EP.159 Hasn't The Grand Duke Already Been Decided?
When seated in the banquet hall, Elga's mood could be described as nothing short of perfect.
As if everyone clearly understood the Grand Duke's intentions, not a single person showed a dissatisfied look.
While wariness couldn't be helped, no one acted disrespectfully either.
Grand Duke Littorio, her father, even showed consideration down to the meal menu.
And Kyle seemed to express joy at all of this.
'Perfect. It couldn't be better than this.'
This invitation wasn't meant to establish her position.
It was solely to draw Kyle's heart closer to her, even if just a little.
To bridge the slight distance that had formed due to impure motives.
Kyle had already visited the Imperial Palace and the Order at least once each.
Whatever happened there, whether comfortable or uncomfortable, what matters is that he went.
So now it's Littorio's turn. Her turn.
This time, she was determined to see a smile directed at her from Kyle's lips.
A smile of pure joy, without any other meaning behind it.
Elga thought this while clenching her fist hidden below.
"Ah, and one more thing."
That was until Grand Duke Littorio suddenly spoke up.
"There is one more person who will be joining us at this table."
The door opened and a young man approached the empty seat.
Upon recognizing who it was, Elga nearly jumped up from her seat.
'Second Brother?!'
What's going on? She hadn't heard anything about him leaving his room!
Why is that person here in the banquet hall instead of his room?!
Neither from Leto, who serves as secretary, nor from the subordinates left in the family.
She hadn't heard anything at all about her second brother.
To think that her only and most troublesome political rival, her second brother, had broken his seclusion.
Did Leto forget to report it? No, that's not it.
Leto has been performing his role as secretary properly. That couldn't be it.
Then perhaps one of the subordinates deliberately omitted the information?
'...No. That's not it either. After Second Brother confined himself, many people turned to my side. Even if there were traitors among them, someone else would have informed me.'
A few traitors wouldn't be enough to block information completely.
Someone bigger than she thought. A screen with an even greater breadth...
'...No way!'
Elga looked with surprised eyes at the Grand Duke, her father, seated at the head of the table.
And she could be certain. It was him who had blocked the information.
'Father! Why?!'
While she was screaming internally, Elga's second brother and Littorio's second son,
The one who until recently had been the likely heir to the Grand Duke title, 'Yugen Tetz de Littorio,' took his seat.
The spot directly across from Elga. And a place where Kyle would be visible when he turned his head.
"It's been a while, Elga."
"...Second Brother."
"You don't look happy to see me. Even though it's been so long."
"..."
"Well. It seems I'm the only one glad about this reunion."
He was so different from how she remembered her second brother before.
Having witnessed the Academy destruction incident up close and directly faced that force,
One could hardly imagine this was the same person who had become practically invalid from fear.
He looks completely fine. As if such things had never happened at all.
It seemed impossible. This should be impossible.
'Why is that person here? Why now, at this gathering?'
All sorts of questions filled Elga's mind.
Her second brother's sudden appearance. And her father's expressionless face.
When her thoughts reached that point, the worst hypothesis formed in Elga's mind.
'...Though it seemed you had abandoned him, in the end you couldn't do it.'
They say the bond between parent and child is heaven-ordained. Especially parents cannot abandon their children.
Even if they say on the surface that it's a mess, that they're disappointed, that they've given up,
Deep down, it's a parent's heart to want to give even one more chance somehow.
If so, the answer becomes clear. What they want to confirm at this gathering.
If you truly intend to step up again as heir, prove yourself.
Cast aside that fear and face up to what you've done.
Sit without fear before the person from House Jonathan and apologize.
Use that to blow away your fears and regain the family's support once more.
Erase the bad blood you created and seek to forge new relationships instead!
"We can talk about the rest later. We have a guest. Greetings. I am Yugen Tetz de Littorio."
"...Kyle Jonathan."
The two young men introducing themselves as if nothing was wrong.
Elga looking back and forth between them with darting eyes.
"Well then, let's begin our meal."
And sitting between them with an unperturbed expression,
Was Grand Duke Littorio, announcing the start of the meal.
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**
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What's this situation? Something seems to have gone quite wrong here.
That side maintains an unperturbed expression, while this side shows complete surprise.
And that person sitting across... well, need to observe more.
While pretending to look at the appetizers being laid out on the table,
Kyle glanced sideways to check Elga's expression once.
Well, as expected, it's not good. For Elga, who usually maintains a poker face, to show this much.
'Looks like she was completely blindsided by this setup.'
While pretending to eat the appetizer, Kyle observed Yugen Littorio sitting across from him.
A young man with features both similar to and different from Elga's.
Until recently, he had been considered the likely successor to become Grand Duke.
This is the guy who provoked his sister. The culprit behind the Academy destruction incident.
He should have met his end at Lea's hands, but luckily survived.
Yet he turned out to be such a coward, getting scared and shutting himself in his room.
'I heard he was in terrible shape, but was that wrong? He looks perfectly fine now.'
Kyle checked Elga once more. She definitely seems unaware.
This time he observed Grand Duke Littorio. Something was hidden behind that expressionless face.
It seems this whole situation was planned by the Grand Duke.
'Elga definitely said this was just a pure, simple invitation.'
He came thinking it was a visit to his future in-laws.
While it might not be as comfortable as home, he thought he could at least maintain a smile.
But what actually unfolded was an incredibly uncomfortable dinner.
He was just picking at his food, and Elga couldn't even touch hers.
All because of that bastard who had insulted both his sister and House Jonathan.
‘I’m getting angry all of a sudden.’
Change of plans. I was going to behave myself while I was here.
But now, I should make it clear to my future father-in-law.
That only Elga can take the position of Grand Duke Littorio.
"The appetizers are truly impressive. All the ingredients seem to be of the highest quality."
"Is that so? It pleases me greatly to hear you say that."
"Thank you. First, the vegetable leaves are all so fresh and..."
Ting-.
The fork in Kyle's hand that had been poking at the salad snapped in two.
It wasn't that it had bent gradually until it couldn't hold anymore.
No, the fork's neck was simply severed in the blink of an eye.
"Ah. I apologize. It seems I couldn't control my strength. I'm truly sorry, Your Grace."
The Grand Duke dismissed it as nothing and called for a new fork.
However, Yugen Littorio sitting across from Kyle couldn't maintain such composure.
"..."
Kyle caught his expression freezing up, if only for a moment.
That expression wasn't one of displeasure or surprise.
Fear. Yes, that was an indelible fear.
A terror that would remain etched in his soul no matter how hard he tried to forget.
'Well, of course. How could someone like him overcome my sister's true anger.'
I've finished sizing up the situation.
His presence here clearly wasn't voluntary but forced.
And that force must have come from none other than Grand Duke Littorio.
Saying if you keep acting like you're dead, the Grand Duke position will go to Elga.
You know well what happens to those who lose their position as heir, don't you?
That must be why he gritted his teeth and showed up here.
He probably wants to prove himself here.
That he hasn't broken down. That he's still the young lord of House Littorio.
That he's still qualified since he has followers left!
And as a bonus, he'll personally apologize for the trouble he caused and even improve relations with House Jonathan?
He can gain an advantageous position again. He can compete sufficiently with Elga.
'Yeah. What nonsense.'
How dare you indulge in such happy delusions.
What I made a deal with was Elga 'who will become Grand Duke.'
Not someone who would be the Grand Duke's sister. The Grand Duke herself.
And a Grand Duke Littorio who spoke of weakness before House Jonathan?
I can't accept that. No amount of regret can undo what's been done.
If someone like him becomes Grand Duke, House Jonathan will never reconcile with them.
Finally, look at him! He hasn't even exercised? While Elga worked so hard.
Look at that body that clearly shows he hasn't put in any effort.
He's even more disqualified as the future Grand Duke. You cannot ascend to the position of Grand Duke!
"Ah, come to think of it, Lady Elga. Didn't you mention earlier? About telling His Grace about the previous incidents. The battle with the Wave Tamer in the south and the recent monster subjugation in the west."
"Did I...?"
"Your Grace, aren't you curious? Though I'm sure you already know, wouldn't it be more interesting to hear it directly?"
"If there's an interesting story for the dinner table, I certainly welcome it."
Well, now that I have permission. Let's start breaking things down properly.
"Well, first the battle with the Wave Tamer in the south. Arcane was the name, right? Let's start there."
My gaze fixes directly on Yugen Littorio. At the same time, I draw out my body's aura.
Let's recall the moment we first faced those Raider bastards.
Those who dared to seek strength through drugs without any effort.
At that thought, the dormant will of House Jonathan blazes up.
It's incomparable to mere anger. If anger is a flame, this is hellfire.
The target is the one sitting right across from me. The one pretending to be fine.
Tried to forget? Well. I'll make you remember. I'll engrave it in your soul.
What beings you dared to mess with. Before whom you spoke those words.
Knowing that, you still harbored delusions about improving relations?
Sorry, but we already have someone contracted on this side, child.
Don't feel wronged. You had your chance, but you threw it away, didn't you?
"Well, first. I broke their limbs like snapping twigs. And... ah. Did I fold the waist in half? I think I did. Ah, not inward but outward. Yes, that's what happened."
For reference, I never actually folded any waists. That would've been a direct trip to the afterlife, regardless of level 10 or whatever.
"..."
"..."
However, those seated here couldn't recall that fact.
Since it was House Jonathan making the statement, it couldn't be taken as a joke.
Believing it entirely possible, they felt chills run down their spines.
"I hadn't intended to do that. However, when that bastard dared to speak of ambush, that taboo..."
Tremble-tremble.
It was right after that when Yugen Littorio's body began to shake uncontrollably.