Rudeness is Bullshit, You Fallen Noble Bitch
Rudeness my ass. You fallen noble bitch. Rudeness my ass. You fallen noble bitch.
"Hey. You're a fallen noble with no territory, no title. A gambling wreck talking shit to the duke's third son?"
"H-How did you...!"
They told me, obviously.
I pointed at the two maids sweating bullets behind the head maid, avoiding my eyes, and she glared at them with pure fury.
Oof, look at those triangular eyes popping out. That's what you get for poor management. They were trash-talking you nonstop.
Her caked-on makeup was a mess around her eyes from trying to hide the wrinkles.
"Hey. Hand over the embezzled cash right now, or I'll beat you to death."
"Ha! What foul language! Like some back-alley thug. Did you hit your head when you got hurt?!"
Oh ho, glaring at your maids one second, then flipping out on me the next.
But you picked the wrong guy.
"Ellin—"
"Yes!"
"Beat her ass till she's at death's door."
"Understood!"
The pathetic third son you knew is gone.
*
Sniffle.
Ugh, snot running everywhere.
Seeing her on her knees at her age, hands up, was kinda gross.
Her makeup was all smeared—ugly as hell.
I glanced sideways at Ellin's straight nose, cherry lips, and ocean-blue eyes staring back.
"...Fuck, you're gorgeous."
"...Thank you, young master."
Shit. Slipped out.
But she didn't seem to hate it—her lips curved up. Okay, compliment her more.
"So, you blew all the money and can't pay up?"
"...Yes."
She's a total psycho. Ruined her life gambling, then gambles again.
"You left the two maids at home? So you lied to me from the start?"
"...I-I'm... sorry. Sniffle."
Playing pitiful to save her skin.
Seeing the trio tamed by Ellin's staff-beating made my blood boil in satisfaction.
But watching her swing that sheathed sword like a bat... even my sphincter clenched.
...Would it feel good if she went easy? No. Snap out of it.
It's all 'cause Ellin's so hot.
"...Can you handle the fallout, young master? If word reaches the duke..."
"Wipe your snot, lady. Oh, and keep your hands up."
She gave me that what now? look—what're you gonna do about it?
"And from now on, you deal with the consequences."
"What does that—"
I've got plans.
"Look at that!! Treating the maids like this!! He's lost his mind! Look at that thug stance!!"
"Ashbal Grize..."
She said she'd kill me if she saw me again—guess it went in one ear and out the other.
No wonder the teacher got away with it; too predictable.
I stood from my squat, body weak from no energy, head spinning.
"Long time no see, Father."
Old but handsome.
Golden blonde hair, red eyes. Sharp features, crisp clothes over a solid build.
That jaw could cut glass. Without the blonde and red eyes, he'd pass for some alpha-male type from elsewhere.
Haven't seen him since I was three, so the face was fuzzy anyway.
Makes me kinda pissed, though.
"Your son's starving from malnutrition, but you look healthy. Planning on a fourth to replace me?"
"Y-You!! How dare you speak to the duke like that, young master!!"
Damn, that lady's got lungs.
"...Malnutrition? What do you mean?"
Don't give me those pity eyes. You never cared.
"Exactly that. Only had real food as a baby. Thanks to you, my stomach and back are besties. See?"
I lifted my shirt again.
Cold air's gonna give me cramps.
"...Why didn't you say anything?"
"You stuck me in the annex 'cause you didn't wanna see me, haven't visited since three. You think I'd speak up and you'd listen?"
"...I would have. Prophecy or not. You're my son."
Bullshit. Then act like it.
I knew about that crap prophecy and that his parents actually cared deep down. That's why I set this up.
Doesn't make the shitty feelings vanish, though.
"You never once checked if your son was dead or alive, but your words are pretty. Who'd think you care?"
"...It was because of the prophecy."
Fuck that excuse again.
"Prophecy this, prophecy that—I don't give a shit. I'm fresh seaweed from malnutrition, affection starvation, and gaslighting triple combo. Plus abuse from that tutor back there."
"...Abuse? Gaslighting? Seaweed?"
"Y-You!! He must've hit his head!! It's all lies, Your Grace!!"
"That lady starved me twelve hours, made me hold my hands up—nearly died. Wandered in delirium three days, woke up weak, begged that maid for water and bread, and she said 'graze like usual.'"
All four bitches gaped at me.
Expressions were a fucking sight. Thought I had no mouth, huh?
"Meanwhile, they embezzled like pros, did jack shit, room's a pigsty. Named the two hundred spiders—gave up when they multiplied. My fave's the legless loser. Ate it yesterday 'cause I was hungry."
What? Stop with the pity eyes, fuck.
Bugs are protein. Kinda animal, right?
Dad stared with grief and rage, then spoke quietly.
"...Is all this true?"
Oh, aura?
Pissed off—blue glow wrapped his body, radiating pressure.
Tutor foamed and collapsed, maids and head maid trembled.
Me and Ellin fine, so they must've done something shady.
Sword Masters are no joke.
"Y-Your... Grace... p-please... spare our lives..."
Head maid's got guts, begging in this spot.
"...I'll handle you personally. And Grize... come to the main building. I never meant for you to live like this. Anna misses you so much."
Anna? Mom, I guess. Novel didn't name her.
Recalled the prophecy/family talk:
- Isn't it a joke? Parents ignoring me till adulthood over some prophecy. Crying apologies sixteen years later fixes what?
- Took me five years to escape those bitches' gaslighting.
- But hey, good thing. I skinned 'em alive and displayed 'em. Birthed brats in the meantime, so exhibited those too. Family sticks together, right?
Something like that. Anyway, free meal?
"No to the main building. Believe your precious prophecy. I'll handle these four. Give me their stolen cash and a sword to kill 'em with."
Like I'd let you hit 'em. I got beat.
Who'd think you're family?
"...Grize. Can't do that. You're too young to get blood on your hands..."
"Young? So I suffer these bitches 'cause I'm young, stay quiet? Know what I thought passing out?"
Old fucks judge by their rules.
"Better off dead!! Why'd I survive!! So fuck it, one last rampage before I die!! Those sluts said you'd kill me—but you got a speck of love, so I'm shocked!!"
Pure bullshit with soul, of course.
Planned it the second memories hit.
"Planned to die by your hand!! They'd snitch to you nonstop. 'Duke knows.' Duke this, duke that, fuck!!!!"
Highlight time.
"Tell me, Duke... any reason I can't kill these bitches just 'cause I'm young?"
Tear rolled down my cheek. Eyes closing.
"Young master!!"
Ellin's warm lilac scent. Wife material: passed.
"Grize!!"
Duke's rushing footsteps. Rough, callused hand on my cheek. Male touch: failed.
But his trembling hand tickled my chest oddly.
Meant to fake collapse, but sudden sleepiness hit.
All 'cause Ellin's so warm.
***
"...Everything the young master said is true, Your Grace."
His recently appointed exclusive guard.
A woman he wouldn't have called otherwise. The son's gaunt face in her arms looked so frail.
I must be mad. Utterly insane.
Leaving a precious child like this over a prophecy?
His scrawny frame glaring defiantly as he spoke made my heart sink.
Still, "father" choked me up; his rough speech tugged pity.
How hard must life have been to curse like that?
All my fault. Should've checked on him.
Kill them himself? Unbelievable from a thirteen-year-old.
Screaming "Duke" like a curse.
Seeing him crumple confirmed it.
Bring him to the main building. No more abandoning for prophecy.
"...Ellin, was it?"
"Yes, Your Grace."
"Move Grize to the main building. I must deal with these women."
"...Forgive me, but the young master will be furious."
Furious, huh. Blue eyes met mine—full of conviction.
The gaze of the upright. Rare sight.
"So I should hand a sword to this child myself?"
"Yes. He meant it. Who knows if he'd really kill? He's kind-hearted; I believe not."
True. Smiled pretty like Anna.
But stubborn once decided. Like her too.
Would've messed up without this woman.
"...Thanks. Nearly got cursed by my son waking up. Who taught him that filth?"
"You're too kind. No idea on the curses—maybe the tutor..."
Abuse and gaslighting?
Daring that on my son? Insane.
"Cut their tongues so they can't lie, send 'em off. Guard Grize till then. He trusts you."
"...Yes, Your Grace."
I watched Ellin bow and head to the main building. Her slim legs shook pitifully with each step.
"...You won't die easy."
"Y-Your Grace... mercy, please..."
Four nameless women.
"Your families either."
They'll pay for harming the duke's son. Even if Grize shows mercy.
***
"...So this is the main building, and they poured heal on me 'cause I wouldn't wake?"
"Yes."
"Dad cut out those four bitches' tongues, burned 'em, tossed 'em in the basement—said visit when I wake?"
"Yes."
"And after it's done, he wants family dinner here?"
"Yes."
Okay. Beat the four, head back to annex. Dinner now? Too late for warm fuzzies.
"To the basement, Ellin."
Time to relieve some stress.