The Terminally Ill Young Master is the Mad Dog of the Underworld - Chapter 20
Chapter 20: Mind Your Own Business
“Stand up straight. Stop crying now. Wailing just because you broke a bone, how pathetic.”
While I was trying to discipline Barclava, who was sobbing loudly while clutching his broken hand, pale-faced guards came running.
“Young Master!”
“What’s going on!”
There weren’t any guards stationed at my residence, yet several were assigned to accompany Barclava.
Talk about discrimination. No wonder this kid completely disrespects his elder brother.
“Young Master Allenvert, how could you commit such an outrageous act!”
I looked at the guard who raised his voice.
“Are you talking to me?”
“…Yes, sir.”
“You’re rebuking me without even hearing what happened. Does the Young Master of Grunewald seem that insignificant to you?”
“!”
At my harsh words, bordering on verbal abuse, the guard hastily bowed his head.
“Not at all. I apologize for my rudeness.”
Being a soldier, he acknowledged his mistake immediately without excuses. At least there’s some discipline there.
“Barclava.”
I addressed the youngest who was still whimpering.
“Tell them. Did I start this fight?”
“…”
Just looking at Barclava’s inability to answer should make it easy to guess what really happened.
“You can get the details from those who witnessed it here.”
I pointed at Barclava’s face, which was a mess of shame, fear, and pain.
“He’s unpleasant to look at, so take him away. The fracture shouldn’t be too severe.”
“…!”
The guards and servants who had been watching my expression carefully slowly approached Barclava to support him.
“But before that, let’s make one thing clear.”
“Yes, sir.”
“This fight was started by Barclava, who insulted my attendant Peter, and further disrespected me, my mother, and the head of the household. Everyone here can confirm that I never once laid a hand on him.”
I addressed the residence staff who had been watching blankly from afar the entire time.
“If anything I’ve said is incorrect, speak up.”
“…”
No one dared to speak carelessly. That disgusted me even more.
“Say something, anything, you pathetic idiots. Do you think staying silent until the end will help you get through this situation safely?”
“…!”
Only then did shame finally appear on their faces.
“Not a shred of loyalty to be found. While young Peter, who shared your daily lives, was being treated like that, not one of you tried to stop it or protect him?”
“Y-Young Master, that’s not-”
“If you’re going to make excuses, be prepared for the consequences. Do I seem less intimidating than Barclava?”
“…”
I looked at the employees who had grown complacent. But how could the fault lie solely with them? In truth, Allenvert, you’re also responsible for not handling things properly.
“After today, if anyone tries to harass Peter, they’d do well to remember what happened to my brother.”
“…”
“When I ask the question, your answer should follow after it. This is your final warning.”
“Yes, sir.”
“We’re sorry.”
Leaving behind the staff who were so overwhelmed they could barely breathe, I put my arm around Peter’s shoulders.
“Let’s go.”
“Y-Yes!”
I smirked at Peter’s expression, which suggested he had much to say but lacked the eloquence to express it.
“My, how pathetic.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You’ve got plenty to be sorry for. Did they hit you anywhere?”
“No, they didn’t.”
“Perhaps I should have come a bit later?”
“…”
As I was about to leave, one of the guards carefully approached me.
“Young Master Allenvert.”
He bowed his head to me.
“After hearing what happened, I realize you showed restraint in dealing with the situation. I thank you on behalf of others.”
It was the same guard who had reproached me earlier.
“Are you in charge of Barclava’s security?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Remember this. You failed in your duties.”
“…!”
“When the one you’re protecting endangers themselves through foolishness, it’s also a subordinate’s duty to stop them.”
The guard bit his lip.
“You speak truly. I am ashamed.”
“However, I do appreciate how you accurately assessed the situation and cleanly admitted fault. This is how a man should be.”
I looked again at this young, promising guard.
The amount of mana beneath his well-trained physique was quite remarkable.
Each guard undoubtedly possessed combat ability exceeding that of a knight.
‘This is surprising. Must be an elite unit selected through rigorous screening.’
“I won’t reproach you any further.”
“…Thank you.”
“Don’t worry too much – aside from the broken bone, there’s no serious injury.”
“Yes.”
“Good. If my brother hasn’t come to his senses yet, report it quietly. I might need to teach him another lesson.”
“Well, that’s…”
Seeing the guard’s troubled reaction, I smiled and said.
“I’m joking. You may go now.”
“We’ll take our leave.”
Barclava’s lips quivered watching the guards act as if I were the master here, but he couldn’t say anything in the end.
If it bothers you so much, maybe you should’ve fought better?
“Please wait a moment.”
Just then, a man in butler’s attire hurriedly approached.
“What is it?”
“Greetings to both Young Masters.”
The butler bowed to me and Barclava in turn. Given that he greeted me first, he seemed to have at least grasped the situation.
“The Head Butler has sent me after hearing the news.”
“Already? That’s quick.”
Well, two young masters of a Duke’s family getting into a fistfight isn’t exactly a minor incident.
“Didn’t bring a doctor?”
“One is waiting at the infirmary. We can escort him there right away.”
That meant his business was with me, not Barclava.
“Then I’ll leave the cleanup to you.”
We couldn’t continue sensitive conversations here.
“Where should I meet you?”
Look at that. He was quite perceptive.
“Where else would I be? Come to my room.”
“I’ll visit once everything is settled.”
After nodding, just as I was about to leave, I approached Barclava.
“Barclava.”
“W-What, what?”
“Why are you so frightened?”
I patted the shoulder of my completely intimidated younger brother. It was almost pitiful how he flinched, thinking I was going to hit him.
“If you try making excuses with lies, know that next time won’t end this lightly.”
As I whispered slowly in his ear, Barclava started hiccupping between sobs.
“Oh, you poor thing.”
“Hic”
“Don’t be a pussy. I’m really leaving now.”
This should be enough to keep Barclava in check for a while. Which means the one behind him will have no choice but to make a move.
Remember, this is how you draw out those pulling strings from behind.
* * *
“Young Master, I’m so sorry.”
Back in my bedroom, Peter suddenly dropped to his knees.
“What nonsense is this now?”
“Just because of me…”
“What about you?”
“Young Master Barclava is the second wife’s son and grandson of Count Bergen. After such humiliation today, I fear their anger will fall upon you.”
“Those people would cause trouble once I start standing out anyway, with or without grudges. What matters is that justice is on my side.”
“Even so-”
“If his words get out, he’s the one who’ll be scolded. In disputes between nobles, the one who loses control and spouts vulgarities loses. In the noble world, sins of the tongue weigh heavier than those of the sword.”
Perhaps because I spoke with too much certainty, Peter tilted his head with a look that seemed to say ‘Is that so?’
“Still, you unnecessarily took on risks you didn’t have to, all because of me.”
“That’s true.”
“Young Master, I already feel overwhelmed by all you’ve done for me until now, so why would you…”
“You ask the obvious.”
I answered.
“Haven’t you shown me loyalty? I already know you’ve been faithful. How could I gather people under my name if I can’t even do this much?”
Indeed, when word spreads that I fought my brother for the sake of a young servant who’s basically just a servant from a fallen noble family, the eyes of the ducal household’s employees will see things differently.
‘This is how I gain my own people.’
Those in power must protect those they take in. The lion that cannot protect its own pride is destined to perish.
“But how are you so good at fighting? I understand you learned martial arts, but Young Master Barclava has been training since five years of age…”
“Just between us, I’m actually a genius at martial arts.”
Peter didn’t seem to particularly believe my words. What a slow-witted fellow, unable to believe even when told the truth.
Knock knock.
Just then, a small knock was heard from outside the door.
“Come in.”
The face that appeared as the door opened was different from what I expected.
“Y-Young Master.”
It was a maid with freckles all over her cheeks.
“Hm? Why are you here?”
“I’m sorry!”
The maid immediately dropped to her knees before me. What’s with everyone doing this today?
“I-I’m the one who tattled about Peter serving the Young Master. Please punish me.”
The maid’s thin limbs trembled like aspen leaves.
“Did someone send you here?”
“No. I came by force even though they told me not to.”
“Why?”
“Because this happened because of me. Because I couldn’t disobey Young Master Barclava and told him…”
I stared intently at the maid who was even younger than Peter.
“How old are you this year?”
“Eh? T-Twelve years old.”
“You’re young. Peter, is she around the same age as your siblings?”
“Yes. My youngest is twelve.”
Peter whispered with just his lips.
‘I’m fine with it.’
You have such a soft heart, Peter.
However, on this matter, his thoughts aligned with mine.
“What’s your name?”
The maid raised her head and answered with anxious eyes.
“Julia.”
“Julia.”
Looking at Julia’s freckles, I recalled a girl from the back alleys who once followed me, who was abused daily by her father.
Despite being powerless and frightened, your conscience remains upright, Julia.
“What could you have possibly done in that situation? Wasn’t it Barclava who forced you anyway?”
“…”
“Why do you think Barclava noticed you specifically? It’s obvious. The older servants and maids subtly pushed you forward.”
“T-That’s-”
“How cowardly of those adults to pass their uncomfortable tasks to someone as young as you.”
“…Sob”
Julia fidgeted with her small lips before dropping her head. A tear rolled down her cheek like a pearl.
“What irritates me isn’t you or Peter. It’s those who hide behind children like you, taking no responsibility while badmouthing me and spreading stories about me behind my back.”
“Ah…”
Julia’s eyes wavered greatly as if she had seen or heard something these past two days.
“Those faithless ones who believe their clumsy schemes to be wisdom – I have no intention of tolerating such people.”
I looked at the two young ones and asked.
“Those people probably had their circumstances. But Peter, do I need to consider the circumstances of those who betrayed and abandoned me?”
“No.”
“That’s the difference between you and them.”
I looked at the child who came to confess her sins to me of her own accord. Isn’t she far braver than those pathetic adults?
“Julia, from now on, you’ll serve me alongside Peter. I don’t care who was above you. This is my decision – if anyone objects, bring them to me.”
Though still young, Julia had worked in this castle. She couldn’t misunderstand my meaning.
“Yes, Young Master.”
“From now on, don’t breathe a word about me. If anyone bothers you trying to extract information, tell Peter.”
I patted Peter’s shoulder.
“Intimidating you is the same as disrespecting me – they’ll end up like Barclava who got beaten by me today.”
The maid sobbed as if moved.
“Thank you. How could you show such kindness to someone as lowly as me…”
“Who says you’re lowly? What’s lowly is our youngest Barclava’s mouth.”
Julia bit her lip hard.
“You held back. It would’ve been a serious crime if you’d laughed just now.”
“I-I’m sorry.”
“I’m joking. You can laugh.”
“Y-Yes!”
“But work on it more. Your nostrils flared.”
“Ah!”
Julia covered her mouth.
“Go rest for now. I plan to relay miscellaneous matters through you from now on.”
I dismissed Julia.
“Understood.”
“Move your room next to mine. Peter, help her clean.”
“Eh? Ah, yes. Understood.”
Peter answered with surprise.
“Look at how you answer. Don’t want to?”
“No, I don’t mind.”
“Good, you shouldn’t.”
Julia withdrew.
See, I’ve already gained another ally. Sometimes, righteousness could be more powerful than any practical benefit.
“Peter.”
“Yes.”
“Barclava called me the son of a lowly person.”
“…”
“Now tell me. What exactly happened? Where is my mother?”
At this sudden question, Peter’s expression grew very dark.
———-