Chapter 7

He wanted to say something to the hurtful man. However, instinctively and rationally, he decided that there should be no conflict with Archduke Ibulaon, who was the dominant force in the North.

In order to save this world, the role of Archduke Ibulaon was very important. In addition, the character of the man described in the novel was no joke. It was never wise to upset a high person who was filthy, powerful, and had a bad temper.

“The baron is my fiance. If the baron wants Sir Patrick’s life, I’ll end it by expelling him from the North. What do you think?”

“Ah…You don’t have to.”

It was better to give money, rather than a thank you, when grateful for the help. But he couldn’t say it out loud.

“Here is the baron’s seal.”

Alexis, who picked up the ring on the table, approached Eugene and reached out his hand. It was only then that Eugene noticed he was wearing white gloves even indoors. A heavy ring was placed on the palm of Eugene’s hand, who unexpectedly held it out.

It was, of course, Robert who first told Eugene about his thoughts on guardianship.

Robert fervently favoured the new guardianship, telling him that the seal of the House of Baron Linweisen that Patrick had taken, had to be returned. So far, Patrick had taken the seal of the Baron and used it at will.

He had asked Ludvina to find a guardian and to try to get the seal back. He didn’t expect it to come back this way.

“Don’t you remember what Sir Patrick did with the seal of the baronet?”

This time, it was informal. He was less than two steps away from Alexis. The intimidating height difference of more than one head was no joke. His low voice and cold expression made him look scary. To be honest, Eugene was a little frightened. Still, he calmly looked up at Alexis as if nothing happened.

“I heard you had your own version.”

“You claim to have lost your memory, so everything you have done so far is irrelevant. I’d rather my fiance be stupid than a crook.”

It was a lot of abuse. Eugene wasn’t the real Baron Linweisen, but his cold tone made him want to cry for a moment. Wow. How annoying. What was even more unfortunate was that the man’s words were not wrong. It was true that Patrick did all sorts of bad things with Baron Linweisen’s seal.

He felt bitter inside, but he had to admit it.

“Thank you for your consideration.”

“I’ve lost my memory, so I’ll have to stay quiet from now on.”

Eugene, who was saying thanks, frowned slightly at this strange conversation. Certainly, Alexis did not believe that Eugene had lost his memory. To be exact, he seemed to consider him a fraud like Patrick. In particular, the cold and serious eyes said so. This time, he couldn’t help but get emotional.

“It’s true that Eugene Rekbent Linweisen doesn’t remember.”

“Let me do that.”

“Let me do it, no, it’s true. Archduke. I didn’t know Eugene’s name and my parents’ names until Robert told me. I’ve never seen you before, and I’ve never seen the godfather before. When I look in the mirror, I can’t believe it’s my real face. As the Archduke said, I could have been a fraud or a stupid fool. I know that the past doesn’t disappear just because you don’t remember. I am grateful to the godfather who covered for my mistakes, and thank you too. Yes, so I said thank you. But I can’t stand to hear you call the loss of my memory a lie.”

Eugene poured out his words all at once. He could support being called a fraud or stupid, but he couldn’t stand him being sarcastic while saying he was a liar.

“I apologize for my rudeness, Baron Linweisen.”

Alexis, who looked surprised for a moment, quickly apologized. Thanks to this, Eugene, who was ready to show his teeth and fight, also lost his energy.

“I apologize, I have nothing more to say. I will keep quiet as the Archduke said.”

“I don’t trust the Baron. A good liar is like a con artist.”

“…?!”

“I have a regular beast subjugation, so I have to empty my castle for the next month. Until then, I hope I won’t throw away the last of my trust. You can leave now.”

Eugene was heartbroken because of Alexis, despite him speaking in a nice voice. Hearing that this was his last chance, and to not get in an accident, it made him feel resentful. Still, Eugene smiled broadly. At times like this, the one who laughs wins.

“I’m just grateful that you’re giving me a chance. I understand that it is dangerous. Be careful, take care of yourself. I will stay very quiet to repay your good faith.”

Eugene, who didn’t like to just walk away, looked straight at Alexis and said everything he had to say. Until the end, he bowed without removing his smile, turned around and left the office.

He felt like he could see a stinging eye behind his head, but he pretended not to know.

***

As he left the office, he ran into Robert waiting in the hallway. Robert’s face, holding the cape, was white.

“Master. I saw Sir Patrick going out with a knight a while ago. What happened?”

“They forged documents. He will be punished by working in the mines. Kane and Rachel are also going to the mines.”

“Well, then… What about you? Sir Patrick would have said he was ordered by you.”

“I don’t know the details. The Archduke said he’d send me back. I got my seal back.”

Eugene briefly explained to Robert, who must have waited anxiously. He didn’t bother to mention that he had been told that it was better to be stupid than a con artist.

Robert breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the thick ring seal.

“I’m glad. I’m so glad.”

“For more information… we’ll go outside and I’ll tell you more, not here”

“Yes, put on your cape first.”

Eugene put on his cape and walked out into the nature of Heinskan Castle with Robert, to the annexe. Eugene carefully opened his mouth after confirming that there was no one on the road, where the snow was clean.

“Robert.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“I think Archduke Ibulaon thinks it’s a lie that I lost my memory. He thinks I am a fraud like Patrick.”

“He had never even spoken to you properly before you lost your memory. So you won’t know. The master is right to have lost his memory. I know that I have been serving my master for a long time. You’re very different from before.”

Robert, who had taken care of Eugene from an early age, said it with confidence. He was confident that he knew Eugene better than anyone else. The young master, who had been quiet since he was young, spoke even less after the death of the previous baron. He couldn’t even answer properly to Patrick and was dragged around.

He avoided reality, saying, ‘Everything will be okay if I tell him to stay away from Patrick.’ In the end, he didn’t even come out of the room and stayed in. He just read his favourite books and quietly withered.

However, the timid and introverted owner lost his memory and showed a new look. It was so new that Robert was surprised for the first time in a while. In Tenon’s words, the person had changed completely.

Robert, who had a deep affection for Eugene, felt various emotions. He was so sorry that the master he knew seemed to have disappeared. But it was good for him to be brave, to eat well, and to be lively. Above all, it was so fortunate that he gave up Patrick at once.

“Archduke Ibulaon told me to stay quiet. I’ll watch you. I got the seal back, so there won’t be any problem. Right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Robert actively sympathized with Eugene. It was a great thing Patrick was given a mining sentence, if nothing else.

“I want to eat scones. I want to go eat scones that are full of jam and cream. With black tea.”

“Yes, I’ll be ready.”

Robert, who answered with joy, thought it was good that Eugene had something he wanted to eat. His steps along Eugene were light.

***

From Alexis’ office, the road to the western annexe could be overlooked at a glance. Alexis, who was watching Eugene and Robert walk side by side through the window, made a wild impression.

“You don’t remember… You want me to believe that?”

The marriage to Baron Linweisen was a political marriage to give and receive what each other needed. Therefore, it didn’t matter what kind of person the other was.

Of course, he already knew Patrick was a fraud. It had been long since he had figured out that he had been in touch with Marquis Teilot’s money.

Alexis did not evaluate Eugene at all. Downfall aristocrats who were suffering from debt and sold their territories were common. However, humans who were confined to their rooms after handing over their family seal to a relative who was no different from a crook, have gone beyond pathetic.

Unfortunately, just because he was pathetic, he couldn’t stop the marriage. Nor did he intend to keep watching the disobedient Patrick. When Eugene refused a formal guardianship offer, Alexis decided to rough out Patrick.

On the day in question, Alexis intended to call Eugene and give him a final notice to take formal guardianship, questioning Patrick’s irregularities. Since he was timid, he thought he would accept it because he was weak under pressure. However, Eugene, on his way to meet him, tripped and rolled on the stairs.

Raw provider: Scarlett

Translator: Fizii

Editor: Helteim