Help, I'm in Another World and All the Men Are So Hot! [BL]-Chapter 260: The Castellani Heir’s Dilemma

However, since this was a political matter and not directly related to them, Damien hadn’t heard much about it, nor had he looked into it deeply.

As a result, everyone had the same general understanding of the Castellani family’s situation as Damien did.

"First, regarding the Castellani couple, they have divorced and returned to their respective families," Theon explained.

"Ah, I see. So, their son is going to stay with one of the families as well?" someone asked.

Since Mr. Castellani was technically the mastermind behind the whole incident, Damien thought the child would likely go to his mother’s side.

However, Theo opened his mouth with a grim expression.

"Well... regarding the embezzlement, the lady was not involved. But when it came to switching sides, she was very supportive... The downfall of the family was primarily due to the switching of sides rather than the embezzlement. Considering the future, neither of the couple can take the child in..."

"...The future?" Damien asked, after taking a moment to steady his breathing, his eyes fixed on Theo.

What kind of situation would require a child to be separated from their parents?

"Raising the child under the parents who were involved in a betrayal close to treason will only be a hindrance when the son tries to restore the Castellani family in the future," Theo continued. "For that reason, the child is currently being raised by relatives who have little connection to the couple."

To restore the family line?

"That’s...!" Damien stood up, feeling a surge of anger and almost shouted, "For something like that!?"

Before he could, Sebas quickly interjected.

"Sir Damien, this is simply ’how things are,’" Sebas said. "Restoring a family involves not just the direct family members but also the fate of their vassals, servants, and even distant relatives. I apologize, but the matters of family restoration take precedence over the personal happiness of nobles."

...I see, this affects the vassals, the servants... Even Leonide, Zima, and Ithnan are involved.

Damien realized he had to accept this.

Nobility really is tough.

"I’m sorry, I didn’t think things through," Damien said, his mind cooling after Sebas’s words. He lowered his head to both Theo and Sebas, then sat back down.

"No, I also know I’m doing something harsh," Theo replied with a bitter smile.

That was true. Theo wasn’t doing this because he wanted to—he was likely just caught up in the situation.

Damien felt deeply apologetic.

"However, why is it that the Crowell family is expected to take in the child?" Theo asked. "From what I understand, the situation seems to be resolved now..."

Lucian, noticing Damien’s dejection, picked up where he left off.

"Thank you, Lucian. And, I’m sorry for showing such a pathetic side of myself."

"The reason we want to send the child to the Crowell family is to improve his treatment," Lucian explained.

Improving his treatment? Damien had heard the child was being raised by distant relatives, but...

"Ah... is he being treated like a burden?" Damien asked, glancing at Theo.

Theo gave a wry smile and nodded.

The child was from a family that had angered Theo, so it wasn’t surprising the situation was difficult.

"I sent him to a family with a high level of loyalty to me, considering the future," Theo continued. "But the family, though distant relatives, are viewed as traitors, and their loyalty to me seems to be causing the child problems. Apparently, the child is now under something close to house arrest."

That’s so unfortunate.

Not only is he caught in the middle of everything, but now he’s being treated this way... it’s too much.

"Yes, I think so too," Theo agreed, noticing the sympathy on Damien’s face.

"Considering he’s from a family of would-be traitors, house arrest might seem reasonable. However, the downfall of the family wasn’t my intention, and it’s really hard for me..." Theo sighed.

Things had really gone downhill with the Castellani family.

"So, here’s where our savior, our beloved Damien, comes in," Theo said, leaning on the table and lowering his head. "Please, take the child in, to improve his treatment. I beg you."

Damien couldn’t help but feel for the child. He understood that Theo was also struggling with this situation.

"I’ll take him in," Damien said.

Just as Damien was about to speak, Lorenzo stopped him with a hand gesture.

"What’s wrong?" Damien asked.

"I have a question for Lord Dalehaven," Lorenzo said. "Taking in the Castellani heir would be a significant burden for the Crowell family as well. How do you plan to compensate us for this?"

Ah, that’s right—if Damien just agreed, he’d end up taking on a troublesome situation for Theo without considering the costs.

Personally, Damien didn’t mind, but as the head of the Crowell family, he couldn’t just accept it without any form of compensation.

If he was going to take on a troublesome responsibility, he needed some form of payment to make it right with his family and retainers.

As expected of Lorenzo—he had thought of this detail. Damien was grateful.

"First, I promise to provide a sufficient amount for the child’s upbringing," Theo replied.

Ah, so it’s an allowance for raising the child. That makes sense since there would be a number of expenses involved, and Damien was thankful for that.

...But the "sufficient amount" Theo mentioned was a little intimidating.

Depending on the amount, this might be enough compensation on its own.

"Additionally, I believe taking in the heir would also bring advantages to the Crowell family."

"Advantages?" Damien asked.

"One advantage is that by having the Castellani heir and the loyal house steward Isaac under our care, we have a legitimate reason to gather former Castellani retainers and servants," Lorenzo explained.

Ah, so the plan is to invite them to work at the Crowell family by saying, "We have the heir and Isaac, why not join us?" That would certainly be helpful, especially since they were short on manpower.

"But won’t that mean the Crowell family will be taken over by the Castellani family?" Lorenzo asked.