When Elysian struggled to stand, Bran immediately supported him, his gaze never leaving. Worried about his condition, the servant inquired, “Are you alright, master?”

The young noble simply nodded without saying a word as he walked on his own, his morose expression speaking volumes of his true condition.

‘W-What should I do?’

Watching the back of the young noble, Bran’s heart pounded hard. He wanted to ask again, offering some kind of help; however, the years of abuse and oppression left him frozen in dread. Despite the kind treatment, it hadn’t even been a day yet. He wasn’t accustomed to it, and he wasn’t even sure if this was just a phase resulting from the noble’s illness. As concern and anxiety waged war in his head, the servant found himself at a loss for what to do next, ultimately choosing silence.

As they entered the house and approached the room, Bran noticed a shift in the atmosphere surrounding Elysian—a chilling coldness seemed to emanate from him. Even the maid appeared to sense it; she kept stealing glances at their lord, clearly unsettled by the sudden tension in the air.

‘Is somethin’ wrong? Why’s master actin’ odd? Maybe… Maybe I messed up again; that’s why he’s upset.

Sigh.

Why can’t I get things right? I keep lettin’ people down. Master’s startin’ to treat me with some kindness. I hope… I hope...’

With a downcast demeanor, Bran’s spirits plummeted as he blamed himself for the current situation. Tears threatened to well in his eyes, but he fought them back, unwilling to burden the young noble with his emotions.

“Young master!” the maid exclaimed when she saw the boy nearly collide with the door to Elysian’s room. Throughout the journey, the young noble’s emotions roiled within him like a turbulent storm he could hardly control, leaving his mind blank, lost in the emptiness of the void.

Thanks to the warning from the woman, Elysian halted himself in time. Exhaling deeply, he turned to her. She recoiled in panic, expecting a reprimand from the young noble; however, she was met with a smile and a nod of gratitude instead. Startled by the boy’s unexpected action, her eyes widened. This quickly changed into bewilderment when the young noble stared intensely at the door for quite some time, while his body shook uncontrollably. Like an abrupt ending to a crescendo, his trembling ceased as he swung the door open.

~ ~ ~

“What is the meaning of this?!” Baron Elysian shouted, being forcibly dragged out of his room by some hooded men. “Do you know who I am?! I am the baron! I’ll have you killed. Guards! Guards!”

Despite his cries, no one came to his rescue as they dragged him outside. Beside the waiting carriage, another hooded figure met them. “Idiot! Why aren’t you gagging him?”

“What’s the point? No one’s here.”

“Amateurs,” he scoffed, hitting the screaming lord with the hilt of his sword, knocking him unconscious.

Hours later, Elysian woke up with a painful headache. The first thing he noticed was that he was tied to the chair.

“You’re finally awake, my lord.”

“Huh, Humphrey? Thank God it’s you,” the Baron exclaimed. Seeing his head of security gave him a sense of comfort. “Come quickly; free me this instant.”

Instead of doing anything, Humphrey just laughed. “You’re really a fool, my lord.”

“Huh? What…What’s the meaning of this?” Elysian asked, confused.

“Do you still not understand? You’re really an idiot. Your brother would've been a better baron than you,” Humphrey shook his head, sighing. “Do you honestly think you can be abducted inside your own home without my knowledge?”

Elysian’s eyes widened, remembering that no one was around when they took him. That was impossible. There should always be guards around him. That only meant one thing, “Did you plan all this?”

Humphrey erupted into a fit of laughter; however, if you listened closely, there was a hint of disdain in his voice.

“You’ll pay for this betrayal!” Elysian shouted in anger as he spewed curses at the man who betrayed him. “I won’t forget this. My uncle will surely find and kill you.”

“He’s right, Humphrey. I’ll find you,” Lysander stated, laughing as he nonchalantly entered the room. “Good evening, nephew.”

“Thank God, uncle, you’re here,” Elysian said, his voice filled with relief at seeing the man that he trusted the most. The entire situation was quite comical. He couldn’t even read the room, seeing how he was being played. “Kill that traitor! He planned all this.”

“What?!” Lysander shouted as if in shock. His terrible acting was so exaggerated to the point that even a young child would’ve noticed something was wrong. And it seemed like it was on purpose. “Did you really commit this evil act? How dare you!” Instead of an angry response, both of them suddenly laughed.

“Uncle, what’s the meaning of this?” Elysian asked in disbelief, finally realizing the situation.

“Isn’t it obvious?” Lysander asked, sighing in disappointment. “Nephew. Nephew. I’m starting to hate that we share the same blood.”

“But… This can’t be true. You must be messing with me,” Elysian muttered softly. Though he already knew the truth, he still couldn’t come to terms with it. However, it was in front of his eyes; there was no denying it. “Why uncle? Why are you doing this?!” he asked, pleading. “I’m your nephew. We are family.”

“It’s simple, really. I’m a better fit to be a baron than your battle-maniac father or you—a fool,” Lysander responded with a satisfied smile as he sat in front of him.

Elysian stayed quiet for a while as his eyes started to well up. Faced with his current predicament, he was lost for words.

“I don’t know if you’re an idiot or if I’m just good,” Lysander mocked, satisfied with himself.

“What do you mean?” the Baron asked in a subdued voice as reality started to sink in.

“I’ve planned this for a long time. While your father went to war, I’ve gradually put my men in key positions until all the people in the barony are under my control,” Lysander stated, smirking at the revelation. “Aren’t I good?”

“That’s impossible,” Elysian retorted. “Bertrand would have surely noticed it.”

“Ah, the steward,” Lysander muttered before suddenly laughing. “Just think, why was no one around on the estate when we took you?”

“That’s impossible!” Elysian kept shaking his head in disbelief. “No, you’re lying. You’re lying! He’s loyal to me, just as he was loyal to my father. He has worked for him the longest.”

Lysander just laughed at the reaction he got, completely enjoying himself. “Who do you think poisoned your father?”

“Poisoned?” Elysian asked, confused. “Didn’t my father die because of that traitorous bastard he considered a son?”

“What an idiot!” Humphrey said in disgust, shaking his head in disbelief.

“Elysian, Elysian,” Lysander kept repeating his name, trying to stop himself from laughing. “If this story is ever written, it will surely be a bestseller—an epic tragedy. Or, perhaps, a comedy.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Listen, boy,” the older noble said, sighing as if exhausted. “Your brother didn’t kill your father. He tried to save you and your sister.”

“No… No you’re lying,” Elysian responded, shaking his head. That truth broke him.

“Why would I lie to you when you’re already under my power?” Lysander asked with sympathy in his eyes. “Here’s the truth: your father learned of my plot, so I ordered Bertrand to poison him. But before he did, your father was able to tell your brother. He asked him to secure both you and your sister’s safety. You know what happened next when we sent you to your room.”

As reality hit him, Elysian froze, and tears started to flood his eyes.

“Boss, the slavers are here,” Fulk said as he entered the room.

“Sla… Slavers?” Elysian snapped out of shock. “Please, uncle, don't do this. We’re family. You’re like a father to me. You can have my title. I won't tell anyone.”

Lysander stood up. “Since you’re my favorite nephew, I won’t kill you. So as a parting gift, I will give you a new life—a new beginning. I hope you’ll treasure this gift of mine.” As he was about to exit the room, he turned and looked at him one last time and smiled. “I hope you’ll never forget me as long as you live, nephew. Goodbye. May we never see each other again.”

~ ~ ~

“Ah! There you are,” Lysander exclaimed, a smile spreading across his lips as he rose from his chair beside the bed. “Where have you been? I was worried about you.”

‘This is the man who took everything from me.’

Elysian stared at his uncle’s smiling face with an indifferent expression, yet beneath his cold demeanor, rage burned like a fiery tempest as it roiled like a winding beast possessed by wrath. Fueled by pure hatred, it blazed furiously, refusing to be snuffed out until vengeance had sated its thirst. Upon seeing the root of all his suffering, the serpent went on a rampage, searing anyone in its wake. Yet, no matter what it did, it couldn’t break free from its prison.

However, restraining that burning fury wasn’t easy; Elysian’s knuckles turned white, and his lips bled.

“Are you alright, Elysian?” Lysander asked, concern in his voice. “You’re bleeding.”

Elysian wiped his lip, looking at the blood for a moment before returning a smile. “I’m fine, uncle.”

‘I’ve imagined many scenarios on what I’ll do if I meet this b*stard again. I never thought I’d be this calm.

Sigh. What can I do?

With my father engaged in his senseless war, my uncle held absolute control over the entire barony. I haven’t even entered cultivation yet, while this b*stard is the second highest cultivator in the barony, second only to my father.

I might be a fool sometimes, but I’m not stupid. I mustn’t squander this opportunity given to me.

A hunter must patiently bide his time. Patience is the key here. This is a long game, after all.

Well, good luck to me.’

“Do I need to call a doctor?” Lysander asked, looking even more worried when the boy just stood there, staring at the air. “Elysian, are you listening?”

‘This is going to be tiring. Let the acting begin.’

With the sweetest smile he could muster, Elysian apologized, “Sorry about that, uncle. I just woke up today, and I don’t think I’m fully recovered yet.”

“Of course you haven’t. You’ve been unconscious for a couple of days,” Lysander responded, sighing in irritation. “You should’ve taken it easy. Why did you even leave your bed? Here, let me give you a hand.”

That statement made Elysian pause for a moment, studying him closely.

‘Interesting. Even after all these years, coupled with what he did to me, my heart still feels that betrayal, as if it were still raw like I’m reliving it. Isn’t that only natural? I’ve loved this man for all of my childhood. He’s more like my father than my actual father. He taught me everything. And that love and trust were repaid by betrayal.

Well, in this timeline, it didn’t happen yet.

I often asked myself in the past if he truly loved me, or if he had been using me from the start. Now that I’m facing him again, there’s no denying it. This man had been manipulating me from the very beginning.

He’s indeed good. I can see the concern in his eyes.

Is he faking it? Hmm…

Maybe not. Maybe he truly cared, but his ambition was greater than his affection for me.

Now that I have relived this life, I see it from a new perspective. This is likely the explanation. This clarifies a lot of things. Yes, it’s clear to me now. The main culprits of the tragedies in the past were my uncle, my father, and… and me. The three of us weren’t good people from the start. We are nobles after all. Arrogant, cruel, and selfish. It seems to be the identifying qualities that most of us share.

My uncle betrayed everyone to achieve his ambition. Well, he did make a sound argument that my father was incompetent and not worthy of being the baron, which is true. But he isn’t worthy either. He is too cruel and vicious. There’s a reason why he did not stay as baron for long when he held that position in the past.

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

Am I worthy of that position, though? With my past experiences, I think I’m better than them, but… But this position cost me a lot, and I don’t know if I can even handle it.

My brother…’

“Hey, Elysian, are you listening?” Lysander asked, gently shaking his shoulder. “Let me help you.”

“Huh?” Elysian awakened from his musing, glancing at the older noble. When he saw his hand on his shoulder, he wanted to recoil in disgust, but luckily, he was able to stop himself. “Thank you, uncle,” he responded, recovering instantly. Without missing a beat, he smiled and accepted his offer of help.

After assisting his nephew onto the bed, Lysander immediately lashed out. “Hey, boy, this is your fault!” he exclaimed, scowling at the servant who had followed the young noble to the room, while the maid had already departed to attend to other tasks. “You know your master hasn't fully recovered yet. Why did you let him get up from his bed? You're useless! All you know is to eat.”

‘Now I see where I got my foul personality. This b*stard had influenced my highly impressionable mind as a child. It’s no wonder I grew up like that.’

Elysian wanted to intervene, but he remained silent, knowing he was powerless to do anything as Bran bore the brunt of his uncle’s insult. He understood that any attempt to stop it would only invite further cruelty toward the servant. This was a lesson, as his uncle saw it—a reminder of the difference between vermin and nobles.

‘I just came back, but I’m already faced with something like this? Tsk, this is getting on my nerves. Being powerless again—I hate this feeling. Sigh.’

Bran just stood there, overcome with fear. He might be huge, like a giant, standing at approximately one hundred and ninety centimeters in height. It was hard to find someone as tall as him in the entire barony, not to mention at his age. He was also not as lanky as some others his height; he was bulky and built like a bull. Well, he was more like a boar with all that fat, but it couldn’t be denied that there were muscles beneath that lard. However, even though he was gifted physically, he wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed. You could say he retained a certain innocence that most people lose at a very young age. Some children, as young as Elysian, were even more mature than him. Faced with the terrifying presence of Lysander, it was no wonder that Bran was trembling uncontrollably. If this continued, he might even soil himself.

‘Damn it. I hate to see this.’

Debating what to do, Elysian glanced toward his uncle, studying him closely. Immediately, he frowned at what he saw. He couldn’t shake the sensation of Lysander’s aura vibrating in the air. To a mere mortal, the feeling of a pulsating aura was indeed chilling, as if your body were being hammered repeatedly by an energy you couldn’t see. Though not dangerous, it was a very unpleasant experience, especially with someone like his uncle, who had poor control over his aura. Yet, it was undeniable that he seemed like a demi-god compared to the current Elysian, who had not even taken his first step into cultivation.

“I’m asking you, brat!” Lysander growled when the servant just stood there, trembling in fear. “Speak!”

‘Could I just stand by and watch as he mistreats one of my people?

Tsk, I must control myself or I will just make it worse.’

When the servant still did not respond, Lysander grew even more irritated as he moved closer to the older boy. Fearing for the worst, the younger noble was left with no other choice.

“B*stard!” Elysian suddenly screamed, staring straight at his uncle’s back. Seizing an opportunity, the serpent of rage went on a rampage once again, manifesting in his voice with palpable hatred. Given the current situation, this further complicated matters for the boy, who desperately needed a clear mind to manage this complicated predicament.

This instantly got everyone's attention as all eyes turned to the young noble. The tension in the room suddenly rose to a very uncomfortable level.

Lysander’s gaze bore into his nephew. His features contorted into a deep frown, reflecting disbelief and a hint of outrage. “Did you just curse at me, boy?” he demanded, his voice carrying a sharp edge that sliced through the silence like a blade.

Elysian stared at him in return, his gaze meeting his uncle with trepidation. This brief exchange jolted him, forcing him to douse his fury with a splash of cold water, momentarily quenching it. Gaining control of his rampaging anger, he swallowed hard as beads of sweat formed on his forehead. With a clear mind, he beheld a man whose rage seemed to burn unchecked, intertwined with malice. Deep in his eyes, he could see cruelty, vicious and unbridled. Those were the eyes that viewed the world with disdain, willing to let it burn if he did not get his way.

‘I have no doubt this man would kill me if he thinks I’m a hindrance to his plans, and he could easily get away with it. He has tighter control over the entire barony than my incompetent father. The only thing preventing him is the loyalty of the soldiers to the Baron; otherwise, he would have long ruled this land. Well, it’s not like he needs to take that unnecessary risk. My father is always engrossed in his wars; he can play the ruler all he wants. He could just wait for an opportunity, as he did in the past when victory was certain.

I can’t cross this man, not yet. I have too much to lose—just one mistake, and I might lose everything. I can’t let that happen.

But…

But it doesn’t mean I’m totally powerless. What I’ve learned from living a harsh life in the past to becoming someone in power is the ability to adapt. That’s always been the key—evolution, the willingness to change and to use everything and everyone just to survive.’

With a newfound determination, Elysian’s face twisted into an angry face, refusing to back down from the staring contest with the older noble. This immediately deepened Lysander’s frown, when he realized that the boy was staring straight at him with a hint of hatred within. This instantly made him forget about the servant, redirecting his anger towards his nephew instead.

“I’m sorry, uncle. Could you move for a moment?” Elysian asked, his voice apologetic but tinged with fury as he gestured the man to the side. “I need to talk to my servant,” he added, fully focusing on the older boy. “Hey, you big oaf, how dare you disrespect my uncle!”

“Huh?” Lysander muttered, surprised by the sudden turn of events. At first, he was confused before his anger instantly drained away, realizing that the hateful stare wasn’t directed at him. Reflexively, he moved away while observing his nephew, considering him more closely.

‘Seems my acting isn’t too bad.’

“Come here, you useless piece of trash!” Elysian ordered. When the servant heard the command, Bran froze, his face drained of color. “What the hell are you doing? Are you disobeying me?” he growled, staring at the older boy more intensely than before. “Come here, now!”

Upon hearing the young noble’s angry voice, Bran followed the order immediately, approaching his master with haste. Shaking anxiously, he stood in front of the younger boy, towering over him like a mountain. It was quite comical that this gigantic servant was so afraid of a puny child. Well, it seemed that status really did give people the illusion of power.

“Why are you standing, you big oaf?! Are you trying to break my neck by making me stare at you? Kneel down now, so that I can properly teach you a lesson,” Elysian demanded. The voice was so commanding that the poor servant did not just obey. Instead of kneeling, he let himself collapse to the floor with a loud bang. The drop was so hard and loud that it briefly appeared as if an avalanche had descended into the estate.

Being close to the impact, the younger boy’s bed quivered so badly that his bones rattled, causing him pain.

‘Sh*t! Is this b*stard gonna frighten me to death?’

“Are you an idiot?! I told you to kneel and not scare me to death!” Elysian shouted, his acting quite convincing since it had a certain truth to it.

“I-I’m sorry… Ah!” Bran exclaimed, interrupted by a surprised yelp when the younger boy suddenly pinched his ear and pulled him closer. “Master, I’m…”

“Bran. Bear with it. Act that you’re hurt and repentant,” Elysian whispered quickly before his voice grew louder again. “You f*cking moron! You should know your place,” he continued, yelling in his ear before pushing him backward.

‘F*ck! What the hell is he doing?’

Elysian frowned when his servant wouldn’t budge. He just sat there, staring at the younger noble, blinking as if something had gotten into his eyes. When the older boy finally realized what he needed to do, he winked at Elysian.

“Ugh!” Bran exclaimed, propelling himself backward with enough force to put most men to shame. The older boy, who was close to the door, sprawled to the floor as if a boar had charged at him with full momentum.

‘Oh, my lord! This f*cking idiot!

Is he making a comedic skit or something? Who would believe that this small, plump body of mine had enough strength to push him that far?

Not only that, he had the nerve to wink at me.’

With considerable effort, Elysian gritted his teeth, trying to control himself so as not to berate the older boy for his pitiful performance. Worse of all, his timing was way off. He was sent flying seconds after the young noble had pushed him. Does that even make sense? If there was the Worst Actor award, he would’ve won hands down.

‘I need to salvage this situation somehow.’

Elysian quickly cleared his throat, wanting to attract attention again. “You fool! You deserve that! You should know your betters!” he exclaimed in such an awkward manner that his cheeks started to turn red. It seemed whatever vile sickness his servant had caught had affected him too. “Hurry, bring me a bottle of wine for my uncle! Get the best vintage in the collection,” he ordered. When he saw the older boy still lying on the floor, he screamed even louder, “What the hell are you doing?! Get out of my sight!”

‘I can’t believe I’m doing this.’

Bran quickly rose to his feet and hastily exited the room. He didn’t even get far before stumbling to the floor again. Thankfully, he managed to successfully escape their sight.

‘Now what?’

Elysian slowly glanced at his uncle with a big, awkward smile. As expected, he was met with a raised eyebrow. Seeing this, he looked down, not wanting to further incriminate himself.

‘Sh*t!’

“Boy, are you alright?” Lysander asked, his voice filled with concern when he saw the young noble’s pale face, as if he had seen a ghost.

When he noticed the opportunity, Elysian grabbed it. “I’m sorry, uncle,” he responded, his tone sincere with a hint of discomfort. “It seems I overexerted myself. My head hurts pretty bad,” he said apologetically, wincing from the pain. All of a sudden, he held his head as he groaned in agony. “Also, it appears I’m sensitive to loud sounds. It’s like some insect is crawling in my ears. I don’t know what’s happening, but it’s disgusting,” he stated, slowly glazing at his uncle, tears welling in his eyes. “I hope for your understanding, uncle. I meant no offense.”

‘Take that! My acting is a masterclass.’

Lysander found himself stunned by what he’d just heard, debating if it was directed at him. He wanted to snap at the boy but couldn’t. How could he? Seeing his nephew’s pained face, his stern expression softened instead. He sighed and sat back in his chair. “You don’t have to worry about that, boy. I understand your situation.”

“Thank you for your understanding, uncle,” Elysian said, giving him a pained smile. “You’re truly the best.”

“Don’t try to butter me up, boy,” Lysander responded, raising a brow before a smile spread across his lips. “I know that already. Who else would spoil you, huh?”

“I’m your favorite, so it's a given,” he replied with a grin.

“You cheeky, b*stard,” the older noble retorted. “By the way, you better dismiss that incompetent servant of yours; hire a new, more capable one,” he continued, staring into the air while deep in thought. “I have someone in mind; he’s exceptionally skilled. He would be a valuable asset to you in the future.”

‘Valuable asset, my ass! I bet it’s one of your minions who’s just going to spy on me and try to control everything.’

Elysian gave him the cutest and sweetest smile he could muster. Though its intended effect was debatable since the older noble seemed to recoil from his action, he didn’t have any choice; he needed to use everything he had to maneuver himself out of this predicament. “Thank you for our concern, uncle. There’s no need. I’m quite fond of that one. Even though he’s inept, he never fails to make me laugh.”

“If you seek amusement, just hire entertainers for that,” Lysander snorted. “The role of your assistant is vital for your future. He will become your companion that you can count on as you rule this land.”

‘You’re right. But the number-one quality of a personal assistant is loyalty. If he doesn’t have that, my fate would certainly be a dark and tragic one.’

“I understand, uncle,” Elysian responded while smiling innocently, but if you looked closely, his gaze was cold as ice. “However, I don’t want to surround myself with your people. It will be quite annoying. In my annoyance, I don’t know what I’ll do to them.”

“What do you mean?” Lysander frowned as his voice suddenly grew serious.

“Hmm, they’re very competent and diligent with their jobs, uncle,” the boy replied smoothly without missing a beat. “They will make me work and do some boring stuff. I don’t want that. I don’t want to work, uncle. I just wanted to play.”

The room was suddenly filled with laughter as Lysander roared. “I often forget that you’re still just a boy. I understand. I understand,” he remarked as he tried tor regain his composure. “However, don’t forget that you’re the true heir to the barony and not that fake brother of yours. If you’re not careful, he might steal what’s rightfully yours. Do you understand me?”

‘F*cking lying hypocrite! You’re the one that’s been eyeing that title.’

“I know,” the boy agreed, concealing his scorn behind a faint smile tinged with awkwardness. When his facade was about to fail, he cleared his throat, masking it into a cough.

“Are you alright?” Lysander asked, concerned in his voice. “Wait, allow me to get you some water,” he offered, rising from his seat and gracefully navigating his way to the nearby table. “Did you get caught in the rain?”

“Just a little, uncle,” Elysian answered, feigning a headache.

“Here, drink this,” Lysander said, handing the water to the boy. Out of nowhere, he teased him. “You should take care of your health, or you’ll worry that poor girl. What’s her name again? L-Lyra…”

As he was drinking the water, Elysian unintentionally spewed the water all over his uncle’s unsuspecting face. It seemed the mere mention of his fiancée’s name—a memory long forgotten had caught him off guard, jolting him so profoundly that he lost control of his actions. As the water cascaded down the older noble’s face, the boy’s complexion paled, his eyes widening in shock and worry at the realization of what he had done. Immediately, the room fell silent as tension grew intense. The young noble’s heart pounded hard with dread as he awaited his uncle’s reaction, fearing the worst.

‘Sh*t! Why did he have to say that name?!’

Caught in an unexpected and horrible situation, Elysian’s mind raced for a way to defuse the tension. Left with no choice, he just reused what he had been doing; he hastily pretended to be seized by a terrible fit of coughing, his actions a desperate attempt to divert attention away from the disaster he created. As his coughs rang out in the room, Elysian’s heart pounded hard as he listened to his uncle’s reaction.

‘He won’t kill me, right?

Sigh. Why am I acting this way? It seems my perception is heavily influenced by my last memory of him and the disclosure revealed at that time.

Tsk, I can’t even think straight.

If I really think about it, why am I even scared? Sure, he’s a bad person, and so am I. At this time in the past, the previous me is as bad as him. However, this man is not insane. Even though he’s cruel, he’s more reasonable than my father. And more pragmatic than my brother. He isn’t burdened by principle or ideology. He thinks more about utility.

Yeah, he could kill me, but being his nephew and puppet, I’m quite useful to him alive.

If he’s really a pragmatist, my safety is almost guaranteed. However, he has a bad temper…

Sigh.’

“What on earth are you doing, boy?!” Lysander shouted in anger, demanding an explanation. The sharpness of his tone cut through the air, carrying a palpable sense of irritation. “Look at the mess you’ve made!” he continued, his words laced with incredulity as he gestured towards the droplets of water scattered across his face and clothing.

“I’m very sorry, uncle. I didn’t mean for it to happen,” Elysian responded as he forced tears to well up in his eyes.

‘Just like that, act cute. And be vulnerable.’

Lysander clenched his teeth as the muscles in his jaw tightened. The frustration showed clearly on his face while his brow furrowed deeply. However, as soon as he noticed his nephew’s eyes tearing up, he sighed in resignation, his anger quickly draining away from his face, though his irritation lingered. “I’ll take my leave now, boy. Rest up. I’ll visit you once you’ve recovered.”

‘I must be careful not to tease the tiger too much. But I can’t deny that this was fun.

Tsk, I’ve enjoyed this too much. It might bite me in the ass if I’m not careful.’

“See you later, uncle,” Elysian said, his lips curling into a mocking grin as the older noble turned his back. “Stay safe.”

‘I hope you’ll get in an accident!’

“Please, avoid getting yourself wet in the rain,” the boy added, trying his best not to chuckle.

‘I hope you’ll get caught by lightning instead.’

Just as Lysander was about to step out, Bran unfortunately arrived, effectively blocking the path with his imposing body. Instantly, the noble’s irritation surged. Seeing this reaction, the servant swallowed hard. “M-My lord, I have b-brought your wine,” he stammered, his voice trembling with surprise at the unexpected encounter.

“Get out of my way, you imbecile!” Lysander growled, easily shoving the boy to the ground. Without a hint of remorse, he stormed toward the stairs, his steps thumping loudly on the floor full of disdain.

‘I can’t believe I shared the same blood with that b*stard!’

Luckily, the wine bottle did not shatter, cushioned by the plump body of the servant. Once Lysander had walked down the stairs, Bran hastily rose and approached the young noble. “Master, what happened?”

“Nothing, big fella. It’s nothing,” Elysian responded, smirking mischievously. “He simply enjoyed a mouthful of refreshing water,” he quipped, casting a concerned glance at his servant. “Are you alright, by the way?”

“I’m alright,” Brand quickly responded, smiling at the concern shown to him by the younger boy. Suddenly, that smile turned into a frown when he realized that he might be the reason for the older noble’s terrible mood. “I’m sorry, young master. I’ve caused a problem again.”

“Don’t worry, big fella. It’s fine,” Elysian smiled, patting the servant’s huge arm. “Hmm… Why don’t you pass me that wine.”

“Master?” Bran asked, confusion on his face, but still handed him the wine. “M-Master, you can’t drink that!”

“Why not?” Elysian asked, mischievously grinning at him as he opened the bottle.

“You’re just a kid. Kids don’t drink wine,” the servant answered, staring at the bottle as if he wanted to snatch it from the clutches of the younger boy. “It’s not good for you.”

“You’re right, my friend. You are absolutely right. However, sometimes, there are instances when one has to throw out all those rules and just enjoy life,” Elysian responded, taking one big gulp from the bottle before shouting, “We have to celebrate, my friend! We have to celebrate!”

“Celebrate what, master?” Bran asked, bewildered by the sudden behavior of the younger boy.

“To be alive! I’m glad to be f*cking alive!”