Chapter 12

I thought to myself that it was better with him dead, but I obviously couldn’t say that to his younger brother Rüdiger’s face.

I tried to find some way to express my shock at this situation while paying my condolences for Jonas’ death, all the while acting uninformed.

Rüdiger was also so overwhelmed with this situation that he didn’t pay much attention to my reaction. I was slightly relieved.

“In the letter, no identifier other than the surname Maybaum was mentioned; that is why it took so long for me to find you. My sincerest apologies.”

“There is no need for any apologies. Your older brother hid this, so nothing could have been done about it.”

I responded with ease.

The truth is, I liked Rüdiger as much as Luca, as the character Rüdiger Winterwald.

It’s not hard to love the novel’s protagonist, his supporter, and his devoted mentor.

On top of that, since both were pretty handsome, it was clear that my impression of them could only grow more favorable.

As I replied out of courtesy with unexpected courage, this handsome ally glanced towards the stairs up the second floor and whispered with hesitance in a low voice.

“It appears that the child presumed to be my brother’s child is upstairs.”

“So it must be.”

“The name is?”

“Luca. He goes by Luca.”

Rüdiger kept on repeating Luca’s name.

He must’ve been ecstatic now knowing about his nephew’s existence.

On top of that, Rüdiger didn’t want to get married; as if he had a child of his own, learning of Luca’s existence brought him much pride and joy.

Even in the novel, Rüdiger took Luca in as his own and cared for him.

But…

‘With that look and no thoughts about marriage, that’s kind of like an insult to humanity…’

That superior DNA must be passed onto future generations so that humankind can be at least a little bit happier.

I couldn’t stop being so disappointed.

Weren’t living beings programmed so that they grow in number and evolve with better genes?

Lost in my thoughts, Rüdiger carefully asked, somehow snapping me out of it.

“Pardon me, but how are you related to Luca, ma’am…”

“Aunt, I am his aunt.”

I rushed to reply.

His expression somehow was more at ease.

With a relaxed voice, he asked,

“What about Luca’s mother?”

“She died 5 years ago due to the plague…”

As soon as I replied, Rüdiger’s face turned somber.

Glancing down, his blue-gray eyes wavered like the morning fog.

His expression abruptly reverted to his usual calm, stony demeanor.

He closed his mouth and silently made the sign of the cross.

“May she rest in peace.”

His figure appeared so holy; it looked like rays of light shone from behind him.

“I have no words to say concerning Jonas’ wrongdoing. Even as a member of the same household, I am ashamed.”

“Well, there is a black sheep in every household, regardless of status.”

Judith was that person in the Maybaum home.

Since I wasn’t myself, I lied through my teeth.

Rüdiger, likely unaware of Judith being the black sheep, he nodded in agreement.

“Jonas was single, so Luca was his only child. My mother and father learned of Luca’s existence and are enthusiastic to meet him.”

He briefly paused.

He was about going to bring up something that seemed disgraceful.

Even though I had a rough idea of what’s to come, my heart was still racing.

Rüdiger’s lips unsealed as he deeply inhaled with determination.

I could see his fist clenching on top of the table, the veins in his hands bulging.

He finally spoke.

“I realize it is rude in asking since you have been taking care of Luca until now, but may I take Luca to Winterwald with me?”

As expected!

Luca is heading to Winterwald!

Watching the novel finally spark into motion firsthand, I honestly felt quite excited; I wanted to give a standing ovation.

But I couldn’t do that.

I had to rethink about the 2 things I had to be cautious about.

‘I don’t know anything, other than I’m a good aunt who cherishes Luca. I’m a good aunt.’

As if I conditioned myself many times, I put on a face of shock and worry.

I wasn’t sure when to time my nods to not raise any suspicion, so, as if I was lost in distress, I fiddled with my teacup instead.