So I'm a Snake, Who Cares?

The Court Count raised a snake in his belly.

That was how people evaluated him.

Even among the servants.

Actually, it was an extremely unsightly and ugly story, but when the Court Count heard this evaluation, they say he just laughed heartily.

Instead, his retainer got angry and acted up.

Saying they should severely punish the servant who dared wag their tongue so loosely.

But the Court Count laughed and said.

'Since ancient times, snakes have been called wise animals. If I'm raising several such snakes in my belly, doesn't that just mean my wisdom is that much greater?'

The retainer had no choice but to release the servant.

But no one ever saw that servant again.

Even that anecdote shows Court Count Jimier Berollinger's nature.

Jimier remembered.

The appearance of Third Prince Phili.

After an unspeakably terrible incident that left the royal palace in whispers, the once bright Third Prince became twisted. The transformation wasn't sudden - it crept in like shadows lengthening at dusk, gradually darkening his once-warm amber eyes until they held only a cold, calculating gleam. Where he had once walked with an easy grace through the palace gardens, he now stalked the corridors like a predator, his footsteps eerily silent on the marble floors.

He seemed to have had some cute aspects when young - servants who had been at the palace longest would sometimes reminisce, when they thought no one was listening, about how he used to chase butterflies in the royal gardens and leave bits of his desserts for the palace cats. They remembered a small boy with unruly dark hair who would hide behind pillars during formal ceremonies, trying to make his older brothers laugh with silly faces. Those memories only made his current state more tragic, like looking at a withered flower and trying to imagine its former bloom.

Perhaps because his personality and mind became twisted. After that, even his appearance became gloomy and didn't please the Court Count.

Like princes tend to be, he only knew his own worth and treated others poorly, dismissing servants with casual disdain and viewing commoners as little more than scenery in his gilded world.

Whether due to good education or the stern guidance of their royal tutors, Prince Leon and the First Prince restrained such behavior once they matured, learning to temper their pride with wisdom and treat even the lowest-ranking staff with basic dignity.

But the neglected Third Prince continued causing trouble, unable to fix his habits even into his teens.

Though he seemed to know to fear this Court Count, trembling like a mouse before a snake when stared at intently.

"Kuk."

Remembering that made him laugh involuntarily.

However, even the Court Count couldn't control the Third Prince.

Phili wouldn't listen to anyone except his father and mother.

That defiance strangely contained firm will, as if there was some categorical imperative in his mind saying 'must not listen to others.'

So when entrusting the Third Prince to Obern Grimoire.

He didn't have high expectations.

Since the Third Prince was weak to intimidating people, he thought he might behave somewhat better before Obern.

Recently, when the Dean kept praising Obern Grimoire at the drinking party with the king, he came to check.

He wanted to confirm whether he was truly worthy of such high evaluation from none other than the Dean.

He came to check, and to make him realize his position through threats or persuasion.

But who knew he'd see the prince doing horse stance here.

"How did you do it?"

"Do what?"

Such cheek.

The Court Count pointed to the prince with his eyes.

Obern answered casually.

"Having him do physical training. Since he's quite weak physically."

"Haha, hahaha!"

The Court Count became genuinely pleased.

"You're someone who could make an elephant do a handstand. I apologize for underestimating you."

"..."

"Can we talk just between us for a moment?"

"Very well."

And Obern gestured to the prince and students.

"Step outside."

"Yes."

The trio including the prince politely bowed and left.

The Court Count's mouth opened like a wooden basin at their courteous behavior.

"Please sit."

"Yes, originally I..."

The Court Count said while plopping onto the sofa.

"I came to present a bill."

"A bill?"

"Yes, weren't the favors and sponsorship I bestowed upon you no small amount?"

Favors and sponsorship mean the same thing, he thought as he stroked his beard.

"When one receives something, they must naturally pay the price. I gave you much. In other words, that's no different from saying I bought you."

His attitude was somewhat different from how he'd treated Obern until now.

But for those sponsored by Jimier Berollinger, such a moment of being used always comes.

"However."

Jimier took out a blank check from his pocket.

"It seems I miscalculated. I calculated your price wrong, you were worth more than I thought."

He picked up the pen from in front of the sofa and held it out along with the blank check.

"I want to buy you, write an appropriate price."

"..."

Obern's expression was calm.

But his hand moved like lightning to grab the pen.

Just as Jimier smiled welcomingly.

Obern's pen-holding hand trembled.

Though invisible to the Court Count's view, a crystal snake was tightly wrapped around Obern's forearm.

After a moment of silence, Obern naturally put the pen back in the pen holder.

"You cannot buy me with money."

"...But it seemed I almost had you just now."

"That's impossible."

The Court Count tilted his head.

"Well, yes, there are plenty of things in this world that can't be bought with checks."

And he tore the blank check into several pieces and scattered them.

Obern blankly watched the paper pieces flutter down.

==

'Get a hold of yourself!'

I shouted mentally with force.

'Obern you bastard! I said get a hold of yourself!'

Connected through the Crown of Connection, I could tell.

That Obern's soul was currently half run away.

'I see stars twinkling...'

'Those aren't stars, they're check pieces.'

'Uhuhuhu.'

At this rate, even if Obern is a great actor, tears might start flowing.