In the early morning, Ron finished reviewing Egbert's report and headed to the reception hall to meet the uninvited guests.
"Greetings, Lord!"
As soon as Ron entered, scattered voices rang out. He didn't respond, nor did he glance around. He walked straight to the main seat, sat down, and only then lifted his gaze.
There were four uninvited guests—divided into two groups, just as Egbert had reported.
To the left sat a man, a woman, and a small boy of about five years old.
To the right sat a little girl, also around five, but she was alone. Her head was lowered, her entire posture muted and dazed.
"Everyone, sit."
His simple instruction allowed the tension to ease; a few people actually exhaled, as though they had forgotten to breathe moments earlier.
"Diana, serve them tea."
"Yes."
As the Head Maid, Diana didn't need to serve it herself. Joyce, who was on shift today, stepped forward and placed freshly brewed tea before the four.
She never expected this day to arrive so soon—the secret hidden in the former Baron's wooden box had finally come to light.
The former Baron's illegitimate child.
But what puzzled Joyce was… why were there two?
"Thank you, Lord."
The man took the tea with both hands, clearly nervous, just about to drink.
Ron's voice intercepted him.
"Who are you to this child? And this lady?"
The man instantly put the cup down.
"Replying to Lord, this commoner is called Benden. I live in a small village under Barriss Town. I am this child's maternal uncle."
"My name is Tabitha. I am his mother," the woman added.
Ron glanced at her briefly—around twenty, delicate features, a very good figure. It wasn't hard to imagine how the former Baron might have been tempted.
His gaze then shifted to the small boy between them.
What surprised him was the boy's composure—far steadier than the two adults beside him.
Ron scrutinized him. The boy didn't flinch or avoid his gaze; he met Ron's eyes calmly. Though this was mostly because Ron wasn't releasing any pressure.
"What is your name?"
Before the boy could answer, Benden spoke reflexively,
"He's called—"
Ron's eyes narrowed.
"Am I asking you?"
The man trembled and immediately shut his mouth, only giving the boy a small hint with his eyes.
"Brother, my name is Jonah," the boy said clearly, his voice ringing through the hall.
Egbert paused in surprise.
Diana and the maids exchanged looks—Brother?
Ron, however, wasn't offended. He even smiled lightly.
"You're not necessarily my brother. Let's save that address for later."
"My father is the former Baron. Naturally, you are my elder brother," Jonah said with full confidence.
Ron didn't respond. Instead, he turned toward the little girl who had been silent since the beginning.
Benden and Tabitha also noticed his gaze—and their faces stiffened.
Ron stood.
"Egbert, take these three to the guest rooms. Treat them properly."
"Yes, Lord."
Even Egbert couldn't read Ron's thoughts. Could this boy really be the former Baron's illegitimate child? The Lord's brother?
The hall emptied. Only Ron, Diana, Joyce, and the small girl remained.
As for Irene—she knew nothing of this matter. She was likely in the kitchen enjoying her 'pudding experiment.'
Ron spoke gently, "What's your name? Why did you come alone?"
Even though his tone wasn't harsh, the girl trembled.
"My name is… Mellitoria. I came alone…"
Her head was still lowered, sitting so small and curled on the sofa that Ron could only see the tiny swirl of hair on her light red crown.
Ron was speechless. I didn't even scold her. Why is she this scared?
"I'm asking about your family. Egbert said you came to find your brother and that you had proof. Show it to me."
Mellitoria trembled harder.
"My mother passed away from illness… before she died, she told me I had a brother here who is the Lord… She gave me a letter as proof…"
"Where is it?"
"I… I lost it…"
Ron: "…"
"You really are quite… dazed, to lose something so important."
His tone was normal, but Diana's eyes flickered. She looked between Ron and the girl—something clicking in her mind.
"S-sorry…"
"Why are you apologizing to me? Never mind. Diana."
Diana stepped forward. "Yes, Lord?"
"Once she calms down, give her something to eat and arrange a room. Don't give her anything hard to chew."
After confirming there were no omissions, Ron left the hall with Joyce.
—
The moment they stepped out, they encountered Irene standing guard with a plate.
"Young Master! I've been looking for you everywhere! Mr. Egbert said you were here."
Ron eyed the plate. "What's so urgent?"
Irene brightened. "The task you gave me—I finished it. Please taste it!"
She lifted the lid to reveal a perfectly soft pudding.
Ron tried a spoonful and nodded.
"Not bad. You passed."
Irene nearly jumped in excitement. This meant the punishment period would end soon.
"Take this pudding to the girl inside. And… I'll give you half a day off. Report to me this afternoon."
Ron left. Irene blinked, confused—girl?
When she entered the hall, she saw Diana comforting the small girl—but Diana's expression instantly shifted back to her usual stern face. Irene was shaken. So this is her true nature?!
She set the pudding down before Mellitoria.
Diana's gaze flicked to the small disturbed spot on the pudding—proof Ron had eaten from it.
Eating together with his sister?
Diana felt a faint, inexplicable envy.
—
Study Room.
Ron, as usual, divided half the incoming documents to Joyce, inwardly praising his own brilliance. With such a convenient 'tool,' he could free up time for grinding entries and cultivation.
Joyce felt helpless—at first it was one or two papers. Now it had become half.
But she had to admit… applying her reading knowledge to administration gave her a sense of accomplishment.
While working, she recalled the reception hall.
The Lord clearly already knew Mellitoria was the real one… but how?
Joyce became distracted.
"Encountering a problem?" Ron asked, making her jolt upright.
She apologized, but then couldn't help asking, "How did you know Miss Mellitoria is your sister?"
Ron replied calmly, "I didn't acknowledge her identity."
Joyce didn't believe that at all.
Ron sighed inwardly. What am I supposed to do, teach her genetics?
Mellitoria's light red hair was practically a signature—obviously from the same father.
He thought for a moment.
"Put yourself in their shoes. A child with no father, raised alone by her mother… others would treat them differently. Living like that would naturally shape her personality."
Joyce pictured Mellitoria—timid, cautious, insecure.
"And that other one… what was he called again?"
"Jonah."
"Yes, that one."
Ron pretended to have just remembered, making Joyce want to laugh. He claimed he didn't acknowledge Mellitoria, yet he couldn't even remember Jonah's name.
"And look at Jonah. His calmness doesn't match his age at all."
Joyce nodded.
"But then… why keep those three in the Manor?" she asked.
Ron smiled lazily.
"Who knows? Maybe I'm bored."
—
Elsewhere, Egbert had already arranged excellent accommodations for the three, giving them the best food and clothing.
"The Lord said you will stay here from now on. If you need anything, find me." Egbert said politely.
After he left, Tabitha spun around excitedly.
"I can finally live in luxury. I'll never go back to that filthy place again."
Benden frowned but stayed quiet.
Jonah simply sat there, his cold gaze sweeping past them.
—
Training Ground.
Instead of training, the knights were gathered around Sig.
"If the former Lord's illegitimate child returns," Sig declared loudly, "I'll be the first to object!"
"Me too!"
Suddenly—
"What are you all crowding for? No training? Where is Mr. Egbert?" Abel's voice sounded.
Sig hurried over to him.
"Captain Abel! Something big happened! The Baron's—"
But Abel cut in, "Where is Egbert?"
"In the main hall—"
Abel immediately left, ignoring Sig's dramatic build-up.
Brolofen slapped Sig on the back.
"Idiot. Even if an illegitimate child shows up, what can they do? Overthrow the Lord? Would you betray him?"
"Absolutely not!"
"Then what are you shouting for?"
Sig blinked. "…Should we train now?"
"What training? We're chopping wood today."
"Right!"
—
Abel found Egbert soon after.
"Mr. Egbert, I have information about the matter you assigned me. And the timing of today's 'illegitimate child'… feels too coincidental."
Egbert's eyes widened.
"You mean it might be related to that?"
"I'm not completely sure," Abel said.
"Then we must report to the Lord immediately."
They went to the study.
Egbert hesitated when he saw Joyce, so Ron signaled her to leave.
When the door closed, Ron said, "Speak."
Egbert inhaled.
"Lord, regarding the Black Crow investigation—you instructed Mr. Abel to lure them out using Ms. Elva's death…"
Ron remained calm upon hearing Elva's name.
Egbert continued,
"We discovered the Black Crow is not simple. They're being controlled by someone. And today's illegitimate child suddenly appearing… I suspect—"
"It's real," Ron interrupted.
"...What?"
Egbert and Abel stared at him, utterly stunned.
_____________________
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