The Villainous Noble Son Wants to Capture His Stepsister! - Chapter 23

SIDE: ???

In the vast and dimly lit room, the only sound that could be heard was the turning of my pages.

I carefully read through the report in my hands, ensuring I didn’t overlook a single word.

There were only two people in the room—myself and one other. With only the desk lamp illuminating the space, I couldn’t make out his expression.

Once I finished reading the report, I placed it on the desk and faced the person sitting before me.

“…I see. Judging by this report, he seems to be a valuable asset to us.”

A voice of agreement followed. It appeared he held Kraut in rather high regard.

Indeed, his achievements in recent years had been remarkable. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he embodied our ideals.

However, I still wasn’t ready to trust him completely.

Kraut von Wertheim, the heir of the Duke of Wertheim.

The first time I met him, he was five years old. It was at a certain gathering, where we were both brought along by our parents.

My first impression of him… was, to put it mildly, the worst.

A round, chubby physique, an uncouth way of speaking, and a condescending attitude—how could a child his age already be like this? It was almost impressive.

The words he said to me upon our introduction were so shocking that I still remember them vividly.

“Just as I heard, you’re adorable. Alright, I shall marry you.”

What utter nonsense.

While I was fully aware that arranged marriages were commonplace in our social standing, I would never, under any circumstances, marry him.

…Of course, I couldn’t say that aloud. Instead, I merely smiled and let it slide.

Even worse, the Duke and Duchess standing behind him didn’t reprimand him at all. Instead, they cheerfully remarked, “Then let’s start with an engagement. When would be a suitable time?”

Like father, like son, indeed.

My parents, who stood behind me, were visibly irritated, veins nearly popping, but somehow, we managed to deflect the conversation and move on.

Yet, from then on, every time we met at similar gatherings, he would continue saying the same thing.

Given our positions in society, it was inevitable that we would frequently attend social events. However, just seeing his face was a torment.

He interpreted every polite rejection and social nicety in the most convenient way possible.

To make matters worse, he even went around boasting to his entourage of noble brats, claiming, “She’s completely smitten with me.”

Are you bloody kidding me?!

Who in their right mind would fall for a little orc like him?!

I don’t judge people solely by their appearance, but when it comes to him, both his looks and personality are out of the question.

A noble’s duty is to protect their people. How could I ever be attracted to someone who neglects his responsibilities and indulges in excess at the expense of his subjects? Even if the world turned upside down, it would never happen.

In the end, I had no choice but to ask Father to handle the matter.

Then, about three years ago, he suddenly vanished.

Even when I attended parties or was invited to tea gatherings, his ever-growing, rotund figure was nowhere to be seen.

His usual followers seemed bewildered, but for me, it felt like a relief. One less headache to deal with.

However, not long after he disappeared, I began hearing the most unbelievable rumors.

They said he had hit his head and become a gentle and kind soul.

They said he had transformed into a handsome young man, like one from a fairy tale.

They said he had beheaded corrupt officials and lined their heads in front of an orphanage.

They said he had gained three younger sisters and turned into a devoted older brother.

The rumors were endless, blending truth and fiction to the point of absurdity.

…None of this made any sense.

No, I understood the words, but my mind outright rejected the possibility of them being true.

Gentle and kind? A fairy-tale prince? A devoted brother? Who on earth are they talking about?

Could this all be some elaborate scheme to win my favor?

…Calm down. These are only rumors. And as rumors, they must be verified.

That was why I entrusted the investigation to someone reliable.

“So in the end, most of the positive rumors turned out to be true.”

Of course, things like lining up severed heads or gaining three sisters were false.

Alone in my room, I re-read the investigation report on him.

But the more I read, the harder it was to believe. It described someone entirely different from the boy I knew.

“The orphanage incident, the territorial reforms… If this is all true, then without a doubt, he’s an invaluable individual.”

That said, I couldn’t imagine my investigator providing an inaccurate report. More importantly, he seemed quite taken with Kraut.

Reading the report alone would only lead me in circles. In that case…

“There’s no choice but to meet him in person.”

I let out a sigh. Even with all the good things I’d heard, in my mind, he was still the same detestable boy from three years ago.

But if he truly was the person the rumors described, then I had to be prepared.

“For that is my duty, as Lilliane von Blumenkranz, the Second Princess of this kingdom.”