The Engagement of the Baron of Flowers and the Withered Tree Lady.

Chapter 46 The Father and Uncle of Julia

This is a story from a few months ago when Hardis was reminiscing about events that happened thirteen years ago up until nine years ago.

And it takes place during the time when Julia was still living in the harbor town with her mother.

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The names of the key figures involved in clandestine production of the “Black Spirit Gem” in our country have been surfacing one after another in the ongoing investigation.

- Hades Schnauzer, the “Black Spirit User.”

- Donald Jesus, a revolutionary from the western country.

- Maria, the stepmother of Duke Hendricks and the biological mother of Cindy, his sister-in-law.

- Matt Charleston, a real estate magnate supported by Maria.

- And Virgil Hunt, the butler of the Woodcliff Earl’s family.

Truly, appearances can be deceiving. Never could Hardis have imagined that the butler of the Woodcliff Earl’s family would be a traitor to the nation.

Well, it was already known that the man had an affair with his brother’s wife, but the extent of his villainy to commit treason against the country was beyond Hardis’ imagination.

The man was the eldest son of the Hunt family, who had been serving the Woodcliff Earl’s family for generations, and according to his father, he was an upright and trustworthy individual.

According to his brother, he was needlessly feminist and a simple-minded do-gooder. His nephew, Kirk, was likely his son. Although he resembled his mother in appearance, there was also a resemblance to that butler, and Hardis couldn’t help but think about it while reading the report.

Perhaps even the deceased brother knew about it. However, he must have refrained from blaming Cindy, as he knew how much she suffered from not being able to conceive a child despite their marriage.

Since he was rarely home due to work commitments, he probably believed that it was impossible for them to have a child together.

Virgil, the butler, must have sympathized with Cindy. Although Hans, the brother, had noticed this situation a long time ago, it seemed he chose to turn a blind eye to it.

“Originally, it was a political marriage where they neither loved nor hated each other. However, I don’t wish for her unhappiness. It’s only natural for her to love someone as a woman and desire to have children.”

During their last meeting nine years ago, Hans had said this to Hardis.

Hans probably thought that Kirk, being an illegitimate child, couldn’t possibly be the “Green Spirit User,” and therefore, the Woodcliff Earl’s family wouldn’t be taken over. That’s what Hardis assumed.

“You may not like it, but you’re probably my successor. You were more suitable for the role than I was from the beginning. But as your brother, I want you and your precious family to be happy. So, from now on, try to take it easy with work and take care of your health.”

Saying that, the Hans smiled, which was a rare sight.

* * *

Hardis’ older brother, Hans, was a very delicate and gentle person, but he tended to be passive in all matters. It seems he had no romantic relationship with Linda and Cathy’s mother; he was simply helping a troubled woman who was pregnant and abandoned.

For the first time, Hans fell in love with a woman, and that woman was Madeline, the mother of Kent from Kent’s family.

Madeline was a bright and compassionate woman, despite being a poor viscount’s daughter.

However, when he heard that she was pregnant, Harris was filled with despair. He thought Madeline had cheated on him because he had always believed he was incapable of fathering a child.

“Why does she look so happy and content? How can she stand before me so nonchalantly?”

Hans was deeply hurt and became distrustful of people. Nevertheless, being naturally kind, he continued to provide proper support for the other two women, including financial assistance. However, he distanced himself from Madeline for a long time.

Yet, when he heard that Madeline had given birth and was suffering from poor postnatal health, concern overcame him, and he finally visited her after a long time. Upon seeing him, Madeline’s expression softened with relief.

“You hadn’t come to see me because of your busy work, right? Have you been eating well and getting enough rest?”

She had been worrying about Hans’ well-being all along. She asked if he was pushing himself too hard, getting enough rest, and maintaining a balanced diet.

Her way of life was far more frugal compared to the other two women. There was no sign of her having any other men in her life. Hans was convinced that her alleged infidelity was merely a momentary weakness born out of loneliness because he couldn’t visit her frequently due to his demanding work.

It didn’t matter who the father of the child was anymore. He decided he would raise the child as his own son. Holding the nameless baby in his arms for a month, Hans named him Kent and resolved to raise the boy with love and care.

* * *

A month before his brother’s passing, Hardis had heard about Madeline and Kent. He truly loved them both and felt guilty about leaving them in the shadows.

Ideally, he wanted to divorce Cindy. Since she had given birth to a child conceived out of wedlock, it would be inevitable for the matter to become public if he pursued it legally.

Nevertheless, Hardis was determined to continue supporting Madeline and Kent in their future life.

After expressing his willingness to cooperate, Hardis told his brother that he, too, wanted to settle down properly. He explained that children grow up quickly, so it would be best to marry soon and leave the matter of becoming a father to him.

Furthermore, his brother expressed his desire to meet his niece who resembled Hardis.

* * *

Originally, marriage should be a matter between the individuals involved. However, in this country, the parents’ intentions seem to carry significant weight. Moreover, it’s an absurd system where even if the head of the family relinquishes his title, it doesn’t change a thing.

Yet, most parents don’t make such harsh decisions for their children, and sometimes the king intervenes to mediate.

However, in the case of Gordon, the former head of the Woodcliff Earldom, his authoritarian tendencies intensified after his wife passed away.

Moreover, the Woodcliff family held a prominent status, almost on par with the royal family. This made the king hesitate to intervene in matters other than the succession issue, as Gordon was unyielding in his stance.

As a result, despite the numerous attempts of Hans and Hardis, the royal family did not engage in the mediation.

Hans had all but given up on divorcing his wife. However, he had finally found a woman he genuinely wanted to protect. He was willing to step down from his position as the head of the family to shield her and their child.

However, a foolish incident occurred.

His brother, who was making his first sincere effort to chart his own path in life, passed away unexpectedly upon his return to their home. It was a sudden death.

What a foolish thing.

Hardis heard of his brother’s passing from a distant land in the south, and it took him ten days to return to the estate. He had requested his father to preserve his brother’s body through a spirit message.

Yet, upon returning to the capital, he found that his brother’s funeral had already taken place, and he had been cremated.

Hardis vented his anger at his father, but the shock of losing his eldest son had left him emotionally paralyzed, and he was blindly obeying his daughter-in-law’s wishes. He hadn’t even read the spirit message.

Of course, the Minister of Defense of the nation had passed away. An autopsy was conducted, and there were no suspicious findings. It was declared that he died due to overwork, and everyone seemed to accept that explanation.

Then came a truly tumultuous period.

The succession process for the Woodcliff Earldom, along with the transfer of responsibilities as the Minister of Defense, kept Hardis occupied.

However, during the succession ceremony at the royal palace, there was a slight commotion. Cindy claimed that the head of the Woodcliff Earldom should be their son, Kirk, as he was the legitimate heir, despite being only nine years old.

The former Woodcliff Earl laughed, wondering how a nine-year-old would handle the duties of the earl.

Cindy suggested that either she or the butler, Virgil Hunt, act as proxies. Maria, the wife of the former Marquis Hendricks, and Cindy’s mother, supported this idea, stating that the grandchild should succeed the title.

However, the former Marquis Hendricks quickly opposed this suggestion.

“Stop saying foolish things. The Woodcliff Earldom’s succession issue is not something for you to meddle in. There is no one more suitable to be the head of the family than Lord Hardis.”

“I apologize for the rude remarks made by my foolish wife and daughter.”

“Why are you apologizing? You are a Marquis family. Don’t you care about your grandson?”

“That’s not the point. The head of the Woodcliff Earldom is entrusted with important duties for the nation, and the one capable of shouldering that responsibility becomes the head. Neither Kirk nor Cindy, nor even the butler, possesses such abilities.”

“Then why don’t you appoint Lord Hardis as the proxy until Kirk comes of age? Document it properly, and all the high-ranking nobles here can serve as witnesses to ensure it will be carried out, right?”

“Silence!”

The former Marquis Hendricks raised his voice towards his wife.

The other high-ranking nobles present also looked displeased and directed disapproving gazes at the wives.

Among them, the Duke of Zaccard, the highest-ranking noble among them, spoke up.

“Lady Woodcliff and Lady Hendricks, I understand your sentiments, but the Woodcliff Earldom has special circumstances. The succession doesn’t always pass through direct lineage.

The successor is determined by His Majesty the King, who recognizes their capabilities. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a direct descendant of the Woodcliff family.

Recently, it happened to be direct descendants, but this time, His Majesty requested Lord Hardis to become the head. Therefore, there is no room for it to be overturned.”

“I must also advise you that even if something were to happen to Lord Hardis in the future, it does not necessarily mean that Lord Kirk will automatically become the successor. Please understand this clearly.”

Upon hearing these suggestive words, the ladies turned pale, and even the butler asked with a troubled expression, “Your Grace, may I inquire about the qualifications required to become the successor?”

“Despite being the butler of the Woodcliff family, I have not been informed of this matter. Does it mean that I am not trusted?”

“It’s not a matter of trust. The issue of the head of the Woodcliff Earldom is classified information of the nation. Therefore, it is not disclosed to unnecessary parties, including you. We haven’t even told our family or other household members. The reason why Marquis Hendricks didn’t tell his wife is for the same purpose.”

With these words from Duke Zaccard, they finally understood that the Woodcliff Earldom had some special circumstances, something intimately connected with the royal family, and that it was beyond their control.