Chapter 12 (1/2)

I thought to myself that it was better with him dead, but I obviously couldn’t say that to his younger brother Rüdiger’s face.

I tried to find some way to express my shock at this situation while paying my condolences for Jonas’ death, all the while acting uninformed.

Rüdiger was also so overwhelmed with this situation that he didn’t pay much attention to my reaction. I was slightly relieved.

“In the letter, no identifier other than the surname Maybaum was mentioned; that is why it took so long for me to find you. My sincerest apologies.”

“There is no need for any apologies. Your older brother hid this, so nothing could have been done about it.”

I responded with ease.

The truth is, I liked Rüdiger as much as Luca, as the character Rüdiger Winterwald.

It’s not hard to love the novel’s protagonist, his supporter, and his devoted mentor.

On top of that, since both were pretty handsome, it was clear that my impression of them could only grow more favorable.

As I replied out of courtesy with unexpected courage, this handsome ally glanced towards the stairs up the second floor and whispered with hesitance in a low voice.

“It appears that the child presumed to be my brother’s child is upstairs.”

“So it must be.”

“The name is?”

“Luca. He goes by Luca.”

Rüdiger kept on repeating Luca’s name.

He must’ve been ecstatic now knowing about his nephew’s existence.

On top of that, Rüdiger didn’t want to get married; as if he had a child of his own, learning of Luca’s existence brought him much pride and joy.

Even in the novel, Rüdiger took Luca in as his own and cared for him.

But…

‘With that look and no thoughts about marriage, that’s kind of like an insult to humanity…’

That superior DNA must be passed onto future generations so that humankind can be at least a little bit happier.

I couldn’t stop being so disappointed.

Weren’t living beings programmed so that they grow in number and evolve with better genes?

Lost in my thoughts, Rüdiger carefully asked, somehow snapping me out of it.

“Pardon me, but how are you related to Luca, ma’am…”

“Aunt, I am his aunt.”

I rushed to reply.

His expression somehow was more at ease.

With a relaxed voice, he asked,