The Sickly Grand Duke is Obsessed with Me

Chapter 97. The Secret Of Funeral (3)

“That’s… n-not a poison.”

“Then, is it a good medicine?”

“…T-that’s.”

“If this is good medicine, Older Brother can try it. It will be of some help to that flimsy body. Don’t you think so?”

Aster sighed and narrowed the distance. Arriving in an instant, he slowly leaned over and whispered in his ear. “If you don’t want to die, I’ll spare you once.”

“…!”

Genoyer was unable to move, as if his whole body were bound by chains. It might not be true for Aster, who has infinite regenerative power. Still, for him, it was an undeniable extreme poison.

“Come on, drink it. Or should I force you to swallow it like you did to me?”

Seeing that red liquid shaking in the clear glass bottle, Genoyer shook his head. He knew better than anyone else what was inside of it. A single drop would instantly melt the intestines of your body.

Genoyer closed his eyes tightly. He thought now he would be dead. However, at that time. Thud, clang. A refreshing sound resounded as if to wake him from death. Genoyer opened his eyes slowly and was stunned when he found the thing that had fallen in front of him. It seemed to have fallen away from Aster.

“Tsk.” Aster clicked his tongue and carefully picked it up. The look in his eyes worried that it might be broken, was very unfamiliar.

…What is that? Necklace? But he couldn’t think deeply.

Aster, who swept his lips, was staring at the necklace as if he was troubled. And after some time.

“Sigh.” Aster sighed with annoyance. His slightly twisted mouth forced the words he didn’t want to say.

“You are very lucky, Older Brother.” Aster, who was holding the necklace in his hand before he knew it, glanced around. “But I feel a little unfair to let you go as it is.”

“…?”

Aster picked up a piece of paper, scrawled a few words, and threw it in front of him. “Please sign.”

“…W-what is this?”

Genoyer’s pupils, holding the paper, shook greatly. Looking at him like that, Aster smiled languidly.

“I’m opening the last chance for you to stay alive.”

“B-but this…!”

“If you want to die, don’t sign it.”

“Ugh.”

Genoyer gritted his teeth, gripping the paper tightly.

[I, Genoyer Run Sestein, hand over the position of the successor of Grand Duke Sestein to Aster Miriam Sestein.]

Hand over? The Grand Duke of Sestein was his. Since he was born, it was a position that only belonged to him. But how did this happen?

Genoyer looked at Heinrihi’s back, who didn’t move as if he were dead. If he wasn’t mistaken, his father wasn’t completely dead yet. …There’s still a chance.

In order to minimize the chance Aster wouldn’t confirm their father’s death, he would do it. Genoyer was certain of that fact.

“…Sign… I’ll do it.”

Scribble, scribble. Aster was handed the paper and roughly stuffed it into his pocket. Seeing that lack of sincerity, Genoyer once again became frustrated. I will definitely repay you for this humiliation.

However, Aster already saw through his black heart. Rather, he didn’t expect Genoyer would give up the successor position so smoothly.

“First of all, the first young master’s life must be spared.”

Belatedly recalling Louis’s advice, Aster clicked his tongue low. “I’ll count ten seconds from now on.”

“…What?”

“If you want to live, get out of my sight. 10.”

Genoyer sprang up reflexively. There was no room for hesitation. He must get out of the clutch of this terrible monster right now.

“9.”

Genoyer immediately cast the teleportation magic. But for some reason, the mana in his body didn’t budge.

“8.”

God damn it. Did he block my mana? Recognizing that, he couldn’t take any more time.

“7.”

Genoyer ran with all his might.

“6.”

As the number decreased, his fear increased. But all he had to do was go through that door.

As the number decreased, the fear surged in. But only there, just over that door.

“3, 2, 1.”

“Uaaaargh!”

Bang. He crossed the door by a hair’s breadth. Genoyer breathed heavily in front of the closed door.

“I-I… am alive.”

After catching his breath, Genoyer quickly pulled himself together. He was worried about his father’s life or death, but it wasn’t time for him to be like this. He didn’t know when that brat would jump out and change his words.

“I need to secure the evidence first. Escaping comes after that.”

Genoyer raised his trembling legs. While Aster was digging through there, he had to take out the ‘Recording Tool’ in the grand duke’s office. With that alone, I can prove the evil thing he has committed to the world. When the time comes…!

Genoyer, who completely left the laboratory, twisted his mouth and activated the teleportation circle.

“It will be you who begs for your life.”

* * *

Recalling his old memories, Genoyer gritted his teeth. “…What are you talking about? Father is definitely alive.”

Genoyer, who had calmed down before he knew it, looked at Aster. “If you didn’t kill—”

“He couldn’t have died? The hypocrisy of pretending to care for father seems quite plausible, Older Brother. You were the one who ran away without looking back to stay alive alone.”

Heinrihi was already dead the moment Aster broke his neck. Still, Aster pretended not to know and sympathized with his delusion. 

Genoyer shouted in anger. “Don’t talk recklessly with your mouth! Do you think that will cover the crime you committed?”

“Crime?”

Aster’s eyes, which had been talking nonchalantly, suddenly bent eerily. “I wonder who is talking about crime to whom.”

Genoyer’s eyes trembled. It was because he knew the true meaning of his words well. It was Heinrihi who committed the crime in the first place.

Genoyer clasped his trembling hand tightly. Aster, who looked at him quite sadly, and briefly smacked his lips. “Honestly, I was looking forward to it. I guess you’ve grown more patient than necessary. Or… did I expect too much?”

“…”

“Well, alright. Until Father’s funeral is over, I’ll have to see your ugly face every day, so I’ll give you a room in the annex. Louis.”

Creek, the door opened, and the butler came inside. “Yes, Your Excellency. Did you call for me?”

“Bring Older Brother to the annex.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Louis will guide you. I have urgent business to take care of. Ah, be careful when you’re asleep or wake up. I don’t know when you’re outside, but one part of you could be cut off when you come in without permission.”

Aster shrugged and rummaged through the papers on the desk. The insensitivity that quickly turned off his nerves made Genoyer laugh.

“I’ll take you this way.” Louis opened the door and made his way.

Genoyer forced his feet away and turned around. His plan to use his father to find justification and execution went awry. But it wasn’t over yet. Don’t be so sure of your victory. I’ll definitely point a knife into your arrogant face. His eyes gleamed as he gritted his teeth.

* * *

Guided by Louis, Genoyer arrived at the annex of the Grand Duchy Sestein.

“…This is it.”

“His Excellency prepared it with special care?”

“Special care?”

“Yes. Since it was the place where the former grand duchess stayed, he said it would surely be a comfort to the first young Master.”

“…”

“Please call me if you need anything. Then.” Louis, who bowed politely, turned around from the entrance of the annex.

Genoyer glared at Louis’s back and saw the annex. An old building that was well maintained but couldn’t hide its wear and tear. It was here, in the annex, that his neglected mother fell ill and died.

“Huh. That’s amazing.”

“I know. That’s amazing? The eldest son of the Grand Duke Sestein has no place to stay.”

Camilla, who had just come out of the annex, frowned and smiled.

“Camilla? Why are you coming out of there?”

“Why? It’s so sad. How can I stay silent when my best friend is grieving? However…” Camilla smiled and looked at Genoyer’s crumpled face.

“Why are you so late?”

Entering the room, the two sat facing each other with a table in between. Unlike the old exterior, the furniture provided indoors was antique, like that of a prestigious family.

Glug glug. After pouring a cup of heated tea, Genoyer pushed the cup to Camilla, who was sitting across from him.

“I didn’t expect you to come this soon. Outsiders will not be able to enter until two days later.”

“Because I came to see you. And since you’re my friend, shouldn’t I console you?”

“…I’m thankful to the point of tears.”

Taking a sip, Genoyer smiled bitterly. It was because he knew it wasn’t sincere, so it didn’t touch his heart at all.

“By the way.” Camilla gently put down the teacup she was holding and drooped her mouth. “Why did you disappear from the banquet hall without telling me?”