< — Epilogue– > (4)
Inside a carriage traveling through the complex streets of the capital, sat a young dark-haired boy by the window, staring at the passing scenery. On the boy’s lap, was a fox with bright yellow fur, enjoying his master’s fingers gently combing through its back fur.
Although it was his first time seeing it, the extravagant view of the capital flashed by Damian’s eyes, meaninglessly. The boy wasn’t captivated or interested in his first visit to the capital. But the fact that he would be seeing his mother again, made it special. And today would also be his first time meeting his sibling.
‘Evangeline…Eve…’
He kept repeating the name of his sister whom his mother had written to him about.
‘What if she doesn’t like me?’
Damian had never seen a baby before, so he could not guess how a baby of just a few months old would look. He was imagining a little girl that looked just like his mother.
When he first got the letter telling him that his mother was with a child, Damian thought that it was only expected but he was a little stunned.
His mother said in the letter that the baby was going to be his younger sister, but Damian was at least, aware of the fact that one couldn’t know such a thing in advance. He guessed that his mother probably told him that on purpose in order to allay his fears or anxiety.
Damian didn’t care whether his new sibling was a boy or a girl. He intended to cherish them and treat them preciously either ways.
However, there was still a slight anxiety in the corner of his heart. He was afraid that his mother might say she didn’t need him anymore because she now had her own real child. Even if his mother loved his sibling more, he was fine with that. It was fine as long as she didn’t hate him.
The carriage arrived at the Ducal residence. Jerome welcomed Damian as Damian stepped down from the carriage.
“It has been a long time, young master.”
“It has, indeed.”
Despite having been trained to conceal their feelings, the servants standing around were unable to hide their astonishment. It was obvious to anyone that the boy who just appeared was the living likeness of the Duke of Taran.
It had been over 3 years since they had been married, and the Duchess who just had a child was no longer childless. A storm was bound to rage in the quiet ducal household. The servants were all thinking the same thing; they had to find a shade to avoid the incoming storm.
Lucia was coming down from the second floor after hearing that Damian had come back. Seeing Damian bowing his head towards her, Lucia quickly approached him and pulled him into a tight hug.
“My gosh, Damian! You’ve really grown a lot.”
It had been three years. The eight year old Damian had become eleven years old. However, he appeared around 3 to 4 years older than that. He was now taller than Lucia, so she had to look up a little. Although he still looked like a child, within a year or two, he would be taken for a youth.
His mother’s gentle embrace made Damian feel warm inside and his heart felt like it was filled with happiness. The way his mother looked at him had not changed. He felt relieved and he was thankful.
“How do you look so much like your father? You keep growing more and more alike.”
“Have you been well, Mother?”
“Of course. What about you? How are you? Was the journey here difficult? Where’s Asha?” [1]
“I handed her to the butler before I came in.”[2]
“Have you eaten? You must have missed lunch.”
“I’m not feeling up to it. I’ll eat in the evening.”
Lucia asked the maid to prepare a quick snack and bring it to the second floor.
“Come. Let’s say hi to Eve.”
After Lucia went up to the second floor with Damian, the servants looked at each other, their faces filled with questions. They didn’t know who the young master that suddenly appeared was. It didn’t seem like he was the Duke of Taran’s son alone because the Duchess’ attitude was way too familiar and friendly.
However, even though the servants could whisper amongst themselves when they were alone, they couldn’t gossip or repeat it outside. Once the butler came inside, the servants quickly scattered in search of things to do.
Lucia entered the nursery and sent out all the servants inside. She headed straight for the baby’s bed, holding Damian’s hand in her own.
Evangeline was having fun babbling to herself when she sensed someone approaching and turned to look. She giggled at the familiar sight of Lucia’s face and clapped her dainty little hands. Lucia smiled and caressed the baby’s forehead.
‘Ah…’
Mesmerized, Damian looked at the bumbling baby with wide eyes. A doll was alive and moving. For the first time ever, he realized that a human being could be so small. If she was a little smaller, he might have taken her for a fairy.
Her fluffy honey-colored hair looked soft even without touching it, and her limpid eyes that were just like her mother’s, twinkling with refreshing energy. The baby’s fair, immaculate, plump cheeks moved every time her lips moved.
“Eve, say hi to your older brother.”
“Kaa,kaa.”
“Damian. Eve says she’s happy to meet you.”
“…Huh?”
Damian broke out in cold sweat. How were those words even interpreted that way? Damian was bewildered by the emergence of a new language he hadn’t known about. He wanted to ask what country it was from.
“Damian, can you look after Eve for a bit? Say hi, get to know each other. I’ll step aside for a bit. If Eve cries, you can just call the maid outside the room.”
“What? Mom, that’s…”
He wanted to say that there was no need for that, but Lucia had already left the room. Damian stood idly beside the bed, unable to do anything. He cautiously shifted his gaze and looked into the bed that held the baby.
Damian met eyes with Evangeline, who was zealously moving her limbs; who knew what she was so urgent about. She stared fixedly at Damian as if she was looking for something. Then her huge, round eyes curved into a crescent and she cackled with laughter.
“Hi…Eve.”
He didn’t know what he was supposed to do so he gave a clumsy greeting. Then the baby began to babble as if she was answering him. The sounds she was making were unintelligible, but Damian understood that the baby was trying to respond.
He hesitated a few times before stretching out his hand. Then he poked her bulging cheeks.
‘Soft.’
Suddenly, Evangeline grabbed Damian’s finger. Damian was at a loss for what to do, seeing his finger caught in Evangeline’s small hands. He tried removing his finger carefully, but the baby’s grip was quite strong. When he tried taking it out with more force, Evangeline made a loud noise.
Damian was startled and stood there, the thought of removing his finger gone from his mind. The feeling of his finger taken prisoner in a soft, warm grip was strange. For no special reason, a smile floated onto his face.
“It’s nice to meet you, Eve.”
[I feel…weird. My chest feels a little tingly…]
[Damian, that feeling means you think something is loveable.][3]
His chest felt much more tingly than the day when he held Asha for the first time. The baby was loveable. Damian felt like he could now fully understand the meaning of what his mother had said a long time ago.
[END OF BOOK 7]
Translator’s Corner:
[1] Asha is the fox Lucia gave Damian.
[2] I think Asha is female? I can’t quite remember but when I looked at older chapters, I used female adjectives, so I’ll stick with that.
[3] Chapter 40 [part 1]
*.*.*
- Emilone’s Temptation Labyrinth – Chapter 64 - November 23, 2024
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- Forget My Husband, I’ll Go Make Money – Side Story 17.2 - November 19, 2024
When the baby is stronger than you xD
THANKS FOR THE CHAP, RUBY-SAMMMMAAAA!!
WAIT I JUST REALIZED!
HOW CAN EVE STRONGLY HOLD DAMIAN’S FINGER LIKE THAT?
Well, even normal babies have a pretty decent grip, enough to support their own weight for a few seconds. Googe palmar reflex. Obviously it would still be easy for an eleven year old to break out of it, but Damian is afraid of hurting her.. Plus, with the Taran bloodline, she probably is above average. Next time you meet a baby, have them grab your finger.
My baby sister didn’t grab mine… instead, she grab my hair
Oh ffff, I can feel your pain when she pull it.
Its a baby thing.
Physically, they obviously don’t have the strength to hold an adult captive, but adults don’t wanna hurt the little buns and won’t use much strength, plus, the more you pull away, the tighter they hold on so they seem strong, but really, its just your mind messing with you. The author depicted this really well.
Eve and Damian are so cute!!!! I love this story, so sad its ending. 😭😭😭
AHHHHHHHH CUTEEEEEEE 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺😭😭😭
Is this the end?!?!? Are there no more?
There are a whole bunch of extra stories. Book 8 is all extras.
OMG THANK YOU FOR THE UPDATE!💕
Thanks for the new chapter!
Ohhh eemmmm geeee..!!
Thanks for the update. 🙂
Gotta binge read for the chapters I missed.
“Damian broke out in cold sweat. How were those words even interpreted that way? Damian was bewildered by the emergence of a new language he hadn’t known about. He wanted to ask what country it was from.”
Like father, like son. He’s definitely Hugh’s kid. 🤣
Agreed xD
My gosh, how can Eve be such a mini Lucia even if she’s still a baby? Just look at her capturing both Hugo’s and Damian’s hearts so easily. If Hugo and Damian is like father like son, Lucia and Eve are like mother like daughter. XD
Thank you for the chapter!! 😍😍😘😘😘😘 Finally the book seven completed!! (≧∇≦)/
Daaaawww~ I am sure Damian will be a doting brother ~ Ｏ(≧∇≦)Ｏ watch out boys~ you have to face double Taran shield (Hugo + Damian) if you want to get close to Eve ~ ヽ(*≧ω≦)ﾉ
Thanks~♡
I love how both Hugo and Damian are bewildered by the baby talk.
Damian is such a cute jellybean
Aaaaaaaaw <3
I was so looking forward to see Damian again and I can't help but feel this chapter was too short, I would've loved to read more about him and about his interactions in the family <3
But I see, there are still some side stories to go, so I'm happy.
Thank you so much for undertaking this huge project and translating the story for us <3
Omg so cute! And Damian finally here 😍😍 “If she was a little smaller, he might have taken her for a fairy.” Omg thats just too cute, adorable!!! Thanks for the chapter ❤❤
Omo soo cuuute💜💜
Anyway THANK U MISS RUBY AND SHADOWDOG for the chapter😭💝💝
Kyaaa so cuuuute!!! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
I wonder if we will get to see Eve a little grown up in the side stories?
Aaah Damian… The most adorable boy in the world 😍😍
Thank you for the chapter! ❤️
Can u teach me how to read I mean it’s not showing up. No matter how I click on the chapter. Do I need to use pc? Cuz i’m usingmobile phone
What?
Thank you for the chapter!!!
I can’t stand the cuteness😭😭💞💞💞
Ahhh….it’s the end…..and the side story will begin….cant wait😊
Thank you for chapter 😍😍😍😍
thank you so much !!!!
Omggg now I wish for a sequel where theyre all grown uppp
Theyre so cuuute
Thanks for the chapter~
THE FLUFFINESS I AM DYIIING
Thanks for the chapter ❤️
Aww cute siblings
Damian’s reaction to Lucia’s interprepatation so adorable! 😍😍😍 And funny 😂😂😂
Well it’s baby language Damian, it’s a free language 😂😂😂😂.
Aww the book is finished 😭😭😭
Thank you rubymae sama! Thank you so much for going into trouble to share this story to us. It is a beautiful story. Thanks a bunch! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Omg!! love it!!*_*
Thank you so much!!💕💕
Was it psychological or physiological? I don’t remember. It’s not that the baby is stronger than you hahaha lol It’s because of our consciousness that passively thinks that the baby might get hurt, so we usually unconsciously surrenders to their sudden actions like grabbing your hair or gripping your fingers
Is this the end? Is Book 8 yet to be translated? Thank you for the chapter~~
While there are still side stories left, thank you so much for carrying out this translation Ruby. Such a a sweet loving family. It’s hard to believe that it was just three years ago when our dear Lucia and Hugh met; and as time went on, Hugh becomes more and more human; more like his brother Hugh. Their love is so everlasting and breathtaking; not to mention sexy as hell of course. I’m quite shocked it took so long for Lucia to get pregnant but I suppose a subdued treatment would do such a thing. Anyway I’m just babbling at this point. Once again so grateful and hope to see you again in another translated novel.
Thank you for translating! 😁💕
I want to know what happened with Roy (mad dog ) and his new lady friend 😍😏. Her parents killed his parents and he killed her parents, so their evenly matched 😉
thank you for passionately traslate this novel. love reading it till the very end. full as excitement and thrill.
i hope you can also translate the novel of ‘the abandoned empress’ web novel as well.
Really appreciate your effort in translating ❤️
Well, my chest is feeling tingly too
OH GAWD DAMIAN HOW ARE YOU SO UNBEARABLY ADORABLEEEEEE
GOSH SO CUTE I CAN’T TAKE IT AAAAAAAA >////<
Thank you so much for translating!
It took me 3days to finish from ch1 to end of book 7, was a good read!
The fact that Damian was feeling insecure about Lucia’s affection now that she had a baby of her own broke my heart a little bit ;w; He deserves all the love <3 The servants must be so shocked hahaha What if there are theories that Damian is actually Lucia's biological son that was hidden? XD His interactions with Lucia always warm my heart uwu I love that he even called her 'Mom' and not 'Mother' in one part <3 And when he met Eve… So cute!! He really is like his father trying to understand the secret language that only Lucia seems to know xD He'll definitely be a doting older brother uwu <3 I really pity the future of Eve's partner hahaha She will have two huge and ferocious black lions guarding her o3o I love this so muuuch!!! <3
Thank you so much for all the time you invested in the novel!!! I'm really grateful! :') This was an amazing journey and filled my heart with happiness many times <3 I feel nostalgic and emotional that the main story is over ;w; I feel a little empty inside QwQ But! There's still the side stories! So I'll get onto that right now. Thank you again for your hard work!! <3
I’M DEAD. THIS IS TOO ADORABLE MY LITTLE HEART CAN NOT TAKE IT. 😭😭❤️❤️
SO CUTEEEEEE
omg i feel so empty inside now XDXD TYSM Ruby for translating it all!! I really appreciate your effort and I will always support ur translations!
This chapter is the very definition of uWu! So cute!!!!
Oh gods Damien is going to be such a siscon. Like I’m imagining him as a red eyed blacked version of gauche from black clover. He will carry around her pictures, while constantly nose bleeding and murder anyone she likes more than him.
Man Eve really feels like an isekai protag. Then again i could just be readin into it.
aww soo cuteee!!! This has been a good read!
Thank you so much Miss Ruby! Banzai!!
Lucia is a better translator. She can translate what the baby is saying, lol
I hate when they have kids in stories but i guess this is semi-okay
we’ve reached the end of the seventh book, my heart isn’t ready to end the story •́ ‿ ,•̀
aaaaa finallyyyyy damian😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Such a good ending to a good story. Came across your translation in another website, and then switched to this when you had mentioned the name of this website in a chapter. Thanks a lot for translating the story so that so many of us can enjoy it ❤️