Chapter 4 (Part 10)

Beonar was extremely irritated these days. Although his business, which had been going well, faltered a bit, it was something that could be resolved with Sophia’s money, so his irritation quickly subsided.

The reason he couldn’t calm down and his irritation kept rising was because…

“It turns out the relationship between Lady Loengrin and Duke Rockbellion is real!”

The story that Duke Rockbellion had swept the auction house and gifted everything to Yuliana spread rapidly in the social circles. It was absurd.

Social acquaintances he hadn’t seen in a while scratched at his nerves, talking about what happened at the auction house.

<They were so lovey-dovey in front of everyone.>

<I saw it too. The Duke was expressing his affection for Lady Yuliana so much that I got goosebumps and had to look away.>

<That’s not all. The most important thing is, did you hear about the Queen’s Laugh among the auction items this time?>

<Yes, I know! Duke Rockbellion won it for 100 million gold and knelt in front of everyone to present it to Lady Loengrin.>

<My fiancée has been nagging me endlessly, saying I don’t treat her like how Duke Rockbellion does to Lady Yuliana.>

<That cold-hearted man seems to treat his woman well.>

<Princess Ophelia is the real victim here. She clung to Duke Rockbellion so much, but in the end, she lost him.>

So Beonar told the people,

<Accepting the breakup so easily and immediately becoming lovers with Duke Rockbellion… I find it a bit strange.>

The reason for the breakup was said to be due to the Loengrin family, so no alimony was given. Although it was expected that Earl Loengrin would protest, they quietly accepted the breakup. It seemed strange, but it was also a relief that they didn’t drag it out… 

Could it be that they quietly accepted the breakup because they knew about the relationship between Duke Rockbellion and Yuliana? 

His suspicion deepened.

‘How long has it been since the breakup, and she’s already… forgotten about me and found comfort in another man’s arms…’

Beonar’s hands trembled.

<Come on Beonar… You were dating Lady Sophia before the breakup.>

<Shut up, Abelo.>

<You always get angry when I speak the truth.>

Abelo said with a laugh.

<People don’t think Lady Loengrin was two-timing between you and Duke Rockbellion. They think Duke Rockbellion saw an opportunity when Lady Yuliana was dumped. Of course, some people keep quiet because they don’t want to get on Duke Rockbellion’s bad side, but no one is talking like you.>

<That’s nonsense.>

<Sure, sure. Keep denying it. Instead of clinging to a past relationship, take care of Lady Sophia.>

Beonar clenched his fists. 

Anthus was in love with Yuliana?

‘During our engagement period… They must have been dating already. That’s why she didn’t cling when I suggested breaking up!’

Beonar continued to rage, feeling betrayed by someone he trusted, and cursed Yuliana.

“You were just waiting for the breakup!”

Beonar grabbed a bottle of liquor and drank it in one gulp, then threw the empty bottle at the door.

Crash.

The bottle hit the door and shattered with a loud noise, scattering sharp fragments everywhere.

“Is there no one outside?”

“Yes, young master.”

A servant opened the door and entered, trembling.

“Bring me more liquor, liquor! Hurry!”

Beonar yelled at the servant who had entered and ordered him to bring more liquor.

The servant quickly prepared the liquor. Beonar grabbed another bottle and started drinking again.

“Gulp.”

The bitter liquor seeped into his body, and with a groan, he threw the empty bottle again. Then he grabbed another new bottle and drank.

“Anyone, come in…”

“Yes.”

The servant entered again, trembling.

“Bring Maxwell here.”

“Uh… what?”

“Are you deaf? Drag that filthy bastard Maxwell here!”

As the strong liquor took effect, Beonar thought of Maxwell, the illegitimate child. The sight of him walking around with his lover, Princess Seria, made him furious. He couldn’t stand it.

“Don’t just bring him, drag him here. That filthy bastard… hic…”

The servant, Koi, had no choice but to leave the room and go to Maxwell. As soon as Maxwell saw him, Koi started crying.

“Why are you crying? Koi, what’s wrong?”

“Young master… sob.”

Koi felt heartbroken at the thought of bringing the kind Maxwell to Beonar.

“What’s wrong, Koi?”

Koi briefly explained the current situation.

“You must have been scared. You’ve worked hard serving my brother.”

“Young master Beonar is very drunk… He will definitely…”

Koi cried big tears, looking at Maxwell with a pained expression.

“It’s okay. I’m used to getting hit.”

“He’s extremely angry today! He’s been cursing Lady Loengrin, whom he broke up with, and throwing bottles! If you go in, you won’t come out unscathed.>

“Lady Loengrin…”

She is the talented spirit mage known as Duke Rockbellion Anthus’s lover. Maxwell looked at Koi warmly with a gentle expression.

“Koi.”

“Yes, young master.”

“Go to the palace and tell Princess Seria that I might not be able to come today because of my brother.”

Maxwell said with a bitter expression.

“I have an appointment with Princess Seria today. If by any chance my brother doesn’t let me go…”

“Young master Maxwell, I will tell Princess Seria right away.”

“If you go to Uncle Parker, he’ll give you a quick ride to the palace, and I’m sure he’ll be worried about me. Please reassure him as much as you can, and tell him we’ll visit my mother’s grave together soon.>

“Yes.”

Koi immediately headed to the palace. He urgently spoke to Coachman Parker.

“Young master Maxwell might die. We need to tell Princess Seria quickly!”

Koi, trembling, showed Parker his arm, injured by Beonar.

Parker frowned and sighed deeply. Maxwell didn’t choose to be born an illegitimate child, and Hoden, who forced himself on his sister and made her have a child, blamed everything on her and Maxwell.

“I’ll get the carriage.”

To enter the palace, they needed a carriage marked with the family crest.

“Get in quickly, Koi.”

Parker bit his lower lip hard enough to draw blood. He grabbed the reins tightly and whipped the horse. The carriage started racing towards the palace.

* * *

After sending Koi, Maxwell knocked on Beonar’s door and entered the room.

As he entered, the strong smell of alcohol stung his nose, making him frown. There were broken bottle fragments under the door and on the walls.

“Did you call for me?”

“Hah… Maxwell, you filthy bastard, you’re here? How long has it been since I called… You’re late.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Why are you apologizing! Why! You filthy bastard!”

Beonar, filled with anger, threw the empty bottle he had been drinking from at Maxwell’s head.

“You’re very drunk. Please stop drinking, brother.”

“Hey, do you think I’m a joke?”

“How could I think you’re a joke?”

“I told you not to call me ‘brother’. You must think I’m a joke to you, you arrogant bastard.”

“I’m sorry for calling you ‘brother’.”

Beonar staggered up from his seat and approached Maxwell. He grabbed his collar and started slapping his left cheek with his right hand. Maxwell, accustomed to this, stood still, letting Beonar hit him.

“You tough bastard. Not even a groan. Filthy bastard! Ugh!”

In his drunken state, Beonar cursed and yelled at Maxwell.

Maxwell remained still as usual. Beonar clenched his fists and started hitting Maxwell mercilessly.

“Argh!”

Beonar, who was hitting Maxwell without restraint, slipped and fell backward, passing out. Maxwell looked down coldly at him and spat out the blood and saliva that had pooled in his mouth.

“You should have drunk less, brother.”

Maxwell lifted Beonar and threw him onto the bed, then started breaking the remaining bottles in the room. He threw everything in the room.

Using the broken bottle fragments, he cut his own cheek and body, then looked at himself in the mirror. He slapped his left cheek, which Beonar had been hitting, hard. He hit it again and again until the blood vessels in his eyes burst and turned red.

“Do you know, brother? The heart hurts so much that no physical violence can hurt more than the heart.”

Looking like someone who had been severely tortured, Maxwell, without wiping the flowing blood, slid down against Beonar’s door and closed his eyes.