How The Sub-Male Lead’s Stepmother Teaches Love

I took Layla’s advice wholeheartedly, sending back what she told me to send back and only accepting what she told me to take back.

 

And I write a rejection with a gentle warning to the people I’m sending the gift back to, and a thank you to the people I’ve received the gift from.

 

‘As expected, there are far more former than latter.’ 

 

On a ratio of two to one, I’d say it’s about two and a quarter to one.

 

The other quarter is people who have responded politely without sending gifts. Most of them expressed their willingness to attend the wedding, but some could not come.

 

But those people ‘couldn’t’ come, not ‘didn’t’ come on purpose.

 

As I read the letter detailing the reasons for their absence in case I misunderstood, I realized something new.

 

The vassals who were given that vast estate were clearly aware that Leonhard was their master, even if they only interacted with him by letter a few times a year.

 

Out of sight, out of mind, as they say, and if you are out of sight of the master you have sworn allegiance to for a long time, you might start to harbor other thoughts. The fact that not a single one of those who replied to me hinted at such thoughts was proof of that.

 

But everyone is unanimously opposed to making Noah the successor.

 

‘Why on earth are they so opposed to it? Unless Noah didn’t have the symbol of Ajas, but the child already has the symbol of Ajas.’

 

‘Is it really that big of a deal that he is not Leonhard’s bloodline? After all, Leonhard wasn’t even the official successor.’

 

“Ma’am, is there something bothering you?”

 

“Huh?”

 

“If you’re tired, I think it would be better to rest for a bit. Should I call the maid and have her bring you some tea?”

 

The one who asked me in a refreshing voice was Layla, who was helping me write a reply.

 

She had taken it upon herself to write replies to the ladies she knew, informing them that she was to become my maid, and before I knew it, she had piled up envelopes like a tower.

 

‘My maid was working so hard while I was just sitting around lost in thought!’

 

I reflected for a moment that I should concentrate from now on, but before she could hear my answer, Layla had the maid set the tea table, so I pretended to lose and got up from my seat.

 

‘Hmm, I really need to eat this and focus.’

 

“If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I’ll answer everything I know.”

 

This time, Layla, who had poured me tea, leaned toward me and whispered with her hand over her mouth.

 

“I… I don’t know much, but I do know enough to know the weaknesses of those who would stand in the way of the Marquise.”

 

“What? How?”

 

“Haha. I’ve seen and heard a lot here and there. Many ladies live as if they were dead under the watchful eyes of their husbands, but they act like they’re alive when they go home. There are many gentlemen. And yet, they like to play around while being wrapped up in the mistress’s skirt, which is a shame.”

 

What really broke my heart as I watched Layla shake her head was the fact that this child was still a minor.

 

‘Which crazy person would play along with his mistress and let a minor see it?’

 

“Ah! Don’t worry about what I have to say. His Highness the Marquis is as clean as the snows of Hiyela when it comes to women. Even when there were banquets held at the Ajas, he always attended alone, without a partner.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Of course. Why else would he have done that? Maybe he brought the young master here because he didn’t want to get married. But perhaps His Highness the Marquise had already sensed it. That his destiny was not in Ajas, but in the south, in the capital…!”

 

Layla clasped her hands together and her eyes sparkled like a girl who had just read a thrilling romance novel.

 

I smiled slightly at the sight, thinking it was just cute, and then carefully looked at Layla’s face and asked.

 

“But you didn’t hear about it?….the Marquis’ marriage proposal to you.”

 

Leonhard is twenty-five years old. And Layla is nineteen years old.

 

In a place where even a ten-year age gap is considered nothing, a six-year age gap could be considered normal.

 

The only problem is that Layla is still a minor.

 

But that’s a problem that can be solved by waiting a little. In the first place, the length of engagement period between nobles is usually because the adult one is waiting for the other to become an adult.

 

Above all, Layla was the daughter of Marquis Cloud. A noble lady who was a perfect match for Leonhard, considering her family lineage.

 

‘If Leonhard had not come down to the capital, there is a high probability that Layla would become the Marquise of Ajas.’

 

“A marriage proposal with the marquis? No, not at all! My mother has never once said anything like that.”

 

“Really?”

 

‘Why? Is it because of Noah?’

 

“Haha, because my mother promised me. She said she would pair me up with the man I want.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Yes. My dream is to marry for love. In that sense, I have never even thought about getting married to His Highness the Marquise. I know it’s embarrassing to say this in front of His wife, but… To be honest, His Highness the Marquis is a bit far from my ideal type.”

 

“Really? Layla, what kind of man is your ideal type?”

 

The discomfort I felt as I imagined Layla standing next to Leonhard for a moment completely disappeared.

 

Leaning my upper body toward Layla, I quickly urged her, who was shy, to tell me what kind of man her ideal type was.

 

“I like intelligent men.”

 

“An intelligent man?”

 

“Yes. I like a man who has a gentle impression, has soft lines rather than thick body lines, and who looks good in glasses.”

 

“Aha….I know what you mean.”

 

I definitely felt that he was far from Leonhard. Leonhard was a handsome man with a healthy and fit body.

 

“I wonder if men like that are among the wizards?”

 

“Speaking of which, is there any wizard you could introduce to me?”

 

Layla asked me with eyes full of excitement.

 

‘How I wish I could have lived up to her expectations…’

 

Unfortunately, the only wizard I could introduce to Layla was Sage.

 

I shook my head and told her the truth, and she sighed heavily, her face filled with regret. With that heavy sigh, I made a promise without realizing it.

 

“If you get a chance later, do you want to visit the wizard’s dormitory? The training grounds are dangerous and entry is prohibited, but you can visit the dormitory. There’s a pet Wingcat there.”

 

“Oh, are you talking about the Wingcat I saw back then?”

 

“Yeah. I originally raised him in the castle, but he bit Noah’s clothes so badly.”

 

When I shook my head to say that there was no such thing as a bundle of trouble, Layla giggled.

 

“Then, can I bring my maid over to play with Wingcat later? My maid really likes Wingcat.”

 

“Okay, that’s fine. But Ruby is a little shy. Just don’t get too close when you first meet him.”

 

“Yes, I will do that.”

 

As we chatted like that, the teacup became almost empty.

 

I knew it was time to get up and get to work, but I enjoyed talking to Layla so I pretended not to notice and poured more tea into my cup.

 

Following me, Layla poured me another cup of tea. We met each other’s eyes without saying a word and giggled.

 

I felt even more excited than before thanks to the relief that I wasn’t the only one enjoying this time.

 

In fact, the reason that could happen might be because the assumption that if it weren’t for me, Layla might have become the Marquise of Ajas was completely shattered.

 

‘Layla’s marriage…I have to support her.’ 

 

‘Then, does that mean that Marquis Cloud wasn’t particularly opposed to Noah being his successor?’

 

I don’t know if I should ask, but I’m curious about Marquis Cloud’s intentions.

 

Layla smiled brightly as she noticed me glancing around with that thought.

 

“If you have anything to say, please feel free to do so, Ma’am.”

 

“Hmm….Actually, there’s one thing I’m curious about.”

 

I hesitated for a moment and then asked.

 

“Do you know why my husband came down to the capital to look for a bride?”

 

“Of course. Because the Marquise was in the capital.”

 

“Oh, come on. Don’t joke around.”

 

“Haha, I’m sorry, Ma’am, you are so cute. hmm….Yes, I know. You are talking about the young master, right?”

 

Layla nodded as if she knew what I meant.

 

Frankly, it was nearly impossible for her not to know about Noah.

 

Aside from the fact that she is the daughter of the Marquis of Cloud, she has a wide network of connections, enough to roam the social circles and gather gossip from various nobles.

 

“I don’t know for sure because no one told me, but I know that a lot of people were against Noah becoming the next Marquis.”

 

“Yes…there were a lot.”

 

Layla, who knew that I cared about Noah, nodded once, swallowing the detailed explanation.

 

“Is there another reason for that? After all, Noah has the symbol of Ajas. I don’t understand why so many people oppose Noah becoming the next Marquis of Ajas simply because he is not of my husband’s blood.”

 

“Ah….”

 

I didn’t miss the momentary confusion that flashed across Layla’s face. I was a little surprised by the reaction.

 

‘What the hell, what’s really different?’

 

“Why? What is it?”

 

“That’s, hm…I don’t really know what to say.”

 

I briefly looked at Layla’s hesitant face, then dismissed all the guards and maids around us.

 

“Tell me. What’s going on?”

 

“That’s it….”

 

Layla soon opened her mouth with a small sigh.

 

“Actually, I don’t know if it’s true or not. I don’t know exactly who spread the rumor. But It’s already an established story among the Noble of Ajas.”

 

“What on earth are they talking about…..”

 

“Young master’s father. That is, his biological father.”

 

“Ah, Noah’s real father.”

 

‘Come to think of it, who is Noah’s biological father? Even Leonhard seemed to not know.…’

 

“There are rumors that he Is barbarian.”

 

“Barbarians? The barbarians beyond the Hiyela Gate?”

 

“Yes. That’s why everyone is against the young master becoming the successor.”

 

Layla looked at me and added a word.

 

“It’s Ajas’ duty to subdue the barbarians who invaded the borders.…How can we welcome someone with barbarian blood as our lord?”

 * * *