LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 91
“Again…”
Argus, the Karmais Viscount, let out a gloomy voice and hung his head.
The Karmais Viscount House is currently cut off from any interaction with other nobles. The reason is that his uncle, Gazel, assassinated the former Zafing Marquess, attempted usurpation, and was executed by his son, Lord Giorg.
No family wants to maintain ties with a house that produced someone who committed such a grave crime as assassinating the Zafing Marquess and attempting to usurp the marquessate while serving as the acting marquess. For nobles, there is no act more abhorrent than usurpation. To condone it would mean accepting that one’s own house could suffer the same fate.
(What should I do…)
Argus let out a deep sigh.
Despite proposing marriage alliances not just to barons but even to knightly houses, no engagement has come to fruition. This time, even a merchant’s daughter rejected the proposal.
The merchant family sent a very polite refusal, but their true feelings were transparent. Being rejected not just by nobles but even by merchants has left Argus’s heart deeply wounded.
In this regard, the Edior Viscount House, the family of Almada, is in a similar situation. The current head, Carmine, also has no fiancée.
“Another failure, huh?”
His father, Anton’s voice was stiff.
“Father… let’s give up. We’ve been rejected by viscounts, barons, knightly houses, and even merchants. The Karmais Viscount House is finished.”
“Don’t be so weak-willed!!”
Anton raised his voice to drown out Argus’s feeble tone, but his voice carried a hint of resignation. Deep down, Anton also felt that there was nothing more to be done.
“I finally understand why Lord Giorg didn’t condemn us along with Gazel.”
Argus’s voice had the hollow ring of someone who had given up on life. Anton felt unbearable guilt hearing his son’s voice.
“Lord Giorg must have known we would end up in this dire situation. That’s why he chose to leave us be and let us suffer. This is his revenge.”
Argus’s powerless words pierced Anton’s heart.
“Being rejected even by merchants… it’s likely that no marriage alliance will ever be formed. If it’s just about continuing the bloodline, I could have a child with a commoner’s daughter, but that child would undoubtedly be in a worse position than I am. They would never be accepted into noble society, and even in hardship, they would receive no support.”
“…”
Anton’s lack of response only reinforced the truth of Argus’s words.
“Even Auntie was divorced from Mother’s family. We’re at that stage now.”
“Argus…”
“I finally understand that it’s my job to bring the Karmais Viscount House to its end.”
“…”
Anton could say nothing in response to Argus’s lifeless voice.
BANG!!
The door swung open, and a man entered. Only a select few could enter the lord’s office without knocking.
Argus and Anton looked at the open door and, seeing the expected figure, barely managed to suppress a sigh.
“Argus, how did it go?”
“Grandfather.”
“Father, this is…”
The man who opened the door was Avery, Argus’s grandfather and the Karmais Viscount two generations before Argus.
“Enough, how did it go?”
Avery asked with a slightly excited tone. Of course, he was referring to Argus’s marriage proposal.
Anton shook his head slightly, looking uncomfortable. Seeing this, Avery’s anger flared instantly.
“What!? A mere merchant dared to reject this proposal!?”
Argus and Anton cowered at Avery’s voice.
“Is it Giorg!? That brat again!?”
Avery’s anger turned toward Giorg, who was not present.
Currently, Giorg’s agents have deeply infiltrated the Karmais Viscount House. Avery, of course, knew this, but his anger led him to lash out at Giorg.
“Grandfather!! Please stop!!”
Argus sharply intervened to stop Avery.
“What is there to fear from Giorg!? He’s just a brat who can do nothing without the Zafing name!!”
“Grandfather, you don’t understand how terrifying Lord Giorg is!!”
“What did you say?”
“It’s not because he’s a marquess that he’s terrifying!! It’s Giorg Zafing himself, regardless of his status or position, who is terrifying!!”
“Nonsense!”
“I’m not joking!! Grandfather, you don’t understand the true terror of Lord Giorg!!”
Avery was taken aback by Argus’s intensity. Argus had never shown such ferocity before.
“Do you know why Lord Giorg hasn’t disposed of us?”
“Disposed… of us?”
Both Avery and Anton’s faces twisted at Argus’s use of the word “disposed.” From Argus’s tone, they realized he was referring to the kind of disposal reserved for livestock, not humans.
“We simply aren’t worth disposing of. He sees no value in us. However, if Grandfather’s words today annoy him, that could be the end of us.”
“E-even if he’s a marquess, we’re still viscounts… such lawlessness…”
“No, Lord Giorg will legally send us to the execution block.”
Avery was left speechless by Argus’s assertion.
“It’s precisely because we have no value that we are allowed to live. Please never forget that…”
Avery nodded silently at Argus’s words.
“The Karmais House will end with me. But at least, as long as we have no value, we won’t be killed.”
Argus’s heavy words echoed in the ears of Avery and Anton.
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