Chapter 31

Bernard and Ticky's master-servant relationship is a microcosm of the relationship between the Broussais Marquis family and the Colson Duke family.

Perhaps due to the nobility's status, but more than anything, the fact that the only river suitable for agriculture and drinking water is on the Colson family's land is the cause of this unusual master-servant relationship. The two families' territories are adjacent. About fifty years ago, the Broussais family was allowed to build a waterway to draw water from that river, on the condition that they would serve the Colson family. Therefore, Bernard was taught from a young age that he must not disobey the Colson family.

Naturally, following the Colson family, he was not even allowed to attend the academy.

"It's all, all, all his fault."

Bernard's day begins with such a spewing of malice.

Crouching on the bed, he vents his poison, then goes out to eat breakfast. Otherwise, he couldn't possibly endure this life.

He is treated like a puppet, allowed to do as he pleases, and can act out as he wants. He readily participates in evil deeds, but if caught, he blames everyone else. When in a bad mood, he hits people, and if anyone utters a single word of "stop," he kicks them.

Still, he must endure this, as it is his destiny for being born into the Broussais family.

However, a few months ago, his emotions suddenly exploded.

At the time, Bernard was suffering from insomnia due to stress. Unable to sleep no matter what, he had started taking early morning walks.

One day, during one of these early morning walks, he met the gaze of a girl who had come out of her house to fetch the newspaper. The moment he saw her, so frail that he felt he could control her, his suppressed emotions exploded.

Before he knew it, he was on top of her, hitting her head with a stone.

"That was good..."

He mutters to himself, recalling the excitement of that moment. It might have been a pleasure. In the end, someone intervened, and he failed to kill the girl. Since then, he hasn't been troubled by insomnia.

Sometimes, remembering the excitement of hitting her, he thinks, "One more time..." But it's also true that he is relieved she didn't die and that he didn't cross the line.

After venting his poison, just as he was about to leave the room, he noticed a black envelope inserted between the door and the floor. It was a distinctive envelope with an owl watermark.

"This is..."

He picks up the envelope. It was the kind used by the Broussais family's intelligence agents.

For nobles, information about other nobles is sometimes more valuable than gold. Therefore, some high-ranking nobles employ such people exclusively.

He had seen black envelopes like this delivered to his parents several times, but this was the first time one had been delivered to him. Perhaps there was something they wanted to tell him.

Bernard checks the contents and his eyes widen.

"With this, I might be able to settle my score with him—"

His lips curved into a smile, looking almost delighted.

..◆◇◆

Three days after the information exchange with Grace, the academy was as usual.

"Cecil-sama!"

Hearing the high-pitched voice from the second-floor classroom, Cecilia, who was walking under the school building, looked up. In her line of sight was a blushing female student. With a prince-like smile, Cecilia waved, and several of the female students fainted, steam rising from their faces.

Gilbert, walking beside her, looked exasperated at their interaction.

"You really do that well, don't you?"

"Do what?"

"Playing the prince."

With a half-lidded gaze, he said this, and Cecilia made a victory pose.

"It's fine! I'm getting used to it!"

"I'm not worried or anything."

"Really?"

"I mean, how could you hear it that way?"

His step-sister always interprets things to suit herself.

While they were having this friendly conversation, a teacher suddenly appeared from the school building and called out.

"There you are! Gilbert!!"

The two turned at the sound of the voice. The teacher approached them.

"Is something wrong?"

"You have a visitor."

"A visitor? Could it be..."

Gilbert's brows furrowed with a bad feeling. Had Ticky finally come to the academy? Sensing his worry, the teacher shook his head.

"No, it's different this time. The visitor today is the heir of the Broussais family. He calls himself Bernard."

At these words, Cecilia and Gilbert looked at each other.

To fit this story, I have revised chapters 16 and 29.

Chapter 30 was a bit long, so I split it into two parts.