I Will Abandon My Family! - v2 Chapter 23, Chapter 24

v2, Chapter 23

Qualifications of an Heir.
According to the law of this country, even the eldest son cannot become the head of the family unconditionally.
Even commoners are subject to various troublesome procedures, including a three-year long preparatory period before taking over the reins.

It was natural for the nobility.
Unlike court nobles, nobles who own a fiefdom are entrusted with it, so the heirs must learn the proper manners as the head of the family and study the management of the fiefdom.

Shepherd did not study such things.
He said he did not have to learn, even after Father asked him to.

“He most likely doesn’t know.”

“He’s not very bright, is he?”

“Yeah, he must have thought that being the family head is troublesome, so he just wanted to do the good part.”

In fact, he had left all the troublesome work to Henry.
The lords of the neighborhood believe Henry was the temporal head of the family, so there is no way they would recognize Shepherd.

“He has no idea how hard it is for an upstart merchant to become a Count.”

“Yeah.”

“Now, Shepherd is just the son of a Viscount... and in three months' time he will be the son of a Baronetess.”

If that's the case, what about Shepherd's fiancée?
There is a big difference between a son of a Viscount and a son of a Baronetess.

Many of those who hold the title of baronets are former commoners.

“Whatever happens, I don’t care.”

“I see.”

If the fiancée and her parents say they have been scammed, I won't care.

That's all they have ever done to me, after all.
They deserve it, and even if they ask me for help, I am not obligated to do so.

We are already strangers.

You can take the Count’s daughter as your wife and do as you please.

“It’s okay, Marie, I can protect you now. I’m sorry for being useless until now.”

“Father…”

“I have been a disappointing father… and couldn’t protect you all these years.”

How could I blame him?
He is the live-in son-in-law, and the mother-in-law was strict with him. He was the head of the family, and yet he was treated with disrespect and contempt.

And yet, Father has always protected his family and his people.

“Thank you, Father, but you must think about your own happiness now.”

He has sacrificed more than enough for the family.

“I am okay now.”

“You have become stronger.”

“Yes.”

I had to say goodbye to the weak me of the past.
I am a mother now.

One week later, my Father moved into his mansion in the Capital to stay closer to me.

With my Father watching over me, I was able to lead a peaceful life, but there was no way I could have known that there was a disturbance going on at my former family’s house.

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v2, Chapter 24

A Fallacious Bride (1)
Mirial was a beautiful woman on the outside, but on the inside, she was brash and unrefined.

She told Shepherd that I would stay with him only if I left the mansion.

“What do you mean? Are you chasing me out!?”

“Calm down, Mother!”

“Oh my? What are you implying?”

And yet, this woman asked with a dazed look on her face.

“Even if you are my Mother-in-law, it’s impossible for me to live with you after marriage. And vice versa.”

“What did you say?”

“I can understand if it’s a live-in son-in-law. However, it’s strange for the mother-in-law to live with her married son and daughter-in-law. It’s another thing for commoners with no money to spare, though.”

“Wha…”

This woman is so rude despite that innocent face of hers.

“I heard that Shepherd is already heir to the title of Viscount. He also told me that he has been providing ample support to his parents... and he has also offered to take care of my parents in the future as well."

“Eh… what?”

“He said he's concerned about my family, and that he will invite my parents over.”

“No, that's not what I said. In case of emergency, we will take your Elder sister's place..."

“I am truly relieved. I am so relieved that you are willing to let me take care of my parents.”

What is going on here?
She wants her parents to live in this house instead of living with me?

“I meant that we would eventually move into your parents' place and live with them.”

“Oh no, Shepherd.”

“Isn’t that right?”
I thought she realized Shepherd’s misunderstanding, but then she said the most ridiculous thing.

“My parents' house belongs to my little sister, and it's natural for everyone but the heir to be independent. But since you are the heir to a Viscount, we will have no need to worry about money, so I refused anything but the minimum dowry from my parents.”

“Wha… what did you say just now!?”

“I yielded my privileges to a land to my little sister, and persuaded my parents for a minimum dowry… it’s not easy to take over a territory, isn’t it?”

Oh my God!
If we could get the Count's daughter as a bride, we would be a part of the Count's family, that’s what we thought.

We thought that we would be able to get the title of a Count at the drop of a hat, but all we have is a small dowry?

Moreover, taking care of her parents?

“Shepherd, what have you done?”

“No, I…”

Who would have thought it would come to this?
The only reason Shepherd said he would take care of this woman's parents was because he was going to be a Count in the future.

“I didn't want to cause any financial trouble for my parents if possible, so I'm really glad it worked out.”

This is not good at all!

Next chapter: I Will Abandon My Family! - v2 Chapter 25, Chapter 26