I Will Abandon My Family! - v4 Chapter 27, Chapter 28, Chapter 29, Chapter 30

v4, Chapter 27

From Past to Present
While reminiscing about the past, I now realize that maybe that time was the turning point.

My life was not over.
It has just begun, and I had already given up on the future.

But meeting Henry made me happy.
And for the sake of those who supported me and those who, like me, were suffering, I moved forward.

It's difficult for a third party to intervene.
But by taking a step forward, a wonderful future awaits.

"I don't want to make others feel the same way as me... that's why I have to prove it."

The abuse I suffered in the past was terrible.
The most malicious abuse, and the person didn't even realize it.

"If that environment is normal, you won't notice... that's why I have to change it."

"Young Lady Marie"

"Bella."

Bella, who came to deliver the documents I had requested, whispered.

"As expected, it was as you predicted."

"Yes... I didn't think it would be this predictable."

The letters lined up on the desk were information I had asked them to investigate about those two in advance.

"Nothing has changed at all."

"I'm afraid those two won't change even after death. They are parasites living off others."

I could tell she was holding back, because they were my former mother and brother.
Her true feelings were evident on her face.

"It seems they sought assistance from Aunt, but she turned them away? As expected of Mother."

According to this, she had brought Aunt and Uncle to her side first and placed guards around them.
In case the two came to visit, she had instructed not to engage with them and to respond appropriately if forceful measures were taken.

"However, these two won't give up so easily."

"That's right."

“With such determination, they should do some earnest work.”

"That’s the only thing they won't do.”

Because of her excessive pride, she would never work for herself. And Shepherd, perhaps due to an overly strong sense of self-esteem, seemed to have no understanding of his own abilities.

Now I understand.
To alleviate his own inferiority complex, that person had been venting his frustration by verbally abusing those in weaker positions than himself.

But as schoolmates during our school days and my changed position as the student council president, he couldn't accept reality where he couldn’t look down on me anymore. So, stimulating that inferiority complex and pushing his to the edge was certain.

I can't let these two go unchecked.
Even if they were once family, they are strangers now.

For the sake of my important people.

If they dare to harm my precious family, I will make them pay.

"Bella, I'm going to become a bad woman... is that okay?"

"Young lady, sometimes it's necessary to get your hands dirty to protect those you love."

I am no longer the weak person I was back then.
I won't let things go as they please any longer.

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v4, Chapter 28

Diaz and Oriana
Even though I was troubled by my ex-wife's rampage, I was able to reconcile with my sister-in-law, Lady Anita.
She has always been amiable towards me.

However, I felt sorry for putting a burden on Lady Anesia in ways I was not aware of.

“Lord Diaz, what's wrong?"

"No, it's nothing."

"Could it be that it didn't suit your taste?"

Lately, Lady Oriana has been sending special products from her territory as gifts.
I appreciate her consideration for my preference for simple sweets over expensive ones, but...

"Lady Oriana, I appreciate your feelings, but going to such lengths..."

"I'm doing it because I want to."

"But there are unfavorable rumors about you. Especially with my ex-wife causing gossip in social circles recently."

Though she was expelled from the Ranford territory, it seems she's been talking loosely on her way to the Capital, garnering sympathy from the public.

I wouldn't pay attention to ordinary rumors, but due to my unexpected rise, I seem to be a target for those who want to bring me down.

"It can't go on like this, Lady Oriana."

"Why not? I don't mind. In fact, I want to turn the rumors into truth."

"Pardon?"

The way she looked at me, as if clinging to me, didn’t seem fitting for someone with an adult son.
She's still young and beautiful, and she can remarry.

Despite that...

"Lord Diaz, I have feelings for you."

"What! What do you..."

"Am I not acceptable? My son is grown up, and I have grandchildren now. My daughter-in-law has also become strong and splendid."

It's as if she was implying that her role was over.

"I had my life decided since birth. There was no love between husband and wife... it is inevitable for the Royalty. But during my student days, I fell in love with a certain gentleman."

"Lady Oriana..."

"Lonely and foolish, I had no choice but to be selfish and lash out at those around me. You were the only one who treated me kindly. But I closed my heart."

Lady Oriana, who seemed to have everything as the daughter of a Duke, was like a bird in a golden cage.

Our worlds were different.
But deep down, she was truly kind and vulnerable.

Having a prestigious family and power takes away freedom as a human and even shatters dignity.
It didn't take long for her to realize how much she suffered, behaving like a villain to maintain a facade.

But Lady Oriana was strong.

"It is because of you that I was able to recover!”

Yet, I didn't notice.

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v4, Chapter 29

First Love
For me, Lord Diaz was the person I admired the most, as well as my first love.
During my student days, I was all alone.

My parents had no interest in me.
They thought they were showing affection, but I had no place at home or outside.

So, to attract my parents' attention, I played the role of a villain.
But no one understood my feelings.
The only one who kindly spoke to me was Lord Dias.

Although we met at the church, we didn't reveal our identities at that time.

But Lord Diaz didn't care about social status.
At that time, he endured harassment from foolish nobles who mocked him for being stupid and relying only on his family background.

No matter what anyone said, my affection for him was unwavering.

However, as someone of Royal blood, a Duke's daughter, and Lord Diaz, being the third son of a Baron, our status was vastly different.

So, I gave up on this love.

I closed my heart.

But a few years later, I heard that Lord Diaz, despite being a live-in son-in-law in the Ranford family, endured a difficult situation.

I heard he worked hard to rebuild the declining Viscount household without even appearing in social circles.

Nevertheless, every time I heard Dania speak ill of Lord Diaz while living a luxurious life, I remembered how painful it was for me.

That woman knows nothing.

But things are different now.

"I have admired you for a long time, Lord Diaz.”

"Lady Oriana..."

"It is wrong of me to say such things now, however..."

I'm no longer a child.
I didn’t intend to drag my first love with me.

But Lord Diaz has once again captured my heart.

"Is it impossible for me not to have feelings for you, who saved my daughter-in-law's life and protected my position."

"Everything I have done was with a motive."

"Even so, if you had not acted, none of this would exist now."

His Majesty, as the King, and most of the nobles who move our country, are concerned with Lord Diaz.

"I cannot bear to see you still suffering because of that woman."

"Lady Oriana, please calm down."

The only one who can disturb my heart to this extent is Lord Diaz.
I didn't intend to aspire to be his wife.

It was enough to be by his side as a friend.

But I am still a greedy and selfish woman.

I can't bear the thought of him being taken away by another woman.

"Please tell me what you think of me!"

Even if our relationship falls apart, I don't mind.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime love.

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v4, Chapter 30

Answer
Lady Oriana's words were shocking to me.
However, I couldn't give her an answer.

My heart had already been decided since I was adopted into the Ranford family.

"I apologize, Lady Oriana."

I couldn't accept her feelings.

"I see."

"You knew, didn't you?"

"Yes... but I just wanted to try."

While she had a calm smile, there was a hint of loneliness.
She probably didn't expect me to accept her feelings.

"I will be by your side as your comrade and a good understanding friend from now on."

"Yes."

"But I won't give up."

Why does it have to turn out like this?
Didn't she understand?

"You don't know what might happen ten or twenty years from now."

"Uh, well..."

"You don't know how you will feel about me when I become an old lady, right?"

How long does Lady Oriana plan to live?

"I will show you that I can live longer than anyone else."

"That's quite something."

This way of talking makes it sound like I should also aim for a long life.

"I will make an effort."

"Effort alone is not enough."

I find myself naturally smiling at Lady Oriana's smile.
She seems serious, not joking.

She might really do it.

"I don't have the intention to give up, but please tell me."

"Yes."

"Do you love Dania?"

Is she asking this now?
I've long lost any affection for her.

Even a thousand-year-long love can grow cold.

"I have made efforts to approach her, but I couldn't develop any affection. The truth is, I no longer want to be involved with her."

"You don't have any feelings at all?"

"It was but a political marriage, after all. From the beginning, duty took precedence over love."

Before becoming a live-in son-in-law in the Ranford family, there was a woman I liked.
However, being just the third son of a Baron, I had no veto power, and there was no way to object.

But the former head of the family, my Father-in-law, lowered his head even though he knew everything.
The woman I loved was a commoner with a fragile body.

We couldn't share our lives, but she helped me.
She also poured deep affection for me, and like me, she chose duty.

"I don't think that choice was a mistake, but I can't tolerate any more disorder."

"Understood. Then, please proceed as you wish."

"Lady Oriana."

"I won't stay silent about that woman's courageousness either... However, there are already people who are taking action."

Already taking action?
Who is that?

Could it be His Majesty?

What I didn't realize was that Marie was working behind the scenes.

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