abcnovels
Chapter 14: What Lies Behind the Curtains?
Chapter 14: What Lies Behind the Curtains?
*********
[WARNING: MENTION OF DARK THEMES WILL OCCUR IN THIS CHAPTER. PLEASE READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!]
He almost beat up that son of a b*tch bastard for spouting nonsense and tarnishing his mother's reputation, but he restrained himself, as he didn't want to make trouble for his family because of this trivial issue.
However, because of that statement, a seed of doubt starts to blossom inside him because of mere curiosity.
Because of this, the ever-perceptive Harrison began to observe his mother silently, and he noticed those subtle changes in her jade-colored eyes whenever she looks at other little children, whenever she attends a banquet.
Because of that, Harrison became wary of his own mother that he shouldn't have and began to distance himself from her, but he made sure that it won't be too obvious from other's perspective.
Harrison thought that his mother wouldn't be so shameless to touch his other siblings, especially her stepson. Even though Ezekiel isn't her own flesh and blood, but within the eyes of the public, Ezekiel is still her son.
Also, he couldn't talk about this to his father or his other two siblings because who would believe in such a ridiculous idea about what he was saying, even if there were rumors about it but no one had confirmed if it's true or not so it's best for him to keep it on himself.
When their father said that he had instructed their mother to talk to Ezekiel about the dining incident, Harrison became confused and frowned.
'Really? Is their father an idiot or something?'
« ….. "A bit odd for non-blood relatives to seek themselves in the middle of the night sky, am I right? Big Brother? ~~~" ….
»
That's why he said those words playfully, like he usually does, and he directed those words to his elder brother who could catch on quickly and his elder brother immediately told them they should get going.
However, he noticed that his father wasn't moving and what's even more confusing is that he wasn't speaking that much this whole time and he only spoke when his father told them about their mother to talk with the youngest under his orders.
'Don't tell me…'
And that's the time when a certain servant suddenly barged into the Marquis' Office without decorum and panted his breath like he had run thousands of miles from where he came from.
« ….. "M-marquis…! H-ha! P-please… t-the… t-third… y-young… m-master....
w-was—" …... »
....
...…
......….
And now they were at the present where the scandalous scene happened.
The Marchioness should be thankful that his sword wasn't with him and if he does, he won't have any problem unsheathing it and pointed his sword to his own mother.
He couldn't believe that his mother would be so shameless to lay a hand on a minor! To their half-sibling, no less!
It's no secret to the inner nobles for taking younger paramours and it's pretty much a norm for them and Harrison knew that as well, since he had most likely witnessed some of his fellow nobles would take in younger paramours at their side.
But it was unnecessary and shameful for her to prey for their own family member! Ezekiel might not her biological son, but in the eyes of the public, even though as a half-blood noble, Ezekiel is still a Chevalier and the third young master of this household!
Harrison couldn't stomach in to look at his moth— no, the Marchioness and only directed his gaze at his youngest sibling, who right now was crawling at the corner to hide himself.
"I'll be taking Ezekiel out of here. Pack all the third young master's things and move them to another room. Guards, tear down this place."
As he ordered, when the guards were about to heed his command, it surprised Harrison when Ezekiel suddenly yelled out; "N-NO! P-PLEASE! N-NOT THIS ROOM!"
Harrison carefully kneeled down to align himself to his youngest brother and asked gently; "Why you don't want to tear down this place? Y-you know that…"
He doesn't know how to tell this without reminding his youngest sibling about the trauma that was inflicted on him and, like his elder brother, he wasn't good at coaxing.
Ezekiel mumbled while looking down; "T-this was… m-mother's room. I-I…. don't want to move from here…"
All the people who were present had heard what the third young master said, even if he might sound gibberish. But at the moment he mentioned his mother, all of them understood.
The quarters where the third young master currently using was the quarters of the deceased Lady Aryna and her quarters were situated at the northern side of the mansion, far away from the main house.
Although the Marquis gave some privileges to his unofficial second wife, who was of commoner status, she was treated poorly within the household. Consequently, her quarters were situated on the northern side of the mansion, with only a few servants to cater to her needs.
"Don't worry Ezekiel, for now, you'll be moving to other quarters to recuperate, and we'll handle everything from here. These quarters would be under renovation for now and Harrison would take you away from here…"
Harrison knew who spoke just now and even without looking behind his back, the second young master only smiled because he could count on their elder brother at the times like this.
The Marchioness was already gone and probably, she'll be under house arrest for further notice and Harrison didn't care about it since it's her own fault for falling into her own lust and preyed on their youngest sibling.
Their father also left this place with the detained Marchioness and the three siblings thought their father couldn't handle such a shameful event that happens here.
Their youngest sibling, Ezekiel, seems to stabilize his breathing and Harrison carried out their traumatized sibling and left the quarters for the youngest to recuperate in another room.
The three siblings were aware this incident wouldn't stay concealed for too long. As the old saying goes, "the walls have ears."
[END OF FLASHBACK]