NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 11 - 4. To Chapter 84. (2)
“About Duke Jalier’s successor, I heard that the second son will take over the successor position.”
“Isn’t the successor position going to the eldest son?”
“The vassal of Duke Jalier that I know says like that. The tradition of that family is to select the successor from the will of the head of the house. Still, people mistake it as the custom because the eldest son inherited it for several generations.”
“Then why did you come here and tell the story? Hoo, how bad is it for the eldest son to get his position being taken over by his younger brother…”
In a family where the eldest son usually became the successor, it was unusual for the second son to take over the title. This was a hot topic that frequently talked by people.
“Have you all heard the rumors? The second son of Duke Jalier will take over the title… It was given by the will of the Duke before his funeral. But the reason behind the Duke’s death-!”
“Oh my! That’s crazy! It must be because of the eldest son.”
“I’m talking about this because I trust everyone here right now… Honestly, it’s uncommon, right? I mean, for the Duke family fighting over the successor position.”
The rumors grew even more when his younger brother, who had inherited the title of duke, died suddenly one day. On the day of his younger brother’s death, Aloken avoided the accusations immediately as he was on vacation far away, but the public kept their eyes on him.
“Aloken Jalier killed his younger brother and took the Duke title!”
Therefore, it was not long before this rumor spread among the nobles.
“Fanora Celsius… As if it was not enough to provoke me, now you’re spreading such absurd delusions. I will send an official complaint letter to the Count soon.”
In any case, Fanora highly appreciated the calm response he was showing. However, it was cumbersome as he kept being defensive about it, so she gradually came up with decisive information.
“If Lord is going to protect your successor position, at least hear me one last time and keep it on your mind.”
“You’re brave to say something like that.”
“I can help Lord become a Duke in the future.”
At Fanora’s words, Aloken’s cold eyes were still unshakable. But it didn’t take long for his mouth to open again.
“How far do you go with nonsen—.”
“I know what your father, Duke Jalier, is suffering from.”
“…”
Even the servant, who kept a blank expression from behind Aloken, flinched at those words.
“If Lord could extend your father’s lifespan even for a day, would you do that?”
“…”
“Will Lord join hands with me if I can solidify your successor position?”
They finally confirmed that the words coming out of Fanora’s mouth were true. She could tell just by looking at those eyes that had just changed from a little while ago.
“I’m curious how you found out about that… I’m really curious!”
“When I overheard the succession issue, I saw that Duke Jalier was ill. For the rest, I just need to roll my head.”
“…”
“Don’t get me wrong, I sincerely want to help the Duke Jalier become healthy.”
His attitude changed rapidly. He had ignored her until now, but now Aloken was interested in the conversation.
As expected.
Fanora was sure he would take the bait of extending his father’s life. That was because she had met him when she was already an adult, and Aloken Jalier at that time clearly told her.
“Did the ladies from the central region also believe that I’m the cruel Duke who killed my younger brother?”
“It’s sad to be misunderstood by even innocent ladies. Actually, it wasn’t my younger brother who was deprived of the title, it was me.”
“Y-you…?”
“It’s a fate we met like this, so should I tell you? The old will couldn’t be modified because the previous duke died suddenly of illness. Before he collapsed, we had finished all discussions that he would give me the Duke’s title.”
“If they know the truth, wouldn’t the young ladies even wonder if my younger brother killed the previous Duke? If only I had time, even if it had only been a month, I wouldn’t have had a scandal like this.”
Fanora remembered for a moment the person she had met in the past and then focused on the present situation.
“…If you’ve dug this far, it’s meaningless to deny it anymore. However, I’m still perplexed to hear those words out of the blue from the young lady, who I didn’t even know before.”
“I know the medicine to treat the symptoms that the Duke is suffering from.”
“What’s the source of the medicine?”
“I can’t tell Lord everything.”
In response to her answer, Aloken swept down his black hair, looking troubled.
“How can I trust you when you’re not telling me everything?”
Of course, Fanora’s way lacked persuasion.
However, it’s a bit difficult to reveal how I know this information in detail.
Until now, Fanroa had been provoking him, so it was time to take a breather.
“Is it not enough with me guessing your father’s illness?”
“…”
“I see, it’s not enough. But I have a situation too. I can’t reveal this before I consider Lord is on my side.”
However, the man named Aloken didn’t seem to intend to pass on this vague excuse. After seeing that, Fanora came up with the following words. “It’s just because I know all of this.”
“…”
“I know how to do astrology.”
“…”
She brought out the science of predicting the future by looking at the stars in the sky. Her face was calm when said that.
As she boldly said, “Please move on from the source of information,” Aloken went silent for a moment, then gave an unexpected response.
“Astrology.” It was a small recitation, covering his mouth and staring at Fanora.
Is he being dumbfounded?
Whether he couldn’t take her lie seriously or not, she didn’t really care and continued the conversation.
“But I can really extend Duke Jalier’s life. I will prove it and—”
“You need a price to do that.”
Aloken seemed to like what she had just said more than all the conversations so far. His face, which had been stiff all the time, has loosened up a bit.
“Yes. I dare to ask for a deal.”
“It’s much easier to understand a person who wants something than a person willing to give something. Good. So what price do you want?”
Fanora thought positively about the reaction from Aloken and eventually put an end to this conversation.
“Please be engaged with me.”
“…”
“…”
Upon hearing this, the man named Aloken pondered for a long time and then answered. “I have done many activities here since I was young, so it was natural for me to hear various rumors about the children of nobles in the capital.”
“Yes?”
“I’m not a human being swept away by rumors, but I thought it wouldn’t be true about the rumors that the eldest daughter of Celsius was different from other ladies until now.”
“Yes.”
“But as I reflect on what Lady said to me, my old belief is about to be shaken.”
To put it simply, he was asking, ‘Are you really a weirdo?’
Aloken continued as if this was not the only problem. “In addition, I’ve already picked someone to be engaged with.”
“Do you love that person?”
“No way. There are just a few families that can help me.”
Ah, if that’s the reason, there’s nothing more to be afraid of.
Fanora made it clearer what she wanted.
“I’m not asking you to marry me. I’m asking you to sign a contract called engagement for a while. Two years, maybe three years at the most.”
When Fanora spoke quietly without averting his gaze, Aloken choose rather rude sentence to counter.
“You said you wanted me engaged with you for two years?”
“Don’t say it rudely like that.”
“Is there any benefit of Fanora Celsius other than my reputation being tarnished? What are you buying time for?”
Due to various circumstances, this was not immediately answered, but she briefly summarized the situation.
“Right now, there’s someone having a marriage talk with me. I hate that person, but my family doesn’t seem to want to let this opportunity go…”
“So you want to break that marriage talk?”
“With the name of Lord, my parents will change their attitude like flipping the palm of their hand. And two years is enough time for Lord to find a new fiancée.”
Of course, only half of her words were true. It was true that she intended to break up the marriage talk with Naverius using his power. Still, the reason it took two years or more was different.
I need time to plan my revenge.
For some reason, the current Countess Celsisu was eager to marry Fanora with someone.
I have to deceive Hanar.
Even if she broke her marriage talk, the Countess wouldn’t stop trying to marry Fanora away. She needed an immediate engagement to get away from her family’s attention. Aloken already had a lot of enemies, which meant that she wouldn’t be doing bridal lessons.
“But you never know what you will feel when you’re close to the man… It’s difficult if you have a crush on me.”
Fanora responded to his words with an expressionless face, “That won’t happen.”
“Why are you so sure?”
“Because I know that love only ruins my life.”
This was what she really felt. For her, affection between people was a concept that existed only in books, and at the same time, it was disgusting.
If her mother didn’t love Count Celsius and treated him more family; if her father didn’t betray his family who had sworn to live for him; if only Naverius… had ever loved her; everything might be different.
Fanora had never been truly loved. She even ruined her life because of the concept of love, so why would she yearn for love again?
Upon hearing this, Aloken smiled sincerely for the first time. “This matches my values.”
“…”
“Strangely, you match well with me.”
Does this mean that he accepts my offer?
Aloken continued, “Hmm, it’s a deal… However, I will apply for the engagement after the Duke shows signs of improvement.”
“Yes.”
“Can you prove your ability right now?”
At those words, Fanora thought for a moment.
If I want to break the marriage talk, the faster I move, the better.
The marriage talk with Naverius didn’t come out of her mouth in this life. However, it would soon be carried out rapidly by parents of both families.
If I let go of this, the situation will only worsen, so let’s strike first.
After she decided, she threw out a piece of information Aloken would have wanted. “ I will tell you how to relieve the Duke’s illness.”
“I’ll teach you how to relieve the Duke’s illness.”
“I’m listening.”
“Right now, stop the Duke from eating all the fruit he has been eating.”
“…”
“And soak his cloth in tea mint oil and make him inhale it little by little. He will immediately get better.”
Upon hearing that, Aloken opened his mouth. ““What if I did as you said and then his illness got worse?”
“…”
“So, if something goes wrong with the Duke, which only two exist in this Kingdom, how will you take responsibility?”
Fanora could see that his words were carrying weight.
When did the Duke fall? First of all, Duke Jalier himself is not on the guestlist for today’s wedding.
She couldn’t go back to the beginning when she had already worked hard so far. Fanora fell into contemplation for a moment.
If the Duke collapses without modifying his will, Aloken will try no matter what I say.
It was when Fanora turned 17 that the Duke’s illness and its treatment were revealed to the world. So at this point, she couldn’t give a detailed answer to Duke’s disease and its treatment. Eventually, Fanora got her guts to play.
“If Lord did as I told, but the condition of Duke Jalier deteriorated—”
“Then what?”
“Tear my limbs until I die.”