Chapter 69: Arrival At Grand Dukedom
Eugene steps out of the manor with Raphael behind him, carrying their luggage.
Marquis Shradinza stood by the entrance with an ugly expression while Euric wave his hand in goodbye and told him to send letters sometimes. Eunice who is beside Euric looks at her brother in tears, pursing her lips. Not liking the idea that his brother would no longer live with them.
On the other hand, Eullian was so surprised that he goes crazy on the spot, throwing things and blocking Eugene in the door, telling him not to leave.
This made Euric dissatisfied.
Eullian has been spoiled too much. What are you doing holding in your brother? They're already an adult and it's time for them to settle, build their career and find their own life.
So, in order to not stimulate Eullian again, he orders Vincent to keep Eullia locked in the room to reflect. Because he wanted Eullian to understand that not everything will flow to what he wants. He can't just think of himself and hold back others. Euric knew it and is starting to understand what was happening to this family.
"Then brother, please take care of Eunice."
The gate of the Shradinza estate is opened and a black carriage belonging to the grand dukedom stops at the entrance.
Raphael put their luggage inside and turn his head to wait for his young master. However, he didn't expect to meet the deep eyes of Simon who is standing behind the Marquis.
He hated that gaze.
That one look that was given to him when he was once the favorite.
What are you doing looking at him like that? Raphael is happy that he is able to get out of the Shradinza household and leave Simon behind. But Simon on the other hand feels discomfort, seeing that Raphael will no longer be under his surveillance.
Raphael chuckled.
He knows that look.
Simon is someone who likes to control the people he likes and dislikes. And now that he will be gone, he can't use him anymore as a cover for his desire for Vincent.
Too bad Simon.
Letting Vincent become Eullian's butler, means putting him out of control.
He should have known that.
Because Eugene Shradinza is not like those people. His young master is peculiar and unpredictable. Without knowing, his young master Eugene had freed him from the shackle of his past. From now on, he and Simon would no longer cross their paths.
Eugene turns around and glances at his butler.
Seeing Raphael's determined face, a smile formed on his lips.
What to do, Raphael is such an interesting person. He must take time to read this person's life record to know how he lived in the shadows.
"Let's go."
Raphael averted his gaze and enter the carriage with his master.
The carriage door was closed and Eugene tap his fingers on his tight: "Say, Raphael, why is it like, you are an audience watching a theater play?"
Raphael flinch.
Eugene looks down at his butler with a cold expression, exuding an aura of dominance.
"Is it nice watching people play their roles?"
"Young master..."
Eugene retracted his aura and smile: "Don't get nervous, I'm just curious. After all, I had fun playing family drama. Seeing their guilt and sense of repentance is just so satisfying."
Raphael widens his eyes and gulp. His young master Eugene is actually acting. Still, the most shocking part is that his young master happens to scrutinize him. Raphael thought he had hidden himself thoroughly and that no one will find out that in this world, he was the strangest one. He was so surprised that he couldn't answer because he also doesn't know how to explain.
What to tell? He just woke up and realize the world is fuck up?
He's afraid he will be the crazy one.
"We have brought back a prisoner from the Biscotti Kingdom and you know what? That person actually came from another world."
Raphael's mouth open, "Another world? Such a thing is possible?!"
Eugene tilted his head.
"How about you Raphael? What do you know?"
Raphael suddenly feels dizzy.
Someone actually came to this world from another world? If that is possible then he...
Raphael couldn't elucidate so he just blurt out things he experience.
"I had no idea. I just woke up and I feel like something is wrong in this world. So I observe people and found out that there's no one who could be said normal existing here." Raphael look at his trembling hands, "I was so scared at that time so I tried to keep my presence low."
Eugene snaps his fingers and Raphael's eyes turn dull.
"Tell me the whole scenario."
Raphael open his mouth and started to recite.
Eugene listened to everything and suddenly realize something.
His butler, Raphael had his...Consciousness awakened.
——Kaizer tugs his tie and runs his fingers through his hair, combing it backward. Full of sweat he went back inside the palace and take a shower. After that, he stays in the office to resume his work since his father is currently in the Catharis dukedom.
A carriage stop in front of the castle gate and opened.
The head butler knock on the office and told his highness that the young master of the Shradinza family has arrived which made Kaizer set aside his work to welcome his wife to the dukedom with a big smile.
"Wife~"
Eugene blocks Kaizer's face: "Still not married. Let's refrain from that endearment."
Kaizer grabs Eugene's hand and kisses it, saying, "It doesn't matter, we will soon get married."
Eugene frowned and suddenly remember what Raphael had mentioned.
"I realize that love was never an obsession."
He said to himself that he'll marry Kaizer but somehow, after his talk with Raphael, he suddenly realize some things that he had forgotten. Like others, when he came back to Artha, he had also become the ideal of this world. Someone who doesn't know love and only seeks desire.
He almost goes back to who he is in the past.
It's bad. He mustn't let Kaizer influence him anymore.
"Let the head butler guide your servant. Let's go and join me for tea."
"Well..." Eugene glance at his butler and nodded, "You go. I'll just call you when needed."
Kaizer drags his wife to the garden and stays in the gazebo while waiting for the servants to bring the tea and pastry for them to enjoy.
Eugene look around and nodded in satisfaction.
"Do you like this garden?"
"Yes."
"Then I'll give it to you."
Eugene raises his eyebrow, "Good. Since I enter the dukedom as your fiance, it's natural for you to give me the privilege befitting my status."
Kaizer chuckled, "As long as you want, you can use the power of the grand duchess."
Eugene's lip twitched and let out a low laugh.
"Then, I'll gladly do so."
Kaizer's heart flutters upon hearing Eugene's laugh. He really wants to give everything to Eugene and make him happy all the time. Let them live a peaceful life in this world and build a family of their own. That would be wonderful for sure.
Eugene looks at Kaizer and smiles.
What to do? He doesn't want to get married so soon.
Thinking of Timber. He purses his lips and a glint appeared in his eyes. Well, the dukedom is so secure that he wanted to bring Timber here so that lunatic Klius won't have an opportunity to touch his friend. It's not bad. The dukedom is so huge, he's sure Kaizer wouldn't mind.
"You are like this, why are you so sure that I'll marry you?"
The servants arrived and immediately serve them food.
Kaizer tilted his head while watching the servants pour some tea into his cup and said: "Because you can't refuse. It's the emperor's decree and the Shradinza household can only accept it. Unless the Marquis don't care much about his reputation and disrespect a royalty."
Eugene's expression cools down.
Really.
Kaizer is so good at manipulation that he wanted to make the other party taste his own medicine. He wonders, what will be Kaizer's expression once he slips out of his [Kaizer] control.
A smile form on his lips.
Without knowing, his face already shows a crazy expression.
Eugene suddenly thinks of a good plan. It's so good that he can't wait to start it.
"Kaizer."
Eugene grab his teacup and took a sip before saying, "Since you have given me ascendancy. I hope you won't regret it."
Because he will use that authority to see how far Kaizer can go crazy.
——Kaizer goes back to his office after sending his wife to his [Eugene] room. His face is so dark that the head butler back out. Kaizer wonders what happen because based on the conversation earlier that made him annoyed, he can feel that Eugene is reluctant to marry him.
Just why?!
What happens?! Didn't they talk about it?!
Kaizer gritted his teeth.
There must be something going on.
——Eugene leans on the couch, crossing his legs as he watches the servants come in and go. The reason is that he didn't like the design of his room so he asked the servants to fix it.
"Young master, do you like some snacks?" Raphael asked.
"Just bring some macarons."
Raphael walks outside the room to go to the kitchen while Eugene keeps giving instructions to the servants. Right now he is also thinking about how to hire people to keep an eye on the Rozans household so that he can be assured, Timber will be safe while he's processing the plan.
After all, he would need to request an audience with the emperor.
And ask for his reward.
The servants shiver when they feel like the atmosphere cools down and couldn't help but panic. Just why? Their young master is already too much to serve and now another same kind enters the dukedom. Isn't this killing them?!
"You there."
A maid who was pointed immediately kneel, "I-I'm sorry! Young master, please spare me!"
Eugene raises his eyebrow.
"What are you doing in a daze? Did you not see the frame is slanted?"
"Y-Yes. I-I'm sorry!"
The maidservant hurriedly stood up and fix the painting.
Eugene held his chin in contemplation and a smile appear on his face. Seems like Kaizer had already told the servants to not offend him. Really, that man is just too benevolent when it comes to him. Now, he really wanted to see how long can Kaizer pretend.
Raphael arrived with the snacks and put them on the table.
"Did you get any news?"
When they're on their way to the grand dukedom he saw a carriage from the church. He doubted that they are about to visit the Shradinza Household. If so then the new prophecy has arrived and Eullian will now be sent to live in the church and serve the gods.
"Earlier, I heard the servants talking, saying that a new saint was born."
Eugene pretends to be surprised, "At a time like this?"
"Yes. I'm surprised too because Saintess Rebecca is still on duty but was replaced immediately."
Eugene put his fingers on his lips and said with a smile, "Is Saintess Rebecca rejected by the gods?" with a hint of a mocking tone.
Raphael widen his eyes, "H-How could a saintess be fall out of favor?!"
Eugene laughed, "If not then how to explain the new prophecy?"
The new saint is even out of the bloodline of Cathalia who had been producing saints for hundreds of years. He's sure that right now, the church is debating whether to accept the prophecy because doing so will offend the Cathalia family, including the Catharis.
But there's no need though.
Because the pope will accept Eullian.
As for why? He also doesn't know, but he's sure there is some need to keep an eye on this.
"Master, you know that this is a big matter."
The Shradinza Household will become the center of attention because of Eullian.
"Raphael, do you know who is the new saint?"
"No, I just---"
"It's Eullian."
"Ah?"
Eugene smirked, "It's really a big matter as you say because Eullian become a saint while I become a marriage partner of the grand dukedom's heir. In short, the Shradinza Household is holding too much more power than others expect."
Raphael frown and suddenly realize something.
"I bet there are many nobles lining up to oppose my marriage because they can't prevent Eullian who is assigned by god."
Eugene's eyes turn sharp.
"It's fun to the point I wanted to help them find loopholes for me."
Raphael watches his young master laugh evilly and suddenly felt chill.
"You will watch it right?"
Raphael tremble.
His young master Eugene is just too much to handle.