Chapter 44: Siegfried and Aschwin Conflict

"HWAAAHH!"

Leonor immediately poured out all her sadness in Edmund’s embrace. The man could feel it. Leonor’s arms wrapped tightly around him while her tears soaked his shirt.

A burst of crimson mana erupted from Leonor’s body. Edmund turned his head and sensed the power, but his instincts told him it was not dangerous.

The wave of crimson mana spread beyond the magic dome, startling Sebastian and Nisya.

"LORD EDMUND!" Sebastian shouted, becoming even more worried.

"I can’t just stand here. I have to go save him," Sebastian said.

Nisya kept holding him back. In her opinion, that burst of crimson mana might have been the result of the conversation between Edmund and Leonor.

"I think that was a good burst of energy. I’m sure Lord Edmund is alright."

"But he still hasn’t come back! It’s already been over twenty minutes. What do you expect me to think?" Sebastian asked loudly, raising his voice.

Nisya understood that. However, there was not much they could do. Edmund’s final order to them had been to wait outside the dome.

It would become a serious problem if one of them recklessly entered and inhaled the red mist, considering none of them knew what the red fog truly was.

Not long after, the crimson mist began fading on its own. Its intensity gradually weakened, and visibility returned. Nisya and Sebastian noticed it, and relief filled their hearts.

The magic dome faded from the top until it completely disappeared. Sebastian and Nisya stepped backward, keeping their distance.

Even though the dome had opened, the crimson mist did not spread throughout the city.

They watched as the fog seemed to be pulled back toward the orphanage backyard, cleansing the air once more.

Once it seemed safe enough, they finally dared to step into the orphanage yard. Nothing happened to them.

Sebastian was the first to move quickly into the orphanage. However, his steps halted when he saw a man calmly walking out from the backyard.

The man walked steadily and calmly as if nothing had happened. His serious eyes stared ahead while both his arms carried a sleeping Leonor in his embrace.

"Lord Edmund? Lady Leonor?"

"Sebastian. Nisya."

"Stay here and restore the situation. Bring healers and treat everyone," Edmund ordered.

Sebastian and Nisya smiled before immediately kneeling respectfully and lowering their heads. "We will carry it out."

Seeing the situation gradually stabilizing, Sebastian ordered one of the soldiers to bring a horse carriage, preparing it in case Edmund succeeded in resolving the problem.

The carriage stopped in front of the orphanage yard. The door opened, and Edmund entered while still carrying Leonor in his arms. He gently let Leonor rest asleep on the carriage seat.

Once everything was ready, the carriage sped away from the orphanage area and returned toward Aschwin Mansion.

Sebastian and Nisya remained at the location, tasked with restoring the aftermath of the incident.

Inside the carriage, a system panel suddenly appeared and startled Edmund, even though no mission had been completed, neither from the bond system nor the rule system.

[Status:]

[Name: Leonor Aschwin || Age: 17]

[Bond: Conviction || Energy: 55/100] [+10]

Leonor Aschwin’s status panel appeared before Edmund’s eyes, informing him that Leonor’s bond energy had increased by +10.

That was what interested Edmund the most. He had just realized that bond energy did not only increase statically through systems, missions, and mission completions.

Instead, bond energy could grow dynamically through emotional closeness between the two of them.

If their emotional connection became stronger through trust, protection, and support for one another, then it was entirely possible for the energy to continue increasing with random values.

Even so, Edmund began realizing one thing.

Her behavior was rooted in fear. She was sad because she feared being abandoned. Past trauma was indeed difficult to erase.

Maybe... when she heard about the marriage, she was reminded once again of her cold and lonely life.

Edmund let out a sigh. He knew Lucas Twain had lived a miserable life, poor and from a remote village.

However, compared to Leonor, who was supposed to be a villainess, it felt unfair.

"Why does a villainess have to suffer something this terrible? It makes sense why she became a villainess."

"If I could meet the author of this story, I’d definitely tell them all my complaints," Edmund muttered.

The man continued staring at Leonor’s face as she slept peacefully after using part of her power during the earlier incident.

The carriage finally stopped upon entering Aschwin Mansion. Edmund saw Marcus Siegfried and his two children preparing to leave.

Their attention shifted immediately. The carriage door opened, and they saw Edmund stepping out while carrying a girl in his arms.

"It seems your relationship is more than just brother and sister, even if she’s only your adopted sister," Lara complained.

Edmund’s steps stopped briefly as he glared sharply at Lara. "Do you have a problem with that?"

"Edmund! I’m your future wife!" Lara shouted.

Marcus tried calming Lara before stepping closer to Edmund. Marcus stared intensely at Edmund, their gazes clashing with intimidating expressions.

"Don’t forget the contributions of the Siegfried Family, Edmund."

"Even if the Aschwin Family becomes a Marquess family, the Siegfried Family will still remain Counts within the Archie Territory."

"Judging from your attitude now, I have more than enough reason to conclude that you do not respect us," Marcus declared firmly.

Edmund fell silent for a moment before glancing once more at Lara, who stood arrogantly with her arms crossed. Then his attention returned to Marcus.

"Let me make something clear. Where was Count Siegfried during the Battle of Ulrich Fortress?" Edmund asked.

"You’re bringing that up again? I already told you! The Siegfried Family was in chaos because of internal family matters. We couldn’t help!" Marcus snapped.

"I understand if you couldn’t send soldiers, but if I remember correctly, not a single carriage from Gunther delivered weapons to Ulrich!" Edmund replied.

"That... our city was struggling."

"Every city was struggling during that crucial battle. Yet they still sacrificed everything because they cared for one another," Edmund explained.

Marcus narrowed his eyes. His face reddened while his brows furrowed deeply, "So because of that reason, you refuse to marry Lara?"

"I can’t spend the rest of my life with someone from a selfish family!"

"EDMUND?!" Oleander shouted, the first time she had ever become truly furious.

Even so, Edmund did not back down. His attention focused on Oleander, "If you truly cared about me and the Aschwin Family, then you should agree with my reasons, Mother."

"Have you forgotten... when the entire city mocked you because they didn’t help during the battle?"

"Father and I were the ones who had to calm and convince the public. Do you know how difficult it was to convince them?!" Edmund explained.

"This argument is pointless," Edmund sighed while shaking his head, continuing to carry Leonor toward the front gate.

"Edmund!" Marcus called, causing Edmund to stop once more.

"From this moment onward... the Siegfried Family cuts all ties with the Aschwin Family!"

Edmund smiled. Deep in his heart, he actually felt relieved that Marcus Siegfried had made that decision.

He turned around and looked at him coldly, "Go ahead."

"Let’s see how long you’ll survive without our help!"