Chapter 196: Manion and the Merchant 1

Translated by AmaLynne

Manion Reinbach, along with his mother Yolanda, had escaped from the Baron Reinbach estate and were heading toward the capital city, leaving their baronial lands behind.

Fortunately, they managed to find a merchant associated with his father and, in a somewhat coercive manner, convinced the merchant caravan to take them to the capital.

However, for the father-son duo who had never ventured beyond their estate, the journey was grueling.

Their meals consisted mainly of dried meat and fruits, far from being described as delicious.

Occasionally, they were served salty soup, and the bread was so hard that it could hardly be considered edible.

Yolanda had already weakened and was lying on the cart’s bed.

Though weakened, she attributed it all to fatigue from the journey and continued to speak, her mouth never ceasing.

She voiced her resentment towards her husband, her hatred for Harriet and Harry, and her lament for her brilliant son.

She saw herself as the tragic heroine, constantly lamenting, “This wasn’t supposed to happen, it wasn’t supposed to turn out like this.”

Even Manion, who had a way with words, was frustrated by his mother, who was forever complaining.

During their breaks, he would distance himself and find solace in the shade of a tree.

“Why am I going through this… Damn it, it’s all Samuel and Harry’s fault!”

Manion leaned his broad back against a tree trunk and bit his nails.

Despite the unappetizing meals, Manion, who had always been a hearty eater, found the meager portions unsatisfying, and his hunger only fueled his frustration.

“If only I hadn’t left the estate… Mother is getting on my nerves.”

Manion had completely forgotten that his father had been trying to expel them from their estate. He yearned for their life back in their hometown.

Even though he had been living under house arrest recently and had even ignored his hysterical mother, he had enjoyed a comfortable life with delicious meals and a soft bed.

If only he could return to that life… Manion shook his head at the thought.

“As long as I endure this for now, I can take everything from that Samuel. Heh, heh, heh. Then I’ll become a count! Just imagining princesses becoming my women makes me laugh!”

A crude laughter escaped from Manion’s lips.

.

As a pampered boy who had always gotten what he wanted, he did not doubt that he could obtain everything his mother had promised.

Moreover, just hearing that he would take everything from that Samuel filled him with excitement.

Manion had never liked Samuel from the beginning.

He was a timid child, a year older than him.

His mother had died quickly, and his older brother, who couldn’t wield a sword properly, was a target of disdain even from his father.

Manion, in his humorless way, used to treat him well when he had the time.

Taking the title and fiancée away from his brother feels so satisfying. It’s probably payback for everything up to now.

From the beginning, Samuel’s audacity and arrogance in engaging with princesses and daughters of noble houses were unwarranted.

Manion believed that his genius with the sword made him far more deserving than his inept brother.

“Heh, heh, heh… I’ve been annoyed a lot lately, but it seems luck is finally turning in my favor. No one can ignore someone like me! Those who mocked me will regret it later! Once I gain power, that viscount, and Harry, I’ll torment them all before crushing them!”

Just recently, he had finalized the annulment of his engagement with Lucie, the daughter of the Viscount Riedl whom he had been engaged to for years.

Lucie, despite being unpleasant and openly showing her displeasure every time they met, had been tolerable due to her appearance.

However, he couldn’t help but be furious at the Riedl family, who had unilaterally announced the engagement dissolution to him.

He had considered the effort he had put into the relationship.

Although he had wanted a more intimate relationship with her, he had respected her family’s desire for a wholesome connection. And yet, this was the outcome.

What made it even more infuriating was his father’s decision to support Harry as his successor.

In the end, it seemed the Viscount Riedl had declined the engagement, but when he learned about it, Manion had laughed heartily at the turn of events.

“Heh, heh… I don’t care about a pretentious woman who won’t even let me hold her hand. If I can marry a princess, I’ll cast aside any viscount’s daughter!”

In Manion’s mind, marrying the princess, whose face he had never seen and with whom he had never exchanged words, was a foregone conclusion.

Marrying the princess would inevitably lead to him becoming a royal family affiliate.

With that position, he could control his father, the children, and even the viscount at his leisure: at least, that’s what he genuinely believed.

“Ah, excuse me for indulging in such delightful fantasies. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to take everything from Samuel Scheidt.”

“Who’s there!?”

Manion was startled and looked around, but there was no one.

“Where are you? Show yourself!”

Frantically searching for the invisible voice, Manion teared up, and before him, a figure slowly emerged from the shadow of a tree.

“W-Who are you?”

The figure was a man in his mid-twenties, wearing a red turban and dressed in modest white attire with an exotic flair.

He appeared suddenly and spoke to Manion, wearing a gentle smile that seemed to bring some reassurance.

“I am but a humble merchant. I happened to overhear your voice, Manion-sama, and felt compelled to offer some advice, if I may.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep