Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 38

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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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With a thunderous bang, the Banquet Hall doors swung shut once more. Taylor Sten sat in his wheelchair, yet he was dressed in an elegant formal coat, a leisurely smile playing at his lips. The Priest Kaige wore the ceremonial robes of the Death God Sect.

‘They’ve decided to reveal their identities outright.’

Kale considered it a wise decision. The Death God Sect would certainly face complications, but that was hardly Kaige’s concern.

“What in the world—!”

A voice thick with shock. Kale turned his gaze toward the northwestern table. Benion had shot to his feet, staring at Taylor Sten with an expression of utter astonishment.
It was a sight utterly unbecoming of Benion’s usual demeanor and noble propriety, yet he was in no position to concern himself with etiquette now.

Kale’s eyes shifted to the highest seat on the dais. Crown Prince Albert spread his arms slightly and opened his mouth.

“I never expected to see the eldest son of Marquis Sten’s House, Taylor Sten, and the Priest of the Death God Sect here.”

The Crown Prince appeared delighted. Taylor, still seated in his wheelchair, offered a simple bow of respect.

“I heard that the young nobles of the kingdom would have the opportunity to meet and speak with Your Highness. Though I arrived without an invitation, I took the liberty of coming.”

A subtle smile curved the Crown Prince Albert’s lips. Kale could see from that smile that he understood perfectly what Taylor meant by “the opportunity to speak.”

“Well, I did say I wanted representatives from each family to attend, but if a family has no representative, anyone can come. Surely Young Prince Taylor wasn’t disappointed by receiving just one invitation?”
“I was somewhat disappointed, Your Highness.”

Kale glanced subtly at Benion. A family with no representative. The Crown Prince was subtly mocking Benion, whose position as successor had never been formally announced. Indeed, Marquis Sten’s House currently maintained close ties with the Third Prince.

‘That’s what troubles me.’

Kale found that fact strange. It was something he hadn’t yet investigated and hadn’t paid much attention to, but no matter how much the king favored the Third Prince, deposing the Crown Prince was no simple matter.
And yet, within “The Birth of a Hero,” the Crown Prince had been anxious and wary of the Second and Third Princes, while Marquis Sten’s House maintained intimacy with the Third Prince. Other nobles each had their own preferred prince.

‘There’s definitely something going on.’

Of course, it was a “something” that Kale had no particular desire to know.

“Disappointed, you say? What a pity. Still, seeing Young Prince Taylor looking so healthy after all this time truly brings me joy.”

At the Crown Prince’s words, Taylor responded with a smile.

“Your Highness, though my legs no longer move, I still have my hands, and my mind, eyes, ears, mouth—everything remains alive. In fact, they’ve grown stronger.”
“I see. Yes, you are still alive. I had forgotten that those who survive to the end are the truly strong.”

Kale could sense that the Crown Prince had become genuinely interested in Taylor. Benion resumed his aristocratic expression, but his gaze pierced through Taylor with unmistakable intensity.
Kale found this situation quite entertaining.

‘Watching from the sidelines isn’t so bad, is it?’

The Crown Prince, Taylor, Benion. And the nobles of each faction. The spectacle of their expressions was delightful. I found myself missing popcorn. It felt like a powder keg about to ignite.
I was thoroughly enjoying simply sitting back and observing.

“Then, might this be the Priest of the Death God?”
“Kaige, a servant of eternal rest, offers her greetings to Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

Kaige, performing the role of a virtuous priest, appeared almost saintly. Yet beneath that facade lay vast knowledge of countless curse spells.
The Crown Prince, having received Kaige’s greeting, spoke to Taylor.

“We shall speak more later, but for now we should all enjoy the banquet together. I’m uncertain which seats would suit you best.”

The Crown Prince’s words confirmed he would definitely speak with them later. I glanced across the people at my table. All were filled with worry and concern. Especially Neo Tolls, who was visibly restless.
I smiled faintly at Neo’s anxious state, and he scowled back at me as if to say ‘what kind of fool are you, not reading the situation?’ before turning away sharply.

Watching this with a satisfied smile, I soon lifted my head to gaze toward Taylor. That was when it happened.

‘Hmm?’

My eyes met the Crown Prince’s directly. It was pure chance. Crown Prince Albert was glancing around to find suitable seats, while I was looking toward Taylor. Our gazes collided perfectly.
In that instant, I sensed something.

‘Here.’

“It seems there is indeed a suitable spot available.”

The Crown Prince had made his decision. I understood what it would be.

‘There’s nowhere else it could be.’

A place without great nobles. There are families aligned with the great nobles of each faction, yet the balance of power remains intact. Moreover, it is a place where other great nobles cannot rashly interfere, and where the wealthiest and strongest in that region maintains neutrality.

“Young Master Taylor Sten should sit at the Northeast table over there. It happens to have more open seats than the other sections.”

I caught the sharp intake of breath from Neo Tolls and the worried expression on Eric Wheelsman’s face as I turned my gaze toward Taylor Sten and Kaige.

“Thank you for making room for us, Your Highness.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
“Not at all. It will be good to have talented individuals who will contribute to the kingdom join us.”

The Crown Prince spoke thus and gazed toward the table where the young nobles of the Northeast Region had gathered. Several attendants hurried toward the table. At the same time, Crown Prince Albert opened his mouth.

“Would it be alright to rearrange the seating for a moment?”

Who could refuse the Crown Prince’s request? Especially Eric, who immediately rose from his seat and complied.

“Of course, Your Highness.”

Eric needed to secure the Northeast Coastal Area investment deal, and having already refused to serve under any other great noble, such action was possible for him. At his response, the other young nobles awkwardly rose as well, and the attendants quickly arranged new seats following the Crown Prince’s gesture.
The proceedings moved swiftly and smoothly, far less chaotic than expected. However, my expression became peculiar as I observed the scene. Eric then returned to his worried expression and approached me, whispering.

“Kale, you understand, right? Just… stay calm. Stay calm.”

I ignored Eric’s words and looked at my original seat. The new guests’ seating was right beside me. This must also be where the Crown Prince had designated.

‘Well, he couldn’t seat them next to those who serve under the great nobles. Among the remaining four families, ours is the strongest anyway.’

The attendants finished arranging the seating, bowed, and withdrew.

“Be seated.”

When Crown Prince Albert spoke, I strode forward and dropped into my seat. Beside me, there was no chair. Instead, a wheelchair soon arrived to fill that space.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Taylor Sten greeted the Northeast young nobles with a smiling face. And naturally, Kaige sat beside Taylor. All three of us—no, all three of us including myself—pretended we were meeting for the first time.

—This situation is amusing.

Kale deeply agreed with the Black Dragon’s voice echoing in his mind and turned his gaze toward the Crown Prince.

“Then, though we were delayed for a moment, let us continue as planned.”

The Crown Prince announced the beginning of the banquet.

“I wished to gather in one place the talented individuals who will lead this kingdom’s future and share a meal together. I am grateful that you all accepted my invitation, and I hope this becomes a pleasant banquet.”

As his words concluded, attendants entered and began bringing out dishes one by one to each table. Behind the nobles’ tables, an orchestra began playing music.
This was the key difference from a true formal dinner. The event had a blended form of gathering, creating an atmosphere where conversation and movement between seats felt more natural.

“Young Lord Kale, I plan to greet you in a moment.”

At Amir’s words, Kale nodded in response and focused on the food before him. Yet his mind felt somewhat complicated.

‘What is his intention?’

The Crown Prince surely did not summon the nobles simply out of gratitude. There had to be a reason. Of course, there were several possibilities.

‘Either because of the war about to erupt in the Western Continent South, or perhaps he noticed signs of civil strife in the Wipper Kingdom.’

The Wipper Kingdom—the nation where Princess Rosalind had intended to go, the one with the Magic Tower. Civil war would soon break out there. In the land of mages, a war between mages and non-mages would unfold.
Though his mind filled with various thoughts, Kale soon cast them aside.

‘I’ll just stay quiet. What does it matter to me?’

It was not Kale’s concern. He began savoring the food laid before him.

-Delicious. Delicious. These trivial humans cook well.

Listening to the Black Dragon’s whimpering, cloaked in gruffness, Kale leisurely enjoyed the dishes. Indeed, royal cuisine was exceptional in taste.
His hand naturally reached for the wine glass an attendant had left behind. But the wine glass had vanished.

“Kale, five minutes.”

Nodding at Eric’s urgent voice, Kale resumed enjoying his meal. The people at the Northeast Region table watched him quietly. The Northeast Region was already in an inconvenient state with ten families divided into various factions, and now the abandoned eldest son Taylor—a magical bomb of sorts—had inserted himself into the mix.
The people gazed at Kale, who ate calmly in this situation, with peculiar interest.

Then the Dragon’s voice reached Kale’s mind.

But there are magical recording devices installed in every corner of this place.

“Ah.”

I let out a soft exclamation, a smile playing at the corners of my mouth. To any observer, I looked like someone savoring delicious food and expressing genuine appreciation.

‘Now I understand one of them.’

And I began to grasp one of the Crown Prince’s objectives.
The Crown Prince was currently monitoring the young nobles. Of course, the second and third princes would be aware of this as well. In other words, this reflected the will of the entire Royal Court.

My lips curved upward in a subtle smirk. At that expression, Eric, who had been growing anxious, shot to his feet, and Amir and Gilbert followed suit. Many nobles had already greeted the Crown Prince and taken their leave.
I rose slowly from my chair at the sight of the three of them, brushing my hair back lightly as I spoke.

“Let’s go.”

I led the three nobles toward the dais, and soon I stood face to face with the Crown Prince.

“Ah, the talented individuals of our Northeast Region!”

The Crown Prince greeted us four with a radiant smile. He had already risen from his seat and was shaking hands with each person as they approached.
Albert Crossman. With his golden hair and blue eyes, he looked like a prince straight out of a fairy tale who had stepped into the real world. That brilliant golden hair was a characteristic of the Crossman royal family who ruled the Roan Kingdom. It was said to be evidence of the Sun God’s blessing.

“It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness. Eric Wheelsman offers his respects after so long.”
“Yes, yes. Young Lord Eric. We have much to discuss, don’t we?”

The Crown Prince began speaking of the Northeast Coastal Area investment project, and Eric responded with a bright expression.

“Yes! I have been waiting for the moment to discuss this very matter.”
“Of course, I too have been anticipating that moment. Is it not you, the brilliant Young Lord Eric of the Wheelsman Count Family, who oversees the gateway to our Northeast Region and bears responsibility as one of the pillars of this kingdom? How could I delay such a conversation?”

So it begins. I stood quietly, observing the Crown Prince as he wielded his well-oiled tongue and Eric’s beaming smile. Praise from the Crown Prince was also pouring down upon Gilbert and Amir.

‘This is entertaining.’

I watched the scene unfold silently, and finally, it was my turn. The Crown Prince extended his hand to me as I bowed slightly.

“And here is Young Lord Kale of the Heniatus Count Family, who oversees the far reaches of our Northeast Region. Though we meet for the first time, thanks to your Count’s House, I need not fear the Dark Forest. You cannot imagine how secure my rest has become, how peace has settled upon my heart.”

Kale had one objective today.

“I’ve also heard that you, Young Master Kale, possess a truly free spirit. Surely the liberated souls of the sculptors in the Heniatus Territory have inspired you? Your spirit seems as pure as your freedom.”

It must be difficult to offer such praise to someone notorious as a reckless fool. In that sense, the Crown Prince was remarkable.
But from his perspective, as long as Kale didn’t actually cause trouble here, he would want to speak favorably of him. The Royal Court desired control of the Northeast Region, after all. And no member of the royal family would despise the Heniatus Count Family, who quietly governed their territory with competence.

‘So personal preferences toward an individual wouldn’t influence the family’s standing.’

Kale grasped the Crown Prince’s hand respectfully, rolling his tongue subtly inside his mouth. Now it was his turn.

The golden-haired Crown Prince in white formal attire, and Kale in black formal wear with red hair. Both appeared composed. Kale’s calm voice filled the surrounding space.

“I too felt something upon seeing Your Highness today. That alongside the current sun, our King, there exists one who shines like the moon in the night, concerned for the darkness in our people’s hearts—Your Highness. My eyes have opened to this truth.”

His voice was truly serene and understated, his posture confident.

“…Is that so?”

Yet the Crown Prince’s expression flickered with slight discomfort before returning to its usual composure. Kale didn’t miss this.
Kale spoke with a calm yet weighty tone, his manner unhurried.

“Indeed, Your Highness. I, Kale, am so moved by beholding you—the star in the hearts of our kingdom’s people—that I fear I shall not sleep this night from the emotion.”

Eric’s mouth fell open, while Gilbert and Amir stared at Kale with trembling pupils. Kale observed the Crown Prince’s eyes flicker with discomfort and thought he had taken one step forward in his goal of ‘distancing himself from the Crown Prince.’
Then the Black Dragon’s bewildered voice resonated in his mind.

-Why did this pathetic human called Crown Prince dye his hair with magic? Only a dragon of great standing would notice such a thing. Did another dragon dye it? No, is it some other power?

Damn it. In this very moment, Kale realized he had just learned another useless secret—one he couldn’t even reveal to anyone.
Was it a secret about his birth this time? Kale had no desire to know such things.

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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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