Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: The Heir's Folly
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Mark was either oblivious to Grandfather's darkening expression or simply not noticing it as he kept digging his own grave with relentless enthusiasm.
"Cooperation with the Southern Duke's family is more than enough, Grandfather. No one stands equal to our Northern Duke's house except the Southern Duke's."
Wasn't Mark prenatally betrothed to the Southern Duke's granddaughter?
Getting cozy with his future in-laws ahead of time was one thing.
But ignoring the collateral branches and vassals that made up our house to buddy up exclusively with maternal relatives? That was another.
'If Mark had lived in Korea, he would've learned about King Taejong Lee Bangwon...'
What ruler in their right mind would share their family's power with in-laws?
Especially while rejecting their own vassals in the process.
Those words didn't just unsettle Grandfather—they even made Stefan uncomfortable, and he had been backing Mark just moments ago.
I could see him shooting a timid glare at Mark's profile.
Determined to punish just me, Mark had turned the three families—represented by Stefan, Joachim, and myself—into enemies, yet he remained utterly brazen about it.
He didn't even seem to grasp what he was saying.
"Foolish boy."
Mark, who had been about to keep blundering on, froze in shock at Grandfather's icy rebuke.
"Do you even know how much we've lost in the Northern territories these past few years fighting holy wars against those heretics?"
"B-but that's... It's those heretics who are the bad ones, right?"
"Yes. Those who command beasts are undoubtedly evil."
"The North is the family that guards the Empire's safety, so naturally, we have to deal with those wicked heretics..."
The edge of the desk Grandfather was gripping began to splinter with a sharp cracking sound.
"It was the West—home to the Grand Temple—that declared holy war on the heretics. The South, holding imperial regency, ordered our mobilization. And the East agreed just to stay in the South's good graces."
The West was steeped in religion, the South wielded the Empire's top power.
I wasn't sure why the East deferred to the South, but they seemed the weakest faction...
I hung on Grandfather's every word, committing it all to memory.
This was information that might prove useful someday.
"Yet which of them helped us? We've been the only ones dying in this war we never even agreed to fight!"
My mother had died right in the thick of that war.
No one had come to the North's aid.
Thinking of how lonely Father must have been through those years of endless fighting made my chest ache.
Grandfather's face was filled with cold fury.
"We have far too many enemies on the outside."
He spat the words out like they were chewed-up scraps, barely containing his rising anger.
"Even a four-year-old child knows that—every bastard in the branches knows it—yet the man who calls himself my house's heir and his direct line remains clueless."
"But Grandfather, h-how can we control the vassals without dignity...?"
"Is the 'dignity' you speak of gained by beating your young cousins and collateral kin with wooden swords and humiliating them?"
Mark's face flushed beet red with every rebuttal from Grandfather.
He glanced at Grandfather, then scanned the three children shooting him dirty looks.
Realizing no one was on his side right now, his earlier bravado shriveled up in an instant.
Tears welled up in Mark's trembling eyes as his lower lip quivered.
Right on cue, a knock echoed from outside the study.
"Father, what has our Mark done wrong...!"
Without even waiting for Grandfather's permission, Uncle and Aunt barged in like a storm.
The moment Mark spotted his parents—his allies—he burst into loud sobs.
Aunt, scooping Mark into her skirts, glared at me with eyes dripping venom.
Uncle and Aunt were busy demanding answers, Mark busy bawling.
"What's this blood? Did someone hit our Mark?!"
"Father, did you drag this nosebleeding child here just to scold him? That's too much. Our Mark is meant to succeed you and my brother-in-law!"
The study grew chaotic, and the most irritated by it was Grandfather.
Everyone fell silent as he slammed the desk with a thunderous bang.
"Who dares make a racket in my presence?!"
With that, Grandfather quelled the uproar in a heartbeat and fixed his gaze on Uncle.
Uncle, who had been so eager to argue moments ago, froze like a frog before a snake.
Aunt had seized control of the household appointments, hadn't she?
'She must wield serious influence.'
It hadn't been long since Mark and Grandfather summoned her people, yet here they were, the couple rushing in together after getting word.
If I'd noticed, Grandfather certainly had.
"A man who can't even raise his own child properly—what makes you think he can handle anything else?"
"Father, that's too harsh. What has our Mark done wrong?"
"Take him and ask him yourself."
"E-even so... Scolding our Mark like this in front of the vassals' children will damage the boy's dignity—and ours..."
"You're spouting the same pathetic nonsense as your son."
Grandfather had done the scolding, so why was Uncle glaring at me?
Did I look like the easy target?
Grandfather twisted his lips upon noticing Uncle's murderous stare at me.
Then he beckoned me over.
I glanced between Uncle and Grandfather before sidling over to him.
"Didn't your father tell you? To stand united against outside enemies?"
"Yes."
"Useless as you were, you've finally grown some sense."
Not sure if that was praise or an insult, Grandfather then demonstratively called for his secretary—as if to rub it in Uncle's face.
The secretary, who had been standing like a shadow against the wall, approached at the command.
"Who's handling postwar cleanup right now?"
"The young lord..."
"A man who can't manage his own house? We need to replace the person in charge."
Uncle let out a scream-like "Father!", but Grandfather didn't spare him a glance.
"Call Leopoldt."
"Father, you can't do this to me. What justification does my brother have for taking such an important duty?!"
"He hasn't even accepted his commendation because he can't stand the sight of me. Justification? We've got plenty."
"I-I was wrong. Whatever made you this angry, I'll go home and discipline Mark properly. So please..."
"Are you defying orders now, Dominic?"
Was this the taste of power?
Uncle's face drained of color as he alternated glances between Grandfather and me, then stormed out, dragging Aunt and Mark with him in a huff.
I hadn't expected this outcome.
'Thanks, Mark!'
Thanks to you poking the bear, our quiet house came out on top without lifting a finger.
Once Uncle's family had left the room, Grandfather closed his eyes wearily for a moment.
He rubbed his stiff nape a few times before finally opening them again.
"You children may go now."
"Yes!"
The moment Grandfather gave permission, I practically skipped out of the study with light steps.
As I bounced along humming to myself, Joachim sidled up quietly.
His already red eyes were even puffier from crying.
"Th-thanks for helping. And sorry I couldn't step in earlier..."
His grandfather the Marshal had a hawkish, fierce look, but Joachim—presumably his grandson—looked just like a sulky Lop-eared rabbit.
He radiated a timid, fragile aura at first glance.
And his build was small, about my size.
'The type mean kids would love to bully.'
I hung around with Dietrich all the time and thought like an adult, so I wouldn't go down easy.
But gentle Joachim was prime prey.
"How old are you?"
"Six. You're four, right? The Duke said so earlier."
"Yep."
Six? Two years older than me, yet this short?
I circled Joachim, sizing him up as he stood there.
His frame looked fine.
His Marshal grandfather was stooped with age, but still tall.
Grandfather, Father, even Uncle—all were tall.
"D-do I look that small to you too?"
Joachim stammered, deflating again.
I paused, choosing words that wouldn't hurt, and his eyes started reddening once more.