Chapter 88

"I don't quite understand what you're talking about. And why are you here, not at the Everett estate?"

"Hah. Are you kidding me? You— Has something happened to your head? You think I'm going to stay still after seeing everything that happened there? Of course I'll be right on your heels!"

"Haa."

Truly an ignorant, simple guy. Violet fled to the capital for nothing.

And, look. He's doing this in front of a guest.

Violet's sigh deepened. Upon hearing Violet's listless exhale, Cairn tightened his grip on her collar. Violet's clothes got stretched.

"Is there anything else that I can explain? You must have already heard from Father."

"As if I'd believe that! The first thing I heard after going home was that Elder Brother was stripped of his status as heir, Aileen was kicked out, and there are rumors going around that you of all people are the victim! But you want me to believe the mere drivel of a witch who went to the capital with Brother Roen?!"

Just the very atmosphere and force surrounding Cairn exuded chaos. One look at him like this was enough for Violet to know that nothing she'd say now would go through to him.

How should she solve this predicament? The knights were visibly restless, not knowing how to act in the middle of this fight between their master's children.

Mary and Zylo were the only ones trying to stop Cairn.

But as Violet was thinking of whether Zylo would be able to stop Cairn—

"That temper of yours hasn't changed at all."

Shiiing. A silver blade was pointed at Cairn.

Even though it's true that this situation was terribly urgent, Cairn was House Everett's third son. He was a duke's son, and after his graduation from the academy, he would have the duchy's chivalric order under his command.

Thus, was there anyone in this mansion owned by Everett who could actually point a sword at him?

"Hah? Aldin? What the hell are you doing here?"

"I've come as an invited guest. Wouldn't it be better for you to stop now before any word gets out that House Everett treats their guests so poorly that it's a wreck, Cairn?"

It was Aldin Aesir who took up the position of stopping Cairn. Although he was an illegitimate child, Aldin Aesir was, too, the son of a duke and was House Everett's guest.

"On top of that damn annoying face of yours, you've even got that insufferable goody-two-shoes act up and going, huh. Guest? You're a guest of this damn witch? How fun, this situation!"

While spouting one harsh word after another, Cairn let go of Violet's collar. Even so, Aldin did not stop pointing his sword at Cairn.

The knights who were hesitating to stop Cairn were now wary of the guest who was serving as a threat to the third young master.

It felt as if everything would blow up in everyone's faces at any given moment, with just one wrong move. However, even as Cairn was the one who had a blade pointed at him, he was the only one at ease.

"Mind staying out of our family matter? Damn obnoxious prick. And you, Violet. If you don't explain everything to me right now, just know that this will be your last day."

'Even if I explain it properly, you'll just go straight for my throat anyway.'

Violet replied inwardly.

With the situation coming to this, Violet could feel an oncoming migraine already, the moment she was about to let out a sigh—

Tak.

"Have you seriously lost your goddamn marbles?"

—Aldin threw a glove at Cairn's face.

"If you really want a conversation, you look like you need to cool off your head first. And you don't seem like you can do it on your own, so I'll give you a hand."

"Ha. Haha... What is this now? Are you serious? You two are together? If not that, are you seriously feeling sorry for this witch—"

"I don't believe you of all people can say that, considering that your entire worth hinges only on your position as a duke's son. Isn't that why you still haven't graduated, only skulking around at the academy until now?"

"What? You goddamn prick! Just because you graduated at the top of your class! You know what? Fine, follow me. I'll knock you right off your damn high horse!"

The situation began to change urgently.

Absolutely furious, Cairn took off the thrown glove from his face and stomped out the gallery, heading straight towards the sparring area of the knights' drill hall.

Simpletons were quick to change their attitudes, of course.

As she was in the presence of her guest and savior, Violet could not comprehend how things had gotten to this point. Mary came running, and she was utterly clueless as to what had happened, but she quickly arranged Violet's clothes.

"Milady, Milady! What's going on?! Uhh— Is that really the Third Young Master?"

"If you're asking me whether that idiot is Cairn, then the answer is yes. If you're asking me what exactly is going on, then I have no clue at all."

After her dress's collar was presentable again, Violet rushed towards the drill hall.

If Everett's reputation would take a hit, it's a problem. If Aldin, a guest who Violet had invited, were to take a hit, it's still a problem.

In this situation where everything's a problem, Violet's anxiety further deepened.

* * *

Clash, claaang. Clash!

The duel, which produced nothing but problems—against everyone's expectations—went on in a fair manner.

Violet came here with the intention of stopping them at once. However, without realizing it, she stopped and watched the serious duel.

"They're from the same alma mater."

The sociable Mary came back to report what she had gleaned from someone else. Violet wasn't interested in her younger brother at all, but she was surprised to hear this new information.