IVFV 15

Chapter 15

Morning came.

As soon as the sun rose, a man’s humming echoed through the Rangshus mansion.

Joseph felt like the world was dazzling today.

Light here, light there!

It felt as if every ray of light in the world was pouring down on him.

Step, step.

With light footsteps, Joseph went down early to the dining room and ate the breakfast brought by the kitchen staff who had not been dismissed.

The food was clean and delicious.

No—even if it had tasted terrible, he would have eaten it happily.

Today, Joseph was the happiest man in the world.

“Oh? Uncle, you’re up early.”

“My eyes just opened on their own.”

Lumina sat across from him.

While rich and delicious dishes kept being served, Lumina barely ate. Joseph, on the other hand, was feasting.

Thanks to yesterday’s incident, Theresa’s spirit had been completely crushed.

As proof, Theresa—who should have come down to the dining room by now—was nowhere to be seen.

She was probably staying in her room all day, swallowing her resentment.

‘Now I just need to fill the Rangshus mansion with my own people!’

Joseph already felt as if he had swallowed the Rangshus family whole.

The meal couldn’t have tasted sweeter.

In high spirits, Joseph spoke to Lumina.

“It must be inconvenient without servants. Since we have two patients in the house, we should hire new staff as soon as possible.”

“Oh, Uncle. About that—actually, I’m planning to go out today.”

“Go out?”

“Duke Hart has called for me. Since I became his ward, I suppose he has something to say.”

Ah, what a lucky charm!

She annoyed him sometimes, but she had created a connection with Duke Hart. There was no greater blessing.

‘She takes after her mother—goes crazy sometimes when something sets her off—but she became Duke Hart’s ward. I can tolerate a little madness.’

It really felt like his lucky day!

Last time, there were too many relatives around, and Theresa kept hovering nearby, so he had no chance to step forward.

Perhaps he had sensed that today would be the day he made a strong impression on Duke Hart.

Joseph grinned and said without hiding his ulterior motives,

“Then, as your guardian, I’ll go with you—”

“No.”

Lumina cut him off. She smiled, but her voice was firm.

“I’d rather you didn’t go.”

“Why—”

“Please don’t.”

So she was being crazy again.

Joseph had been fine when Lumina slapped Theresa.

He had even laughed it off when she dismissed all the servants while claiming to accept both sides’ opinions during their argument.

Because it benefited him.

But being rejected himself irritated him.

“Why? Is there some reason I can’t go?”

“The Duke only called for me. It’s my first time being summoned after becoming his ward, so I need to make a good impression. Imagine if I show up with you.”

Lumina spoke clearly.

“He’ll think I’m a coward. The House of Hart hates cowards and liars. He might even withdraw his guardianship.”

She deliberately emphasized that her relationship with Duke Hart was still unstable.

‘In truth, I just don’t want to bring you along.’

Joseph listened with slight displeasure, but eventually nodded as if he had no choice.

As long as they were blood-related, he would meet Duke Hart eventually.

It was only a matter of timing.

“Very well. Go and come back safely.”

“Yes! I was planning to wear the clothes the Duke gifted me last time!”

Lumina replied brightly.

Joseph’s expression twisted slightly, probably remembering the expensive dress that had ended up discarded.

The carriage from the ducal house was due to arrive soon.

After packing lightly, Lumina left her room early to depart at once.

“Endymion?”

Endymion was waiting in front of the door.

“I’ll carry it for you.”

Lumina was holding a small, light bag.

The moment he saw it, Endymion took it from her without hesitation.

“It’s not heavy. I can carry it myself.”

“I am no longer in pain thanks to you, Noona. But you are not.”

He insisted.

Since it seemed difficult to take it back, Lumina gave up persuading him.

An awkward silence followed.

Because her legs hurt, Lumina had no choice but to walk slowly. Endymion matched her pace.

They passed through the main gate later than expected and stopped.

The silence felt uncomfortable, so Lumina carefully spoke.

“Endymion. I didn’t tell the elders, but once I leave today, I won’t be back for a few days. There’s a reason, so don’t worry.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“And what do you think about going to the Academy?”

“I understand.”

“…Huh?”

His answer came too easily, and Lumina was momentarily flustered.

‘I only asked what you thought.’

“Don’t you want me to go to the Academy?”

“It’s a suggestion. Not an order.”

If she wanted it, would he do anything?

It didn’t feel like they had built that much trust yet. His attitude was mature—yet subtly suspicious.

Looking at his round head, still slightly childish, Lumina said,

“There, you can receive professional training to become head of the family. Even if you don’t want the position, it’ll still help you.”

“……”

“The more you study, the more choices you’ll have. It’s not a bad decision.”

“Are you taking care of me because I belong to you?”

Endymion looked at her with bright eyes.

At that moment, Lumina realized he still didn’t fully trust her.

So he thinks I have some deeper plan he can’t see.

It seemed he was simply following her because her reckless plans—reckless enough to injure herself—were working well.

“Yes. We’re family.”

“……”

“Endymion. I know now that you’re not a bad brother. So I want to try becoming a good sister to you.”

She added that last part in case he thought she was scheming to take control of the family while he was away at the Academy.

‘And I truly am trying to be a good sister.’

None of Lumina’s life plans harmed Endymion in any way.

She spoke honestly. But his response was strange.

“There’s no need.”

It was clean and firm.

Why?

Wasn’t a good sister better than a bad one?

She wanted to ask, but at that moment Joseph approached them, naturally cutting off the conversation.

Even though it was only a carriage from the ducal house arriving, Joseph looked polished as if he were about to meet the Duke himself.

After retrieving her bag, Lumina half-heartedly joined Joseph’s chatter while glancing at Endymion.

The boy, still adorably round-cheeked, stayed quiet.

Soon, the carriage arrived.

With the family crest stamped clearly on it, anyone could tell it belonged to the ducal house.

Escorted inside, Lumina sat on the soft sofa.

As the carriage departed, she kept thinking about her conversation with Endymion.

“…Does that mean no matter how hard I try, it won’t change anything?”

As misunderstandings deepened quickly, the carriage sped down the street just as fast.

“Ugh…”

After staring out the window with a serious expression for a while, Lumina suddenly called out,

“Wait! Please stop here!”

At her request, the carriage came to a halt.

Hop—

Stumble!

Her legs still didn’t obey her properly, and she wobbled as she stepped down, barely catching her balance.

Then, as if nothing had happened, she blinked her lovely pink eyes innocently.

‘I remembered something I need to do before meeting Duke Hart.’

She didn’t have time to feel discouraged over Endymion.

Lumina lifted her head with an indifferent gaze.

Before her stood a mansion far larger and more luxurious than the Rangshus estate.

Though it was imposing, Lumina walked proudly as she was guided inside.

The interior, lavishly funded, was as meticulously maintained as it appeared from the outside.

“Your Grace, Miss Rangshus has arrived.”

“Let her in.”

The door opened.

Inside the heavily decorated office sat Lucius.

As always, he wore intimidating black sunglasses and examined her sharply.

An ordinary child would have taken a step back.

But unfazed, Lumina performed a flawless greeting.

“Hello, Your Grace. It’s been a while.”

“It’s only been a few days. What do you mean ‘a while’?”

He responded bluntly, setting down his quill.

“Sit. And your leg?”

She had tried to walk normally, but apparently it showed.

He mentioned it the moment she entered.

Afraid he might dismiss her for looking weak, Lumina quickly replied,

“I twisted it by accident. It’s nothing serious, so you don’t need to worry.”

She added a smile full of confidence.

‘My legs hurt badly from healing Endymion, but I can’t hesitate. Even now, my uncle and aunt are aiming for the family.’

Today, Lumina had come to fulfill the contract she had made with Lucius.

And she had another purpose as well.

To achieve that goal, she subtly brought out the first bribe.