REDA | Chapter 06

~Chapter 06~ 

“One of the knights looked especially nervous when you arrived, Duke. It was clear that something was off about him.”

“Maybe he was just scared of me?”

“I’m sure all the knights are a bit afraid of you, Duke. But there’s a big difference between someone who’s simply afraid and someone who’s genuinely uneasy. Their expressions and actions are completely different.”

“Even if that’s true, what proof do you have that he’s a spy?”

“I saw it when we went to get the warhammer for Sasha. Too many knights followed us to the armory. One of them went inside when it wasn’t necessary. I think he’s worried the missing weapons will be discovered. He tried to act casual, but it was suspicious.”

“That’s just a suspicion. You call that proof?”

“Well, I do have a way to prove it.”

“Tell me.”

Even if it was just suspicion, the idea of a spy in the mansion made the Duke’s expression turn grim.

“You already gave me a few days to stay, remember?”

“I did.”

“Then I’ll show you the evidence within that time.”

“So you can’t prove it now?”

“No, not yet.”

The Duke clearly wasn’t happy with that answer. But since he had already agreed to let the children stay, he didn’t argue further.

“Fine. You have one week. But if you can’t prove it by then, you and the baby must leave this mansion.”

“Understood. I’m prepared.”

Even with Ruby’s constant confidence, the Duke didn’t stop doubting her.

His distrust in people seemed deeply rooted—even in his own granddaughter.

No wonder people called him heartless.

“I’ll prepare rooms for you,” Balt said with a gentle smile, bowing politely to Ruby.

Even though they hadn’t officially been accepted yet, he treated them like honored guests.

“Give them a guest room,” the Duke said, clearly showing he hadn’t fully accepted them.

Still, a guest room was fine. What mattered to Ruby was that they had earned a place to stay.

“Thank you. Sasha, say thank you.”

“Thank youuu,” Sasha said shyly from behind Ruby, peeking out before hiding again.

Even though the conversation was over, the Duke kept staring at Ruby.

Ruby waited quietly, sensing he still had more to say.

“That baby… she’s not related to you by blood, right?”

The Duke was now looking at Maria.

“That’s right. Maria was adopted by my parents.”

“Where did she come from?”

“She was abandoned at the entrance of our village. No one else wanted to take her in, but our parents felt sorry for her and made her our youngest sibling.”

At first, Calix didn’t dislike Maria.

Maybe he was too young to understand what adoption meant.

But after overhearing adults whispering things like “abandoned children bring bad luck,” his attitude changed.

From then on, he refused to accept Maria as his sister.

Sasha followed his lead and began bullying Maria too.

Ruby had been the harshest.

She ignored Maria, treated her like she didn’t exist, and hated spending any money on her.

Only after their parents begged her did she allow some spending for Maria.

If Ruby hadn’t regained her memories from her past life, she probably would have treated Maria badly like in the original story.

If their parents hadn’t included Maria in their will, Ruby might have abandoned her entirely.

In the novel, the neighbor lady adopted all the children—not out of kindness, but to claim their inheritance.

That’s why Ruby brought the children to the Duke: to protect the inheritance.

Since the Duke was wealthy, he wouldn’t be interested in a small fortune like theirs.

“That baby has no reason to stay in this mansion,” the Duke said coldly.

He was already harsh with his blood relatives. Hearing Maria wasn’t blood-related made him even more unfriendly.

“She’s our little sister. And she’s just a baby. We can’t abandon her.”

The Duke didn’t seem convinced.

“Does she have any value?”

Ruby hesitated.

Did Maria have any special abilities?

Actually, yes.

Maria was born with a rare talent.

But her power was different from her siblings’, and only Maria knew about it.

No one would expect a baby to have a special ability.

But Ruby knew the truth—because she had read the novel Our Family Must Regret It.

Maria’s power was extraordinary—something no ordinary person could possess.

It was even more rare and valuable than her siblings’ talents.

But if the Duke found out, who knew how he might try to use a newborn?

Maria was smart. She would remember everything from birth to adulthood.

For Maria’s sake, Ruby decided to hide her ability.

“No, she’s just an ordinary baby. She doesn’t carry the blood of Brooklyn or Lux.”

Ruby hugged Maria tightly.

Her gesture made it clear: she would never let go of her.

Thankfully, the Duke didn’t press the matter any further.

“Just make sure the house stays quiet.”

Keeping a baby from crying wasn’t easy, but Ruby nodded confidently.

“Yes, I will.”

Maria looked up at Ruby with wide, bright eyes, as if she understood everything.

“Don’t worry. I won’t abandon you,” Ruby whispered.

“Kyah!” Maria giggled happily.

“Unnie, I don’t like her,” Sasha muttered, tugging at Ruby’s clothes and puffing out her cheeks.

“I told you—Maria is our little sister.”

“But still—”

“No ‘but.’”

Ruby’s firm words made tears well up in Sasha’s eyes.

“Unnie, meanie!”

Sasha wriggled down from the couch and ran out of the room.

BANG!

Instead of opening the door, she broke it.

The heavy wooden door crashed to the floor and even cracked.

“Sasha!” Ruby called out sternly, but Sasha had already disappeared into the dust.

“I’m sorry, Grandpa! I’m sorry about the door and for Sasha’s behavior! I’ll go now!”

Without waiting for the Duke’s response, Ruby hurried after Sasha.

“Sasha, wait!”

CRASH! BAM!

Loud noises echoed wherever Sasha went.

Ruby ran as fast as she could, hoping Sasha wouldn’t destroy the whole mansion.

Luckily, she found Sasha quickly—about to smash one of the mansion’s pillars.

“Stop!”

Ruby rushed between Sasha and the pillar.

Sasha froze, her little fist raised in the air.

“Why are you stopping me?”

“Sasha, if you break this place, we’ll have nowhere to stay.”

“Then let’s just go back home.”

“Sasha…”

Ruby knelt down to meet her sister’s eyes.

“There’s no one left to take care of us at home. And if we stay there, we could be in danger.”

The neighbor lady was still after their inheritance. Staying in that village was unsafe.

“But Grandpa doesn’t like us…”

Even though she was young, Sasha was smart enough to tell who liked her and who didn’t.

“Don’t worry. I’ll make Grandpa change his mind.”

𓂃˖˳·˖ ִֶָ ⋆🌷Luna🌷͙⋆ ִֶָ˖·˳˖𓂃 ִֶָ