KFBRV Pt 2 Ch 52

Before that day arrived, Ferdinand's actions for the week followed his usual, destructive pattern.

On Monday, he lost a fortune at the gambling tables. The loss ruined his mood.

On Tuesday, he belatedly read the news about Charlotte's adoption. Rage toward the Count consumed him. In his fury, he shattered several glasses at Wolfgang's casino.

On Wednesday, he complained to his only poker friend, Viscount Köndel, about his father's blatant disrespect.

Köndel, acting the part of a concerned friend, offered a cautious suggestion.

[Köndel] "I heard your butler, Rolf, pushed hard for Saintess Charlotte's adoption."

[Köndel] "Is it possible he is driving a wedge between you and the Count? Perhaps he wants to install a different heir."

[Köndel] "Look at Müller over there at the poker table. He is a famous private detective. Why not hire him to investigate?"

On Thursday, Ferdinand hired the detective to dig into Rolf's background.

Then, on Sunday, the disaster exploded.

*****

A single carriage rattled along the gravel path and passed through the main gates of the Albrecht estate.

Rolf, who was overseeing the evening service, stared at the carriage through the window.

[Rolf] "Young Master?"

Ferdinand hadn't returned to the mansion once since he tried to choke the Count. Why did he appear so suddenly? And why now, of all times, when the Count sat for dinner with Mrs. Becker and the illegitimate child?

Dizziness hit Rolf. He remembered a year ago when Ferdinand stormed the attic to kill Vanessa right after she gave birth.

Back then, Rolf had barely managed to stop him. If Ferdinand saw the current dining room, his reaction was predictable.

Rolf rushed to the lobby, panic rising.

[Rolf] "Young Master, what brings you here?"

[Ferdinand] "Move. My father is in the dining room, isn't he?"

Ferdinand didn't even look at Rolf as he marched toward the dining room.

I must stop him. If he sees the table now—

Rolf blocked the path with his entire body. He knew trouble was inevitable.

[Ferdinand] "Get out of my way! Do you think I still consider you a butler?"

A bundle of papers sat crumpled in Ferdinand's inner pocket. During the struggle, Rolf caught a glimpse of them and froze.

How did he get those?

Those documents belonged in the Count's office. They were the very petitions Rolf had personally suggested and drafted for the Count. He had written those pleas himself.

I never even made copies. How is the Young Master holding them?

Only a few servants had access to that room.

He gripped Ferdinand with all his strength, but he couldn't match the man's power.

[Ferdinand] "Father, come out! How could you adopt Charlotte without consulting me, your heir? Did you know you have fallen completely for Rolf's schemes?"

Ferdinand finally shoved his way into the dining room. He stopped, staring at the scene before him.

[Ferdinand] "Ha!"

He let out a hollow, mocking laugh. Vanessa sat in the chair that rightfully belonged to the Countess.

His brown eyes fixed on his father with pure disdain.

[Ferdinand] "Really...... Father......"

[Ulrich] "Storming in like this? What is this madness, Ferdinand?"

Ferdinand's gaze shifted to the infant in Vanessa's arms. He marched toward her and grabbed her collar.

[Ferdinand] "Why are you down here? Why are the vermin who belong in the attic sitting at this table?"

[Vanessa] "Aaah!"

His violence toward a mother holding a child was sickening. Rolf jumped in, hanging onto his arm.

[Rolf] "Young Master! Let go!"

[Ulrich] "What are you doing in front of your father, Ferdinand!"

He ignored the Count's shout. He gripped Vanessa tighter.

[Ferdinand] "Now the bastard child occupies the dining room too? You have crossed the line! Well?!"

[Baby] "Uwaaaaah!"

The child's crying added to the chaos.

Two years of chasing shallow pleasures had stripped Ferdinand of all restraint. He could no longer control his impulses. He looked more like a common thug than the heir to a noble house.

[Ulrich] "Ferdinand, you scoundrel!"

Regardless of the Count's presence or Rolf's weight on his arm, Ferdinand shook Vanessa by her collar.

[Ferdinand] "If you committed adultery and destroyed someone's family, you should at least have some shame! How dare you crawl out of the attic? Why do you show up and ruin this mansion?"

Soup and food crashed to the floor. Several footmen rushed forward to grab Ferdinand's arms. Only then did they manage to stop his movement.

[Ulrich] "Take the child and go upstairs. Kick this madman out!"

Vanessa clutched her baby and limped toward the stairs. Malea hurried to support her.

[Ferdinand] "How stupid do you plan to be, Father? First, you fall for Rolf's tricks and adopt Charlotte, and now you bring in this bastard?"

[Ulrich] "You ignore my house arrest and leave, only to return and cause a scene? Ridiculous."

[Ferdinand] "You can't judge clearly! That cunning butler has deceived you!"

[Ulrich] "A gambling addict talks about judgment? Rolf, throw him out of this house immediately!"

Following the order, Rolf and the footmen dragged Ferdinand out to the garden. However, once they reached the gravel, he had to let go. Ferdinand summoned his wasps.

Though using abilities against civilians was strictly forbidden, Ferdinand didn't hesitate. The wasps swarmed. The terrified footmen scattered in a panic.

[Ferdinand] "Cowards."

He chuckled and walked toward the lone Rolf.

[Ferdinand] "Hey, Rolf."

He grabbed Rolf's collar and lifted him off the ground.

[Rolf] "Ack."

Rolf gasped for air as his throat tightened.

[Ferdinand] "Now that I think about it, you were the one who saved the mistress and her brat."

His voice carried a lethal edge. He was clearly referring to the incident in the attic a year ago.

[Rolf] "Don't...... get blood on your hands for something so small, Young Master! Odette is gone, so you can't escape the death penalty if you kill a civilian with your power!"

Rolf felt the injustice of the situation.

I did that for your sake!

At that time, Ferdinand's murder trial was under review. If he killed a civilian with his ability, the trial would become meaningless. Rolf had stopped him for that reason alone, not out of kindness toward Vanessa.

But he had already decided that Rolf and Vanessa were allies.

[Ferdinand] "You were the one constantly suggesting the bastard be made an heir, weren't you? You have plotted against me since that brat was born."

The accusation of treason turned Rolf's face white.

[Rolf] "Cough...... Young Master......"

He had no intention of listening. He tightened his grip on Rolf's neck, his intent to kill clear.

[Ferdinand] "Do you know something? Because Odette is alive, I am immune to punishment again. It means killing you right here is no problem at all."

Saliva dripped from the corner of Rolf's mouth. He remembered how Ferdinand had choked the Count before leaving.

If the man was crazy enough to attack the head of the family, he was certainly crazy enough to kill a butler.

A primal fear consumed Rolf. His vision began to fade into darkness.

---

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