Chapter 2

### How to Live as the Third Son of a Failed Work - Chapter 2 (2/278)

How to Live as the Third Son of a Failed Work Chapter 2

Spitting out the tea he was drinking, the butler was startled and pulled out a handkerchief.

"Are you alright, sir?"

"Marriage? Me?"

Upon reflection, it did seem that way.

The character had been so minor that my memory was hazy, but I seemed to recall one of the sons becoming a victim of a political marriage.

"Have you forgotten? It seems you're not feeling well today. I'll call the doctor."

The tone implying how could I forget my own wedding made me quickly regain my composure.

"No, no. I'm fine."

Waving my hand, I hurriedly thought.

If this continues, will I be getting married in a week?

Wait, where did the Lindair family form a blood alliance through a political marriage in the novel?

"The Barshern Dukedom?"

"Yes. The eldest daughter of the Barshern Dukedom is your betrothed."

"Eldest daughter? Surely, it can't be Fletha, right?"

"......Yes, it is."

Thud!

It felt like a boulder had dropped into my heart.

No way. It absolutely can't be the eldest daughter of the Barshern Dukedom.

I could easily recall her, the most unique and distinctive supporting character in the novel.

Iron Lady Fletha Barshern.

A prodigy who proved that the Barshern Dukedom had no need for sons, and an unparalleled magician.

At the same time, a ruthless psychopath without a shred of humanity!

Marrying such a woman now?

She's so crazy that she drinks blood instead of water!

'I'd rather bite my tongue and commit suicide.'

Wait.

Suicide?

'What happens if I die here?'

Do I wake up from a dream and return to reality?

Or, if I really die, what then?

After sorting out my complicated thoughts, the only thing left was to stop the wedding.

I can't live with a psychopath!

'Let's sort out the complicated stuff later.'

According to the butler, there was only a week left until the wedding.

Thinking about the lack of time, I sprang to my feet.

"Butler. I need to see Father."

"Excuse me?"

"Why?"

"Lord?"

"Is there a problem?"

"May I ask why?"

"I have something urgent to discuss. But why?"

"......No, I will convey your wishes."

Convey my wishes?

Even as a duke, isn't that too distant for a father-son relationship?

* * *

"So, Cain. What brings you to see me?"

It's normal to have some distance.

No, even if there wasn't, it should be created now.

Pushing through stubbornly, I faced Lindair Duke, the father of this body.

The only problem was that I had been thinking of him as just a character in the novel.

"Why can't you say anything? What's the matter?"

He had the air of someone who had just returned from the battlefield, having killed a few people.

Perhaps because he had been handling mana for over a decade, the duke's eyes glowed with a blue aura, and his broad shoulders were like a mountain.

The casual armor and the sword sheath slung diagonally across his waist had already sapped what little courage I had left.

The feeling of the Northern Lord was not just a word but a tangible presence.

"I see Lord."

"I asked you twice."

"Excuse me?"

"If I ask one more time, it will be three times."

Only then did I realize the duke had asked what was the matter twice.

Damn.

Focusing so hard, I had forgotten.

"The reason I came to see you is that I have a request."

Can I say this?

If I get hit by that pot lid-sized hand, I might die.

"A request?"

The duke tilted his head and subtly placed his hand on the sword sheath.

Just that small gesture made cold sweat trickle down the back of my neck.

The duke, unaware of it, but I knew. This was the duke's unique negotiation technique, a habit mentioned several times in the novel.

In other words, the duke was ready to negotiate, no matter what I said.

This gave me a bit of courage.

Negotiation is a game where, depending on me, I can win against anyone.

"I don't want to get married."

"......"

This silence is incredibly tense.

According to the novel's setting, I could have my head split open by the duke's slap.

Tap tap.

The duke's finger tapped the table.

The duke spoke after a long while.

"Why don't you want to?"

"It's my life."

Going straight to the core is the best approach.

It's my life, so why should anyone say anything?

Moreover, the duke is a character who values principles and rules.

He is ruthless if there's no valid reason, but if there is, he won't push it.

In any case, it was a calculated bet.

"......"

The duke's reaction was quite unique.

The man, who seemed stern, raised his eyebrows, then smiled, and finally burst into a deep, resonant laugh.

"Ha ha ha!"

"......"

"Your life?"

"Yes."

My quick answer made the duke's eyes widen for a moment before returning to normal.

He then stroked his beard and chuckled.

"Truly straightforward. But it's not wrong. Fine. If you want to live your life as you please, I won't interfere."

Nodding a few times, the duke indicated his agreement.

"One."

The joy of success was short-lived.

The duke was still looking at me as if I were insignificant and foolish.

"That's the story when you have nothing from your family."

"......"

"Right. As a parent, I can't expect compensation for raising a child. But that's only until adulthood. You, after your coming-of-age ceremony, not only didn't contribute to the family but squandered its wealth."

What? I squandered the family's wealth?

"Stupid boy. Did you earn the money you spent on courtesans and gambling?"

"That, that's......"

"Remember this. Everything in this world comes with a price. And the price for everything you've enjoyed is marrying the Barshern heiress. Life? Well said. Yes, your current situation is the life you've created."

It seems the original owner of this body was quite extravagant. Still, to sell your child?

"Butler."

At the duke's call, the door opened, and the butler entered.

"Yes, Lord."

"How much of the family's wealth has Cain Lindair consumed since his coming-of-age ceremony?"

"Excluding official duties, it amounts to about 1,500 gold coins."

1,500 gold coins!

That's enough to carve a mountain and build a villa.

'Crazy.'

How much did this crazy guy spend?

Moreover, shouldn't a parent stop their child from spending so recklessly?

"Do you have anything else to say?"

The duke's sneer made me realize.

He did this on purpose.

Since he was going to send me off in a political marriage, he must have turned a blind eye to my dissolute lifestyle.

'Damn, damn, damn... Wait.'

Hold on.

He's saying the opposite, that my value is 1,500 gold coins?

Then.

"I'll pay it back."

"......!"

Both the duke and the butler were taken aback by this unexpected declaration.

"Pay it back, you say?"

"I'll return every bit of the wealth I squandered."

"I know you don't have a single coin to your name, aside from the family's wealth."

"That's true."

"Are you trying to play word games with me?"

Whoosh!

It wasn't a joke; a blue aura burst from behind the duke.

The entire office was dominated by the duke's presence.

The pressure was so intense that I couldn't even breathe without his permission. Truly, the aura of a master.

But I had no choice but to stand my ground.

"Would I dare play games with you?"

"If you can't explain, you won't leave the castle until the wedding."

"I mean it. I'll pay back 1,500 gold coins."

"Are you mocking me!"

Bang!

The teacup on the table shattered, sending fragments flying.

Cold sweat drenched my underwear.

But I couldn't back down now.

"I'm not lying. I can pay it back."

"Last chance. Explain yourself."

"As you know, I don't have that much money now."

"But."

"I can make it."

It's not impossible.

I can't think of a clear method right now, but as someone who knows the novel inside out, can't I earn a bit of money?

"Ridiculous! How will you do it?"

"I can't say."

"Boy!"

"Forgive my rudeness. It's my own strategy and everything I have."

The duke glared at me.

His gaze was like a predator eyeing its prey. I met his gaze calmly, though I hid my trembling hands behind my back.

Then, the duke's mana, which had been pressing down on me like a raging wave, gradually subsided.

"You, who have only ever indulged in debauchery, are talking like a businessman."

"......"

"I don't know what ridiculous dream you're having, but since you don't want to reveal your plan, I won't pry."

"Thank you."

"So, that's not the end, is it?"

Indeed, as a seasoned noble, he was quick to catch on.

"I need time."

"Again."

"I need people."

"Again."

"......I also need some funds."

"You're a joke."

The duke's lips curled up slightly.

"What if you fail?"

"I'll marry without a word."

"That's not fair. That's what I should get anyway."

"What do you want?"

"Give up everything as a Lindair and spend your life in penance as a member of the Barshern family."

Give up everything as a Lindair.

It means renouncing legitimacy.

Clearly, he wants to prevent me from involving myself in the family's succession with the Barshern Dukedom's backing.

As a duke, he wants to eliminate future troubles by firmly establishing a successor. He probably never saw me as a potential successor, but he wants to cut off any chance now.

Of course, I had no interest in it.

But I couldn't be indifferent.

"Understood."

After pretending to think for a while, I answered, and the duke narrowed his eyes.

He was trying to figure out if I was really confident or just a fool.

"Are you serious?"

"Yes."

"Fine. Now it's your turn."

"I need six months."

"Are you planning to keep the mighty Barshern Dukedom waiting for six months?"

"Then, how much time is possible?"

"If you claim to be weak and sick, I can delay it by a month."

Well, I didn't expect to get much time. A month is tight, but not impossible.

"I need about three skilled knights."

"A knight for a mere plaything? Ridiculous. I'll give you one to protect you from street fights. Of course, it can't be a captain or deputy captain."

You really have to push it, don't you?

"......I also need about 100 gold coins."

"I'll give you 10."

I almost cursed out loud. The duke sneered, as if reading my thoughts.

"Since this is your last chance to change your life, you should be grateful for this much."

Yeah, laugh all you want. I'll return that sneer someday.

"Understood. In exchange, give me the choice of that one knight."

"That's not a problem."

"When can you prepare?"

"Starting now. The butler will take care of it."

The butler bowed at the duke's command.

"Understood."

The suffocating negotiation was over.

I had achieved my goal.

It wasn't the best outcome, but it wasn't the worst either.

A month.

A short time, but also a long time. I had to start thinking quickly to make the most of it.

I also gained the right to choose one knight, a small amount of money.

"Then, I will take my leave."

The real game starts now.

Leaving the duke, who looked interested, and the butler, who looked worried, I strode out of the room.