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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
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Chapter 141: Like Father, Like Son
As soon as I arrived, I found myself face-to-face with Marco, who had been dragged in without explanation. I listened in detail to the disgraceful behavior of Somerset.
“He’s prone to hurling abuse at the servants and often enjoys harassing the maids?”
“They say countless employees have quit because of it.”
“That perverted bastard. I knew he was like that.”
Just think about how he picked a fight with me the moment he saw me at the banquet. It was obvious how he treated those beneath him.
His lecherous tendencies were no different. Ever since he was a snot-nosed brat, he’d sneak into Ludan’s library to read inappropriate books. And at the banquet, all he did was stare at women’s backsides.
“Tsk, tsk. What a pathetic fool.”
I clicked my tongue in disapproval.
“He’s such a stereotypical spoiled brat that I’m at a loss for words.”
Compared to him, our Barclava was a saint.
“I’ve also heard that lately, he’s been staying out late at night and coming back reeking of alcohol.”
“Oh?”
I asked, “Does he have a group he hangs out with?”
“Rumor has it he’s been roaming the entertainment districts with other troublemakers from noble clans…”
“So, the guy who’s supposed to uphold Grunewald’s security is out drinking in the dark alleys at night?”
I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. It was a wonder Father hadn’t intervened yet.
‘He must have fallen out of favor a long time ago.’
Father has always prioritized non-interference and observation over active involvement.
Even so, if someone like me showed signs of change, he’d give them ample opportunity. But Somerset? He seemed hopeless.
‘Barclava at least has a chance at redemption.’
Marco, perhaps misinterpreting my thoughtful expression, nervously added more information in an exaggerated tone.
“Ah! Now that I think of it, I’ve heard something else. Recently, there have been some shady-looking individuals with menacing eyes coming and going around the annex.”
“Menacing, you say?”
“Yes, sir.”
If my guess was correct, they were likely from the underworld.
“This is absurd. Suspicious characters openly roaming inside Grunewald Castle?”
Even though the security outside the castle is handled by the Security Guards, the inside is the responsibility of the royal guards. Somerset shouldn’t have any influence over them.
“How could those kinds of people even pass through the castle’s checkpoints?”
At Peter’s question, Jeffrey replied, “They probably have legitimate-looking identities.”
As Jeffrey said, it’s a common tactic to create fake identities, like posing as a merchant or a tavern owner. Just because someone operates in the shadows doesn’t mean they can’t step into the light.
“Your Highness, this whole thing smells fishy.”
“I agree. But has there been any word from the royal guards?”
“Actually, my information network has been feeling a bit weaker lately.”
Jeffrey scratched his head awkwardly.
“It’s as if someone is deliberately interfering.”
“Looks like my brother is up to something again.”
Verdzig must have been meticulously scheming behind the scenes.
“I’m not entirely sure yet, so I wanted to look into it more before reporting.”
“Well, you don’t need to report every little detail.”
I believe in giving my subordinates some degree of autonomy. Of course, determining where that line is can be tricky.
“Marco.”
“Y-yes, Your Highness!”
“You’ve done well. From now on, compile such rumors regularly and report them to Peter.”
“U-understood.”
“Remember, keep your ears open but your mouth shut. Don’t forget that.”
Marco trembled.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
I waved my hand.
“You may leave.”
“I’ll take my leave.”
As Marco scurried out, sweating profusely, Peter remarked, “You must be really intimidating, young master. He couldn’t even look you in the eye.”
Well, I did scare him a bit when we were alone.
I chuckled and turned to Olivier.
“What do you think?”
“It doesn’t feel right.”
“Right?”
“It’s clear he’s colluding with the underworld to plot something.”
“I think so too.”
Olivier and Jeffrey spoke in unison, and I shared their sentiment.
“What an idiot.”
I cursed openly.
“It’s the kind of thinking you’d expect from a clueless brat who’s used to relying on others.”
I’d already seen how he couldn’t even stand up to the Third Lady at the last banquet.
‘I thought he was just a puppet hiding under his mother’s skirt.’
Has his head gotten too big now, is that it?
“He doesn’t want to get scolded by his mom, so he’s playing the young master, bringing in those underworld scum to mess around and scheme against his brothers.”
“Ahem. His expression might be rough, but I share a similar thought.”
This is my take on this absurd idea.
“My dear brother must be out of his mind. Did he hit puberty ridiculously late?”
Jeffrey chimed in.
“He was born with exceptional talent and ability, but with so many brothers who outshine him, he must’ve been plagued by inferiority.”
“It seems like this is a well-known story among the servants, huh?”
“It does seem that way.”
Regardless, if Somerset’s behavior is this disgraceful, there’s no way Verdzig would leave such a weakness untouched.
“Olivier, if you were in Verdzig’s shoes, what would you do?”
Olivier, who among the three of us is the most accustomed to noble schemes, pondered for a moment before answering.
“First of all, it’s undeniable that it’s a useful card. The question is how to use it—”
“Exactly.”
“For instance, if His Highness intends to prove Evan Bergen’s innocence, the other side might try to cover it up by exposing Young Master Somerset’s scandal.”
“That’s a plausible scenario.”
Compared to the truth about Evan, Somerset’s scandal is far more intuitive and significant.
If Verdzig were to take that route, I’d have to think of a countermeasure as well.
“……So, should I cheer for Somerset and claim he’s innocent?”
“You’d probably get cursed at even if you did.”
Peter interjected.
“But stirring the pot is fun, isn’t it?”
Back in Karzan, it was my specialty to pit bad guys against each other like that.
“But, Mr. Butler, if that happens, wouldn’t it drive a wedge between the second young master’s faction and the third young master’s faction?”
Jeffrey raised a question.
“Isn’t it an open secret that the two clans have been subtly cooperating?”
“That’s correct.”
“Wouldn’t that be a loss for Young master Verdzig as well?”
“Even so, if he’s trying to dig up Young master Somerset’s scandal, there must be some other benefit we’re not aware of.”
“I agree with that.”
I nodded.
“People like him don’t act for just one purpose.”
In any case, neither Verdzig nor I would openly attack each other in front of everyone. Both of us prefer conversations held behind closed doors.
‘Besides, at the dinner, the agenda will likely be set according to Father’s intentions.’
At the dinner, all I could do was keep an eye on the situation, throw a few jabs at Somerset, and deftly handle the subtle provocations from the second and third consorts.
‘Father didn’t arrange this gathering just to praise me in front of everyone.’
And at that gathering, not only would I secure compensation from Verdzig regarding Peter’s matter—
If there were any attacks suggesting I was connected to the underworld, I’d need to defend myself appropriately.
‘If Somerset’s scandal ultimately leads to the conclusion that “the Young master of Grunewald is colluding with the underworld.”’
My relationship with Zizek could also be attacked under the same logic.
‘Well, if it’s discovered, that is.’
Isn’t it precisely because Verdzig couldn’t uncover it that he resorted to such bold measures?
‘The advantage is still mine.’
But what’s more important to me is gaining Father’s permission to meet Mother.
‘The hope of meeting the survivors from her clan might just be the key to saving her.’
“Anyway, it’s all quite complicated.”
What exactly will happen at tonight’s dinner? Even I can’t fully predict it.
‘However.’
I must keep in mind that Verdzig’s response might exceed my expectations.
***
After finishing his preparations, Verdzig gazed at his reflection in the mirror. Golden hair cascaded like a waterfall, his fair and clear skin accentuating sharp, striking features and a perfectly defined jawline—it was as if he were a work of art, exuding flawless beauty.
“Magnificent.”
Emmengarde Grunewald, the Second Lady, nodded as she observed her son’s unparalleled beauty and grace.
“Had you immersed yourself in the social circles of Litvaleur, you would have become the idol everyone admires.”
“What a pity. I have no interest in such childish games.”
A life spent idly eating, drinking, and dancing, basking in the admiration and worship of noblewomen and ladies—it was far too dull. The value of the Grunewald throne was far too great to waste on such trivial pursuits.
“When do you plan to take a wife?”
“Hmm. ‘When the time calls for it,’ I suppose.”
Marriage was a one-time opportunity to forge the most powerful alliance. It was a card he needed to hold onto for now.
Besides—
‘No, let’s not dwell on that.’
Verdzig tucked away a certain thought in his mind.
“You’ve heard the news, haven’t you? Allenvert met Evan.”
“Yes.”
Verdzig nodded, his expression unreadable.
“My uncle came by and shared the details.”
“Who do you think took Evan’s mother?”
“Isn’t it obvious? It must have been Allenvert.”
Verdzig’s voice was filled with conviction.
‘But how on earth did he manage to take Evan’s mother? Did he have an accomplice I failed to account for?’
If it wasn’t Ulbhild or Karl, then who?
Could it be some underworld collaborator he hadn’t uncovered yet?
If not that, then…
“What an interesting fellow.”
Verdzig muttered under his breath.
“This time, he’s managed to outmaneuver me.”
Choosing Evan Bergen as his pawn and preemptively securing his mother’s cooperation—it was a masterstroke.
“By the time he met Evan, he’d already taken his mother. No wonder he got the upper hand.”
The most unexpected part of this entire situation was the wit Peter displayed in front of the assassin.
‘…That dull-witted boy.’
He had thought Peter was nothing more than a fallen noble, a naive and timid young man.
But after Allenvert’s awakening, Peter’s resolve had hardened. Verdzig’s failure to anticipate this was a misstep.
“What will you do? If Evan mentions your uncle Malekian, the Bergens will suffer a significant blow.”
The trials faced by Bergen and Agrippa—it was astounding how all of this had snowballed from Allenvert’s awakening.
“Mother, you needn’t worry too much.”
Verdzig smiled.
The malevolence hidden beneath his enchanting beauty had chilled the hearts of countless people.
“I have a few strategies in mind, and above all, it’s not too late to decide after seeing how he acts tonight.”
To Verdzig, this was merely the opening moves of a long game between him and Allenvert.
‘Scouting and observation are tasks that require persistence and patience.’
His younger brother’s schemes were deep and cunning. But the cold malice in Verdzig’s heart was even more ruthless.
“Mother, Allenvert is truly remarkable.”
“That much I cannot deny.”
Emmengarde agreed with her son.
“As soon as I gave him the honey from the mountain people, he discerned the hidden meaning behind it and pressured the maid. Before I knew it, he had turned it into another debt I owed him. Such a move is beyond ordinary scheming.”
With that single act, even she had been forced to step back from interfering with Allenvert.
“Do you have a concrete plan?”
Emmengarde asked.
“From a mother’s perspective, if Allenvert attacks using Evan’s situation, wouldn’t it be best to expose Somerset’s misdeeds and cover it up?”
“Haha.”
Verdzig laughed and shook his head.
“That’s not a bad idea, but it’s not the best approach.”
Frankly, he found it hard to suppress his laughter at the crude strategies proposed by his maternal relatives.
‘Even my grandfather has grown old. Such ideas are the wisdom of mediocrity.’
Why couldn’t they see beyond that?
“Do you have a better idea?”
“Of course.”
But the look on his face made it clear that he wouldn’t reveal what that better idea was in this moment.
“…You’ve got something wicked in mind, haven’t you?”
“Haha.”
Verdzig saw his reflection in his mother’s eyes. The beautiful smile he imagined was twisted, distorted beyond recognition.
“Let me just say one thing—”
Verdzig whispered as if he had no choice.
“The truly wise are those who, in the midst of chaos, leash others by the neck and fill their own coffers.”
“…Just like.”
Emmengarde asked with a cold expression.
“How your father did to the Bergens?”
Verdzig smiled.
“Like father, like son.”
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
Join our Discord for release updates!
https://discord.com/invite/dbdMDhzWa2
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