LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 15
Episode 15: The Next Earl’s Righteous Argument (Part 1)
“What… did you just say?”
Ace-Rude Selens trembled uncontrollably as he glared at his family. His voice, barely squeezed out, showed his attempt to suppress the boiling anger within him.
“I told you already… we had to cede Erde Village to that brat Giorg.”
“Is that so… and why did we have to hand over Erde Village to House Zarfing?”
“Well, that’s…”
Seeing the Earl of Selens hesitate, Ace turned his gaze to his mother, the Countess. Though visibly intimidated by her son’s furious stare, she answered his question.
“Fiona and Leon got married… so, well, Fiona’s engagement to Giorg was called off.”
“Oh… and as compensation, we had to give up Erde Village?”
“Y-yes, that’s right.”
The Countess replied awkwardly.
“Fiona…”
Ace glared at Fiona and stomped toward her, his anger palpable. Fiona, overwhelmed by his rage, couldn’t move.
SLAP!!!
Without hesitation, Ace slapped Fiona across the face.
“KYAA!!”
Fiona collapsed onto the sofa. Ace, usually calm and non-violent, had just struck his sister. The Earl and Countess were too shocked to speak.
Ignoring his parents, Ace grabbed Fiona by the collar and coldly demanded, “Why did you do it?”
“Huh? What?”
SLAP!!!
Fiona’s cheek stung again as she failed to answer.
“Ow!! What are you doing?!”
SLAP!!!
“Why did you do it?”
“Hitting a woman… KYAA!!”
SLAP!!!
Every time Fiona tried to deflect or blame Ace, another slap followed. The cycle repeated, and the scene felt surreal.
“Ace!! Stop!!”
Finally snapping out of it, the Earl grabbed Ace from behind. By then, Fiona’s face was swollen beyond recognition.
“Stop me? If you wanted to stop me, why didn’t you stop Fiona’s foolishness first?!”
Ace easily shook off the Earl, who slumped to the floor. Ace’s gaze toward his father was icy, leaving the Earl speechless.
“Fiona, I’ve always told you to respect others!!”
Ace’s roar made everyone flinch.
“You broke off your engagement with Lord Giorg and immediately married your brother?! How shameless can you be?! And you, Father and Mother, are just as guilty for not stopping her!! To openly condone such an affair has tarnished the honor of House Selens!! The fact that Lord Giorg demanded Erde Village as compensation shows just how furious and heartbroken he is!!”
The three trembled under Ace’s scathing words.
“Father… do you know why Lord Giorg wanted Erde Village?”
“…”
“Of course you don’t… someone like you, who has no interest in managing the territory.”
“What are you saying?! I do care about managing the territory!”
The Earl tried to argue, but Ace’s cold gaze only grew more disdainful.
“Oh, I’m sure you’re very interested in how much income it generates.”
“…”
“But that’s all you care about. If you had truly managed the territory properly, you would have offered monetary compensation instead of ceding Erde Village.”
“W-what are you saying?”
“If it were me, I would have offered 25 million dorados.”
“25 million?!”
The amount Ace suggested was five times the standard compensation for a broken engagement. Even considering the other party was a Marquis, the sum was staggering.
“It would have been far cheaper than giving up Erde Village. But I guess even that is beyond your understanding, Father.”
Ace’s voice was devoid of warmth. The way he said “Father” was dripping with sarcasm.
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