TN: Weee finally had time to translate. Part 2 should be coming in a few hrs or if I sleep off, tmrw. Currently working on it.
For generations, Philip had been the Taran Familyâs doctor and was absent from Roam since Hugo had left the estate for a long time. n.o.body knew exactly where he went.
Heâd said he would be travelling around for a bit and left but there had been no news for years. Philip had no friends or family so his absence didnât have much effect and no one was really curious about it. The Duke was very healthy and had never even been ill before. Also, for formality sake, as a n.o.ble, one did not receive regular check-ups from doctors.
Since Hugo became the Duke, the doctor hadnât had anything to do. Apart from greeting Philip a few times, Jerome had not really had a conversation with him. He had heard Philip was the also primary doctor of the deceased Duke even so that doctor⌠he was definitely a family doctor but he was a bit unique in that he was also a Baron.
Jerome believed the man had a lot of guts because heâd served dukes for generation but apart from that, he didnât feel the need to pay attention the doctorâs matters. However, the moment the name Philip left his mouth, his masterâs face which had been somewhat relaxed, froze. Seeing his masterâs red eyes gleam, Jerome felt suspicious. Wasnât Philip simply a family doctor?
For a short moment, he searched his memories thoroughly but there was no clue regarding Philip and his masterâs relations.h.i.+p. He then came to the realization that his master and Philip had actually treated each other like they
were air and this would be the first time Philip had personally come to meet the Duke. On paper, he was the primary doctor but the duke being the duke, he had never needed to receive any treatment.
âLet him in. Do not let anyone onto the second floor until I say so.â
His voice was cold and murderous intent lingered in the air. Feeling his masterâs anger, Jerome nervously followed the Dukeâs orders without question.
âYes, Your Grace.â
Jerome left and after a while, an old man with half whitish and grey hair walked in. The man walked quietly to the front of the desk where Hugo was sitting then bent his waist to make polite bow.
For a second, Hugo didnât say anything, just stared piercingly at the old man then he spoke in an even and unfeeling voice.
âItâs been a while, old man.â
Philip was not displeased with the t.i.tle that showed no respect and gave a faint smile.
âYes, long time no see. After all this time, youâve become a grown man.â
Despite being only a doctor, the man was confident and showed no servility to the n.o.ble personage in front of him. His voice was calm but inside deep emotion surfaced as he faced Hugo.
His gaze was like that of a grandfather watching his grandchild that has done well. However, Hugoâs eyes stayed frozen.
âI heard you went on a trip.â [Hugo]
âI have returned.â
âToo bad, you must have had a good time wandering around. Since youâve said your greetings, get lost. In the future, donât do such things like greeting me. Iâm saying you shouldnât show your face in front of me again.â
As though he were reading off a book, Hugoâs voice was arid but the contents were harsh. Philipâs complexion remained unchanged as
as he heard the ferocity in Hugoâs words. Rather, he seems a little relieved.
âYou are still the same as before.â [Philip]
âMy natureâs never change.â
âYoung masterâs nature is outstanding. You didnât reap this old manâs life after all.â
Hugo laughed sardonically.
âDonât misunderstand. The reason I let you live is because I owe you the debt of a life. That stupid kid had said heâs protect his lifeâs savior.â
For a moment, yearning surfaced on Philipâs face but it disappeared the next second.
ââŚYoung master Hugo was a good-natured person. Thatâs why he wasnât fit to be the master of Taran.â [Philip]
âYoung master Hugoâ
Just for a short moment when those words left Philipâs mouth, Hugoâs gaze softened.
âThatâs true. Because of that devilish child, Iâm taking care of this dirty seat.â
âYoung master HughâŚâ
âIf you call me by that name one more time, Iâll rip out your mouth.â
Hugoâs countenance changed viciously and he roared at Philip. Like that of a wild beast before it pounces on its food, he wanted to standup immediately and bite off Philipâs neck but was barely holding himself back.
Facing Hugoâs fiery anger, Philip merely had a sad expression.
âThat person sacrificed himself for the young masterâs sake.â
âI never asked for that.â
Hugo gloomily ground his teeth.
The Hugh who was more beast and animal-like met Hugo when he was on a vacation. The moment when Hugh went on a vacation, the devil became a human. That the owner of Taran would become Hugo was most suitable. Only he could cleanse Taran that was smeared with dirt and filth.
Hugh was always surrounded by enemies and had done many evil deeds to keep his life but he actually did not know why he had to live or the meaning of living. However, Hugh finally found a reason to
reason to live and that there was something more precious than his own life. That only brother would have to live and climb unto seat, the one called the devil should not be Hugh. (1).
âYoung master Hugo wished more than anyone else for the young master to be on that seat. Anyways, you two are of the blood of Taran. Naturally, young master has the right to be master of Taran.â
âThat devil died that night in the west tower. IâmâŚthe one right here now is Hugo.â
âYes, it is the young master. When will you accept the fact that you are now the master?â
âI wonât be here forever. I will hand it over to that child when heâs old enough.â
Philip gave a small sigh.
âYoung master Damian is still young.â
âThatâs why Iâm waiting, isnât it? Iâm waiting and bearing this sickening and tiring place.â
Hugo responded while gritting his teeth.
âYoung master Hugoâs seat is one full of weariness. So itâs a n.o.bler seat.â
Hugo stared at Philip for a moment then spoke coolly.
âWell, Iâve always known that old man is good at keeping his head. That day, if you had blabbered on just like todayâs, I would have pulled out your neck and thrown it away. At that time, like a dumb person, you kept your mouth shut and knelt down. Did you know that I killed everyone who knows of what happened that day except from you, old man?â
For the first time since entering the room, Philipâs expression stiffened.
â⌠You left no traces.â
âYes. I was disgusted and couldnât stand their sight. So, old man will be the last. Hurry up with your filth. Once old man disappears, it will no longer reek.â
âThe deceased Duke made the inevitable choice for the familyâŚâ
âChoice?â
Hugo slammed the deskslammed the desk violently with both hands and bolted upright. He moved forward and his red pupils were like a blazing fire as he looked at PhilipâŚno, someone he could see beyond Philip, with rising anger. His rage was like a furnace that would overflow at any moment.
âThat old fool sold his one of his son to mercenaries as a slave to be worked then instead of embracing the son he chose, he tried again to switch them.â
He chose Hugo, threw away Hugh. However, as years pa.s.sed, the duke changed his mind and this time abandoned Hugo and chose Hugh. For the reason that Hugoâs personality was too mild. For the first time, Hugh clung to someone and pleaded. Not for his own sake but for anotherâs.
[If I obediently become your successor, donât touch him] (2).
He did everything that was asked of him. He studied earnestly and exteriorly a.s.sumed Hugoâs appearance. The coa.r.s.e way of speaking was thrown away and he changed into a n.o.ble and self-restrained personage. He was like a reared beast and fell nicely at the feet of the duke. However, he did not know.
That for the same reason, for his brother, Hugo had gladly thrown away everything heâd learned until yesterday from the venerable Confucius. It was Hugo who first noticed that the Duke had tied strings to both of them and held sway over them in his hands and that was the beginning of the tragedy.
Hugo realized that as long as he existed and the duke who would use him to the end existed, they could never be free.
Translatorâs Corner:
1. Thereâs a bit of confusion and disconnect for me while translating this paragraph and the previous one. Hope it came across well.