> CHAPTER 1: The Beginning of My Second Life in Original World

"How unique..." I muttered as I reflected in the mirror. The unkempt silver-white hair, sapphire blue eyes, slightly puffy eyes, slightly thin cheeks, and clothes that I had prepared yesterday for this special day. Yeah, certainly I remember this day. The day that I always regretted in my life.

I put my hand on my chin, in my mind, I was thinking at the moment about a chance that what happened to me could have happened to anyone but, I believe it's not even 1% can happen.

I guess you have so many questions about what happened to me, right? I know it sounds crazy, unrealistic, and maybe too fantasy but who knows life right? It's an abstract thing that decides the fate of someone and sometimes it can twist so many times that it makes me want to laugh to remember. But I can't since there's some nuisances in here. It’s been three days since I've been in this world that I always curse if I have any dream of it, but now I get used to it and find it a little bit fun to think.

Just when I was thinking about how to live in this cursed world, I heard a voice behind my back, "My lord, don't forget what you should have said, when the meeting was held, alright!" said one of three maids that served me for breakfast this morning. One of them collects the plate that I used for breakfast, the other tidies up my bed, and the last one stands behind me as I wear the clothes that I choose as I stand in front of the mirror.

Remember Noah, you should not provoke them or make them feel suspicious about you, "Of course!" I said with a cheerful smile, I hoped it could convince them that they thought I was under their influence.

"Alright, my lord. Then please excuse us, and don't worry about others, we will take care of you!" said the second maid with a wicked smile as he finished tidying up my bed.

The third maid who is standing behind me whispers to my left ear which makes me want to puke, "And we will be pleased if my lord can have a complete family like you always hope!" gosh is she trying to provoke me?

“Yeah, I will answer what’s been said, I always want to have ‘a complete family’ of ‘my own’, that I always ‘dreamed of’, I hope Saint Hurios will answer my prayers!” said me with a bright smile this time.

Despite actually forcing my smile towards her, she gave me a cheerful smile but I interpreted it as sinister. Three of them excuse themselves to leave me alone. Again I started my reflection, and for a moment the corners of my lips started to rise into a thin grin, 'Hah...like hell I will answer like that, you sonobi!' cursed in my heart. Right, sonobi is one of the words that you should realize by now what’s the meaning of it.

You must wonder why I acted like this, right? Alright, let me explain it first, previously I was living in this world, as the heir of a duchy but unfortunately due to the harsh life reason and of course with their lunatic behavior. I was mistreated by my father and his mistress' family until I reached adulthood, at that time, my family's fortune was depleted beyond unrecoverable as the massive debt was sent to me instead of money, in exchange for my title not being revoked, I agree to swear my loyalty to the imperial family and become their sword or should I said ironically as their watchdog. Ever since I joined or was actually sent away by force to the military academy instead of the high prestigious academy that noble and I should have gone and received, it all thanks to that awfully mistress who influenced my father, and I for now believe that it was my father’s intention too to force me into the military.

Furthermore, my life was still full of trials even after I achieved my victories in the war or subjugation at a young age. It's when I realized that the emperor and my father were in cahoots by dividing the money that I collected so hard. The reason? Because my father's business was going bust and his new hedonistic mistress was also burdened by the debt of their child, he pleaded to the emperor that my fortune was also his and that it should be shared since we're 'family'. Luckily it was only one year before I reached adulthood and according to the imperial law, I could make my own decisions so I compensated them and cut the ties.

Like neverending trials or life, they dared to use my name on their expenses since I wouldn't say I liked to socialize after I was sent to the military academy, to the point they even barged into my house and demanded to pay their bill or else they threatened me that they for sure can make everyone turned against me. Well, you know how it ends right?

With my lack of a noble and commoner societal world, it was an easy task for them to frame me when I was at the frontline during the war of domination, my age was just 20, and they bribed my messenger and sabotaged my report about the ongoing situation in the frontline so the emperor and I would go against each other by saying that I defying the order of the emperor and was planning a rebellion against the empire.

Guess who spread the false rumors around the duchy and directly reported to that bastard family, yes, it was these three lunatic maids, they sided with my gold digger family that would mistreat me until I reached adulthood and I can't even kick them since they are more trusted by the people than me, even at my own house.

At the same time, this group of wolves in sheep's clothing said to me that the emperor wanted to strip me of my title because, since the duchy was in a tight situation to rebuild itself and we couldn't have proper defense, the emperor saw me as incompetent duke despite my victories in battle but bad in duchy’s management. I tried to improve the duchy with little time and wealth, but when the old emperor died due to exhaustion from the war that pressured his health, and the new unfriendly one rose, they decided to attack the duchy immediately after completing their final puzzle to stamp me as the traitor, well, since the new emperor besides being my half brother’s best friend which added to the imbalance of power, he also a very paranoid person ever since the war began, as I thought that there was no point in fighting against people who were clouded by people near them.

Adding to the pressure, due to the condition of the duchy the people and soldiers were afraid of fighting, unprepared, and had low morale, some of the local nobles were supporters of that bastard family instead of me. They begged me to surrender, which is why I reluctantly decided to surrender when they reached the manor led by the emperor himself and his best friends. Unfortunately one of them was my half-brother, yeah that bastard's child. I still remember that smug smile on his face and how they mocked me for easily surrendering instead of fighting like a knight I should be, but I kept my mouth shut and listened to all of their insults. Together they come in a group with those shining clothes of victory and a girl of course if I remember correctly. Without trial, since the emperor's words are the law under the 'evidence' they found in the manor which was absolutely trashy fabricated, they sentenced me to death.

In the underground prison, while I cursed myself for being an idiot for the rest of my breath took place in this world. The smugly face of my half-brother came and said that if I wanted to be free I just needed to hand over the title to him with a mocking face and said that I didn't deserve it since I was not attending the noble academy and I should be title baron instead of duke, by calling me unworthy high-rank noble, he also said that I should be grateful to be let alive instead being killed directly at the scene which easier but some of nobles in imperial court will be unpleased with such an attitude towards one of the former important families in the empire. Ah yeah, that time, I still remember laughing wholeheartedly at his spoiled arrogant broken face when I refused because he didn't deserve that position, I also said that he would never be able to become a grown man. Which ignited his anger and he poured out all his swearing at me in an inelegant manner. You should see how he acted like a total douchebag spoiled arrogant brat with watering eyes who almost cried.

Of course, this all led to a trial where through tears and a speech that was full of hypocrisies, a show to the people to not rebel against the imperial family was held. The emperor who was blinded by his best friend's 'kindness', 'sincerity' and 'courage' decided to sentence me to death a week early. It is still fresh in my brain about that day when I was tied to that damn wooden pole in the middle of the capital’s city square, the chanting of people who cursed, mocked, and slandered me for being a traitor. The smug face of those who wronged me, I can still remember it.

I held my right eye, I still felt the arrow that was shot at me directly into me, this uncomfortable tingling feeling came back after I hadn't felt it for a long time. I was still staring at my reflection in the mirror, how sad it was that I was living again in this cursed world.

Until now you get it right? That typical story? Now, the next story was when I was reborn again, this time God seemed to answer my prayer for a happy, affluent, loving, caring, and calm family. I lived a life full of adventures that I had never felt before, such as seeing my parents come when I graduated from college, having lots of friends and lovely siblings, getting a job, proposing to my girlfriend to marry me, having children, a successful career, a comfortable life, a loving family, seeing my son and daughter graduate from college, having grandchildren, until finally, death came to me. Of course, life isn't an easy one, there's more trouble, backstabbers, and incidents that make me sometimes go overboard but it was necessary to be do at the second world. But one thing is for sure, when I was a young man maybe around my 30s, since in that world, I loved games. When I tried to buy games for me and my kids, my gaze was focused on one of the games that had just been released, at first I thought it was just like a common reverse harem game since in this world, it's just become a trend, but from the packaging I could see the familiar faces in the game. It was their smug yet disgusting face.

Quickly, I bought the game, then as I rushed to my study and started to play the game, as time went by, I was sure of one thing. This game was made based on the girl who the emperor and that bastard half-brother of mine came from. I tried to contact the person who made the game for more information but I can't find it since the developer already made an agreement with the writers to keep them anonymous. Until I passed away the developer still hid the identity of the person who made the game. Remember that, I almost fought with my wife because she was too focused on the game, although in the end she also liked it.

Now return to the present. Why, from all the words that I can think of, I still think, why? Why the God send me back to this hell? Why couldn't I go to heaven? Is there anything specific about why I return to this freaking world? Or because I already knew the hidden gem of this world? Well, yeah, since I played the game, there's a hidden game or treasure if you find it or craft it, but as a person who already lived in this damn world once, I was in a dilemma whether this world is the game world or my past original world.

I walked towards the window, and a vast garden as far as eyes could see came together with these concerned feelings. As much as I was concerned, was this cursed world a game or my dreadful life of the past?

As I want to curse God for sending me to this hell, suddenly there's a wind coming together with a bird that almost entered my room and released the piece of paper from its grip, with the help of the wind it landed safely at the desk near the window. I approached the desk then I took the paper, no, it's a letter now, since there's a stamp on it. To make it strange the letter landed at my table like it had magically chosen that spot, I looked at the bird who was now gone. In the past, this same letter arrived but at that time I was too afraid to open the letter after almost being killed due to poison powder inside the letter, so I gave it to the imperial guards. I know I made a gravelly mistake in the past when the imperial guards would thank me for handing the letter and open it to show a paper and say that it was an insulted letter before tearing up the letter.

Until now, I didn't know what the content of the letter was, but one thing was for sure, I could see Oliver's face turned sad when he asked if there was any letter coming and I said I would give it to the imperial guards. I grabbed the letter, and then fumbled with the paper, just like any paper in this world. I moved closer to my desk and opened the drawer to find the knife, I used the knife to open the red seal which had no symbol at all. As the seal was opened, I found some paper inside of it. There are five pieces of paper folded and arranged neatly. I took the first one and read the contents of the letter and then followed by the second one and I read carefully until the last one.

After reading the entire letter, I blinked my eyes to make sure that all the words in the letter were true because if they were true, it would be the greatest gift I ever received from god. It was such a good gift that I couldn't hide the smile or rather grin that formed on my face, after reading word by word, sentence by sentence, even to make sure I would read it wrong, I could keep my smile from being formed.

'What...what in the world, did I just read?' my hands trembled slightly with excitement and disbelief while holding the paper so tightly that it crumpled a little. Because of this feeling of disbelief, I chose to sit down for a moment and put the paper on the desk while looking at the letter. This trembling feeling of enthusiasm did not disappear, instead, it spread to my shoulders, then my head and body. Alright, now calm down, Noah.

I looked up at the blue sky with a small grin, "Is this your wish or game, God?" what a wonderful day, and yet in the inconveniences way to deliver a letter from the sky isn't? Just like what happened in a game world. Maybe I received such a beautifully arranged gift from the god itself or at least.

Then there's a wind rush inside my bedroom again like the sign of agreement. Really, what a great way to begin the day with.

You must be wondering right? What is inside the letter?

The letter contains...

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK...

'Who's that?' my head turned to the door. Quickly I folded the paper then I put it in my pocket and looked at the wooden door where I couldn't leave my own room.

"Excuse me, young master!" the voice sounded familiar.

As the door opened, it was Oliver, Albright Manor's Head of Servants, at the age of 46, he already served my grandfather until now. He was one of the people who protects and supports me regardless of the situation, and unfortunately, I can't save him from the cruelty of this damn world.

"Pardon for my intrusion, young master!" he said in a weak tone, I could see his tired and slightly depressed expression as he took one step to my room, of course, I knew the reason. From the day that bastard father of mine called for a discussion about the future of the duchy right after my mother's funeral. Oliver was barred from meeting me by the imperial officials. When I was confined in my own bedroom to prevent myself from being influenced by them but it was my father's sly tactics since he was my father on paper, he influenced me instead to hand over the Albright's fortune under his care until I had responsibility and adulthood. Oliver took one step to my room.

'Ahh...what a tingling sensation to remember that I cried loud enough when I couldn't meet with Oliver or left the room,' I tried to erase that embarrassed moment.

"Oh, Oliver, is there anything wrong?" asked me with a calm face and smile.

He looked hesitant and alert, then said in a firm and slow tone, "My apologies, young master, but, your presence are asked to come downstairs!" I could guess that Oliver wanted to say something to me but he was being watched by an imperial soldier and officer from the entrance, he couldn't even step closer to me.

"Is there something wrong?" I asked while tilting my head slightly, although I knew what I was called, let's pretend that I didn't know anything, but out of the corner of my eye, I could see the imperial guards waiting three feet behind him. They didn't even hide their displeased and unfriendly expressions.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"I beg your pardon young master, but please follow me to the dining room, your 'father' is waiting downstairs," he said with a feeling of heaviness on every last word he said.

If this had happened in the past, I would scream happily because my father had come and finally noticed my existence, since my mother always told me that my father was 'working' in another duchy when in fact, he was in another duchy with his beloved family.

I smiled thinly, of course, I swear to myself that this time I wouldn't fall into his trap again, "Father? waiting for me? downstairs?” for a moment I take my attention to the cloudy sky, “Huft… Alright, maybe it's the time right?" mumbled me as I walked closer to Oliver who just standing there bowed to me without saying a word at all. Being locked in the room makes me learn a few things to take care of myself.

Just like I remember, Oliver couldn't move an inch towards me since he was under the supervision of imperial officers, ah...how funny to remember that I would feel confused as to why Oliver didn't serve me and just remained standing in his position, until then I would cry out loud to be served immediately.

"Alright then, let's go down immediately, 'Father' must be waiting!' I said in a slightly cold tone that I didn't care with Oliver's worried look yet confused with my calm attitude.

As I walked past the door, Oliver followed me from behind after closing my bedroom door, he was followed by the two imperial officers standing behind him. While we walked through the quiet hallway as the only sound was the sounds of our footsteps, there was no one in the hallways except us, I'm sure that damn family has started acting like they own this house by kicking those who were against them and confined all the maids and butlers in their chamber so they couldn’t interfere. Hah...calm down, Noah, calm down, I'll make sure I kick them out.

But really, it was a total silence of footsteps, no words came out as we walked to the designated meeting room or rather it was the dining room, just like what happened in the past. We pass a large staircase where there is a photo of my family looking happy, or more precisely a photo of me, my mother, and my mother's parents.

I've thought about various possibilities that will happen in the meeting room after this, "Please young master." Oliver reluctantly opened the door and at a glance, I seemed to see the mistakes I made in the past where I would run and hug my father although I was unaware and clueless that the woman and kids that he brought were his beloved family. Meanwhile, because this involved duke-level nobles especially my family was one of the founding families of the empire. By code of law, the empire must appoint its representative as a mediator to discuss such cases and it's forbidden to let the emperor or even his family, relatives, or their respective allies become the mediator in this situation, luckily enough there's some strong noble that is still neutral. As for the meeting, it only allowed me, my father, who unfortunately has a family, and the mediator who allowed me to sit and speak in the meeting. How I was lucky to have him as the mediator in this matter, he was someone exceptional yet neutral, but unfortunately, bad luck would follow him sometime after he resolved this matter.

In the room, my father was still standing and trying to talk to the mediator who just ignored him while looking at the window. Meanwhile, the mistress and her child sat with their chins raised as if to show that they were in charge. In the past, I didn't pay attention to my surroundings and only thought that they were my father's friends, but I only realized it after being left here alone in this mansion and being mocked by the mediator and the maids.

Seeing me coming, it seemed like he was trying to give show to the mediator that he was the good one, "Ah...my son has come, come here, son!" in a gentle and friendly tone, the figure who became my father tried to show that he was good and caring father for me. His arms were open as if preparing to receive the brunt of the hug that I would have given sincerely in the past, but not anymore; instead of running toward that man, I just stared at him, and then I chose to ignore him and sit in one of the chairs that Oliver gave me; as my father was surprised by my actions, he was told by the mediator to sit in the chairs provided which were separated by the dining table but face to face with me.

Then a man wearing a black colored robe with a double-head eagle representing the imperial crest on the back, his neatly styled brown hair was a common hair color in the empire, in the end chair facing the table and mediating between me and my father. The mediator was still young. His name was Count Dasile Marion, there’s two different fates for him, the first one in the game, he was the one who led the law and judicial reform and even became the chancellor of the empire, while in my past life, he was just one of another victim of political maneuver and economic hardship in this so-called majestic empire when the war of domination occurred.

After all the parties had come and sat down, Count Marion opened his mouth and said, "Today, we gathered here to mourn the death of the late duchess, Her Highness Duchess Serena da Albright, let the god and St. Hurios help her soul to be at peace there," for a moment we all fell silent to mourn my mother's death.

Then the mediator began to convey the other purpose of his coming to the duchy, "...the emperor tasked me to deliver his condolences for the loss of such a great noblewoman and her contributions for the empire. The House of Albright has led the Solunoct Duchy ever since the foundation of our great empire, as one of the eleven great families in the empire, it's the empire's duty to preserve and maintain the balance of power between the noble level of a duke.” He then takes a short breath and continues, “...his majesty with the approval of the imperial court appointed me, Count Dasile Marion as the mediator to this critical yet special case," he cleared his throat before began to speak, "as far you know and see, in the imperial code of law; section higher nobilities article 2 paragraph 3 said that the position of upper nobilities such as dukes can't remain empty after the death of the last one in a maximum of a week; which brings us to a unique case we have here,”

He looked at me without taking his eyes off the paper he was carrying, “...where the heir of a duchy is still a minor or below adulthood age as he was 12 years old and while the heir's father,” he gives a cynical looked through his eyes, “...has married to another noblewoman from another duchy and become the duke of that duchy." If I remember, these cases are quite often in lower nobility and Count Marion becomes one of those who must fight against his own family to ensure that the family title falls into his hands and not into the hands of anyone else, as he was able to rise with his strength by challenging them who were too interfered in his life.

"...under the imperial decree no. 009, verse 2 that was passed in the year 1840, with an exception for the level of a noble was the heir to the duchy is still under 17 years old, legally he must be under someone's guidance or eldership council to manage their territory until he reaches adulthood. However, in regulations that were approved by our Great Emperor Charles Izoria Lockridge, the mediator has the right to ask the heir whether he wants to hand over all responsibility for his family's territory and finances to those closest to him, which we do some research thoroughly and the name on top of the list was his father, Duke Bailey Winfield, even though he already married to another woman," again the mediator gives a sharp piercing look at my father who is still arrogant and smug face together with his mistress too.

I know this rule, it was made by the current emperor who often gets sick easily when he was young as his wife already died due to the stress of political conflict, and after giving birth to the first prince in the palace, therefore he tried to make a decree where if his heir is still under 17 years old and their parents are dead, they can ascend without any trouble. This decree works when being assisted by mediators appointed by the emperor with the approval of the imperial court to carry out this mandate, this rule only applies from the imperial family to duke-level nobles, then the heir will be able to say...

"I will lead the duchy myself!" I said this in a clear and slightly loud voice that echoed across the room, that is one of the options I could choose in this case, the other was to put me under guardianship by other family members but none of them were sincere enough to do it without being blinded by the gold. Instantly the whole room became silent, and then the mediator cleared his throat slightly after repairing his glasses position, he began to continue his words, “Very well, since the young master has said that he will lead this territory himself then…”

"Hold on!" shouted Duke Winfield and hit the table.

I wanted to laugh out loud seeing the look on my father's face who looked like he couldn't believe what I had just said, "You...you're kidding, right? Noah? My son? You want father to give you affection, and love and take care of you, right?"

"Absolutely no, you hear the answer, father! I will lead the duchy by myself!" I said it in a serious tone.

The figure who was my father now laughed a little then said in a friendly tone again to persuade me, he thought I was sulking, "Come on Noah, don't sulk, I know I'm never next to you all of this time, but you must understand that I doing for the best of our family,"

He sighed his hypocritical sadness, "...your grandfather never liked father, therefore father tried hard to work outside the duchy not only to avoid tension but also to prove to your grandfather that father could become the father of you,"

I was still silent listening to trash talk which honestly made me want to vomit and laugh out loud at his behavior, while his mistress's gaze was a little surprised but she didn't dare say anything, maybe she still felt like the time wasn't right. But her eyes look dead to me.

"...this time I promise I will be the best father for you, the father will give you affection, kiss you goodnight, and take you on a trip as you wish, how about that?" said him with eyes that begged me to fall into his fake affection, of course, if this were in the past I would have agreed and hugged the person in front of me, but not this time.

Waiting for my answer, I finally said in a calm tone, "No, thank you father for your kind words, but I already made up my mind to not hand over the duchy's authority to you!" if you think I can play the words, perhaps I can too, perhaps...

Seeing that I couldn't compromise, my father looked at the mediator and said while holding back his anger and unwillingness to let go of the treasure he almost had, "Doesn't the law in the empire prohibit anyone under 17 from inheriting their parents' title? He's just 12 years old, and Noah, don't you want to get closer to your brother?"

The mediator gave my father a sharp and cynical look and then said in a low and emphasized tone, "Let me explain again, Duke Winfield, so you can have a grasp of the situation. What young master Noah chose was permitted under the decree-law made by the emperor very clearly written that, in the case of duke-level nobles, he can claim his title regardless of age."

"But he is still a child, his decision can be influenced by this lowly commoner!" he said while pointing at Oliver who was standing behind me; who could only hold himself back and try not to argue back at him.

I smirked thinly at hearing such a foolish and unreasonable answer he gave. Of course, no one in this world at age 12 would do something crazy like inherit the title by saying it himself, unless the child was spoiled, arrogant, selfish, and self-centered, "You're right father," he looked happy that I came to my realization, "Well, that's good then, father will forgive you once you..." but I cut his words, "...but, don't you remember father? Although you're my father, ever since you married that woman," I pointed at his mistress, "...You are only part of the 'family', you're no longer the core of the Albright family where you can influence my decisions as the heir of family and duchy," he tried to refute my argument and try to defend him but I immediately continued to make him speechless, "...if you insist me to change my decision, it means that you are challenging and against the mandate of the emperor and the laws he made, am I right Count Marion?"

“Yes, you’re right, young master!” answered Count Marion quickly and to the point.

Father looked surprised by my reply and Count Marion’s answer, then said in suppressed anger, "Noah, you're still not old enough to manage the duchy alone, you should play with your siblings and study together with them, let your father manage the duchy!"

While crossing my arms over my chest, I asked while raising an eyebrow, "Why did you mention the name of a brother I've never even met? Will you guarantee me that I will live peacefully with 'your beloved' family? Even if I have lived peacefully, will you even let me lead the duchy when I reach adulthood? What happens to the duchy if I hand over all responsibility for the territory and finances of the duchy to you, father? Will you be willing to take the responsibility if anything happens? And lastly, do you swear to the god and St. Hurios that you will not send me to the military academy?"

He and maybe everyone was quite shocked by my words, as I could hear their unbelievable gasp, maybe I too much or too soon to say it, I still deathly stared at him who was still shocked by my dribbling questions, I could see he tried to build some sentence but he couldn't since there was Count Marion beside him, who also seemed to frown in confusion as to how I could say something like that as if I already knew it, he looked at Duke Winfield but said nothing, so I continued, "Why? You can't answer, or is my voice as a child still not clear enough for adults to understand?" he just looked at me with a surprised look, “Will father promise, guarantee and swear in the name of emperor, temple, saint and write under First Contractual Agreement that father will not misappropriate the duchy's finances for pointless gambling, living extravagantly, wasting the duchy's money to help the people you call 'friends', or doing something illegally and let alone send me to a military academy?"

“Noah…how…” It seems it shocked him enough that I mentioned the contractual agreement. Both of his eyes twitched for a moment trying to hold on to himself.

The look on his and now his mistress's faces looked angry and afraid at the same time because the First Contractual Agreement Letter is a special unique letter issued by the Department of Aristocratic Affair; if anyone violates the provisions of the letter that has been approved by the Department of Aristocratic Affairs that contains the department's seal, empire's seal, and emperor's signed and seal; they can be sentenced to death, stripped of titles, assets confiscated and descendants whose status is reduced to commoners which their high self-esteem makes them choose to commit suicide rather than live as a commoner, regardless of their title. Another reason is that I indirectly reopened the dark secret that this couple tried to cover up. Yeah, they're just a bunch of gambling addicts since it's become a phenomenon in the capital for now. Just for information why did the contractual make them afraid since it was also being used as a treaty and agreement between all nobles since it was written under the imperial decree since the first emperor took the throne like it was the bound for them? However, if they try to break the terms of the agreement several times, it will result in a curse for those who break it and this is quite a reality in various examples in the empire that I told you later.

Just as Count Marion want to speak up, father or Duke Winfield immediately stood up then pointed at me, "You see Count Marion, he must have been brainwashed by that old fart," his point move towards Oliver who only stand behind me, "...this is proof that he cannot carry out his duties as a duke,"

Count Marion's words immediately made Duke Winfield speechless, "Such harsh accusations without evidence can lead you to be punished, Duke Winfield, I personally watched over the young master's room to make sure he wouldn't be influenced by anyone,” He then give a little smirked towards Duke Winfield, “...instead I discovered some ‘evidence’ that you forced your way in against the agreement and slipped several pieces of paper containing an invitation to meet and live together, can you be responsible for this?" he showed some of evidence on the table, it was some papers that Duke Winfield slipped outside the visiting time sometimes at night.

"It's not me, it must be..." Duke Winfield was back to his nervous state for a moment and tried to refute the accusations made by Count Marion.

"Bring them here," Count Marion ordered the guard behind him. When the door was opened, two maids were seen tied up, their faces looked pitiful. Oh, so that two maids have already been arrested? I wonder where that third sly maid is, maybe already running away.

Duke Winfield's face looked disbelieving, his corneas seemed to be twitching because he had been discovered, "Still thinking it was him?" scoffed Count Marion towards Duke Winfield while pointing at Oliver, "With several threats using this manor interrogation room, they easily surrendered and spoke all of it without hesitation, now, what do you want me to do? Everyone here is a witness, your grace, you want to pry me again? or are you going to use your power of having a close relationship with the emperor that you want to control Albright alone? I bet the other dukes will not hesitate to point out their fingers and become the reason for the emperor to see you as the burden, your grace!”

"You dare to challenge me?" Duke Winfield growled in a tone of anger that was about to explode.

"Come on challenge me, kill me if you want to face Duke Darius and all of these eyewitnesses, I believe it was just a moment of time before someone stabbed you and revealed the secret; also I believe that the emperor will also be furious for being dragged into this childish game, Your Grace!" Count Marion challenged without standing up and continued to stare piercingly at Duke Winfield who was silent.

Wow, it was really different in the past. It just unlocked hidden scenes of the game.

Seeing their very unfavorable situation, the mistress finally broke her silent venomous mouth towards me, "Why are you doing this? He's your father, the person who you should pay respects for, why do you seem to hate him so much? Don't you want to meet him?" said the mistress, she shed fake tears. Meanwhile, I can sense how upset Count Marion was as he cursed silently, he was the type of person who didn't like noble couples especially the long dramas that noble couples usually put on to make the imperial officers confused in deciding on a case.

"Look, you made my mother cry, what's wrong with you? Our father just wanted to help you!" his eldest son exasperated with a high tone which made the increase of upset level on Count Marion. This family was oblivious know how to annoy Count Marion with the drama that was about to start. Meanwhile, the father just grinned a little allowing his little family to show how much they care about me, but I will make sure that they won't be able to steal a penny from me unless I permit it.

"Calm down dear, my dear son, Rufus, don't interfere, let your father and mother make Noah aware of his insolent attitude towards his parents!" persuades the mistress to her son, what was his name again? Rufus?

Wait, Rufus? I looked at the young boy who had dark hair and hazel brown eyes. His age may be the same as mine. His physique is still like a little boy, but somehow...

I think I heard that annoying name and saw that face somewhere, huh?

Rufus...

Rufus...

Winfield?

Rufus Winfield?

Rufus? Winfield?

Rufus Winfield?

Like a light that came on and I broke it, I thought of something very funny, wow, I didn't expect it to be like this. That one of the main character capture targets was none other than my half-brother. How funny it was...

If I can laugh, I will, unfortunately, the situation didn't let me laugh wholeheartedly.

Just as I tried to speak to ease the tension and end this meeting as soon as possible. A small child's scream was heard echoing in the room, "Father, mother, I'm bored," shouted an 8-year-old child, the expressions of her parents who pretended to be surprised by the reaction of the daughter they were proud of and dreamed of, maybe this can help you to describe Cecile Winfield's character. You can imagine all the bad behavior in your mind like being spoiled, whiny, arrogant, envious, conceited, likes to control other people but doesn't like being controlled. It was one of the Heroine's obstacles when going down this path is to change her bad habits from being spoiled to becoming an adult woman later in the game. Well, I'm very annoyed now, especially to add to the noise in the room, their only daughter is whining, the mistress tried to persuade her to calm her voice and temper but seems unable to work and now the 8-year-old child is forced to play the role of a younger sibling who is tired and wants to play, turns into a real tantrum and what she'd do next was make mistakes in her own words. With one typical scream of a sulky child, she made sure everyone in the room could hear her opinion clearly "Father, mother, when will we kick that lowly illegitimate child and inhabit this place? I want to sleep on the most luxurious bed in this castle?" with her finger pointed at me. Which drew sharp looks at the family from Count Marion, Oliver, guards, maids, and servants but also the imperial officer.

Wow, it was extraordinarily something that helped me, thank you, a prospective younger sibling who I now consider to be a former prospective younger sibling. Thank you very much for helping me.

To be continued...