Chapter 110: A Name That Can’t Be Passed On
“You’re saying you want to register her under my name? I’m afraid I can’t do that.”
Armand was sitting in the backyard garden, holding Rachel in his arms as he listened to Evelia’s plan. He gently shook his head.
What plan? Of course, it was Evelia’s idea to make Rachel officially Armand’s child.
Since Evelia was taking on the role of the “mother,” if Armand could also become the rightful “father,” then in a way, they would also be seen as a married couple.
But even though Armand rarely rejected others, this time he said “no” very directly.
“You can’t?” Evelia’s voice had a hint of confusion in it.
“That’s right. The last name I use now… I can’t give it to her.”
To be registered as Armand’s child, Rachel would have to take his last name. But to Armand, the name “Systalia” held a deeper meaning.
After all, this wasn’t his real name. Just like Evelia, his original identity had already disappeared. His true self was officially recorded as “dead.”
The name he used now was one he had made up himself. And in a broad sense, passing down a name he just created didn’t mean anything.
From his personal point of view, the things that this name represented… were not something he could give to anyone.
And besides—
“If she uses my last name, it might bring her a lot of trouble. Maybe even danger.”
He was being completely honest.
Because he wasn’t just anyone, he was the captain of the Royal Knights.
If Rachel took his name, the trouble wouldn’t only affect Armand. It would also involve her.
To the nobles, a child suddenly appearing under Armand’s name would cause all kinds of gossip and rumors. And the second prince, who was very good at stirring up trouble, could use this to twist the story and make it sound like a scandal tied to the Royal Knights, which would damage the reputation of Armand and his allies, while helping the second prince’s side gain an advantage.
For Rachel, it would be even worse. She would be pushed into the spotlight and judged by everyone.
To Armand, Rachel was just a normal child. At her age, she could understand some things, but not everything. If those gossiping nobles put awful rumors on her shoulders, it could leave deep emotional scars.
And Armand understood all too well what emotional wounds could do. He didn’t want this child to be trapped or weighed down by anything.
Because right now, the two people closest to Rachel, Armand and Evelia, each had their own emotional “scars.” They had both been wandering inside their own “painted dreams” for many years, unable to walk out of them.
And besides all of that, there was danger.
As mentioned, Armand was the Royal Knight Captain. Many people wanted him dead. He had to stay alert every second of the day. Even now, sitting peacefully in the garden, he was still keeping his guard up, against Evelia herself.
That’s right, he had never truly let down his guard. Just like Evelia had never truly let go of the thought that, one day, she might have to kill him.
On the surface, their relationship looked ambiguous or romantic. But deep down, neither of them had put aside their inner hostility.
It was like a blade wrapped in soft feathers. All you could see was the fluff on the outside, but underneath, there was a cold, sharp knife.
And yet, even knowing all of this—
The two of them still continued to get closer. As if each one had placed their future as a bet, not knowing whose knife would draw blood first.
Armand didn’t want anyone around him, especially Rachel, to live a life like that.
That’s why, in Armand’s eyes, he didn’t want Rachel to become too close to him.
He had always believed that family could become a chain, something that ties you down.
Even an adopted child… could become a weakness.
“I see.”
After listening to Armand, Evelia didn’t argue. She wasn’t the type to be unreasonable. She understood that if Armand had already said no, then there probably wasn’t any room for discussion.
“But the child can still stay,” Armand continued. “She already calls you ‘Mom,’ so it wouldn’t look good if I separated you now. See? She seems to like you a lot.”
At that moment, Rachel was just quietly staring up and down at her own “masterpiece”, the alchemy body of Evelia she had helped create.
But from Armand’s point of view, Rachel’s lingering gaze looked like she didn’t want to be apart from Evelia. Thinking maybe he had been holding onto her too long and keeping her from her “mother,” Armand lifted his arm, ready to pass her over.
“...Waaah—!”
But Rachel had no such intention.
Compared to Evelia, who looked like she might accidentally kill her just for fun, she definitely preferred staying in Armand’s arms. At least with him, she didn’t have to worry about her life every second.
“Hm? What’s wrong, Rachel? Are you nervous?”
Seeing Rachel suddenly cling tightly to his waist and refuse to let go, Armand gently patted her head.
As Armand stroked Rachel’s head with that calm, gentle expression. Evelia, for some reason, suddenly looked unhappy again. She frowned and stared sharply at Rachel.
“…?”
Noticing that Evelia was staring so seriously at Rachel, Armand’s hand paused mid-pat.
Then, when Evelia saw that Armand had stopped petting Rachel, her expression relaxed a bit, and the heavy air around them lightened. But Armand, having picked up on something funny, smirked slightly, and went back to softly patting Rachel’s head again.
“……”
Sure enough, Evelia frowned again.
When Armand stopped petting, Evelia relaxed.
After doing this a few times, Armand discovered a kind of “secret switch”. Every time he touched Rachel’s head, Evelia would look annoyed. But when he stopped, she would ease up.
So, half for fun, Armand gently tapped Rachel’s little head once more.
“……”
And right as Evelia frowned again, Armand raised his other hand, and placed it gently on Evelia’s head.
“—”
Evelia froze for a second, clearly surprised… But she didn’t fight back. She quietly let Armand pat her head too. In fact, she even unconsciously leaned a little closer to him.
…Just like a kitten that always puffs up its fur but still wants attention.
That was how Armand described Evelia in his heart.
Even though the two of them still didn’t fully trust each other, that didn’t mean… they couldn’t enjoy this small moment of peace.
Evelia felt the soft pressure on her head, blinked slowly, then slowly looked up. Her long hair fell gently beside her ears, and from under her bangs, her golden eyes reflected a bit of sunlight.
She couldn’t help but glance sideways, looking at Armand through a few strands of pink hair.
And the moment their eyes met, Armand, who had been relaxed and teasing just a second ago, suddenly paused.
Just one look from Evelia made him freeze awkwardly, not knowing what to do.
He cleared his throat and quickly turned his head away, avoiding her gaze. But in his mind, he couldn’t stop replaying that moment when their eyes met.
“…Ha.”
Even though it felt a little awkward, he still let out a soft laugh.
And in his heart, he thought.
“This girl… is really cute.”