novelraw Chapter 91 : Butterfly Effect (2)
Chapter 91 : Butterfly Effect (2)
Chapter 91: Butterfly Effect (2)
At the same time, within the Bernhardt territory.
The inside of Chloe Bernhardt’s mansion was filled with unending chaos.
Crash!
Crack!
Clang!
There wasn’t a single intact item left in her private chamber.
Even the portraits of her family that hung on the walls were now scratched and torn.
Chloe was slumped over a dust-covered desk, gasping for breath.
She had thrown tantrums until her anger overwhelmed her, screaming at the top of her lungs, and when exhaustion set in, she’d pour liquor straight from the bottle into her mouth.
Once the intoxication took over, she lost all sense of restraint and went on another rampage.
Even though she had only done as she was told, four servants had already lost their lives because of her; now, no one dared to respond to her summons anymore.
Many even tried to quit, saying they couldn’t endure it any longer, to the point where the butler had to desperately stop them.
Having screamed so much that her voice was now hoarse, Chloe Bernhardt began to sob as she muttered to herself.
It somehow felt like the entire world was turning against her, and a surge of resentment welled up inside.
“Why is it me again… why only me…”
Why do they always pick a fight with me?
Did I break some law? I only wanted to do what everyone else does. What great crime did I commit?
Then why do people look at me with those eyes, and why do they treat her like a hero?
What’s so great about her?
She doesn’t have noble blood, no exceptional talent, no accomplishments.
Then why are all the gifted people drawn to her, while only garbage gathers around me?
“…Do you really think you can save Michel? That woman who’s the enemy of the entire Bernhardt Family?”
When Eugene Carter’s last words came to mind, her whole body trembled with fury.
A woman like me could never understand?
What the hell does that mean?
What does she have that I don’t?
“What the hell does that damn bitch have?!”
Kraaash!
It was only after she shattered the massive desk used for work that her rage subsided—just for a moment.
The intense murderous intent that still lingered reignited her obsession.
Clenching her teeth tightly, Chloe glared at an invisible foe.
In her mind, Eugene Carter had already been butchered over a hundred times.
Her lips quivered as she forced out each word.
“…Fine. All right.”
Go ahead. Do whatever you want. Let’s see how long that lasts.
When the time comes that you regret that choice, I’ll take away every bit of your physical freedom.
And at your most miserable moment, in the most humiliating and excruciating way possible, I’ll make sure you die slower than anyone else.
Only then will you realize whom you dared to put on airs against.
Your sister will have no choice but to watch you die in utter despair.
The one who vowed to save her—dying in her place.
And she won’t even be able to do anything about it.
To witness that entire scene from the closest distance possible.
How thrilling a revenge that would be!
“Heh, heheheh…”
The moment she imagined what was about to happen, her mood suddenly soared as if she could fly.
When loud, manic laughter erupted from inside the chamber, the servants outside froze, unsure of what to do.
After oscillating between rage and euphoria for quite some time, Chloe finally returned to her senses.
While the servants tidied up the room, the chief butler approached to report.
“A guest has arrived, Lady Chloe.”
“A guest? Who?”
“The Second Young Master has been waiting for two hours already.”
“Oh my, really? Let him in quickly.”
The second son of the Bernhardt Family, and another troublemaker second only to Chloe herself—
Gilbert Bernhardt swaggered into the mansion with his usual cocky gait.
“My apologies for the delay, Young Master Gilbert.”
Without warning, Gilbert smacked the butler across the face.
Slap!
“Hey, you bastard. My little sister’s suffering, and you don’t think to call me right away?”
“…My apologies.”
Slap!
“This is exactly when a big brother’s supposed to step in, you clueless idiot, keeping your damn mouth shut—ugh!”
Slap!
“Hey! Why are you taking it out on the butler?!”
“Hold on, this bastard needs a few more slaps.”
“Oh, for god’s sake, stop it already!”
Only after Chloe stepped in to stop him did Gilbert’s rampage come to an end.
The two of them then sat down in the freshly cleaned chamber and exchanged a glass of wine.
“I’m only drinking this much. I can’t take any more.”
“Huh? You, turning down alcohol? That’s new.”
“I’ve been drinking all day. My head’s killing me.”
Despite the fifteen-year age gap between them, the siblings were close.
Maybe it was because they were the two most reckless of all their brothers and sisters.
Whenever something like this happened, the two always found common cause without needing to say a word.
After taking a small sip, Gilbert spoke first.
“So, how are you feeling?”
“…You didn’t come here just to mock me, did you?”
“Of course not.”
His eyes turned sharp and cold.
“Never forget the humiliation and rage you feel right now, little sister. Those emotions are what will keep you alive.”
Then, he leaned in slightly and began to propose something.
“The enemy’s banded together, so we need to tighten our unity as well. You’ve seen it too, haven’t you? That bastard Jeff Halenber, that damn opportunistic rat—after the mess he made and ran off.”
“……”
“We need to apply pressure now, make them falter. That’s how we buy ourselves time for the next move, little sister.”
“…‘Buy time,’ huh. Never thought I’d hear that from you, brother.”
Chloe swirled her glass and let out a deep sigh.
After downing the rest of the liquid, Gilbert grimaced and muttered.
“Ugh. Credit where it’s due. Logically and morally, they’ve got the upper hand this time. It’s a complete defeat for us, little sister.”
“So what do you plan to do to pressure them?”
Gilbert brought his thumb and forefinger together, forming a circle.
“In the end, this whole damn world runs on money, doesn’t it?”
“…Money?”
“Even Crown Prince Abel isn’t free from money issues—so what makes that so-called Imperial Academy any different?”
Ten minutes before lunchtime, the regular faculty meeting came to an end.
The contents were about what I had expected.
A brief summary of the conference, Carvena’s current stance, and the usual words of caution.
In short, it all amounted to: “Don’t act rashly, and watch the situation carefully.”
As the instructors dispersed, I headed toward Dormitory Building G with Rubia.
Now that the tension had eased a bit, Rubia sighed deeply and rubbed her forehead.
“Phew… Do you think we can finally breathe for a while, Sir Eugene?”
“Well, at least until the weekend, we should be fine.”
“Which means, starting next week…”
I didn’t bother to answer.
She must have already known what kind of events awaited us.
“But don’t worry too much.”
Instead, I chose to offer some reassurance and encouragement.
“They’re humans with blood running through their veins. No person is flawless. They’ll show their weaknesses eventually.”
“…You really think so?”
“Of course. We’ll have to use everything we have, though. They’re among the Empire’s most powerful forces.”
What’s to come can’t be avoided.
This world is a world destined for ruin.
Even if we destroy Bernhardt, reform the Imperial Court, and force the Orthodox Church to surrender, there’s still more ahead of us.
We can’t afford to flinch over something like this.
“So rest well during the remaining holidays, Rubia. Soon enough, we won’t even have that luxury…”
Rubia’s response to that was calm and composed.
“A journey with you, Sir Eugene, was never going to be an easy one. I’m prepared.”
“……”
Her steady words left me silent instead.
A thought crossed my mind—that perhaps, under the name of salvation, I was simply dragging them all into danger.
But even so—
I had to do it.
Even if they didn’t trust me, it didn’t matter.
Even if they resented or despised me, it didn’t matter.
Because I chose this path for the sake of one simple ending—
to see them all survive.
“You said you’d be in the library, right, Sir Eugene?”
“Yes. My mind’s been a little cluttered lately, so I plan to organize my thoughts while reading. There are a few things I want to look into as well.”
“Then it’s a date for the weekend, hehe.”
“…I suppose it is.”
“Please rest well and come slowly, Sir Eugene. I’ll be at my usual spot.”
“Yes. See you later.”
After parting ways with Rubia, I returned alone to my private quarters.
Gathering the stack of envelopes stuffed into the mailbox, I tossed them carelessly onto the desk.
Then, without even taking off my outer coat, I collapsed onto the bed.
Only then did the tension that had gripped every nerve in my body finally loosen, and a sigh escaped my lips.
“…Was that too long of a prologue?”
Still, at least I’d made it this far.
I’d built at least amicable relationships with every heroine except Karen, and in the meantime, I’d managed to check several key villains.
There had been a few slip-ups, but looking back, I probably couldn’t have done any better.
Especially considering all of it was accomplished in less than a month.
So, just for a moment, I allowed myself to savor this small success.
I slowly closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.
The warm sunlight of midday streamed through the window, seeping over my entire body.
That evening.
In a secret audience chamber permitted only to the Crown Prince, two men were conversing, separated by a nearly transparent wall.
On one side sat Abel Ribenia, Crown Prince of the Ribenia Empire.
On the other was a refined man, his face hidden beneath a thick brown cloak.
Abel clicked his tongue as he lit a cigar.
“Things are going to shit, as usual.”
The man, in contrast, only stroked his chin without revealing any emotion.
“You must be quite disheartened, Your Highness.”
“How could I not be? All those major enterprises I spent years cultivating are about to be handed over to some random bastards.”
“Well, it’s just one of the perks your vassals used to enjoy that’s been taken away. It’s not a major issue for us.”
“Stop sitting on your ass and file an objection. I’ll back you up.”
“I appreciate the sentiment, but I must decline.”
When the man firmly refused, Abel shot him a cold glare.
“…Hey, Patriarch. You think this is only your problem? Bernhardt’s problem is my problem too, you know that, right?”
“Acting rashly now could backfire. We need to wait until public outrage subsides.”
“The objection period only lasts a few days! This isn’t even a formally granted right—if we don’t reverse it now, Altenbach will seize the Albe Sea trade route for good. Are you seriously fine with that?”
“It’s unfortunate, but under the circumstances, stepping back is the wiser choice.”
Unable to accept the man’s submissive tone, Abel slammed the wall beside him with his fist.
Kraaaang!
“Since when did Bernhardt start cowering under public opinion? If this drops my approval rating, your people won’t—!”
That was when it happened.
A suffocating murderous intent surged from the other side, and Abel instinctively stepped back from the wall.
“Hey.”
The man’s voice was quiet—but firm and absolute.
“Enough.”