Lucia Chapter 19.1

< — Ducal Couple — > (7)

TN: Weee finally had time to translate. Part 2 should be coming in a few hrs or if I sleep off, tmrw.  Currently working on it. 

For generations, Philip had been the Taran Family’s doctor and was absent from Roam since Hugo had left the estate for a long time. Nobody knew exactly where he went.

He’d said he would be travelling around for a bit and left but there had been no news for years. Philip had no friends or family so his absence didn’t have much effect and no one was really curious about it. The Duke was very healthy and had never even been ill before. Also, for formality sake, as a noble, one did not receive regular check-ups from doctors.

Since Hugo became the Duke, the doctor hadn’t had anything to do. Apart from greeting Philip a few times, Jerome had not really had a conversation with him. He had heard Philip was the also primary doctor of the deceased Duke even so that doctor… he was definitely a family doctor but he was a bit unique in that he was also a Baron.

Jerome believed the man had a lot of guts because he’d served dukes for generation but apart from that, he didn’t feel the need to pay attention the doctor’s matters. However, the moment the name Philip left his mouth, his master’s face which had been somewhat relaxed, froze. Seeing his master’s red eyes gleam, Jerome felt suspicious. Wasn’t Philip simply a family doctor?

For a short moment, he searched his memories thoroughly but there was no clue regarding Philip and his master’s relationship. He then came to the realization that his master and Philip had actually treated each other like they

were air and this would be the first time Philip had personally come to meet the Duke. On paper, he was the primary doctor but the duke being the duke, he had never needed to receive any treatment.

“Let him in. Do not let anyone onto the second floor until I say so.”

His voice was cold and murderous intent lingered in the air. Feeling his master’s anger, Jerome nervously followed the Duke’s orders without question.

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Jerome left and after a while, an old man with half whitish and grey hair walked in. The man walked quietly to the front of the desk where Hugo was sitting then bent his waist to make polite bow.
For a second, Hugo didn’t say anything, just stared piercingly at the old man then he spoke in an even and unfeeling voice.

“It’s been a while, old man.”

Philip was not displeased with the title that showed no respect and gave a faint smile.

“Yes, long time no see. After all this time, you’ve become a grown man.”

Despite being only a doctor, the man was confident and showed no servility to the noble personage in front of him. His voice was calm but inside deep emotion surfaced as he faced Hugo.

His gaze was like that of a grandfather watching his grandchild that has done well. However, Hugo’s eyes stayed frozen.

“I heard you went on a trip.” [Hugo]

“I have returned.”

“Too bad, you must have had a good time wandering around. Since you’ve said your greetings, get lost. In the future, don’t do such things like greeting me. I’m saying you shouldn’t show your face in front of me again.”

As though he were reading off a book, Hugo’s voice was arid but the contents were harsh. Philip’s complexion remained unchanged as

as he heard the ferocity in Hugo’s words. Rather, he seems a little relieved.

“You are still the same as before.” [Philip]

“My nature’s never change.”

“Young master’s nature is outstanding. You didn’t reap this old man’s life after all.”

Hugo laughed sardonically.

“Don’t misunderstand. The reason I let you live is because I owe you the debt of a life. That stupid kid had said he’s protect his life’s savior.”

For a moment, yearning surfaced on Philip’s face but it disappeared the next second.

“…Young master Hugo was a good-natured person. That’s why he wasn’t fit to be the master of Taran.” [Philip]

‘Young master Hugo’

Just for a short moment when those words left Philip’s mouth, Hugo’s gaze softened.

“That’s true. Because of that devilish child, I’m taking care of this dirty seat.”

“Young master Hugh…”

“If you call me by that name one more time, I’ll rip out your mouth.”

Hugo’s countenance changed viciously and he roared at Philip. Like that of a wild beast before it pounces on its food, he wanted to standup immediately and bite off Philip’s neck but was barely holding himself back.

Facing Hugo’s fiery anger, Philip merely had a sad expression.

“That person sacrificed himself for the young master’s sake.”

“I never asked for that.”

Hugo gloomily ground his teeth.
The Hugh who was more beast and animal-like met Hugo when he was on a vacation. The moment when Hugh went on a vacation, the devil became a human. That the owner of Taran would become Hugo was most suitable. Only he could cleanse Taran that was smeared with dirt and filth.

Hugh was always surrounded by enemies and had done many evil deeds to keep his life but he actually did not know why he had to live or the meaning of living. However, Hugh finally found a reason to

reason to live and that there was something more precious than his own life. That only brother would have to live and climb unto seat, the one called the devil should not be Hugh. (1).
“Young master Hugo wished more than anyone else for the young master to be on that seat. Anyways, you two are of the blood of Taran. Naturally, young master has the right to be master of Taran.”

“That devil died that night in the west tower. I’m…the one right here now is Hugo.”

“Yes, it is the young master. When will you accept the fact that you are now the master?”

“I won’t be here forever. I will hand it over to that child when he’s old enough.”

Philip gave a small sigh.

“Young master Damian is still young.”

“That’s why I’m waiting, isn’t it? I’m waiting and bearing this sickening and tiring place.”

Hugo responded while gritting his teeth.

“Young master Hugo’s seat is one full of weariness. So it’s a nobler seat.”
Hugo stared at Philip for a moment then spoke coolly.

“Well, I’ve always known that old man is good at keeping his head. That day, if you had blabbered on just like today’s, I would have pulled out your neck and thrown it away. At that time, like a dumb person, you kept your mouth shut and knelt down. Did you know that I killed everyone who knows of what happened that day except from you, old man?”

For the first time since entering the room, Philip’s expression stiffened.

“… You left no traces.”

“Yes. I was disgusted and couldn’t stand their sight. So, old man will be the last. Hurry up with your filth. Once old man disappears, it will no longer reek.”

“The deceased Duke made the inevitable choice for the family…”

“Choice?”

Hugo slammed the desk slammed the desk violently with both hands and bolted upright. He moved forward and his red pupils were like a blazing fire as he looked at Philip…no, someone he could see beyond Philip, with rising anger. His rage was like a furnace that would overflow at any moment.

“That old fool sold his one of his son to mercenaries as a slave to be worked then instead of embracing the son he chose, he tried again to switch them.”

He chose Hugo, threw away Hugh. However, as years passed, the duke changed his mind and this time abandoned Hugo and chose Hugh. For the reason that Hugo’s personality was too mild. For the first time, Hugh clung to someone and pleaded. Not for his own sake but for another’s.
[If I obediently become your successor, don’t touch him] (2).

He did everything that was asked of him. He studied earnestly and exteriorly assumed Hugo’s appearance. The coarse way of speaking was thrown away and he changed into a noble and self-restrained personage. He was like a reared beast and fell nicely at the feet of the duke. However, he did not know.

That for the same reason, for his brother, Hugo had gladly thrown away everything he’d learned until yesterday from the venerable Confucius. It was Hugo who first noticed that the Duke had tied strings to both of them and held sway over them in his hands and that was the beginning of the tragedy.

Hugo realized that as long as he existed and the duke who would use him to the end existed, they could never be free.

Translator’s Corner:

1.  There’s a bit of confusion and disconnect for me while translating this paragraph and the previous one. Hope it came across well.

2. He means don’t touch Hugo.

Chapter end