While Milena was down in the town—
Ashdel stood inside a room so private that few people in the entire Grand Ducal Estate were ever permitted to enter.
"Why did you call for me?"
The room was filled with Lariette.
Every wall was covered with portraits of the former Grand Duchess—painted in every season, every stage of her life, from every imaginable angle.
Expressionless, Ashdel looked toward his father.
Every portrait depicted the same person.
Only Lariette.
Even after five years, Ashdel had never forgotten his mother's face.
Nowhere in the Grand Ducal Estate—
not a single family portrait existed.
Not one.
Watching his father's obsessive devotion to a woman who had vanished years ago, Ashdel arrived at the same conclusion he always did.
The Grand Duke is insane.
Why did Aunt Milena ever love a man like this?
Why did Mother marry him?
No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't understand.
Holding his black rabbit doll tightly against his chest, Ashdel stared at Callion.
"Ashdel Luxen."
Ashdel was the heir.
He wasn't in a position where he could simply behave like a child because of his age.
At least, that's what everyone expected.
Though he considered himself mature enough, Callion's eyebrow twitched ever so slightly at the sight of him still hugging a stuffed toy.
"How long do you intend to act like a child?"
"The immature one is you, Father."
Callion fell silent.
Cold silver-gray eyes settled on the boy.
But Ashdel didn't back down.
"I told you not to interfere with Aunt Milena. So what is this nonsense about marriage? After ignoring her for years?"
Callion looked down at the son who had inherited nothing from his wife except her pink eyes.
Then he leaned lazily against the sofa.
"Because I need her now."
Ashdel hated facing the Grand Duke.
That was why he'd once asked his father not to acknowledge him, not to approach him.
After that day—
even the servants stopped speaking to the young heir.
Living like a ghost wasn't so bad.
At least it earned him Milena's attention and sympathy.
"You need Milena."
"That's right. I do. But that doesn't mean you can do whatever you want."
"You needed Mother too."
Mother.
Again with Mother.
Always Mother.
Ashdel frowned.
You're the only one who needs her.
Milena wasn't Lariette's replacement.
Once, when he was younger, he'd asked Milena if she could become his mother.
But he'd already known it was impossible.
Really—
he'd only wanted an excuse to be spoiled by her a little longer.
From the very beginning, Ashdel had never wanted a replacement for his mother.
He wanted Milena herself.
"Your wedding will take place in a week. Keep that in mind."
"Who decided that?"
Aunt Milena doesn't even like you.
"Ashdel Luxen."
A heavy voice crashed down on him.
"Have you forgotten who I am?"
Dark mana swirled around Callion.
The Grand Duke was a Swordmaster.
Not a mage—
but someone famous for wielding mana with terrifying mastery.
As his father's predatory aura filled the room, Ashdel drew upon his own power.
Pushing back against the pressure.
"If you're going to do whatever you want anyway, then go ahead."
His voice remained steady.
"But I don't want to be the heir anymore. Honestly, Father, you don't need me—or Aunt Milena."
"..."
Ashdel lifted his gaze toward the walls covered in Lariette's portraits.
There were so many that the room felt grotesque.
"If you love her that much, then spend your life hugging her corpse."
The words cut through the room.
"Find another heir. Have another child with another woman. I don't care."
Bang!
Ashdel slammed the door behind him and left.
Before Aunt Milena got hurt any further—
he needed to escape from the Grand Duke.
Everything happened within half a day.
At the same time Milena was shopping for dresses—
Ashdel was making a decision.
Soon after, he packed his belongings and left the castle.
He didn't want to remain under the same roof as the Grand Duke any longer.
"Ash, are you okay?"
Through his fever-blurred vision, he saw Milena's face.
The simple fact that someone was worried about him felt wonderful.
Ashdel smiled.
"Ash, you're awake?"
"Yes, Aunt. I'm fine."
"Why did you go outside by yourself? You knew you were sick."
Even while being scolded, Ashdel smiled contentedly.
Whenever he was with his aunt—
all the unpleasant feelings disappeared.
Milena carefully placed a cold cloth against his forehead.
Her touch was full of concern.
It made him feel safe.
"I'm sorry, Aunt."
The only person capable of pulling him out of the swamp of emotions his father created—
was Milena.
Just as Callion couldn't let go of Lariette—
Ashdel felt like he might never be able to let go of Milena.
Is obsession hereditary?
Ugh. I really hate that.
Completely unaware of the thoughts running through his head, Milena focused solely on caring for him.
"Don't ever go out alone again. Understand?"
"Yes. I'll stay by your side all the time."
"What a stubborn child."
Milena rolled her eyes at his declaration.
But there was warmth in her expression.
After taking his medicine, Ashdel gradually drifted off to sleep beneath her care.
"Sleep well."
Watching his eyelids slowly close, Milena reached into her bag and pulled out one of her treasured dolls.
She placed it gently in his arms.
Only after confirming that he was completely asleep did she leave the room.
The door clicked shut behind her.
Silence settled over the room.
Without making a sound—
Lexion appeared.
After escorting Milena back, he'd returned immediately.
Once again, he wore Hubert's appearance.
Standing beside the bed, he silently looked down at the sleeping boy.
Beneath his messy gray hair—
his gaze remained fixed on Ashdel.
Persistent.
Unwavering.
Feeling that stare, Ashdel frowned despite keeping his eyes shut.
"What is it this time?"
His voice was annoyed.
"If you have something to say, then say it."
The staring was irritating.
Finally losing patience, he opened his eyes.
"Would you really have left to search for Aunt Milena if we hadn't found you?"
"We?"
Ashdel instantly disliked the way Lexion grouped himself together with Milena.
Noticing the boy's reaction, Lexion corrected himself.
"I mean Lady Milena. If she had left the Grand Ducal Estate, would you really have followed her?"
"...Why should I tell you?"
"Aren't we allies? Answer me, Young Master."
Now he'd grouped them together again.
Ashdel pouted and buried his face in his doll.
"Hmph. What would you even do with the information?"
Then he admitted it.
"Yes. I was planning to leave. So what?"
"..."
A long silence followed.
Lexion seemed to carefully choose his words before finally sighing.
"You're really just a child."
"What did you say?!"
Lexion dropped onto the edge of the bed.
Running a hand through his hair, he let the disguise dissolve.
Silver hair emerged.
Cool crimson eyes gleamed faintly beneath it.
"Listen carefully, brat."
His voice was calm.
"Have you thought about your position?"
"..."
"You're the heir to the Grand Duke. The only successor. If you disappear with your aunt, do you think the Grand Duke will simply let it happen?"
Ashdel remained silent.
"Milena Lastia would be treated as your kidnapper."
His tone sharpened.
"They'd hunt her down. And even if you came back eventually, she'd still be punished."
Lexion leaned forward slightly.
"Do you understand, brat?"
Just like the Grand Duke—
Lexion treated him like an immature child.
Ashdel puffed out his cheeks.
"Father wouldn't come looking for me."
"What?"
"I'm going to inherit everything eventually anyway. As long as I return before adulthood, he won't care."
Lexion let out a short laugh.
"You really are a kid."
"Father knows I want to run away."
"Oh?"
"I've made it pretty obvious."
Lexion smirked.
"Definitely a child."
"Ugh, you're seriously annoying."