CHAPTER 50: LIONESS AND HER CUB

"Mother, I hope you can take back what you just said."

Losiya, upon hearing the Duke Kelden’s scornful words, suddenly became like a lioness provoked. She even forgot her usual fear of the Duke and locked eyes with him, the magic within her body quietly igniting in sync with her rage.

"What did I say wrong? My brilliant daughter really is something else—throwing ten thousand gold for a slave. Is that how you use the money I gave you? Even the most extravagant spenders across the entire Roland Empire probably aren’t half as outrageous as you."

Duke Kelden sneered indifferently.

However, Losiya’s expression had not changed since the beginning. She stared at him, like a lion cub refusing to back down, her posture declaring she stood by her words and attitude.

"So, you’re defying me?" Duke Kelden narrowed his eyes at her.

"There’s a premise I think I should make clear first. I did indeed spend ten thousand gold for Julian. But I spent my own money. That has nothing to do with you."

"Such childish thinking. If you weren’t my daughter, if I hadn’t provided you with all that support, would your territory be in the state it is now?"

Duke Kelden looked at Losiya as if she were an ignorant child, a flicker of disappointment occasionally surfacing in his gaze.

"If you must say that, then let me ask: how did you make it to where you are today? Wasn’t it through the support of the family’s power?"Losiya snapped back, refusing to back down in the slightest.

Duke Kelden was clearly choked by her words and couldn’t help but shout, "You’re twisting the argument."

"You’re the one who loves twisting things!"

He no longer looked at Losiya but instead glanced past her shoulder—toward Julian behind her.

That head of radiant silver hair shimmered under the sunlight, so dazzling it drew attention immediately. Lying on the bed with scattered sheets, Julian had turned slightly in his sleep, exposing only one side of his face.

Long, slightly curled lashes; large, bright eyes; an exquisite nose; lightly parted lips. The sunlight pouring through the window cast across his face, making the entire scene almost artistically beautiful. Even Duke Kelden couldn’t help but momentarily lose focus.

Seemingly aware of the gaze upon him, Julian slightly tilted his head and glanced over, his pure, clear eyes meeting Duke Kelden’s.

For just a moment, the Duke’s heartbeat faltered.

Yet, her maturity in state of mind far surpassed Losiya’s. Just one second later, she regained her composure and looked at Julian with a hint of disdain.

It seemed she had gone too easy on him yesterday. The rumors outside claimed she only saw him as a seductive troublemaker. But now, it appeared he was more like a fake-innocent little vixen.

Compared to the former, the latter was clearly more troublesome—because such a type easily stirred feelings of pity and affection, slowly making others fall for them.

"Good day," Julian greeted softly.

At the same time, he seemed a little shy, clutching the blanket tightly around himself, his head lowered, a faint blush coloring his cheeks.

"..."

Duke Kelden gave no reply. He didn’t even look directly at Julian.

Faced with those eyes, the harsh words she had prepared became difficult to say aloud.

"Didn’t you hear Julian greet you?" Losiya directly questioned.

"Have you slept with him?" the Duke calmly asked, entirely ignoring her question.

"Yes," Losiya replied without hesitation, her tone indifferent.

Duke Kelden didn’t speak. His sharp brows furrowed as he looked back and forth between Losiya and Julian. In the end, he made a slight concession.

"What you do behind closed doors, I won’t bother to control. But in public, I don’t want to hear any news related to him."

"That puts me in a difficult spot, then. I’ve already thought about when to marry him. Wouldn’t that mean I’m going back on my word?"

"Marry?" Duke Kelden let out a cold laugh.

As if knowing her next words would completely provoke Losiya, she simply couldn’t be bothered to argue anymore. She left with one sentence:

"Once you’re dressed, come find me."

"Did you forget what I said?"

Alice, watching the furious Losiya, couldn’t help but twitch her eyelid.

Had Miss taken the wrong medicine today? Even the Duke had shown rare signs of concession, yet she kept pressing.

The whole scene was so strange, Alice didn’t even know whether she should intervene.

"What did you say?" Duke Kelden turned around, his deep blue eyes meeting Losiya’s across the space.

"Julian has a mother. He has a family. You shouldn’t call him those kinds of names."

Losiya’s bright eyes and righteous words only made Duke Kelden more annoyed.

To be honest, once she calmed down, she regretted it a little too—losing her temper at a young man and even using degrading terms. Even she found it shameful.

But had it been anyone else speaking to her like this, regardless of whether they were right or wrong, she would have punished them on the spot.

But Losiya was her daughter. If her daughter wanted to reason with her, then she would respond in a familial way.

"And if Julian really is the bastard child you claim he is, doesn’t that make me one too?"

Alice’s eyes widened. That bolt-from-the-blue statement made her unable to stay still. She rushed forward to hold Losiya back.

"Miss, you mustn’t say such things!"

"Alice, let go of me! Today I want to ask clearly—was my father’s disappearance your doing?"

What shocked Alice even more was that Duke Kelden didn’t get angry. Her mature and composed face showed only a trace of helplessness, and she said nothing more—just turned and walked away.

Leaving Losiya’s room, the Duke stepped out and immediately encountered Lady Catherine.

Their faces shared about 50% resemblance. Both had black hair and blue eyes. If not for their drastically different auras and clothing, even outsiders might find it hard to tell them apart.

One resembled a sharp sword kept in its sheath, exuding suppressed power and danger. The other was like a star in the night sky—appearing approachable, but actually distant and mysterious, surrounded by a cool and powerful magical force.

Lady Catherine was dressed as always in a mage’s robe. She was the first to greet the Duke."It’s been a long time, Vironica."

Vironica—that was the real name of Duke Kelden. Most people only addressed her as ’Duke’ or ’Her Grace.’ Very few had the right to call her by name.

Catherine was one of those few.

With a distant but nostalgic expression, Duke Kelden responded, "Indeed, it has been a long time, Catherine."

Then she frowned and reached for the charm bracelet on Catherine’s wrist, using her magic to probe into it.

"I came in such a rush this time because I wanted to take you to the Holy City as soon as possible. Even if the Holy See doesn’t act personally, there are other Saint-level archbishops. They will definitely be able to cure—"

She suddenly paused, a look of disbelief appearing on her face as she looked up at Lady Catherine, who was smiling calmly back at her.

"No, you’re not mistaken. That curse is mostly gone."