was alive, and her opinion on whether or not to inherit the title had not been heard directly from her.

“If you’re willing, you could return to the capital right now and become Baron Vincent.”

“…….”

“However, if you don’t have the means to repay Baron Vincent’s debts, I’d advise against returning to the capital.”

Oliver then told Sophia how much Baron Vincent owed.

Even for Sophia, who knew her father’s behavior well, it was a huge amount of money that made her mouth drop open.

She felt dizzy and her eyes swam.

“Oh my god…. Is that true?”

“The interest may have increased by now,” Oliver said with a slight tilt of his head, making Sophia’s face go pale.

She didn’t have the money to pay off that much debt. No, even if she had, she didn’t want to pay it off.

“What if I just… don’t return to the capital….”

“Since Lady Vincent was reported missing around the time of the baron’s death, if a year passes from that day and you’re legally declared dead, the title of Baron will be reclaimed by the Empire. Of course, the baron’s debt will still remain.”

Oliver looked at her quietly and asked,

“So you don’t plan on returning to the capital?”

“That’s what I intended when I left home… But now, I’ve found a real reason why I must not go back.”

“If you don’t mind, may I ask what your plans are for the future? If Lady Vincent is officially declared dead, it will be very inconvenient for you in the future.”

“It was more uncomfortable living as Sophia Vincent. I was much happier just being Sophia… I don’t need a title. I’ll live as a mercenary.”

“Is that so?”

Oliver nodded, as if he had nothing more to say.

“What matters is doing what you want. I’ll be rooting for you.”

“Thank you… Really, thank you for everything.”

Sophia understood well why Oliver had taken the time to explain all of that.

Baron Vincent was dead. That meant no one would come chasing after her anymore.

Of course, she still had to avoid Baron Vincent’s creditors, but in a year, Lady Vincent would be declared dead.

All she had to do was shamelessly insist that she wasn’t Sophia Vincent.

Just imagining that scene gave Sophia strength.

“I’ve been talking to someone who is sick for too long. I’ll take my leave now.”

“Ah….Yes.”