DH 10

#10

“…Ugh, I hope Gert won’t be swayed by those words.”

It wasn’t my intention to smear Gert’s face, but it was still true that I had meddled.

No matter how cleverly Bertha had schemed, if Gert started an investigation, the fact that I had drugged Erich would come to light quickly.

If that happened, suspicion about my intentions would undoubtedly flare up, and that would do me no good.

‘I have to deflect any arrows aimed at me back toward Erich.’

I was just weighing the words for my counterargument when—

“Whether it was someone’s intention or not, it doesn’t change the fact that you said those words! If you are a hero, you should take responsibility for your own words.”

Someone was denouncing Erich on my behalf!

I looked at them with gratitude, but my face contorted the moment I recognized who it was.

The one criticizing Erich was none other than Gert’s uncle and Erich’s father, Stello.

Unexpectedly, Stello took a firm stance and rebuked Erich harshly.

“How many times have I told you since you were a child! But you never took any of my words to heart!”

Knowing that it was Stello who helped me left me more bewildered than grateful.

‘…He wasn’t like that originally.’

Recalling his reaction when Gert’s obituary arrived, he didn’t seem the type to rage so fiercely out of loyalty to Gert or Alcides.

Rather, he gave the impression of caring deeply for Erich.

But now, Stello clearly seemed genuinely displeased with Erich.

Stello panted heavily for a moment, then shouted with veins bulging in his neck.

“Lord of the House. Such an inadequate son cannot remain in the family. He is a disgrace to Lübenherz!”

“Father!”

‘Is he demanding his expulsion from the family?’

I was shocked.

After all, being expelled from the family meant being removed from the line of succession entirely.

And Erich was second in line!

‘…No. Things wouldn’t flow that easily.’

Stello was Erich’s father. He couldn’t possibly want Erich expelled for real.

‘Is he criticizing Erich first to appease Gert’s anger? Hmm… That makes sense.’

Moreover, if his uncle Stello took such a humble stance, Gert would have to save face for him.

Thinking that, Stello’s entire attitude became understandable.

‘Wow… He’s a good actor.’

He seemed ready to take the stage immediately. As a fellow artist, I was impressed.

Stello, now upgraded from a snake to a master schemer with the cunning of five hundred coiled serpents, bowed his head to his nephew Gert and said.

“This is all my fault for raising Erich improperly.”

“Not at all. You are an uncle who knows his place well. How could this be your fault? When my late father brought me, a bastard, and said he would make me the next Grand Duke, I well remember how warmly you welcomed me.”

As expected, Gert comforted Stello in a much softer tone than before.

His anger toward Erich had long since vanished. Stello’s scheme had clearly worked!

‘…This is troublesome.’

Of course, I had anticipated that Erich might not be punished immediately. After all, there was the history they shared.

But the problem was that with his silver tongue, Erich had made Gert suspicious of me!

‘Gert needs to suspect and keep an eye on Erich for a while, but if he forgives him just like that… What if only I end up being suspected unfairly?’

How could I turn this situation around?

My mind raced.

‘Should I just confess first that what I gave Erich was a Truth Potion?’

“In any case, since Uncle says so…”

‘Then Gert would know that everything Erich blurted out was sincere… Huh?’

“…I shall.”

I was lost in thought and didn’t catch Gert’s words properly.

‘What did he say in the middle? Did Gert just say he’d forgive Erich?’

But my doubt didn’t last long. Because Gert made his declaration clearly once more.

“I, Gerhard Alcides von Lübenherz, Head of the Lübenherz House, hereby decree that from this day forth, Erich is expelled from Lübenherz!”

“What?”

At this shocking statement, my eyes widened.

No matter that Stello brought up expulsion, for Gert to cast Erich out so readily!

“To abandon our 20 years of friendship so easily! Is this your true heart, Gert?!”

Unable to accept Gert’s decree of expulsion, Erich, his face flushed, strode toward Gert.

Clang! Clang-clang!

But a seamless array of spears barred his way. Soldiers of Lübenherz.

Trapped within a prison of encircling spears, Erich’s body could only stop, unable to advance further. Erich shook off the soldiers holding him and shouted.

“Let me go!”

“It would be better if you came quietly.”

Hillas, who appeared through the soldiers, stated flatly. Beneath his always-calm gaze, belying his nineteen years, lay contempt for Erich.

“If we are insufficient to restrain you, His Highness will step in personally. Wouldn’t it be better to walk out on your own feet now?”

Through the soldiers, Erich and Gert’s eyes met.

Beast-like blue eyes whose thoughts were utterly unfathomable.

Only then did Erich realize that just as he had never considered Gert a true friend for a single moment, Gert felt the same.

‘Is this really the end?’

Erich couldn’t accept it.

At most, what he had done was a slip of the tongue.

If he were expelled for a slip of the tongue, it would set a precedent that anyone could be expelled at the Head’s whim.

For the collateral branches, that would be an unwelcome affair.

Naturally, the collateral branches should desperately try to prevent it, yet everyone present remained silent.

‘Cowards!’

Even though Gert was taking their rights so easily, they just nodded like tame dogs!

As soon as they met Erich’s resentful gaze, people averted their eyes without exception. It was clear they wanted nothing to do with it.

‘If Father hadn’t suggested expelling me from the family, it wouldn’t have come to this!’

Erich glared at his father’s frightened younger siblings standing behind him.

In the end, his father was abandoning him to save the other three!

Even as he was surrounded by soldiers and dragged from the banquet hall, Erich ground his teeth, glaring at everyone present with venomous eyes.

With Erich dragged away, my birthday banquet ended in complete disarray.

Only after seeing off all the guests with a bright smile could I return to my bedroom, stretch out, and lie down.

“I think I’ll live…”

Lying face down on the bed in my jewel-laden dress, everything felt bothersome.

From before the regression until now, too much had happened.

Falling in this room, returning to a year ago, asking Gert for a divorce, exposing Erich’s true feelings…

‘Come to think of it, everything went as I wished, so why does it feel so bittersweet?’

It’s all because of Stello’s reaction.

When Gert declared Erich’s expulsion, I clearly saw Stello’s expression.

No matter how good an actor you are, you can’t act the moment of shock.

‘Did he really want Erich expelled? Why on earth?’

Did he use Erich as a sacrificial piece for his other children? Even without Erich, the right of succession would still go to his own child.

But even so, discarding his firstborn son Erich so instantly was hard to understand.

He could have at least tried to say a word in his defense.

‘As if taking Erich’s side even briefly would make Gert kill them all.’

But Gert isn’t the type to kill people on a whim. Nor is he the type to hold a long, vindictive grudge and torment someone just because they fell out of favor.

People just get scared and fearful due to his reputation for slaying monsters, but the Gert I know is quite magnanimous.

There must be some circumstance I’m unaware of.

‘What do I care! Once I get divorced, I won’t be part of Rübenherz anymore!’