Chapter 101

Chapter 101

It was a hectic party. The ceiling was full of red ribbons, there were busy servants everywhere, musicians playing violins and the piano, mountain-like food at each table, and guests constantly coming in.

The main character was Calibaut Ben Dratius, the host of the party and the head of one of the three major families. The handsome blond man neatly put his hair back and stood in the center, wearing a fashionable suit.

Everyone noticed Calibaut. He greeted the guests with a relaxed face as the main character of the party.

[Count Kenbert, welcome. I hope you’ve been well in the meantime.]

[Hoh. Count Dratius, long time no see.]

The nobles sticked to Calibaut like honeybees looking for flowers. He was the head of one of the three major families, was close to the Emperor, and he had a great sense of politics.

A perfect man. Calibaut, who held wealth and honor, enjoyed the party’s play of power to his heart’s content.

Then, he heard an unpleasant conversation next to him.

[Isn’t the Grand Duke Sarman coming today? He has never missed a party before, but he’s not even showing his nose this year.]

[Well, maybe he’s not interested anymore because Count Dratius is likely to lose his place among the three families to Baron Berman. There’s a rumor that the Young Lady is already wielding a sword.]

[What? Isn’t she not even ten years old yet?]

[Right, not even ten years old. Dratius’ Young Master is only one year older than her, isn’t he? Besides, she followed Baron Berman to war and brought the enemy’s head. She’s on a different level than Dratius’ Young Master.]

They were whispering, but Calibaut did not miss it with his excellent hearing. His mouth was subtly hardened as he greeted a lady.

Both the Berman and Dratius families originally had active businesses. But recently, as Berman’s momentum was soaring to the sky, Dratius’ was falling to the ground.

Calibaut turned around and approached them. Then, he smiled cheerfully, saying that he was expecting the growth of the Bermans more than anyone else.

Throughout the party, Calibaut’s smile never left his face. He did not shake until the boring party was over.

After the party, the banquet hall was full of leftovers, wine, and trash. Calibaut kicked the table while swearing.

Bang!

[Motherfuckers! Who helped you get to that position!]

The anger that he had barely contained exploded. His humiliation did not stop throughout the party. This was all because of Baron Berman, his daughter, and his own incompetent son.

When he had first heard the rumors about Berman’s Young Lady, he had dismissed them as a joke. How could a little girl already use a blue sword and join the battlefield? That was ridiculous.

However, his friend’s daughter did that ridiculous thing. It was as if they were laughing at Calibaut.

Ash was being sprayed on Calibaut’s honor, despite working hard all his life. Furthermore, rumors were circulating in the Empire that the three major families would be changed.

Calibaut spewed harsh abuse several times, and headed to the library of the mansion. Even though it was late, light leaked out from the slightly open door of the study.

When he opened the door, he saw a blond boy sitting on the floor reading a thick book. He was so focused that he did not even notice him coming.

Calibaut’s blue eyes darkened. He screamed with bloodvessels visible on his neck.

[Hizen Ben Dratius!)

[F-father…]

[How dare you disobey me?]

Surprised, Hizen hurriedly hid the book behind him. Not long ago, Calibaut had forbidden him to enter the library, but he could not stand it.

Hizen loved books. Even with his eyes closed, he could see letters in his head, and he wanted to read a book crazily whenever he opened his eyes. To Hizen, a book was very warm and a sword too cold.

No matter how hard he tried, swordsmanship did not suit him. Hizen was simply not confident of becoming a knight. Rather, he wanted to study like the Duke of Armada.

Hizen bowed his head and carefully spoke. He had the small hope that, if he put it right, his father would understand his true feelings.

[Father, I’m sorry. I’m…]

Tack!

It flashed before his eyes. On the floor, Hizen touched his tingling cheek. The hateful kicks came without end.

Calibaut trampled on his young son’s body and swore while spitting out his resentment. He could not afford to lose not only his wife but also his family’s honor because of such a weak man.

[You’re worse than a little girl! You even killed someone when you were born!]

Hizen curled up and held the book tightly in his arms while crying. He was more worried about his father breaking the book than getting hurt.

It was after Hizen was covered in blood that the harsh violence stopped. Calibaut kicked a bookshelf with his feet to relieve his anger.

Bang!

Books fell on the floor and Hizen’s body trembled. Calibaut threatened him to burn all the books if he caught him again.

When Calibaut left, the butler and servants waiting outside the door came in. They clicked their tongues looking at Hizen, who was a mess.

He had several broken ribs, and blood was flowing from his nose, mouth and head. The weak boy could not scream and just shuddered.

Hizen raised his heavy hand and pointed to the books on the floor.

[Books… the books…]

[Let’s do it properly! Hey, bring the Young Master to the bedroom! Get the doctor!]

The servants rushed to help Hizen, who was still looking at the books on the floor.

That was a relief. Hizen looked carefully at the bookshelf and smiled. Fortunately, none of the books were damaged. Relieved, Hizen soon lost his conscientiousness.

After that, Calibaut’s abuse continued. The rumors from outside caused him to lose his composure, and he vented all his anger on Hizen.

Calibaut became stranger and stranger. He enjoyed alcohol and drugs while hanging out with suspicious people, and occasionally came back with his clothes stained with a black liquid

Hizen liked the new peace rather than worrying about his father. He could read even a little book if Calibaut was not there.

As time passed, Hizen could enjoy peace. The butler and servants lied about him practicing swordsmanship all day long for their good Young Master, and Calibaut’s violence disappeared. In particular, the longer his father was absent, the longer he could secretly read books.

Still, he had to practice swordsmanship. Hizen wielded a sword during the day, as Calibaut had commanded, and secretly read from night to dawn. Although his body was tired, he was happy to read the books he loved.

But this happiness was brief, because Calibaut was planning to send Hizen to Baron Berman’s mansion. It was because of the news he had heard that his close friend, Ramashter, was going to go there as a swordsmanship teacher.

Hizen felt uncomfortable about it. He was already tired of the rumors comparing him to the Young Lady of the Berman family, and he did not get along well with children his age. This was because his self-esteem had fallen to the ground due to the long domestic violence.

[Father, please. I want to learn swordsmanship here.]

[Don’t say anything weak.]

Despite his son’s earnest request, Calibaut did not blink. He immediately sent Hizen to Baron Berman.

Hizen sighed in the carriage leading to Baron Berman. He was a close friend of Calibaut, so he would definitely be a rough and tough man. In addition, his daughter started to wield a sword at an early age and had already been on a battlefield. She must be a cruel girl.

In Hizen’s head, the image of the Berman girl was terrifying. She was probably big and tall, and as fierce as one could be.

His gloomy blue eyes looked through the carriage window. The Berman’s barony was shining beautifully, unlike his troubled heart.

There were leaves stretching out into the sky, knee-high wild grass dancing in the wind, and animals running freely around. Everything looked mysterious. Hizen could not take his eyes off the view beyond the carriage window.

The Berman mansion where he arrived was smaller than he had thought. It was less than half the size of the Dratius’ mansion, and powder was flying from the white bricks all over the building.

It took him a while to adjust because he had always seen luxurious mansions.

A young man in a neat suit came in front of him.

[Welcome, Young Master Hizen. I am the butler, Calorque.]

He looked very straight and nice. Hizen greeted him awkwardly, raising his hand. Then Calorque led him, saying that he would show him around the mansion.

As he entered the mansion, his blue eyes widened little by little. The inside was more plain and ordinary than the outside. However, an old fireplace was warming the mansion and was surrounded by plants and animals.

In particular, the place was full of magical rats and creatures he had never seen before. A strange pattern was also engraved on the back of a spider crawling on the ground.

Calorque smiled as Hizen slowly stepped back. He was an innocent and timid boy as the rumors said. Unlike the Young Lady.

[Don’t worry. These guys don’t bite.]

[Oh… okay.)

The room assigned to Hizen was the largest and cleanest room in the mansion. The Baron was very considerate of his close friend’s son.

Inside, a brown-haired maid who was taller than Hizen was cleaning. As soon as Hizen entered, she bowed her head and left the room shouting ‘I’m sorry!’

Surprised, Hizen looked at the closed door and began to unpack. After a while, some maids came in.

[Hello, Young Master Hizen!]

[We have been waiting for you!]

[Uh… Huh?]

They looked so happy. The hospitality of the middle-aged women made Hizen hesitate without realizing it.

The women loved the little Hizen like their son and brought a lot of cookies and milk. They smiled as they looked at the pure blond boy.

He was a boy who was really liked by everyone. He was handsome, had good thoughts and straight eyes.

[You’re a candidate to be the Yound Lady’s fiancee, aren’t you?]

[You’re so handsome. Hohoho!]

He was embarrassed because he had never seen such maids before. Usually, the maids would lowered their eyes and would not even talk to each other. The maids burst into laughter when they saw Hizen restless.

Unlike them, he did not talk much. The maids taught him many things in a friendly way.

They said that he could use everything he wanted, and that Baron Berman and his daughter would be back before nightfall.

(Can I go to the library, then?]

[Of course. Young Lady Leasis loves books, too.]

The two were meant to be together, and the women burst into laughter again. Hizen followed the maids into the library and opened his mouth wide.

It was full of history books he did not know and he could see his favorite novels. Thanks to that, he was excited as if he had found a treasure, and the women were very happy at the sight.

The maids left the library to let him enjoy his leisure time. Hizen took out his favorite book and leaned on the shelf.

When did I fall asleep? Hizen rubbed his eyes in the dark library. Soon it was time for the Bermans to return, so he had to get up.

As his father had ordered…

[Hello?]

[Argh!)

A ghost?!

Hizen reflexively stretched out his arms to push the ghost. Then, the red eyes that appeared in front of him slightly faded away.

He closed his eyes tightly while trembling and heard a laugh. When he opened his eyes slightly, he saw red eyes like rubies bent finely.

[I’m sorry. Were you surprised?]

[You… you…]

[Nice to meet you.)

The girl forcibly grabbed Hizen’s hand and shook it. Hizen felt ridiculous and could not speak with his mouth open.

She slowly lifted herself up and approached the lamp on the corner of the room. Then she skillfully turned on the lamp and turned herself.

Her arms and legs, lit by the faint light of the lamp, were red and thin, but looked firm. The girl taller than Hizen smiled widely.

[I’m Leasis. Leasis Ren Berman. You’re Hizen Ben Dratius, aren’t you?]

His heart was beating fast and he could still not calm down. Grabbing his startled heart, Hizen nodded slowly.

The girl smiled brightly and approached him. It took her less than five seconds.

[Please take good care of me from now on.]