Violant of the Silver

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Translator: mii

editor: sleepchaser

At the sight of Rupheus, Violant froze.

“It looks like you’ve forgotten something these days, Violant.” The aura around Rupheus proved frigid.

“Brother…”

“I see that you even dare to help Princess Liona now. Trying to look good? You hate being an outcast that much?”

“What? No, I’m, that’s not it—”

Like before, Rupheus thrust a hand out and grabbed Vio by the collar. Vio paled. If his brother struck him where his injury was, his condition would surely tank.

But this time, Legion intervened. “Please stop that, Lord Rupheus! Lord Violant is injured. He just regained consciousness!” Then he grabbed Rupheus’ right arm and pulled him away, before promptly stepping in front of Vio, acting as a shield.

Rupheus’ light blue eyes grew colder than prior. Colder than when he had still been looking at Vio. Cold as ice. “The fact that you rebuke me for not valuing my citizens wholly disgusts me. I don’t know what’s wrong with your common sense, but doing this in my territory is the same as rebellion.”

“My master is Lord Violant. It’s natural for me to protect him from any threats. He is also part of your family. How could you be this violent toward him when he’s unwell? Please have some benevolence and treat him as your younger brother,” said Legion in a polite manner. However, his words had been sharp. 

With a fierce look in his eyes, Rupheus snapped, “You… What a conceited man!”

Burning with anger, he struck Legion, sending him to the ground. But Legion didn’t let out a sound of surprise or pain, getting up to his feet at once, gazing straight at Rupheus with his clear and bright hazel eyes. 

“You dare oppose me… I won’t let you get away with this!” In a flash, Rupheus unsheathed the long sword hung on his waist, blood rushing to his head. 

Forgetting how heavy his body felt, Vio latched onto Rupehus’ right arm and stopped him from acting any further. “Please calm down, Brother! Killing is prohibited at the castle!”

Still holding a semblance of rationality, Rupheus clicked his tongue and sheathed his sword. Using that opportunity, Vio moved in front of Legion to protect him.

Since Rupheus couldn’t use his sword, he would probably hit Legion until he was satisfied. His brother was truly unforgiving except toward his men. If Legion acted like that in Nada town, Rupheus would’ve slashed him with a sword from the start.

“Move away, Violant!”

“I’m sorry, Brother. My subordinates’ impertinence is my responsibility as their master. Please scold me for his actions instead.”

“Lord Violant! But he—”

“Shut up, Legi. That’s enough,” said Vio with a sharp glare. To which Legion zipped his lips, frustrated.

I knew this would happen. Brother really hates when someone of lower status talks to him like this.

Legion’s words were quite right, but he picked the wrong opponent. In some cases, his justice could piss someone off.

Satisfied with how Vio broke into a cold sweat, Rupheus laughed. “How unsightly, Legion Salt. To think that you have to obey such a stupid command… Fine, I will forgive him today, out of respect for my brother.”

“Ah, thank you for your benevolence, Brother.”

Right after Vio had blurted out his words, Rupheus grabbed his right hand. Confused, Vio raised his head.

In a leisurely manner, Rupheus laughed once more, his eyes similar to a predator’s as it tracked down its prey. “I still have a problem with you.”

“Ah, Brother?!”

Paying no heed to Vio’s shock, Rupheus dragged him toward the large glass door leading to the garden connected to Vio’s bedroom. He opened the door. Dragged Vio out.

Realizing what his brother was going to do, Vio paled. And without any hesitation, Rupheus pushed him toward the flowerbed.

A scream left his throat as he collapsed onto the beautiful flowers. The sweet scent tickled his nose, but he couldn’t afford to appreciate them now. After he scolded his body for not moving and rose to his feet, he looked up at Rupheus.

Vio clenched his hands in desperation to suppress the tremors through his body, born of fear. As he did, he noticed Legion, Jill, and Lantz staring at Rupheus’ back with a uniformly frightening look. Like they were ready to intervene at any time.

He shook his head a hint, stopping them from doing anything rash. For Vio, this was a matter of endurance. But Rupheus would kill them without hesitation.

“So the rumors are true? You have overcome your phobia of going outside?” asked Rupheus in interest. “What a pity. It was fun watching you suffer every time I drag you out.”

“B-Brother…”

Sure enough, Rupheus had had such a hobby immediately after that incident with Erik. Despite this, never had Vio imagined he would enjoy his suffering. 

Once again looking up at Rupheus, Vio asked without thinking, “Why do you hate me so much?”

“Hmm, well…” Rupheus dropped into a crouch before Vio. Grabbed his chin. With his eyes narrowed, he continued, “I hate your eyes.”

“Eyes…”

“You’re kind of stubborn, Violant. Be it in hope or peace, you keep looking at the light. Just succumb to our family’s depraved ways already. That way, I can take good care of you more.”

The Rupheus at present, who laughed in such a dark manner, proved unfamiliar to Vio. Such a sight brought shivers down his spine.

This was it. Vio was especially afraid of Rupheus’ eyes. They were dark, like two bottomless swamps. Ruthless and unforgiving, with the sharpness of a drawn sword.

His father had the same eyes. For this reason, Vio feared both him and brother. Sometimes, he saw the illusion of monsters within them.

“I-I don’t understand what you’re talking about…” Vio replied, voice trembling. 

The scene gave Rupheus satisfaction, that of a terrified Vio. He stood. Then he faced his head toward the sky in a thinking posture. “What was his name again? Ah, Erik, right?”

Vio’s heart thrashed against his chest, heavy with a premonition. Though he didn’t want his brother to continue, a part of him did.

“That man is also quite pitiful. He couldn’t even realize the reason he couldn’t help his father. It was all because his master was too incompetent. Oh well, I was the one who set that up, though.”

Vio stared at Rupheus with a stunned look. “…Brother?” 

The smile on Rupheus’ lips was inhuman. “Hey Violant, how did it feel to have your trusted subordinate betray you?”

“Huh?” An ember sparked in his heart, growing brighter and brighter. Harder and harder to contain.

Rupheus noticed his burgeoning agitation. A sigh escaped his lips at Vio’s inability to conceal it. “But you’re disappointing, Violant. I thought you’d fall to this side once I did that. Yet even after you can’t grip your sword and can’t go outside… you didn’t lose that light. It’s a shame.”

Unable to endure his anger any longer, Vio screamed, “What do you mean, Brother?! I knew his father had been falsely charged, but you were the one who set it up?”

“Why are you so upset? Faking a crime is easy, my younger brother. I just rewarded him with a jewel then told others that he stole it,” said Rupheus in a nonchalant manner. Like it wasn’t a big deal.

“That’s… Then… It was my fault that Erik fell into a tight spot…”

For a moment, Vio’s sight grew dark. He placed his hands on the ground, supporting his body from collapsing. Tears overflowed from his eyes, running down his cheeks, falling to the ground.

Yet, Rupheus’ expression didn’t change at all. He laughed, looking down on such a Vio. Then he placed his hand on his chin and muttered, “Let’s go for Flora next.”

“…What?”