Just as I stepped out of the Opstein Marquisate's estate, I was greeted by a resplendent carriage design I'd never seen before in my life.
"Uh, th-that over there."
In truth, my head understood it perfectly. It would be weirder if the carriage of the empire's sole ducal house looked shabby.
"C-Can I really ride in something like this...?"
Even so, I deliberately pitched my voice as timidly as possible when I asked.
Of course, I wasn't actually intimidated—it was all a setup to clear the 'Stimulate Maternal Love' quest.
Honestly, trying to make these lispy sounds sent shivers down my spine, but I had no choice if I wanted to impress Big Sister System.
From what I understood, successfully completing the quests she provided would make my life in this world richer.
"It's merely enjoying what you deserve as a Belverk."
"Th-Thank you."
"Have you never ridden in a carriage like this before?"
"F-First time. Hehe..."
That said, no matter how fitting the childish speech was for my age, I couldn't help the goosebumps every time I forced out a cute voice.
Would I get used to it eventually? That thought scared me too...
"To be honest, I haven't gone out of the estate much..."
As I scratched my head with those thoughts, I noticed Mother's expression turn icy cold. I quietly began gauging her mood.
Even though she was the one who pulled me from that hellhole, my new mother still intimidated me somewhat.
She was the epitome of a gender-swapped 'iron-blooded family head' or 'monster duke' from romance fantasy parenting tales—basically unchanged.
Just standing next to her, the overwhelming killing intent made my legs tremble involuntarily.
"You shouldn't speak so weakly anymore."
And like most such characters who embodied the 'indifferent father' archetype, my mother warned me in a rather detached tone.
"If you show weakness as a Belverk, predators will surely come sniffing."
"..."
"So from now on, don't show any frailty—even in front of me."
But as a avid reader of romance fantasies, especially the parenting ones, I knew better.
"Well, I'll explain the details gradually."
"...Yes!"
"Get in the carriage for now."
This type always overflowed with paternal love—or in Mother's case, maternal love.
...Otherwise, I'd be in trouble.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙[Astridje Main Quest List] > Call Astridje Duke "Mom." (Completed) > Be held in Astridje Duke's arms. (Unachieved) > Get petted by Astridje Duke. (10%) > Sit on Astridje Duke's lap. (Unachieved) > Astridje Duke's maternal love reaches set level (5/100)
Whether true or not, I was the one who had to stimulate that maternal love, so even boarding the carriage made my vision blur.
> Summary: You're still a long way off.
'...I know.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
-Rumble, rumble...
About ten minutes after Mother and I boarded the spacious carriage—far nicer than my old room—and sat facing each other.
'...This is awkward.'
Quite some time had passed, but an awkward silence lingered in the carriage.
"..."
In that situation, Mother sat before me, impassively staring.
Her gaze pierced so intensely that I wondered if I should speak first.
"I have something to ask you."
"...Y-Yes?"
Then, out of nowhere, an unexpected question from Mother.
"How did you know I was your mother?"
A chill ran down my spine.
Mother's expression remained impassive, but suspicion laced her voice.
"...Given Marquis Opstein's temperament and your treatment there, you couldn't have known the truth."
So before her doubt deepened, I hurriedly explained.
"I-I saw it in a dream."
"A dream?"
"The mother's face smiling while holding me always—it was exactly the same."
Honestly, even I thought it was a lame excuse.
"...I see."
But surprisingly, Mother clutched the pendant at her neck, nodded, and accepted it.
"One more question."
As I sighed in relief, a second question flew at me without pause.
"I don't like people getting hurt."
"...?"
"You said that in the drawing room earlier."
Gauging Mother's inscrutable expression, I felt a chill far worse than before and swallowed dryly.
"Why did you say that then?"
Facing the cold aura head-on, I felt I had to answer perfectly.
"W-Well..."
The problem was, those lines were just whatever I blurted to stop Mother's rampage.
Of course, confessing that might get me kicked out mid-ride.
Under that pressure, without time to think, I squeezed my eyes shut, channeling the image of a romance fantasy parenting heroine.
'Whatever happens, happens.'
For this moment, I wasn't a man—I was the protagonist of a parenting tale. Merging with those heroines, answers flowed from my mouth.
"In the marquisate, I got hurt a lot from various things."
"..."
"...Every time it hurt so much, it was awful."
Goosebumps rose from the girly tone, but the lines were satisfying.
"So I thought I didn't want others to feel that pain."
Glancing up at Mother's face, my heart sank.
"Even if they were the ones who hurt you?"
Mother looked down at me, her face eerily chilling.
What? Did I mess up? Would admitting it was thoughtless have been better?
But I couldn't take back my words, so sweating coldly, I gave the most rational reply.
"E-Even so, hurting them back would make me a monster too."
"..."
"...I don't want Mom to become a monster like that."
A brief silence filled the carriage.
"Can you survive in Belverk with such a frail mindset?"
In that silence, fidgeting with my head bowed, I bit my lip at her cold voice.
"Belverk is a world of the strong devouring the weak. Show frailty, and you're torn apart."
"...Yes."
"All I can do for you is declare you inherited Belverk—my—blood. Nothing more."
Looks like novels differ from reality. Mother's response clearly showed disappointment.
"The moment we arrive, you'll survive on your own power."
"Hehe, I'm good at surviving."
I answered bravely, but seeing her turn to the window, I slumped again.
> Settling...> Maternal love +5 > Total (10/100) > As expected of a parenting tale fan.
Stunned by the message, I sneaked another peek at Mother, lost in thought.
'...Is this a bug?'
She still gazed out the window with a cold expression.
Plus, she seemed disappointed—why did maternal love rise? I couldn't read her at all from appearances.
"Um, I have a question too."
But no time for doubts.
"Is it true that monsters appear every night at the Belverk Ducal House...?"
I needed info before arriving—especially for survival, confirm the monster rumors first.
"...Something like that."
Gathering courage, her gaze shifted to me with a cold smile.
"Three of them, even."
"Eek."
Wait, actual monsters roaming? Three?
"Ah, but two aren't at the estate now."
"Huh?"
"Your sisters. The three candidates who inherited the Belverk name."
Caught off guard, I straightened tensely.
'Right, romance parenting tales always have older siblings.'
Mine were sisters, but threatening big brothers wary of the young heroine were essential.
In this dragged-to-monster-duke-house setup, Mother's three sisters were surely dangerously monstrous.
'Well, if it follows cliché, no problem.'
But I wasn't too worried.
Cliché parenting tales meant initial wariness, then doting sisters.
Blood's thicker than water. Even if wary, better than Opstein trash...
"...As one who inherited Belverk blood, I'll share a secret."
Deep in thought, Mother's words made my mind go blank; eyes widened.
"My three daughters aren't truly my blood."
"Huh?"
"Publicly and internally, they're known as mine, but that's false info."
Wait, what?
"They're all children I adopted."
"Uh..."
"Of course, I won't reveal it now. It'd cause unimaginable chaos."
So, deviating from cliché aside.
I'm the only blood heir at the ducal house?
"In other words, you're now a full Belverk, a family head candidate competing with them."
Then how would those vicious sisters view a sudden intruder like me?
'...Obstacle? Elimination target?'
Reaching that conclusion, my face paled.
"One more time."
"..."
"Showing weakness in Belverk is taboo."
Mother stared, warning lowly.
"Do so, and they'll tear you apart the moment you're careless."
This time, a hint of worry softened her usual cold voice.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Meanwhile, at the Belverk Ducal House.
"...Hey."
"Yes, miss."
A girl lying on the bed in the estate's third-largest room—one rivaling the palace—addressed the maid kneeling on one knee.
"When's that bastard arriving?"
"They've already entered Belverk territory, it seems."
"...Good."
Her lips curved faintly.
"Better to eliminate future troubles quickly, right?"
Muttering that, she spun the knife in her hand. Her eyes blazed crimson.