Chapter 127
“Just wait a little longer. His days of causing trouble are almost over.”
But Somerset only bit his lips anxiously. His empty stomach was more important than planning for the future.
He couldn’t wait for a day that might never come.
“I have to go back. I want to go back!”
He couldn’t endure this place any longer.
Ha!
Somerset didn’t believe the plan would work. And his mother naturally pushed him forward.
If the plan failed, she would surely cut ties and hide again. And this time, he would be the one to suffer a terrible fate.
‘Axel was right.’
They were just using him!
He couldn’t be used like this anymore.
“How can I get back? How…?”
At that moment, Pavel and Milos’s voices reached his ears.
“Just kneel and beg the lord.”
“Oh, and like Lady Marilyn said, either lick our lord’s shoes like a dog, or go to the square and shout, ‘I am Lord Dedrick’s dog!’ and run around a hundred times!”
Somerset clenched his fist.
He wanted to kneel and beg Dedrick to take him back to the capital city.
Then, as if making up his mind, he opened his lips.
“Please call Dedrick.”
“Somerset, don’t get involved, just stay still…”
“Call him.”
He spoke firmly. Though his appearance was a mess, his eyes were sharp.
Delani said nothing more.
Whether she was listening to his poor son or simply ignoring him, no one knew.
***
“Why, why isn’t he coming? Why! I said I’ll beg, so why…!”
Could it be that his mother didn’t call him?
That woman! She planned to abandon him here until she could hand over the proof of Dedrick selling his title!
Somerset bit his nails until they bled. Suddenly, an empty can flew and hit his head directly.
Thud!
“Ugh!”
“Oh, sorry, sorry, I thought it was a trash can.”
“Hahaha!”
Despite the mocking laughter, Somerset said nothing and bit his lips hard. Limping, he stood up.
The doctor Delani had called said he needed constant treatment. But no one had come to see him since then.
It was obvious Dedrick had blocked any visits.
If not, then his mother had simply forgotten him again!
“Damn it!”
Trash and jeers kept flying at him. Somerset hurried to get away and ducked into an alley.
“Hey, lame leg! Do you think you can run away from us with that step?”
“Hahaha!”
Almost running, he escaped and curled up in the alley.
“Why won’t he come, why…!”
His gloomy mumbling echoed in the alley.
It had already been two weeks. Summer was approaching. The smell had worsened, and insects swarmed everywhere.
Somerset, who had never seen anything like this before, wondered if he should follow Milos’s sarcastic advice.
Biting his lips hard, he stood.
“To the square. I have to go to the square.”
The shame and humiliation were brief. Even if he had to live hidden away in the capital for life, he wouldn’t mind. He didn’t want to stay here for a moment longer.
“No one will recognize me like this.”
He told himself bitterly, covered in mud to hide his hair color and face, and went out to the square.
Some nobles nearby screamed.
“Eek!”
“Guards! How can you let such a lowly beggar wander the square!”
“Ugh, the smell…”
Some covered their noses openly and backed away cautiously, but Somerset sniffed deeply.
“Nice smell… delicious smell!”
He was about to shout, “I am Dedrick’s dog!” when someone blocked his way.
It was Dedrick and Milos.
“De-Dedrick!”
Somerset hurried to kneel, but Milos grabbed the back of his collar.
“Oh, Somerset, what happened to you?”
“What!?”
“Axel begged me to come see you…”
“Axel? Not mother…?”
“The Duchess said nothing.”
I knew it!
That woman only wants to use me!
Hatred flared in Somerset’s eyes. Dedrick looked at him for a moment and spoke.
“Do you have something to say?”
Somerset began begging desperately.
“I was wrong! I was wrong to accuse you! It’s all my fault!”
He struggled and broke free from Milos’s grip, kneeling before Dedrick.
“I must have gone mad! Please forgive me! I won’t do such things again! I’ll live quietly! I’ll give up my claim to the heir! Just don’t throw me out!”
Passing nobles whispered and laughed at him.
“Oh my, I never thought Somerset was a prince.”
“He was so arrogant, now he deserves this.”
“I’m glad to see him like this.”
“He claimed he was the heir, such nonsense.”
“In contrast, Lord Dedrick is so dignified.”
“Even though he didn’t have to, he came here personally.”
Dedrick looked down at him and asked.
“How can I trust your words? People’s hearts change when their backs are warmed and their stomachs are full.”
“If you want, I’ll even write a letter of pledge!”
Watching Dedrick’s cold eyes, Somerset grew anxious. If he let him go now, he didn’t know when they’d meet again.
Still unsure whether his mother’s plan would come to life…
“Ah, mother’s plan!”
Suddenly, Delani’s plan flashed through his mind. The woman who soothed him, used him, and would surely abandon him again.
Delani was no longer his mother.
Somerset raised a bitter smile.
“Oh, I have very important information! I’ll give it to you, so please…! I don’t want to live here anymore!”
Shaking, he waited anxiously for Dedrick’s answer. At last, Dedrick spoke.
“Let’s go to a nearby hotel.”
“…!”
Somerset’s face lit up with joy beyond words.
As he eagerly followed Dedrick, Milos whispered quietly.
“It was smart to recruit some beggars nearby. He’s already backing down after working so well.”
“It must be a first for him. A noble who’s never faced hardship dropping to the bottom — there’s no way he can stand it, especially hunger.”
Somerset was a noble, which is why he was treated so cruelly in the slums.
A great noble.
Used to being worshiped, this was hell for him.
Milos muttered.
“But I don’t trust that bastard.”
“You know, we are not taking him back to the capital because we trust him.”
Dedrick’s eyes grew cold.
“He’s just a bait for the final blow.”
Unaware of Dedrick’s real intention, Somerset followed him closely.
‘Finally, finally!’
He clenched his fist tightly.
‘I’m going back to the capital!’
His mother survived by selling others out, so he would do the same to survive.
***
Outside the window, servants were busy rearranging lights and decorations and getting ready for something.
“A welcome party for Somerset’s return?”
Even though there was undoubtedly a plan, Dedrick called Somerset into the capital because he didn’t want to end things so quickly.
According to him, there was a difference between ending revenge quickly and ending it effortlessly.
Killing him secretly wouldn’t feel satisfying either.
If he killed a disgraced and banished family member, at first people might praise him.
But over time, people would talk about Dedrick’s cruelty.
They would say, “How could he kill his own blood brother?”
‘That’s how public opinion works. If there’s any flaw, they’ll stir it up and rub salt in it.’
Dedrick had no sympathy for the wretched fate of Delani or Somerset.
“That’s why I brought Somerset back. I agree with that. It’d be better if they destroy themselves without me or Didi getting blood on our hands.”
