PT | Chapter 5.4

But rumors spread faster than words, and Lennock’s presence could reach the marquis’s wife’s ears at any time. Perhaps that’s why they had turned a blind eye to Gray’s tyranny. If the conflict between the children worsened, they might use it as an excuse to drive Lennock out.

But the butler realized from the marquis’s gaze that he had been mistaken. Lennock was not someone who should be driven out. And the marquis confirmed this conviction with his words.

“I will say this only once, so listen carefully. I am responsible for this child and must provide for him until he comes of age. Understand?”

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“…Yes, sir. Clearly understood.”

“If the conflict between the children escalates, cut it off appropriately. And let Aubrey come down from the attic now.”

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Relieved by the final command, the butler nodded emphatically.

“I was worried about the youngest master, but now I can finally relax.”

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“No, you can’t.”

“…What do you mean?”

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“In this house, the youngest master isn’t Aubrey. It’s him.”

“…”

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“Make sure no more noise comes from this house.”

After finishing his statement, the marquis left the room, leaving the butler visibly shocked. It was inevitable. The command meant integrating a child without a single drop of Wiidin blood into the family records.

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Wasn’t the marquis someone who obsessed over lineage more than anyone? His words suggested that perhaps Lennock was indeed unrelated to him.

The butler looked at Lennock standing in the middle of the room.

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And Lennock remembered the butler’s gaze from that time. It was a look filled with reluctant horror, as if facing something dreadful. That was how Lennock could become the fifth young master of the Wiidin family.

But that did not mean he received the same treatment as the other four. Gray and Jill continued to torment him, and the servants allowed it.

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Though not as frequently as before, Lennock still bled from his nose or tore his flesh every other day. He was pushed down stairs and high places. Once, he was nearly trampled under the hooves of a horse driven by Gray. Through the constant harassment, there was occasionally someone who helped him, and that was Aubrey.

After the marquis’s wife died and her first memorial day arrived, Gray glared at Lennock and deliberately scraped a knife up and down a plate. The plate didn’t break but made a grating sound that was chilling to hear. Amid the murderous atmosphere where the food seemed to go down the wrong way, everyone was too scared to confront Gray, but Aubrey was different.

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“Are we supposed to eat or starve here? Do you think you’re alone in this place?!”

Unable to bear it, Aubrey shouted, causing deep lines to form on Gray’s brow. The sharp gaze that had been fixed on Lennock now turned toward Aubrey.

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“What did you say…?”

“If you keep this up, just say it. I’ll eat somewhere else!”

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Not just in words, Aubrey stood up from his chair.

As Aubrey took action, even the servants who had remained silent under Gray’s tyranny began to stir.

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“Master, please don’t. On a day like today, let’s avoid any commotion…”

“What day is it? It’s fine as it is. Or what?”

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Aubrey glared straight at Gray and taunted him.

“Spent a lifetime barely caring for your mother and visiting maybe once a month, and now after she’s gone, you suddenly transform your deep regret and remorse into this farce?”

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“…Young master!”

As the butler grasped Aubrey, Gray stood up from his chair.

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In a tense moment, Aubrey grabbed a plate and hurled it at Gray. Surprised, Gray dodged, and the plate smashed against the wall.

Thump, clang!

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The noise froze the air in the restaurant. Everyone had expected Gray to cause a scene, not Aubrey to throw a plate at him. While everyone was frozen, the butler quickly scooped Aubrey up. Where he found the strength to hoist Aubrey onto his shoulder and dash out of the restaurant at such speed was a mystery. Gray, still in disbelief at what had happened, exploded when he saw Aubrey’s defiant fist raised.

“You little shit! I’ve held back because of my father, but no more! I’ll make you bleed today!!”

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As Gray charged like a bull, servants grabbed him. Unable to control his temper, the mad dog lashed out, knocking out several teeth and breaking noses. People shouldn’t act that way, but it was okay for Gray. In the Wiidin estate, he was the little devil. And to Lennock, there was an even greater devil…

“What are you doing in a restaurant just drinking tea?”

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“…”

At the familiar voice from above, Lennock stopped his thoughts and looked up.

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There was Aubrey, approaching slowly while rubbing a heating pad against his neck. His posture, slightly bent forward, made it clear to anyone that he was in bad shape. Knowing the reason, Lennock couldn’t take his eyes off Aubrey, though Aubrey didn’t return the gaze.

From the four chairs around the circular table, Aubrey pulled one closer to Amon and sat down. Normally, he would lean back and cross his legs, but this time he didn’t. Sitting upright, barely an inch from the backrest, Aubrey grumbled.

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“I was going to eat and run…”

“That sounds like you’re planning to dine and dash. I came all this way, and thanks to me, you got out of that uncomfortable mansion.”

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“…I was going to head back to the academy anyway.”

As Aubrey muttered, Amon said nothing more.

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Resting his chin on his interlocked fingers, he looked at Aubrey with an expression that said, ‘Oh, really.’ Aubrey clicked his tongue and raised a hand in annoyance as a waiter approached swiftly. He took the menu and ordered several dishes.

Without consulting Amon or Lennock, Aubrey ordered enough for four and then glanced at Amon.

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“You’re paying for this.”

“Wow, isn’t that a bit much? I’m a guest here.”

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“You came uninvited…”

Aubrey turned away, indicating he was done with the conversation. Amon watched him with a disgruntled look, whether he liked it or not. Aubrey, not bothering to hide his irritation, grabbed a cookie that came with the tea and popped it into his mouth, feeling the dryness. Then, seizing the cup in front of Lennock, he gulped down the remaining tea and attacked another cookie. Amon found Aubrey’s behavior and actions immensely interesting as if nothing was wrong.

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After quickly finishing the cookies, Aubrey looked regretfully at the empty plate and then raised his head. Seeing both men staring at him, he raised an eyebrow.

“Stop staring at me like that; it’s creepy.”

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Clearly, his earlier actions hadn’t been intentional.

Sighing, Amon shook his head as if he couldn’t understand.

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“I really can’t tell if you guys get along well or not.”

“What are you talking about?”

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Aubrey picked up the heating pad from the table and pressed it against the back of his neck. Unable to just watch, Amon reached out for the heating pad.

“If you’ve got a crick in your neck, you shouldn’t do that. Here, let me help.”

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“Stop it, I’m doing fine.”

Dodging Amon’s hands, Aubrey winced as pain shot through his back. Quickly adjusting his expression, he spoke more sternly.

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“It’ll get better; don’t make useless gestures.”

“Useless gestures? I’m just trying to help because you look uncomfortable… But looking at you now, it seems like it’s not just your neck that’s bothering you…?”

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Amon’s gaze shifted to Aubrey’s back.

Despite receiving regular treatment and changing bandages after being whipped, it had only been a few days. Thanks to not using any effective medicine, Aubrey felt as if his entire body creaked with each step. He had tried his best not to show it, but perhaps Amon, who was quick to notice, had caught on.

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If Amon pressed further, Aubrey was ready to deny everything. But what came out of Amon’s mouth was completely unexpected.

“You hurt your back? That’s troublesome. We were supposed to celebrate your bachelor party after graduation.”

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“What nonsense are you talking about?”

The absurdity of Amon’s comment was so great that it didn’t even anger Aubrey, it just shocked him. Ignoring the startled expression, Amon nonchalantly added, “I’ve always thought your waist is too slender for your body. Of course, a sturdy waist isn’t the only thing needed to please a woman, but it’s a crucial element…”

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“Amon Belraf.”

Aubrey quickly placed a hand on the table and leaned forward, his voice ominously low, “Don’t spout off your nonsense as if it’s a shared plan we’ve agreed on.”

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“Wasn’t it? I thought since I’ve had experience and you haven’t, I was trying to give you a good experience…”

“That’s the thing, your thoughts don’t involve my consent at all. I’ve never been particularly interested in women.”

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It was all Amon’s solo rhetoric about going somewhere nice after graduation. He boasted about his experiences from his mid-teens, thanks to his father’s indulgence, and although Aubrey never responded, Amon had taken his silence as compliance.

This firm rebuttal was necessary to prevent any further misunderstanding.

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Aubrey looked up to meet the eyes of Amon and Lennock, his gaze carrying a different emotion now.

“…”

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The awkwardness was palpable, and Aubrey’s brow raised. Why were they looking at him so strangely? Then it hit him—his attempt to clarify might have only deepened their misconceptions.

Startled, Aubrey was about to clarify—

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“Excuse me. Your meals have arrived.”

With the arrival of the food, Aubrey immediately closed his mouth.

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He set the heating pad on his thigh and watched the new dishes being arranged on the refreshed table. After the waiter placed the last plate and wished them a pleasant meal, Aubrey opened his mouth again.

“About what I said earlier…”

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“It’s fine. You don’t need to explain, really. If you get too flustered, it makes the joke I started with even more embarrassing.”

If Amon didn’t want to feel embarrassed, he shouldn’t have started with such nonsense.

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Aubrey glanced at him narrowly as Amon cheerfully unpacked the napkin and admired the food. Seemingly taking the previous comment as a joke, Amon shifted his attention to eating. Aubrey, though relieved, felt unsettled as he drank some water.

He sighed deeply before focusing on the food, picking up his fork and knife.

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