PT | Chapter 2.2

“If you were even slightly more competent, you might’ve snagged a royal. But alas, this is the extent of your worth.”

Instead of slapping him again, Johan tapped Aubrey’s chest firmly, the dull sound punctuating his words.

“For now, stay at home and clear your mind. Once you’ve made a decision, let me know. I’ll arrange another meeting with Lady Madeleine.”

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She was the daughter of a family that owned a few equestrian clubs—not a bad match, but not one that rivaled the Marquis’ household in stature. In the Toroso Empire, her family was wealthy, but far from noble.

“She seems to prefer Lennock over me,” Aubrey said, his tone calm but with a hint of sarcasm. “I imagine that’s why she boldly approached him in front of everyone. With that kind of dedication, why not pair her with Lennock instead?”

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Johan’s eyes shifted again.

The newfound calm and iciness in his gaze were no longer those of a father. It was the most disdainful expression he’d worn so far, one that made Aubrey’s mood plummet instantly.

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In the past—back when the number of regressions was still in the single digits—Aubrey would’ve apologized immediately upon seeing that look. But after living through countless cycles, he’d learned something about his father: Johan Wiidin was not the type of person worth apologizing to.

Let the relationship sour if it must. Let Johan feel disappointed if he wanted. That was the best approach. Aubrey had learned this through repeated experience, and so he remained silent. Johan, unable to tolerate the lack of response, raised a finger and pointed it sharply at his son.

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“I thought you were quite clever as a child, but how did you become such a disappointment? You think you’ve grown up just because you’re twenty? Far from it. Someone like you will remain under me for the rest of your life, moving exactly as I dictate. If you so much as think of rebelling or causing trouble, then…”

The pointed finger hovered directly under Aubrey’s chin.

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“You know I don’t show mercy, even to my own blood. This is my final warning, so heed it well and leave.”

“…”

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Aubrey met his father’s gaze, noting the scorn in his eyes. He thought fleetingly that even a stray dog would be looked upon more kindly than himself. Suppressing a bitter smile, Aubrey instead forced a faint, indifferent one to his lips.

“Then I’ll be off. Rest well.”

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Johan’s expression hardened further at the sight of Aubrey’s smile. The Marquis had been keeping his temper in check, but now his irritation was visibly cracking. Seeing this, Aubrey turned and walked away. He felt his father’s presence linger behind him but ignored it. If he hesitated even a moment, he’d be dragged back for another lecture.

As Aubrey exited the study, Dalton, the Marquis’ secretary, lifted his head.

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“Finished already? Allow me to escort you to your room.”

Finding his way to his room was something Aubrey could do with his eyes closed. Having Dalton follow under the pretense of “escorting” him would only be a nuisance. He wanted to tell him to leave, but right now, he didn’t feel like saying anything at all. Rubbing his throbbing left cheek with the back of his hand, Aubrey strode down the hallway.

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In the unnecessarily large Marquis estate, the only person Aubrey truly despised should have been Lennock. And why wouldn’t he? That bastard had burned him alive countless times, so harboring a grudge was unavoidable. Yet, with each regression, the list of things he hated about the estate seemed to grow longer. The Marquis himself consistently ranked near the top of that list.

The relationship between the Marquis and Aubrey was far from a typical parent-child dynamic. The vivid memory of seeking help and getting slapped for his efforts ensured Aubrey stopped confiding in his father long ago. By detaching himself emotionally, he was able to step back and observe his father more clearly, realizing that Johan Wiidin categorized people purely based on their utility. If someone didn’t provide value or serve his interests, even if they were his own child, he’d discard them without hesitation.

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In that sense, Aubrey’s position was precarious at best.

Perhaps, the moment I graduate from the academy, I’ll be shipped off to one of the factories in the outskirts of Toroso. Spending my life trapped there, monitoring the production of battery casings, never setting foot outside again.

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If he was fated to be burned alive by an awakened Lennock in this life as well, then such a monotonous existence didn’t sound so bad. Living lazily, like a carefree drifter, and meeting an uneventful end seemed like a decent way to go. Lost in thought, Aubrey was suddenly brought back to reality by the sound of a low murmur beside him.

“How long does he plan to keep holding his head so high…?”

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“…”

Aubrey stopped in his tracks and turned to look beside him.

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Dalton, wearing his usual placid smile, glanced at him and asked, “Is something wrong? Does the spot where the Marquis hit you feel uncomfortable?”

“…”

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Aubrey’s relationship with his father wasn’t exactly warm. Johan, often disappointed by Aubrey’s failure to meet expectations, had made a habit of expressing that disappointment through scoldings—and sometimes, physical reprimands. Because of this, there were always those who forgot their place. Since the Marquis disrespected Aubrey, they thought they could do the same.

Dalton was a prime example of this. Even in a previous life, after Aubrey had dealt with him harshly, Dalton had failed to learn his lesson. Of course, that was because, unlike Aubrey, Dalton didn’t remember those past lives—this was his first.

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Amused, Aubrey smirked and tilted his head slightly before grabbing Dalton by the collar and shoving him forcefully to the side. Dalton stumbled against the balcony railing, his upper body bending backward as his face turned pale.

“W-what are you doing?! Please, spare me! Young master!!” Dalton pleaded, his voice trembling with panic.

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“Yes. I am your young master,” Aubrey replied calmly. “And that means it wouldn’t be an issue if I let you go right here and now.”

Dalton frantically clawed at Aubrey’s grip, but it was futile; Aubrey’s strength didn’t waver in the slightest. Gasping for breath as his torso leaned further back over the edge, Dalton’s instincts screamed danger. Desperately, he turned his gaze toward Aubrey, silently begging for mercy.

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But Aubrey’s expression remained indifferent.

“My father can treat me however he likes because he owns this estate and I’m his son. As long as that dynamic remains unchanged, you’ll spend the rest of your life cleaning up after me.”

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The Marquis’ butler, still stationed by the front door, had witnessed the scene and hurried over with the household staff in tow. Cries of “Young master!” echoed from all directions, but Aubrey, ignoring them, shoved Dalton sharply.

“Ugh…!”

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Dalton plummeted over the railing. With a heavy thud, his body landed on the first floor, followed by a brief scream of pain before silence overtook him. He’d passed out.

Aubrey approached the balcony railing and glanced down. It was only a fall from the second to the first floor—at most, Dalton might’ve broken a bone or two. Having confirmed this, Aubrey shifted his gaze elsewhere.

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The onlookers who had witnessed Dalton’s fall stared up at him, their faces filled with shock and horror. Reading the fear in their wide eyes, Aubrey stepped back from the railing as the butler approached him at the foot of the stairs.

“Young master, what in the world have you done?!”

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“What’s all this commotion?”

The youthful but composed voice caused everyone to turn around. Standing there, dressed impeccably in his academy uniform, was Lennock.

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Despite having departed alongside Aubrey, Lennock had arrived late at the Marquis’ estate. The cause of the commotion quickly became clear: Aubrey stood near the second-floor railing, while Dalton lay crumpled on the floor below.

Lennock’s sharp gaze shifted upward, locking onto Aubrey, who spoke in an even tone. “If you’re going to hire someone, make sure they know how to show respect to their employer. If a dog bites its master, you beat it with a stick to teach it a lesson.”

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“…”

Without waiting for a reply, Aubrey turned and walked toward his room.

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The room was all too familiar, both comforting and suffocating. He had briefly visited it ten days ago, only to leave immediately after. But to him, this was more than just a room—it was the very place where, each time he regressed, he opened his eyes to start all over again.

***

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The tenth time that Aubrey opened his eyes, he couldn’t collect his thoughts.

He was confused about whether what he had seen before, just before dying in his ninth life, was real. It was understandable. The useless man his father had brought home from outside was the great sinner.

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At least, the fact that he was somewhat connected to the sinner from 400 years ago might have been the reason he could be resurrected. Or maybe it was just a coincidence that Lennock, that bastard, was chosen. Aubrey muttered to himself, thinking that perhaps he had just happened to be near when the great sin was resurrected.

‘I need to check again.’

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So, he checked again.

Maybe it was because he had tried too hard before. This time, Aubrey, with less determination, lived an average life before heading to Sellanto on the fateful day. And there, he faced Lennock once again. This time, Lennock was dressed from head to toe in a truly stylish outfit.

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The boy, who had been deliberately denied an education and sent to a relative’s house in the outskirts when he was around ten, had appeared completely changed.

‘What the hell?!’

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How could the boy, who had never received an education and had spent his whole life farming, be standing there like that?

Aubrey, who couldn’t understand, rushed at Lennock like a madman, but he couldn’t reach him. He turned to ash from the breath of the dragon that appeared without mercy.

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However, in that final moment, Aubrey saw the eyes of Lennock, who was looking down at him. Eyes that showed no emotion, cold and merciless, sent a chill down his spine.

What crossed his mind at that moment was, “Why is he looking at me like that?” Hadn’t they grown up like brothers in the Marquis’ household? Didn’t he take in the orphan, feed him, and let him sleep? What an arrogant bastard, Aubrey thought, as he was struck by the shock like a lightning bolt.

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Ah, now that I think about it, I’ve been tormenting him this whole time.

That’s right. Aubrey, tired and mentally shattered from the endless reincarnation, had needed a target to vent his frustration. He had always been self-centered and arrogant. His basic nature wasn’t going to change easily, even with repeated lifetimes. During that time, Lennock had been the perfect prey to provoke.

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From light violence to abusive torment, he had done it all. As he grew older, he would intentionally spill wine on people or throw filth at them, and at times, he even physically harmed others by breaking their limbs.