Dinner was at a restaurant in a southern city.
“I’ll join you for dinner tonight, is that alright?”
“Of course!”
I nodded.
Ah, I see. When Zion travels with Collen, they have meals together. Zion quietly sat down and ate slowly. Come to think of it, Zion usually eats separately as a butler. It was the first time we had a meal together. It felt dignified, like nobility.
“I think I also enjoy southern food.”
Southern cuisine is known for its chicken dishes. Perhaps that’s why the chicken tasted exceptionally delicious.
‘It melts in your mouth as soon as you put it in.’
Above all, the unique dish was the ‘Black Chicken Soup’. It was a soup with a thick broth, featuring a chicken cooked with medicinal herbs and sprinkled with an unknown golden powder.
‘It tastes similar to the chicken dish I ate in my previous life. The ingredients, like medicinal herbs, and the rich chicken broth.’
The broth was milder than other dishes.
“Does that dish suit your taste?”
“Yes.”
“It’s said to be a dish that can make you sick if you eat too much because it’s considered very valuable. There’s a legend that says if you’re greedy, your skin will become as thick as a toad’s.”
Zion said.
“I’ve been eating this dish almost every day since I came to the south…”
I was surprised and lowered my fork.
It’s delicious, but what if there are side effects?
“If your digestion is fine, then it’s okay,” Zion smiled gently.
“Don’t scare her with unnecessary words, Zion.”
Collen didn’t eat much today either. He slowly drank his wine and then spoke up.
“Leticia, I intend to officially include you as a member of the family.”
I widened my eyes.
“Uh… You mean you’ll add me to the family tree?”
“You know it exactly. Yes, that’s it.”
It was an unexpected remark.
I am not officially listed on the family tree or the family register as an adopted daughter.
As evidence, when my name is written somewhere, it is written as just ‘Leticia Lewellton’ without the ‘de’. In other words, it means that I am not someone who uses the ‘de’ that connects to the lineage of a noble family.
‘I thought that was obvious.’
Even in the historical dramas I saw in my past life, the royal children didn’t have their names officially listed in the family.
The ducal family is just as prestigious as the royal family. I heard that it is difficult for commoners to be included in the family tree.
“Is that possible?”
Unconsciously, I looked at Zion. It’s instinctive to look for someone with common sense in surprising situations.
“There was no precedent, but it is possible.”
“But… What about Jade? He’s the real child…”
“The direct line of the Duke’s family is Jade, and he is the next head of the family. That won’t change.”
“Yes…”
“Leticia, I am someone who doesn’t know when I might die.”
My body stiffened. I didn’t expect Collen to say something like this.
“Why are you saying that?”
“It’s just my own speculation. But the way I live, no matter what happens, it won’t be strange.”
That’s… true. Collen always wanders in search of prey.
‘Is it because the lifespan of a predator is long?’
A shiver ran down my spine. Collen continued speaking.
“So, even if I suddenly disappear, I need a way to protect you. That’s why I will list you as a member of the family. That’s all.”
“What if Jade objects?”
“This time, the young master conveyed his intentions in a letter first.”
Jade? Do I even deserve to receive something like that?
“Leticia, Jade also shares the same thoughts as me.”
“Concern for Dad’s well-being?”
“Similar thoughts. Anyway, the people of the Duke’s family are often reckless and do daring things.”
“The Duke’s words… Does that mean even in such a case, young master Jade wants to speak up because he wants you to be the lady of his family?”
Jade thinks that far. My heart was deeply moved.
‘Jade, Collen…’
I didn’t know. Until now, Collen always seemed relaxed and happy.
‘Killing people is Collen’s destiny in order to survive.’
Could it be that Collen wants to break free from that destiny?
“Dad… Do you… dislike your life right now?”
“No, I don’t dislike it. I just think that I want to end it at some point. I hope you all live differently than me.”
His words hit me hard. I knew Collen’s life so well from the contents I read in my past life.
“That’s why this time, I decided to go to the South. I want to introduce you to the relatives of the family and announce your official status.”
“I always thought that when this time comes, you would go to the South.”
So, was this trip to the South really because of me?
“You hate the South, so you don’t visit often.”
Is that so? I was surprised for a while, but I started to worry.
“What if others oppose it? What about the relatives of the family?”
“There may be opposition, but in the end, it shouldn’t be a big problem. The Duke’s orders are absolute. However…”
“Just be careful of one person.”
“Who is that?”
“My aunt, Elena. She holds a tight grip on the South, so be on good terms with her. Well, even if she seems unpleasant, I’ll find a way to handle it.”
Aunt? Aunt means someone who shares blood, right?
‘Not a blood-related aunt?’
Zion kindly explained when he saw my expression.
“She lost her husband a long time ago and has been leading the family in his place. And she has been managing the South in place of the absent Lord.”
Ah, somehow she seems like an impressive person.
I nodded. I felt a little nervous.
‘It’s better to make a good impression, right?’
That way, it would seem like my desire to be listed in Collen’s official records is not out of greed.
“Don’t worry, Elena is very fond of children, so there shouldn’t be any problems.”
“Yes… Could you tell me more about this Elena?”
Knowledge is power. If you know the information, you will win 100,000 won.
“She is an extremely capable person. She has been leading the Southern Gathering in the South for a long time.”
“The Southern Gathering?”
“It’s like a committee where the lords gather, centered around the Duke of the South. The current head of the Southern Gathering is Elena.”
I nodded. So, Elena is the person right after Collen in the South?
Dinner was at a restaurant in a southern city.
“I’ll join you for dinner tonight, is that alright?”
“Of course!”
I nodded.
Ah, I see. When Zion travels with Collen, they have meals together. Zion quietly sat down and ate slowly. Come to think of it, Zion usually eats separately as a butler. It was the first time we had a meal together. It felt dignified, like nobility.
“I think I also enjoy southern food.”
Southern cuisine is known for its chicken dishes. Perhaps that’s why the chicken tasted exceptionally delicious.
‘It melts in your mouth as soon as you put it in.’
Above all, the unique dish was the ‘Black Chicken Soup’. It was a soup with a thick broth, featuring a chicken cooked with medicinal herbs and sprinkled with an unknown golden powder.
‘It tastes similar to the chicken dish I ate in my previous life. The ingredients, like medicinal herbs, and the rich chicken broth.’
The broth was milder than other dishes.
“Does that dish suit your taste?”
“Yes.”
“It’s said to be a dish that can make you sick if you eat too much because it’s considered very valuable. There’s a legend that says if you’re greedy, your skin will become as thick as a toad’s.”
Zion said.
“I’ve been eating this dish almost every day since I came to the south…”
I was surprised and lowered my fork.
It’s delicious, but what if there are side effects?
“If your digestion is fine, then it’s okay,” Zion smiled gently.
“Don’t scare her with unnecessary words, Zion.”
Collen didn’t eat much today either. He slowly drank his wine and then spoke up.
“Leticia, I intend to officially include you as a member of the family.”
I widened my eyes.
“Uh… You mean you’ll add me to the family tree?”
“You know it exactly. Yes, that’s it.”
It was an unexpected remark.
I am not officially listed on the family tree or the family register as an adopted daughter.
As evidence, when my name is written somewhere, it is written as just ‘Leticia Lewellton’ without the ‘de’. In other words, it means that I am not someone who uses the ‘de’ that connects to the lineage of a noble family.
‘I thought that was obvious.’
Even in the historical dramas I saw in my past life, the royal children didn’t have their names officially listed in the family.
The ducal family is just as prestigious as the royal family. I heard that it is difficult for commoners to be included in the family tree.
“Is that possible?”
Unconsciously, I looked at Zion. It’s instinctive to look for someone with common sense in surprising situations.
“There was no precedent, but it is possible.”
“But… What about Jade? He’s the real child…”
“The direct line of the Duke’s family is Jade, and he is the next head of the family. That won’t change.”
“Yes…”
“Leticia, I am someone who doesn’t know when I might die.”
My body stiffened. I didn’t expect Collen to say something like this.
“Why are you saying that?”
“It’s just my own speculation. But the way I live, no matter what happens, it won’t be strange.”
That’s… true. Collen always wanders in search of prey.
‘Is it because the lifespan of a predator is long?’
A shiver ran down my spine. Collen continued speaking.
“So, even if I suddenly disappear, I need a way to protect you. That’s why I will list you as a member of the family. That’s all.”
“What if Jade objects?”
“This time, the young master conveyed his intentions in a letter first.”
Jade? Do I even deserve to receive something like that?
“Leticia, Jade also shares the same thoughts as me.”
“Concern for Dad’s well-being?”
“Similar thoughts. Anyway, the people of the Duke’s family are often reckless and do daring things.”
“The Duke’s words… Does that mean even in such a case, young master Jade wants to speak up because he wants you to be the lady of his family?”
Jade thinks that far. My heart was deeply moved.
‘Jade, Collen…’
I didn’t know. Until now, Collen always seemed relaxed and happy.
‘Killing people is Collen’s destiny in order to survive.’
Could it be that Collen wants to break free from that destiny?
“Dad… Do you… dislike your life right now?”
“No, I don’t dislike it. I just think that I want to end it at some point. I hope you all live differently than me.”
His words hit me hard. I knew Collen’s life so well from the contents I read in my past life.
“That’s why this time, I decided to go to the South. I want to introduce you to the relatives of the family and announce your official status.”
“I always thought that when this time comes, you would go to the South.”
So, was this trip to the South really because of me?
“You hate the South, so you don’t visit often.”
Is that so? I was surprised for a while, but I started to worry.
“What if others oppose it? What about the relatives of the family?”
“There may be opposition, but in the end, it shouldn’t be a big problem. The Duke’s orders are absolute. However…”
“Just be careful of one person.”
“Who is that?”
“My aunt, Elena. She holds a tight grip on the South, so be on good terms with her. Well, even if she seems unpleasant, I’ll find a way to handle it.”
Aunt? Aunt means someone who shares blood, right?
‘Not a blood-related aunt?’
Zion kindly explained when he saw my expression.
“She lost her husband a long time ago and has been leading the family in his place. And she has been managing the South in place of the absent Lord.”
Ah, somehow she seems like an impressive person.
I nodded. I felt a little nervous.
‘It’s better to make a good impression, right?’
That way, it would seem like my desire to be listed in Collen’s official records is not out of greed.
“Don’t worry, Elena is very fond of children, so there shouldn’t be any problems.”
“Yes… Could you tell me more about this Elena?”
Knowledge is power. If you know the information, you will win 100,000 won.
“She is an extremely capable person. She has been leading the Southern Gathering in the South for a long time.”
“The Southern Gathering?”
“It’s like a committee where the lords gather, centered around the Duke of the South. The current head of the Southern Gathering is Elena.”
I nodded. So, Elena is the person right after Collen in the South?
