The Villainous Noble Son Wants to Capture His Stepsister! - Chapter 28

SIDE: Lilliane

After seeing off Kraut and Primelia’s carriage, I returned to the lounge with my parents.

As we sipped on freshly brewed tea, the conversation naturally revolved around the two of them.

“Lady Primelia is such a lovely girl with a kind heart.”

“Indeed. If Wertheim hadn’t taken her in, I would have wanted her as our own daughter.”

They seem to have taken quite a liking to Primelia.

It’s true—her gentle personality is uncharacteristic of that family.

However, saying “I would have wanted her as our own daughter” right in front of your actual daughter is a bit much, don’t you think?

“Father, do you have some sort of complaint about me?”

“N-No, it was just a turn of phrase…!”

Father, if you panic like that, you’ll only make things worse.

Fufufu…

As the lighthearted conversation continued, we gradually shifted toward the real purpose of tonight’s gathering.

“…So, what did you think of the Wertheim heir?”

Father’s expression turned from warm parental fondness to that of a King, and both Mother and I followed suit, our gazes sharpening.

“Not only his appearance, but his personality is completely different. In fact, if someone told me an entirely different person had taken his place, I wouldn’t doubt it.”

“Hoh… Are you saying someone is impersonating him?”

“…No. He clearly regrets his past actions. That alone tells me he is still himself.”

It was improper of me to think so, but his flustered expression was quite amusing.

It had been a long time since I had laughed so openly.

“So, then, the rumors were true—his sudden personality change is genuine.”

“Either way, isn’t that a good thing? When Lady Primelia was frozen in fear earlier, he instinctively shielded her. That’s not something one does out of calculation.”

That reaction was indeed impressive.

Even though the way we had forced that introduction was practically a trap, he immediately protected his younger sister.

It seems the rumors about him being a siscon were true as well.

“That much is certain. Very few would be able to react like that on the spot.”

“It’s clear he truly cares for Lady Primelia.”

“Hmm… I see. And how much did you manage to discuss with him?”

This was it.

The real reason I arranged this meeting.

I cast a quick glance at Steve, our butler, who gave a subtle nod.

It seemed there was no risk of eavesdroppers.

“After I was alone with him—”

◇

“Lord Kraut, there is something I wish to ask you—something I can only ask you now.”

“…If it is within my ability to answer, I will do so.”

“Then—what do you intend to do about House Wertheim?”

Until earlier, I had hesitated about asking this question.

But after seeing who he had become, I was certain—I needed to ask him this.

“………I’m not sure I understand what you mean.”

His words said one thing.

But for a brief moment, his expression betrayed his thoughts—a flash of discomfort, as if I had touched on something he didn’t want to discuss.

“Then let me rephrase it. The reforms you are enacting in your territory directly contradict the policies your family has upheld until now. What do you make of that?”

“…………”

Silence.

Was it because he couldn’t answer?

Or because he didn’t want to?

Either way, his pained expression said enough.

…If I wanted to hear his true thoughts, I needed to be just as honest.

“Steve, what is said in this room tonight—”

“I will take it to my grave, even at the cost of my life.”

Steve was not just a butler.

He was one of the royal family’s trusted informants—our hidden dagger.

If he said a word would never leave this room, then it truly never would.

And so, I spoke.

“Lord Kraut, let me tell you something. House Wertheim… is going to be abolished.”

“!”

There are far too many corrupt nobles in this country.

And at the very top of that rot sits House Wertheim.

As the royal family, we could no longer afford to turn a blind eye.

Kraut’s eyes widened—but rather than the news itself, he seemed more shocked that I had been the one to say it so openly.

After a long silence, he finally spoke—hesitant, but firm.

“…House Wertheim has rotted to the core.”

“Yes.”

“The people struggle under heavy taxation, while the privileged few indulge in corruption and embezzlement. Even the funds meant for starving orphanages are siphoned away.”

The orphanage incident had changed his reputation completely.

His strength, resolve, and ruthlessness—that was the moment the world saw him as a force to be reckoned with.

After that, the number of officials in his domain had reportedly been cut in half.

Then, his expression hardened.

“And then there’s Primelia.”

“……”

“If nothing changes, she will be used as nothing more than a political pawn in an arranged marriage.”

He wasn’t wrong.

The current Duke of Wertheim would likely attempt to marry Primelia into the royal family.

We, of course, would never allow it.

Still, for noble daughters, arranged marriages were practically a duty.

How did he see it?

That was what I needed to find out next.

And so, I asked.

“A noble’s duty is to protect their people. A political marriage is not the only way.

Besides, I personally cover all of Primelia’s living expenses, clothing, and everything else.”

…Okay.

That’s terrifying.

He’s clearly determined to ensure that no one can interfere.

Also, the fact that his first-person pronoun shifted from ‘watashi’ to ‘ore’ is unsettling.

“…My apologies. I got carried away.”

“N-No… caring for your family is a good thing, right?”

I think it’s perfectly reasonable that my statement ended in a question.

“I’ve spoken at length. …Very well. Let me give you a clear answer to Your Highness’s question.”

With that, he looked at me with a terrifying level of seriousness and declared—

“Within the next few years, I will assume the position of Duke of Wertheim.”

◇

“…I see. So that’s what it comes down to.”

Even in a closed setting like this, this was essentially a declaration of a coup d’état.

Yet, no one in the room looked surprised.

“For the past few years, he has been desperately cutting away the rot within Wertheim. But the most corrupt part of all… is the root itself.”

Exactly.

Unless the core of House Wertheim was removed, true reform would never be possible.

However—within that rotten foundation, a new root had emerged.

Kraut.

“It seems meeting him today was the right choice after all. It reassured me that this kingdom still has hope.”

“But at this rate, Lord Kraut will be crushed. There are still other male heirs in his house.”

“Indeed. He’s been acting too boldly. Sudden changes always spark resistance. In fact, many of the officials and merchants he ousted have been visiting the Wertheim estate in the capital.”

Kraut is a vital figure for this kingdom.

Losing him would be a serious problem.

And besides—he’s a high-ranking noble of my generation.

I have a feeling we could become good friends.

“Father, is there nothing that can be done?”

“Oh?”

What’s with that ‘Oh?’

Why are you grinning like that?

This is not what you’re thinking.

“I see, I see. If Lilliane is that interested in him, then I suppose I must do something.”

“That’s NOT what I meant! I was simply thinking of him as… a good friend! Please, listen properly, Father!”

…Today, I learned something new.

My father’s smug face is insufferable.