Chapter 111 [part 2] (1/2)

Lucia Chapter 111 [part 2]

(1)

Edited by: ShadowDog

T/N: Conversations that take place in the past are italicized.

Hugo explained his family situation to Lucia by mixing in some proper truths with lies. Some parts were revealed, and some parts were hidden.

He revealed that his family couldn’t be continued without relations between close relatives, but he changed it to cousin instead of half-sister. He said that in order for an unrelated woman to bear a child, they would have to eat a special herb instead blood.

Lucia’s expression constantly changed as she listened to him and after sorting out her thoughts for a moment, she opened her mouth.

“You have to marry a female cousin to have a son. Otherwise, you have to take a special herb from the moment of purity. And the only person who knows what that special herb is, is the ducal physician, Sir. Philip.”

“I know it sounds crazy.”

“I don’t mean I don’t believe you. So then, Damian’s mother was your cousin.”

“…Basically.”

Lucia was very confused but after thinking about it, it made sense. Despite the fact that there were many women around him, he had no illegitimate children and she could also understand why he was so unconcerned about birth control from their first night.

‘Cousins…?’

Xenon’s law forbid the marriage of blood relatives within the second cousin. However, there were quite a lot of countries that allowed marriage of cousins; in particular, royal families were tolerant of marriages between close relatives. The fact that he showed strong aversion to the intermarriage of cousins was strange. He didn’t seem like the type to be so sensitive to moral discipline.

‘Is it closer than a cousin…like marriage within the immediate family?’

Lucia stopped thinking about it in depth. She didn’t want to start digging up things that he didn’t say.

“Then, there must be a woman who was designated to marry you.”

“She’s dead. And there is no such woman in the Taran family anymore. The only people left of the Taran bloodline are Damian and I. Even if there was such a woman, I wouldn’t marry to have a child. I thought my family bloodline would end with me. I told you. It is cursed. I wanted to end this cursed lineage.”

As Lucia dealt with her complicated feelings, her senses were jolted to attention. He was strongly disillusioned with his family as well as himself. He seemed like he was made of steel but in actuality, he was wounded inside. The ache in Lucia’s heart made her feel like she was going to cry.

“You are not a curse, Hugh. A child as lovely as Damian cannot be curse either. I am grateful for you being in this world. If you were not in this world, you wouldn’t have met me and I, you. So please, love yourself as much as I love you.”

Hugo placed his hands on the hands of his wife that were on his face and closed his eyes. Maybe he would not be able to love himself until the day he died. But at least, he wouldn’t curse the fact that he was alive. Just like she said, he was able to meet her because he was alive.

“So that’s why you said you don’t want a child.”

“It’s not because I don’t want a child with you.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Lucia replied, feeling numb.

“I would love to see your child if bearing one was possible.”

Lucia’s eyes took on a shine.

“You said you didn’t like to have a child.” (Lucia)

“I still don’t like it. But your child is fine.” (Hugo)

“Do you…does that mean that, if I was with our child, you would have happily accepted it?”

“Gladly. And I mean it.”

“I believe you.”

The fact that he was ready to be a father even though it was impossible for a child to be born between the two of them greatly touched Lucia’s heart. He was a man that didn’t like children but he said he would like her child. She could feel his deep love for her.

“Thank you, Hugh. I understand you. I am fine. Ah…then that means Damian cannot have a child either. I hope it doesn’t hurt the kid.”

“…You’re thinking of the boy in the midst of this?”

“Of course. I am his mother, Hugh. You must tell Damian about this.”