That Piece Of Trash Was Me - Chapter 25

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 25

While others were silenced by the Grand Duke’s heavy voice, I closed my mouth for a different reason.

The fact that he didn’t immediately suspect me and asked for evidence first made him feel like my real grandfather for a moment.

The strange feeling made me hesitate.

“Of course there’s evidence, Father.”

Aubrey, who was still tightly gripping Tedrick’s hand, looked at me with pitying eyes.

“As you know, Father, I have to take care of Tulia’s clothing and daily necessities. But… Tulia’s maid came to me in distress and told me something.”

“What was that?”

“She said Tedrick’s exam paper was hidden deep inside Tulia’s bedroom wardrobe.”

“Do you have it in your hands now?”

“Of course not, Father!”

Aubrey immediately jumped up with a pitiful expression.

“How could I rummage through Tulia’s room as I please? I scolded the maid after hearing that, but when I actually checked Tedrick’s room, the exam paper was indeed missing.”

Aubrey let go of Tedrick’s hand and took out a handkerchief to dab at the tears in her eyes.

“It’s all our fault. Since Tulia is our niece, we should have cared for her like our own daughter, but we failed to properly discipline the servants who were being spiteful and neglectful… It’s understandable that Tulia would do such a terrible thing to get attention.”

Aubrey’s pitifully sobbing voice was cut off by a single word from Assis Grand Duke Frazier.

“Tedrick Frazier.”

“Yes…! Grandfather…!”

The word grandfather didn’t seem to come naturally to him, as “Grandfather” popped out of Tedrick’s mouth instead.

Of course, no one else present paid attention to that.

“Didn’t you put the exam paper in Tulia Frazier’s room yourself?”

At those words, my eyes widened.

Probably the same was true for everyone else besides me.

Because I truly hadn’t expected Assis Grand Duke Frazier to so blatantly take my side instead of Viscount Lilius’s.

‘It was the same in the game…’

In , Viscount Lilius was set up as the sincere and kind youngest son who received the most trust from the Grand Duke.

The reason he was given half of the Grand Ducal House of Frazier’s enormous domestic authority – essentially control over the money flow of territory that amounted to a third of the Empire, this precious power – was based on his affection for his youngest son.

“I, I was confined and couldn’t even go outside. Grandfather! You can ask the private soldiers if you want!”

‘He probably used Rilda. Aubrey and Viscount Lilius are on the same side anyway. It must be a collaboration between that family.’

“Father.”

Then, Viscount Lilius, who had been watching the situation, intervened.

“Instead of doing this, why don’t you just go and check directly?”

After a moment of silence, Assis Grand Duke Frazier opened his mouth.

“…Ruk Kelfosher.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Go and check directly your…”

As always, Assis Grand Duke Frazier, who was speaking in a commanding tone, suddenly stopped.

Then he suddenly called me.

“Tulia Frazier.”

“Yes?”

“Would it be alright if Ruk Kelfosher and his subordinate advisors examine your room?”

“…”

That voice wasn’t gentle at all. Assis Grand Duke Frazier never had a gentle voice or a gentle personality.

But the fact that he asked for my opinion first and cared about my feelings somehow…

The fact that this person was none other than Tulia’s family.

Something unfamiliar seemed to be stuck in my throat. I was afraid that if I kept coughing, tears might unknowingly trickle out, so I quickly bowed my head.

“Of course. I want to prove my innocence too, Grandfather.”

“…I see.”

“But please grant me one request as well.”

“Tell me.”

Emotions were emotions.

But I could never forget my determination to pay that bastard Tedrick back double.

I continued speaking with the most forlorn expression possible.

“Due to Tedrick’s false accusation, everyone seated in this meeting hall is suspecting me so much.”

“…”

“For the most fair result, I hope any retainers who wish can go together and examine directly.”

At my words telling them to go and see together if they wanted to, several retainers’ eyes widened.

You didn’t expect me to go this far, did you?

“That way, false rumors won’t spread about how Grandfather perhaps forgave my immature behavior out of generosity, right?”

* * *

‘That Tulia knew about the plan in advance. She must have already removed the hidden exam paper.’

Viscount Lilius was quick-witted.

From the moment Tulia responded too calmly and even said that retainers could go directly to search her room if they wanted, he could tell this plan had gone awry.

“See? Look, honey. Our son is really smart.”

He had a bad feeling from when Aubrey excitedly told him the plan, but since she said the exam paper had already been placed in Tulia’s room, he thought they had to push through somehow.

‘I knew this would happen.’

He immediately started planning his escape.

At least it was fortunate that Aubrey said she had received a tip-off.

It would be best to pass it off as Aubrey being deceived alone and giving him wrong information.

‘Rilda or Lala or whatever. She was supposed to be a useful maid, but she’s completely useless!’

Viscount Lilius wanted to glare at Aubrey, but about half the retainers were still remaining in this meeting hall.

Moreover, his father, Assis Grand Duke Frazier, was seated in the center like a lion dominating the audience.

It was forbidden to let his expression be caught.

‘Or perhaps that maid was already bought off by Tulia? That girl is particularly useless, but her father must be sweeping up all kinds of precious artifacts at the border.’

Marquis Aster Frazier, who defended the border against countless barbarians daily, discovered ancient relics several times each year and sent them to the Imperial Palace.

Thanks to that, Marquis Aster Frazier’s reputation throughout the Imperial Capital and the entire Empire reached the sky.

No matter how much he schemed, it was difficult to even touch his toes.

His anger toward his accomplished eldest brother naturally had to be partly directed at Tulia as well.

That’s why he tried even harder to raise Tulia to be stupid.

Viscount Lilius wasn’t stupid enough to openly abuse the child of a brother he secretly resented and hated.

What ruins a child isn’t the rod but candy.

Of course, if he was determined like a mad dog, he could kill a child with beatings, but this place was too grand a ducal house for such violent responses.

There were tremendously many watching eyes and talking mouths.

If Tulia’s health had fatal problems, he couldn’t escape either, so he used gentle yet sharp methods.

Simply raising Tulia to be a stupid, extravagant child who depended on them.

But what was this situation now…

That’s when it happened.

“Ah! The chief advisor is returning.”

“Gasp, really in his hand…”

Murmuring sounds.

“Isn’t that an exam paper?”

At someone’s small voice, Viscount Lilius’s head snapped up.

Ruk Kelfosher held a bundle of exam papers in his hand. It was certain.

It was Tedrick’s exam paper!

Lilius was momentarily swept up in tremendous joy.

Before coming here, thanks to giving stern warnings to Aubrey and Tedrick, those two were also managing their expressions almost perfectly.

Though they wore shocked expressions and somber looks, being family, they could sense each other’s hearts. The joy and victorious smiles filling their insides!

“Your Grace.”

Ruk Kelfosher approached with the respectful expression he always wore when carrying out duties, extending the bundle of papers.

Being respectful meant being composed, which in other words made Ruk Kelfosher’s expression look somewhat somber.

‘Come to think of it, he seemed to care for Tulia before too. No wonder he looks somber.’

Unaware of Lilius’s gleeful thoughts, Ruk Kelfosher continued speaking.

“This was found deep inside Miss Tulia’s wardrobe.”

Grand Duke Assis Frazier received the bundle of papers with an unreadable expression.

Lilius knew. That Tulia had quite won Grand Duke Assis Frazier’s favor.

So while no severe reprimand would come, the necklace ceremony would be canceled and she would receive house arrest.

Probably that house arrest wouldn’t be lifted until it was time for her debutante ball.

Of course, even so, Marquis Aster Frazier would remain unaware of Tulia’s situation as always.

While Lilius was hiding his smile with such pleasant thoughts.

Something strange caught his eye.

“Shall I lend you a handkerchief?”

“Ah. Thank you.”

“My, at such a young age… Who would have thought the young lady would be so pitiful…”

It was because several retainers were dabbing at their tears.

What they had in common was that they were the ones who had directly followed Ruk Kelfosher to search her room with Tulia’s permission.

Moreover, the eyes that glanced at Tulia were filled with compassion.

‘What?’

A chilling sense of foreboding struck Lilius. A beat late, Aubrey and Tedrick also seemed to realize the atmosphere was not normal.

The intuition that something was wrong.

No, the strong intuition that they had fallen into a trap struck at that moment.

“Viscount Lilius Frazier.”

Distracted by the retainers’ reactions, Lilius involuntarily flinched. Grand Duke Assis Frazier’s dark green eyes took on a strangely sad and dangerous light.

“Come and read this yourself. So everyone can hear.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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