CH 28

“Yes, I understood you well. But I didn't know before that your thoughts were this deep. I'll take care of it so you don't have to worry about it anymore.”

"That's great! Oh, please keep this conversation a secret from Nils. I trust the Count, but I don't think Nils would trust me.”

Nodding at Iona's request, Hayden felt a bit regretful.

How great it would have been if Nils was as capable as Iona.

It was a long-standing concern of Hayden's that his son and daughter, who were fond of luxury, were only interested in extravagance.

'That's why I can't give the title to him, but... … I can't help but regret.'

Hayden, in a bitter mood, rose from his seat and grabbed Iona.

“Iona, you must have felt very betrayed by Nils… … . Isn't that kid originally hot and short-tempered? Don't take it to heart too much. Sooner or later he will repent for his mistakes. No matter what, you are family.”

Iona stared at Hayden for a moment.

It was your family nonetheless again; He is your brother, so you should understand. He probably didn't really have any bad intentions...

It was a familiar brainwashing.

Iona of the past, who did not know anything, believed his words. Because Hayden had raised her daughter to be such an idiot.

It was not at all difficult to educate a girl who had been locked up from an early age to his liking.

If the people she met outside hadn't shattered that illusion, Iona would have lived like that all along.

''Still, we are a family', so let's be good.” Hayden said.

Iona answered, pulling the corner of her mouth as if she was having fun.

"Of course. No matter how half-brother Nils maybe but he cannot save enough courage to really kill his sister.”

“… …”

“I also hope Nils and I remain on good terms. Just like Count and me.”

Iona finished her words in a refreshing manner and left the room.

Iona hadn't called Hayden her father since she ran into him today. Hayden took this for granted and didn't even point it out.

Whatever words may define their relationship, the family will never be just a name.

***

That night at dinner, Hayden announced Nils as his successor.

Iona thought deeply as she sliced ​​the steak in front of her.

'It's worth getting off work on time.'

Today's work was exceptionally difficult.

It was because of Erich, who ran to work like crazy and questioned her and Saskia, who took her out of Erich's hands and questioned her about leaving early without permission.

As if Iona had waited, she took out a handkerchief and wiped her face.

Saskia, who had been looking at Iona's bruised cheek for a long time, soon pointed with a stern face and said:

(

"You… …The one who kicked out Florence yesterday was you, so you're taking care of it now?"

“Should I not do that in the future?”

“No, just do it in moderation. Don’t make a big accident out of nowhere!”

)

Saskia shouted at Iona so loud, but in the end, she did not order her to do any supplementary work. It was a bonus that she was given paperwork instead of escort work that hurt her legs, using bruises as an excuse.

Iona had realized recently, in a slightly strange way, that the world will flow somehow even if she lives as she pleased.

“Um, are you finally announcing me as your official successor?”

Meanwhile, Nils, sitting opposite Iona, dropped the cutlery with a thrilled face and said.

Iona didn't want to hear the short sound of his tongue, so she had to get dentures fitted with her own money, but it seemed that they had already entered the production process.

Today's Nils was proudly showing off his smooth ivory teeth.

“Congratulations, brother!”

Yvonne, who was next to Nils, embraced her brother with a thrilled face.

Nils hugged Yvonne and smiled proudly at Iona. It was as if he was showing off his victory.

It was also a talent to be so thrilled when he took over the position that was originally his share.

'Well, Hayden did make him uneasy in the meantime.'

Usually, it was common to spot a successor in advance before they become an adult and educate the successor accordingly.

However, neither Yvonne nor Nils had ever seen the successor training.

That was why Nils, who should have inherited a suitable business or land, was still in the position of receiving pocket money from the Count.

'Even so, he must have wanted to confirm his power.'

Hayden was a man who had frequent friction with his wife and children over women.

The reason he was able to wield omnipotent power in the family was because he monopolized and did not share all the family powers.

'Well, it must have been because Nils was not trustworthy...'

Looking at Nils, who had an arrogant face as if he already had the family, Iona let out a big smile.

The son was not trustworthy, and Hayden was also the same, and the admonition immediately followed.

“Nils, it was because of your careless nature that I did not promise to make you my heir. You may not even know this....”

Nils, whose smile was erased in an instant, answered in a small voice.

“… … Yes, Father.”

“Although I couldn't put it off any longer and made you my successor, it's also true that I'm still not sure if I made the right decision. It means that you should not believe this and act recklessly.”

"I-I understand."

“Yes, I believe in the future you will show behavior befitting to your status. Being the next head of this family also means that you are the future of this family. Please do not disappoint me.”

Hayden concluded sternly.

Nils glanced over at Iona as if something had come to his mind.

Going against his father's wishes by killing his half-sister would, of course, disappoint Hayden.

Perhaps, at that moment, Nils would have put his plan to kill Iona off the paper.

No, even if it wasn't until the full cancellation, it was certain that the date was postponed.

Iona slowly took a sip of her wine.

'Well, I guess I can sleep comfortably for the time being.' Iona thought.

Even if Iona was not worried about Nils, she was wary of an assassin hired with his money.

It wasn't that she suggested making Nils the successor out of fear of being killed, but it was certainly a relief that she didn't have to strain herself unnecessarily.

Iona said with sincerity.

“Congratulations on getting your desired position, Nils.”

At that, Nils turned his head and glared at Iona.

It seemed he didn't like Iona's intrusion into the conversation as if it was something bad.

However, for a while, as if conscious of Hayden's presence, Nils tried to create a soft voice.

“… …Thank you, Iona.”

"It was nothing."

Iona answered in a non-trivial tone and put the meat she had cut into her mouth.

As it was a meal with her family after a long time, the taste of the food was terrible.

She wanted to leave immediately, but it was not difficult for Nils to understand the cause of her loss of appetite for another reason.

She didn't want to present a drink, to begin with.

Dinner was barely finished after swallowing the dessert.

Hayden said many good things before she left, but nothing was memorable.

Iona passed most of the time counting the patterns on the tablecloth.

Because she was lost in other thoughts until she saw Hayden off, Iona responded to Nils's call rather late.

"Hey."

“… …”

"Hey!"

"hmm?"

Iona sluggishly turned her head to look at Nils.

Inside the quiet dining room, at some point, Nils came and stood in front of her.

Yvonne only glanced at them with anxious eyes from some distance away. She was quite worried that her brother would have another accident.

As Iona looked at him, Nils' face naturally became stern.

“This cheeky thing… … . Did you expect 'our father' to pass on the family line to you? You were always an illegitimate child, and yet you always wanted to look good.”

It seemed that Nils had guessed that the reason Iona had obeyed Hayden's words was because she was greedy for the position of the successor.

It was an absurd judgment. The reason she obeyed Hayden's orders was because she remembered her punishment, which returned when she disobeyed.

Iona just didn't want to starve or get hit or lose something or be abandoned.

“No matter how obedient you act, a dog is a dog. You are not a child of this family.”

Nils raised his fist and pretended to hit Iona. Still, he seemed to have heeded Hayden's warning quite a bit, seeing as he didn't really touch her.

'If I stimulate him through this gap, wouldn't it be possible to have an interesting sighting?'

Having calculated that, Iona said with a smile.

“Not even the count. What you got from being a child wasn’t as good as a dog... Isn't that why you have been worried for a long time, right?”