I adopt the male lead

chapter 41

Silence passed. Karina even felt like she was on top of the steak that had melted softly in her mouth.

However, she couldn’t recklessly intervene in the quarrel between the Duke and his sister.

Isn’t there an old saying that a shrimp get his back broken when caught in a whale fight?

(T/N: It means stuck between great power rivalries.)

“Apologize.”

Astrid bowed her head.

“I- I’m sorry, Mrs. Bloe. I… changed my words after asking for such a request like that.”

“It doesn’t matter to me at all, so don’t worry.”

Karina tried to fix it late, but the mealtime that should’ve been fun became a mess. Astrid hurriedly left the annex as soon as she finished her meal.

Claude opened his mouth with a genuinely apologetic face.

“…Let me apologize for Astrid’s actions.”

“Your Grace has nothing to apologize for. I think I know why the princess did that.”

Karina spoke slowly. She really didn’t mind. Especially since she can see why Astrid reacted sharply.

“The Princess… seems to be really uncomfortable with Your Grace.”

“That’s what it looks like in the lady’s eyes.”

Claude let out a long sigh.

“Astrid doesn’t seem to think of me as an older brother.”

“Anyone with eyes would think so.”

No matter how big their status and age gap were, Astrid was too afraid of Claude.

“Actually, I want Astrid to call me by my name once. We’re each other’s only family left.”

“Is there a reason why the Princess finds it so difficult?”

“…”

Claude hesitated for a long time, then finally speak out.

“It’s not too much of a secret… it wouldn’t change anything if the lady knew. Astrid isn’t my real sister.”

“…!”

It was a possibility that Karina had never considered. Astrid looks nothing like Claude at all. But there are one or two siblings who don’t resemble each other.

“Astrid’s biological parents were originally vassals of our family. The couple went on a mission together, but they failed and died the same day.”

Claude looked into the distance.

“I was fifteen at the time… I had to help my parents with their work. When I went to their house to pick up their belongings, I found a nanny with a newborn baby.”

“Then…”

“Yes, the baby is Astrid.”

Claude explained quickly. As if he wanted to end this topic as quickly as possible.

“They didn’t even have relatives to organize their belongings. If it hadn’t been for my father, Astrid would have gone to a public orphanage.”

Karina had difficulty opening her mouth.

“So, the previous Duke adopted the princess. He couldn’t send her to an orphanage.”

“Yes.”

Adoption was usually done for two reasons. One is to succeed in the family. The other is to formally enlist an illegitimate child. Nowhere is the same reason why the Duke and Duchess adopted Astrid.