NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1 - Part 1
Chapter 1 – Part 1
2022.10.04.
“Damn son of a bitch
“Do you like math?”
“Yes? Um, no.”
“Then you must not be interested in magic either. How about black magic?”
“Yes?”
“Do you know anything about demons or magic?’’
“Yes?”
The man set down his teacup expressionlessly.
At first, the woman, who had been sitting somewhat timidly with a shy expression, could not hide her bewilderment.
“I’m sorry. It seems we have no common interests at all. But shouldn’t we be able to
communicate at least a little, considering we’re going to live together for the rest of our lives?”
The woman sitting in front blushed bright red.
“Seems like it might be a waste of time. Shall we call it a day?”
The man left her alone and walked away step by step.
As he walked through the corridor, he encountered a woman struggling to open the door alone, carrying a pile of documents so large that it covered her face.
“Oh, excuse me for a moment.”
After asking for permission, he opened the door for her, and she entered, expressing her gratitude.
“Thank you.”
“…”
Upon opening the door, he noticed the large and heavy stack of documents. Feeling uncomfortable with just leaving, he couldn’t help but ask.
“Would you like some help with those?”
“No, it’s alright. Could you please just close the door for me instead?”
“Oh, sure.”
“Thank you.”
As she stepped inside, he casually closed the door and resumed his walk.
“I wish I could just turn back.”
But it was obvious that if he didn’t stop by to tell his parents about today’s outcome, it would become troublesome.
However, if he did tell them, he would have to endure another storm of nagging.
The image of his angry father and his ailing mother lying in bed naturally came to his mind.
“How many more times do I have to say it to make you stop these pointless actions?”
With irritation and frustration building up, he finally loosened his tie.
Eric Russell Gloucester.
The successor to the Gloucester Marquis and also the commander of the Second Knights Order, holding the title of Viscount Russell himself.
Exceptional ability, outstanding appearance.
With all the flattering words like “promising future,”
“excellent,” and so on, he is unanimously recognized as the number one prospective groom in the current Britannian Empire.
However, his personality is the worst or simply outrageous.
Nicknamed the Black Lion of Britannia in public and the 3% of Britannia or the Ruiner from the Underworld behind his back.
A man who is the center of attention in the empire, whether in a positive or negative light.
Today, he coolly brushed off another uncountable (he himself had given up counting centuries ago) offer.
“That damned son of mine!!”
The Duke of Gloucester finally yelled.
His face was so flushed that he thought it might burst.
“I might as well die, I might as well.”
The Duchess of Gloucester whimpered, clutching her head and collapsing onto the sofa.
But he had already anticipated this outcome based on his past experiences.
So, it would have been better if he had just kept his mouth shut.
“I clearly stated that I have no interest.”
Although it wasn’t something that happened once or twice, he felt compelled to add a word.
“Well, this child!!”
“Oh dear, oh dear.”
The Duke of Gloucester’s roar and the Duchess’s groans grew louder.
“I told you not to do anything unnecessary.”
“This!!!”
“Ugh.’’
The Duke of Gloucester trembled with anger, and the Duchess burst into louder cries, her attire seemingly about to burst at the seams.
The butler standing beside them shook his head, muttering, “As expected, yet again.”
However, Eric drank the tea the butler had served without any change in expression.
“Butler. The tea seems particularly good today, doesn’t it?”
“It’s the orange pekoe you favor, my lord. I prepared it since you were coming today.’’
“I see. Thank you, Butler.”
Seeing his son calmly enjoying his tea, it only fueled his anger even more.
“Well, why do you dislike it this time? Let’s hear the reason.”
“Because talking doesn’t seem to work at all.”
“Talking? What are you talking about?”
“He says he doesn’t like math.”
“…What?”
“What nonsense is this? Suddenly, math? How many people actually like math anyway?”
“No, more importantly, where on earth would you find someone asking if you like math unless
they’re insane?”
Bewildered, he looked at his son.
“You’re not interested in fencing, you know nothing about monsters. Anyway, you two don’t share any common interests.”
“…Do you even have anyone, any girl or person, you can have a decent conversation with?”
At that remark, Eric frowned, but then shrugged as if to acknowledge the point. That annoyed him even more.
“You know better, yet you still do such things? Even if it brings disgrace to the family.”
“Ah.”
“Get out, you rascal!”
Unable to contain himself any longer, the Duke of Gloucester finally threw a cushion.
But his skilled son in martial arts calmly evaded it even while holding a teacup. Moreover, not a drop of tea spilled from the cup he was holding.
“Very well then, I’ll leave.”
Setting down the teacup on the table, he casually picked up the fallen cushion from the sofa and walked out leisurely.
“Oh dear, oh dear.”
The Duchess of Gloucester’s lamentations were heard until the door closed, but he paid no heed at all.
“Darling, at this rate, I’ll die of a nervous breakdown before becoming a grandmother or whatever.”
Struggling to get up from the sofa where she had been lying, the Duchess of Gloucester rubbed her head and groaned.
“It seems like I must have committed a lot of sins. Otherwise, why would all this chaos happen
in my twilight years?”