I Became a Sick Nobleman

***

Clop. Clop.

The rough sound of horses’ hooves was heard.

The knights guarding the main gate of the Setiria Mansion immediately stopped drawing their swords and froze.

The person on the horse was Cassion, and the person in front of him with his eyes closed as if fainting was their master, Ruel Setiria.

“P-patriarch!”

Red blood was all over Ruel’s body.

The knights were astonished.

“Move out of the way right now.”

Hearing Cassion’s urgent voice, the knights opened the door.

Cassion got off his horse at the entrance to the mansion and gave an order to the servant.

“Call Fran right now!”

He went straight into Ruel’s room.

The following screams and cries that followed made Cassion uncertain of how to handle the situation. 

He hesitated to lay Ruel on the bed, as the sheets had just been changed before their departure. 

But in the end, he had no choice but to put Ruel on the bed and Cassion sighed deeply.

“Ruel, because of this incident, I’m a little confused about what my job is.”

He was an assassin, a butler, an adventurer, and even had a hint of acting as an actor.

What should I call this?

“I fainted, so don’t talk to me,” Ruel replied with his eyes half-open.

—This body knows that Ruel is not sleeping!

Leo laughed bitterly.

Cassion said while looking at Leo who was licking Ruel’s face.

“There are no watchers.”

“Really?”

Only then did Ruel open his eyes and move his stiff body around.

Ruel was surprisingly calm, considering the chaos in the mansion. 

Cassion looked displeased and asked, “How do you plan to handle the situation in the mansion?” 

“Leave them be until we catch them. The culprit this time is quite big, so if we act hastily, we won’t catch them,” Ruel replied, smiling.

“Fran is here,” Cassion said as the door banged open. 

Bang!

“My Lord! Are you alright?” 

Ruel grinned and waved his hand.

“Sister! The patriarch is in…”

Even Tierra, who belatedly followed Fran, froze and looked at Ruel.

Cassion quietly closed the door.

“Please lower your voice.”

Soon Cassion’s brow furrowed.

He raised one finger and showed it to Ruel.

It seemed to mean that one more person was coming.

‘It’s my uncle.’

Ruel could clearly guess who it was.

He glanced at the frozen women and leisurely inhaled Breath.

Bang!

As always, the door opened violently.

“Ruel! Ruel…”

Tyson’s expression contorted as if he was about to burst into tears, then he stopped talking.

Ruel put his finger on his lips and motioned for him to come closer.

As if possessed by something, Tyson walked inside following Ruel’s instructions.

Cassion closed again.

“Uncle.”

“Yes, Ruel.”

“I hope you don’t let the sound go out.”

At Ruel’s mischievous smile, Tyson cast the spell with a puzzled expression.

Tyson’ eyes were busy.

The blood on the clothes was definitely real blood.

But Ruel laughs so casually like that.

“I’m fine.”

Fran took a deep breath and calmed her mind before sitting next to Ruel to conduct an examination. 

The blood was only on the clothes and there were no cuts or scratches at all.

“Really…you’re okay.”

Tyson and Tierra’s hearts pounded at the sound of Fran’s voice.

Soon Fran’s face distorted.

“Is this a trick?”

“Yes.”

“I didn’t think you were going to lie about your life being at stake.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier, but I couldn’t tell you what was going on to catch a big beast.”

Ruel looked at the three people and smiled suspiciously.

“Uncle and you both need to cooperate.”

***

“What did you say?”

Huan let out a laugh and looked at his knight.

He hesitated and then opened his mouth again.

“The attack… It looks like it was a success. Now there is news that Ruel Setiria is on the brink of death.”

“The second one! Finally!”

Huan slammed the table and stood up.

“Did you check it yourself?”

“I couldn’t confirm it. Setiria’s defenses have become even tighter. In addition, it’s very strange that the assassins sent to Setiria keep disappearing…” 

“Who on earth is in Setiria!”

Huan approached the knight.

“Who said they were such skilled fighters? Didn’t you check everything? How much have you not reported to me!”

“Yes, that’s right.”

The most important thing in battle was to check the enemy’s skills.

The person to watch out for the most was the knight commander named Cheynol, who was guarding the mansion, and the guard knight named Aris, who was always next to Ruel Setiria.

Other than them, there was no one else with decent skills.

This was the result of checking not just once, but several times.

However, the assassins sent to kill Ruel Setiria disappeared, and the adventurers sent to attack him disappeared.

‘No matter how much you think about it, there must be a third force protecting Ruel Setiria.’

It wasn’t Adoris.

He was overwhelmed just holding himself in check.

Neither was Banios.

Ben Liobenez recently supported him, but he was only a growing force.

If Setiria had the power, he would not have been attacked in the first place, and Adoris’ head should have fallen off long ago.

‘Who on earth…?’

Huan opened his eyes wide.

‘It’s a guardian…!’

When Trino Setiria was killed, it was clear that the disgusting bastards who were protecting him were the ones protecting Ruel.

He lost most of his men because of them.

‘Okay, there’s another one, right?’

Huan laughed slowly and then quickly erased his smile.

To completely destroy Adoris and become king himself…

“Call the butler.”

“Are you planning to go by yourself?”

“Yeah, I’ll keep visiting so he can trust me.”

“Understood.”

The knight bowed and went out.

‘Ruel Setiria. Soon I will send you to reunite with your father.’

Huan grinned from ear to ear.

***

“Please identify yourself.”

The knight of Setiria looked at Serti and the servants standing behind her with wary eyes.

‘I heard that Ruel Setiria is on the brink of death. I guess it’s real?’

She had no choice but to come to Setiria as she could not overcome her father’s anger. She felt better though now that she was here.

If you look at the serious atmosphere, the rumors that came out, and the reactions of the knights, it was real.

Ruel Setiria was really seriously injured.

Serti unfolded her fan presenting the Shio family crest.

“Serti Shio, I have come to inquire about the lord’s well-being upon hearing the news.”

“Please wait a moment.”

Even though her identity was revealed, the knights’ vigilance did not ease.

One of the knights entered the mansion.

‘It’s completely different from the last time I came. Well, I guess it’s worth staying alive till  now and seeing the debt repaid.’

She had to make up for the money she had wasted. 

Her teeth clenched involuntarily. 

Shortly after, a man with black hair walked out with the knight. 

Upon seeing him, Serti tightly gripped the fan. 

Isn’t he Ruel’s exclusive butler?

“Excuse me. Please come inside.”

Serti walked along with Cassion’s guidance.

It seemed as if the word ‘worry’ was written on the face of every servant she could see.

That appearance was very unfamiliar to Serti.

Aren’t servants not even given the right to worry about nobles?

“I’m late to say hello, Miss Shio.”

Cassion paused for a moment and bowed his head slightly to Serti.

“Thank you so much for coming. Ruel-nim will be happy too.”

“What is the condition of the patriarch?”

Soon Cassion stopped in front of the room with the largest door.

He slightly turned the handle and smiled slightly.

“Please go inside.”

Serti stopped the attendant and went inside alone.

Ruel’s escort knight caught her eye first, and the bed was covered with curtains.

The woman, perhaps a doctor, stood up and bowed towards Serti.

“I’d like to meet him face to face for a moment, is that okay?”

Serti looked at her face and spoke kindly.

It was a face that had stayed up all night for several days.

“Yes, it’s okay.”

Fran left the place and went outside.

Serti looked at the seat she was sitting in displeasure and spoke to Cassion who came inside.

“Can you change me to a different chair?”

“Yes, I will change it for you.”

Cassion removed the chair Fran was sitting on and replaced it with another chair.

Only then did Serti sit down and carefully open the closed curtain.

“…!”

Serti was startled, but managed to hold back.

The smell of blood was strong.

It smelled like something was rotting.

Blood and thick liquid were visible on the bandages carefully wrapped around half of the face and neck.

It was disgusting.

She felt like she was going to vomit at any moment.

But Serti held back and opened her mouth.

There were things that a nobleman had to maintain, such as face and honor.

“My lord, you must recover safely for Setiria’s sake. Everyone is hoping that the patriarch will wake up.”

What’s so difficult about saying only plausible things in front of a patient.

Since she was planning to leave after a short talk anyway, Serti endured the disgusting smell and continued to speak in a kind voice while being conscious of the butler and escort knight.

“Really?”

Then, a familiar voice was heard.

Serti was so startled that she stood up in her place.

“What’s wrong?”

Cassion asked casually.

The fan that Serti had in hand shook.

Did she hear it wrong?

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

She tried to calm down and sit down, but this time she ended up falling flat on her butt.

Ruel opened his eyes.

Then he got up and looked at her casually.

“Did you really want me to wake up?”

The corners of Ruel’s mouth rose.

“M-my lord…”

“Yes.”

“How did this happen?”

“As you see… I didn’t know you would be so loyal.”

Ruel pointed to a chair.

“Sit down, don’t we need to talk?”

With a confused look on her face, Serti managed to sit down on the chair with Cassion’s support.

When she made eye contact with Ruel, her hands started shaking.

She felt something was wrong.

She felt like she was trapped.

“Diagos Shio must have sent you. I expected you to come.”

At Ruel’s words, Serti’s fan was slightly bent.

The trap was right.

“Do you remember that you swore your loyalty to me?”

“I… I remember it.”

“Then I’ll see how deep your loyalty is.”

Ruel smiled arrogantly.

One came first to throw the spark of discord.

“I’ll ask before that.”

Ruel did not get straight to the point.

“Please speak.”

Serti soon suppressed her emotions and became calm. She was indeed a nobleman.

“Do you want to become the head of the family?”

“Of course.”

It was the fastest response he’d ever heard from Serti.

Only after receiving confirmation of her ambition did Ruel get to the point.

“You remember the promise I made to you, right?”

“Yes, didn’t you say you would make me the patriarch?”

“Your chance has come.”

Serti looked at Ruel as if asking what he was talking about.

“I need your help to defeat Diagos Shio.”

Serti’s expression sank.

“Father… Are you planning to kill him?”

“I’m going to keep him alive. I’m planning on letting him rot in prison until he dies.”

As if she had rested for a while, Serti took a deep breath.

It was okay as long as he remained alive.

Serti calmly composed herself.

“Can I hear why?”

“Your father is taking a dangerous gamble. If he succeeds, he will receive a position worthy of a dukedom, but if not, the Shio family will be swept up in charges of treason. Even you.”

Again, treason was claimed.

Serti felt dizzy and closed her eyes for a moment before opening them.

“Did you just say it was treason?”

“Do you think what I am saying is a lie?”

Serti couldn’t answer Ruel’s question right away.

It was such a hard thing to believe.

Ruel let out a laugh as if mocking Serti.

“Why would I say this when I tied you with an oath in the first place? At least I’m giving you a chance to make a choice.”

“At least explain what my father did…”

“Make a choice.”

Ruel spoke firmly as if she would not be allowed to say anything more.

Whether Serti believed his explanation or not didn’t change the fact that she had a choice to make.

She didn’t want to waste that time.

After thinking about it, Serti opened her mouth heavily.

“Are you really, really not going to kill my father?”

“I promise.”

Ruel’s eyes communicated his seriousness.

Serti slowly loosened her grip on the fan.

***

“This way, Your Highness.”

Cassion spoke to Huan.

Just then the door opened and Serti came out.

She looked at Huan and bowed.

“I meet His Highness, the Little Sun.”

“It’s been a while, Serti Shio.”

Huan smiled gladly.

“Yes, Your Highness. Long time no see.”

“I just wanted to tell you something. Would you mind waiting a moment?”

“Of course.”

Huan heard Serti’s answer and went inside.

It was quiet.

It was too simple to be a lord’s room.

Setiria owed a lot of debt, and that seemed to be true.

Huan didn’t sit down and just pulled back the curtain.

As soon as he saw Ruel sleeping as if he were dead, his stomach boiled.

He should have killed him, not Adoris.

Soon Huan closed the curtain again and noticed a woman next to him with her head down.

“Are you a doctor?”

“That’s right.”

Fran answered.

“What is Lord Setiria’s condition?”

Huan asked cautiously.

“He was close to the explosion, but he’s in good condition. I think he’ll be fine as long as he regains consciousness.”

“So, contrary to the rumors that are spreading, the situation is not as bad?”

“Yes that’s right.”

“That’s a good thing. Oh, if it’s a rumor, don’t worry. I’ll put them to rest.”

Huan laughed contentedly.

It was a good idea to check for himself. 

If Ruel Setiria hadn’t died, he still had a chance.

If he just strangled Ruel now, he would die, but dying like this would only be helping Adoris.

When Ruel came to his senses again, it had to be dealt with cleanly.

Huan swallowed his laughter and opened his mouth with difficulty, as if he were depressed.

“Please take good care of Lord Setiria. If you need anything, I will spare no effort in supporting you.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“No, isn’t Lord Setiria a talent that the country desperately needs?”

“I will take care of the lord with the utmost care.”

“Thank you, I will go then without wasting any more time.”

Huan encouraged Fran and went out.

Huan looked apologetic as he looked at Serti who was waiting.

“I’m sorry for keeping you waiting.”

“No, Your Highness.”

Before leaving with Serti, Huan walked up to Cassion and lightly tapped him on the shoulder.

“I hope Lord Setiria gets well. If you have any difficulties, please contact me at any time.”

“Thank you.”

“There is no need to see us off, you can take care of Lord Setiria.”

“Please proceed carefully.”

Cassion bowed.

As Huan and Serti disappeared from sight, Cassion brushed off the shoulder that Huan had touched in displeasure.

Author's Thoughts

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