Chapter 102
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: The Calliope Family's Epilogue (3)
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"...Eugene."
"Brother Erden?"
I turned toward the voice calling my name and saw Erden standing there, his face as impassive as ever.
Unlike the nobles decked out in ostentatious clothes to flaunt their wealth and power,
he wore a simple suit with nothing but a silver chain for decoration. Yet somehow, his striking looks made him stand out far more than the others.
"..."
"..."
Even though he'd given up the successor position, Garcia and Reika still found it hard to face him. They backed away without a word.
Watching them go, I apologized to Erden on their behalf.
"...Sorry about that."
"That's nothing for you to apologize for."
"...Still. Sorry. But Brother, you're swamped right now—what brings you to your little brother?"
As I said, countless nobles were eyeing him eagerly, hoping for even a word with the next family head.
"I'm busy, sure. But before dealing with them, there's something I need to do for you first."
"...What are you—?"
Before I could finish, Erden suddenly bowed at the waist.
"Thank you. This is all thanks to you."
I widened my eyes in surprise for a moment, but understanding dawned, and a smile crept onto my face.
In the midst of handling all those other nobles, for him to seek me out first just to express his gratitude—it was so very Erden.
'But...'
The timing couldn't have been worse.
The next family head bowing to his irrelevant third son in public like this? It drew way too much attention.
See?
Gazes were pouring in like crazy even now.
"Come on, Brother. Straighten up. If the head of the Calliope family bows so casually in front of others, it'll tarnish your image."
"I'm not the head yet. And that's exactly why I'm bowing in front of everyone—because if I praised your contributions a hundred times and no one else acknowledged them, it'd be as good as not doing it at all."
"Got it. I understand, so please stand up already. You're making me uncomfortable. Do I have to leave the banquet hall on a day like this?"
Only after I let out a groan did Erden slowly straighten up.
"...Thank you. I won't forget this debt. If there's anything you want, just say the word."
There wasn't anything I particularly wanted.
The reason I'd put Erden in the successor role wasn't for some reward—it was to ensure the Calliope family wouldn't crumble when war broke out down the line.
'...Hmm.'
Still, if I said I wanted nothing, he wouldn't back down. So, on a whim, I made a request.
"...Then, if I ask for a favor later, could you help me out without asking why? Just once."
"Of course. Done."
Contrary to my expectations, Erden nodded right away.
I was honestly a little shocked.
Given his rigid personality, he never would have agreed to a vague promise like that before.
He'd have insisted on hearing the details first.
But this time was different.
Accepting without a single question meant he trusted me that deeply.
"I stake my heart on it. I will keep this promise."
His tone was still cold and emotionless, but if you looked closely, the corners of Erden's mouth were subtly upturned.
Seeing that, I swallowed a wry internal chuckle and changed the subject.
"...Have you talked to Brother Cale yet?"
"Not yet. I'm about to."
Following Erden's gaze, I spotted Cale standing alone with a dark expression.
And surprisingly, he was surrounded by a crowd of noble ladies.
Of course, the families of those ladies were a tier below the top houses.
With the succession race decided, all the prestigious families would flock to Erden.
But Cale still bore the Calliope name.
That alone was enough for the lesser houses.
'...He's popular.'
As I'd said many times before, Cale's looks were decent enough.
The reason he'd never been popular wasn't his face—it was his rotten personality and frivolous vibe.
"...."
But with his handsome face and that melancholic gaze setting the mood, there was no way women wouldn't swarm him.
'Vanity of vanities.'
To only realize the value of your dick after losing it—what a tragedy!
I silently toasted Cale in my mind and took another sip of wine.
Ding—ding—
A clear chime rang out.
Turning toward the sound, I saw Eddard up on the dais, opening his mouth to speak.
"...On behalf of the Calliope family, I sincerely welcome all of you gathered here today. And on a sudden note, I have an announcement to make."
Everyone pretended otherwise, but they'd all been waiting for Eddard to name Erden as successor.
Yet the words that came from his mouth far exceeded expectations—utterly shocking.
"I will formally hand over the family head position to Erden right here and retire."
"...!"
I was the only one not feigning surprise; everyone else was genuinely stunned.
"...Lord Eddard, what do you—?"
"Isn't retirement a bit too hasty?"
Once they grasped the situation, objections erupted from all sides, but Eddard didn't blink.
"It's already decided. Or are you saying Erden isn't fit for the role?"
"...No, sir. On second thought, it's a wise decision."
"A toast to Erden—no, to our new family head!"
True to form, these nobles who thrived on reading the room flipped their words the instant they realized Eddard's resolve was ironclad.
"Then, a toast to the new head of the Calliope family, Erden!"
"Cheers!"
Glasses were raised everywhere, music swelled, but Erden himself just frowned.
"...What is this? Father retiring?"
"It's been announced. No taking it back now—might as well enjoy it."
"..."
Erden shot me a look that screamed, You knew about this? But I just sipped my wine without answering.
"Congratulations, Lord Erden. I'm Vanitas. I've long admired your character and..."
At that moment, one noble who'd been biding his time made his move.
"Ahem, it's been a while, Lord Erden. You might not remember, but..."
"Lord Erden..."
The rest couldn't hold back any longer and swarmed him all at once. Seizing the chance, I slipped away to a corner.
'The official announcement's done...'
Figuring I'd kill time until Lucia arrived by watching the festivities, someone in a white dress approached me.
"...Um...if it's...alright...w-would you...d-dance with me...?! Ack!"
The lady who'd invited me to dance bit her tongue and hopped in place, her face flushing beet red.
"Ah... n-no... Sorry for the intrusion."
Letting her go like that would've been rude, and it was a good way to pass time, so I gently took her fingertips.
"If it's alright with you, would you dance with me?"
"...Ack!... Y-yes."
I'd never danced before, but when it came to seducing women, my near-perfect 'Prince on the Bed' trait kicked in flawlessly even here.
"...Y-you're...amazing at...dancing!"
"You're too kind. It's all thanks to you leading so well."
"...I...I didn't do...anything... B-but I'm getting a little tired... W-would you like to take a walk...?"
As she mustered the words, red wine splashed onto her dress.
"Oh dear, sorry about that. You okay?"
Reika, speaking in a tone that sounded anything but apologetic.
"Y-yes..."
"...Excuse me. I saw a stray cat."
"A c-cat in the banquet hall?"
"...Yeah, it wandered in without a clue. Don't worry— we'll chase it out soon."
Snap, snap.
Reika snapped her fingers twice, and Emma—who'd been bustling with food service—appeared, dragging the lady away.
"Oh my! Your dress is filthy! No worries—we've got a change of clothes ready! This way, please."
"Y-yes?... W-wait a sec..."
"Hurry now. If you don't change quick, you might catch a cold."
"...N-no...it's not that bad...!"
The lady put up a token resistance, but she couldn't match Emma's strength.
Only after watching her get hauled out of the banquet hall did I speak up.
"...What was that? You and Emma plan this?"
"Oh, Brother. What ever do you mean? I just tripped and spilled some wine."
Reika twirled a lock of hair, feigning innocence.
Then Garcia joined in.
"Well done, Reika. The way she was eyeing my Eugene was downright lewd. You have to nip those in the bud, or trouble brews."
"Mother... It was just one dance."
"Everything starts with one dance, one drink."
"...."
Coming from experience, Garcia's words carried real weight.
"Anyway, Brother. My dance card's empty. Care to join me for one?"
"We don't do that in the family, Sis."
"...."
I shut her down flat, and Reika stared at me in disbelief. But what could she do?
The banquet carried on amid the lively whirl of dances and music, when odd happenings began to crop up one by one.
"...."
It started with one person.
Spotting someone entering through the open doors, they froze as if cursed with petrification.
Gradually, more turned toward the entrance, falling silent as they did.
Soon, even the orchestra halted their playing, staring blankly at the approaching figure.
"Why'd they stop playing...?"
"What're they all looking at...?"
By now, people sensed something off, and all eyes converged on one spot.
"....?"
Curious myself, I followed their gazes—and in that instant,
Clack—
the world seemed to stop.
Clack—
All eyes locked in place, and the once-raucous banquet hall grew so quiet you could hear footsteps.
Clack—
She hadn't done anything special.
Clack—
Just walking normally.
Clack—
But that was enough.
Clack—
A woman who overwhelmed the grandeur just by appearing.
Clack—
That was Lucia Ursula.