Chapter 288

Chapter 288

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If it werent for the mans desperate eyes and the others tender reactions, Cadel would never have realized they were his family.

The food is skimpy due to lack of ingredients, but youve traveled a long way to get here, so eat up.

Gently wavy, light brown hair and green eyes. She was an innocent beauty, with a slender face and fine features. She pushed a plate of rabbit meat, potato salad, and grilled vegetables in Cadels direction.

Thank you for the meal.

Cadel grinned awkwardly and picked up the knife and fork, causing the boy at the table to wiggle his butt and raise his voice.

I made it too, Brother! Eat a lot!

The boy, who appeared to be in his early teens, had blond hair and green eyes. He was a cute kid with a cheerful appearance and energetic demeanor.

Nodding, Cadel sliced the meat as naturally as he could, rolling his eyes intently.

Thats Helen Lytos, Cadels half-sister, and thats his half-brother, Mikel Lytos. And that man is.

Cadel put a small piece of meat in his mouth and chewed it, catching a glimpse of the man sitting at the head of the table. He almost spit out what he was eating because their eyes immediately met, but fortunately, he was able to avoid making such an ugly sight.

Dionyl Lytos, the eldest son, the only one with any chance of carrying on the family name.

It was one shock after another. That there were survivors other than Cadel in the Lytos family was surprising enough, but the Emperor was the one who gave them shelter.

What the heck is going on?

As far as the Imperial family was concerned, the Lytos were rebels to be vanquished, and their descendants were being protected by none other than the Emperor himself. Perhaps he was merely watching, but it was strange that he hadnt killed them.

And there was something else that was even more troubling.

We met for the first time. How am I supposed to treat them? Cadel Lytos is an illegitimate child. Can I be close to them? Did they use to hang out with Cadel Lytos? Huh?

He became desperate for Cadel Lytos, whom he wanted to ignore in the past. What kind of reaction was natural? Even though it was an awkward relationship, should he show his joy at meeting the survivors of his family? What if they had a special relationship? While he was thinking about this, what if they were disappointed that the response was lukewarm?

He couldnt even figure out how the food was digested due to the agony he was going through.

Cadel Lytos had a bright personality, so he must have been friendly no matter what their past relationship was. Of course, I have to show intimacy. No, actually, no matter how I act, they wont be able to figure out that Im a transmigrator. Its been a while since weve seen each other, so Ill just say that my personality has changed, or that my memories are fuzzy because I hit my head on an adventure.

And just as Cadels thought circuits were tangling into a mess. Dionyl Lytos opened his mouth.

Cadel, I fully understand that things are awkward between us right now. Youve had less interaction with everyone since you were a child. We havent had enough time to get to know each other. But thats just the way things are in our family, and weve never hated you. Gẹtt the latest novels at n.o/(v)/e/l/bin(.)com

As if interpreting Cadels troubled expression to mean something else, Dionyl smiled bitterly and put down his fork.

We apologize if we have offended you in the past. But we are truly glad to see you now, for you are the only family we have left.

Family.

As soon as he heard Dionyls words, he remembered a memory hed pushed to the back of his mind. Not about Cadel Lytos family, but Shin Yeohwans real family.

How are you eating? You didnt boil ramen noodles again, did you? Why dont you just come home and live with us? Its not that far from your company. Next time you come, Ill give you some recipes so you can learn. Its no use giving you side dishes. You have to be hungry to make something.

His mother, who always nagged him with worry on the phone.

I guess so. But isnt it because of something like that that we were able to gather like this? If not, we would still have remained in an awkward relationship.

Thats right.

Helen, who was staring at Cadel with her mouth closed, soon burst into laughter that made him feel warm just by looking at her.

Youre tough, Cadel. I feel relieved to see that youre strong. Because you were always bright when I saw you from afar. For a child with such a personality to have experienced something so terrible I was worried that you would break down inside.

Im fine, I dont think you need to worry about that.

Yes. Youre much cooler and calmer than I thought you would be, and I think youre much more trustworthy than this eldest son.

Helens teasing smile poked at Dionyl, who had been looking pensive the entire time, and Dionyls lips tugged at the corners, but he still seemed to be holding something back. As Cadel waited in silence, not knowing what to expect, Dionyl slowly opened his mouth.

I apologize for not being able to help you, Cadel.

What?

I still dont know what made you decide to become a knight of the Empire. To be honest, I have no idea, but whatever you choose, even if it is for revenge, I am on your side. I wish I could support you personally, but I can be of no help. Ill never be of any use to you if I stay in hiding and live out my days. Im sorry about that.

Dionyl sounded genuinely distressed, which puzzled Cadel. From what hed heard so far, the relationship between legitimate children and Cadel Lytos, the illegitimate child, was not close at all. Cadel seemed to be isolated, which was not surprising given his status. Honestly, it couldnt be easy to treat an outsider child like one of your own.

Cadel had even made up his mind to accept it even if they asked for something unreasonable here.

But then he apologized for not being helpful. Is he serious?

Of course, Dionyl was not going to help Cadel. Not now and not ever. But he didnt begrudge Dionil. It wasnt like he wanted help.

Cadel wondered if he was being nice or if he had an agenda. Scratching his head and rolling his eyes in frustration, Cadel soon realized it didnt really matter either way.

I made the decision on my own. Rather, I feel sorry because I have done something major on my own. Had I known my family were alive, I would have acted more carefully.

Thats nice of you to say.

And I became a knight of the Empire not out of revenge or anything like that, but because I wanted to rebuild my family, and if my efforts could wash away the stain of my familys past, I was willing to bow my head to the Emperor who had exterminated my family.

Cadel looked at Dionyl, vaguely wondering if this would be enough to keep them at arms length and pretend to be family, but what he saw on his face was neither relief nor sadness, but doubt.

What do you mean by His Majesty exterminating our family, Cadel?

Its literally true. Well, even if there is something wrong with what I said.

The next thing that came to Cadels mind was puzzlement, and after a brief exchange of glances with Helen, Dionyl cautiously opened his mouth.

It was the Imperial family who killed the Lytos family that day. There were other nobles who took advantage, too. But not His Majesty. He protected us.

What? But didnt you just say that the Imperial family killed them?

I was young at the time, so I dont know for sure, but it is said that the Imperial family at that time was still reeling from the aftermath of the Demon War, and power was severely divided. It is clear that the person who killed our family was a member of the Imperial family, but it was not a person from His Majestys side. Arent we the proof?

Dionyl studied Cadels complexion, which had stiffened at the sudden blow. He was worried that his words would confuse Cadel, but he didnt stop speaking because he felt it was information that shouldnt be hidden.

We survived that day, with His Majestys help, and have been able to hide our identities ever since. I dont know how you escaped from the family, and I suspect you may have seen things differently than we did, but. Did His Majesty say anything to you?

For a moment, his mind went blank. What came to mind later in his empty head were his own remarks from the past.