READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 21
“Wha—Ace!! Do you even understand what you’re saying!!”
“Exactly!!”
“What do you mean I’m being disowned!!”
The three of them naturally reacted with outrage to Ace’s words. Just moments ago, they thought they were saved, but now they realized that wasn’t the case at all.
“There’s no way around it. Didn’t I just say it? It’s a condition that’s no burden at all to the Selens Earl House.”
Ace’s flat tone left the three speechless. His words were essentially telling the Selens family, “You’re unnecessary.”
“During negotiations with Duke Zarfing, I proposed the transfer of the Raengeik Mine.”
“Wh…what did you say!!”
The Earl’s anger was justified. The Raengeik Mine was the backbone of the Selens Earl House’s income. The idea of giving it away was unthinkable.
“To atone for the disrespect caused by breaking off Fiona’s engagement, we had no choice but to part with the Raengeik Mine.”
“You bastard!! How dare you act on your own!!”
“However, Duke Zarfing has nullified the transfer of the Raengeik Mine.”
“Then why—!!”
“That’s why the three conditions I mentioned earlier are necessary.”
The three gulped at Ace’s words, likely due to his emotionless tone.
“If you accept two of the conditions I proposed earlier, this matter will be over. It’s for the sake of the Selens Earl House. Please accept it quietly.”
“D-don’t mess with us!! You’re not the head of the Selens House!! Stop acting on your own!!”
“Exactly!! What are you even saying!!”
“Brother, you monster!! What are you thinking, not protecting your family!!”
Despite their resistance, Ace continued speaking without a hint of disturbance.
“Unfortunately, this is already decided. Father, Mother, you always said it, didn’t you? As nobles, we must prioritize the family above all else.”
“Shut up!! Stop your nonsense!!”
“Father, I said it’s already decided.”
Ace’s voice remained completely calm, which only infuriated the three even more.
“Lidys!! Restrain this fool!!”
Though directly ordered by the Earl, Lidys, the head butler, showed no sign of moving.
“What are you doing!!”
In response to the Earl’s outburst, Lidys elegantly bowed and spoke calmly.
“Former Earl, I only take orders from the current Selens Earl.”
“Wh…what are you saying?”
“You are no longer the Selens Earl. The current Selens Earl is Lord Ace.”
Lidys’ words left the three in stunned silence.
“Don’t mess with me!! I am the Selens Earl!! Not this guy!!”
The former Earl shouted, but Ace’s expression didn’t change at all.
“Father, don’t you understand? You’re no longer the Selens Earl.”
“What are you talking about!!”
“You’ve already transferred the title of Selens Earl, the position of head of the Selens House, and all accompanying authority to me.”
“Don’t mess with me!! When did I ever transfer the title to you!!”
“Five days ago, I prepared and submitted the documents.”
“Wh…what…?”
The former Earl was stunned. What Ace had done was document forgery and an illegal succession of the title.
“Ace, do you even realize what you’ve done!!”
“Of course. I inherited the Selens Earl House as you requested, Father. Is there a problem?”
“I never said a word about transferring it to you!!”
“Yes, you didn’t. But what’s the problem with that?”
“What…?”
The three were left speechless by Ace’s response.
“Father, who do you think has been handling the duties of the Selens Earl lately?”
“……”
“Of course, it’s me. Didn’t you entrust it to me, Father?”
“Th-that’s…”
“For the past year, you’ve been pushing all the work onto me, haven’t you? ‘I leave it to you,’ you said. So I judged that I had inherited the title and went through the proper procedures. It’s only because you entrusted everything to me that I was able to inherit the title smoothly. I truly thank you for that.”
After finishing, Ace bowed to his father. His tone was so matter-of-fact that the former Earl and his wife could only move their mouths silently, unable to speak.
“W-wait, Brother…”
Fiona, her face pale, trembled as she called out to Ace.
“Fiona, you’re being disowned. This is the decision of the head of the Selens Earl House.”
“Brother!! Please forgive me!! I beg you!!”
Clutching at Ace’s feet, Fiona pleaded, but Ace showed no sign of being moved.
“Fiona, now that you’ve been disowned, you’re no longer my sister. Your status is now that of a commoner. From now on, address me as the Selens Earl.”
“Why!! Brother!!”
“Haven’t you been listening to my words?”
“Eek!”
Fiona let out a cry of fear as Ace’s tone clearly turned harsh. At this point, Fiona realized she had already been cast aside.
“Fiona, do you know why you’re being disowned?”
“Th-that’s…”
“You think it’s because of the retaliation from Lord Giorg for betraying him, don’t you?”
“Y-yes!! Brother, please intercede with Lord Giorg to revoke my disownment!!”
“Fiona, you’re as foolish as ever. The retaliation from Duke Zarfing over the broken engagement isn’t the real issue here.”
“Huh?”
“It’s your attitude toward others… no, toward those of lower status that’s the problem.”
“…What do you mean?”
“As nobles, we must maintain distinctions in status. But that doesn’t mean it’s acceptable to trample on the dignity of those beneath us. That’s an entirely separate, despicable act. If you think such vile behavior is acceptable, then you must also accept being trampled on by those above you. I could never live such a shameless life.”
“……”
Fiona had no retort to Ace’s words. The term “shameless” pierced her heart. She had received harsh words from Ace before, but back then, there had been familial affection in his tone. Now, there was none of that.
“Unlike you, I have pride. I could never accept having my dignity trampled on.”
“I have pride too!!”
“No, you don’t. That’s why you don’t understand how vile it is to trample on others’ dignity. All you have is the bravado to hide and distract from your own foolishness.”
“…That’s cruel.”
“You lack the capacity and intelligence to understand even if I explain it to you. So I have no choice but to convey it this way.”
Ace’s voice was icy cold.
“Now, this conversation is over. The former Selens Earl and his wife will henceforth live in seclusion at the Selens estate in Gousbal. You are not permitted to leave the estate without my permission.”
“Wh…”
“Gousbal!? You’re going to lock us up in that countryside!?”
“Fiona, as a commoner after your disownment, you’re free to live anywhere in the Selens Earl territory after marrying Lord Leon. I’ll even help you find a job.”
“Th-that’s…”
“If you refuse to comply with my decision, I will show no mercy. If you want to make me a patricide, feel free to rebel anytime.”
The coldness in Ace’s voice was harder and colder than permafrost. The three realized that any appeal to familial bonds would be futile.
“Now, please leave. We won’t meet again, but I wish you good health… Hey.”
“What are you doing!! Let go!!”
“What are you doing!! Ace!! Ace!! Stop this!!”
“Let go!! Brother!! Please forgive me!! Brotherrrrr!!”
At Ace’s command, the butlers grabbed the three and dragged them out of the reception room. Even as they were taken away, the three continued to scream, but Ace’s expression remained unchanged.
“You’ve worked hard.”
Lidys spoke as if concerned for Ace.
“No, the hard part is yet to come. Thanks to you, there’s been no chaos in the Royal Capital, but I still need to establish control over the territory.”
“Understood.”
“But with this, the contract with Duke Zarfing is settled. We’re only halfway there, but it seems we’ll survive.”
“Yes, splendid work.”
Lidys responded quietly to Ace’s words.
(Lord Ace has abandoned his family for our sake… Is this the kind of harsh judgment a noble must make?)
Thinking of Ace’s inner turmoil, Lidys couldn’t help but reflect on the weight of the noble status. The necessity of making ruthless decisions at times was something those who only saw the surface of things could never understand.
Knowing that Ace had to abandon his family for the sake of his vassals, it was only natural to want to support him.
Lidys quietly bowed and began to move for his new master.
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