120
The visit to the Silver Moon Hall was over. Haylas sent me to my room to rest until dinner.
‘Luka, let’s talk about the details later.’
I recalled Heilas’ last words.
When I had some personal time, I sat alone in my room and turned the Graken Boot over and over again.
Whirl, whirl.
The Graken Boot spun around in my grasp, making a thin sound.
Agatha’s words and actions never left my mind.
‘Agatha Custoria.’
I assumed that Agatha’s words were all true. She was a woman facing death due to brain aging. She wouldn’t be smart enough to tell elaborate lies.
‘And those feelings condensed over time… … cannot be false.’
I have never felt such a deep emotion in my life. I felt as if I was dyed just by being around her. A bitterness like a curse was hanging over me.
Kirick.
I stopped it by running my finger along the rotating blade.
‘Noel Mulizka, Agata Custoria.’
Perhaps Agatha loved Noel. And her heart was betrayed. So Agatha betrayed Noel. That most likely led to Noel’s downfall.
‘And the wealth and honor gained through disposing of Noel will be the beginning of the Custoria family.’
This is just a guess. We need to know more precisely what happened in the past. However, as I felt when I investigated in the past, there are almost no detailed records left from that time.
Squeak!
I struck the wooden table with my Graken boot. The blade sank a finger joint wide, causing the table to shake from side to side.
‘Let’s sort it out, Luca.’
First of all, I am not a clone of anyone, nor am I a genetically improved human. At least according to Agatha, I am a human who has come this far on my own.
The relief I got from this fact was quite great. My self-esteem was not destroyed. Well, to put it badly, I have the right to despise the people at the bottom.
‘second…….’
Agatha Custoria and Noel Mulizka had a deep relationship.
In the circumstances, Agatha was recognized for her betrayal of Noel and suppression of the rebellion, and was made a noble. Even that rebellion was likely a conspiracy of the Empire.
‘If Noel was like me… … he would have said and done many things that would hurt others. Agatha would feel betrayed.’
I know I’m a fu*king idiot. So is Noel. He’s a fu*king idiot who makes enemies by buying things.
And the third fact is what’s important to me right now.
‘Agatha knew of my position as Watcher, but did not tell Heilas or the elders.’
It was purely out of a sense of indebtedness towards Noel. She identified with me and Noel, so she didn’t do anything that would harm me.
… … How weak, Agatha. Hiding information when your descendants might die because of me.
Anyway, it’s a good thing for me.
‘Agatha must have also led the Custoria family to prosperity with her iron will at first. As she grew older, her mental power weakened and her judgment became clouded.’
Who would have thought that the founder of Custoria would believe in reincarnation and be waiting to be reunited with his dead lover?
“haha…….”
I wanted to laugh at Agatha’s choices and decisions, but all that came out was a bitter, disappointing laugh.
‘But Heilas is not someone who hides everything from others. I can’t even guess how much he knows.’
I’m just preparing as best I can.
I looked out the window and saw that the sun was setting. I sat on my chair, closed my eyes, and took a short nap.
Thud, thud.
After about thirty minutes, the servant’s footsteps were heard outside.
The servant knocked on the door and announced dinner. I opened my eyes with a somewhat clearer mind. As I left the room, the Custoria family members were walking toward the dining room one by one.
Because of the impending storm, there were more people in the mansion than usual. There was no room at the table, so the lower-ranking members could not attend. There were more than thirty of my close relatives, including my cousins.
Heilas stood up from her seat before the meal.
“The storm is coming after 34 years. As always, if everyone does their part, it will pass without incident. And… … .”
He couldn’t finish his speech.
Deeng, deng, deng.
The glass windows shook at the majestic sound of the bell. The sound originated from Eunwol Hall.
It was a bell announcing the death of an elder.
chuck.
People all closed their eyes and bowed their heads in condolences.
‘Agatha Custoria is dead.’
Who among those sitting at this table would dare to know that the founder of the city is still alive?
Agatha lived a life that was beyond the limits of a full-body noble’s lifespan. She must have seen countless of her descendants born and die. As a military family, many of them must have died at a young age.
The elder’s death passed without a hitch. A brief moment of silence was all that was needed. Most of the family members only knew of the elder’s existence, and had never even seen his face.
Heilas was the last to open her eyes.
“… … Then let me continue the story. My son, Lucius Custoria, has accomplished many feats so far. This time, he even saved His Highness Frances from assassination. This is not an achievement that can be overlooked. Even at a young age, he has proven his abilities.”
Everyone’s eyes were focused on me. Having attracted enough attention, Haylas continued speaking.
“In the event of my death or inability to recover, Lucas will take over as acting head of the family until the next head of the family is officially elected. This will be decided after consultation with the elders… .”
The whole restaurant seemed to be in an uproar. Some people even interrupted the owner. It was a rare occurrence in a household where authority was important.
Five people stood up from their seats as if pushing chairs away, and two people slammed the table carelessly. The people sitting there also couldn’t hide their embarrassment.
And I was equally dumbfounded.
“You, without even asking me… … .”
The person who resisted the most was his adoptive mother, Eva.
Heilas ignored Eva’s words and looked straight ahead. His eyes sparkled as if he was suppressing his repulsion.
“This is not a unilateral decision, but the legitimate authority of the current head of the household. And he is only an acting head of the household, not the next head of the household. The next head of the household will be elected according to the family tradition.”
Even though Heilas tried to suppress it with authority, the unrest did not subside easily. This was not a statement to be taken lightly.
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‘Although the position of the head of the household in Custoria is elected, it is impossible for the current head of household to not have an influence on the appointment of a proxy. That is why the head of the household has always come from among the direct children.’
Heilas was a powerful patriarch. His appointment as acting lord was essentially a designation of a successor.
‘Heilas… …what on earth is he thinking?’
The confusion inside me grew endlessly. I could not read his intentions at all.
He hasn’t even mentioned anything to me about acting as the head of the household.
Even Jupe, who had made a truce with me today, was frowning deeply. He also had no control over his expression at all.
Heilas chose me, his adopted son, even though he had an older biological son. It was the moment when even Jupe’s remaining authority collapsed. After today, Jupe’s support base will be torn in half.
The food came out quickly. This was thanks to Heilas urging the servant with his eyes. The confusion was finally subsiding.
The relatives were eating halfway through the meal. They were whispering something in each other’s ears.
Dalgrak.
I also moved the dishes mechanically. I couldn’t even taste the food properly. I was so busy observing people’s reactions that I didn’t notice anything.
“During the last storm, a mob of rioters took advantage of the security vacuum to invade the noble residences.”
“So, for the time being, I will stay at my parents’ house… … .”
“The atmosphere is also very strange.”
Security and safety were one of the reasons they gathered at the mansion before the storm. The Custoria mansion was in a quiet suburb, safe from the mobs and other unruly groups. Any unauthorized person would be hives hundreds of meters away.
“Why did you take the two of you… … .”
“Stop it. I think you deserve it.”
There were some arguments here and there. Not everyone was against my acting as the head of the household. In particular, those like my uncle Arthur Custoria seemed to welcome it.
‘Arthur Custoria.’
He was a man who stood out when he forgot. He was Heilas’ older brother, but he had almost lost the position of head of the household. His small ambition was to marry me to his daughter.
“The only time a housekeeper is needed is when there is a major family crisis. That’s when a problem solver is needed. Besides, didn’t Lucas learn how to handle things well under Heilas? There won’t be any problems!”
Arthur spoke loudly, as if for others to hear. He smiled at me and winked. His daughter sat shyly next to him. Her presence was so weak that I couldn’t even remember her name.
Arthur’s influence within the family was not great, but it was not non-existent, because Haylas still treated him like a brother.
… … The uncomfortable dinner somehow ended.
I went straight to find Heilas, who had entered the study. I wasn’t the only one. Eva and Jupe were also standing in front of Heilas’ study. Looking under the railing, I saw that the other relatives were also waiting for an opportunity to visit Heilas.
“I’ll go first, Luca. Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten our promise to cooperate.”
Jupe spoke at the door. He too was barely able to suppress his extreme displeasure and spoke gently.
Since I’m the first one here, I guess I should give in.
I thought to myself and took two steps back. But has everything in the world ever gone the way I thought it would?
“I have something to talk to Luca about first. The rest of you can come in when I call you.”
“Heylas, open the door and come out,” said Jupe. Jupe couldn’t hold it in any longer and shouted.
“Father! This is not right. This is too much!”
Jupe’s anger exploded. He poured out his emotions on Heilas.
“… … Jupe, act like an adult. Nicholas wouldn’t have done this.”
Heilas did not respond to his son’s feelings with emotion. Instead, he calmly consoled him.
Heilas beckoned to me and went inside.
Thud, thud.
I had no choice but to walk forward. I bowed my head briefly to Jupe and Eva to apologize.
I don’t know how a son feels when his father refuses to communicate with him. But for now, I sympathize with Jupe.
Squeak, thud.
The door to the study closed. In the quiet study stood Heilas.
“One thing is for sure. You have given up on being a good father.”
I said dryly.
“You and I both know what is true. There is no room for a good father in the responsibilities and duties of a head of household.”
Heilas sat down first. I stood and watched him instead of sitting down.
“Why did you appoint me as your acting head of the household?”
“What do you think?”
He answered questions with questions. It’s one of the most annoying tactic. If it weren’t for Heilas, I would have grabbed him by the collar and thrown him.
“At first, I thought they were trying to make things difficult for me. But the envy and jealousy of those around me mean nothing to me. There were more people who supported me than I thought.”
“Hmm, especially my brother really likes Janelle. He even dressed up Anna today.”
Heilas smiled as she poured herself a bottle of wine from the table. Anna is Arthur’s daughter.
“… … I have no interest in your uncle. Anyway, I don’t understand why you made me the acting head of the household. I can’t think of anything to explain it.”
“It’s a big gamble for me, too. So you can’t help but know.”
Heilas poured the drink into a glass and downed it in one go. He took another glass from the cupboard and poured two more.
‘gambling?’
What kind of gambling is this?
My thoughts were getting more and more labyrinthine. There was no answer. Only my forehead was getting hotter. Once Akiess Victoryma’s thoughts start, it is hard to stop them consciously. You can’t turn them off like a machine by pressing a button.
My head is getting hot. My brain has already been strained by meeting Agatha.
Beep beep.
A ringing in my ears. I thought Haylas would look like a black beast again. I’m having a fu*king hallucination.
“The elder who passed away today… … told me to trust you. I don’t know what he means either. So let’s find out together what he means.”
Heilas lifted a glass and held it out to me. I hesitated and then took the glass.
Heilas knows something, but he doesn’t ask me deeply. What on earth is this monster thinking?
There is one thing I can promise him.
“… … When the time comes, I will put everything I have on the line to protect the Custoria family.”
“That’s enough.”
Heilas raised his glass and reached out. The glasses clinked, making a loud noise.
… … As expected, alcohol doesn’t taste good.
