Evan doubted his own ears.
‘What did I do?’
Poisoning the young lords and ladies?
‘Am I insane?’
Evan wore an expression of utter bewilderment, one that shattered his usual stoic mask.
Leo snickered. “Planning to deny it? We already know everything. Who would’ve thought you’d try to frame some innocent young noble like that?”
But why me?
Distributing drugs to noble children is beyond foolish—it’s stupid. It’s practically declaring war on all the nobility. Not only the parents of those addicted but every other noble will become your enemy. It’s akin to being a serial killer, maybe even worse. Serial killers at least kill their victims; drugs leave them in a living death. Who would trust someone who could turn their child into an addict at any moment?
Evan knows this well. He’s been aware of the dangers of drugs since modern times. His disdain for the underworld and narcotics isn’t without reason.
Yet… he brought and supplied drugs?
With the courage to invite hatred? That’s something even a madman wouldn’t dare!
“Surely you didn’t attend the ball just for that plan? You’re determined to ruin the Alkarte family name entirely.”
“…There seems to be a misunderstanding.”
Evan replied as calmly as possible, trying not to reveal his panic. Ah, my throat feels like it’s cramping…
Trying not to let out a cough, Evan inadvertently deepened his tone.
“I’ve neither brought nor given any drugs to the young lords and ladies.”
“Then are you saying Lady Asela lied?”
The infamous villainess, Asela.
At the familiar name, Evan realized.
No way, that crazy woman!
‘Damn, she’s unbelievable.’
Annoyance turned into anger.
Ah, come on! Let’s go man-to-man? Send a few golems over?
Evan has pride too. If this keeps up and ruins his reputation, he’ll end up looking like a bad guy instead of a gentleman.
‘First things first, gotta deal with this.’
What should I do?
While Evan pondered, the glares around him grew sharper. At this rate, they might burn him alive with their eyes alone.
Why do they hate me so much?
“…Did I really do it?”
Let’s move on from that.
“Yes.”
“Then bring proof.”
“What?”
Leonardo frowned, though Evan wasn’t particularly intimidated. Relatively small in stature, Leonardo preferred quick and sharp swords over heavy ones. Physically, he looked somewhat frail.
Could I win against him?
Evan gained a bit of confidence.
“Prove that I’ve been supplying and spreading drugs. If you can, I’ll admit it.”
“You dare…”
“What drugs did I bring and how did I distribute them?”
Leonardo didn’t answer, expecting Evan to stay silent based on his usual demeanor.
Who would’ve guessed he’d confront so boldly?
‘…This is unexpected.’
Even Leo realized Evan wasn’t the culprit.
Mass poisoning. So many young nobles were drugged.
The alleged perpetrator? Some viscount’s son. A minor noble whose name doesn’t even stick. But those in the know understood the truth—the real culprit was Asela Fraus.
Leo knew this too. So why push Evan?
It was because of a proposal from Asela some time ago.
– Don’t you want to strip Evan Alkarte of his ‘mask’?
Leonardo’s position was unclear. Though closest to being the heir, that was only while Evan was inactive. If Evan continued to stand out, he could take Leo’s place. If Evan became the successor and monopolized power…
Leo would surely die.
To survive, he must seize power.
A fierce resolve burned within him, unyielding even after threats from the strange kid Lapis left his wrist sore. Barely recovered tendons threatened permanent damage if further injured. But it didn’t matter. The trials that couldn’t kill him only made him stronger.
‘I cannot falter even a little.’
When Cavaro Duke told Evan to attend the ball, Leo expected him to freak out. Evan usually despised the duke. Surely he’d shout, “Are you trying to make me look foolish?!”
Unexpectedly, Evan accepted without hesitation.
And more than that, his attitude grew increasingly confident.
Even now, denying the accusations wasn’t the issue—demanding evidence bordered on audacity.
“I don’t have proof, but you do.”
Leo spoke with force.
“Open your lab and prove your innocence.”
“…”
“If you didn’t do it, prove it. How dare you tarnish our family name and then demand we provide proof?”
A subtle wordplay, also a verbal duel.
“That’s ridiculous. If you’re truly confident, prove it.”
‘Not guilty’ versus ‘guilty’. The slightest wavering could lose the argument.
Evan stared at Leo, his eyes devoid of emotion. Unconsciously, he smirked, trying to suppress cold sweat.
Just then,
-Leonardo Alkarte.
Beyond the door came Cavaro Duke’s voice.
-Maintain proper decorum.
“…Father.”
Cold sweat trickled down Leo’s forehead. Could he have heard everything?
The study had soundproofing magic, blocking both internal and external noise. Only the head of the household could deactivate it.
The duke, who never deactivated it for fear of interruptions, did so now?
-Enter the study.
A firm voice brooked no refusal. Deep resentment churned in Leo’s chest.
Why protect such a fool? Was this planned all along? What’s the point if he’s wearing a mask?
Though resentment boiled, there was no defiance.
“…Yes, Father.”
The greatest act of rebellion was calling him ‘Father’ instead of ‘Your Excellency’, indicating a personal rather than formal relationship. The duke didn’t reprimand, merely opening the door telekinetically.
“…We’ll talk later. I won’t allow our family’s prestige to be tarnished.”
Leo entered the room confidently.
‘What’s wrong with that idiot?’
Alone, Evan scratched his ear.
Ouch, so itchy it hurts.
‘Time to sleep.’
An odd silence filled the duke’s study.
Leo swallowed hard. His mouth felt parched, fingertips trembling. The oppressive atmosphere weighed heavily.
The duke simply reviewed documents, expressionless.
Pressed by the intensity, Leo remained silent for a moment.
“Leo.”
Swoosh.
The duke neatly organized his pen and papers, closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again to speak.
“Why did you target Evan Alkarte? The truth is already known, isn’t it?”
“…To test him.”
Leo managed to reply despite still feeling overshadowed by his father’s presence. This was a wall he’d eventually have to overcome, refusing to back down under any pressure.
“Evan Alkarte’s notorious reputation is widely known. I worried what schemes he might be plotting and whether he’d tarnish our family name. Surely you understand this, Father. So why call me here?”
A question implying favoritism.
The duke didn’t flinch, adjusting his posture as usual and folding his hands.
The golden gaze pinned Leo, causing his complexion to pale slightly.
“I’m not punishing you for tormenting your younger brother. I dislike seeing you swayed by trivial matters.”
“…”
“Leo. I know about the proposal you received from Lady Asela.”
‘He knew everything?’
Leo’s eyes twitched.
Contact. Naturally conducted in secret, outside the mansion. Forces nurtured with his own funds, shadows moving solely for Leo. How did the duke know about the information exchanged through them?
“Asela Fraus. You know she covets our house. Do you truly believe allying with her to eliminate competitors will aid your succession?”
“…”
Leo fell silent.
Swoosh.
The duke slowly rose from his seat.
“Leonardo Alkarte. Remember this: competitors aren’t eliminated, they’re overcome.”
“…”
“If you encounter rivals on your path and choose to team up with enemies to oust them, how do you expect to grow?”
“…Then, what should I do if I face an unbeatable foe? Are you telling me to just lose?”
“The moment you think you can’t win, you’ve already lost. Why do you believe you can’t triumph?”
“…”
Leo couldn’t counter. The initial thought was flawed. Born into a prestigious family, Cavaro never entertained such thoughts.
“Whether you become a failure or a ruler depends on you, Leonardo.”
Thinking oneself a loser…
The duke stated matter-of-factly.
“Remember this.”
“…I will.”
“You may leave.”
“…Yes, Your Excellency.”
Perhaps the lesson sank in, reverting to ‘Your Excellency’ instead of ‘Father’. Leo bowed formally before exiting. Alone in the room, the duke pinched the bridge of his nose with thumb and forefinger.
Knock knock.
Without waiting for permission, Natalia entered. Seeing her, the duke’s expression softened for the first time.
“…Lady.”
“…I saw Leo leaving. Did you speak with him?”
“It was merely my one-sided lecture.”
“Lecture? Who would think such a thing?”
Rarely, the duke and Natalia were a love match leading to marriage, able to share hearts and offer comfort.
As Natalia naturally sat on his lap and embraced him gently, the duke closed his eyes, savoring the warmth.
“…Evan visited today too.”
!”
Natalia’s eyes widened.
“That child too?”
“…Yes.”
“…After Laila’s passing, I thought he’d never visit again.”
Laila. Technically a concubine due to class differences but truly loved like Natalia. Also Evan’s late mother.
“Does that child still hate you?”
“…Likely.”
The duke leaned back in his chair, exhausted. Natalia placed her hand atop his.
“How pitiful. Such an unworthy father.”
The duke was born a noble but not a natural father. His duties and responsibilities weighed too heavily, preventing him from being a good parent.
When Laila began battling an incurable illness,
When Evan pleaded desperately to save her,
All he could say was to maintain proper decorum. That was the duty and responsibility of a noble.
There could be no favoritism towards one child. Fair competition for the heir was necessary.
He could only watch helplessly as Evan slowly spiraled into madness.
The best he could do was quietly care for him without making it obvious.
“Evan… They say that child possesses remarkable talent. Rumors are already widespread.”
Natalia asked worriedly.
“If Evan truly practices the forbidden art…”
“…Fortunately, I hear he’s abandoned that path.”
“Really?”
Joy filled Natalia’s voice.
“What a relief…”
If Evan practiced the forbidden art,
Regardless of success, he would need to be killed. None other than the head of the house, Cavaro, would have to do it.
Fortunately, Evan had given up that dream, making the duke feel both apologetic and proud, though he showed no outward signs.
“Has he forgotten Laila?”
“…Or perhaps redirected his resentment towards me.”
“You…”
Natalia looked at him sadly, quietly holding his hand.
“…Recently, rumors have spread. That Evan, that child, distributed drugs.”
“I’m aware.”
“Will you intervene?”
If the duke stepped in, the rumor would be squashed within a week.
The weight of the title ‘Duke Alkarte’ ensured that.
However, the duke shook his head.
“My involvement would look bad.”
In aristocratic circles, managing and maintaining influence is the responsibility of the children themselves. Even wrongful accusations must be handled independently. Parental interference robs the child of autonomy, which is also essential strength for a noble.
The same applies to Evan. Given his infamous alias in the underworld, intervention would actually harm him.
“Then…”
“I heard Evan sent a letter to the Holy Maiden before coming here.”
Probably anticipating such rumors after becoming overly sensitive following Laila’s death.
Though he’s changed somewhat recently.
“Truly…”
His foresight and preemptive problem-solving remind me of…
“You, he resembles.”
Laila. His late mother.
Meanwhile.
At the Grand Temple of the Sun God.
The Holy Maiden chuckled softly as she read the letter personally delivered by Arthur.
“…Hohoho.”
Cold sweat trickled down her forehead. Wiping it away, she forced a calm smile.
“What has our dear young master taken offense to now?”
A bishop from the heretical cult worshiping a forgotten god arrived, heart in hand.
[Eep, eeeep!]
-I trust it will serve its purpose. Use it where needed.
