Chapter 58
“So, how should I address you? Is it the new name you’ve chosen, Helden?”
“…”
“Or… Duke Rosenvester?”
Royden Rosenvester.
If things had gone as planned, if it wasn’t for Lexion, he would have been the head of House Rosenvester and the next duke.
In other words, Lexion’s stepbrother.
…The eldest son of the duke who had been constantly harassing and tormenting Lexion for a long time.
“It’s been a while since I’ve heard that name.”
Royden smirked at Belles’ words.
“And at the same time, it’s now a name to reclaim.”
After finishing his words, Belles sipped his lukewarm tea and looked at Helden.
“Everyone was talking about it. Lexion causing a stir by marrying a woman no one could have guessed.”
“…”
“Seriniel Verdellet. In other words, your only niece.”
Anyway, stories about Lexion and Seriniel spread throughout the Carteia Empire. So, it wasn’t strange for Helden, who had been hiding his identity and living in hiding, to know about it.
“But even so, the reason you called me like this is probably because you’ve decided to side with that impressive niece.”
“…”
“Or perhaps, that niece chose Lexion first to side with you.”
Belles didn’t respond, but Royden continued speaking.
“So, am I needed for this? To find a pretext to get rid of Lexion Rosenvester.”
“I know very well. People all think Helden is dead, but the truth is, for a long time, you’ve been waiting for the right time, including the previous duke’s demise, to return and reclaim the noble family’s status.”
This time, Royden didn’t respond.
“And I also know that you have secretly gathered power, including support from those nobles.”
Far away from the imperial capital.
Royden waited there.
Sometime, he would surely kill Lexion and… reclaim the family.
“I’m plotting a rebellion, so you and I can be of great help to each other. It’s a deal where we all gain and lose nothing, isn’t it?”
“…”
“Furthermore, Lexion won’t be able to move easily for a while. I’ve already made some preparations.”
…He won’t be able to move for a while?
Royden’s brow slightly furrowed at Belles’ unexpected words.
“I’ve involved Seriniel with me and my power. If they strike me down now, Seriniel won’t be able to escape responsibility either, so there’s no way.”
“…”
“Taking advantage of that, Royden will reclaim House Rosenvester. Of course, I’ll help.”
Belles was well aware of the situation, not just Royden. Moreover, Belles had a considerable number of soldiers, so if Royden joined forces with those he had gathered so far, it wouldn’t be impossible.
Royden had waited there, in the farthest and most remote place from the imperial capital.
Someday, he would definitely kill Lexion and… reclaim the family.
“Not dealing with that damn bastard as he is would be unreasonable. It’s a disgrace to the family, isn’t it?”
Disgrace to the family…
A wry smile crept onto the corner of Royden’s lips as he mulled over Belles’ words.
Right, Lexion Rosenvester was the disgrace and burden of House Rosenvester. Born of a concubine, ignorant and clueless, he had taken advantage of the dying previous duke and dared to seize the family.
[…A parasite.]
Suddenly, what flashed through Royden’s mind was the mocking voice of someone and… the faint sound of groans.
It was Lexion’s.
He could vividly recall it as if it were yesterday. Lexion, who didn’t retaliate at all, sitting quietly and enduring countless beatings.
Royden had always looked down on Lexion.
Yeah. That was our place.
A faint sound of teeth grinding was heard between Royden’s slightly parted lips.
“…”
Belles looked at Royden without saying anything.
…Belles wasn’t fond of stirring up such troublesome affairs.
However, in order to succeed in rebellion, it was necessary to get rid of Lexion and Seriniel first.
Since they were temporarily restrained, before Lexion started moving in earnest…
They had to move first.
Moreover, Royden Rosenvester was just a scarecrow. Belles knew very well what kind of person Royden was.
A person with many desires but lacking in corresponding abilities. Ultimately, a foolish person who didn’t even realize that his desires would end up swallowing him, a parasite.
So, unlike Lexion Rosenvester…
If he just handed Royden what he wanted, it would be very easy to control and manipulate him.
If Royden had had abilities equal to his ambitions from the start, it would have been impossible for Lexion to become the head of House Rosenvester and the next duke.
Furthermore, House Rosenvester was still a powerful and wealthy noble family, so if such a foolish person like Royden became the head, there would be no need to worry about it.
“…Alright, then.”
And not long after, Royden smiled softly and clicked his tongue.
“I’ll accept your proposal.”
“Very well, Royden.”
A smile crept onto Belles’ lips.
“I will help Royden regain the name he lost.”
And so, Belles’ laughter-filled voice settled in the dark reception room…
On the other side of the corridor, Callian and Leraie, who were listening to their conversation, had smiles on their faces.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
Viscount Harington was having another ordinary night today.
As usual, he started drinking alcohol around early evening.
By the time the moon rose, he was already completely drunk, and Viscountess Harington, with a reddish bruise on her face, was quietly sobbing.
“Phew….”
Seated on the bed like a brat, Viscount Harington casually gulped down the last remnants of wine in his glass. Then, he cast a disdainful glance at his still sobbing wife.
Not long after, the wine glass held by the viscount’s hand flew through the air without any hesitation. Fortunately, it didn’t hit the viscountess directly, but she couldn’t evade the sharp glass shards.
“Quiet!”
At her husband’s gruffness, the viscountess pressed her lips tightly together to stifle her sobs.
This violence was a longstanding habit of Viscount Harington’s. And Viscount Harington was a person who spent 360 out of 365 days intoxicated.
“Damn it…”
Muttering under his breath with annoyance, Viscount Harington continued, “What’s going on…? No news at all…”
These past few days had been unsettling for Viscount Harington.
The sudden halt of mining operations, and the realization that Lexion had planted people everywhere, while Belles remained silent about the progress of their plans.
“Unbelievable…”
He was one of Belles’ confidants.
A noble who was regarded as a thorn in the royal family’s side and had conspired with Belles in all his schemes.
But with Belles shutting him out like this, it was a severe blow to Viscount Harington’s pride as a nobleman.
It was inevitable since, if one were to name one of Belles’ longest-serving allies, it would undoubtedly be Viscount Harington.
“How much… How much have I done with him…”
Viscount Harington murmured.
“Even when Belles was ignored by the Verdellet family… and…”
*Sob*
“Even when we had to eliminate that damn count and countess!”
His voice echoed loudly with anger.
“Even when I poured all my wealth into it…”
Investment funds for mining operations.
And funds to purchase weapons and mercenaries.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that all of Viscount Harington’s money flowed into those two places.
“He’s always been like that. He treated me as if I were a joke. Ungrateful…”
“…”
“And he thought I’d just sit still…?”
“…”
“But how can he do this to me! To me, dare he!”
And then, not long after, Viscount Harington realized.
The sobbing sound from his wife, which had been echoing since earlier, seemed to disappear as if it had never existed in the first place.
In a fit of rage, Viscount Harington looked around where his wife had been and shouted loudly.
“I told you to sit quietly when I speak! You also think I’m a joke-”
But his words didn’t finish.
“Yeah.”
It was because of the sharp sword that seemed ready to pierce his throat, and the sharp black eyes glaring at him.
“Why don’t you sit quietly for a moment and listen carefully to what I have to say.”
