How The Sub-Male Lead’s Stepmother Teaches Love Chapter 207

– That must be why they were aiming for the moment when she got on the ship. Because there is no place to escape on the sea.

 

Leonhard, who was laughing bitterly, had a headache as to whether he should tell Raenel about this fact or just keep it a secret.

 

‘It would be better to hide it.’

 

How can he explain that to his wife, who has finally buried her sorrow?

 

Especially when they were now targeting Raenel, too.

 

Debating whether to tell Oliver instead, Leonhard pressed his throbbing temple with his index finger.

 

– But why her, of all people… Why her…

 

What were they planning to do with the bloodstone made from Khalid’s blood?

 

At that moment, Duke Khalid’s muttering could be heard from beyond the crystal ball.

 

Leonhard hesitated, then spoke, sensing the deep confusion in the duke’s voice, deeper than mere curiosity.

 

“The purpose isn’t to create bloodstones.”

 

– So does that mean they have another purpose?

 

“This is just my guess… but can you promise not to tell anyone what I’m talking about now?”

 

Duke Khalid, who had a puzzled expression for a moment, nodded at Leonhard’s stiff face.

 

– I swear on Khalid.

 

Leonhard took a moment to gather his thoughts before speaking.

 

“Have you heard that the gate to the Silver Frost Tower has opened?”

 

– Yes. I heard the biological father of your successor was its master. You knew, didn’t you?

 

“More or less.”

 

As he suspected, the rumor had already spread to the capital.

 

Leonhard continued, thinking that nothing traveled faster than gossip.

 

“The master of the tower told me a story….”

 

Leonhard summarized what he had heard from Felix: what had happened a hundred years ago between the Silver Frost Tower and the Tower of Mercy and Healing.

 

“I’m guessing the leader of Onyx is a direct disciple of that wizard. That would explain why they know how to make bloodstone.”

 

– That’s ridiculous.… You can use blood to create patterns on anyone?

 

“Do you really think it’s nonsense? Duke Khalid, why do you think I’m telling you this story?”

 

– That’s…

 

Khalid’s eyes, already full of confusion, widened in shock.

 

– Don’t tell me… the Third Prince?

 

“If His Majesty’s claim that the man is not his son is true, then yes, it’s possible.”

 

If the children born to the former princess and the former prince manifest the symbol, they will also gain the right to succeed to the throne.

 

But which emperor would want to pass the throne to his nephew rather than his own son?

 

When the crown prince inherits the throne and becomes the emperor, the symbols of the other princes and princesses are immediately sealed.

 

The same ritual applies to the royal siblings as well.

 

The same was true for the brothers and sisters of the current emperor.

 

Although the former prince who had awakened his symbol was now dead, the rest—those from the previous generation—had received the sealing ritual.

 

The Emperor ordered Duke Khalid to investigate whether their sealing was done incorrectly.

 

Khalid took it further, tracking down not only the previous generation but also their children.

 

The conclusion was clear: Karl could only be the emperor’s son.

 

So Khalid had assumed the emperor was lying.

 

– But if Karl truly isn’t of Estroa’s blood… then how did he awaken the symbol? Doesn’t that require Estroa’s blood?

 

“Yes. So perhaps someone from the royal family provided him with blood.”

 

– Who on earth and for what reason?

 

Leonhard recalled what Raenel had said.

 

“The wizard group called Onyx is allied with the First Prince.”

 

“And in the future I knew, the Second Princess never awakened her symbol. Why did that future change?”

 

“Do you remember the monster incident that happened a few months ago?

 

– The one in the capital? Of course. Didn’t we fight together to stop it?

 

“One of the monsters that appeared back then had the poison of a Stone Snake but looked like a Thunderbird.”

 

Leonhard couldn’t accuse the First Prince and Princess without evidence, so he laid out objective facts.

 

“I believe that monster was a chimera created by that group. And if someone from the royal family released it…”

 

Then, in return for receiving the monster, they offered blood.

 

Duke Khalid, who immediately realized what Leonhard was trying to say, simply muttered the word “Oh my God” over and over again.

 

– That incident severely damaged the Second Prince’s reputation. Afterward, there were talks of naming the First Prince crown prince. If it hadn’t been for the First Princess, he might’ve really been chosen…

 

“That’s right. At this stage, he’s the most suspicious.”

 

Leonhard had successfully shifted Khalid’s suspicions toward him.

 

Leonhard took a sip of cold water and continued speaking.

 

“For now, let’s continue to investigate the man named Karl. If he really used Estroa’s blood to manifest the pattern,…”

 

Leonhard clenched and unclenched his fists on his knees.

 

“We can probably catch the group he belongs to too.”

 

– Yes. And then… my child will also…

 

Duke Khalid closed his eyes briefly and then opened them again.

 

Finally, he met Leonhard’s eyes through the crystal ball and asked.

 

– Would you help me?

 

“Help you?”

 

– There is not much time left. If Karl is really not of Estroa descent, we must stop the coronation ceremony at all costs.

 

There are less than two months left until then.

 

With the First Prince being the prime suspect and the Second Prince and First Princess being equally untrustworthy, Khalid had no one else he could rely on but Leonhard—the only one who had told him everything.

 

– Please, come to the capital.

 

* * *

 

9. If You Love Someone, You can Rely on Each Other

 

“So, Layla. Did you have a good time with My older brother Liv?”

 

“Yes. He invited me to the Howard!”

 

“Invite you?”

 

‘Progress has already reached that point?’

 

Seeing my shocked face, she shyly explained.

 

“The Count said this wasn’t something to decide hastily, so he wanted to give us time to think slowly. That’s why he invited me.”

 

Layla glanced around the room, knowing no one was around, then whispered in my ear.

 

“Actually, he was worried I might not adapt well.”

 

“I see….”

 

Hearing Layla’s words, I understood why my older brother had invited her to the estate.

 

I guess my sudden marriage left a lasting impression on my older brother.

 

I thought marrying Leonhard was the best decision for everyone, but of course, my older brother would feel differently.

 

Especially since he’d taken on the role of my guardian after our parents passed away.

 

‘He must have worried a lot after I left..…’

 

I’d written many letters saying I was doing well, but it was different than seeing me in person.

 

‘I was truly glad he could see that I was happy with Leonhard and Noah.’

 

As if she had read my thoughts, Layla smiled and said:

 

“The Count really seems like a kind man.”

 

“Yeah, that’s right. He’s a really good brother.”

 

I felt a rush of warmth from rediscovering my family’s love and also felt happy that someone else recognized how great my brother was.

 

Because of that, I really hoped things would work out between Layla and him.

 

“So when are you going to Howard? If you’d like, I’ll go with you and introduce you.”

 

“Really? You would, personally?”

 

“Of course! No one knows that estate better than I do.”

 

How sweet the grapes in the orchard were, how big the fish in the river running through the land were.

 

How we’d pick wild raspberries in the summer behind the mansion or gather chestnuts in the fall to bake cakes.

 

I didn’t even realize how much time had passed as I bragged about my beloved Howard.

 

If no one had come to say that it was dinner time, I would have continued chatting with Layla.

 

‘I want to ask my older brother how it was too. But if I keep asking, it might feel like a burden to him.’

 

I think it’s best to let the two of them handle things on their own from now on.

 

Even though I had made that promise, I still wanted to ask my older brother questions, so I kept talking about useless things like whether he had finished his luggage, whether he had packed his presents well, and asking him to tell other people in Howard about my well-being before he left for Howard the next day.

 

Did he sense my true feelings? After we finished eating, my older brother called me over for a moment.

 

“Nell, come talk to me.”

 

‘Huh?’

 

‘What is it? Did I do something wrong?’

 

From years of experience, I instinctively tensed up.

 

“Wh-why…?”

 

“Once I go back to Howard, who knows when we’ll see each other again. I thought we could have a drink together before that.”

 

‘A drink?’

 

Not tea, but alcohol.

 

I blinked at the discomfort and nodded.

 

“Just a moment. I’ll get it ready right away.”

 

After sending Leonhard and Noah away first, I sat across from my brother in the fourth-floor living room.

 

“This is the first time we’ve been drinking together like this.”

 

“You’re right. It’s always been tea.”

 

No alcohol until adulthood.

 

My parents and my older brother had always warned me sternly, but I would sometimes sneak into the wine cellar and take a sip of wine.

 

So I can’t exactly say I’ve never had alcohol in Howard, but I’ve never sat like this, openly drinking.

 

Of course, today was my first time clinking glasses with my older brother.

 

* * *