The direct descendants never come to the Stone House.
It’s a simple reason.
They believe it brings bad luck to go near it.
There’s a superstition that the lowest-ranking energy will rub off on them and affect their performance, but it only shows how much everyone is obsessed with their position in the line of succession.
‘But why are they here?’
I was hiding behind a cypress tree, peeking through the branches and leaves to observe the other side.
I could hear laughter and conversation.
“If she cries again this time, Grandfather will kick her out, won’t he?”
“Father said the frog cried again yesterday after being scolded. A crybaby like that is useless in the family.”
Two children, who looked exactly alike, were standing there. They were Harty and Marty, they’re my uncle’s twin kids. Nine years old this year.
They had curly blonde hair and angelic appearances, but those kids were little devils.
– Teacher! The lowest ranker dropped the textbook into the pond!
– Really? That textbook was bought with the money our father earned. Since Reytan’s uncle is incompetent and can’t make any money!
– Go and pick it up. If she have any shame, she wouldn’t dare ask for a new textbook.
Suddenly, memories from my own childhood flashed in my mind.
Most of the bullying I experienced during class was orchestrated by those two and my aunt’s ten-year-old son, Calypso.
‘Calypso completely ignored my other self after entering the academy, but the twins were so desperate to pick a fight even after becoming adults. … They must have bullied me so much that my other self still shudders with hatred for them, even as an adult!’
I must not let them look down on me.
My instincts were warning me.
“And Harty, they said the frog was scolded for trying to steal Grandfather’s candy. A thief deserves punishment.”
Marty, the boy twin, swung the bag he was holding.
‘…Are they calling me a frog?’
Now that I think about it, didn’t they mock me when I cried on the first day I arrived at the family estate?
“So pathetic. Is that really part of the family? It’s so loud, just like a frog.”
“A frog? Then we’ll only see her until autumn. Come winter, she’ll crawl into a hole.”
I focused on the bag Marty was holding. It was the kind hunters use to catch birds or small animals, tied at the opening with a string.
It seemed they had their servant catch a bird or something. The bag was moving slightly, so whatever was inside was still alive. Were they planning to throw it at me?
‘Hmm.’
I narrowed my eyes and lowered my body. The twins were too busy chatting, unaware that I was nearby.
Target acquired. Commencing attack.
“Hurry and throw it away. It’s disgusting.”
“We’ll throw it when the frog comes over. Where is she anyway? I saw her come out earlier… Waaah!”
“Eek! What, what happened?!”
“My leg… Something bit my leg!”
The twins turned pale and screamed in unison.
That’s what they get for planning something bad. I had just grabbed their legs.
“Ribbit ribbit.”
“…….”
The twins looked down at me. I poked my head out from between the two cypress tree trunks, smiling up at them.
“Did you find the frog?”
“Ahh!”
“W-What the?!”
The twins ran off as if they had seen a ghost.
Thud. Marty dropped the bag he was holding in his hand to the ground.
“Hmph. Cowards.”
I finished crawling out from between the trees and dusted off my hands.
Just thinking about having to attend classes with them from tomorrow made me sigh.
“What were they trying to throw at me?”
As I bent down to pick up the wriggling bag, someone grabbed it before I could. It was Theon.
“Don’t touch it.”
“Huh? Theon, are you done with training with Dad?”
Theon nodded and looked silently in the direction the twins had fled.
His dark eyes, which were gazing at the now-empty path, softened when they turned back to me.
“I’ll take care of this.”
“What is it?”
“A bullfrog.”
Thud, thud. Whatever was inside the bag Theon held started to thrash violently in response to external stimuli.
I started to feel nauseous.
Looking around Theon, I asked,
“Didn’t you come with Dad? How was your first class? Dad’s an amazing teacher, right?”
I was hoping he’d enthusiastically share his thoughts on the class, but instead, Theon’s usually expressionless face showed a hint of concern.
“Training was cut short.”
“Why?”
“The Countess sent someone, saying she has something to discuss with Teacher.”
***
The sound of water gushing echoed in the air.
In front of the Travel estate stood a grand fountain. It used the mysterious underground water veins flowing beneath the earth, and even in the most severe droughts, it never dried up.
“The water streams are so refreshing. Isn’t it always magnificent to look at?”
Priscilla, the first wife of the Count of Travel, turned away from the garden, which was framed by the large window of her beloved tea room.
“It’s a blessing from the deity for Travel.”
In her line of sight sat a handsome man with wheat-colored hair, seated on the sofa.
He had a fierce expression, but everything he did carried a natural elegance. There was also an inherent charm thatdrew people in. At times, she almost feels regret that it’s not her who’s given birth to him.
“It’s a blessing indeed,”
Reytan said, crossing one leg as he stared out the window.
Priscilla sat in a single chair to his right and asked,
“How have you been? It’s been six years without any word from you. I wouldn’t know what’s been happening.”
“I apologize. I’ve been too busy with raising a child.”
“I understand. I’ve raised quite a few children myself. Even Yossel has been pestering me lately to look after his kids.”
Though her hand was wrinkled, it was still elegant, adorned with expensive jewelry that should not be touched by water.
Clink. Reytan placed the teacup he was holding on the table and gazed at her.
Priscilla had made a brief appearance when Reytan returned but quickly excused herself, claiming a headache, and returned to the main estate. She needed time alone to suppress the anger that welled up at the return of her stepson.
Reytan wasn’t the type to come visit her casually either, so this was the first time the two had exchanged words since his return to Travel.
Whenever Priscilla met Reytan’s blue eyes, she felt a constant discomfort, mixed with a hint of resentment.
A swordsmanship genius who had risen to the rank of Grandmaster.
“Won’t the second son likely be the most suitable heir?”
Many had once believed Reytan to be the prime candidate to inherit the title.
But those talks had faded long ago, buried under his consistent placement at the bottom of the succession list.
‘Men change when they have children,’ she thought.
The Reytan who had returned as a father worried her.
She feared he might pose a threat to her own children’s place in the line of succession.
“You asked to hold everyone accountable. If that’s what you want, I will do it. I will offer one of my possessions at the charity auction you are organizing.”
“I’m sorry. It’s just a pearl earring, but still. We cannot let such a theft slide, as it would undermine the order of the household.”
“It’s fine.”
As soon as the conversation ended, Reytan offered a brief farewell and stood to leave. Priscilla watched his back as he exited the tea room, smiling to herself.
Even as a father, that boy is still pathetic.
Click.
As Reytan stepped out of the tea room, his blue eyes gleamed coldly.
The charity auction was a trap.
‘What should I do?’
Reytan pondered as he walked down the corridor. He had several options.
He could ruin their plans by becoming the scoundrel of Travel, overturning their schemes, or exacting revenge…
“How much longer do you think your daughter will live?”
…or endure it.
If Berry’s illness could only be cured in this place, Reytan couldn’t leave.
However, this land crushes anything that threatens its stability.
The carriage accident he suffered 13 years ago, and his brother’s death seven years ago, were all linked to it.
He had to keep Berry safe, away from the scheming beasts.
“Young Master.”
“….….”
“Young Master?”
Lost in thought, Reytan turned toward the voice calling him.
It was Cerberus, the head butler of the estate.
“Is there something you need?”
“Well, uh…”
Cerberus glanced around, checking to make sure no one else was nearby.
Though he knew Reytan had not met the Countess under pleasant circumstances, there was still something he needed to ask.
“It’s about the ink company stocks that Miss Berry mentioned…”
He had confirmed it with Baron Monte again and verified that there was no problem with the ink company. Still, he had been plagued by nightmares every night since that conversation with the young miss.
Just yesterday, Sherry had scolded him over the ingredients, likely due to the same reason. Normally, she wouldn’t have given up half a day of nagging.
“The ink company?”
“Yes…! Miss Berry mentioned something about it…”
What could a seven-year-old possibly know? But since Young Master Reytan had been away until recently, perhaps the information had come from him. It was absurd to ask someone with such poor financial acumen for investment advice, but the house and all his wealth were at stake.
“Stop beating around the bush and say what you want.”
“Should I sell it?”
Cerberus was on the verge of tears. The sight of a middle-aged man begging was something Reytan, who had lived through war, was all too familiar with, so he felt no pity.
The ink company stocks? He had no clue.
“Sell it.”
“…Yes!”
At Reytan’s words, Cerberus’s face lit up, as though he had received a divine revelation. He quickly changed his expression after an awkward cough, embarrassed by his reaction.
Reytan, noticing this brief shift, shook his head slightly before walking away, leaving Cerberus behind.
