The Unfilial Heir Who Tries to Kill Me Tempts Me - Chapter 40

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 40.

“…I thought this was a private dinner with you, but it seems we have an uninvited guest.”
Fabian, too, appeared displeased by my unexpected presence at the banquet.
Only Kaius, the architect of this entire spectacle, remained oblivious, grinning widely.
“His Highness seemed to take considerable interest in my Dedicated Mage, so I arranged a seat for her.”
Has he lost his mind?
Look at Fabian’s expression.
He looks ready to skewer me with his fork.
“…Excuse me, what?”
“Do you have something to say to me, Charlotte Schmit?”
…Charlotte Schmit?
Schmit? Lady?
A chill ran down my spine.
Did this idiot somehow poison himself when I wasn’t looking?
“No, I….”
This whole dinner arrangement makes no sense, either.
During my stay here, he had me eating in the servants’ hall—no shared tables whatsoever—and now suddenly he’s inviting me to dinner.
It was beyond absurd; it was infuriating.
The steward rushed to summon me so hastily that I found myself dragged along before I could protest. But given how arbitrarily he acts, I have no choice but to cooperate….
“Let me prepare the meal for you.”
I have to cooperate.
Yes, I need to cooperate.
I’m a conscientious employee, after all.
“Please let me know if you need anything at all.”
Wow, incredible.
The spread laid before us was on an entirely different level from the meals I’d been eating in the servants’ hall.
Fresh vegetables, various seafood, meat so lustrous it gleamed—
It was unmistakably a nobleman’s table.
Besides, it’s ungracious to be petulant in front of good food. The saying about table manners exists for a reason.
The moment I reached for my fork with determination—
“You know, I find that shamelessness is quite the talent in itself.”
I froze.
My fork hung suspended over the roasted duck, and I lifted my head.
Fabian, sitting directly across from me, was staring at me coldly.
This is exhausting. I’d thought we were done with this earlier—why is he pushing further? Can’t we just have a peaceful meal?
I had neither the will nor the energy for another sparring match with Fabian, so I simply looked away without responding.
Best to just eat.
I’m not listening. Not hearing a word.
I was just guiding the duck to my plate when—
“Talents are best when numerous, aren’t they? In that sense, my Dedicated Mage is quite remarkably talented in many ways.”
Plop.
The meat slipped from my fork and fell onto my plate. I sat there, mouth agape, rigid as a statue.
I stiffly turned my head. Kaius, meeting my gaze, smiled broadly.
“Please, eat plenty, Charlotte Schmit. I had them prepare an abundance of meat that I know you prefer.”
Is he seriously out of his mind?
What is this?
“Ha… please don’t mind me.”
I just want to be about fifty percent invisible—please don’t talk to me.
I left the silent plea with Kaius and buried my face in my plate.
Or at least, I tried to.
Clink.
The sound of cutlery being set down rang out like a sharp warning. Fabian across from me alternated his gaze between us both, his smile turning glacial.
“You’re quite generous, brother. I, for one, would never share a table with such a treacherous mage—one capable of poisoning my own food.”
“Oh, Charlotte Schmit. Did you perhaps poison my meal?”
“No!”
“Then that confirms it, doesn’t it?”
Kaius smiled as though making his point perfectly clear.
Ha.
Insane.
I can’t tell if I’m chewing duck or rebar right now.
My eyes darted helplessly across the table, unable to grasp the bewildering tension that had settled over us.
Fabian fixed me with a stare, his voice tight and measured.
“…Your Grace, are you aware that Miss Charlotte has a history of using Black Magic to drown a servant from Marquis Linton’s household in a pond? The servant, who couldn’t swim, nearly died, and was demoted as punishment for the disturbance. I would strongly advise instructing the Grand Duke’s servants to be on their guard. We cannot allow anyone to come to harm, can we?”
“Ah, you mean the servant who spilled wine on Count Schmit’s shirt during a party, inciting his fury?”
Cough.
“Miss Charlotte Schmit, are you quite all right?”
“I’m—I’m fine. Cough. Please, don’t worry about it.”
What are these two doing?
And Kaius—he’s not even bothering to hide that he’s dug into her background?
That happened when Charlotte was sixteen. You weren’t even in the Capital then.
“There’s also the incident where an innocent young heir was left isolated in the mountains near the sea and nearly perished. Since there are many mountains throughout Lucifenia, I would urge your people to exercise particular caution.”
“If you’re referring to Count Cloke’s second son, the one who mocked Countess Schmit’s shipping investments, I’m aware of it. I’ve heard that Count and Countess Schmit were quite displeased with the young man’s remarks. In any case, it seems the matter resolved itself well enough.”
“…Have you heard that roughly a year ago, Baron Fremeti’s Daughter fell under Miss Charlotte’s Curse and suffered nightmares for half a year, confining herself to her home?”
“The Baron’s Daughter who tried to intercept Miss Leoni Schmit’s gown for a social gathering, only to incur Count Schmit’s wrath? Yes, I’ve heard of that as well.”
“Your Grace!”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Hm.
If I eat bacon now, it’ll get stuck in my throat.
I’ll have to eat it later.
I set the bacon down quietly and reached for a green grape nearby, popping it into my mouth.
Quite sweet. Shine Muscat, perhaps?
“What on earth are you doing?”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Why are you covering for this witch’s misdeeds!”
“…Did it seem that way to you?”
Kaius blinked innocently, as if genuinely perplexed.
“I was merely concurring with your account of Miss Charlotte Schmit’s past conduct. I’m not sure why that would provoke your anger.”
Fabian’s jaw tightened.
He had much he wanted to say, but was barely restraining himself through sheer courtesy.
“Rather, I would like to ask you something….”
Kaius toyed with his wine glass, a serene smile playing at his lips.
“Your Highness, how far do you truly distinguish between Miss Charlotte Schmit and House Schmit?”
“…Pardon?”
“I’m asking who truly wishes to conceal her wrongdoings—yourself or someone else.”
Insane.
Why would you do that!
I nearly spat out the grape.
Fabian’s expression crumpled.
No one in the room missed the weight of those words.
Charlotte’s actions and House Schmit’s interests were subtly intertwined.
The Count had gone to great lengths to conceal this truth, yet it was something a cursory investigation would readily uncover—that House Schmit had exploited Charlotte’s Black Magic, while publicly framing these incidents as Charlotte’s personal misdeeds.
“…Grand Duke Kaius Lucifenia.”
Oh no.
What do I do.
Fabian’s furious.
Not “Your Grace,” but “Grand Duke” now.
“I apologize. I was discourteous.”
Yet before Fabian could even open his mouth, Kaius had already bowed his head and offered an apology with disarming ease.
In that moment, I recalled what I’d momentarily forgotten amid my own panic: no one wielded words quite like Kaius to drive a person to the brink of madness.
“I would suggest you choose your words more carefully.”
“I shall.”
While Fabian’s face had turned cold and rigid, Kaius kept that slight smile fixed to his lips throughout.
“Your Highness, the Imperial Court has placed Miss Charlotte Schmit’s security under my domain, and as you can see, I’m doing quite well with her assistance. I understand your concern for me and my lands, but truly, I’m fine.”
Fabian’s gaze shifted toward me.
I lowered my head and quietly placed a piece of bacon in my mouth.
“…Ha.”
A cold laugh fell from above my head.
The chair scraped as it was pushed back.
“Forgive me, but I need to step inside first. Thank you for the meal.”
Step, step.
Fabian’s footsteps faded into the distance.
The bacon tasted of sand.

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