275th Episode
Ray is of the Matthias family bloodline.
This was not a claim supported by clear evidence.
While Ray’s black hair was common in the Matthias family, this alone wasn’t enough to conclusively determine that Ray belonged to the Matthias bloodline.
However, Duke Matthias was certain that Ray was of the Matthias bloodline.
Duke Matthias truly believed that if Ray had been born from humble origins, he could never have achieved such accomplishments.
Regardless, persuading Ray would be a huge boon for the Matthias family.
The only issue was that during Ray’s childhood, the Matthias family hadn’t exactly been friendly toward him.
They didn’t acknowledge him as one of their own and even went so far as to threaten Bella, who had been protecting Ray, under the pretense of collective punishment.
Still, at the time, the Matthias family did not want the scandal to spread too widely.
Thus, with the mediation of Count Philip, they quietly settled the matter for a small sum of money.
From the perspective of the nobility, this was considered a relatively “generous measure.”
However, Ray might have harbored negative feelings toward the Matthias family after learning about the incident from when he was an infant.
Taking all this into account, Duke Matthias brazenly decided to push forward anyway.
After all, it had happened when Ray was just an infant.
Even if someone had told him about it, they believed that with some coaxing, any lingering resentment could be resolved.
Moreover, the offer from the Matthias household would certainly not harm Ray.
No matter how great a position Ray might achieve in the future, his “origins” would always follow him like a shadow, holding him back.
Therefore, cleaning up his background was essential. However, even if he were adopted by a powerful family, rumors would continue to circulate behind closed doors.
But if a genuine blood connection to the Matthias family could be proven, it would be a significant long-term benefit for Ray.
In short, the Matthias household approached Ray under the banner of mutual support.
Because of this reasoning, Arpa was confident she could persuade Ray.
Through investigation, it was determined that Ray possessed considerable political acumen, which further bolstered her confidence.
However, the hostility Ray felt toward the Matthias household far exceeded Arpa’s expectations.
“You damn bastard!”
Ray unleashed a flurry of violent attacks on Arpa.
The sounds of breaking objects accompanied by curses echoed throughout the tavern.
The tavern owner grimaced upon hearing the destruction but dared not intervene, knowing that the room contained knights loyal to the Osiris Countdom—Viktor and Hamus.
As the poor tavern owner sighed deeply, Ray continued kicking Arpa while shouting loudly.
“Are you trying to say you’re going to capture and kill me?!”
How could he have seen anything clearly as an infant? Arpa wanted to question this but wisely kept silent and endured the beating.
Ray swung every weapon he could get his hands on.
Nevertheless, thanks to Viktor and Hamus’ persistent efforts to restrain him, Arpa managed to survive.
After thrashing Arpa for quite some time, Ray finally calmed down, panting heavily as he sat back in his chair.
“Haa… Hey, you should sit down too.”
“…”
Arpa hesitated before reluctantly rising and sitting down.
Ray selected one of the few intact bottles from the nearly destroyed collection, poured himself a drink, and began speaking.
“Tell His Grace Matthias…”
“…”
“I do harbor some personal ill feelings towards the Matthias family.”
To the Matthias family, it might have seemed like a minor inconvenience, but because of it, Bella ended up being tied to the orphanage.
This wasn’t merely financial dependency.
She had stayed there far too long for her younger sister and the child her sister left behind.
As a result, all her personal and social relationships were confined within the orphanage, eventually making it her entire world.
From that point onward, leaving the orphanage meant severing all her connections.
Bella feared this.
Having learned almost nothing outside the confines of the orphanage, Bella lacked the confidence to break free from her world and step into a new one.
Ray understood this and couldn’t deny Bella’s life, so he couldn’t forcibly pull her out of the orphanage.
It wasn’t necessarily the wrong choice.
Since material wealth doesn’t solely define happiness, and what may seem dirty or vulgar to some can serve as another’s source of pride.
If Ray had forcibly removed Bella from the orphanage, she likely wouldn’t have smiled much thereafter.
Ultimately, it wasn’t until Lea was born that…
Bella truly broke free from her past dependencies and stepped into a new world.
That’s why Ray…
Had to save Lea.
“…Although I hold personal grudges against the Matthias family…”
Ray continued in a low voice.
“I don’t intend to oppose or antagonize a distinguished house that plays a major role in the Empire due to my personal feelings. Nor do I plan to cause them any disadvantage. But…”
Ray picked up the broken bottle and drew a line on the table between himself and Arpa.
“Don’t try to sell my name. Got it?”
“…”
“My father’s name is Evan. If any false rumors circulate, I won’t stay silent. Please convey that message to His Grace.”
“…”
“Just go.”
“Yes, excuse me.”
Arpa rose slightly unsteadily, regained her balance, and left the room.
A silence descended over the wrecked room.
Viktor and Hamus exchanged glances, but Ray waved them off with a sigh.
“Don’t worry too much. My family situation is just complicated.”
“Yeah… It sure seems that way…”
Viktor nodded absentmindedly, prompting Hamus to elbow him sharply in the ribs.
Regardless, Ray muttered irritably while sipping his drink.
“It’s a problem having too many fathers, you know.”
Just how many fathers does he have to make such a comment?
Viktor and Hamus were extremely curious but didn’t dare ask.
As Ray continued drinking alone, he suddenly remembered something and reached into his pocket.
“…”
“Hey, want to see a medal?”
Viktor and Hamus, who had been nervously swallowing, coughed in surprise.
*
Gentle waves lapped the shore.
Looking out at the rare inland sight, Ray walked along the beach with Saria.
Saria smiled softly as she felt the texture of the sand beneath her bare feet.
Truthfully, she had wanted to take her nephew on a trip when he was younger to give him experiences in various places.
However, circumstances didn’t allow it.
Saria needed to grow stronger and establish herself in order to help Ray in the future.
Thus, although she couldn’t constantly stay by her nephew’s side, the exceptionally talented youth blossomed without her assistance, making a name for himself in the world.
Therefore, Saria now walked along the beach with her nephew, feeling contentment belatedly.
“…”
“…”
It was Ray who had first requested time, saying he had something to discuss.
Feeling the cold sea breeze, Ray reluctantly began speaking.
“Aunt, about the Matthias household…”
“…”
Saria paused briefly before continuing to walk along the sandy shore.
Since she was slightly ahead, Ray couldn’t read her expression.
Struggling with internal conflict, Ray scratched his chin and continued.
“Someone from the Matthias family came to see me regarding my father. They suggested that I might be of the Matthias bloodline… So I told them I have no relation to that family and they shouldn’t come again… But I thought I should inform you, Aunt. Um…”
Ray realized he wasn’t quite sure what he wanted to say.
He found it difficult to clearly express what he wished to convey to Saria.
“So… Do you… hate the Matthias household?”
“…”
Saria continued walking silently.
Do I hate the Matthias household? Hmm…
“…”
Evan.
My older brother, my guardian, my only family.
He passed away.
When Saria learned of his death, she felt intense anger and hatred.
Those responsible for his death deserved to pay.
But the direct culprits in his death had already died by his hand.
So, who should she blame?
Should she blame Bella, who raised his wife?
Should she blame the Matthias household, where the man who committed adultery with his wife belonged?
Should she blame the Alstein Dukedom for sending my brother a notice of my demise without proper search, driving him into despair?
Or…
Should I blame myself for chasing ambitions beyond my station, increasing his burden and failing to stand by his side?
“…”
When she returned home, all that remained was her nephew, guarding her brother’s grave.
Seeing this, Saria decided to suppress the misplaced anger and hatred.
Instead, she chose to love the nephew her brother left behind, the one who cared for him till the end.
That was all.
“Nephew.”
Saria turned around and extended her hand to Ray.
Gently caressing Ray’s cheeks like a child, she peppered his face with kisses.
Though Ray felt embarrassed to the core, he endured her barrage of kisses despite trembling.
Once satisfied, Saria grabbed Ray’s cheeks and spoke.
“It’s okay. You’re here.”
“…”
Only then did Ray realize how much Saria had been weighing on his mind.
Bella now had Lea.
The other children who grew up in the orphanage were like family to each other.
But Saria’s remaining family was now only Ray.
Ray mulled over whether he had overlooked this fact for too long.
Meanwhile, Saria pinched Ray’s cheeks a few more times before forcibly hoisting him onto her shoulders like a horse.
Despite Ray being slightly larger than Saria, given her status as a formidable knight, carrying him was no burden, though it didn’t look good to others.
As Ray shouted in protest, Saria commanded him.
“Cheer.”
“…”
“Cheer, nephew.”
“…”
With a sigh, Ray finally raised his hands high.
Saria then started running along the beach.
As the sea breeze blew, Ray let out weak cries like a child.
Parents nearby watching with their children laughed among themselves at the scene.
*
With the help of a high-ranking mage who accompanied her to the Osiris Countdom, Arpa contacted Duke Matthias.
Upon receiving Arpa’s report, Duke Matthias spent some time throwing things around his office.
Hearing the sounds of breaking objects, Arpa became even more convinced that Ray was indeed of the Matthias bloodline.
Eventually calming down, Duke Matthias relayed his message to Arpa.
“Hmm… I had hoped not to resort to this method…”
“Should we proceed?”
“Proceed!!”
Duke Matthias bellowed.
Family Affairs (3)
