How The Sub-Male Lead’s Stepmother Teaches Love Chapter 297

“I’m sorry for ruining the mood.”

 

As the words said, a knock on the door broke the atmosphere surrounding us.

 

I turned my head in surprise, and Felix, who was leaning against the doorway, pointed to the large window with his index finger as if he had been waiting for it.

 

“A few shameless nobles sneaked in among the refugees and are making a scene. The servants can’t handle it.”

 

“A scene?”

 

“Refugees?”

 

Leonhard and I echoed the same word at once.

 

We looked at each other, and Leonhard, as if he had forgotten for a moment, explained to me.

 

“This mansion is currently open to all its outbuildings, gardens, and backyard, except for the main building, to receive refugees and the injured. That’s why the monsters have been so persistent in targeting the mansion’s barrier.”

 

After roughly wiping my wet face, I got out of bed and went to the window.

 

I pulled back the curtains covering the window and looked outside. I saw the garden below filled with countless people.

 

‘Oh my god, how many people are there?’

 

Even without nobles, a crowd that size was bound to create problems.

 

So far, it seems like the servants and guards are moving people in an orderly manner, but.…

 

In the distance, I saw a group of young men shoving the guards’ shoulders and shouting.

 

Because people had backed away from them, the space around them was conspicuously empty—they stood out immediately. That must be the very group Felix had mentioned.

 

“But who opened the gate?”

 

The gatekeepers, whose duty it is to guard the gate, would not have opened the gate willingly.

 

And with the number of servants and guards controlling the crowd in such a systematic way, it wasn’t a matter of failing to hold them back.

 

It was impossible without orders from above.

 

“Ah, that… I told them to open it.”

 

“You did, Noah?”

 

I looked back in surprise and saw Noah, who had gotten out of bed, answering in a cautious voice.

 

“When the two of you are absent, I have to take responsibility as the head of the family and lead the people.… I thought you two would never turn your backs on someone in danger.”

 

Though he glanced at me nervously, Noah spoke each word clearly and firmly.

 

“Isn’t he admirable?”

 

As if to encourage Noah, Leonhard stroked Noah’s head with his large hand.

 

His touch was more of a rough ruffle than a gentle pat.

 

But Noah, as if cherishing even that warmth, hunched his shoulders slightly and beamed.

 

Feeling a bit more emotional than before, I lowered my posture and opened my arms to Noah.

 

“Noah, come here.”

 

What kind of expression did I have just then?

 

Unlike before, Noah didn’t hesitate at all and ran straight into my embrace.

 

I hugged him tightly.

 

“Well done. You helped so many people.”

 

“Did I do well?”

 

“You did amazing!”

 

In the future shown by Hiyela, Noah became a cold-blooded man who would kill people without mercy for his own purposes.

 

He trusted no one, pitied no one, and relied on no one.

 

‘That the very same child could now show such selflessness…’

 

‘How can I explain this emotion, this feeling of being touched, that I feel right now?’

 

Instead of expressing it in words, I kissed Noah’s round cheek.

 

“Our Noah is the best. Who on earth do you take after, being so kind, admirable, and reliable?”

 

“Must be me. I’m his real father, after all.”

 

‘Oh my, he really can’t read the mood!’

 

I glared at Felix, then kissed Noah’s cheek one last time before getting up.

 

I found it annoying that he kept ruining the mood, but looking back, I thought he’d intervened at the right time.

 

After all, this wasn’t the time for cozy moments.

 

“By the way, Mother, come to think of it—the Second Prince’s wife is here in the mansion.”

 

“What? Who?”

 

“The Second Prince’s wife. His Highness the First Prince personally escorted her.”

 

The First Prince? Out of loyalty?

 

Honestly, if someone had said he’d harmed her, it wouldn’t have been this surprising.

 

‘Could this be some sinister scheme? Like harming the Second Prince’s wife and framing us for it?’

 

“Where is she now?”

 

“In a guest room on the third floor of the main building. Leona and some guards are protecting her.”

 

“I see. Good job.”

 

He must have been deeply shaken when Leonhard and I suddenly disappeared, and yet he’d handled everything so calmly. No doubt Noah would have no trouble inheriting the marquis’s position.

 

“From now on, leave it to us.”

 

“Yes!”

 

With Noah smiling brightly between us, Leonhard and I discussed what to do next.

 

“I’ll go and see those nobles first.”

 

“No. With so many people, anything could happen. Since we must head to the Imperial Palace anyway, I’ll take care of them on the way out.”

 

Leonhard’s gaze as he looked out the window was sharp as a blade, but when he finally turned to me, his gaze was as soft as a cream puff.

 

“My lady, please go to the Second Prince’s wife and stay by her side.”

 

In other words—he wanted me to hide in the safest place.

 

“But Leon, I’m the lady of this house. I have a duty to receive guests who’ve come here.”

 

Furthermore.

 

“Aren’t there monsters running wild in the capital right now? Maybe I can send them back.”

 

Because now I not only have the symbol, but I have also inherited the power.

 

As if reading my thoughts, Leonhard spoke to me in a cautious voice.

 

“If you truly inherited that power, it may be possible. But… if you reveal it, the consequences will be far worse.”

 

“Consequences?”

 

“This whole disaster was caused by those controlling the monsters.”

 

Lowering his voice, though not in a way that would frighten me, he continued softly,

 

“What would the Emperor do if he found out that my wife had the power to control monsters?”

 

“Ah…”

 

The ruined palace symbolized the collapse of imperial authority itself.

 

Perhaps the Emperor’s side will use me as a scapegoat to divert people’s attention.

 

A palace attacked by monsters. And I—descendant of Sesto, possessing the very power to command them.

 

Even I had to admit—it was too convenient a connection.

 

And as the lady of the Marquis Ajas’s domain, where most of the Empire’s dungeons were located, there was no way the Emperor would ignore me.

 

As that thought struck me, another suspicion arose in my mind.

 

‘Could that be why the truth about the first Ajas’s husband being a Sesto was kept hidden…? Why Hiyela’s contractor was said to be the first Ajas instead?’

 

“So, Nell—whatever else happens, that power must never—”

 

– It’s annoying!

 

Just then, Rake suddenly popped into view with an irritable outburst.

 

“Annoying? What is?”

 

Perched on my shoulder, Rake flapped her wings furiously.

 

– That big thing! That thing! Is that the thing that dares to be called a dragon?

 

Felix nodded at Rake’s words.

 

“Yes. That’s the one turning the Imperial Palace into ruins right now.”

 

– How dare you call such a disgusting creature a dragon! We are far more wonderful and beautiful beings!

 

Her tail feathers were standing almost straight up, bristling with rage.

 

– Unforgivable! I’ll kill it myself!

 

“Rake!”

 

– Don’t stop me! That’s damaging my clan’s dignity!

 

“uh… … .”

 

Hearing that, there was no way I could stop Rake.

 

I already know how much Rake suffered because of that chimera, that dragon, or whatever.

 

“I’ll take care of it myself and help restore your clan’s honor. Wouldn’t that be enough?”

 

– Leon, you’ll take care of it yourself?

 

“Yes.”

 

Leonhard nodded with a serious expression.

 

Rake then pretended to fold her arms, as if pondering the situation for a moment.

 

– So, Leon, you’re going to go and kill that thing yourself?

 

“Yes.”

 

– Then I guess I should go with you! What if that big thing hurts you?

 

A flying Rake landed on Leonhard’s head and tapped his crown with her wings.

 

– Did you forget? I promised to protect you here so you wouldn’t get hurt. If you’re going somewhere dangerous, then I have to go with you.

 

“I promise I won’t get hurt.”

 

– Says the guy who already let a barrier magic get broken! I don’t believe you!

 

Rake tugged on Leonhard’s hair with both wings, as though she could control him like a puppet.

 

– Okay, let’s go! Let’s beat up that hideous monster!

 

“Hah….”

 

Leonhard sighed, but couldn’t stop Rake.

 

In truth, none of us could stop Rake.

 

To be exact, I simply chose not to stop her.

 

‘If it reduced the Imperial Palace to ruins, then it must be an unimaginably powerful monster.’

 

Even Leonhard might get hurt fighting such a monster. But having the dragon Rake by his side would certainly be helpful.

 

“But don’t do anything dangerous. Stay close to Leon. Got it?”

 

– You heard that, Leon? Stick close to me!

 

“Fine….”

 

Leonhard let out a heavy sigh and left the mansion after saying goodbye to Noah and me.

 

‘It’ll be fine. It has to be fine.’

 

He was the great Marquis of Ajas, after all. If I just kept busy with my duties in the mansion, he would surely come back safe.

 

Comforting myself with that thought, I entrusted Noah to Felix and made my way to the guest room where the Second Prince’s wife was staying.

 

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