System vs Rebirth

Leysha looked stunned. Even Anna couldn't believe that Noel actually slapped his mother. Noel was usually a loving guy, so it was a bit out of character for him to slap Leysha.

Yet, the next thing he did was actually punch himself in the cheek.

"Noel!" Anna gasped, not understanding what was happening.

Leysha became even more confused. On the one hand, she was worried because Noel had hurt himself like this. On the other hand, she was hesitant to take action, not wanting Noel to hurt himself again.

That gaze alone was enough for Noel to get his answer.

"That slap is a reminder of all the things I've experienced in the last couple of years after your execution."

Leysha's body trembled. Although Noel said it in a gentle way, the experience was truly horrendous. One wrong move would definitely kill Noel. Even though they had left behind Dimitri, it didn't change the fact that he let the young boy, who didn't have any training, go to the battlefield.

His world was turned upside down after the execution. If he let him get away without any repercussions, it meant they were able to do anything to him or even his child later, no matter how horrible it was.

Noel might be a loving person, especially toward his family and people. But he was also a fair person. There would be a reward and a punishment. This time, it was a punishment, but this punishment wasn't just directed at Leysha. He also received the punishment, and even a much harsher one.

"And this punch symbolizes my laziness and all the problems I've caused you and Father. I'm aware of how horrible I was in the past. If I were a better person, there might be another solution to our problem."

Leysha's heart felt like it was squeezed. Noel might have been lazy in the past, but that was because he knew that in the future, he had to take on his father's mantle and govern the territory. In other words, when he reached that point, he couldn't be lazy or do whatever he wanted anymore.

So, he just wanted to satisfy his desire until he lost that ability to have a desire of his own. After all, every single thing that the Lord did would affect the people in his territory.

Still, it would be different if Noel was a capable person. If he was strong enough, he could express himself freely without fearing backlash.

He learned it the moment he became an Earl.

That was why he said things might be different if he had been more capable in the past.

been a very hard few years for you, Mother. I'm glad that

teared up in an instant. While she had taken care of Noel in the past, they didn't interact that much. She was a bit troubled and hoped that Noel could be better. Even though she didn't say it personally, Noel was recognized by Ardagan after all. So, it couldn't be helped to have some

responsible adult who could make his parents proud. His hug was gentle, yet

…

A decade ago.

young boy who was lying down on the ground with his head lying on a maid's lap. He seemed to be reading a novel, which was

way. Why do people have to get homework? It's the teacher's problem if they can't teach the student for the duration of the lesson. They force us to do this homework because they're incapable of finishing the

so that you don't forget about them." Leysha sighed. "Why

angry, Mom? I mean, I basically didn't do

rubbed her forehead before thinking about something. "You didn't do anything? You're not planning

a

a moment. "If I have ten apples and I give you eight

Or are you planning to give it to someone else? If it's the latter, then you have zero. That's the same for me. If I hold all the apples, I will have eight. But this will make our family's reputation go bad

up being dumbstruck as though she didn't believe what she

be smarter than

are the

I don't know the other

a few times before asking for confirmation, "So, you already know all that because we've talked about

better than sitting in front of someone, having to put up a fake smile, or even

on with her child. She couldn't help but move closer to the maid and tugged on

worried at first, but Leysha was the one replacing her. In other words, Noel was simply lying on her lap this

you're not going to

part, I can't help it if I end up getting distracted from the noise around

but smile, finally understanding what she should have done in

been trying her best to teach Noel. Whenever Noel was trying to utilize his free time in this garden,

husband. That was why sometimes she ran out of topics. Of

needed a tutor for the basic things, so he still had to attend all those classes. In the meantime, Leysha had been talking about all kinds of things, from their family's inner problems to the political situation. It turned out that Luke had also been teaching Noel philosophy and life principles. As a result, Leysha also learned a lot, which actually allowed her to help Luke's work as the Lady