The Eldest Brother's Poisonous Scheme
Can't just kick out the family's eldest son without any reason. I need some justification.
Truth be told, the best option would be to catch him red-handed trying to kill me.
But that's no easy feat. Especially with poison—slipping it into food makes it tricky.
I had no clue how to pull it off.
"Ah, I'm just exhausted. So damn tired."
I'd thought a vacation meant rest, but somehow I'd stumbled into even more danger and headaches.
Maybe I should just grab anyone and get married to strike out on my own.
This stress was seriously shaving years off my life.
"For now... let's head back."
I filled up on meat dishes alone and left the tavern.
"Head chef."
"Yes! Young Master! What brings you here?"
Hans, the one in charge of the estate's cooking, came rushing over the moment he spotted Tems Oclo.
"What's on the menu for dinner tonight? I'm starving."
"The youngest young master is coming today, so we're preparing turkey dishes. Shall I whip up something simple if you're hungry now?"
"Nah, can't fill up now and ruin my appetite for the good stuff."
"Haha! You're right. I've put extra effort in, so look forward to it."
"Yeah, it's nice how the estate's buzzing now that the little one's back."
Tems murmured softly and left the kitchen.
Damn it, I got the poison, but how the hell do I slip it into that guy's mouth?
He'd originally planned to bribe a maid or two.
But after probing a few times, no one showed any reaction.
How the hell did my standing in this house crumble like this!
Everyone prioritized Palan Oclo above all else.
Look at them even now.
Because the youngest was coming, Father—who valued promises above all—had rushed back early.
And the household staff were putting in way more effort than usual across the board.
Damn it, damn it!
Tems Oclo returned to his room and pulled out the vial of odorless poison grass he'd hidden in his drawer.
If I can just get this into his mouth, it's over!
He only wanted his own things back, so why was it so damn hard?
To Tems, the world seemed utterly unfair and irrational.
"Young Master, you're back."
"Dinner will be ready soon, so why not go up and change? I've prepared your clothes."
"The head chef asked about how you'd like the meat grilled—what's your preference?"
As Tems's rage peaked, noisy voices from the servants outside drifted in.
"Just a year ago, these bastards were tripping over themselves to impress me."
Every last one of them was revolting, unforgivable.
Calm down. Calm down. Once the little shit's dead, they'll all come crawling back to me.
And when that time came, Tems had already decided he'd kick them all out.
"Too risky to poison the dinner."
So he'd have to target times when the guy ate outside of meals.
That punk definitely loved novels, right?
He remembered seeing lights on in his room late into the night during the last vacation.
And no way he'd read novels that long without snacking.
"Ha! It's done."
A plan that seemed foolproof formed, and Tems's lips curled up naturally.
Just wait a little longer, you arrogant little bastard.
Was it the certainty of success?
Tems Oclo's face, twisted with hatred and loathing, relaxed into serene enlightenment.
"Gotta go welcome my dear brother."
He stashed the glass vial of poison grass back in the drawer, left his room, and headed downstairs.
"Brother, where've you been without a word?"
I was heading to my room when an unwelcome face blocked my path.
"Were you home?"
"Got off work an hour ago. Timing didn't line up."
"I see. Did you come all the way from the west?"
"Of course. How could I stay out there long when I need to help Father with the business?"
Word was he was commuting to the Oclo Trading Company headquarters in the capital these days.
Doesn't seem like he's actually helping with the boss's duties, though.
Not important anyway. Best to wrap this chat up quick.
"You've had it rough."
"Yeah, you're the one living easy, off at war. The real grind's for guys like me."
What the hell is this psycho saying?
If no one was watching, I'd have decked him.
"Still, the blood-soaked battlefield must be tougher. The soldiers would be pretty hurt hearing that."
"Hurt? Rimir Castle was just two days of actual fighting—what's hard about that? That's easy pickings."
Did this guy have no concept of training or daily duties?
Honestly, he didn't seem human.
What a pain.
I knew from countless experiences that arguing would just tire me out, so I just nodded.
"You've had it rough. Stepped in some mud on the way, so I'll change and come down for dinner."
"Yeah, go rest. Oh, and you there—maid."
Tems called out to Aurora, who was standing behind me.
"Yes, Young Master."
"Did you get novels for my brother to read on vacation?"
"Novels, sir? I..."
"Can't even handle something this simple? Is that what I pay you for?!"
Tems suddenly went off the rails.
I couldn't keep up with whatever act he was pulling.
What's his deal? Since when does he care about my hobbies?
I'd planned to hit my regular bookstore after dinner and pick some out myself anyway.
"I... I'm sorry!"
Aurora dropped to her knees, pleading desperately.
"Brother, calm down. I always pick and buy my own books."
"Brother, you can't do that yourself. That's why the staff look down on you."
Never felt looked down on.
Not sure about the previous Palan Oclo's life, but I'd never gotten that vibe.
"I'll educate her properly."
"Yeah, pay more attention. It's uncomfortable as your big brother."
"Yes, I'll be careful."
I bowed my head in greeting, brushed past Tems Oclo, and entered my room.
"What the hell's his problem?"
From fake brotherly act to suddenly caring about my hobbies?
He must've eaten something bad.
"Did he accidentally eat the poison grass himself?"
It paralyzed nerves leading to death, right?
Looked exactly like a few wires had crossed in his brain.
Knock knock.
"Young Master, may I come in?"
"One sec."
I was half-undressed, so I quickly changed.
"Come in."
Once I was fully ready, I called her back in. Aurora opened the door with a dark expression.
"What's up?"
"Um... I'm heading to the bookstore now. Any books you want?"
"Sigh, you're the one suffering here."
From her perspective, it must feel like a bolt from the blue.
I'm not always at the estate to protect her.
In the end, she'd see Tems Oclo daily, and once he took a dislike, life would get hellish.
If I offer to go myself, it'd just cause more trouble.
Best to let her do as asked in times like this.
"Just get everything from volume 5 onward of Chronicles of Territory Reconstruction."
"Nothing else?"
"Nah, that'll be at least three books—plenty."
"Understood. I'll have them ready for after dinner."
"Yeah. And forget what Brother said earlier—just bad luck."
I tossed her some encouraging words before she left the room.
And they hit harder than expected.
"Sob sob... Thank you, Young Master."
Aurora suddenly burst into tears.
She hurriedly covered her face, shut the door, and left.
She must've... been through a lot.
Should pick up some macarons for her later.
"In the end, for everyone to be happy, I need to discharge, come back to the estate, and inherit the family."
If only the army cooperated, so many people would be happier—but why was something this simple so damn hard?
"Gonna rest a bit."
With the noble privilege of someone waking me when it was time, I threw myself onto the bed without hesitation.
"Good, you've completed another major mission safely."
"Can't go into details, but I really cheated death this time."
"Haha, I'm proud you're leading the empire's victories like this. So proud."
Dinner started about an hour later than usual due to Father's schedule.
But the mood was brighter than ever.
"Thanks to you, your sister succeeded in her engagement to that tough family match. You knew?"
"Yeah, I heard. But how's that my doing? It was you, Father, and Mother."
Truth was, I wasn't that interested, so details were fuzzy.
Some marquis's eldest son, I think.
As usual, guy or girl, marriages went through like trading goods.
Rumor had it the Oclo family's market value had skyrocketed lately.
That bumped Sister's match up from count to marquis family.
"Eat up, little brother."
Isabel Oclo, sitting across from me, suddenly sliced some turkey and put it on my plate.
What... what's her deal?
She wasn't a bad person, exactly.
More like she only cared about her own life?
She was always out gallivanting—even on vacation, hard to catch her—and now she's serving meat?
Only one meaning here.
"Looks like you really like your new fiancé."
"Like? He's the best out of all the candidates. Lots of girls were after him, ho ho!"
Thrilled at snatching him, she laughed louder than a noble lady should.
"Tsk tsk, a girl about to marry. Don't do that after you're wed, or we won't take you back."
"Father, I'm so demure around him. Don't worry."
Her eyes crinkled in a smile—a total vixen.
Whoever he is, good luck, brother-in-law.
Noble marriages were basically between families—divorce was near impossible.
Her future husband's life might as well be over the River Styx.