HAPPILY EVER AFTER(11)
Sometime after dinner was over, Fabian came to the ducal residence. While he was waiting for his master, the mistress, and the young masters to finish their meal, Fabian had gone to visit Jerome and his family in the outbuilding.
After Jerome got married, Fabian felt like a heavy burden had been lifted off his back. He didn’t say anything, but he had been worried to see Jerome only caring about taking care of the ducal house and not thinking about marriage, even when he was past thirty.
Now, Fabian was both happy and envious to see Jerome happy as the head of a decent family.
‘Lucky brat.’
It was already envious enough that Jerome got to marry a young woman despite their big age difference, but she was also extremely beautiful. After Fabian relentlessly pestered them to tell him about their love story, Olga answered him with a blush.
[I fell for him and chased after him.]
Fabian couldn’t understand. Why in the world? What part of him did she fall for? It was the biggest mystery of his life.
When he saw Jerome and his wife acting coy and bashful even after having two kids, he felt like something was crawling on his skin, so he quickly left for the main house.
Hugo told Damian and Bruno that the report of the observations from today’s meeting would be pushed to tomorrow then he went to his office with Fabian. Fabian turned in his report and verbally reported the most essential thing.
“News of Philip’s death came.”
Hugo, who was about to open the report, paused. He looked at the death certificate attached to the first page of the report for a while.
‘What a tenacious old turd.’
Seven years ago, Hugo ordered for Philip to be dragged to the dungeon in the north after his tongue was cut off and his ankle tendon severed. He left him in charge of treating vicious criminals in the underground prison where no sunlight ever came in. According to the occasional news he got, the old man silently devoted himself to treating prisoners. Hugo wondered how long he could endure in that grim underground dungeon despite his old age, and he finally died after seven years.
While he was searching for Philip’s family records, he also found the training camp for women to continue the Taran bloodline. It was actually in the capital. It was disguised as an orphanage and the women who were fed the mugwort(ssamyupsuk) herb were isolated and cared for as if they had a special illness.
Hugo wanted to kill them all, but he thought of his daughter and endured it. He didn’t want to stain his daughter’s birth with the spilling of blood and resentment.
The women didn’t know why their bodies became like that or for what purpose it was made like it. They were all given the cure and only after their menstruation came back and it was confirmed that they were normal again, were they released. This work actually took quite some time and only finished some years ago.
“How is a prisoner’s corpse dealt with?”
“If their family doesn’t collect their bodies then in the summer, every day, because the bodies rot easily, and in the winter, every few days. The bodies are all cremated at once.”
Philip had no family to hold his funeral. At this rate, he would be cremated with the corpses of other criminals and eventually, not even a chip of his bones would be found.
“There’s a burial ground for the family doctor. Take steps to have him buried there. No need to take care of a separate funeral.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
His resentment towards Philip hadn’t disappeared. Philip’s death didn’t make his crime go away. He was obsessed with a fruitless pretext, schemed, and threatened his master. Even if his body was torn to pieces while he was alive, his crime was deserving of it.
When he learned from Philip’s records that Philip had put a woman in his bedroom, he couldn’t believe it. He was so angry that he felt like steam was rising from his head. The reason why Hugo left Philip alive was because of his cold-hearted desire for Philip to be tormented for a long time instead of suffering a short death.
However, Philip saved his brother’s life. He brought Damian who resembled his brother to Hugo. And it was also because of his scheme that Hugo got his daughter, Evangeline.
Not all the results of Philip’s actions were bad. Strictly speaking, Philip didn’t do all that to gratify his self-interest. Philip was also a victim of his family’s shackles and he could never get free.
‘I have changed indeed.’
Just like Philip told him a long time ago, Hugo thought that he had changed. To think he was feeling pity for a criminal who deserved his death. If it were the past him, he would have dragged out even the old man’s corpse, ordered them to chop it to pieces and fed him to beasts.
However, despite feeling this change in himself, Hugo was happy. He felt like he wasn’t just the Hugo imitating his late brother, but actually his own person.
With Philip’s death, everything was now over. No one outside the family knew his family’s secret. He thought it would be relaxing to know but he merely felt strange. The heavy weight on his body was still there. But this weight was not the terrible type he wanted to escape from, but a responsibility he ought to bear.
He realized that unless he tossed everything aside and ran away, he had to share his fate with the Taran family until he died. And for him now, abandoning his family was no longer an option.
The Taran house would protect his family, and he would protect the Taran house.
Philip’s death served as a force to free Hugo from being trapped in his late brother’s shadow. Henceforth, Hugo acknowledged that both Hue and Hugo were the same person. The young Hue who was mercenary slave and the lord of the north, Hugo Taran, were both himself.
“The other news that came from the north is about Sir. Krotin.”
Irritation flashed across Hugo’s eyes. Who knew where the guy had dug himself, not even his shadow could be found. So much manpower and time had been spent on trying to find him. Some time ago, he even ordered his knights that if Roy was found, he should be bound like a prisoner and dragged over here.
Two years ago, the Duke of Ramis passed away and his son, Robin, succeeded him. And about a year ago, Hugo negotiated with the king and the new Duke Ramis about reinstating Roy and succeeded.
Roy was no longer a heinous criminal. Since he had already been ‘killed’ as a death row prisoner, it would be difficult to have him conspicuously in the capital, but he could be reinstated into the northern knights with no issue at all.
The problem was Roy’s whereabouts. Shortly after he went to the north disguised as a death row prisoner, Roy could not be found and the last news of him was from a witness who saw him going into the barbarian territory. Hugo thought Roy would return soon but when nearly a year passed with no news from Roy, his knights entered the barbarian land to search for Roy. Dean had participated in the search party back then and was able to meet Roy in the span of a few days.
[I prefer going unnoticed, anyway. It’s comfortable here. You know I’m not the kind of guy to die easily, right? Don’t worry about me and don’t look for me. I’ll be staying here for a while.]
When Hugo heard of this, he told them to leave him alone. Roy was like a wild horse anyways, he couldn’t be reined. However, when Roy was reinstated a year ago, Hugo ordered them to call him in, but he couldn’t be found.
The barbarian land was very large. But because he couldn’t exactly gather a huge search party for Roy due to circumstances, it had been a year since only a handful of people began to search for Roy.
“Did you find him?”
Hugo ground his teeth. If the guy was brought before him, he would definitely beat him up first before talking.
“Rather than finding him…we got news from him.”
Fabian nervously continued speaking.
“A boy appeared before the knights and gave them a letter from Sir. Krotin. And…according to the letter, the boy is Sir. Krotin’s son. It’s at the back of the report.”
Hugo immediately turned to the back of the letter.
<< My lord. My son said he’ll pay the debts I owe you. He wants to be a knight so I taught him and if he’s useful, give him something to do, otherwise, you can chase him out. But you know, I taught the brat personally so he’s pretty good. I hear you’ve been trying to find me lately? I’ll come and see you when I want later, my lord. For now, I’ll live like this. >>
“Son?”
Hugo was speechless and forced a laugh. Even in the past, it was impossible to know what this guy would do but this time, he really struck him in the back of the head.
“His name is Khali. He’s eight years old this year.”
“Eight?”
Hugo felt like he was about to have a headache and massaged his temples. If the boy was eight years old then it meant that Roy had caused an accident a few months after he was sent to the north.
“And from the looks of it, the child’s mother is very likely a barbarian.”
“…he’s doing all sorts of things.”
As far as Hugo knew, Roy didn’t treat barbarians like people of the same species. They were preys to be hunted.
In addition, although Roy didn’t really kill the women and children, he didn’t think like a knight, but as a true hunter looking for strong prey; in other words, he was a crazy bastard. If there was a reason to kill a woman, he would; he didn’t do things that would lead to future troubles.
Now they were saying that such a Roy had a child with a barbarian woman. Before Hugo could even be surprised about, he found it hard to believe.
“Are you sure it’s Roy’s child?”
“According to Sir. Heba…they are very similar.”
Hugo flipped to the report before Roy’s letter and found the attachment written by Dean. As he read Dean’s report, Hugo’s expression gradually grew askew.
From beginning to end, Dean was pouring compliments on Roy’s young son. In conclusion, Dean was saying he was a very talented boy who might very well bring the knights’ name to new heights, so he wanted to take him in and cultivate him as a knight.
‘If the boy is left to Dean and taught from a young age, he won’t act as recklessly as his father. Well, certainly if he’s Roy’s son, he will be talented.’
If his skills were as good as Dean claimed, he might consider bringing the boy to the capital later. A skilled knight was needed for when Evangeline grew up and debuted in the social circle, so this was a good opportunity.
“Tell the search team looking for Roy to withdraw, and have Dean be in charge of teaching Roy’s son.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Afterwards was just minor reports.
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Whoa Lucia must be happy to see Roy’s son. Also i’m curious with Ted. I’m guessing that Chris is looking for her too or maybe they’ll meet by accident and Chris bring her to Damian.
Also I think that Roy’s son gonna get close with Eve.
Nice hypothesis you have there 🤔
I wanted a side story of Roy and his wife not so vaguely like this 🙁
ALSO Ted and Damian story in details!! I hope the author won’t disappoint us 💔
Thank you so much
TRUEE THE WIFE IS PROBABLY THE WOMAN WHO ATTACKED ROY RIGHT. OMG I HOPE THERE WILL BE MORE IN DETAILS
I was thinking the same too!! It must be the girl who attacked Roy 🤣🤣
In what chapter did it happen?
He’s going to be Hugo’s death then! (by heart attack about his precious little girl)
who is Ted?
Ted is the girl who dressed up as a man to enter the academy where Damian was studying
omfg same thought abt Khali and Eve im so excited i hope they get together, it would be awesome if they had their own book. Also im interested in Damian and Ted, i hope they both have a book but if not a side story for both pairs will make me content. ❤
Well… I’m constantly thinking if Ted is someone who took mugwort? She was hiding she was a girl so it’s possible? It would be very sad if our little Damian could not have a daughter at least… I am worried… Very worried… I want him to be happy like his family. And who would take Eve as his wife? I’m curious ^^
Glad to know of joyful news bout Roy. Wow, he worked fast.
Ted might be norman’s child or– I dont know, but I do think this ‘ted’ is not an ordinary girl.
Again, Thank you for this chapter 🤗
I think Norman’s children are too young. I’m wondering if she will end up being a former orphan from the capitol? That is the only way Damian will be able to have a child of his own other then marrying his own sister. Then the Taren bloodline would technically be dead (no male heirs) but he could still have a daughter.
I think Norman doesn’t have a daughter but she has two sons, wasn’t that explained in the previous chapter ?? If I’m not mistaken in the ss 3.7 or 3.8 chapters it was explained when Lucy received a letter from Norman !! sorry if I’m wrong ヾ (¯∇￣๑)
How do I delete my comment? I was wrong to reply to a comment !!
norman childern are all boys…
No Ted is no ordinary girl, I’m my opinion she maybe Damian’s cousin, the duke’s daughter by what he mention about Philip giving him a woman to sleep with. It maybe posible that she is the daughter of that girl. I’ve had my theories of Ted being a noble or descendant close to the Taran bloodline.
Ohh a new generation knight well having a reliable young knight as Eve’s bodyguard not bad just like how Roy protected Lucia back then
[A skilled knight was needed for when Evangeline grew up and debuted in the social circle, so this was a good opportunity.]
Oh oh. lol. Why do I get the feeling Hugh dug his own grave here…
Lmaoo it’s officially our new ship yall
X2I think so too, poor Hugo will regret that decision.
Hugo always did dig his own grave…
Thank you for this chapter 🤗
Thanks for the chapters~
Ahhhhhhh ! I want Roy’s son to marry Eve ♥️! Thank you so much miss ruby . I can’t wait for the next chapter. Oh also I have a feeling Hugh already knows where Ted is. I also want Roy’s love story 😍. I really like Roy’s character ❤️.
Hm. Any chance Ted came from that orphanage, I wonder? There has to be a reason she was disguising herself, and it’s certainly likely she was taking mugwort to help hide her gender. The timeframe also matches – she may have not returned to school due to Hugo’s work at home.
No idea how she would have afforded tuition, but that’s a minor issue easily explained in any number of ways.
And this gives Damian a happy ending with one more generation of little Tarans.
I was thinking the same thing. She could have been adopted into a minor noble house or went on a scholarship. Its the only was Damian can have any children.
omg nice hypothesis here…
Thank you for the chapters !!
I saw that coming Roy ! Hahaha
Thanks for the new chapter!
Empezamos con las teorías?
Seguro lo que todos piensan es…
El futuro novio de Eve! 🤣😍
Sinceramente es lo que más espero
Y odio como ya dije que terminarán con alguien de la realeza, porque ellos son demasiados codiciosos. Y no creo que sientan un verdadero interés en el bienestar de Damián o Eve sino todo lo que trae detrás.
Los niños de la familia real van a ser igual a su tía, codiciosos y egoístas. Ya vemos cómo lo están criando.
Espero que Eve pueda tener un caballero que la proteja de todo y la ame.
Sería tan lindo.
Thank you Rubyyy!
I almost forgot about mr. Krotin
But it’s been a while! I wasn’t so surprised about the son, I think I had intuition when mr. Krotin found the woman after escaping the execution. And he said she doesn’t smell bad.
Thank you so much for the translation, Miss Ruby.
Is Lucia going to adopt another son? lol
Many thanks
Yesss 👊✨
Something tells me that Ted is one of the many women in the orphanage that the doctor had. woahhh 🤩🤩🤩! What a thrill! Come on Damian, go get Ted!🏃🏃🏃❤
You guys have explosive imagination
Thank you miss Ruby for the update!!! I really loved it!!🤩🥰💞💞
hmmm.. what if ted was the daughter of that old lady from lucia’s past that was missing and presumed dead, the girl named lucy. because all of the good people in lucia’s past were kind off connected to her in this present life, well she sort off pull some strings tho haha. thanks for the chapter 💕
I am really curious about how damian treated ted as his ‘lover’ in the academy back then… i couldn’t imagine how that-cold-damian would act like lovey dovey towards ted uwu >\\♡\\<
I hope there's a sequel for this ♡♡♡
Yay! I wanted to know what Roy was up to! I wish there was a side story about Roy and his lady, though! I so want Roy’s son and Eve to be together when they’re older!
I’m so glad we got news of Roy, I missed him for so long. Cant wait to hear about Ted and who Damian ends up with!
Guys, I just read the whole thing and here I am with this crazy theory just lingering in my head! What if, what if the Roy’s son ends up with Eve? Maybe he is a boy with black hair and black eyes? Khali=Cael 🦊🦊🦊🦊
Gosh, what am I doing in the middle of the night, getting excited about shipping theory in novel 😀 Gosh, how old am I. On the second thought, this whole thing isn’t for kids either, right? 😀
seems like roy’s kid is gonna have a thing with evangeline…this is so fun
I swear the author is gradually expanding Eve’s reverse harem and this is making me want a spin-off though we all know it’s never gonna happen
roy is with the woman that bravely attacked him back then??? how cute nsjskz
Eight? Okay stop it, self. I’m already shipping Khali and Eve!
Eve x Khali ?
Eve x Ethan ?
Eve x Jude?
So many possibilities lmao
Does anyone know if the Author made a sequel or a spin-off of Damian or Eve? I really wanna know what ended up happening with them!
What if Ted was one of the girls from the orphanage who were fed on mugwort and then she escaped and ended up at the academy ?
Because the fact that she is nowhere to be found could imply that she is not a noble… (but then how did she get into the school)
I feel like this theory would be interesting UwU
Glad to hear from Roy, I knew he was going to hook up with that woman who attacked him, but it was pretty quick since his son is 8 years old. Roy doesn’t waste any time 😂
I know they’re still kids, so he went to ship the Evangeline from the future with Roy’s son from the future. If they don’t fall in love, let them become good friends.
Thanks for the chapter!
whoaaa i was waiting for roy but dm a kid , he had a child!? ehhehe i was thinking that eve’s harem just gotten a new member at her harem~ AHAHHAHA
thank you for the chapterrr.