How to Survive as a Knight’s Son – Chapter 11

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Teottry
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Anya couldn’t join me for breakfast again today. She said her jaw hurt from the strenuous oral labor she’d performed all night. It was my fault.

“Prepare some porridge and take it to Anya’s room later.”

The servant bowed and headed to the kitchen. I lost myself in thought as I ate. Last night, Anya had masturbated but hadn’t crossed the line. I doubted she would allow it either.

Her instinctive aversion was likely holding her back.

Should I seize the opportunity and take her? The problem was the aftermath. Anya would resent me, and with that leverage over me, I would be forced to dance to her tune.

Since I wasn’t planning to be satisfied with just Anya, that was an outcome worse than doing nothing.

I shook my head.

The best course of action was to stick to the original plan and make Anya initiate it. Judging by her current state, it would take some time, but eventually, she would break down and beg me.

After all, human desire is insatiable. I decided to enjoy the art of waiting.

“Master Allen. Lady Sophia has returned.”

The news of Sophia’s return reached me just as I finished my meal. I put down the bread I was holding.

“Already? It’s only been three days since she left. Her original schedule was for a week.”

“We’re not sure what happened…”

The servant who delivered the news bowed his head. I left him behind and headed to the entrance hall. Sophia was taking off her hooded cloak. The oiled cloak glistened, and the water droplets on it slid down like children on a slide, soaking the floor.

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Whoosh-

Rain poured relentlessly through the still-open main gate.

It was an autumn rain.

The true cold of winter would soon arrive.

“Where’s Neri?”

Sophia asked as she handed her cloak to a servant. The servant had noticed me by then. He cautiously opened his mouth, glancing at me.

“That is…”

“That girl. She must be having a grand time while I’m away. It’s just as well. Don’t tell her I’m back. I’ll go surprise her myself. Hehe.”

Sophia misinterpreted the servant’s hesitation. The servant’s face turned pale as a sheet. He was worried that he would be blamed for Neri’s death if he told her the truth.

“Mother. You’re back early.”

As I stepped forward, the servant froze, his gaze darting between Sophia and me. Then, as if realizing that this wasn’t the time, he quietly retreated with his head bowed.

“Haa…”

A sigh of relief echoed in his wake.

Sophia, however, frowned. It was probably because of the way I addressed her. A stepmother and stepson only five years apart? This relationship was awkward for both of us.

That’s why I used to avoid Sophia in the past. Now, it was different. Seeing Sophia’s face contort every time I called her “Mother” gave me a strange sense of satisfaction.

“Oh, Allen. What are you doing home?”

Sophia regained her composure and smiled at me.

“With the rain pouring down like this, where else would I be? But, your original schedule was for a week, wasn’t it?”

“Tsk. The party was unexpectedly cut short.”

“Wasn’t it the Baroness’s party?”

Nobles valued their reputation more than their lives. Shortening a party on the day itself was not only disrespectful to the guests but also damaging to the Baroness’s reputation.

“Of course it was. Honestly, everyone was grumbling so much that I felt embarrassed for her. It must have been difficult for the Baroness. Really, the Baron was being unreasonable.”

Despite her words, Sophia was smirking. It seemed she wasn’t on good terms with the Baroness.

“So, it was the Baron who shortened the party.”

“…Yes.”

Sophia’s reply was delayed. Her mouth, which had been chattering non-stop, was now firmly shut. She was clearly hiding something. I knew what it was. News of the war.

That was the only reason to shorten the party and risk damaging the Baroness’s reputation. It seemed the war was going poorly, just like in the game’s story. I glanced out the window.

Winter was coming.

The time to settle things with Sophia was drawing near.

She must have returned early to prevent me from preparing for my father’s return.

“It seems the war isn’t going well.”

Sophia flinched. She tried to feign indifference.

“It should be over soon. Winter is almost here.”

“Father will be returning soon as well.”

“Of course.”

Sophia seemed to genuinely believe that Father would return. It seemed he was still alive. If so, Sophia would wait for his return instead of making a hasty move.

That was good news for me.

“But, did something happen at the manor?”

Sophia tilted her head, turned away from me, and looked around. While we were talking, all the manor’s servants had gathered in the entrance hall.

All the servants kept a certain distance from Sophia, hesitant to approach. None of them wanted to be the one to bell the cat.

However, one servant saw this as an opportunity.

Hurrying over, the servant blocked my view of Sophia and whispered the truth to her.

“My Lady… the head maid is dead…”

Sophia frowned immediately.

“What nonsense are you talking about? Neri is dead? Don’t you dare joke with me!”

The servant hurriedly bowed his head.

“How could I possibly joke about such a thing! Every word I said is true. Ask the others.”

Sophia’s head whipped around. The servants avoided her gaze and quickly lowered their heads, confirming the servant’s words. Sophia stumbled.

“My Lady…!”

The servant quickly grabbed Sophia’s arm and supported her.

“Neri, is dead? Why?”

“That is…”

“Why can’t you speak? It’s only been three days. How could Neri, who was perfectly healthy, suddenly die?!”

The servant’s gaze shifted towards me. What an audacious girl. She was clearly trying to curry favor with Sophia by shifting the blame to me.

Sophia followed her gaze and looked at me, her expression changing from confusion to shock.

“Don’t tell me.”

I smiled gently.

“Yes. I killed her. Mother.”

“Wh-What?”

I remembered the face of the impudent servant. She flinched and hid behind Sophia. I wonder how long Sophia would be able to protect her. I chuckled and continued,

“It’s a trivial matter you shouldn’t concern yourself with.”

“How dare you say that? Neri was like family to me! We grew up together!! And you killed her? And you call it a trivial matter? Are you planning to continue your reckless behavior even within the manor now?”

“Why are you making such a fuss over the death of a mere serf?”

Sophia’s face turned crimson. She looked as if she might explode if poked with a needle. My act as a spoiled brat seemed convincing.

“Even the heir doesn’t have the right to take someone’s life! You’ve squandered Father’s assets! Neri was like a sister to me!”

“Serfs are replaceable. If you wish, I can find you a new one. Someone more intelligent and knows her place.”

I deliberately treated the deceased Neri like an object. Did Sophia truly think of Neri as a sister? If so, she would show a genuine reaction. Perhaps she would even reveal her true colors.

“That doesn’t excuse your actions! I will tell my husband everything when he returns!”

Unfortunately, Sophia took a step back. Her gleaming eyes resembled those of a gambler who had just drawn a winning hand. She was probably planning to use this incident to oust me from my position as heir.

The image of Neri’s dying eyes flashed through my mind. Until her last breath, she had believed that Sophia would avenge her. Yet, Sophia was only seeing Neri’s death as an opportunity.

What a fool.

Nobles never saw serfs as equals. “Like a sister” were just empty words. If she had truly felt that way, she would have attacked me without a second thought.

In any case, this was one of the reactions I had anticipated. I already had a countermeasure prepared.

“Hmm, then I should tell Father something as well.”

“…What?”

“Did you know that the head maid was abusing Anya? Honestly, a mere serf bullying the lord’s daughter? Where else in the world would such a thing happen?”

“That’s because I…”

I wasn’t strong enough to confront Sophia directly yet. I cut her off mid-sentence.

“The funniest part is that she claimed all her actions were on your orders. Honestly, how dare a servant try to shift the blame to her master?”

Sophia flinched. I took a step closer, placed my hand on her shoulder, and whispered,

“Imagine what would happen if Father were to hear about this. Do you think he, who adores Anya, would stay silent? Of course, it’s a preposterous accusation, but suspicion, once planted, only grows, no matter how much you try to ignore or suppress it. Considering that, you should be thanking me.”

Father was a typical knight who disliked using his head. He acted before he thought. If I told him that Anya had been mistreated, Sophia would be in serious trouble.

Even if it was a false accusation, as the mistress of the house, Sophia was responsible for managing the servants.

Baron Rasino wouldn’t interfere in family matters. Women were practically property, and it was common for men to discipline their wives with physical violence.

No, it wouldn’t even be considered a problem.

Sophia would know that. That’s why she didn’t resist even as I kneaded her shoulder. Her curvy figure was definitely my type.

“…I-I truly know nothing about this.”

She bit her lip, trying to suppress her anger, but there was nothing else she could say. I pressed my thumb into the hollow of her collarbone.

“Of course. You would never do such a thing.”

“…I’m tired, so I’ll be going up now.”

I shrugged and stepped aside. Sophia, trembling slightly, walked past me, her heels clicking against the floor.

I watched her retreating figure and wondered what her next move would be. Knowing her personality, she wouldn’t stay still.

That’s exactly what I wanted.

I had provoked her, so she was bound to react. That would allow me to clearly distinguish friend from foe.

“Wait. You and I have some unfinished business.”

I grabbed the informant who was trying to follow Sophia. The servant’s eyes darted nervously between me and Sophia.

“My Lady…!”

Sophia paused for a moment, then continued walking as if nothing had happened.

I blocked the servant’s view of Sophia with my body and smiled.

“Ahh…”

The servant’s face turned pale.

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Meanwhile, back in her room, Sophia…

Crash!

…was turning her room upside down. Expensive Eastern porcelain shattered against the floor.

“How dare he! How dare he insult me?!”

As if that wasn’t enough to vent her anger, she lashed out at the servants who had rushed in after hearing the commotion.

“What were you all doing while Neri was being killed?! She cared so much for you all!”

“We apologize…”

The servants felt unjustly accused. How could they possibly stop the legitimate acting lord, especially one known for his violent temper? Even Sophia had just backed down without a word.

‘At least the scoundrel has a reason…!’

Sophia, picking on them and taking out her anger on them for no reason, seemed less reasonable than the scoundrel. That was a thought they wouldn’t have had before.

Neither the servants nor Sophia realized it, but change was brewing beneath the surface.

“My Lady Sophia. Calm yourself.”

A man dressed in a chainmail shirt, a dark blue surcoat, and a belt and cloak entered the room. He was a handsome knight with a refined and elegant air.

“You may all leave.”

The servants, relieved, turned to leave. As they passed the knight, his hand brushed against their buttocks.

The startled servants turned around, and the knight smiled gently. The servants blushed.

Once the servants were gone, Sophia raised her voice.

“Roland! What were you doing while I was being insulted? Hmph! I know exactly what you were doing. Flirting with the servants and having your fun. You completely forgot your vow to protect me!”

“Sophia. I would never do such a thing.”

Despite her outburst, Roland smiled charmingly and embraced Sophia from behind. Sophia pretended to push him away, then leaned into his embrace.

“Liar.”

“My feelings for you are always true.”

Roland lifted her chin with his hand. Sophia blushed as she met the knight’s firm gaze and heard his sweet whispers.

“This might actually work in our favor. Although he’s the acting lord, he killed a servant and misused the family’s assets without authorization. What do you think Maxim will do when he hears about this?”

Sophia shook her head.

“Roland, it’s not that simple. Allen, who used to restrain himself within the manor, has suddenly crossed the line. I think he’s up to something.”

He had taken the fabric she had earmarked, claiming it was a gift for a whore, only to give it to Anya instead. When he saw how beautiful Anya looked in the new dress, Sophia had taken matters into her own hands for the first time.

And now, he had even killed her right-hand woman, Neri.

This was no coincidence.

“Up to something…?”

“That’s the problem. I don’t know what.”

Her woman’s intuition was ringing alarm bells. If she dismissed this as mere recklessness, she would regret it later.

Roland gently embraced Sophia.

“If you’re worried, I’ll try to find out what he’s thinking. I am his teacher, after all.”

“Hmph, his teacher in debauchery, you mean.”

“I only did that to turn him into a scoundrel.”

“Really, if you couldn’t even…”

A moment later, a warm breeze filled Sophia’s room.

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The next morning.

“Master Allen. Why don’t we go to Quaran together? I hear there’s a beautiful new girl at the brothel.”

After provoking Sophia, the freeloading swordsmanship instructor appeared. He was someone I considered to be the closest to me within the manor, besides my family. What was I to make of this?

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A new place means a new view, and of course a new lady 😉