Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 33

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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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Chapter 8. Stillness

Kale Heniatus gazed quietly at the teacup Ron held out to him.

“…Lemon tea before bed?”
“Yes, sir.”

I still hadn’t mastered the art of pre-sleep lemon tea, and I wasn’t entirely pleased about it, but I picked up the cup without complaint. I felt Ron’s gaze upon me as I took a sip of the lemon tea.
That was when Ron spoke to me.

“Young master, might I impose upon you with a request?”
“Cough, what? A request?”

My eyes widened at the word “request” from Ron’s lips, and I stared at him. Ron still wore that gentle smile. My eyes narrowed as my mind began to race.

‘This cunning old man is asking me for a favor? Me, whom he holds in such low regard?’

An inexplicable sense of foreboding washed over me. It was like the feeling of a wart-covered old man who tried to remove one wart only to gain two more. Or perhaps like a woodcutter who, coveting a golden axe, claimed both the golden and silver axes as his own and ended up with nothing at all.
I steadied myself and asked as calmly as I could.

“Go on, then. Speak.”

Ron immediately stated his request.

“Might I take a brief two-day leave of absence, sir?”
“Oh.”

I let out an exclamation without thinking. Suddenly, it felt as though my wart had been removed and I’d received both the golden and silver axes as a set. I set down my teacup and grasped Ron’s hand eagerly. Words tumbled from my mouth in rapid succession, which was rare for me.

“Yes. You thought well of it. Ron, you’ve suffered for decades taking care of this reckless fool. If you want to rest, rest as much as you like. You’re more than welcome to.”

Yes, he could rest as much as he wanted. But to connect him with Choi Han, he needed to come either before or right after the Capital terror incident, and two days was perfect timing. If I didn’t have to see that assassin’s face for two days, how wonderful would that be?

Ron, whose hand I was holding, looked at me with a peculiar expression. But I turned my gaze away from him and opened the drawer of the nightstand beside my bed. Inside lay a money pouch, and I pulled it out.

I kept large sums, including checks, in the mansion’s safe, but this pouch contained quite a bit of money as well. I fumbled as I retrieved the money pouch. Being the son of a wealthy household with nothing else to my name, money was all I had to give.

“Here, it’s not much, but enjoy some delicious food, rest well, and have a pleasant vacation.”

Ron gazed quietly at the pouch of money that Kale Heniatus had placed in his hand before releasing it.

‘Eat something delicious, enjoy a pleasant vacation.’

Ron recalled the time he had spent holding his breath. That time had been spent with this reckless, puppy-like young master.
Now he was about to break free from that time and move forward again. What awaited him in the days ahead was likely chaos. If they had truly crossed over to the Western Continent, it would be far more terrible than chaos.

‘Then I’ll have to leave my son here as well.’

Ron gazed at the comfortable young master before him.

“Young Master, would it be acceptable for me to do so?”

To the question of whether he could enjoy a pleasant vacation, Kale Heniatus answered readily. His response was so filled with joy that he hoped Ron would want to leave this reckless fool like himself.

“Of course. You deserve it, Ron.”

Deserve it. Ron had originally planned to leave in a few days, either alone or taking Vicross with him, without a word. But this damnable affection was the problem. So he had requested two days of vacation. He was curious what this brat would say.
Now this puppy-like young master knew from Choi Han what kind of person he was. Ron’s expression remained gentle, but his eyes grew cold.

“Young Master, that’s far too much money. What would you do if I took this and ran away?”

Or perhaps you wish for me to run away? Now that I’ve heard from Choi Han that you are strong, that you possess a damp and sinister power.
Between the wrinkles deepened by years, between the wrinkles made deeper by an ill-fitting smile, his eyes—which held his true nature—turned toward Kale Heniatus. And Ron saw it.
Kale Heniatus let out a scoff.

“Don’t I know your nature, Ron? If you were going to run away, you’d either disappear without a word or tell me you’re leaving and then go. Wouldn’t you?”

In the book ‘The Birth of a Hero,’ Ron had indeed left that way. From the Count’s Household silently, and when he had to part from Choi Han’s group for a time, he had stated the conditions of their contract to Choi Han before departing.

“…You’re right. That’s correct.”

Ron nodded with a benevolent smile. Now that he thought about it, this puppy-like young master before him had seen Ron more than Ron’s own son, Vicross. Perhaps the person who knew him best now.

‘I’ve grown old too.’

The elderly man acknowledged the time carved into his years. Just as the grain of wood does not form all at once, the grain of years had been layered over his nature. He spoke.

“I shall accompany you to the Royal Palace.”
“Very well.”

Ron gathered his coin purse while observing Kale Heniatus’s indifferent response.
I couldn’t allow this young master I’d raised to be presented to the Royal Palace in a manner inferior to other royalty or nobility. I had no desire to see him fall into anyone’s disfavor.
Once that task was complete, I would depart.

“Then I shall take my leave now.”
“Yes, go on.”

Kale sat on his bed and saw Ron off, then fell into the sweetest sleep he’d experienced in quite some time.

Of course, by the time Kale awoke near noon the following day, Ron had already departed on his leave since early dawn. Consequently, it was Hans, the deputy butler, who came to attend to Kale.

“Ron said he’d be uneasy if it weren’t me. Haha, I’m quite something, aren’t I?”
“Just be quiet.”

Kale Heniatus turned away from Hans and gazed out through the open bedroom door. Choi Han had been standing before it since early morning. Wondering what this was about, Kale stared at Choi Han intently, and Choi Han answered without being asked, his eyes brimming with conviction.

“Ron entrusted me with this.”

What was Ron thinking, doing something like this? Kale Heniatus accepted the cup Hans offered with a serious expression. Then he frowned.

“Hans, why lemonade?”
“Pardon? Young Master, don’t you enjoy lemonade?”

I sighed deeply and drank the lemonade. It was more invigorating than cold water and better for clearing my head.
Choi Han watched Kale Heniatus and Hans from beyond the doorway, recalling his conversation with Ron from the previous night.

‘Where are you going?’
‘Yes.’
‘Where exactly?’
‘It’s none of your concern, you brat.’
‘Did you come to me because of Young Master Kale?’
‘Figure it out yourself.’

Ron spoke those words and departed the Mansion the moment dawn broke and the sun rose. As Choi Han watched Ron leave, he saw not Ron the servant, but Ron the assassin.

“Choi Han.”

Lost in thought, I lifted my head at the call. Kale Heniatus was rising from the bed and heading toward the bathroom. He looked at Choi Han, who was staring at him, and asked.

“Has Rak awakened?”
“Yes.”

The Wolf Tribe certainly possessed remarkable recovery abilities. I gauged the time. Soon enough, Bilos—the Flynn Merchant Guild’s illegitimate son and our piggy bank—would arrive in the Capital. I had promised to share drinks with him.
And I had already chosen the location. It was that very Inn where I had instructed Choi Han to stay. The Inn operated a tavern as well, though it was more renowned for the quality of its spirits.

‘And that’s where the thread connecting Choi Han and Bilos will be woven.’

Thinking of the Merchant who was currently with ten wolves, I asked Choi Han.

“What about the ones at the Inn and the Merchant?”
“I was thinking of stopping by on the way back after your gathering concludes.”
“…Gathering?”

Hans approached the bewildered Kale Heniatus and spoke.

“Young Master, it’s an invitation from the young nobles of the Northeast Region.”
“Ah.”

Right, those existed. I had completely forgotten about them—insignificant fellows, after all. I furrowed my brow slightly in contemplation. What sort of reckless antics should I get up to? They were strangers to me as Kim Rok-soo, but what did that matter? I was the reckless Kale Heniatus, after all.

“And a guest wishes to see you.”
“You mean Rosalind?”
“Yes. She said any time would be convenient, and she would adjust her schedule accordingly.”

Rosalind was indeed perceptive. She had likely sensed the mana aura from yesterday and deduced it to be a Dragon. She had never seen a Dragon before, but such mana could only emanate from one.
I opened the bathroom door and stepped inside, issuing instructions to Hans.

“Prepare breakfast in the room for me. After that, ask Rosalind if she would like to join me for a meal.”
“Understood. And it is currently midday, so it would be lunch.”
“…Hans.”
“I shall prepare diligently!”

I regarded Hans with clear displeasure as he answered energetically, then issued one final instruction before closing the bathroom door.

“Oh, and leave the terrace door open.”

The Black Dragon would need to enter whenever it pleased. Oddly enough, it seemed the creature was only comfortable sleeping outside, perched in the trees near the windows.

* * *

“Then I shall bring Rosalind.”
“Very well.”

Kale Heniatus settled into a chair at the table where a meal—breakfast for some, lunch for others—had been prepared, sending Hans outside. Vicross had taken considerable care; the dishes on the table were elaborate. Rather than serving courses sequentially, everything had been brought out at once, leaving the table overflowing with food.

“Kale Heniatus.”

Choi Han approached.

“I intend to stay with Rak during the meal.”
“So the two of you are taking turns nursing him.”

At Kale Heniatus’s words, Choi Han smiled sheepishly. Though he had recovered his strength, Rak remained bedridden, receiving care alternately from Rosalind and Choi Han. Of course, Rosalind was doing most of the nursing.

“On and Hong are also helping with his care.”
“Care, you say.”

At Kale Heniatus’s remark, Choi Han merely wore an awkward expression without outright denying it. On and Hong remained in Rak’s room. The two young cats had confided in Kale Heniatus.

‘We seem too weak to kill the Wolf Tribe. Even if we go berserk, we’ll lose. We need to learn how to crush creatures like that.’
‘Right. We should. So we’ll come back after studying.’

On and Hong were not there for nursing—they had gone to train in methods of killing such creatures should they ever face them as enemies.

“Still, having those two cute ones with him seems to put Rak at ease.”
“…Then that is fortunate.”

Kale Heniatus had no intention of telling Choi Han and Rak the truth. To him, Choi Han sensed the surrounding aura and confirmed the Black Dragon had not yet entered before speaking quietly.

“I did not tell Rak and Rosalind that I brought them on your orders.”
“Well done.”
“The secret will be kept.”

Choi Han appeared increasingly trustworthy to Kale Heniatus. Perhaps it was because of yesterday’s oath. But Choi Han could not know this: how subtle words could be, how a gap could exist between speaker and listener.
The God of Death adheres only to the words of the speaker—Kale Heniatus—and his interpretation of them. For he is the one bound by the oath.

‘That’s why when nobles typically swear a death oath, the discussion alone takes at least a week, and the content usually exceeds ten pages.’

Kale Heniatus recalled the moment he could use this to his advantage, and spoke to Choi Han, who radiated trust in him.

“Choi Han, you said you’d kill that blood-drinking mage if you saw him?”
“Yes.”

At the answer without the slightest hesitation, Kale Heniatus nodded and spoke.

“I’ll show you how to find him.”

Choi Han’s eyes changed. Kale Heniatus added to him.

“Of course, after we stop the terrorist attack first.”

Just as Choi Han was about to open his mouth as if asking to be told immediately, there came a knock on the door—knock, knock, knock—followed by Hans’s voice.

“Young master, I’ve brought Rosalind.”

Kale Heniatus nodded toward Choi Han at those words and rose from his seat. Choi Han pressed his lips firmly shut, stood up, and opened the door. Rosalind and Hans entered through the open door. Hans didn’t step further inside, but leaned his body slightly near the door and spoke with composure.

“Young master, Rosalind. If there is anything you need, please call for me at any time.”

He then bowed respectfully and left the room. Choi Han followed after him.

“Rosalind, I’m going to check on Rak.”
“All right.”

Choi Han left the room as well, and only Rosalind and I remained. Rosalind’s complexion appeared noticeably more at ease. And simultaneously, she looked sharp and composed.

“Thank you for the invitation, Young Master Kale Heniatus.”
“Not at all, Rosalind.”

I gestured to the seat across from me and spoke curtly.

“We have things we need to discuss.”
“It seems you dislike beating around the bush, don’t you?”

Rosalind asked with the corners of her mouth subtly raised, and I spoke toward the open terrace window.

“Come in.”

In that instant, Rosalind spun around sharply. A few leaves drifted lazily into the room. Witnessing the sight, she clasped her trembling fingertips together.

But today, she remained rational. She had spent all last night caring for Rak and thinking. Triple-layered magic proficiency, mana manipulation—the answer was singular.
She tore her gaze from the leaves approaching the table and looked toward Kale Heniatus, asking him a question.

“A Dragon. Are you a Dragon, sir?”

Indeed, mages revered Dragons. It showed in their vocabulary. Kale Heniatus chuckled and spoke toward the leaves.

“You introduce yourself.”

That was the moment. The leaves hovering above the table—precisely in front of the steak—suddenly vanished, and the Black Dragon materialized in their place. It had dispelled its invisibility.

“Mm.”

Rosalind released neither a gasp nor an exclamation, only a heavy, measured breath.
Fewer than twenty existed across the entire East-West Continent. Dragons.
They did not venture beyond their territories and lairs, living with elegance as the most superior beings in this world. Moreover, Dragons were the sovereigns of mana and nature.

They were noble creatures.
Twenty Dragons were currently confirmed to exist, yet each possessed a different color and distinct personality, habits, and characteristics. The Magic Tower found this remarkable. Why would they be born under the same parents yet possess different skin tones and natures?

The answer that emerged was singular.

‘Dragons treasure their own existence above all else.’

Throughout their lives, Dragons desire to be unique, different from all other beings. This principle applied even within their own race.

Such a noble creature now stood before Rosalind’s eyes.
Young though it was, its mana’s power and the Dragon’s distinctive gaze marked it unmistakably as a noble Dragon.

The Black Dragon regarded Rosalind quietly for a moment, then turned its head away with indifference. Even at that gesture, Rosalind found herself speechless. The Black Dragon settled before the steak and spoke.

“I’m hungry.”
“…Yes, eat.”

Kale Heniatus shook his head with a wry smile and invited Rosalind to sit.

“Let’s have a meal together.”
“Ah… yes.”

Rosalind sat down with a dazed expression. Before her eyes, a young Black Dragon was eating a steak. And Kale Heniatus, dressed more elaborately and elegantly than usual due to his attendance at the Northeast Region gathering, was sipping soup with languid yet graceful movements.

If one were to describe this scene to those at the Magic Tower, no one would believe it.
But Rosalind trusted what she saw—her five senses. For her, nature was everything that could be perceived through the senses.

“…As a mage, this sight is truly astonishing. A Dragon coexisting with humans.”

Rosalind spoke her honest impressions, trusting what she witnessed. Kale didn’t particularly respond to her words, but the Black Dragon paused mid-steak and looked at Rosalind. Then it turned its head to look at Kale. Though its face was reptilian, its expression was unmistakable. The Black Dragon watched Kale, who was quietly sipping soup, with a scowl and spoke.

“Incredibly weak. His combat power is garbage-tier. That’s why.”
“Indeed.”

Kale nodded in agreement, and the Dragon nodded as well. Only Rosalind observed this exchange with a peculiar expression. But soon she nodded vigorously.

“To dine with Young Master Kale and a Dragon. What an honor.”

Rosalind picked up her fork with grace, her demeanor composed. Kale confirmed her composure as he sipped his soup.

‘She certainly has remarkable nerve.’

Another mage would likely be trembling and lavishing praise upon the Dragon. And they would ask to be taught some mana, some magic. After all, every mage on the Continent was obsessed with the Dragon’s magic and its system.
Kale spoke to Rosalind, who was eating her salad first.

“Please stay as long as you wish, as comfortably as you can.”
“Young Master Kale.”
“Yes.”
“I had three questions. But I’ve resolved one, and two remain. May I ask them?”
“Please do.”

One of them would surely be about the Dragon. After deliberation, Kale had decided to confirm the Dragon’s existence as fact to Rosalind. It seemed like it would be beneficial.
And he suspected he already knew what the remaining two questions would be.

“The first one.”

Rosalind asked with ease, yet with utmost courtesy.

“Is it really appropriate to allow an uninvited guest to stay in the Mansion, in this place? Even if she is a mage, surely a noble would be sensitive to such dangers.”

Kale Heniatus answered lightly.

“It’s fine since Choi Han brought her.”

Kale Heniatus glanced toward the Black Dragon, who was eating steak, then turned his gaze to Rosalind and continued.

“Besides, with this one here, there’s no problem.”

The Black Dragon said nothing in response. Instead, with his face buried in the steak bowl and his head never lifting, he devoured the steak at an astonishing speed.
Rosalind observed this spectacle for a long while. Her crimson eyes shifted toward Kale Heniatus, who was eating salmon steak.

“…I see. Then this is my third question.”

Kale Heniatus stopped eating his salmon and looked at her. Their gazes met. Normally, Rosalind changes her crimson eyes to black when entering the Capital, and her hair undergoes the same transformation. But not now.
She asked.

“Why do you speak to me with such deference when you are a noble?”

Kale Heniatus picked up the wine glass beside his fish steak and took a sip of white wine. Then he spoke to Rosalind.

“Red hair, crimson eyes. A mage. The name Rosalind, which you revealed yourself.”

It seemed strange to pretend ignorance before someone displaying such obvious signs.
Kale Heniatus asked with a smile.

“Should not Your Highness, rather, be speaking to me with such deference?”

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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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