I Won’t Go Back To My Family Who…

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Ko - fi & Pateron

Table of Contents

  • 1. Chapter 1. I Was Abandoned By My Family
  • 2. Chapter 2. Today's Luck Doesn't Seem So Bad
  • 3. Chapter 3. There's No Way She’s Incompetent
  • 4. Chapter 4. Maybe It's Better To Break Up
  • 5. Chapter 5. I Wish I Had A Family Like This
  • 6. Chapter 6. ‘No Luck’ Is An Ability
  • 7. Chapter 7. I've Been Waiting For You
  • 8. Chapter 8. The Reason Why My Family Avoided Me
  • 9. Chapter 9. Lock Her Up Or Kick Her Out
  • 10. Chapter 10. Who's That Gold Thread Bracelet For?
  • 11. Chapter 11. Those Who Ignore Their Good Fortune
  • 12. Chapter 12. Where The Luck Left
  • 13. Chapter 13. If There’s No Place To Go Back
  • 14. Chapter 14. I’ll Decide Where To Be
  • 15. Chapter 15. I Like The Threat Of Being Here
  • 16. Chapter 16. There’s A Little Bit Of Bad Luck
  • 17. Chapter 17. “Good Luck” Is Unexpected
  • 18. Chapter 18. Where Misfortunes Come
  • 19. Chapter 19. In Order To Move Forward
  • 20. Chapter 20 - You’ll See, I’m Sure It’ll Be Successful 
  • 21. Chapter 21. It’s Time To Let Go
  • 22. Chapter 22. If You Really Want It
  • 23. Chapter 23. I'm Not Buying It, I'm Just Wondering Where They Sell It.
  • 24. Chapter 24. Who’s On Their Knees?
  • 25. Chapter 25. We’re Getting Closer, And They’re Falling Apart
  • 26. Chapter 26. Your Ability Is So Useless
  • 27. Chapter 27. Blue Ribbons And A White Rose
  • 28. Chapter 28. It’s Already Over
  • 29. Chapter 29. Over-Reacting To A Bad Joke
  • 30. Chapter 30. My Greed To Make You Happy
  • 31. Chapter 31. To See What Kind Of Person You Are
  • 32. Chapter 32. Who’s The Winner?
  • 33. Chapter 33. I Hope We Can Reach Each Other Someday
  • 34. Chapter 34. The Broken One And The Strong One
  • 35. Chapter 35. Don’t Be Ashamed Of Yourself
  • 36. Chapter 36. A Good Person, A Bad Person
  • 37. Chapter 37. Blood Of The Extinct Family
  • 38. Chapter 38: I Did My Best
  • 39. Chapter 39. Someone Wins, Someone Loses
  • 40. Chapter 40. Welcome To
  • 41. Chapter 41. Tell You Want You Want To Hear
  • 42. Chapter 42. I Didn’t Want You To Be
  • 43. Chapter 43. I Can't Protect You Just Because You're Family
  • 44. Chapter 44. It’s Not Until You’ve Lost The Obvious
  • 45. Chapter 45. Unwanted Generosity Is Just Unpleasant
  • 46. Chapter 46. Cookies Sold By An Unlucky Person
  • 47. Chapter 47 I Want You To Believe That Rumor
  • 48. Chapter 48. The People Who Love Me
  • 49. Chapter 49. Using A Crisis As An Opportunity
  • 50. Chapter 50. What Do You Think About Him?
  • 51. Chapter 51. Luck Itself
  • 52. Chapter 52. Don’t Mess With Me
  • 53. Chapter 53. You Want To Adopt Me?
  • 54. Chapter 54. How Can I Confess First? What Can’t I Do?
  • 55. Chapter 55. I Like You More
  • 56. Chapter 56. Worth The Price Of A Cookie
  • 57. Chapter 57. May Luck Pour Down Like Rain
  • 58. Chapter 58. The Ability ‘Luck’
  • 59. Chapter 59. Love Yourself More
  • 60. Chapter 60. I Hope You’re Ready For Everything To Come Back
  • 61. Chapter 61. My Brother-in-law And My Sister-in-law
  • 62. Chapter 62. Things Only You Can Do
  • 63. Chapter 63. It’s Not That I Don’t Want To Get Married
  • 64. Chapter 64. An Uncomfortable Guest
  • 65. Chapter 65. Your Misfortune Is More Enjoyable Than My Happiness
  • 66. Chapter 66. When You Realize How Precious It Is After Throwing It Away
  • 67. Chapter 67. It’s Late, But Is It Too Late
  • 68. Chapter 68. Nothing Changes Now
  • 69. Chapter 69. When Misfortune Hits A Fun Party
  • 70. Chapter 70. When Misfortunes Points To Me
  • 71. Chapter 71. The Reality Of The Misfortune
  • 72. Chapter 72. We’re A Married Couple!
  • 73. Chapter 73. Individual Nights
  • 74. Chapter 74. Starting With Good Faith
  • 75. Chapter 75. We Want To Have Each Other
  • 76. Chapter 76. How To Deal With Rude People
  • 77. Chapter 77. I Want To Avoid It, But I Can’t
  • 78. Chapter 78. The More You Rush, The Quicker You Fall
  • 79. Chapter 79. When We’re Together, We Bring Good Luck
  • 80. Chapter 80. I’m So Proud Of You
  • 81. Chapter 81. You Have To Bring Good Luck
  • 82. Chapter 82. The Person Who Threw It Away Can Also Be Thrown Away
  • 83. Chapter 83. I Won’t Go Back To My Family That Abandoned Me
  • 84. Chapter 84. Let Them Suffer From Regret
  • 85. Chapter 85. A Bolt Out Of The Blue
  • 86. Chapter 86. Misfortune Comes Silently
  • 87. Chapter 87. Excessive Greed Causes Disaster
  • 88. Chapter 88. Our Positions Have Changed
  • 89. Chapter 89. If You Live A Good Life, It’ll Come Back To You
  • 90. Chapter 90. I'm Happy, You're Unhappy
  • 91. Chapter 91. What’s Wrong With Abandoning Your Parents And Younger Siblings
  • 92. Chapter 92. When You’re Attached To A Goose That’s Already Gutted
  • 93. Chapter 93. Those Who Want Good Luck
  • 94. Chapter 94. After All, We’re Going Until The End
  • 95. Chapter 95. Who’s The Unlucky One?
  • 96. Chapter 96. Weeds?
  • 97. Chapter 97. A Mischief Of Rats Appeared
  • 98. Chapter 98. Nothing Good Happens If You Don’t Even Start
  • 99. Chapter 99. If You Don’t Propose, Then I Will
  • 100. Chapter 100. I’ll Give You Luck
  • 101. Chapter 101. How The Couple Spend Their Wedding Night(1)
  • 102. Chapter 102. How The Couple Spend Their Wedding Night(2)
  • 103. Chapter 103. The Twin’s Spring Day
  • 104. Chapter 104. Surprise Birthday Party
  • 105. Chapter 105. From The Beginning, It Was Meant To Be(1)
  • 106. Chapter 106. From The Beginning, It Was Meant To Be(2)
  • 107. Chapter 107. Irene’s Story
  • 108. Chapter 108. For Their Newfound Happiness(1)
  • 109. Chapter 109. For Their Newfound Happiness(2) (End)

Chapter 1. I was abandoned by my family

 

 

***

5 Advanced Chapters

https://ko-fi.com/s/f9bb0d248d

***

The letter had politely asked for it, but anyone who saw it would recognize it as coercion.

 

Also, he’d already expected Count Aster to refuse. In addition, she was belatedly told that he’d put in a complaint to the Emperor that they were her real family.

 

“Leticia!”

 

As soon as she received the letter, Leticia immediately went to the Aster mansion. She couldn’t look at the count, so she bowed her head even as he called out to her.

 

“We’re fine, so please raise your head.”

“Count…”

“It’s not your fault.”

 

The words made her eyes sting.

 

As she looked at them with tearful eyes, the Countess moved from her seat beside Count Aster, and sat beside Leticia.

 

“We will always respect your opinion.”

“Countess…”

“I just want you to make the choice for yourself.”

 

Realizing that this meant that she only wanted her to be happy, Leticia went straight into Countess Aster’s arms. She wanted to cry, but she tried hard to hold it in.

 

Count Aster and his wife said nothing except that they wanted her to be happy.

 

Leticia was rather troubled by the way that they tried to not burden her.

 

‘It’s clear that my father knows.’

 

There was no mention of her ability in the content of the letter, but there was no reason for him to try to take her back unless he already knew.

 

‘The day I didn’t want to come has arrived.’

 

She knew it would come someday, but she didn’t know it would come this soon.

 

Countess Aster patted Leticia’s shoulder silently, perhaps she’d noticed her bitterness. Feeling touched, Leticia slowly lowered her eyes.

 

***

 

“Is Leticia really lucky?”

“….”

“Please answer my question, Seios!”

 

Marquis Leroy immediately sent a letter when he heard that Seios occasionally visited the Magic Academy. He never replied, so he visited the academy on his own.

 

Fortunately, he happened to encounter Seios, who had something to do at the academy. This meant he was able to talk to him, face to face.

 

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

 

Seios burst into laughter at the accusatory tone.

 

“What difference would it have made if I told you?”

“Of course it would have made a difference.”

 

It meant that if he had Leticia, his business wouldn’t have been disrupted and his family would’ve continued to thrive.

 

Seios immediately understood what he meant, and clicked his tongue in amazement.

 

“You still haven’t come to your senses.”

“Seios!”

“Leticia is much more righteous and wise than you think.”

 

She was just weak to the people she loved. 

 

“Do you think that kind of child will return to you just because you called her?”

“She has inherited my blood.”

“What if that child says she won’t go back?”

“That…”

 

Of course, he was going to bring her back somehow.

 

He couldn’t say that, so he quietly shut his mouth. Seios expression hardened as if he’d already noticed.

 

“Don’t let me down anymore.”

“Seios.”

“If you keep doing this, I will not help you any further.”

 

Seios stood up after saying that.

 

Even then, Marquis Leroy didn’t listen and turned away from Seios. 

 

***

 

“Are they allowed to do this? Are they even human?”

“Elle.”

 

Enoch called Elle’s name heavily, with the implication that she should stop.

 

Marquis Leroy had already brought it in front of the Emperor. Now the Marquis, Count Aster, and Duke Achilles, because Leticia was living with him, were all called to the Imperial palace.

 

As they rode in the carriage, Elle complained because she couldn’t stand Marquis Leroy’s atrocities. It was Enoch who stopped her.

 

“The choice is Leticia’s, not yours.”

“Brother.”

“You have to respect whatever choices she makes.”

 

Enoch didn’t want to burden or force Leticia to make a choice.

 

However, Elle didn’t change her opinion on the way to the Imperial palace or the audience chamber.

 

“Respect? Forget it, I don’t know about that.”

“Elle.”

“I can’t let my sister get away.”

 

Even though Leticia didn’t say she was going back to Marquis Leroy, Elle hugged Leticia’s shoulder as if she was anxious. Leticia couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the stronger than usual touch.

 

“I think you’re hugging me too hard.”

“I’m worried that you’ll run away, so I need to hold on tight.”

 

Leticia gasped for air and poked her in the arm, but it was of no use. At that moment, Ian, who had been quietly watching them, secretly stood by Leticia’s side. Before she could even turn her head to ask why, one of his arms wrapped around hers.

 

“Ian…?”

“It’s been a while since Elle was correct.”

“Huh?”

 

Ian smiled instead of answering. 

 

Finally Leticia noticed that Ian had also locked his arms with hers, just as Elle had, for fear that she would run away.

 

Embarrassed, she stared at Enoch, as if to ask for a hand.

 

Enoch took turns looking at Leticia and his younger siblings, then slowly turned his head. Just a while ago, he said he’d respect her choice. When she saw that he didn’t try to stop them, she came to understand that he felt the same way as his siblings. 

 

As soon as she tried to scold him, she felt a gaze from somewhere. The moment she turned her head, she found Marquis and Marquess Leroy, as well as Diana and Xavier.

 

“….”

 

They were looking at Leticia, who’d suddenly stopped walking. Enoch’s expression cooled down when he saw the people from the Leroy family nearby. Elle and Ian were already glaring at them with thorns in their eyes. 

 

At that time, the Marquis and Marquess glanced at each other, then slowly approached Leticia.

 

“Leticia!”

 

Leticia stepped back in surprise when the Marquis sadly called out to her. The way he looked at her so gently made her think that she was dreaming.  

 

“I haven’t had an easy day since sending you away.”

“You know very well that there was nothing I could do about it.”

 

The Marquis and Marquess alternately talked with friendly smiles. The words that came out of their mouths, however, were nothing but mild excuses. 

 

“Leticia, Leticia!”

 

He couldn’t watch anymore, so Enoch urged her to go to the audience chamber quickly.

 

Leticia came to her senses at his voice, she straightened her shoulders and stepped back. She followed Enoch into the audience chamber, but somehow she felt complicated and her head drooped.

 

In the meantime, she felt her family’s gaze on her, so Leticia grasped Enoch’s hand tightly. 

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

“Leticia was originally my daughter, and she is my child. She was expelled because of a grave misunderstanding. I just want to bring her back to help resolve the misunderstanding and continue our familial relationship, your Imperial Majesty.”

 

The Leroy family had gained great confidence with the Imperial family by tipping them off to Duke Erebos’ rebellion long ago. Perhaps that’s why he took for granted that the Emperor would look on him favourably. 

 

However, Count Aster wouldn’t give up without a fight.

 

“When you put it that way, she is strictly my daughter, your Imperial Majesty, since she is on my family register. She was originally a child I loved like a daughter. After she was excommunicated, she said she would become my daughter of her own free will, so she is my family.”

 

Leticia never told him that she wanted to go back to her family. So, he couldn’t sit back and let the Marquis’ take advantage of this situation.

 

Marquis Leroy smirked at Count Aster, who was being more forceful than he’d expected.

 

“Don’t you know that blood is thicker than water?”

“It’s the Marquis who showed that blood means less than water.”

 

There was a hint of sarcasm in his quiet voice. Marquis Leroy immediately noticed, and his expression hardened.  

 

 When the atmosphere turned sour, the Emperor interjected. 

 

“Stop it. I think it’s only right that the young lady speak for herself.”

 

When he said this, all eyes in the audience chamber turned towards Leticia.

 

“What does the young lady want?”

“Your Imperial Majesty…”

“Will you go back to your original family and live as Miss Leroy, or will you live as Miss Aster with your current family?”

 

Leticia was standing silently, and quietly lowered her eyes. She could feel countless eyes staring at her. 

 

The Count and Countess Aster, who’s eyes said that they were going to help her no matter what she chose; Elle and Ian, who’s eyes looked at her anxiously; and Enoch, who’s eyes said that he would protect her no matter what. 

 

Then there were her parents and siblings, who were already smiling as if they thought she’d go back to them.

 

“I am…”

 

At one time, she’d hoped for this day. She hoped that her family, who abandoned her, would want her back like they do now.

 

It could even be said that Leticia would’ve embraced them happily, even if they’d abandoned her. Others would’ve clicked their tongues at her, but to her they were family.

 

She’d been excommunicated for less than a year, but it felt so distant, as if many years had already passed. 

 

She felt like she was suffocating and slowly dying after she was abandoned by her family.

 

But…

 

“I don’t want to go back to my original family.”

 

Marquis Leroy and his wife froze in shock at her firm voice that held no hesitation.

 

However, Leticia wasn’t done yet.

 

“I love my current family.”

 

With those words, Leticia held Enoch’s fingertips tightly and turned away from her own family. She felt them staring at her incredulously, but she intentionally turned a blind eye to it.

 

“Then I think we’ve come to a conclusion.”

 

The Emperor looked a little surprised when the audience was done more quickly than he had expected. 

 

Marquis Leroy came to his senses late, and quickly opened his mouth.

 

“Your Imperial Majesty, I would like to talk to my daughter for a moment…”

“With all due respect, your Imperial Majesty, I sincerely ask that you acknowledge Leticia as our daughter.”

“Count Aster!”

 

Without missing a beat, Count Aster cut off the Marquis. He was going to take this opportunity to clearly show who Leticia’s family was.

 

Marquis Leroy realized what he was trying to do and glared at him, but the situation wasn’t on his side.

 

“By your own admission, she’s already on Count Aster’s family register.”

“Your Imperial Majesty!”

“I’ll respect the Count’s wishes.”

“….!”

 

The Marquis urgently called out to the Emperor, but he’d already recognized Leticia as the daughter of Count Aster.

 

The Marquis wouldn’t give up like this, and he turned to look at Leticia. He just needed to talk to Leticia and convinced her that they were a real family.

 

Marquis Leroy approached Leticia with the kindest, gentlest smile he could muster, but as soon as he took a step closer, she quietly hid behind Enoch.

 

“….”

“….”

 

Marquis Leroy froze and his face paled. She acted as if she didn’t even want to look at him, as if she had difficulty even facing him.

 

Chapter 2. Today's luck doesn't seem so bad

 

 

***

5 Advanced Chapters

https://ko-fi.com/s/f9bb0d248d

***

The letter had politely asked for it, but anyone who saw it would recognize it as coercion.

 

Also, he’d already expected Count Aster to refuse. In addition, she was belatedly told that he’d put in a complaint to the Emperor that they were her real family.

 

“Leticia!”

 

As soon as she received the letter, Leticia immediately went to the Aster mansion. She couldn’t look at the count, so she bowed her head even as he called out to her.

 

“We’re fine, so please raise your head.”

“Count…”

“It’s not your fault.”

 

The words made her eyes sting.

 

As she looked at them with tearful eyes, the Countess moved from her seat beside Count Aster, and sat beside Leticia.

 

“We will always respect your opinion.”

“Countess…”

“I just want you to make the choice for yourself.”

 

Realizing that this meant that she only wanted her to be happy, Leticia went straight into Countess Aster’s arms. She wanted to cry, but she tried hard to hold it in.

 

Count Aster and his wife said nothing except that they wanted her to be happy.

 

Leticia was rather troubled by the way that they tried to not burden her.

 

‘It’s clear that my father knows.’

 

There was no mention of her ability in the content of the letter, but there was no reason for him to try to take her back unless he already knew.

 

‘The day I didn’t want to come has arrived.’

 

She knew it would come someday, but she didn’t know it would come this soon.

 

Countess Aster patted Leticia’s shoulder silently, perhaps she’d noticed her bitterness. Feeling touched, Leticia slowly lowered her eyes.

 

***

 

“Is Leticia really lucky?”

“….”

“Please answer my question, Seios!”

 

Marquis Leroy immediately sent a letter when he heard that Seios occasionally visited the Magic Academy. He never replied, so he visited the academy on his own.

 

Fortunately, he happened to encounter Seios, who had something to do at the academy. This meant he was able to talk to him, face to face.

 

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

 

Seios burst into laughter at the accusatory tone.

 

“What difference would it have made if I told you?”

“Of course it would have made a difference.”

 

It meant that if he had Leticia, his business wouldn’t have been disrupted and his family would’ve continued to thrive.

 

Seios immediately understood what he meant, and clicked his tongue in amazement.

 

“You still haven’t come to your senses.”

“Seios!”

“Leticia is much more righteous and wise than you think.”

 

She was just weak to the people she loved. 

 

“Do you think that kind of child will return to you just because you called her?”

“She has inherited my blood.”

“What if that child says she won’t go back?”

“That…”

 

Of course, he was going to bring her back somehow.

 

He couldn’t say that, so he quietly shut his mouth. Seios expression hardened as if he’d already noticed.

 

“Don’t let me down anymore.”

“Seios.”

“If you keep doing this, I will not help you any further.”

 

Seios stood up after saying that.

 

Even then, Marquis Leroy didn’t listen and turned away from Seios. 

 

***

 

“Are they allowed to do this? Are they even human?”

“Elle.”

 

Enoch called Elle’s name heavily, with the implication that she should stop.

 

Marquis Leroy had already brought it in front of the Emperor. Now the Marquis, Count Aster, and Duke Achilles, because Leticia was living with him, were all called to the Imperial palace.

 

As they rode in the carriage, Elle complained because she couldn’t stand Marquis Leroy’s atrocities. It was Enoch who stopped her.

 

“The choice is Leticia’s, not yours.”

“Brother.”

“You have to respect whatever choices she makes.”

 

Enoch didn’t want to burden or force Leticia to make a choice.

 

However, Elle didn’t change her opinion on the way to the Imperial palace or the audience chamber.

 

“Respect? Forget it, I don’t know about that.”

“Elle.”

“I can’t let my sister get away.”

 

Even though Leticia didn’t say she was going back to Marquis Leroy, Elle hugged Leticia’s shoulder as if she was anxious. Leticia couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the stronger than usual touch.

 

“I think you’re hugging me too hard.”

“I’m worried that you’ll run away, so I need to hold on tight.”

 

Leticia gasped for air and poked her in the arm, but it was of no use. At that moment, Ian, who had been quietly watching them, secretly stood by Leticia’s side. Before she could even turn her head to ask why, one of his arms wrapped around hers.

 

“Ian…?”

“It’s been a while since Elle was correct.”

“Huh?”

 

Ian smiled instead of answering. 

 

Finally Leticia noticed that Ian had also locked his arms with hers, just as Elle had, for fear that she would run away.

 

Embarrassed, she stared at Enoch, as if to ask for a hand.

 

Enoch took turns looking at Leticia and his younger siblings, then slowly turned his head. Just a while ago, he said he’d respect her choice. When she saw that he didn’t try to stop them, she came to understand that he felt the same way as his siblings. 

 

As soon as she tried to scold him, she felt a gaze from somewhere. The moment she turned her head, she found Marquis and Marquess Leroy, as well as Diana and Xavier.

 

“….”

 

They were looking at Leticia, who’d suddenly stopped walking. Enoch’s expression cooled down when he saw the people from the Leroy family nearby. Elle and Ian were already glaring at them with thorns in their eyes. 

 

At that time, the Marquis and Marquess glanced at each other, then slowly approached Leticia.

 

“Leticia!”

 

Leticia stepped back in surprise when the Marquis sadly called out to her. The way he looked at her so gently made her think that she was dreaming.  

 

“I haven’t had an easy day since sending you away.”

“You know very well that there was nothing I could do about it.”

 

The Marquis and Marquess alternately talked with friendly smiles. The words that came out of their mouths, however, were nothing but mild excuses. 

 

“Leticia, Leticia!”

 

He couldn’t watch anymore, so Enoch urged her to go to the audience chamber quickly.

 

Leticia came to her senses at his voice, she straightened her shoulders and stepped back. She followed Enoch into the audience chamber, but somehow she felt complicated and her head drooped.

 

In the meantime, she felt her family’s gaze on her, so Leticia grasped Enoch’s hand tightly. 

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

“Leticia was originally my daughter, and she is my child. She was expelled because of a grave misunderstanding. I just want to bring her back to help resolve the misunderstanding and continue our familial relationship, your Imperial Majesty.”

 

The Leroy family had gained great confidence with the Imperial family by tipping them off to Duke Erebos’ rebellion long ago. Perhaps that’s why he took for granted that the Emperor would look on him favourably. 

 

However, Count Aster wouldn’t give up without a fight.

 

“When you put it that way, she is strictly my daughter, your Imperial Majesty, since she is on my family register. She was originally a child I loved like a daughter. After she was excommunicated, she said she would become my daughter of her own free will, so she is my family.”

 

Leticia never told him that she wanted to go back to her family. So, he couldn’t sit back and let the Marquis’ take advantage of this situation.

 

Marquis Leroy smirked at Count Aster, who was being more forceful than he’d expected.

 

“Don’t you know that blood is thicker than water?”

“It’s the Marquis who showed that blood means less than water.”

 

There was a hint of sarcasm in his quiet voice. Marquis Leroy immediately noticed, and his expression hardened.  

 

 When the atmosphere turned sour, the Emperor interjected. 

 

“Stop it. I think it’s only right that the young lady speak for herself.”

 

When he said this, all eyes in the audience chamber turned towards Leticia.

 

“What does the young lady want?”

“Your Imperial Majesty…”

“Will you go back to your original family and live as Miss Leroy, or will you live as Miss Aster with your current family?”

 

Leticia was standing silently, and quietly lowered her eyes. She could feel countless eyes staring at her. 

 

The Count and Countess Aster, who’s eyes said that they were going to help her no matter what she chose; Elle and Ian, who’s eyes looked at her anxiously; and Enoch, who’s eyes said that he would protect her no matter what. 

 

Then there were her parents and siblings, who were already smiling as if they thought she’d go back to them.

 

“I am…”

 

At one time, she’d hoped for this day. She hoped that her family, who abandoned her, would want her back like they do now.

 

It could even be said that Leticia would’ve embraced them happily, even if they’d abandoned her. Others would’ve clicked their tongues at her, but to her they were family.

 

She’d been excommunicated for less than a year, but it felt so distant, as if many years had already passed. 

 

She felt like she was suffocating and slowly dying after she was abandoned by her family.

 

But…

 

“I don’t want to go back to my original family.”

 

Marquis Leroy and his wife froze in shock at her firm voice that held no hesitation.

 

However, Leticia wasn’t done yet.

 

“I love my current family.”

 

With those words, Leticia held Enoch’s fingertips tightly and turned away from her own family. She felt them staring at her incredulously, but she intentionally turned a blind eye to it.

 

“Then I think we’ve come to a conclusion.”

 

The Emperor looked a little surprised when the audience was done more quickly than he had expected. 

 

Marquis Leroy came to his senses late, and quickly opened his mouth.

 

“Your Imperial Majesty, I would like to talk to my daughter for a moment…”

“With all due respect, your Imperial Majesty, I sincerely ask that you acknowledge Leticia as our daughter.”

“Count Aster!”

 

Without missing a beat, Count Aster cut off the Marquis. He was going to take this opportunity to clearly show who Leticia’s family was.

 

Marquis Leroy realized what he was trying to do and glared at him, but the situation wasn’t on his side.

 

“By your own admission, she’s already on Count Aster’s family register.”

“Your Imperial Majesty!”

“I’ll respect the Count’s wishes.”

“….!”

 

The Marquis urgently called out to the Emperor, but he’d already recognized Leticia as the daughter of Count Aster.

 

The Marquis wouldn’t give up like this, and he turned to look at Leticia. He just needed to talk to Leticia and convinced her that they were a real family.

 

Marquis Leroy approached Leticia with the kindest, gentlest smile he could muster, but as soon as he took a step closer, she quietly hid behind Enoch.

 

“….”

“….”

 

Marquis Leroy froze and his face paled. She acted as if she didn’t even want to look at him, as if she had difficulty even facing him.

 

Chapter 3. There's no way she’s incompetent

 

 

***

5 Advanced Chapters

https://ko-fi.com/s/f9bb0d248d

***

The letter had politely asked for it, but anyone who saw it would recognize it as coercion.

 

Also, he’d already expected Count Aster to refuse. In addition, she was belatedly told that he’d put in a complaint to the Emperor that they were her real family.

 

“Leticia!”

 

As soon as she received the letter, Leticia immediately went to the Aster mansion. She couldn’t look at the count, so she bowed her head even as he called out to her.

 

“We’re fine, so please raise your head.”

“Count…”

“It’s not your fault.”

 

The words made her eyes sting.

 

As she looked at them with tearful eyes, the Countess moved from her seat beside Count Aster, and sat beside Leticia.

 

“We will always respect your opinion.”

“Countess…”

“I just want you to make the choice for yourself.”

 

Realizing that this meant that she only wanted her to be happy, Leticia went straight into Countess Aster’s arms. She wanted to cry, but she tried hard to hold it in.

 

Count Aster and his wife said nothing except that they wanted her to be happy.

 

Leticia was rather troubled by the way that they tried to not burden her.

 

‘It’s clear that my father knows.’

 

There was no mention of her ability in the content of the letter, but there was no reason for him to try to take her back unless he already knew.

 

‘The day I didn’t want to come has arrived.’

 

She knew it would come someday, but she didn’t know it would come this soon.

 

Countess Aster patted Leticia’s shoulder silently, perhaps she’d noticed her bitterness. Feeling touched, Leticia slowly lowered her eyes.

 

***

 

“Is Leticia really lucky?”

“….”

“Please answer my question, Seios!”

 

Marquis Leroy immediately sent a letter when he heard that Seios occasionally visited the Magic Academy. He never replied, so he visited the academy on his own.

 

Fortunately, he happened to encounter Seios, who had something to do at the academy. This meant he was able to talk to him, face to face.

 

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

 

Seios burst into laughter at the accusatory tone.

 

“What difference would it have made if I told you?”

“Of course it would have made a difference.”

 

It meant that if he had Leticia, his business wouldn’t have been disrupted and his family would’ve continued to thrive.

 

Seios immediately understood what he meant, and clicked his tongue in amazement.

 

“You still haven’t come to your senses.”

“Seios!”

“Leticia is much more righteous and wise than you think.”

 

She was just weak to the people she loved. 

 

“Do you think that kind of child will return to you just because you called her?”

“She has inherited my blood.”

“What if that child says she won’t go back?”

“That…”

 

Of course, he was going to bring her back somehow.

 

He couldn’t say that, so he quietly shut his mouth. Seios expression hardened as if he’d already noticed.

 

“Don’t let me down anymore.”

“Seios.”

“If you keep doing this, I will not help you any further.”

 

Seios stood up after saying that.

 

Even then, Marquis Leroy didn’t listen and turned away from Seios. 

 

***

 

“Are they allowed to do this? Are they even human?”

“Elle.”

 

Enoch called Elle’s name heavily, with the implication that she should stop.

 

Marquis Leroy had already brought it in front of the Emperor. Now the Marquis, Count Aster, and Duke Achilles, because Leticia was living with him, were all called to the Imperial palace.

 

As they rode in the carriage, Elle complained because she couldn’t stand Marquis Leroy’s atrocities. It was Enoch who stopped her.

 

“The choice is Leticia’s, not yours.”

“Brother.”

“You have to respect whatever choices she makes.”

 

Enoch didn’t want to burden or force Leticia to make a choice.

 

However, Elle didn’t change her opinion on the way to the Imperial palace or the audience chamber.

 

“Respect? Forget it, I don’t know about that.”

“Elle.”

“I can’t let my sister get away.”

 

Even though Leticia didn’t say she was going back to Marquis Leroy, Elle hugged Leticia’s shoulder as if she was anxious. Leticia couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the stronger than usual touch.

 

“I think you’re hugging me too hard.”

“I’m worried that you’ll run away, so I need to hold on tight.”

 

Leticia gasped for air and poked her in the arm, but it was of no use. At that moment, Ian, who had been quietly watching them, secretly stood by Leticia’s side. Before she could even turn her head to ask why, one of his arms wrapped around hers.

 

“Ian…?”

“It’s been a while since Elle was correct.”

“Huh?”

 

Ian smiled instead of answering. 

 

Finally Leticia noticed that Ian had also locked his arms with hers, just as Elle had, for fear that she would run away.

 

Embarrassed, she stared at Enoch, as if to ask for a hand.

 

Enoch took turns looking at Leticia and his younger siblings, then slowly turned his head. Just a while ago, he said he’d respect her choice. When she saw that he didn’t try to stop them, she came to understand that he felt the same way as his siblings. 

 

As soon as she tried to scold him, she felt a gaze from somewhere. The moment she turned her head, she found Marquis and Marquess Leroy, as well as Diana and Xavier.

 

“….”

 

They were looking at Leticia, who’d suddenly stopped walking. Enoch’s expression cooled down when he saw the people from the Leroy family nearby. Elle and Ian were already glaring at them with thorns in their eyes. 

 

At that time, the Marquis and Marquess glanced at each other, then slowly approached Leticia.

 

“Leticia!”

 

Leticia stepped back in surprise when the Marquis sadly called out to her. The way he looked at her so gently made her think that she was dreaming.  

 

“I haven’t had an easy day since sending you away.”

“You know very well that there was nothing I could do about it.”

 

The Marquis and Marquess alternately talked with friendly smiles. The words that came out of their mouths, however, were nothing but mild excuses. 

 

“Leticia, Leticia!”

 

He couldn’t watch anymore, so Enoch urged her to go to the audience chamber quickly.

 

Leticia came to her senses at his voice, she straightened her shoulders and stepped back. She followed Enoch into the audience chamber, but somehow she felt complicated and her head drooped.

 

In the meantime, she felt her family’s gaze on her, so Leticia grasped Enoch’s hand tightly. 

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

“Leticia was originally my daughter, and she is my child. She was expelled because of a grave misunderstanding. I just want to bring her back to help resolve the misunderstanding and continue our familial relationship, your Imperial Majesty.”

 

The Leroy family had gained great confidence with the Imperial family by tipping them off to Duke Erebos’ rebellion long ago. Perhaps that’s why he took for granted that the Emperor would look on him favourably. 

 

However, Count Aster wouldn’t give up without a fight.

 

“When you put it that way, she is strictly my daughter, your Imperial Majesty, since she is on my family register. She was originally a child I loved like a daughter. After she was excommunicated, she said she would become my daughter of her own free will, so she is my family.”

 

Leticia never told him that she wanted to go back to her family. So, he couldn’t sit back and let the Marquis’ take advantage of this situation.

 

Marquis Leroy smirked at Count Aster, who was being more forceful than he’d expected.

 

“Don’t you know that blood is thicker than water?”

“It’s the Marquis who showed that blood means less than water.”

 

There was a hint of sarcasm in his quiet voice. Marquis Leroy immediately noticed, and his expression hardened.  

 

 When the atmosphere turned sour, the Emperor interjected. 

 

“Stop it. I think it’s only right that the young lady speak for herself.”

 

When he said this, all eyes in the audience chamber turned towards Leticia.

 

“What does the young lady want?”

“Your Imperial Majesty…”

“Will you go back to your original family and live as Miss Leroy, or will you live as Miss Aster with your current family?”

 

Leticia was standing silently, and quietly lowered her eyes. She could feel countless eyes staring at her. 

 

The Count and Countess Aster, who’s eyes said that they were going to help her no matter what she chose; Elle and Ian, who’s eyes looked at her anxiously; and Enoch, who’s eyes said that he would protect her no matter what. 

 

Then there were her parents and siblings, who were already smiling as if they thought she’d go back to them.

 

“I am…”

 

At one time, she’d hoped for this day. She hoped that her family, who abandoned her, would want her back like they do now.

 

It could even be said that Leticia would’ve embraced them happily, even if they’d abandoned her. Others would’ve clicked their tongues at her, but to her they were family.

 

She’d been excommunicated for less than a year, but it felt so distant, as if many years had already passed. 

 

She felt like she was suffocating and slowly dying after she was abandoned by her family.

 

But…

 

“I don’t want to go back to my original family.”

 

Marquis Leroy and his wife froze in shock at her firm voice that held no hesitation.

 

However, Leticia wasn’t done yet.

 

“I love my current family.”

 

With those words, Leticia held Enoch’s fingertips tightly and turned away from her own family. She felt them staring at her incredulously, but she intentionally turned a blind eye to it.

 

“Then I think we’ve come to a conclusion.”

 

The Emperor looked a little surprised when the audience was done more quickly than he had expected. 

 

Marquis Leroy came to his senses late, and quickly opened his mouth.

 

“Your Imperial Majesty, I would like to talk to my daughter for a moment…”

“With all due respect, your Imperial Majesty, I sincerely ask that you acknowledge Leticia as our daughter.”

“Count Aster!”

 

Without missing a beat, Count Aster cut off the Marquis. He was going to take this opportunity to clearly show who Leticia’s family was.

 

Marquis Leroy realized what he was trying to do and glared at him, but the situation wasn’t on his side.

 

“By your own admission, she’s already on Count Aster’s family register.”

“Your Imperial Majesty!”

“I’ll respect the Count’s wishes.”

“….!”

 

The Marquis urgently called out to the Emperor, but he’d already recognized Leticia as the daughter of Count Aster.

 

The Marquis wouldn’t give up like this, and he turned to look at Leticia. He just needed to talk to Leticia and convinced her that they were a real family.

 

Marquis Leroy approached Leticia with the kindest, gentlest smile he could muster, but as soon as he took a step closer, she quietly hid behind Enoch.

 

“….”

“….”

 

Marquis Leroy froze and his face paled. She acted as if she didn’t even want to look at him, as if she had difficulty even facing him.

 

Chapter 4. Maybe it's better to break up

 

 

***

5 Advanced Chapters

https://ko-fi.com/s/f9bb0d248d

***

The letter had politely asked for it, but anyone who saw it would recognize it as coercion.

 

Also, he’d already expected Count Aster to refuse. In addition, she was belatedly told that he’d put in a complaint to the Emperor that they were her real family.

 

“Leticia!”

 

As soon as she received the letter, Leticia immediately went to the Aster mansion. She couldn’t look at the count, so she bowed her head even as he called out to her.

 

“We’re fine, so please raise your head.”

“Count…”

“It’s not your fault.”

 

The words made her eyes sting.

 

As she looked at them with tearful eyes, the Countess moved from her seat beside Count Aster, and sat beside Leticia.

 

“We will always respect your opinion.”

“Countess…”

“I just want you to make the choice for yourself.”

 

Realizing that this meant that she only wanted her to be happy, Leticia went straight into Countess Aster’s arms. She wanted to cry, but she tried hard to hold it in.

 

Count Aster and his wife said nothing except that they wanted her to be happy.

 

Leticia was rather troubled by the way that they tried to not burden her.

 

‘It’s clear that my father knows.’

 

There was no mention of her ability in the content of the letter, but there was no reason for him to try to take her back unless he already knew.

 

‘The day I didn’t want to come has arrived.’

 

She knew it would come someday, but she didn’t know it would come this soon.

 

Countess Aster patted Leticia’s shoulder silently, perhaps she’d noticed her bitterness. Feeling touched, Leticia slowly lowered her eyes.

 

***

 

“Is Leticia really lucky?”

“….”

“Please answer my question, Seios!”

 

Marquis Leroy immediately sent a letter when he heard that Seios occasionally visited the Magic Academy. He never replied, so he visited the academy on his own.

 

Fortunately, he happened to encounter Seios, who had something to do at the academy. This meant he was able to talk to him, face to face.

 

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

 

Seios burst into laughter at the accusatory tone.

 

“What difference would it have made if I told you?”

“Of course it would have made a difference.”

 

It meant that if he had Leticia, his business wouldn’t have been disrupted and his family would’ve continued to thrive.

 

Seios immediately understood what he meant, and clicked his tongue in amazement.

 

“You still haven’t come to your senses.”

“Seios!”

“Leticia is much more righteous and wise than you think.”

 

She was just weak to the people she loved. 

 

“Do you think that kind of child will return to you just because you called her?”

“She has inherited my blood.”

“What if that child says she won’t go back?”

“That…”

 

Of course, he was going to bring her back somehow.

 

He couldn’t say that, so he quietly shut his mouth. Seios expression hardened as if he’d already noticed.

 

“Don’t let me down anymore.”

“Seios.”

“If you keep doing this, I will not help you any further.”

 

Seios stood up after saying that.

 

Even then, Marquis Leroy didn’t listen and turned away from Seios. 

 

***

 

“Are they allowed to do this? Are they even human?”

“Elle.”

 

Enoch called Elle’s name heavily, with the implication that she should stop.

 

Marquis Leroy had already brought it in front of the Emperor. Now the Marquis, Count Aster, and Duke Achilles, because Leticia was living with him, were all called to the Imperial palace.

 

As they rode in the carriage, Elle complained because she couldn’t stand Marquis Leroy’s atrocities. It was Enoch who stopped her.

 

“The choice is Leticia’s, not yours.”

“Brother.”

“You have to respect whatever choices she makes.”

 

Enoch didn’t want to burden or force Leticia to make a choice.

 

However, Elle didn’t change her opinion on the way to the Imperial palace or the audience chamber.

 

“Respect? Forget it, I don’t know about that.”

“Elle.”

“I can’t let my sister get away.”

 

Even though Leticia didn’t say she was going back to Marquis Leroy, Elle hugged Leticia’s shoulder as if she was anxious. Leticia couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the stronger than usual touch.

 

“I think you’re hugging me too hard.”

“I’m worried that you’ll run away, so I need to hold on tight.”

 

Leticia gasped for air and poked her in the arm, but it was of no use. At that moment, Ian, who had been quietly watching them, secretly stood by Leticia’s side. Before she could even turn her head to ask why, one of his arms wrapped around hers.

 

“Ian…?”

“It’s been a while since Elle was correct.”

“Huh?”

 

Ian smiled instead of answering. 

 

Finally Leticia noticed that Ian had also locked his arms with hers, just as Elle had, for fear that she would run away.

 

Embarrassed, she stared at Enoch, as if to ask for a hand.

 

Enoch took turns looking at Leticia and his younger siblings, then slowly turned his head. Just a while ago, he said he’d respect her choice. When she saw that he didn’t try to stop them, she came to understand that he felt the same way as his siblings. 

 

As soon as she tried to scold him, she felt a gaze from somewhere. The moment she turned her head, she found Marquis and Marquess Leroy, as well as Diana and Xavier.

 

“….”

 

They were looking at Leticia, who’d suddenly stopped walking. Enoch’s expression cooled down when he saw the people from the Leroy family nearby. Elle and Ian were already glaring at them with thorns in their eyes. 

 

At that time, the Marquis and Marquess glanced at each other, then slowly approached Leticia.

 

“Leticia!”

 

Leticia stepped back in surprise when the Marquis sadly called out to her. The way he looked at her so gently made her think that she was dreaming.  

 

“I haven’t had an easy day since sending you away.”

“You know very well that there was nothing I could do about it.”

 

The Marquis and Marquess alternately talked with friendly smiles. The words that came out of their mouths, however, were nothing but mild excuses. 

 

“Leticia, Leticia!”

 

He couldn’t watch anymore, so Enoch urged her to go to the audience chamber quickly.

 

Leticia came to her senses at his voice, she straightened her shoulders and stepped back. She followed Enoch into the audience chamber, but somehow she felt complicated and her head drooped.

 

In the meantime, she felt her family’s gaze on her, so Leticia grasped Enoch’s hand tightly. 

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

“Leticia was originally my daughter, and she is my child. She was expelled because of a grave misunderstanding. I just want to bring her back to help resolve the misunderstanding and continue our familial relationship, your Imperial Majesty.”

 

The Leroy family had gained great confidence with the Imperial family by tipping them off to Duke Erebos’ rebellion long ago. Perhaps that’s why he took for granted that the Emperor would look on him favourably. 

 

However, Count Aster wouldn’t give up without a fight.

 

“When you put it that way, she is strictly my daughter, your Imperial Majesty, since she is on my family register. She was originally a child I loved like a daughter. After she was excommunicated, she said she would become my daughter of her own free will, so she is my family.”

 

Leticia never told him that she wanted to go back to her family. So, he couldn’t sit back and let the Marquis’ take advantage of this situation.

 

Marquis Leroy smirked at Count Aster, who was being more forceful than he’d expected.

 

“Don’t you know that blood is thicker than water?”

“It’s the Marquis who showed that blood means less than water.”

 

There was a hint of sarcasm in his quiet voice. Marquis Leroy immediately noticed, and his expression hardened.  

 

 When the atmosphere turned sour, the Emperor interjected. 

 

“Stop it. I think it’s only right that the young lady speak for herself.”

 

When he said this, all eyes in the audience chamber turned towards Leticia.

 

“What does the young lady want?”

“Your Imperial Majesty…”

“Will you go back to your original family and live as Miss Leroy, or will you live as Miss Aster with your current family?”

 

Leticia was standing silently, and quietly lowered her eyes. She could feel countless eyes staring at her. 

 

The Count and Countess Aster, who’s eyes said that they were going to help her no matter what she chose; Elle and Ian, who’s eyes looked at her anxiously; and Enoch, who’s eyes said that he would protect her no matter what. 

 

Then there were her parents and siblings, who were already smiling as if they thought she’d go back to them.

 

“I am…”

 

At one time, she’d hoped for this day. She hoped that her family, who abandoned her, would want her back like they do now.

 

It could even be said that Leticia would’ve embraced them happily, even if they’d abandoned her. Others would’ve clicked their tongues at her, but to her they were family.

 

She’d been excommunicated for less than a year, but it felt so distant, as if many years had already passed. 

 

She felt like she was suffocating and slowly dying after she was abandoned by her family.

 

But…

 

“I don’t want to go back to my original family.”

 

Marquis Leroy and his wife froze in shock at her firm voice that held no hesitation.

 

However, Leticia wasn’t done yet.

 

“I love my current family.”

 

With those words, Leticia held Enoch’s fingertips tightly and turned away from her own family. She felt them staring at her incredulously, but she intentionally turned a blind eye to it.

 

“Then I think we’ve come to a conclusion.”

 

The Emperor looked a little surprised when the audience was done more quickly than he had expected. 

 

Marquis Leroy came to his senses late, and quickly opened his mouth.

 

“Your Imperial Majesty, I would like to talk to my daughter for a moment…”

“With all due respect, your Imperial Majesty, I sincerely ask that you acknowledge Leticia as our daughter.”

“Count Aster!”

 

Without missing a beat, Count Aster cut off the Marquis. He was going to take this opportunity to clearly show who Leticia’s family was.

 

Marquis Leroy realized what he was trying to do and glared at him, but the situation wasn’t on his side.

 

“By your own admission, she’s already on Count Aster’s family register.”

“Your Imperial Majesty!”

“I’ll respect the Count’s wishes.”

“….!”

 

The Marquis urgently called out to the Emperor, but he’d already recognized Leticia as the daughter of Count Aster.

 

The Marquis wouldn’t give up like this, and he turned to look at Leticia. He just needed to talk to Leticia and convinced her that they were a real family.

 

Marquis Leroy approached Leticia with the kindest, gentlest smile he could muster, but as soon as he took a step closer, she quietly hid behind Enoch.

 

“….”

“….”

 

Marquis Leroy froze and his face paled. She acted as if she didn’t even want to look at him, as if she had difficulty even facing him.

 

Chapter 5. I Wish I Had A Family Like This

 

 

***

5 Advanced Chapters

https://ko-fi.com/s/f9bb0d248d

***

The letter had politely asked for it, but anyone who saw it would recognize it as coercion.

 

Also, he’d already expected Count Aster to refuse. In addition, she was belatedly told that he’d put in a complaint to the Emperor that they were her real family.

 

“Leticia!”

 

As soon as she received the letter, Leticia immediately went to the Aster mansion. She couldn’t look at the count, so she bowed her head even as he called out to her.

 

“We’re fine, so please raise your head.”

“Count…”

“It’s not your fault.”

 

The words made her eyes sting.

 

As she looked at them with tearful eyes, the Countess moved from her seat beside Count Aster, and sat beside Leticia.

 

“We will always respect your opinion.”

“Countess…”

“I just want you to make the choice for yourself.”

 

Realizing that this meant that she only wanted her to be happy, Leticia went straight into Countess Aster’s arms. She wanted to cry, but she tried hard to hold it in.

 

Count Aster and his wife said nothing except that they wanted her to be happy.

 

Leticia was rather troubled by the way that they tried to not burden her.

 

‘It’s clear that my father knows.’

 

There was no mention of her ability in the content of the letter, but there was no reason for him to try to take her back unless he already knew.

 

‘The day I didn’t want to come has arrived.’

 

She knew it would come someday, but she didn’t know it would come this soon.

 

Countess Aster patted Leticia’s shoulder silently, perhaps she’d noticed her bitterness. Feeling touched, Leticia slowly lowered her eyes.

 

***

 

“Is Leticia really lucky?”

“….”

“Please answer my question, Seios!”

 

Marquis Leroy immediately sent a letter when he heard that Seios occasionally visited the Magic Academy. He never replied, so he visited the academy on his own.

 

Fortunately, he happened to encounter Seios, who had something to do at the academy. This meant he was able to talk to him, face to face.

 

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

 

Seios burst into laughter at the accusatory tone.

 

“What difference would it have made if I told you?”

“Of course it would have made a difference.”

 

It meant that if he had Leticia, his business wouldn’t have been disrupted and his family would’ve continued to thrive.

 

Seios immediately understood what he meant, and clicked his tongue in amazement.

 

“You still haven’t come to your senses.”

“Seios!”

“Leticia is much more righteous and wise than you think.”

 

She was just weak to the people she loved. 

 

“Do you think that kind of child will return to you just because you called her?”

“She has inherited my blood.”

“What if that child says she won’t go back?”

“That…”

 

Of course, he was going to bring her back somehow.

 

He couldn’t say that, so he quietly shut his mouth. Seios expression hardened as if he’d already noticed.

 

“Don’t let me down anymore.”

“Seios.”

“If you keep doing this, I will not help you any further.”

 

Seios stood up after saying that.

 

Even then, Marquis Leroy didn’t listen and turned away from Seios. 

 

***

 

“Are they allowed to do this? Are they even human?”

“Elle.”

 

Enoch called Elle’s name heavily, with the implication that she should stop.

 

Marquis Leroy had already brought it in front of the Emperor. Now the Marquis, Count Aster, and Duke Achilles, because Leticia was living with him, were all called to the Imperial palace.

 

As they rode in the carriage, Elle complained because she couldn’t stand Marquis Leroy’s atrocities. It was Enoch who stopped her.

 

“The choice is Leticia’s, not yours.”

“Brother.”

“You have to respect whatever choices she makes.”

 

Enoch didn’t want to burden or force Leticia to make a choice.

 

However, Elle didn’t change her opinion on the way to the Imperial palace or the audience chamber.

 

“Respect? Forget it, I don’t know about that.”

“Elle.”

“I can’t let my sister get away.”

 

Even though Leticia didn’t say she was going back to Marquis Leroy, Elle hugged Leticia’s shoulder as if she was anxious. Leticia couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the stronger than usual touch.

 

“I think you’re hugging me too hard.”

“I’m worried that you’ll run away, so I need to hold on tight.”

 

Leticia gasped for air and poked her in the arm, but it was of no use. At that moment, Ian, who had been quietly watching them, secretly stood by Leticia’s side. Before she could even turn her head to ask why, one of his arms wrapped around hers.

 

“Ian…?”

“It’s been a while since Elle was correct.”

“Huh?”

 

Ian smiled instead of answering. 

 

Finally Leticia noticed that Ian had also locked his arms with hers, just as Elle had, for fear that she would run away.

 

Embarrassed, she stared at Enoch, as if to ask for a hand.

 

Enoch took turns looking at Leticia and his younger siblings, then slowly turned his head. Just a while ago, he said he’d respect her choice. When she saw that he didn’t try to stop them, she came to understand that he felt the same way as his siblings. 

 

As soon as she tried to scold him, she felt a gaze from somewhere. The moment she turned her head, she found Marquis and Marquess Leroy, as well as Diana and Xavier.

 

“….”

 

They were looking at Leticia, who’d suddenly stopped walking. Enoch’s expression cooled down when he saw the people from the Leroy family nearby. Elle and Ian were already glaring at them with thorns in their eyes. 

 

At that time, the Marquis and Marquess glanced at each other, then slowly approached Leticia.

 

“Leticia!”

 

Leticia stepped back in surprise when the Marquis sadly called out to her. The way he looked at her so gently made her think that she was dreaming.  

 

“I haven’t had an easy day since sending you away.”

“You know very well that there was nothing I could do about it.”

 

The Marquis and Marquess alternately talked with friendly smiles. The words that came out of their mouths, however, were nothing but mild excuses. 

 

“Leticia, Leticia!”

 

He couldn’t watch anymore, so Enoch urged her to go to the audience chamber quickly.

 

Leticia came to her senses at his voice, she straightened her shoulders and stepped back. She followed Enoch into the audience chamber, but somehow she felt complicated and her head drooped.

 

In the meantime, she felt her family’s gaze on her, so Leticia grasped Enoch’s hand tightly. 

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

“Leticia was originally my daughter, and she is my child. She was expelled because of a grave misunderstanding. I just want to bring her back to help resolve the misunderstanding and continue our familial relationship, your Imperial Majesty.”

 

The Leroy family had gained great confidence with the Imperial family by tipping them off to Duke Erebos’ rebellion long ago. Perhaps that’s why he took for granted that the Emperor would look on him favourably. 

 

However, Count Aster wouldn’t give up without a fight.

 

“When you put it that way, she is strictly my daughter, your Imperial Majesty, since she is on my family register. She was originally a child I loved like a daughter. After she was excommunicated, she said she would become my daughter of her own free will, so she is my family.”

 

Leticia never told him that she wanted to go back to her family. So, he couldn’t sit back and let the Marquis’ take advantage of this situation.

 

Marquis Leroy smirked at Count Aster, who was being more forceful than he’d expected.

 

“Don’t you know that blood is thicker than water?”

“It’s the Marquis who showed that blood means less than water.”

 

There was a hint of sarcasm in his quiet voice. Marquis Leroy immediately noticed, and his expression hardened.  

 

 When the atmosphere turned sour, the Emperor interjected. 

 

“Stop it. I think it’s only right that the young lady speak for herself.”

 

When he said this, all eyes in the audience chamber turned towards Leticia.

 

“What does the young lady want?”

“Your Imperial Majesty…”

“Will you go back to your original family and live as Miss Leroy, or will you live as Miss Aster with your current family?”

 

Leticia was standing silently, and quietly lowered her eyes. She could feel countless eyes staring at her. 

 

The Count and Countess Aster, who’s eyes said that they were going to help her no matter what she chose; Elle and Ian, who’s eyes looked at her anxiously; and Enoch, who’s eyes said that he would protect her no matter what. 

 

Then there were her parents and siblings, who were already smiling as if they thought she’d go back to them.

 

“I am…”

 

At one time, she’d hoped for this day. She hoped that her family, who abandoned her, would want her back like they do now.

 

It could even be said that Leticia would’ve embraced them happily, even if they’d abandoned her. Others would’ve clicked their tongues at her, but to her they were family.

 

She’d been excommunicated for less than a year, but it felt so distant, as if many years had already passed. 

 

She felt like she was suffocating and slowly dying after she was abandoned by her family.

 

But…

 

“I don’t want to go back to my original family.”

 

Marquis Leroy and his wife froze in shock at her firm voice that held no hesitation.

 

However, Leticia wasn’t done yet.

 

“I love my current family.”

 

With those words, Leticia held Enoch’s fingertips tightly and turned away from her own family. She felt them staring at her incredulously, but she intentionally turned a blind eye to it.

 

“Then I think we’ve come to a conclusion.”

 

The Emperor looked a little surprised when the audience was done more quickly than he had expected. 

 

Marquis Leroy came to his senses late, and quickly opened his mouth.

 

“Your Imperial Majesty, I would like to talk to my daughter for a moment…”

“With all due respect, your Imperial Majesty, I sincerely ask that you acknowledge Leticia as our daughter.”

“Count Aster!”

 

Without missing a beat, Count Aster cut off the Marquis. He was going to take this opportunity to clearly show who Leticia’s family was.

 

Marquis Leroy realized what he was trying to do and glared at him, but the situation wasn’t on his side.

 

“By your own admission, she’s already on Count Aster’s family register.”

“Your Imperial Majesty!”

“I’ll respect the Count’s wishes.”

“….!”

 

The Marquis urgently called out to the Emperor, but he’d already recognized Leticia as the daughter of Count Aster.

 

The Marquis wouldn’t give up like this, and he turned to look at Leticia. He just needed to talk to Leticia and convinced her that they were a real family.

 

Marquis Leroy approached Leticia with the kindest, gentlest smile he could muster, but as soon as he took a step closer, she quietly hid behind Enoch.

 

“….”

“….”

 

Marquis Leroy froze and his face paled. She acted as if she didn’t even want to look at him, as if she had difficulty even facing him.

 

Chapter 6. ‘No luck’ is an ability

 

 

***

5 Advanced Chapters

https://ko-fi.com/s/f9bb0d248d

***

The letter had politely asked for it, but anyone who saw it would recognize it as coercion.

 

Also, he’d already expected Count Aster to refuse. In addition, she was belatedly told that he’d put in a complaint to the Emperor that they were her real family.

 

“Leticia!”

 

As soon as she received the letter, Leticia immediately went to the Aster mansion. She couldn’t look at the count, so she bowed her head even as he called out to her.

 

“We’re fine, so please raise your head.”

“Count…”

“It’s not your fault.”

 

The words made her eyes sting.

 

As she looked at them with tearful eyes, the Countess moved from her seat beside Count Aster, and sat beside Leticia.

 

“We will always respect your opinion.”

“Countess…”

“I just want you to make the choice for yourself.”

 

Realizing that this meant that she only wanted her to be happy, Leticia went straight into Countess Aster’s arms. She wanted to cry, but she tried hard to hold it in.

 

Count Aster and his wife said nothing except that they wanted her to be happy.

 

Leticia was rather troubled by the way that they tried to not burden her.

 

‘It’s clear that my father knows.’

 

There was no mention of her ability in the content of the letter, but there was no reason for him to try to take her back unless he already knew.

 

‘The day I didn’t want to come has arrived.’

 

She knew it would come someday, but she didn’t know it would come this soon.

 

Countess Aster patted Leticia’s shoulder silently, perhaps she’d noticed her bitterness. Feeling touched, Leticia slowly lowered her eyes.

 

***

 

“Is Leticia really lucky?”

“….”

“Please answer my question, Seios!”

 

Marquis Leroy immediately sent a letter when he heard that Seios occasionally visited the Magic Academy. He never replied, so he visited the academy on his own.

 

Fortunately, he happened to encounter Seios, who had something to do at the academy. This meant he was able to talk to him, face to face.

 

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

 

Seios burst into laughter at the accusatory tone.

 

“What difference would it have made if I told you?”

“Of course it would have made a difference.”

 

It meant that if he had Leticia, his business wouldn’t have been disrupted and his family would’ve continued to thrive.

 

Seios immediately understood what he meant, and clicked his tongue in amazement.

 

“You still haven’t come to your senses.”

“Seios!”

“Leticia is much more righteous and wise than you think.”

 

She was just weak to the people she loved. 

 

“Do you think that kind of child will return to you just because you called her?”

“She has inherited my blood.”

“What if that child says she won’t go back?”

“That…”

 

Of course, he was going to bring her back somehow.

 

He couldn’t say that, so he quietly shut his mouth. Seios expression hardened as if he’d already noticed.

 

“Don’t let me down anymore.”

“Seios.”

“If you keep doing this, I will not help you any further.”

 

Seios stood up after saying that.

 

Even then, Marquis Leroy didn’t listen and turned away from Seios. 

 

***

 

“Are they allowed to do this? Are they even human?”

“Elle.”

 

Enoch called Elle’s name heavily, with the implication that she should stop.

 

Marquis Leroy had already brought it in front of the Emperor. Now the Marquis, Count Aster, and Duke Achilles, because Leticia was living with him, were all called to the Imperial palace.

 

As they rode in the carriage, Elle complained because she couldn’t stand Marquis Leroy’s atrocities. It was Enoch who stopped her.

 

“The choice is Leticia’s, not yours.”

“Brother.”

“You have to respect whatever choices she makes.”

 

Enoch didn’t want to burden or force Leticia to make a choice.

 

However, Elle didn’t change her opinion on the way to the Imperial palace or the audience chamber.

 

“Respect? Forget it, I don’t know about that.”

“Elle.”

“I can’t let my sister get away.”

 

Even though Leticia didn’t say she was going back to Marquis Leroy, Elle hugged Leticia’s shoulder as if she was anxious. Leticia couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the stronger than usual touch.

 

“I think you’re hugging me too hard.”

“I’m worried that you’ll run away, so I need to hold on tight.”

 

Leticia gasped for air and poked her in the arm, but it was of no use. At that moment, Ian, who had been quietly watching them, secretly stood by Leticia’s side. Before she could even turn her head to ask why, one of his arms wrapped around hers.

 

“Ian…?”

“It’s been a while since Elle was correct.”

“Huh?”

 

Ian smiled instead of answering. 

 

Finally Leticia noticed that Ian had also locked his arms with hers, just as Elle had, for fear that she would run away.

 

Embarrassed, she stared at Enoch, as if to ask for a hand.

 

Enoch took turns looking at Leticia and his younger siblings, then slowly turned his head. Just a while ago, he said he’d respect her choice. When she saw that he didn’t try to stop them, she came to understand that he felt the same way as his siblings. 

 

As soon as she tried to scold him, she felt a gaze from somewhere. The moment she turned her head, she found Marquis and Marquess Leroy, as well as Diana and Xavier.

 

“….”

 

They were looking at Leticia, who’d suddenly stopped walking. Enoch’s expression cooled down when he saw the people from the Leroy family nearby. Elle and Ian were already glaring at them with thorns in their eyes. 

 

At that time, the Marquis and Marquess glanced at each other, then slowly approached Leticia.

 

“Leticia!”

 

Leticia stepped back in surprise when the Marquis sadly called out to her. The way he looked at her so gently made her think that she was dreaming.  

 

“I haven’t had an easy day since sending you away.”

“You know very well that there was nothing I could do about it.”

 

The Marquis and Marquess alternately talked with friendly smiles. The words that came out of their mouths, however, were nothing but mild excuses. 

 

“Leticia, Leticia!”

 

He couldn’t watch anymore, so Enoch urged her to go to the audience chamber quickly.

 

Leticia came to her senses at his voice, she straightened her shoulders and stepped back. She followed Enoch into the audience chamber, but somehow she felt complicated and her head drooped.

 

In the meantime, she felt her family’s gaze on her, so Leticia grasped Enoch’s hand tightly. 

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

“Leticia was originally my daughter, and she is my child. She was expelled because of a grave misunderstanding. I just want to bring her back to help resolve the misunderstanding and continue our familial relationship, your Imperial Majesty.”

 

The Leroy family had gained great confidence with the Imperial family by tipping them off to Duke Erebos’ rebellion long ago. Perhaps that’s why he took for granted that the Emperor would look on him favourably. 

 

However, Count Aster wouldn’t give up without a fight.

 

“When you put it that way, she is strictly my daughter, your Imperial Majesty, since she is on my family register. She was originally a child I loved like a daughter. After she was excommunicated, she said she would become my daughter of her own free will, so she is my family.”

 

Leticia never told him that she wanted to go back to her family. So, he couldn’t sit back and let the Marquis’ take advantage of this situation.

 

Marquis Leroy smirked at Count Aster, who was being more forceful than he’d expected.

 

“Don’t you know that blood is thicker than water?”

“It’s the Marquis who showed that blood means less than water.”

 

There was a hint of sarcasm in his quiet voice. Marquis Leroy immediately noticed, and his expression hardened.  

 

 When the atmosphere turned sour, the Emperor interjected. 

 

“Stop it. I think it’s only right that the young lady speak for herself.”

 

When he said this, all eyes in the audience chamber turned towards Leticia.

 

“What does the young lady want?”

“Your Imperial Majesty…”

“Will you go back to your original family and live as Miss Leroy, or will you live as Miss Aster with your current family?”

 

Leticia was standing silently, and quietly lowered her eyes. She could feel countless eyes staring at her. 

 

The Count and Countess Aster, who’s eyes said that they were going to help her no matter what she chose; Elle and Ian, who’s eyes looked at her anxiously; and Enoch, who’s eyes said that he would protect her no matter what. 

 

Then there were her parents and siblings, who were already smiling as if they thought she’d go back to them.

 

“I am…”

 

At one time, she’d hoped for this day. She hoped that her family, who abandoned her, would want her back like they do now.

 

It could even be said that Leticia would’ve embraced them happily, even if they’d abandoned her. Others would’ve clicked their tongues at her, but to her they were family.

 

She’d been excommunicated for less than a year, but it felt so distant, as if many years had already passed. 

 

She felt like she was suffocating and slowly dying after she was abandoned by her family.

 

But…

 

“I don’t want to go back to my original family.”

 

Marquis Leroy and his wife froze in shock at her firm voice that held no hesitation.

 

However, Leticia wasn’t done yet.

 

“I love my current family.”

 

With those words, Leticia held Enoch’s fingertips tightly and turned away from her own family. She felt them staring at her incredulously, but she intentionally turned a blind eye to it.

 

“Then I think we’ve come to a conclusion.”

 

The Emperor looked a little surprised when the audience was done more quickly than he had expected. 

 

Marquis Leroy came to his senses late, and quickly opened his mouth.

 

“Your Imperial Majesty, I would like to talk to my daughter for a moment…”

“With all due respect, your Imperial Majesty, I sincerely ask that you acknowledge Leticia as our daughter.”

“Count Aster!”

 

Without missing a beat, Count Aster cut off the Marquis. He was going to take this opportunity to clearly show who Leticia’s family was.

 

Marquis Leroy realized what he was trying to do and glared at him, but the situation wasn’t on his side.

 

“By your own admission, she’s already on Count Aster’s family register.”

“Your Imperial Majesty!”

“I’ll respect the Count’s wishes.”

“….!”

 

The Marquis urgently called out to the Emperor, but he’d already recognized Leticia as the daughter of Count Aster.

 

The Marquis wouldn’t give up like this, and he turned to look at Leticia. He just needed to talk to Leticia and convinced her that they were a real family.

 

Marquis Leroy approached Leticia with the kindest, gentlest smile he could muster, but as soon as he took a step closer, she quietly hid behind Enoch.

 

“….”

“….”

 

Marquis Leroy froze and his face paled. She acted as if she didn’t even want to look at him, as if she had difficulty even facing him.

 

Chapter 7. I've been waiting for you

 

 

***

5 Advanced Chapters

https://ko-fi.com/s/f9bb0d248d

***

The letter had politely asked for it, but anyone who saw it would recognize it as coercion.

 

Also, he’d already expected Count Aster to refuse. In addition, she was belatedly told that he’d put in a complaint to the Emperor that they were her real family.

 

“Leticia!”

 

As soon as she received the letter, Leticia immediately went to the Aster mansion. She couldn’t look at the count, so she bowed her head even as he called out to her.

 

“We’re fine, so please raise your head.”

“Count…”

“It’s not your fault.”

 

The words made her eyes sting.

 

As she looked at them with tearful eyes, the Countess moved from her seat beside Count Aster, and sat beside Leticia.

 

“We will always respect your opinion.”

“Countess…”

“I just want you to make the choice for yourself.”

 

Realizing that this meant that she only wanted her to be happy, Leticia went straight into Countess Aster’s arms. She wanted to cry, but she tried hard to hold it in.

 

Count Aster and his wife said nothing except that they wanted her to be happy.

 

Leticia was rather troubled by the way that they tried to not burden her.

 

‘It’s clear that my father knows.’

 

There was no mention of her ability in the content of the letter, but there was no reason for him to try to take her back unless he already knew.

 

‘The day I didn’t want to come has arrived.’

 

She knew it would come someday, but she didn’t know it would come this soon.

 

Countess Aster patted Leticia’s shoulder silently, perhaps she’d noticed her bitterness. Feeling touched, Leticia slowly lowered her eyes.

 

***

 

“Is Leticia really lucky?”

“….”

“Please answer my question, Seios!”

 

Marquis Leroy immediately sent a letter when he heard that Seios occasionally visited the Magic Academy. He never replied, so he visited the academy on his own.

 

Fortunately, he happened to encounter Seios, who had something to do at the academy. This meant he was able to talk to him, face to face.

 

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

 

Seios burst into laughter at the accusatory tone.

 

“What difference would it have made if I told you?”

“Of course it would have made a difference.”

 

It meant that if he had Leticia, his business wouldn’t have been disrupted and his family would’ve continued to thrive.

 

Seios immediately understood what he meant, and clicked his tongue in amazement.

 

“You still haven’t come to your senses.”

“Seios!”

“Leticia is much more righteous and wise than you think.”

 

She was just weak to the people she loved. 

 

“Do you think that kind of child will return to you just because you called her?”

“She has inherited my blood.”

“What if that child says she won’t go back?”

“That…”

 

Of course, he was going to bring her back somehow.

 

He couldn’t say that, so he quietly shut his mouth. Seios expression hardened as if he’d already noticed.

 

“Don’t let me down anymore.”

“Seios.”

“If you keep doing this, I will not help you any further.”

 

Seios stood up after saying that.

 

Even then, Marquis Leroy didn’t listen and turned away from Seios. 

 

***

 

“Are they allowed to do this? Are they even human?”

“Elle.”

 

Enoch called Elle’s name heavily, with the implication that she should stop.

 

Marquis Leroy had already brought it in front of the Emperor. Now the Marquis, Count Aster, and Duke Achilles, because Leticia was living with him, were all called to the Imperial palace.

 

As they rode in the carriage, Elle complained because she couldn’t stand Marquis Leroy’s atrocities. It was Enoch who stopped her.

 

“The choice is Leticia’s, not yours.”

“Brother.”

“You have to respect whatever choices she makes.”

 

Enoch didn’t want to burden or force Leticia to make a choice.

 

However, Elle didn’t change her opinion on the way to the Imperial palace or the audience chamber.

 

“Respect? Forget it, I don’t know about that.”

“Elle.”

“I can’t let my sister get away.”

 

Even though Leticia didn’t say she was going back to Marquis Leroy, Elle hugged Leticia’s shoulder as if she was anxious. Leticia couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the stronger than usual touch.

 

“I think you’re hugging me too hard.”

“I’m worried that you’ll run away, so I need to hold on tight.”

 

Leticia gasped for air and poked her in the arm, but it was of no use. At that moment, Ian, who had been quietly watching them, secretly stood by Leticia’s side. Before she could even turn her head to ask why, one of his arms wrapped around hers.

 

“Ian…?”

“It’s been a while since Elle was correct.”

“Huh?”

 

Ian smiled instead of answering. 

 

Finally Leticia noticed that Ian had also locked his arms with hers, just as Elle had, for fear that she would run away.

 

Embarrassed, she stared at Enoch, as if to ask for a hand.

 

Enoch took turns looking at Leticia and his younger siblings, then slowly turned his head. Just a while ago, he said he’d respect her choice. When she saw that he didn’t try to stop them, she came to understand that he felt the same way as his siblings. 

 

As soon as she tried to scold him, she felt a gaze from somewhere. The moment she turned her head, she found Marquis and Marquess Leroy, as well as Diana and Xavier.

 

“….”

 

They were looking at Leticia, who’d suddenly stopped walking. Enoch’s expression cooled down when he saw the people from the Leroy family nearby. Elle and Ian were already glaring at them with thorns in their eyes. 

 

At that time, the Marquis and Marquess glanced at each other, then slowly approached Leticia.

 

“Leticia!”

 

Leticia stepped back in surprise when the Marquis sadly called out to her. The way he looked at her so gently made her think that she was dreaming.  

 

“I haven’t had an easy day since sending you away.”

“You know very well that there was nothing I could do about it.”

 

The Marquis and Marquess alternately talked with friendly smiles. The words that came out of their mouths, however, were nothing but mild excuses. 

 

“Leticia, Leticia!”

 

He couldn’t watch anymore, so Enoch urged her to go to the audience chamber quickly.

 

Leticia came to her senses at his voice, she straightened her shoulders and stepped back. She followed Enoch into the audience chamber, but somehow she felt complicated and her head drooped.

 

In the meantime, she felt her family’s gaze on her, so Leticia grasped Enoch’s hand tightly. 

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

“Leticia was originally my daughter, and she is my child. She was expelled because of a grave misunderstanding. I just want to bring her back to help resolve the misunderstanding and continue our familial relationship, your Imperial Majesty.”

 

The Leroy family had gained great confidence with the Imperial family by tipping them off to Duke Erebos’ rebellion long ago. Perhaps that’s why he took for granted that the Emperor would look on him favourably. 

 

However, Count Aster wouldn’t give up without a fight.

 

“When you put it that way, she is strictly my daughter, your Imperial Majesty, since she is on my family register. She was originally a child I loved like a daughter. After she was excommunicated, she said she would become my daughter of her own free will, so she is my family.”

 

Leticia never told him that she wanted to go back to her family. So, he couldn’t sit back and let the Marquis’ take advantage of this situation.

 

Marquis Leroy smirked at Count Aster, who was being more forceful than he’d expected.

 

“Don’t you know that blood is thicker than water?”

“It’s the Marquis who showed that blood means less than water.”

 

There was a hint of sarcasm in his quiet voice. Marquis Leroy immediately noticed, and his expression hardened.  

 

 When the atmosphere turned sour, the Emperor interjected. 

 

“Stop it. I think it’s only right that the young lady speak for herself.”

 

When he said this, all eyes in the audience chamber turned towards Leticia.

 

“What does the young lady want?”

“Your Imperial Majesty…”

“Will you go back to your original family and live as Miss Leroy, or will you live as Miss Aster with your current family?”

 

Leticia was standing silently, and quietly lowered her eyes. She could feel countless eyes staring at her. 

 

The Count and Countess Aster, who’s eyes said that they were going to help her no matter what she chose; Elle and Ian, who’s eyes looked at her anxiously; and Enoch, who’s eyes said that he would protect her no matter what. 

 

Then there were her parents and siblings, who were already smiling as if they thought she’d go back to them.

 

“I am…”

 

At one time, she’d hoped for this day. She hoped that her family, who abandoned her, would want her back like they do now.

 

It could even be said that Leticia would’ve embraced them happily, even if they’d abandoned her. Others would’ve clicked their tongues at her, but to her they were family.

 

She’d been excommunicated for less than a year, but it felt so distant, as if many years had already passed. 

 

She felt like she was suffocating and slowly dying after she was abandoned by her family.

 

But…

 

“I don’t want to go back to my original family.”

 

Marquis Leroy and his wife froze in shock at her firm voice that held no hesitation.

 

However, Leticia wasn’t done yet.

 

“I love my current family.”

 

With those words, Leticia held Enoch’s fingertips tightly and turned away from her own family. She felt them staring at her incredulously, but she intentionally turned a blind eye to it.

 

“Then I think we’ve come to a conclusion.”

 

The Emperor looked a little surprised when the audience was done more quickly than he had expected. 

 

Marquis Leroy came to his senses late, and quickly opened his mouth.

 

“Your Imperial Majesty, I would like to talk to my daughter for a moment…”

“With all due respect, your Imperial Majesty, I sincerely ask that you acknowledge Leticia as our daughter.”

“Count Aster!”

 

Without missing a beat, Count Aster cut off the Marquis. He was going to take this opportunity to clearly show who Leticia’s family was.

 

Marquis Leroy realized what he was trying to do and glared at him, but the situation wasn’t on his side.

 

“By your own admission, she’s already on Count Aster’s family register.”

“Your Imperial Majesty!”

“I’ll respect the Count’s wishes.”

“….!”

 

The Marquis urgently called out to the Emperor, but he’d already recognized Leticia as the daughter of Count Aster.

 

The Marquis wouldn’t give up like this, and he turned to look at Leticia. He just needed to talk to Leticia and convinced her that they were a real family.

 

Marquis Leroy approached Leticia with the kindest, gentlest smile he could muster, but as soon as he took a step closer, she quietly hid behind Enoch.

 

“….”

“….”

 

Marquis Leroy froze and his face paled. She acted as if she didn’t even want to look at him, as if she had difficulty even facing him.

 

Chapter 8. The reason why my family avoided me

 

 

***

5 Advanced Chapters

https://ko-fi.com/s/f9bb0d248d

***

The letter had politely asked for it, but anyone who saw it would recognize it as coercion.

 

Also, he’d already expected Count Aster to refuse. In addition, she was belatedly told that he’d put in a complaint to the Emperor that they were her real family.

 

“Leticia!”

 

As soon as she received the letter, Leticia immediately went to the Aster mansion. She couldn’t look at the count, so she bowed her head even as he called out to her.

 

“We’re fine, so please raise your head.”

“Count…”

“It’s not your fault.”

 

The words made her eyes sting.

 

As she looked at them with tearful eyes, the Countess moved from her seat beside Count Aster, and sat beside Leticia.

 

“We will always respect your opinion.”

“Countess…”

“I just want you to make the choice for yourself.”

 

Realizing that this meant that she only wanted her to be happy, Leticia went straight into Countess Aster’s arms. She wanted to cry, but she tried hard to hold it in.

 

Count Aster and his wife said nothing except that they wanted her to be happy.

 

Leticia was rather troubled by the way that they tried to not burden her.

 

‘It’s clear that my father knows.’

 

There was no mention of her ability in the content of the letter, but there was no reason for him to try to take her back unless he already knew.

 

‘The day I didn’t want to come has arrived.’

 

She knew it would come someday, but she didn’t know it would come this soon.

 

Countess Aster patted Leticia’s shoulder silently, perhaps she’d noticed her bitterness. Feeling touched, Leticia slowly lowered her eyes.

 

***

 

“Is Leticia really lucky?”

“….”

“Please answer my question, Seios!”

 

Marquis Leroy immediately sent a letter when he heard that Seios occasionally visited the Magic Academy. He never replied, so he visited the academy on his own.

 

Fortunately, he happened to encounter Seios, who had something to do at the academy. This meant he was able to talk to him, face to face.

 

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

 

Seios burst into laughter at the accusatory tone.

 

“What difference would it have made if I told you?”

“Of course it would have made a difference.”

 

It meant that if he had Leticia, his business wouldn’t have been disrupted and his family would’ve continued to thrive.

 

Seios immediately understood what he meant, and clicked his tongue in amazement.

 

“You still haven’t come to your senses.”

“Seios!”

“Leticia is much more righteous and wise than you think.”

 

She was just weak to the people she loved. 

 

“Do you think that kind of child will return to you just because you called her?”

“She has inherited my blood.”

“What if that child says she won’t go back?”

“That…”

 

Of course, he was going to bring her back somehow.

 

He couldn’t say that, so he quietly shut his mouth. Seios expression hardened as if he’d already noticed.

 

“Don’t let me down anymore.”

“Seios.”

“If you keep doing this, I will not help you any further.”

 

Seios stood up after saying that.

 

Even then, Marquis Leroy didn’t listen and turned away from Seios. 

 

***

 

“Are they allowed to do this? Are they even human?”

“Elle.”

 

Enoch called Elle’s name heavily, with the implication that she should stop.

 

Marquis Leroy had already brought it in front of the Emperor. Now the Marquis, Count Aster, and Duke Achilles, because Leticia was living with him, were all called to the Imperial palace.

 

As they rode in the carriage, Elle complained because she couldn’t stand Marquis Leroy’s atrocities. It was Enoch who stopped her.

 

“The choice is Leticia’s, not yours.”

“Brother.”

“You have to respect whatever choices she makes.”

 

Enoch didn’t want to burden or force Leticia to make a choice.

 

However, Elle didn’t change her opinion on the way to the Imperial palace or the audience chamber.

 

“Respect? Forget it, I don’t know about that.”

“Elle.”

“I can’t let my sister get away.”

 

Even though Leticia didn’t say she was going back to Marquis Leroy, Elle hugged Leticia’s shoulder as if she was anxious. Leticia couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the stronger than usual touch.

 

“I think you’re hugging me too hard.”

“I’m worried that you’ll run away, so I need to hold on tight.”

 

Leticia gasped for air and poked her in the arm, but it was of no use. At that moment, Ian, who had been quietly watching them, secretly stood by Leticia’s side. Before she could even turn her head to ask why, one of his arms wrapped around hers.

 

“Ian…?”

“It’s been a while since Elle was correct.”

“Huh?”

 

Ian smiled instead of answering. 

 

Finally Leticia noticed that Ian had also locked his arms with hers, just as Elle had, for fear that she would run away.

 

Embarrassed, she stared at Enoch, as if to ask for a hand.

 

Enoch took turns looking at Leticia and his younger siblings, then slowly turned his head. Just a while ago, he said he’d respect her choice. When she saw that he didn’t try to stop them, she came to understand that he felt the same way as his siblings. 

 

As soon as she tried to scold him, she felt a gaze from somewhere. The moment she turned her head, she found Marquis and Marquess Leroy, as well as Diana and Xavier.

 

“….”

 

They were looking at Leticia, who’d suddenly stopped walking. Enoch’s expression cooled down when he saw the people from the Leroy family nearby. Elle and Ian were already glaring at them with thorns in their eyes. 

 

At that time, the Marquis and Marquess glanced at each other, then slowly approached Leticia.

 

“Leticia!”

 

Leticia stepped back in surprise when the Marquis sadly called out to her. The way he looked at her so gently made her think that she was dreaming.  

 

“I haven’t had an easy day since sending you away.”

“You know very well that there was nothing I could do about it.”

 

The Marquis and Marquess alternately talked with friendly smiles. The words that came out of their mouths, however, were nothing but mild excuses. 

 

“Leticia, Leticia!”

 

He couldn’t watch anymore, so Enoch urged her to go to the audience chamber quickly.

 

Leticia came to her senses at his voice, she straightened her shoulders and stepped back. She followed Enoch into the audience chamber, but somehow she felt complicated and her head drooped.

 

In the meantime, she felt her family’s gaze on her, so Leticia grasped Enoch’s hand tightly. 

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

“Leticia was originally my daughter, and she is my child. She was expelled because of a grave misunderstanding. I just want to bring her back to help resolve the misunderstanding and continue our familial relationship, your Imperial Majesty.”

 

The Leroy family had gained great confidence with the Imperial family by tipping them off to Duke Erebos’ rebellion long ago. Perhaps that’s why he took for granted that the Emperor would look on him favourably. 

 

However, Count Aster wouldn’t give up without a fight.

 

“When you put it that way, she is strictly my daughter, your Imperial Majesty, since she is on my family register. She was originally a child I loved like a daughter. After she was excommunicated, she said she would become my daughter of her own free will, so she is my family.”

 

Leticia never told him that she wanted to go back to her family. So, he couldn’t sit back and let the Marquis’ take advantage of this situation.

 

Marquis Leroy smirked at Count Aster, who was being more forceful than he’d expected.

 

“Don’t you know that blood is thicker than water?”

“It’s the Marquis who showed that blood means less than water.”

 

There was a hint of sarcasm in his quiet voice. Marquis Leroy immediately noticed, and his expression hardened.  

 

 When the atmosphere turned sour, the Emperor interjected. 

 

“Stop it. I think it’s only right that the young lady speak for herself.”

 

When he said this, all eyes in the audience chamber turned towards Leticia.

 

“What does the young lady want?”

“Your Imperial Majesty…”

“Will you go back to your original family and live as Miss Leroy, or will you live as Miss Aster with your current family?”

 

Leticia was standing silently, and quietly lowered her eyes. She could feel countless eyes staring at her. 

 

The Count and Countess Aster, who’s eyes said that they were going to help her no matter what she chose; Elle and Ian, who’s eyes looked at her anxiously; and Enoch, who’s eyes said that he would protect her no matter what. 

 

Then there were her parents and siblings, who were already smiling as if they thought she’d go back to them.

 

“I am…”

 

At one time, she’d hoped for this day. She hoped that her family, who abandoned her, would want her back like they do now.

 

It could even be said that Leticia would’ve embraced them happily, even if they’d abandoned her. Others would’ve clicked their tongues at her, but to her they were family.

 

She’d been excommunicated for less than a year, but it felt so distant, as if many years had already passed. 

 

She felt like she was suffocating and slowly dying after she was abandoned by her family.

 

But…

 

“I don’t want to go back to my original family.”

 

Marquis Leroy and his wife froze in shock at her firm voice that held no hesitation.

 

However, Leticia wasn’t done yet.

 

“I love my current family.”

 

With those words, Leticia held Enoch’s fingertips tightly and turned away from her own family. She felt them staring at her incredulously, but she intentionally turned a blind eye to it.

 

“Then I think we’ve come to a conclusion.”

 

The Emperor looked a little surprised when the audience was done more quickly than he had expected. 

 

Marquis Leroy came to his senses late, and quickly opened his mouth.

 

“Your Imperial Majesty, I would like to talk to my daughter for a moment…”

“With all due respect, your Imperial Majesty, I sincerely ask that you acknowledge Leticia as our daughter.”

“Count Aster!”

 

Without missing a beat, Count Aster cut off the Marquis. He was going to take this opportunity to clearly show who Leticia’s family was.

 

Marquis Leroy realized what he was trying to do and glared at him, but the situation wasn’t on his side.

 

“By your own admission, she’s already on Count Aster’s family register.”

“Your Imperial Majesty!”

“I’ll respect the Count’s wishes.”

“….!”

 

The Marquis urgently called out to the Emperor, but he’d already recognized Leticia as the daughter of Count Aster.

 

The Marquis wouldn’t give up like this, and he turned to look at Leticia. He just needed to talk to Leticia and convinced her that they were a real family.

 

Marquis Leroy approached Leticia with the kindest, gentlest smile he could muster, but as soon as he took a step closer, she quietly hid behind Enoch.

 

“….”

“….”

 

Marquis Leroy froze and his face paled. She acted as if she didn’t even want to look at him, as if she had difficulty even facing him.

 

Chapter 9. Lock her up or kick her out

 

 

***

5 Advanced Chapters

https://ko-fi.com/s/f9bb0d248d

***

The letter had politely asked for it, but anyone who saw it would recognize it as coercion.

 

Also, he’d already expected Count Aster to refuse. In addition, she was belatedly told that he’d put in a complaint to the Emperor that they were her real family.

 

“Leticia!”

 

As soon as she received the letter, Leticia immediately went to the Aster mansion. She couldn’t look at the count, so she bowed her head even as he called out to her.

 

“We’re fine, so please raise your head.”

“Count…”

“It’s not your fault.”

 

The words made her eyes sting.

 

As she looked at them with tearful eyes, the Countess moved from her seat beside Count Aster, and sat beside Leticia.

 

“We will always respect your opinion.”

“Countess…”

“I just want you to make the choice for yourself.”

 

Realizing that this meant that she only wanted her to be happy, Leticia went straight into Countess Aster’s arms. She wanted to cry, but she tried hard to hold it in.

 

Count Aster and his wife said nothing except that they wanted her to be happy.

 

Leticia was rather troubled by the way that they tried to not burden her.

 

‘It’s clear that my father knows.’

 

There was no mention of her ability in the content of the letter, but there was no reason for him to try to take her back unless he already knew.

 

‘The day I didn’t want to come has arrived.’

 

She knew it would come someday, but she didn’t know it would come this soon.

 

Countess Aster patted Leticia’s shoulder silently, perhaps she’d noticed her bitterness. Feeling touched, Leticia slowly lowered her eyes.

 

***

 

“Is Leticia really lucky?”

“….”

“Please answer my question, Seios!”

 

Marquis Leroy immediately sent a letter when he heard that Seios occasionally visited the Magic Academy. He never replied, so he visited the academy on his own.

 

Fortunately, he happened to encounter Seios, who had something to do at the academy. This meant he was able to talk to him, face to face.

 

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

 

Seios burst into laughter at the accusatory tone.

 

“What difference would it have made if I told you?”

“Of course it would have made a difference.”

 

It meant that if he had Leticia, his business wouldn’t have been disrupted and his family would’ve continued to thrive.

 

Seios immediately understood what he meant, and clicked his tongue in amazement.

 

“You still haven’t come to your senses.”

“Seios!”

“Leticia is much more righteous and wise than you think.”

 

She was just weak to the people she loved. 

 

“Do you think that kind of child will return to you just because you called her?”

“She has inherited my blood.”

“What if that child says she won’t go back?”

“That…”

 

Of course, he was going to bring her back somehow.

 

He couldn’t say that, so he quietly shut his mouth. Seios expression hardened as if he’d already noticed.

 

“Don’t let me down anymore.”

“Seios.”

“If you keep doing this, I will not help you any further.”

 

Seios stood up after saying that.

 

Even then, Marquis Leroy didn’t listen and turned away from Seios. 

 

***

 

“Are they allowed to do this? Are they even human?”

“Elle.”

 

Enoch called Elle’s name heavily, with the implication that she should stop.

 

Marquis Leroy had already brought it in front of the Emperor. Now the Marquis, Count Aster, and Duke Achilles, because Leticia was living with him, were all called to the Imperial palace.

 

As they rode in the carriage, Elle complained because she couldn’t stand Marquis Leroy’s atrocities. It was Enoch who stopped her.

 

“The choice is Leticia’s, not yours.”

“Brother.”

“You have to respect whatever choices she makes.”

 

Enoch didn’t want to burden or force Leticia to make a choice.

 

However, Elle didn’t change her opinion on the way to the Imperial palace or the audience chamber.

 

“Respect? Forget it, I don’t know about that.”

“Elle.”

“I can’t let my sister get away.”

 

Even though Leticia didn’t say she was going back to Marquis Leroy, Elle hugged Leticia’s shoulder as if she was anxious. Leticia couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the stronger than usual touch.

 

“I think you’re hugging me too hard.”

“I’m worried that you’ll run away, so I need to hold on tight.”

 

Leticia gasped for air and poked her in the arm, but it was of no use. At that moment, Ian, who had been quietly watching them, secretly stood by Leticia’s side. Before she could even turn her head to ask why, one of his arms wrapped around hers.

 

“Ian…?”

“It’s been a while since Elle was correct.”

“Huh?”

 

Ian smiled instead of answering. 

 

Finally Leticia noticed that Ian had also locked his arms with hers, just as Elle had, for fear that she would run away.

 

Embarrassed, she stared at Enoch, as if to ask for a hand.

 

Enoch took turns looking at Leticia and his younger siblings, then slowly turned his head. Just a while ago, he said he’d respect her choice. When she saw that he didn’t try to stop them, she came to understand that he felt the same way as his siblings. 

 

As soon as she tried to scold him, she felt a gaze from somewhere. The moment she turned her head, she found Marquis and Marquess Leroy, as well as Diana and Xavier.

 

“….”

 

They were looking at Leticia, who’d suddenly stopped walking. Enoch’s expression cooled down when he saw the people from the Leroy family nearby. Elle and Ian were already glaring at them with thorns in their eyes. 

 

At that time, the Marquis and Marquess glanced at each other, then slowly approached Leticia.

 

“Leticia!”

 

Leticia stepped back in surprise when the Marquis sadly called out to her. The way he looked at her so gently made her think that she was dreaming.  

 

“I haven’t had an easy day since sending you away.”

“You know very well that there was nothing I could do about it.”

 

The Marquis and Marquess alternately talked with friendly smiles. The words that came out of their mouths, however, were nothing but mild excuses. 

 

“Leticia, Leticia!”

 

He couldn’t watch anymore, so Enoch urged her to go to the audience chamber quickly.

 

Leticia came to her senses at his voice, she straightened her shoulders and stepped back. She followed Enoch into the audience chamber, but somehow she felt complicated and her head drooped.

 

In the meantime, she felt her family’s gaze on her, so Leticia grasped Enoch’s hand tightly. 

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

“Leticia was originally my daughter, and she is my child. She was expelled because of a grave misunderstanding. I just want to bring her back to help resolve the misunderstanding and continue our familial relationship, your Imperial Majesty.”

 

The Leroy family had gained great confidence with the Imperial family by tipping them off to Duke Erebos’ rebellion long ago. Perhaps that’s why he took for granted that the Emperor would look on him favourably. 

 

However, Count Aster wouldn’t give up without a fight.

 

“When you put it that way, she is strictly my daughter, your Imperial Majesty, since she is on my family register. She was originally a child I loved like a daughter. After she was excommunicated, she said she would become my daughter of her own free will, so she is my family.”

 

Leticia never told him that she wanted to go back to her family. So, he couldn’t sit back and let the Marquis’ take advantage of this situation.

 

Marquis Leroy smirked at Count Aster, who was being more forceful than he’d expected.

 

“Don’t you know that blood is thicker than water?”

“It’s the Marquis who showed that blood means less than water.”

 

There was a hint of sarcasm in his quiet voice. Marquis Leroy immediately noticed, and his expression hardened.  

 

 When the atmosphere turned sour, the Emperor interjected. 

 

“Stop it. I think it’s only right that the young lady speak for herself.”

 

When he said this, all eyes in the audience chamber turned towards Leticia.

 

“What does the young lady want?”

“Your Imperial Majesty…”

“Will you go back to your original family and live as Miss Leroy, or will you live as Miss Aster with your current family?”

 

Leticia was standing silently, and quietly lowered her eyes. She could feel countless eyes staring at her. 

 

The Count and Countess Aster, who’s eyes said that they were going to help her no matter what she chose; Elle and Ian, who’s eyes looked at her anxiously; and Enoch, who’s eyes said that he would protect her no matter what. 

 

Then there were her parents and siblings, who were already smiling as if they thought she’d go back to them.

 

“I am…”

 

At one time, she’d hoped for this day. She hoped that her family, who abandoned her, would want her back like they do now.

 

It could even be said that Leticia would’ve embraced them happily, even if they’d abandoned her. Others would’ve clicked their tongues at her, but to her they were family.

 

She’d been excommunicated for less than a year, but it felt so distant, as if many years had already passed. 

 

She felt like she was suffocating and slowly dying after she was abandoned by her family.

 

But…

 

“I don’t want to go back to my original family.”

 

Marquis Leroy and his wife froze in shock at her firm voice that held no hesitation.

 

However, Leticia wasn’t done yet.

 

“I love my current family.”

 

With those words, Leticia held Enoch’s fingertips tightly and turned away from her own family. She felt them staring at her incredulously, but she intentionally turned a blind eye to it.

 

“Then I think we’ve come to a conclusion.”

 

The Emperor looked a little surprised when the audience was done more quickly than he had expected. 

 

Marquis Leroy came to his senses late, and quickly opened his mouth.

 

“Your Imperial Majesty, I would like to talk to my daughter for a moment…”

“With all due respect, your Imperial Majesty, I sincerely ask that you acknowledge Leticia as our daughter.”

“Count Aster!”

 

Without missing a beat, Count Aster cut off the Marquis. He was going to take this opportunity to clearly show who Leticia’s family was.

 

Marquis Leroy realized what he was trying to do and glared at him, but the situation wasn’t on his side.

 

“By your own admission, she’s already on Count Aster’s family register.”

“Your Imperial Majesty!”

“I’ll respect the Count’s wishes.”

“….!”

 

The Marquis urgently called out to the Emperor, but he’d already recognized Leticia as the daughter of Count Aster.

 

The Marquis wouldn’t give up like this, and he turned to look at Leticia. He just needed to talk to Leticia and convinced her that they were a real family.

 

Marquis Leroy approached Leticia with the kindest, gentlest smile he could muster, but as soon as he took a step closer, she quietly hid behind Enoch.

 

“….”

“….”

 

Marquis Leroy froze and his face paled. She acted as if she didn’t even want to look at him, as if she had difficulty even facing him.

 

Chapter 10. Who's that gold thread bracelet for?

 

 

***

5 Advanced Chapters

https://ko-fi.com/s/f9bb0d248d

***

The letter had politely asked for it, but anyone who saw it would recognize it as coercion.

 

Also, he’d already expected Count Aster to refuse. In addition, she was belatedly told that he’d put in a complaint to the Emperor that they were her real family.

 

“Leticia!”

 

As soon as she received the letter, Leticia immediately went to the Aster mansion. She couldn’t look at the count, so she bowed her head even as he called out to her.

 

“We’re fine, so please raise your head.”

“Count…”

“It’s not your fault.”

 

The words made her eyes sting.

 

As she looked at them with tearful eyes, the Countess moved from her seat beside Count Aster, and sat beside Leticia.

 

“We will always respect your opinion.”

“Countess…”

“I just want you to make the choice for yourself.”

 

Realizing that this meant that she only wanted her to be happy, Leticia went straight into Countess Aster’s arms. She wanted to cry, but she tried hard to hold it in.

 

Count Aster and his wife said nothing except that they wanted her to be happy.

 

Leticia was rather troubled by the way that they tried to not burden her.

 

‘It’s clear that my father knows.’

 

There was no mention of her ability in the content of the letter, but there was no reason for him to try to take her back unless he already knew.

 

‘The day I didn’t want to come has arrived.’

 

She knew it would come someday, but she didn’t know it would come this soon.

 

Countess Aster patted Leticia’s shoulder silently, perhaps she’d noticed her bitterness. Feeling touched, Leticia slowly lowered her eyes.

 

***

 

“Is Leticia really lucky?”

“….”

“Please answer my question, Seios!”

 

Marquis Leroy immediately sent a letter when he heard that Seios occasionally visited the Magic Academy. He never replied, so he visited the academy on his own.

 

Fortunately, he happened to encounter Seios, who had something to do at the academy. This meant he was able to talk to him, face to face.

 

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

 

Seios burst into laughter at the accusatory tone.

 

“What difference would it have made if I told you?”

“Of course it would have made a difference.”

 

It meant that if he had Leticia, his business wouldn’t have been disrupted and his family would’ve continued to thrive.

 

Seios immediately understood what he meant, and clicked his tongue in amazement.

 

“You still haven’t come to your senses.”

“Seios!”

“Leticia is much more righteous and wise than you think.”

 

She was just weak to the people she loved. 

 

“Do you think that kind of child will return to you just because you called her?”

“She has inherited my blood.”

“What if that child says she won’t go back?”

“That…”

 

Of course, he was going to bring her back somehow.

 

He couldn’t say that, so he quietly shut his mouth. Seios expression hardened as if he’d already noticed.

 

“Don’t let me down anymore.”

“Seios.”

“If you keep doing this, I will not help you any further.”

 

Seios stood up after saying that.

 

Even then, Marquis Leroy didn’t listen and turned away from Seios. 

 

***

 

“Are they allowed to do this? Are they even human?”

“Elle.”

 

Enoch called Elle’s name heavily, with the implication that she should stop.

 

Marquis Leroy had already brought it in front of the Emperor. Now the Marquis, Count Aster, and Duke Achilles, because Leticia was living with him, were all called to the Imperial palace.

 

As they rode in the carriage, Elle complained because she couldn’t stand Marquis Leroy’s atrocities. It was Enoch who stopped her.

 

“The choice is Leticia’s, not yours.”

“Brother.”

“You have to respect whatever choices she makes.”

 

Enoch didn’t want to burden or force Leticia to make a choice.

 

However, Elle didn’t change her opinion on the way to the Imperial palace or the audience chamber.

 

“Respect? Forget it, I don’t know about that.”

“Elle.”

“I can’t let my sister get away.”

 

Even though Leticia didn’t say she was going back to Marquis Leroy, Elle hugged Leticia’s shoulder as if she was anxious. Leticia couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the stronger than usual touch.

 

“I think you’re hugging me too hard.”

“I’m worried that you’ll run away, so I need to hold on tight.”

 

Leticia gasped for air and poked her in the arm, but it was of no use. At that moment, Ian, who had been quietly watching them, secretly stood by Leticia’s side. Before she could even turn her head to ask why, one of his arms wrapped around hers.

 

“Ian…?”

“It’s been a while since Elle was correct.”

“Huh?”

 

Ian smiled instead of answering. 

 

Finally Leticia noticed that Ian had also locked his arms with hers, just as Elle had, for fear that she would run away.

 

Embarrassed, she stared at Enoch, as if to ask for a hand.

 

Enoch took turns looking at Leticia and his younger siblings, then slowly turned his head. Just a while ago, he said he’d respect her choice. When she saw that he didn’t try to stop them, she came to understand that he felt the same way as his siblings. 

 

As soon as she tried to scold him, she felt a gaze from somewhere. The moment she turned her head, she found Marquis and Marquess Leroy, as well as Diana and Xavier.

 

“….”

 

They were looking at Leticia, who’d suddenly stopped walking. Enoch’s expression cooled down when he saw the people from the Leroy family nearby. Elle and Ian were already glaring at them with thorns in their eyes. 

 

At that time, the Marquis and Marquess glanced at each other, then slowly approached Leticia.

 

“Leticia!”

 

Leticia stepped back in surprise when the Marquis sadly called out to her. The way he looked at her so gently made her think that she was dreaming.  

 

“I haven’t had an easy day since sending you away.”

“You know very well that there was nothing I could do about it.”

 

The Marquis and Marquess alternately talked with friendly smiles. The words that came out of their mouths, however, were nothing but mild excuses. 

 

“Leticia, Leticia!”

 

He couldn’t watch anymore, so Enoch urged her to go to the audience chamber quickly.

 

Leticia came to her senses at his voice, she straightened her shoulders and stepped back. She followed Enoch into the audience chamber, but somehow she felt complicated and her head drooped.

 

In the meantime, she felt her family’s gaze on her, so Leticia grasped Enoch’s hand tightly. 

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

“Leticia was originally my daughter, and she is my child. She was expelled because of a grave misunderstanding. I just want to bring her back to help resolve the misunderstanding and continue our familial relationship, your Imperial Majesty.”

 

The Leroy family had gained great confidence with the Imperial family by tipping them off to Duke Erebos’ rebellion long ago. Perhaps that’s why he took for granted that the Emperor would look on him favourably. 

 

However, Count Aster wouldn’t give up without a fight.

 

“When you put it that way, she is strictly my daughter, your Imperial Majesty, since she is on my family register. She was originally a child I loved like a daughter. After she was excommunicated, she said she would become my daughter of her own free will, so she is my family.”

 

Leticia never told him that she wanted to go back to her family. So, he couldn’t sit back and let the Marquis’ take advantage of this situation.

 

Marquis Leroy smirked at Count Aster, who was being more forceful than he’d expected.

 

“Don’t you know that blood is thicker than water?”

“It’s the Marquis who showed that blood means less than water.”

 

There was a hint of sarcasm in his quiet voice. Marquis Leroy immediately noticed, and his expression hardened.  

 

 When the atmosphere turned sour, the Emperor interjected. 

 

“Stop it. I think it’s only right that the young lady speak for herself.”

 

When he said this, all eyes in the audience chamber turned towards Leticia.

 

“What does the young lady want?”

“Your Imperial Majesty…”

“Will you go back to your original family and live as Miss Leroy, or will you live as Miss Aster with your current family?”

 

Leticia was standing silently, and quietly lowered her eyes. She could feel countless eyes staring at her. 

 

The Count and Countess Aster, who’s eyes said that they were going to help her no matter what she chose; Elle and Ian, who’s eyes looked at her anxiously; and Enoch, who’s eyes said that he would protect her no matter what. 

 

Then there were her parents and siblings, who were already smiling as if they thought she’d go back to them.

 

“I am…”

 

At one time, she’d hoped for this day. She hoped that her family, who abandoned her, would want her back like they do now.

 

It could even be said that Leticia would’ve embraced them happily, even if they’d abandoned her. Others would’ve clicked their tongues at her, but to her they were family.

 

She’d been excommunicated for less than a year, but it felt so distant, as if many years had already passed. 

 

She felt like she was suffocating and slowly dying after she was abandoned by her family.

 

But…

 

“I don’t want to go back to my original family.”

 

Marquis Leroy and his wife froze in shock at her firm voice that held no hesitation.

 

However, Leticia wasn’t done yet.

 

“I love my current family.”

 

With those words, Leticia held Enoch’s fingertips tightly and turned away from her own family. She felt them staring at her incredulously, but she intentionally turned a blind eye to it.

 

“Then I think we’ve come to a conclusion.”

 

The Emperor looked a little surprised when the audience was done more quickly than he had expected. 

 

Marquis Leroy came to his senses late, and quickly opened his mouth.

 

“Your Imperial Majesty, I would like to talk to my daughter for a moment…”

“With all due respect, your Imperial Majesty, I sincerely ask that you acknowledge Leticia as our daughter.”

“Count Aster!”

 

Without missing a beat, Count Aster cut off the Marquis. He was going to take this opportunity to clearly show who Leticia’s family was.

 

Marquis Leroy realized what he was trying to do and glared at him, but the situation wasn’t on his side.

 

“By your own admission, she’s already on Count Aster’s family register.”

“Your Imperial Majesty!”

“I’ll respect the Count’s wishes.”

“….!”

 

The Marquis urgently called out to the Emperor, but he’d already recognized Leticia as the daughter of Count Aster.

 

The Marquis wouldn’t give up like this, and he turned to look at Leticia. He just needed to talk to Leticia and convinced her that they were a real family.

 

Marquis Leroy approached Leticia with the kindest, gentlest smile he could muster, but as soon as he took a step closer, she quietly hid behind Enoch.

 

“….”

“….”

 

Marquis Leroy froze and his face paled. She acted as if she didn’t even want to look at him, as if she had difficulty even facing him.

 

Chapter 11. Those who ignore their good fortune

 

 

***

5 Advanced Chapters

https://ko-fi.com/s/f9bb0d248d

***

The letter had politely asked for it, but anyone who saw it would recognize it as coercion.

 

Also, he’d already expected Count Aster to refuse. In addition, she was belatedly told that he’d put in a complaint to the Emperor that they were her real family.

 

“Leticia!”

 

As soon as she received the letter, Leticia immediately went to the Aster mansion. She couldn’t look at the count, so she bowed her head even as he called out to her.

 

“We’re fine, so please raise your head.”

“Count…”

“It’s not your fault.”

 

The words made her eyes sting.

 

As she looked at them with tearful eyes, the Countess moved from her seat beside Count Aster, and sat beside Leticia.

 

“We will always respect your opinion.”

“Countess…”

“I just want you to make the choice for yourself.”

 

Realizing that this meant that she only wanted her to be happy, Leticia went straight into Countess Aster’s arms. She wanted to cry, but she tried hard to hold it in.

 

Count Aster and his wife said nothing except that they wanted her to be happy.

 

Leticia was rather troubled by the way that they tried to not burden her.

 

‘It’s clear that my father knows.’

 

There was no mention of her ability in the content of the letter, but there was no reason for him to try to take her back unless he already knew.

 

‘The day I didn’t want to come has arrived.’

 

She knew it would come someday, but she didn’t know it would come this soon.

 

Countess Aster patted Leticia’s shoulder silently, perhaps she’d noticed her bitterness. Feeling touched, Leticia slowly lowered her eyes.

 

***

 

“Is Leticia really lucky?”

“….”

“Please answer my question, Seios!”

 

Marquis Leroy immediately sent a letter when he heard that Seios occasionally visited the Magic Academy. He never replied, so he visited the academy on his own.

 

Fortunately, he happened to encounter Seios, who had something to do at the academy. This meant he was able to talk to him, face to face.

 

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

 

Seios burst into laughter at the accusatory tone.

 

“What difference would it have made if I told you?”

“Of course it would have made a difference.”

 

It meant that if he had Leticia, his business wouldn’t have been disrupted and his family would’ve continued to thrive.

 

Seios immediately understood what he meant, and clicked his tongue in amazement.

 

“You still haven’t come to your senses.”

“Seios!”

“Leticia is much more righteous and wise than you think.”

 

She was just weak to the people she loved. 

 

“Do you think that kind of child will return to you just because you called her?”

“She has inherited my blood.”

“What if that child says she won’t go back?”

“That…”

 

Of course, he was going to bring her back somehow.

 

He couldn’t say that, so he quietly shut his mouth. Seios expression hardened as if he’d already noticed.

 

“Don’t let me down anymore.”

“Seios.”

“If you keep doing this, I will not help you any further.”

 

Seios stood up after saying that.

 

Even then, Marquis Leroy didn’t listen and turned away from Seios. 

 

***

 

“Are they allowed to do this? Are they even human?”

“Elle.”

 

Enoch called Elle’s name heavily, with the implication that she should stop.

 

Marquis Leroy had already brought it in front of the Emperor. Now the Marquis, Count Aster, and Duke Achilles, because Leticia was living with him, were all called to the Imperial palace.

 

As they rode in the carriage, Elle complained because she couldn’t stand Marquis Leroy’s atrocities. It was Enoch who stopped her.

 

“The choice is Leticia’s, not yours.”

“Brother.”

“You have to respect whatever choices she makes.”

 

Enoch didn’t want to burden or force Leticia to make a choice.

 

However, Elle didn’t change her opinion on the way to the Imperial palace or the audience chamber.

 

“Respect? Forget it, I don’t know about that.”

“Elle.”

“I can’t let my sister get away.”

 

Even though Leticia didn’t say she was going back to Marquis Leroy, Elle hugged Leticia’s shoulder as if she was anxious. Leticia couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the stronger than usual touch.

 

“I think you’re hugging me too hard.”

“I’m worried that you’ll run away, so I need to hold on tight.”

 

Leticia gasped for air and poked her in the arm, but it was of no use. At that moment, Ian, who had been quietly watching them, secretly stood by Leticia’s side. Before she could even turn her head to ask why, one of his arms wrapped around hers.

 

“Ian…?”

“It’s been a while since Elle was correct.”

“Huh?”

 

Ian smiled instead of answering. 

 

Finally Leticia noticed that Ian had also locked his arms with hers, just as Elle had, for fear that she would run away.

 

Embarrassed, she stared at Enoch, as if to ask for a hand.

 

Enoch took turns looking at Leticia and his younger siblings, then slowly turned his head. Just a while ago, he said he’d respect her choice. When she saw that he didn’t try to stop them, she came to understand that he felt the same way as his siblings. 

 

As soon as she tried to scold him, she felt a gaze from somewhere. The moment she turned her head, she found Marquis and Marquess Leroy, as well as Diana and Xavier.

 

“….”

 

They were looking at Leticia, who’d suddenly stopped walking. Enoch’s expression cooled down when he saw the people from the Leroy family nearby. Elle and Ian were already glaring at them with thorns in their eyes. 

 

At that time, the Marquis and Marquess glanced at each other, then slowly approached Leticia.

 

“Leticia!”

 

Leticia stepped back in surprise when the Marquis sadly called out to her. The way he looked at her so gently made her think that she was dreaming.  

 

“I haven’t had an easy day since sending you away.”

“You know very well that there was nothing I could do about it.”

 

The Marquis and Marquess alternately talked with friendly smiles. The words that came out of their mouths, however, were nothing but mild excuses. 

 

“Leticia, Leticia!”

 

He couldn’t watch anymore, so Enoch urged her to go to the audience chamber quickly.

 

Leticia came to her senses at his voice, she straightened her shoulders and stepped back. She followed Enoch into the audience chamber, but somehow she felt complicated and her head drooped.

 

In the meantime, she felt her family’s gaze on her, so Leticia grasped Enoch’s hand tightly. 

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

“Leticia was originally my daughter, and she is my child. She was expelled because of a grave misunderstanding. I just want to bring her back to help resolve the misunderstanding and continue our familial relationship, your Imperial Majesty.”

 

The Leroy family had gained great confidence with the Imperial family by tipping them off to Duke Erebos’ rebellion long ago. Perhaps that’s why he took for granted that the Emperor would look on him favourably. 

 

However, Count Aster wouldn’t give up without a fight.

 

“When you put it that way, she is strictly my daughter, your Imperial Majesty, since she is on my family register. She was originally a child I loved like a daughter. After she was excommunicated, she said she would become my daughter of her own free will, so she is my family.”

 

Leticia never told him that she wanted to go back to her family. So, he couldn’t sit back and let the Marquis’ take advantage of this situation.

 

Marquis Leroy smirked at Count Aster, who was being more forceful than he’d expected.

 

“Don’t you know that blood is thicker than water?”

“It’s the Marquis who showed that blood means less than water.”

 

There was a hint of sarcasm in his quiet voice. Marquis Leroy immediately noticed, and his expression hardened.  

 

 When the atmosphere turned sour, the Emperor interjected. 

 

“Stop it. I think it’s only right that the young lady speak for herself.”

 

When he said this, all eyes in the audience chamber turned towards Leticia.

 

“What does the young lady want?”

“Your Imperial Majesty…”

“Will you go back to your original family and live as Miss Leroy, or will you live as Miss Aster with your current family?”

 

Leticia was standing silently, and quietly lowered her eyes. She could feel countless eyes staring at her. 

 

The Count and Countess Aster, who’s eyes said that they were going to help her no matter what she chose; Elle and Ian, who’s eyes looked at her anxiously; and Enoch, who’s eyes said that he would protect her no matter what. 

 

Then there were her parents and siblings, who were already smiling as if they thought she’d go back to them.

 

“I am…”

 

At one time, she’d hoped for this day. She hoped that her family, who abandoned her, would want her back like they do now.

 

It could even be said that Leticia would’ve embraced them happily, even if they’d abandoned her. Others would’ve clicked their tongues at her, but to her they were family.

 

She’d been excommunicated for less than a year, but it felt so distant, as if many years had already passed. 

 

She felt like she was suffocating and slowly dying after she was abandoned by her family.

 

But…

 

“I don’t want to go back to my original family.”

 

Marquis Leroy and his wife froze in shock at her firm voice that held no hesitation.

 

However, Leticia wasn’t done yet.

 

“I love my current family.”

 

With those words, Leticia held Enoch’s fingertips tightly and turned away from her own family. She felt them staring at her incredulously, but she intentionally turned a blind eye to it.

 

“Then I think we’ve come to a conclusion.”

 

The Emperor looked a little surprised when the audience was done more quickly than he had expected. 

 

Marquis Leroy came to his senses late, and quickly opened his mouth.

 

“Your Imperial Majesty, I would like to talk to my daughter for a moment…”

“With all due respect, your Imperial Majesty, I sincerely ask that you acknowledge Leticia as our daughter.”

“Count Aster!”

 

Without missing a beat, Count Aster cut off the Marquis. He was going to take this opportunity to clearly show who Leticia’s family was.

 

Marquis Leroy realized what he was trying to do and glared at him, but the situation wasn’t on his side.

 

“By your own admission, she’s already on Count Aster’s family register.”

“Your Imperial Majesty!”

“I’ll respect the Count’s wishes.”

“….!”

 

The Marquis urgently called out to the Emperor, but he’d already recognized Leticia as the daughter of Count Aster.

 

The Marquis wouldn’t give up like this, and he turned to look at Leticia. He just needed to talk to Leticia and convinced her that they were a real family.

 

Marquis Leroy approached Leticia with the kindest, gentlest smile he could muster, but as soon as he took a step closer, she quietly hid behind Enoch.

 

“….”

“….”

 

Marquis Leroy froze and his face paled. She acted as if she didn’t even want to look at him, as if she had difficulty even facing him.

 

Chapter 12. Where the Luck Left

 

 

***

5 Advanced Chapters

https://ko-fi.com/s/f9bb0d248d

***

The letter had politely asked for it, but anyone who saw it would recognize it as coercion.

 

Also, he’d already expected Count Aster to refuse. In addition, she was belatedly told that he’d put in a complaint to the Emperor that they were her real family.

 

“Leticia!”

 

As soon as she received the letter, Leticia immediately went to the Aster mansion. She couldn’t look at the count, so she bowed her head even as he called out to her.

 

“We’re fine, so please raise your head.”

“Count…”

“It’s not your fault.”

 

The words made her eyes sting.

 

As she looked at them with tearful eyes, the Countess moved from her seat beside Count Aster, and sat beside Leticia.

 

“We will always respect your opinion.”

“Countess…”

“I just want you to make the choice for yourself.”

 

Realizing that this meant that she only wanted her to be happy, Leticia went straight into Countess Aster’s arms. She wanted to cry, but she tried hard to hold it in.

 

Count Aster and his wife said nothing except that they wanted her to be happy.

 

Leticia was rather troubled by the way that they tried to not burden her.

 

‘It’s clear that my father knows.’

 

There was no mention of her ability in the content of the letter, but there was no reason for him to try to take her back unless he already knew.

 

‘The day I didn’t want to come has arrived.’

 

She knew it would come someday, but she didn’t know it would come this soon.

 

Countess Aster patted Leticia’s shoulder silently, perhaps she’d noticed her bitterness. Feeling touched, Leticia slowly lowered her eyes.

 

***

 

“Is Leticia really lucky?”

“….”

“Please answer my question, Seios!”

 

Marquis Leroy immediately sent a letter when he heard that Seios occasionally visited the Magic Academy. He never replied, so he visited the academy on his own.

 

Fortunately, he happened to encounter Seios, who had something to do at the academy. This meant he was able to talk to him, face to face.

 

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

 

Seios burst into laughter at the accusatory tone.

 

“What difference would it have made if I told you?”

“Of course it would have made a difference.”

 

It meant that if he had Leticia, his business wouldn’t have been disrupted and his family would’ve continued to thrive.

 

Seios immediately understood what he meant, and clicked his tongue in amazement.

 

“You still haven’t come to your senses.”

“Seios!”

“Leticia is much more righteous and wise than you think.”

 

She was just weak to the people she loved. 

 

“Do you think that kind of child will return to you just because you called her?”

“She has inherited my blood.”

“What if that child says she won’t go back?”

“That…”

 

Of course, he was going to bring her back somehow.

 

He couldn’t say that, so he quietly shut his mouth. Seios expression hardened as if he’d already noticed.

 

“Don’t let me down anymore.”

“Seios.”

“If you keep doing this, I will not help you any further.”

 

Seios stood up after saying that.

 

Even then, Marquis Leroy didn’t listen and turned away from Seios. 

 

***

 

“Are they allowed to do this? Are they even human?”

“Elle.”

 

Enoch called Elle’s name heavily, with the implication that she should stop.

 

Marquis Leroy had already brought it in front of the Emperor. Now the Marquis, Count Aster, and Duke Achilles, because Leticia was living with him, were all called to the Imperial palace.

 

As they rode in the carriage, Elle complained because she couldn’t stand Marquis Leroy’s atrocities. It was Enoch who stopped her.

 

“The choice is Leticia’s, not yours.”

“Brother.”

“You have to respect whatever choices she makes.”

 

Enoch didn’t want to burden or force Leticia to make a choice.

 

However, Elle didn’t change her opinion on the way to the Imperial palace or the audience chamber.

 

“Respect? Forget it, I don’t know about that.”

“Elle.”

“I can’t let my sister get away.”

 

Even though Leticia didn’t say she was going back to Marquis Leroy, Elle hugged Leticia’s shoulder as if she was anxious. Leticia couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the stronger than usual touch.

 

“I think you’re hugging me too hard.”

“I’m worried that you’ll run away, so I need to hold on tight.”

 

Leticia gasped for air and poked her in the arm, but it was of no use. At that moment, Ian, who had been quietly watching them, secretly stood by Leticia’s side. Before she could even turn her head to ask why, one of his arms wrapped around hers.

 

“Ian…?”

“It’s been a while since Elle was correct.”

“Huh?”

 

Ian smiled instead of answering. 

 

Finally Leticia noticed that Ian had also locked his arms with hers, just as Elle had, for fear that she would run away.

 

Embarrassed, she stared at Enoch, as if to ask for a hand.

 

Enoch took turns looking at Leticia and his younger siblings, then slowly turned his head. Just a while ago, he said he’d respect her choice. When she saw that he didn’t try to stop them, she came to understand that he felt the same way as his siblings. 

 

As soon as she tried to scold him, she felt a gaze from somewhere. The moment she turned her head, she found Marquis and Marquess Leroy, as well as Diana and Xavier.

 

“….”

 

They were looking at Leticia, who’d suddenly stopped walking. Enoch’s expression cooled down when he saw the people from the Leroy family nearby. Elle and Ian were already glaring at them with thorns in their eyes. 

 

At that time, the Marquis and Marquess glanced at each other, then slowly approached Leticia.

 

“Leticia!”

 

Leticia stepped back in surprise when the Marquis sadly called out to her. The way he looked at her so gently made her think that she was dreaming.  

 

“I haven’t had an easy day since sending you away.”

“You know very well that there was nothing I could do about it.”

 

The Marquis and Marquess alternately talked with friendly smiles. The words that came out of their mouths, however, were nothing but mild excuses. 

 

“Leticia, Leticia!”

 

He couldn’t watch anymore, so Enoch urged her to go to the audience chamber quickly.

 

Leticia came to her senses at his voice, she straightened her shoulders and stepped back. She followed Enoch into the audience chamber, but somehow she felt complicated and her head drooped.

 

In the meantime, she felt her family’s gaze on her, so Leticia grasped Enoch’s hand tightly. 

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

“Leticia was originally my daughter, and she is my child. She was expelled because of a grave misunderstanding. I just want to bring her back to help resolve the misunderstanding and continue our familial relationship, your Imperial Majesty.”

 

The Leroy family had gained great confidence with the Imperial family by tipping them off to Duke Erebos’ rebellion long ago. Perhaps that’s why he took for granted that the Emperor would look on him favourably. 

 

However, Count Aster wouldn’t give up without a fight.

 

“When you put it that way, she is strictly my daughter, your Imperial Majesty, since she is on my family register. She was originally a child I loved like a daughter. After she was excommunicated, she said she would become my daughter of her own free will, so she is my family.”

 

Leticia never told him that she wanted to go back to her family. So, he couldn’t sit back and let the Marquis’ take advantage of this situation.

 

Marquis Leroy smirked at Count Aster, who was being more forceful than he’d expected.

 

“Don’t you know that blood is thicker than water?”

“It’s the Marquis who showed that blood means less than water.”

 

There was a hint of sarcasm in his quiet voice. Marquis Leroy immediately noticed, and his expression hardened.  

 

 When the atmosphere turned sour, the Emperor interjected. 

 

“Stop it. I think it’s only right that the young lady speak for herself.”

 

When he said this, all eyes in the audience chamber turned towards Leticia.

 

“What does the young lady want?”

“Your Imperial Majesty…”

“Will you go back to your original family and live as Miss Leroy, or will you live as Miss Aster with your current family?”

 

Leticia was standing silently, and quietly lowered her eyes. She could feel countless eyes staring at her. 

 

The Count and Countess Aster, who’s eyes said that they were going to help her no matter what she chose; Elle and Ian, who’s eyes looked at her anxiously; and Enoch, who’s eyes said that he would protect her no matter what. 

 

Then there were her parents and siblings, who were already smiling as if they thought she’d go back to them.

 

“I am…”

 

At one time, she’d hoped for this day. She hoped that her family, who abandoned her, would want her back like they do now.

 

It could even be said that Leticia would’ve embraced them happily, even if they’d abandoned her. Others would’ve clicked their tongues at her, but to her they were family.

 

She’d been excommunicated for less than a year, but it felt so distant, as if many years had already passed. 

 

She felt like she was suffocating and slowly dying after she was abandoned by her family.

 

But…

 

“I don’t want to go back to my original family.”

 

Marquis Leroy and his wife froze in shock at her firm voice that held no hesitation.

 

However, Leticia wasn’t done yet.

 

“I love my current family.”

 

With those words, Leticia held Enoch’s fingertips tightly and turned away from her own family. She felt them staring at her incredulously, but she intentionally turned a blind eye to it.

 

“Then I think we’ve come to a conclusion.”

 

The Emperor looked a little surprised when the audience was done more quickly than he had expected. 

 

Marquis Leroy came to his senses late, and quickly opened his mouth.

 

“Your Imperial Majesty, I would like to talk to my daughter for a moment…”

“With all due respect, your Imperial Majesty, I sincerely ask that you acknowledge Leticia as our daughter.”

“Count Aster!”

 

Without missing a beat, Count Aster cut off the Marquis. He was going to take this opportunity to clearly show who Leticia’s family was.

 

Marquis Leroy realized what he was trying to do and glared at him, but the situation wasn’t on his side.

 

“By your own admission, she’s already on Count Aster’s family register.”

“Your Imperial Majesty!”

“I’ll respect the Count’s wishes.”

“….!”

 

The Marquis urgently called out to the Emperor, but he’d already recognized Leticia as the daughter of Count Aster.

 

The Marquis wouldn’t give up like this, and he turned to look at Leticia. He just needed to talk to Leticia and convinced her that they were a real family.

 

Marquis Leroy approached Leticia with the kindest, gentlest smile he could muster, but as soon as he took a step closer, she quietly hid behind Enoch.

 

“….”

“….”

 

Marquis Leroy froze and his face paled. She acted as if she didn’t even want to look at him, as if she had difficulty even facing him.

 

Chapter 13. If There’s No Place to go Back

 

 

***

5 Advanced Chapters

https://ko-fi.com/s/f9bb0d248d

***

The letter had politely asked for it, but anyone who saw it would recognize it as coercion.

 

Also, he’d already expected Count Aster to refuse. In addition, she was belatedly told that he’d put in a complaint to the Emperor that they were her real family.

 

“Leticia!”

 

As soon as she received the letter, Leticia immediately went to the Aster mansion. She couldn’t look at the count, so she bowed her head even as he called out to her.

 

“We’re fine, so please raise your head.”

“Count…”

“It’s not your fault.”

 

The words made her eyes sting.

 

As she looked at them with tearful eyes, the Countess moved from her seat beside Count Aster, and sat beside Leticia.

 

“We will always respect your opinion.”

“Countess…”

“I just want you to make the choice for yourself.”

 

Realizing that this meant that she only wanted her to be happy, Leticia went straight into Countess Aster’s arms. She wanted to cry, but she tried hard to hold it in.

 

Count Aster and his wife said nothing except that they wanted her to be happy.

 

Leticia was rather troubled by the way that they tried to not burden her.

 

‘It’s clear that my father knows.’

 

There was no mention of her ability in the content of the letter, but there was no reason for him to try to take her back unless he already knew.

 

‘The day I didn’t want to come has arrived.’

 

She knew it would come someday, but she didn’t know it would come this soon.

 

Countess Aster patted Leticia’s shoulder silently, perhaps she’d noticed her bitterness. Feeling touched, Leticia slowly lowered her eyes.

 

***

 

“Is Leticia really lucky?”

“….”

“Please answer my question, Seios!”

 

Marquis Leroy immediately sent a letter when he heard that Seios occasionally visited the Magic Academy. He never replied, so he visited the academy on his own.

 

Fortunately, he happened to encounter Seios, who had something to do at the academy. This meant he was able to talk to him, face to face.

 

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

 

Seios burst into laughter at the accusatory tone.

 

“What difference would it have made if I told you?”

“Of course it would have made a difference.”

 

It meant that if he had Leticia, his business wouldn’t have been disrupted and his family would’ve continued to thrive.

 

Seios immediately understood what he meant, and clicked his tongue in amazement.

 

“You still haven’t come to your senses.”

“Seios!”

“Leticia is much more righteous and wise than you think.”

 

She was just weak to the people she loved. 

 

“Do you think that kind of child will return to you just because you called her?”

“She has inherited my blood.”

“What if that child says she won’t go back?”

“That…”

 

Of course, he was going to bring her back somehow.

 

He couldn’t say that, so he quietly shut his mouth. Seios expression hardened as if he’d already noticed.

 

“Don’t let me down anymore.”

“Seios.”

“If you keep doing this, I will not help you any further.”

 

Seios stood up after saying that.

 

Even then, Marquis Leroy didn’t listen and turned away from Seios. 

 

***

 

“Are they allowed to do this? Are they even human?”

“Elle.”

 

Enoch called Elle’s name heavily, with the implication that she should stop.

 

Marquis Leroy had already brought it in front of the Emperor. Now the Marquis, Count Aster, and Duke Achilles, because Leticia was living with him, were all called to the Imperial palace.

 

As they rode in the carriage, Elle complained because she couldn’t stand Marquis Leroy’s atrocities. It was Enoch who stopped her.

 

“The choice is Leticia’s, not yours.”

“Brother.”

“You have to respect whatever choices she makes.”

 

Enoch didn’t want to burden or force Leticia to make a choice.

 

However, Elle didn’t change her opinion on the way to the Imperial palace or the audience chamber.

 

“Respect? Forget it, I don’t know about that.”

“Elle.”

“I can’t let my sister get away.”

 

Even though Leticia didn’t say she was going back to Marquis Leroy, Elle hugged Leticia’s shoulder as if she was anxious. Leticia couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the stronger than usual touch.

 

“I think you’re hugging me too hard.”

“I’m worried that you’ll run away, so I need to hold on tight.”

 

Leticia gasped for air and poked her in the arm, but it was of no use. At that moment, Ian, who had been quietly watching them, secretly stood by Leticia’s side. Before she could even turn her head to ask why, one of his arms wrapped around hers.

 

“Ian…?”

“It’s been a while since Elle was correct.”

“Huh?”

 

Ian smiled instead of answering. 

 

Finally Leticia noticed that Ian had also locked his arms with hers, just as Elle had, for fear that she would run away.

 

Embarrassed, she stared at Enoch, as if to ask for a hand.

 

Enoch took turns looking at Leticia and his younger siblings, then slowly turned his head. Just a while ago, he said he’d respect her choice. When she saw that he didn’t try to stop them, she came to understand that he felt the same way as his siblings. 

 

As soon as she tried to scold him, she felt a gaze from somewhere. The moment she turned her head, she found Marquis and Marquess Leroy, as well as Diana and Xavier.

 

“….”

 

They were looking at Leticia, who’d suddenly stopped walking. Enoch’s expression cooled down when he saw the people from the Leroy family nearby. Elle and Ian were already glaring at them with thorns in their eyes. 

 

At that time, the Marquis and Marquess glanced at each other, then slowly approached Leticia.

 

“Leticia!”

 

Leticia stepped back in surprise when the Marquis sadly called out to her. The way he looked at her so gently made her think that she was dreaming.  

 

“I haven’t had an easy day since sending you away.”

“You know very well that there was nothing I could do about it.”

 

The Marquis and Marquess alternately talked with friendly smiles. The words that came out of their mouths, however, were nothing but mild excuses. 

 

“Leticia, Leticia!”

 

He couldn’t watch anymore, so Enoch urged her to go to the audience chamber quickly.

 

Leticia came to her senses at his voice, she straightened her shoulders and stepped back. She followed Enoch into the audience chamber, but somehow she felt complicated and her head drooped.

 

In the meantime, she felt her family’s gaze on her, so Leticia grasped Enoch’s hand tightly. 

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

“Leticia was originally my daughter, and she is my child. She was expelled because of a grave misunderstanding. I just want to bring her back to help resolve the misunderstanding and continue our familial relationship, your Imperial Majesty.”

 

The Leroy family had gained great confidence with the Imperial family by tipping them off to Duke Erebos’ rebellion long ago. Perhaps that’s why he took for granted that the Emperor would look on him favourably. 

 

However, Count Aster wouldn’t give up without a fight.

 

“When you put it that way, she is strictly my daughter, your Imperial Majesty, since she is on my family register. She was originally a child I loved like a daughter. After she was excommunicated, she said she would become my daughter of her own free will, so she is my family.”

 

Leticia never told him that she wanted to go back to her family. So, he couldn’t sit back and let the Marquis’ take advantage of this situation.

 

Marquis Leroy smirked at Count Aster, who was being more forceful than he’d expected.

 

“Don’t you know that blood is thicker than water?”

“It’s the Marquis who showed that blood means less than water.”

 

There was a hint of sarcasm in his quiet voice. Marquis Leroy immediately noticed, and his expression hardened.  

 

 When the atmosphere turned sour, the Emperor interjected. 

 

“Stop it. I think it’s only right that the young lady speak for herself.”

 

When he said this, all eyes in the audience chamber turned towards Leticia.

 

“What does the young lady want?”

“Your Imperial Majesty…”

“Will you go back to your original family and live as Miss Leroy, or will you live as Miss Aster with your current family?”

 

Leticia was standing silently, and quietly lowered her eyes. She could feel countless eyes staring at her. 

 

The Count and Countess Aster, who’s eyes said that they were going to help her no matter what she chose; Elle and Ian, who’s eyes looked at her anxiously; and Enoch, who’s eyes said that he would protect her no matter what. 

 

Then there were her parents and siblings, who were already smiling as if they thought she’d go back to them.

 

“I am…”

 

At one time, she’d hoped for this day. She hoped that her family, who abandoned her, would want her back like they do now.

 

It could even be said that Leticia would’ve embraced them happily, even if they’d abandoned her. Others would’ve clicked their tongues at her, but to her they were family.

 

She’d been excommunicated for less than a year, but it felt so distant, as if many years had already passed. 

 

She felt like she was suffocating and slowly dying after she was abandoned by her family.

 

But…

 

“I don’t want to go back to my original family.”

 

Marquis Leroy and his wife froze in shock at her firm voice that held no hesitation.

 

However, Leticia wasn’t done yet.

 

“I love my current family.”

 

With those words, Leticia held Enoch’s fingertips tightly and turned away from her own family. She felt them staring at her incredulously, but she intentionally turned a blind eye to it.

 

“Then I think we’ve come to a conclusion.”

 

The Emperor looked a little surprised when the audience was done more quickly than he had expected. 

 

Marquis Leroy came to his senses late, and quickly opened his mouth.

 

“Your Imperial Majesty, I would like to talk to my daughter for a moment…”

“With all due respect, your Imperial Majesty, I sincerely ask that you acknowledge Leticia as our daughter.”

“Count Aster!”

 

Without missing a beat, Count Aster cut off the Marquis. He was going to take this opportunity to clearly show who Leticia’s family was.

 

Marquis Leroy realized what he was trying to do and glared at him, but the situation wasn’t on his side.

 

“By your own admission, she’s already on Count Aster’s family register.”

“Your Imperial Majesty!”

“I’ll respect the Count’s wishes.”

“….!”

 

The Marquis urgently called out to the Emperor, but he’d already recognized Leticia as the daughter of Count Aster.

 

The Marquis wouldn’t give up like this, and he turned to look at Leticia. He just needed to talk to Leticia and convinced her that they were a real family.

 

Marquis Leroy approached Leticia with the kindest, gentlest smile he could muster, but as soon as he took a step closer, she quietly hid behind Enoch.

 

“….”

“….”

 

Marquis Leroy froze and his face paled. She acted as if she didn’t even want to look at him, as if she had difficulty even facing him.

 

Chapter 14. I’ll Decide Where to be

 

 

***

5 Advanced Chapters

https://ko-fi.com/s/f9bb0d248d

***

The letter had politely asked for it, but anyone who saw it would recognize it as coercion.

 

Also, he’d already expected Count Aster to refuse. In addition, she was belatedly told that he’d put in a complaint to the Emperor that they were her real family.

 

“Leticia!”

 

As soon as she received the letter, Leticia immediately went to the Aster mansion. She couldn’t look at the count, so she bowed her head even as he called out to her.

 

“We’re fine, so please raise your head.”

“Count…”

“It’s not your fault.”

 

The words made her eyes sting.

 

As she looked at them with tearful eyes, the Countess moved from her seat beside Count Aster, and sat beside Leticia.

 

“We will always respect your opinion.”

“Countess…”

“I just want you to make the choice for yourself.”

 

Realizing that this meant that she only wanted her to be happy, Leticia went straight into Countess Aster’s arms. She wanted to cry, but she tried hard to hold it in.

 

Count Aster and his wife said nothing except that they wanted her to be happy.

 

Leticia was rather troubled by the way that they tried to not burden her.

 

‘It’s clear that my father knows.’

 

There was no mention of her ability in the content of the letter, but there was no reason for him to try to take her back unless he already knew.

 

‘The day I didn’t want to come has arrived.’

 

She knew it would come someday, but she didn’t know it would come this soon.

 

Countess Aster patted Leticia’s shoulder silently, perhaps she’d noticed her bitterness. Feeling touched, Leticia slowly lowered her eyes.

 

***

 

“Is Leticia really lucky?”

“….”

“Please answer my question, Seios!”

 

Marquis Leroy immediately sent a letter when he heard that Seios occasionally visited the Magic Academy. He never replied, so he visited the academy on his own.

 

Fortunately, he happened to encounter Seios, who had something to do at the academy. This meant he was able to talk to him, face to face.

 

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

 

Seios burst into laughter at the accusatory tone.

 

“What difference would it have made if I told you?”

“Of course it would have made a difference.”

 

It meant that if he had Leticia, his business wouldn’t have been disrupted and his family would’ve continued to thrive.

 

Seios immediately understood what he meant, and clicked his tongue in amazement.

 

“You still haven’t come to your senses.”

“Seios!”

“Leticia is much more righteous and wise than you think.”

 

She was just weak to the people she loved. 

 

“Do you think that kind of child will return to you just because you called her?”

“She has inherited my blood.”

“What if that child says she won’t go back?”

“That…”

 

Of course, he was going to bring her back somehow.

 

He couldn’t say that, so he quietly shut his mouth. Seios expression hardened as if he’d already noticed.

 

“Don’t let me down anymore.”

“Seios.”

“If you keep doing this, I will not help you any further.”

 

Seios stood up after saying that.

 

Even then, Marquis Leroy didn’t listen and turned away from Seios. 

 

***

 

“Are they allowed to do this? Are they even human?”

“Elle.”

 

Enoch called Elle’s name heavily, with the implication that she should stop.

 

Marquis Leroy had already brought it in front of the Emperor. Now the Marquis, Count Aster, and Duke Achilles, because Leticia was living with him, were all called to the Imperial palace.

 

As they rode in the carriage, Elle complained because she couldn’t stand Marquis Leroy’s atrocities. It was Enoch who stopped her.

 

“The choice is Leticia’s, not yours.”

“Brother.”

“You have to respect whatever choices she makes.”

 

Enoch didn’t want to burden or force Leticia to make a choice.

 

However, Elle didn’t change her opinion on the way to the Imperial palace or the audience chamber.

 

“Respect? Forget it, I don’t know about that.”

“Elle.”

“I can’t let my sister get away.”

 

Even though Leticia didn’t say she was going back to Marquis Leroy, Elle hugged Leticia’s shoulder as if she was anxious. Leticia couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the stronger than usual touch.

 

“I think you’re hugging me too hard.”

“I’m worried that you’ll run away, so I need to hold on tight.”

 

Leticia gasped for air and poked her in the arm, but it was of no use. At that moment, Ian, who had been quietly watching them, secretly stood by Leticia’s side. Before she could even turn her head to ask why, one of his arms wrapped around hers.

 

“Ian…?”

“It’s been a while since Elle was correct.”

“Huh?”

 

Ian smiled instead of answering. 

 

Finally Leticia noticed that Ian had also locked his arms with hers, just as Elle had, for fear that she would run away.

 

Embarrassed, she stared at Enoch, as if to ask for a hand.

 

Enoch took turns looking at Leticia and his younger siblings, then slowly turned his head. Just a while ago, he said he’d respect her choice. When she saw that he didn’t try to stop them, she came to understand that he felt the same way as his siblings. 

 

As soon as she tried to scold him, she felt a gaze from somewhere. The moment she turned her head, she found Marquis and Marquess Leroy, as well as Diana and Xavier.

 

“….”

 

They were looking at Leticia, who’d suddenly stopped walking. Enoch’s expression cooled down when he saw the people from the Leroy family nearby. Elle and Ian were already glaring at them with thorns in their eyes. 

 

At that time, the Marquis and Marquess glanced at each other, then slowly approached Leticia.

 

“Leticia!”

 

Leticia stepped back in surprise when the Marquis sadly called out to her. The way he looked at her so gently made her think that she was dreaming.  

 

“I haven’t had an easy day since sending you away.”

“You know very well that there was nothing I could do about it.”

 

The Marquis and Marquess alternately talked with friendly smiles. The words that came out of their mouths, however, were nothing but mild excuses. 

 

“Leticia, Leticia!”

 

He couldn’t watch anymore, so Enoch urged her to go to the audience chamber quickly.

 

Leticia came to her senses at his voice, she straightened her shoulders and stepped back. She followed Enoch into the audience chamber, but somehow she felt complicated and her head drooped.

 

In the meantime, she felt her family’s gaze on her, so Leticia grasped Enoch’s hand tightly. 

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

“Leticia was originally my daughter, and she is my child. She was expelled because of a grave misunderstanding. I just want to bring her back to help resolve the misunderstanding and continue our familial relationship, your Imperial Majesty.”

 

The Leroy family had gained great confidence with the Imperial family by tipping them off to Duke Erebos’ rebellion long ago. Perhaps that’s why he took for granted that the Emperor would look on him favourably. 

 

However, Count Aster wouldn’t give up without a fight.

 

“When you put it that way, she is strictly my daughter, your Imperial Majesty, since she is on my family register. She was originally a child I loved like a daughter. After she was excommunicated, she said she would become my daughter of her own free will, so she is my family.”

 

Leticia never told him that she wanted to go back to her family. So, he couldn’t sit back and let the Marquis’ take advantage of this situation.

 

Marquis Leroy smirked at Count Aster, who was being more forceful than he’d expected.

 

“Don’t you know that blood is thicker than water?”

“It’s the Marquis who showed that blood means less than water.”

 

There was a hint of sarcasm in his quiet voice. Marquis Leroy immediately noticed, and his expression hardened.  

 

 When the atmosphere turned sour, the Emperor interjected. 

 

“Stop it. I think it’s only right that the young lady speak for herself.”

 

When he said this, all eyes in the audience chamber turned towards Leticia.

 

“What does the young lady want?”

“Your Imperial Majesty…”

“Will you go back to your original family and live as Miss Leroy, or will you live as Miss Aster with your current family?”

 

Leticia was standing silently, and quietly lowered her eyes. She could feel countless eyes staring at her. 

 

The Count and Countess Aster, who’s eyes said that they were going to help her no matter what she chose; Elle and Ian, who’s eyes looked at her anxiously; and Enoch, who’s eyes said that he would protect her no matter what. 

 

Then there were her parents and siblings, who were already smiling as if they thought she’d go back to them.

 

“I am…”

 

At one time, she’d hoped for this day. She hoped that her family, who abandoned her, would want her back like they do now.

 

It could even be said that Leticia would’ve embraced them happily, even if they’d abandoned her. Others would’ve clicked their tongues at her, but to her they were family.

 

She’d been excommunicated for less than a year, but it felt so distant, as if many years had already passed. 

 

She felt like she was suffocating and slowly dying after she was abandoned by her family.

 

But…

 

“I don’t want to go back to my original family.”

 

Marquis Leroy and his wife froze in shock at her firm voice that held no hesitation.

 

However, Leticia wasn’t done yet.

 

“I love my current family.”

 

With those words, Leticia held Enoch’s fingertips tightly and turned away from her own family. She felt them staring at her incredulously, but she intentionally turned a blind eye to it.

 

“Then I think we’ve come to a conclusion.”

 

The Emperor looked a little surprised when the audience was done more quickly than he had expected. 

 

Marquis Leroy came to his senses late, and quickly opened his mouth.

 

“Your Imperial Majesty, I would like to talk to my daughter for a moment…”

“With all due respect, your Imperial Majesty, I sincerely ask that you acknowledge Leticia as our daughter.”

“Count Aster!”

 

Without missing a beat, Count Aster cut off the Marquis. He was going to take this opportunity to clearly show who Leticia’s family was.

 

Marquis Leroy realized what he was trying to do and glared at him, but the situation wasn’t on his side.

 

“By your own admission, she’s already on Count Aster’s family register.”

“Your Imperial Majesty!”

“I’ll respect the Count’s wishes.”

“….!”

 

The Marquis urgently called out to the Emperor, but he’d already recognized Leticia as the daughter of Count Aster.

 

The Marquis wouldn’t give up like this, and he turned to look at Leticia. He just needed to talk to Leticia and convinced her that they were a real family.

 

Marquis Leroy approached Leticia with the kindest, gentlest smile he could muster, but as soon as he took a step closer, she quietly hid behind Enoch.

 

“….”

“….”

 

Marquis Leroy froze and his face paled. She acted as if she didn’t even want to look at him, as if she had difficulty even facing him.

 

Chapter 15. I Like the Threat of Being Here

 

 

***

5 Advanced Chapters

https://ko-fi.com/s/f9bb0d248d

***

The letter had politely asked for it, but anyone who saw it would recognize it as coercion.

 

Also, he’d already expected Count Aster to refuse. In addition, she was belatedly told that he’d put in a complaint to the Emperor that they were her real family.

 

“Leticia!”

 

As soon as she received the letter, Leticia immediately went to the Aster mansion. She couldn’t look at the count, so she bowed her head even as he called out to her.

 

“We’re fine, so please raise your head.”

“Count…”

“It’s not your fault.”

 

The words made her eyes sting.

 

As she looked at them with tearful eyes, the Countess moved from her seat beside Count Aster, and sat beside Leticia.

 

“We will always respect your opinion.”

“Countess…”

“I just want you to make the choice for yourself.”

 

Realizing that this meant that she only wanted her to be happy, Leticia went straight into Countess Aster’s arms. She wanted to cry, but she tried hard to hold it in.

 

Count Aster and his wife said nothing except that they wanted her to be happy.

 

Leticia was rather troubled by the way that they tried to not burden her.

 

‘It’s clear that my father knows.’

 

There was no mention of her ability in the content of the letter, but there was no reason for him to try to take her back unless he already knew.

 

‘The day I didn’t want to come has arrived.’

 

She knew it would come someday, but she didn’t know it would come this soon.

 

Countess Aster patted Leticia’s shoulder silently, perhaps she’d noticed her bitterness. Feeling touched, Leticia slowly lowered her eyes.

 

***

 

“Is Leticia really lucky?”

“….”

“Please answer my question, Seios!”

 

Marquis Leroy immediately sent a letter when he heard that Seios occasionally visited the Magic Academy. He never replied, so he visited the academy on his own.

 

Fortunately, he happened to encounter Seios, who had something to do at the academy. This meant he was able to talk to him, face to face.

 

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

 

Seios burst into laughter at the accusatory tone.

 

“What difference would it have made if I told you?”

“Of course it would have made a difference.”

 

It meant that if he had Leticia, his business wouldn’t have been disrupted and his family would’ve continued to thrive.

 

Seios immediately understood what he meant, and clicked his tongue in amazement.

 

“You still haven’t come to your senses.”

“Seios!”

“Leticia is much more righteous and wise than you think.”

 

She was just weak to the people she loved. 

 

“Do you think that kind of child will return to you just because you called her?”

“She has inherited my blood.”

“What if that child says she won’t go back?”

“That…”

 

Of course, he was going to bring her back somehow.

 

He couldn’t say that, so he quietly shut his mouth. Seios expression hardened as if he’d already noticed.

 

“Don’t let me down anymore.”

“Seios.”

“If you keep doing this, I will not help you any further.”

 

Seios stood up after saying that.

 

Even then, Marquis Leroy didn’t listen and turned away from Seios. 

 

***

 

“Are they allowed to do this? Are they even human?”

“Elle.”

 

Enoch called Elle’s name heavily, with the implication that she should stop.

 

Marquis Leroy had already brought it in front of the Emperor. Now the Marquis, Count Aster, and Duke Achilles, because Leticia was living with him, were all called to the Imperial palace.

 

As they rode in the carriage, Elle complained because she couldn’t stand Marquis Leroy’s atrocities. It was Enoch who stopped her.

 

“The choice is Leticia’s, not yours.”

“Brother.”

“You have to respect whatever choices she makes.”

 

Enoch didn’t want to burden or force Leticia to make a choice.

 

However, Elle didn’t change her opinion on the way to the Imperial palace or the audience chamber.

 

“Respect? Forget it, I don’t know about that.”

“Elle.”

“I can’t let my sister get away.”

 

Even though Leticia didn’t say she was going back to Marquis Leroy, Elle hugged Leticia’s shoulder as if she was anxious. Leticia couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the stronger than usual touch.

 

“I think you’re hugging me too hard.”

“I’m worried that you’ll run away, so I need to hold on tight.”

 

Leticia gasped for air and poked her in the arm, but it was of no use. At that moment, Ian, who had been quietly watching them, secretly stood by Leticia’s side. Before she could even turn her head to ask why, one of his arms wrapped around hers.

 

“Ian…?”

“It’s been a while since Elle was correct.”

“Huh?”

 

Ian smiled instead of answering. 

 

Finally Leticia noticed that Ian had also locked his arms with hers, just as Elle had, for fear that she would run away.

 

Embarrassed, she stared at Enoch, as if to ask for a hand.

 

Enoch took turns looking at Leticia and his younger siblings, then slowly turned his head. Just a while ago, he said he’d respect her choice. When she saw that he didn’t try to stop them, she came to understand that he felt the same way as his siblings. 

 

As soon as she tried to scold him, she felt a gaze from somewhere. The moment she turned her head, she found Marquis and Marquess Leroy, as well as Diana and Xavier.

 

“….”

 

They were looking at Leticia, who’d suddenly stopped walking. Enoch’s expression cooled down when he saw the people from the Leroy family nearby. Elle and Ian were already glaring at them with thorns in their eyes. 

 

At that time, the Marquis and Marquess glanced at each other, then slowly approached Leticia.

 

“Leticia!”

 

Leticia stepped back in surprise when the Marquis sadly called out to her. The way he looked at her so gently made her think that she was dreaming.  

 

“I haven’t had an easy day since sending you away.”

“You know very well that there was nothing I could do about it.”

 

The Marquis and Marquess alternately talked with friendly smiles. The words that came out of their mouths, however, were nothing but mild excuses. 

 

“Leticia, Leticia!”

 

He couldn’t watch anymore, so Enoch urged her to go to the audience chamber quickly.

 

Leticia came to her senses at his voice, she straightened her shoulders and stepped back. She followed Enoch into the audience chamber, but somehow she felt complicated and her head drooped.

 

In the meantime, she felt her family’s gaze on her, so Leticia grasped Enoch’s hand tightly. 

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

“Leticia was originally my daughter, and she is my child. She was expelled because of a grave misunderstanding. I just want to bring her back to help resolve the misunderstanding and continue our familial relationship, your Imperial Majesty.”

 

The Leroy family had gained great confidence with the Imperial family by tipping them off to Duke Erebos’ rebellion long ago. Perhaps that’s why he took for granted that the Emperor would look on him favourably. 

 

However, Count Aster wouldn’t give up without a fight.

 

“When you put it that way, she is strictly my daughter, your Imperial Majesty, since she is on my family register. She was originally a child I loved like a daughter. After she was excommunicated, she said she would become my daughter of her own free will, so she is my family.”

 

Leticia never told him that she wanted to go back to her family. So, he couldn’t sit back and let the Marquis’ take advantage of this situation.

 

Marquis Leroy smirked at Count Aster, who was being more forceful than he’d expected.

 

“Don’t you know that blood is thicker than water?”

“It’s the Marquis who showed that blood means less than water.”

 

There was a hint of sarcasm in his quiet voice. Marquis Leroy immediately noticed, and his expression hardened.  

 

 When the atmosphere turned sour, the Emperor interjected. 

 

“Stop it. I think it’s only right that the young lady speak for herself.”

 

When he said this, all eyes in the audience chamber turned towards Leticia.

 

“What does the young lady want?”

“Your Imperial Majesty…”

“Will you go back to your original family and live as Miss Leroy, or will you live as Miss Aster with your current family?”

 

Leticia was standing silently, and quietly lowered her eyes. She could feel countless eyes staring at her. 

 

The Count and Countess Aster, who’s eyes said that they were going to help her no matter what she chose; Elle and Ian, who’s eyes looked at her anxiously; and Enoch, who’s eyes said that he would protect her no matter what. 

 

Then there were her parents and siblings, who were already smiling as if they thought she’d go back to them.

 

“I am…”

 

At one time, she’d hoped for this day. She hoped that her family, who abandoned her, would want her back like they do now.

 

It could even be said that Leticia would’ve embraced them happily, even if they’d abandoned her. Others would’ve clicked their tongues at her, but to her they were family.

 

She’d been excommunicated for less than a year, but it felt so distant, as if many years had already passed. 

 

She felt like she was suffocating and slowly dying after she was abandoned by her family.

 

But…

 

“I don’t want to go back to my original family.”

 

Marquis Leroy and his wife froze in shock at her firm voice that held no hesitation.

 

However, Leticia wasn’t done yet.

 

“I love my current family.”

 

With those words, Leticia held Enoch’s fingertips tightly and turned away from her own family. She felt them staring at her incredulously, but she intentionally turned a blind eye to it.

 

“Then I think we’ve come to a conclusion.”

 

The Emperor looked a little surprised when the audience was done more quickly than he had expected. 

 

Marquis Leroy came to his senses late, and quickly opened his mouth.

 

“Your Imperial Majesty, I would like to talk to my daughter for a moment…”

“With all due respect, your Imperial Majesty, I sincerely ask that you acknowledge Leticia as our daughter.”

“Count Aster!”

 

Without missing a beat, Count Aster cut off the Marquis. He was going to take this opportunity to clearly show who Leticia’s family was.

 

Marquis Leroy realized what he was trying to do and glared at him, but the situation wasn’t on his side.

 

“By your own admission, she’s already on Count Aster’s family register.”

“Your Imperial Majesty!”

“I’ll respect the Count’s wishes.”

“….!”

 

The Marquis urgently called out to the Emperor, but he’d already recognized Leticia as the daughter of Count Aster.

 

The Marquis wouldn’t give up like this, and he turned to look at Leticia. He just needed to talk to Leticia and convinced her that they were a real family.

 

Marquis Leroy approached Leticia with the kindest, gentlest smile he could muster, but as soon as he took a step closer, she quietly hid behind Enoch.

 

“….”

“….”

 

Marquis Leroy froze and his face paled. She acted as if she didn’t even want to look at him, as if she had difficulty even facing him.

 

Chapter 16. There’s a Little Bit of Bad Luck

 

 

***

5 Advanced Chapters

https://ko-fi.com/s/f9bb0d248d

***

The letter had politely asked for it, but anyone who saw it would recognize it as coercion.

 

Also, he’d already expected Count Aster to refuse. In addition, she was belatedly told that he’d put in a complaint to the Emperor that they were her real family.

 

“Leticia!”

 

As soon as she received the letter, Leticia immediately went to the Aster mansion. She couldn’t look at the count, so she bowed her head even as he called out to her.

 

“We’re fine, so please raise your head.”

“Count…”

“It’s not your fault.”

 

The words made her eyes sting.

 

As she looked at them with tearful eyes, the Countess moved from her seat beside Count Aster, and sat beside Leticia.

 

“We will always respect your opinion.”

“Countess…”

“I just want you to make the choice for yourself.”

 

Realizing that this meant that she only wanted her to be happy, Leticia went straight into Countess Aster’s arms. She wanted to cry, but she tried hard to hold it in.

 

Count Aster and his wife said nothing except that they wanted her to be happy.

 

Leticia was rather troubled by the way that they tried to not burden her.

 

‘It’s clear that my father knows.’

 

There was no mention of her ability in the content of the letter, but there was no reason for him to try to take her back unless he already knew.

 

‘The day I didn’t want to come has arrived.’

 

She knew it would come someday, but she didn’t know it would come this soon.

 

Countess Aster patted Leticia’s shoulder silently, perhaps she’d noticed her bitterness. Feeling touched, Leticia slowly lowered her eyes.

 

***

 

“Is Leticia really lucky?”

“….”

“Please answer my question, Seios!”

 

Marquis Leroy immediately sent a letter when he heard that Seios occasionally visited the Magic Academy. He never replied, so he visited the academy on his own.

 

Fortunately, he happened to encounter Seios, who had something to do at the academy. This meant he was able to talk to him, face to face.

 

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

 

Seios burst into laughter at the accusatory tone.

 

“What difference would it have made if I told you?”

“Of course it would have made a difference.”

 

It meant that if he had Leticia, his business wouldn’t have been disrupted and his family would’ve continued to thrive.

 

Seios immediately understood what he meant, and clicked his tongue in amazement.

 

“You still haven’t come to your senses.”

“Seios!”

“Leticia is much more righteous and wise than you think.”

 

She was just weak to the people she loved. 

 

“Do you think that kind of child will return to you just because you called her?”

“She has inherited my blood.”

“What if that child says she won’t go back?”

“That…”

 

Of course, he was going to bring her back somehow.

 

He couldn’t say that, so he quietly shut his mouth. Seios expression hardened as if he’d already noticed.

 

“Don’t let me down anymore.”

“Seios.”

“If you keep doing this, I will not help you any further.”

 

Seios stood up after saying that.

 

Even then, Marquis Leroy didn’t listen and turned away from Seios. 

 

***

 

“Are they allowed to do this? Are they even human?”

“Elle.”

 

Enoch called Elle’s name heavily, with the implication that she should stop.

 

Marquis Leroy had already brought it in front of the Emperor. Now the Marquis, Count Aster, and Duke Achilles, because Leticia was living with him, were all called to the Imperial palace.

 

As they rode in the carriage, Elle complained because she couldn’t stand Marquis Leroy’s atrocities. It was Enoch who stopped her.

 

“The choice is Leticia’s, not yours.”

“Brother.”

“You have to respect whatever choices she makes.”

 

Enoch didn’t want to burden or force Leticia to make a choice.

 

However, Elle didn’t change her opinion on the way to the Imperial palace or the audience chamber.

 

“Respect? Forget it, I don’t know about that.”

“Elle.”

“I can’t let my sister get away.”

 

Even though Leticia didn’t say she was going back to Marquis Leroy, Elle hugged Leticia’s shoulder as if she was anxious. Leticia couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the stronger than usual touch.

 

“I think you’re hugging me too hard.”

“I’m worried that you’ll run away, so I need to hold on tight.”

 

Leticia gasped for air and poked her in the arm, but it was of no use. At that moment, Ian, who had been quietly watching them, secretly stood by Leticia’s side. Before she could even turn her head to ask why, one of his arms wrapped around hers.

 

“Ian…?”

“It’s been a while since Elle was correct.”

“Huh?”

 

Ian smiled instead of answering. 

 

Finally Leticia noticed that Ian had also locked his arms with hers, just as Elle had, for fear that she would run away.

 

Embarrassed, she stared at Enoch, as if to ask for a hand.

 

Enoch took turns looking at Leticia and his younger siblings, then slowly turned his head. Just a while ago, he said he’d respect her choice. When she saw that he didn’t try to stop them, she came to understand that he felt the same way as his siblings. 

 

As soon as she tried to scold him, she felt a gaze from somewhere. The moment she turned her head, she found Marquis and Marquess Leroy, as well as Diana and Xavier.

 

“….”

 

They were looking at Leticia, who’d suddenly stopped walking. Enoch’s expression cooled down when he saw the people from the Leroy family nearby. Elle and Ian were already glaring at them with thorns in their eyes. 

 

At that time, the Marquis and Marquess glanced at each other, then slowly approached Leticia.

 

“Leticia!”

 

Leticia stepped back in surprise when the Marquis sadly called out to her. The way he looked at her so gently made her think that she was dreaming.  

 

“I haven’t had an easy day since sending you away.”

“You know very well that there was nothing I could do about it.”

 

The Marquis and Marquess alternately talked with friendly smiles. The words that came out of their mouths, however, were nothing but mild excuses. 

 

“Leticia, Leticia!”

 

He couldn’t watch anymore, so Enoch urged her to go to the audience chamber quickly.

 

Leticia came to her senses at his voice, she straightened her shoulders and stepped back. She followed Enoch into the audience chamber, but somehow she felt complicated and her head drooped.

 

In the meantime, she felt her family’s gaze on her, so Leticia grasped Enoch’s hand tightly. 

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

“Leticia was originally my daughter, and she is my child. She was expelled because of a grave misunderstanding. I just want to bring her back to help resolve the misunderstanding and continue our familial relationship, your Imperial Majesty.”

 

The Leroy family had gained great confidence with the Imperial family by tipping them off to Duke Erebos’ rebellion long ago. Perhaps that’s why he took for granted that the Emperor would look on him favourably. 

 

However, Count Aster wouldn’t give up without a fight.

 

“When you put it that way, she is strictly my daughter, your Imperial Majesty, since she is on my family register. She was originally a child I loved like a daughter. After she was excommunicated, she said she would become my daughter of her own free will, so she is my family.”

 

Leticia never told him that she wanted to go back to her family. So, he couldn’t sit back and let the Marquis’ take advantage of this situation.

 

Marquis Leroy smirked at Count Aster, who was being more forceful than he’d expected.

 

“Don’t you know that blood is thicker than water?”

“It’s the Marquis who showed that blood means less than water.”

 

There was a hint of sarcasm in his quiet voice. Marquis Leroy immediately noticed, and his expression hardened.  

 

 When the atmosphere turned sour, the Emperor interjected. 

 

“Stop it. I think it’s only right that the young lady speak for herself.”

 

When he said this, all eyes in the audience chamber turned towards Leticia.

 

“What does the young lady want?”

“Your Imperial Majesty…”

“Will you go back to your original family and live as Miss Leroy, or will you live as Miss Aster with your current family?”

 

Leticia was standing silently, and quietly lowered her eyes. She could feel countless eyes staring at her. 

 

The Count and Countess Aster, who’s eyes said that they were going to help her no matter what she chose; Elle and Ian, who’s eyes looked at her anxiously; and Enoch, who’s eyes said that he would protect her no matter what. 

 

Then there were her parents and siblings, who were already smiling as if they thought she’d go back to them.

 

“I am…”

 

At one time, she’d hoped for this day. She hoped that her family, who abandoned her, would want her back like they do now.

 

It could even be said that Leticia would’ve embraced them happily, even if they’d abandoned her. Others would’ve clicked their tongues at her, but to her they were family.

 

She’d been excommunicated for less than a year, but it felt so distant, as if many years had already passed. 

 

She felt like she was suffocating and slowly dying after she was abandoned by her family.

 

But…

 

“I don’t want to go back to my original family.”

 

Marquis Leroy and his wife froze in shock at her firm voice that held no hesitation.

 

However, Leticia wasn’t done yet.

 

“I love my current family.”

 

With those words, Leticia held Enoch’s fingertips tightly and turned away from her own family. She felt them staring at her incredulously, but she intentionally turned a blind eye to it.

 

“Then I think we’ve come to a conclusion.”

 

The Emperor looked a little surprised when the audience was done more quickly than he had expected. 

 

Marquis Leroy came to his senses late, and quickly opened his mouth.

 

“Your Imperial Majesty, I would like to talk to my daughter for a moment…”

“With all due respect, your Imperial Majesty, I sincerely ask that you acknowledge Leticia as our daughter.”

“Count Aster!”

 

Without missing a beat, Count Aster cut off the Marquis. He was going to take this opportunity to clearly show who Leticia’s family was.

 

Marquis Leroy realized what he was trying to do and glared at him, but the situation wasn’t on his side.

 

“By your own admission, she’s already on Count Aster’s family register.”

“Your Imperial Majesty!”

“I’ll respect the Count’s wishes.”

“….!”

 

The Marquis urgently called out to the Emperor, but he’d already recognized Leticia as the daughter of Count Aster.

 

The Marquis wouldn’t give up like this, and he turned to look at Leticia. He just needed to talk to Leticia and convinced her that they were a real family.

 

Marquis Leroy approached Leticia with the kindest, gentlest smile he could muster, but as soon as he took a step closer, she quietly hid behind Enoch.

 

“….”

“….”

 

Marquis Leroy froze and his face paled. She acted as if she didn’t even want to look at him, as if she had difficulty even facing him.

 

Chapter 17. “Good Luck” is Unexpected