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Chapter 10
Until now, Hider had been regarded as less than a cockroach. But the sweet words Rani gave him had saved him.
Those warm words—that his very existence gave someone strength.
They were words that elevated the value of his existence.
His desire to protect Rani was growing stronger by the day. In order to do so, he needed power. The power to protect both himself and Rani.
So, Hider made a decision.
He wouldn’t waste the opportunity Rani had created for him.
Hider went to see Taibern and knelt before him.
“Grandfather. Please help me. I want to become strong. You once said I had talent. Please help me become strong.”
Taibern quickly hid his surprised expression. The boy who had silently endured the duchess’s abuse all this time had somehow grown more resolute.
It wasn’t that his height had increased or that he’d developed more muscle.
It felt like his soul itself had become stronger.
Something must have happened.
And it was one of the things Taibern had been waiting for. Hider was more like him than anyone else in the family.
That child might just be able to accomplish the feat Taibern had never achieved.
That was why he had offered multiple times to take Hider with him. But he’d always been rejected.
Hider was different from his sly son and the weakling Cartena, who clung to his mother’s skirts.
He was cautious, patient, and guarded—qualities Taibern believed were essential for a good knight. And Hider had all of them.
Though Hider hadn’t asked for his help, Taibern had quietly lent it from the shadows while watching over him.
Clicking his tongue “How much did they starve the boy while I was away for him to have grown this little?”
Though his clothing looked decent, it was clear the body beneath was skinny as a twig.
It didn’t make sense that a child with Taibern’s blood was this small at that age.
Even the famously sickly Cartena had a physique similar to Taibern’s.
All this happened because I stepped back when I shouldn’t have.
He should have raised his son properly. The belief that he could fill in the gaps himself if his son failed was a foolish thought that led to the upbringing of these fragile children.
No wonder the household has fallen into this state.
Thinking of his son made him feel suffocated again. The next successor would be raised to be a proper knight, no matter what.
The problem was that Taibern couldn’t always stay at the mansion.
If he intervened carelessly and then had to leave, who knew how his son and daughter-in-law would react in his absence?
Taking him with me would be best.
Maybe this time, Hider would agree. It might be a little late, but if they acted quickly, something could still be achieved.
Taibern cleared his throat to hide his joy and spoke in a low voice.
“I thought you didn’t trust me.”
“I still don’t. But I know you’re the only one who can help me. I have this family’s blood too. Please make me strong, Grandfather.”
“You won’t regret saying that?”
Hider raised his head, meeting Taibern’s eyes, and nodded confidently.
“No, Grandfather. I’ll never regret it.”
Though his face still looked young, there was firm resolve in his expression. A determination to become strong no matter what.
Clearly, something had shifted inside him. Whatever the trigger was, it was a relief.
The news of Taibern’s return threw the entire mansion into chaos. The most shaken of all were Sornia and Cartena.
“When is Grandpa leaving? He said he wouldn’t come back from the territory again!”
Sornia stomped her feet and burst into tears.
Taibern definitely wasn’t the kind of person children liked. Having inherited strong Northern Arman blood, he was nearly 1.5 times larger than the average adult male. Years on the battlefield had given his eyes a faint but constant murderous glint.
Even though he was over seventy, his aura was still razor-sharp. Despite always dressing impeccably, there was something raw and primal that clung to him.
The duchess bit her lip.
“Sornia, are you going to act like this in front of your grandfather? Try to act sweet.”
“You don’t understand anything, Mom! Grandpa hates me!”
“What are you saying? He adores you.”
“No, he doesn’t!”
Strong-willed as ever, Sornia screamed loudly.
Taibern disliked children who were spoiled and stubborn.
It wasn’t that he hated Sornia herself, but Sornia hated him. She had never been denied anything she wanted, so his sternness rubbed her the wrong way.
“Is this how you’re going to behave? I never imagined someone this rude would be born into my family! And how many times have I told you not to mistreat the servants!”
Sornia threw herself onto the floor, screaming in rage.
The duchess sighed and looked down at her. The maid standing beside them looked nervously at the scene, fidgeting.
Cartena’s case was even worse.
He sat hunched on the sofa with a gloomy face, sniffling.
Cartena was timid. He feared doing anything, especially swordplay.
The duchess had raised him with the utmost care, terrified he might break like glass. She gave him everything before he even had to ask and always protected him.
Even so, Cartena had grown into a hypersensitive and resentful child.
“I don’t even want to eat with Grandfather, Mom. I really want to die.”
The duchess sighed again. Her heart ached to see her frail son like this after all the pampering she had given him.
“Again with that nonsense? Why must you upset me like this? You’re not going to die.”
The one who should die was Taibern—that old man.
To be honest, Taibern was an incredible man. The world credited him with raising the status of the Cartieron Duchy, but that didn’t make the duchess any less wary of him.
Kiera bit her lip.
She hated Taibern—and she hated Hider too, simply for resembling him.
Hider, with his broad shoulders and strong frame that wouldn’t thin out no matter how much he was starved, always wore a sunken expression that reminded her of Taibern. He even had exceptional talent with the sword.
He possessed everything the duke himself lacked.
That made Kiera anxious.
Taibern had the power to make Hider the next duke at any time.
The Cartieron Duchy was originally a northern border-guarding house. Though they now resided in the capital thanks to Kiera’s persistent request, their roots were in the North.
During the great war, the number of monsters in the North had drastically declined to the point they were no longer a threat.
That was all thanks to Taibern.
Taibern still lived in the North, as if the battlefield was his home.
He believed that all heirs of Cartieron should wield a sword.
He’ll definitely force Cartena into training. Damn that old man. Why won’t he just die already?
Kiera gnashed her teeth.
Taibern’s way of thinking was completely incompatible with hers.
Why should my child go to the North? That old man should just die alone there.
Cartena would stay in the capital. If monsters showed up again and he got hurt, what then?
Taibern didn’t care about comfort or convenience. He would drag Cartena into that dirty, filthy place without hesitation.
He’s probably still taking poison regularly.
Kiera chewed on her nails. Even so, Taibern was still healthy. His presence alone was enough to dominate Cartieron.
Why did he come to the capital? No—maybe this is an opportunity.
Her eyes gleamed.
An opportunity to get rid of that old man once and for all.
