Deceived 86

Chapter 86

***

“That’s all the will says? He’s leaving all his property and title to that bastard? What about me? What about my mother?”

“Young master.”

“Don’t make me laugh!”

Despite the old steward’s pleas, Rufus paid no heed. Furious to the core, he shouted in a voice cracking with rage, unable to hide his fury toward Edmund.

“I am my father’s true son! Not that filthy bastard!”

“I would choose my words more carefully.”

It was then that Edmund, lost in a single thought, spoke. Simultaneously, every pair of eyes in the conference room turned to him. The gaze that slowly fixed on Rufus shimmered with an unprecedented coldness.

"The man you stand before is not a bastard, but the Duke of Liberte."

Rufus's flushed face drained completely white. Gritting his teeth and glaring at Edmund, he choked out a retort.

"That's merely a regency! Your authority is limited to one year. If there is no heir, then in one year, you will..." 

"But isn't the place you stand right now the edge of a cliff, making it pointless to think about a year from now?"

"...What do you mean?"

"It means that according to the will, from this moment on, all authority over the family rests in my hands. Including the discretion to decide whether you stay in this mansion or are banished without a penny."

Unexpected words sent cold sweat spreading across Rufus’s temples. His clenched fists trembled violently.

“I… I absolutely refuse to accept this. Father was not in his right mind. Someone must have taken advantage of that to manipulate things.”

"You refuse to acknowledge it."

"What! Absolutely not!"

"Then you are a traitor."

"...What? What are you saying?"

"To deny a document authenticated by those belonging to the Kingdom's Court is a crime of denying the King's authority."

Only then did Rufus fall silent. Edmund didn't stop there; he shot a sidelong glance at the lawyer.

"For the sake of our suspicious eldest son, would the defense counsel kindly verify the notarization procedure of the will once more?"

"Yes, sir."

The lawyer, bowing his head with formal courtesy, fixed Rufus with a stern gaze.

"This will was certified by two legal representatives dispatched by the Court of the Kingdom of Genoa, in accordance with the wishes of the deceased, William Charles Liberte. At the time of its drafting, the deceased's cognitive abilities were assessed in the presence of his attending physician, and the results of that assessment were also sealed in a separate document. All materials are available for your inspection here."

"Enough."

Isabelle, who had been sitting motionless, finally interjected, pressing her fingers to her forehead. Her expression made it clear she had heard enough.

"Rufus, you too should stop this commotion now."

"But Mother…."

"Mind your decorum. Shouting without dignity is the behavior of the lowly."

Isabelle gently restrained her snorting son and turned to Edmund with eyes colder than ice.

"Will you forgive my son's rudeness? He seems to feel a great deal of resentment, likely because he was so cherished by his father."

Then she addressed the executor.

"If the reading of the will is complete, we shall take our leave now."

"Yes, madam. You may do so." 

"Rufus, let's go."

Rufus seemed to have much to say, but he pushed back his chair and followed his mother out. Edmund watched the Duchess compose her expression despite hearing an outcome entirely different from what she had hoped for. Though he could no longer address her as Duchess.

"Your Excellency."

Once the conference room door closed, the lawyer cautiously spoke up.

"Should any objections to the will arise in the future, we will verify them and notify you. And..."

He pulled out a document folder and handed it to Edmund.

"According to the will read today, all financial and administrative authority of the House of Liberte has been immediately delegated to Your Excellency. However, as this is limited to the role of acting duke, you must personally verify certain clauses."

Instead of replying, Edmund accepted the documents bearing his father's seal. Alongside the will, the notarized papers listed supplementary clauses.

Clause 5: Regarding the Heir's Authority.

The heir may exercise all customary authority of the house.

However, the sale or transfer of any part or the entirety of the fiefdom is strictly prohibited.

The arbitrary amendment of any succession-related document contrary to this will, or the delegation or transfer of the title to another person, is forbidden.

Violation of these provisions shall immediately result in the revocation of the heir's status, and the property and title of the House of Liberte shall revert to the Royal House of Genoa.

A wry smile escaped him. These were clauses his father had added, wary that Edmund might exploit any loophole. It wasn't surprising. Had he been in the position of leaving a will, he would have closed any gaps too.

"The inheritance proceedings are scheduled to commence this afternoon. The Royal Court will also send out an official notification shortly."

"Proceed as you see fit."

"Very well, thank you for your efforts."

The legal team took their leave and exited the conference room. Only Edmund and the old butler remained in the ancient space.

Edmund stared blankly at the seal on the document, affixed personally by Duke Liberte. The dark red wax looked like a dried bloodstain. Like an indelible mark within the body, no matter how one struggled.

"Congratulations."

The butler, who had remained silent throughout, offered his congratulations.

"His Excellency has long regarded the young master as your heir. I always believed this day would come."

"Is it truly something to celebrate?"

"You and the young mistress are so well-matched. A child will come soon enough, making this position as good as guaranteed."

He could say that because he didn't know it was a sham marriage with Blair. Edmund, overcome by deep fatigue, replied quietly.

"I want to be alone."

"Of course, I'll leave now."

The old butler nodded and slipped out of the conference room, his footsteps muffled. At last, he was alone. Edmund stared at the crimson mark his father had left behind in the oppressive silence.

Acting Duke. How absurd. It was a position perfectly suited to someone like him. A man who could never settle anywhere, merely occupying another's place temporarily. How fitting indeed. His identity had been unstable his entire life, so the title of acting duke felt strangely familiar.

William Liberte distrusted him to the very end. He sought to test that bastard child, who had spent his entire life proving his worth, even in death. The will he left behind was not a final act of affection for his son, but a thoroughly calculated shackle.

His one misstep? Not realizing Edmund had no interest in a title. The succession was merely a tool to him. Since it was merely a position borrowed temporarily for his purpose, becoming the acting head might actually be preferable now.

What Edmund truly desired was the downfall of the Liberte family. To shatter this loathsome house to pieces, expose Isabelle's sins to the world, and make Rufus see clearly how utterly hollow the name Liberte truly was. That was his sole remaining mission.

Just as he had treated the title as a tool, so too had the marriage, and Blair... But when exactly had that boundary blurred?

"When that time comes, will you let me go?"

Only a fool wouldn't grasp the intent behind that trembling voice. The woman wanted his heart. She longed for him to promise her a future, to whisper words of love.

He couldn't understand it. If mere words could prove sincerity, liars wouldn't exist in this world. Edmund couldn't fathom why it mattered so much, but…

"I absolutely cannot let you go."

He needed Blair. He wanted her desperately. The anxiety consuming him, the compulsion to prove his worthless self—all of it could be completely shed when buried in the softness of her skin. His existence, rejected everywhere for his entire life, felt real for a moment within her sweet embrace. That sensation was like an addiction, and Edmund now found it difficult to imagine life without her.

If the only means to keep her bound to his side was a few words, then showing that much was only natural. The moment that thought reached him, everything became crystal clear. He would say what Blair wanted to hear, move as she wished. He could do that easily. As long as he could hold onto her.

Edmund rose immediately. He stepped out of the conference room and walked without hesitation. A long shadow stretched across the stone floor, following his footsteps.