I Decided To Abandon My Family In My Seventh Life (Dropped) - Chapter 05: The First Step Towards Revenge

Chapter 05: The First Step Towards Revenge

“Now… Just one more week to go, huh…”

It was late at night after the meeting with Duke Woodstock, and I found myself mumbling as I sat in a chair. 

It had been decided officially that I would meet the granddaughter of Duke Woodstock in one week’s time.

However… I know nothing more about the duke’s granddaughter than the rumors suggest. 

Throughout my six past lives, I have no knowledge of her appearance, let alone her name.

Perhaps my father might know, but we aren’t on terms where I could ask him… Or rather, if our relationship were like that, I wouldn’t even consider seeking revenge in the first place.

“I wonder… What kind of person is she…”

To be frank, I intend to use the duke’s granddaughter for the sake of my revenge. Therefore, no matter what kind of woman she may be, I won’t be concerned about it at all.

Even if, as the rumors say, she might be a monster disguised in human skin.

“…That’s right. After those six lifetimes, I swore to abandon my family, the marquisate, and seek revenge. Whether I use the duke’s granddaughter for that purpose or whatever becomes of her as a result, it’s none of my concern.”

I repeated this to myself and shook my head, as if trying to rid myself of the guilt and doubt within.

“…Perhaps I should step out into the night breeze for a bit.”

Leaving the room, I headed for the garden. 

While it was nothing more than a small garden compared to the main residence where my father, stepmother, and siblings lived, it was still the only place that had ever provided solace in my seventy-eight years of life, combining all my experiences thus far.

“Heh… If I formally become part of the Woodstock Ducal Family, I’ll have to bid this garden farewell forever.”

Gazing at the flowers blooming in the garden, I became lost in thought.

At that moment…

Rustle.

An unnatural sound of rustling leaves and grass caught my attention.

“…Is someone there?”

Turning my gaze in the direction of the sound, I tensed up.

“…” 

“…It’s you.”

The one who appeared was the Knight Captain. 

Judging by his expression, it seemed he still wasn’t entirely convinced.

And then…

Clang.

“…Pick your sword.”

Casually tossing a sword onto the ground, the Knight Captain uttered those words.

He seemed to have some sort of intention, but he still held that disrespectful attitude, not acknowledging me as his superior.

Well, I hadn’t expected anything more from him anyway.

“Just to be clear, are you prepared to risk losing your family and the entire knight order because of a match with me, Mr. Knight Captain?”

“Hmph… Prepared, you say?”

As I picked up the sword, he snorted.

“As a reason, how about this…? A sneaky thief broke in and happened to attack, or perhaps Hugo-sama, in his arrogance, decided to take on the Knight Captain, and things escalated in an unexpected manner?”

I see… so the excuses for the marquis are already prepared, huh? Including, of course, the necessary props like the dead body of the dealt-with thief.

“Heh…”

“What’s the matter? Feeling overwhelmed at the thought of facing an opponent you can’t defeat?”

Without even drawing his sword, the Knight Captain looked at me with a mocking smile.

Truly, a fool.

“!?”

I swiftly hurled the paper knife I had concealed in my pocket toward the Knight Captain, aiming for his neck. 

Startled, he dodged it, causing him to stumble momentarily.

Seizing the opportunity…

Slash.

“!? Guoaahh!?”

I struck down his lower left leg, and as he stumbled to the ground, I pressed down on his massive frame, securing him beneath me. 

I positioned the tip of my sword against his chest.

Squelch.

“!? Guhaaahhhh!?”

Without hesitation, I shifted my weight onto the sword, thrusting it directly into his heart. 

The Knight Captain twitched and convulsed for a moment, then went completely still.

“…As for disposing of the captain’s body… well, I suppose leaving it here would be fine.”

There would likely be quite a commotion in the morning, but no one would believe that the captain of the knight order had been defeated by me. 

Even if my involvement were discovered, Ellen and Molly were aware of our daytime interactions. 

Moreover, considering the matter with Duke Woodstock, my father wouldn’t do anything to cause a disturbance.

He would probably arrange the body to appear as if it were attacked by thieves or something suitable.

Truly, because of the esteemed Duke Woodstock.

“Phew…”

Having exerted myself, drowsiness finally overcame me. 

Yawning, I returned to the room and slept soundly until morning.

◇

“Good morning, Hugo-sama!”

The day had finally come for me to meet Duke Woodstock’s granddaughter. 

Ellen had come to wake me up, even before dawn had broken.

“…Ellen, it’s still dark outside.”

“What are you saying!? Today, you’ll be meeting your future lady for the first time! You must prepare meticulously!”

According to Ellen, it seemed to be something along those lines.

“I’ve arranged everything for your bath, so please start by taking a bath!”

“Y-Yeah, okay…”

I was practically dragged by Ellen to the bathroom and immersed myself in the bath. 

However, putting rose petals in the water might be a bit excessive, after all.

“Hugo-sama, should I add more hot water?”

“No, it’s fine…”

I responded curtly to Ellen’s inquiry. 

More than anything, I just wanted her to leave so I wouldn’t feel embarrassed here.

“By the way, I never thought that someone like the Knight Captain would lag behind against thieves. If, by any chance, Hugo-sama had been in that garden, I shudder to think…”

Saying so, Ellen made an exaggeratedly frightened expression.

Heh… She’s putting on this act even though she knows everything.

Regarding the incident with the aforementioned captain of the knight order, it was ultimately resolved by attributing it to the work of thieves who had invaded the marquis’s residence. Probably due to the circumstances—or rather, certain knights who had sided with the captain—allied against me with a glare that seemed ready to attack at any moment.

However, even though outwardly it was peaceful since then, it seemed my father, who took the situation quite seriously behind the scenes, had reprimanded the knights to a considerable extent.

As for how I knew about this, it’s because Ellen happily told me, 

“You don’t need to worry about such things anymore. Everything is under control.” 

In other words, that seemed to be the case.

“Well then, next is…”

“…I can handle drying and changing myself, so could you please leave, Ellen?”

“Is that so? You don’t really have to feel embarrassed… Alright, pardon me.”

Though she seemed like she had something more to say, Ellen succumbed to my silent pressure and quickly left the room. 

Well, she probably judged that causing any strange commotion on the actual day wouldn’t be a good idea.

I swiftly dried my wet body and put on underwear, a shirt, and pants before leaving the room.

“Now, please come this way.”

Seated in front of the mirror, I was dressed and redressed one after the other like a doll my little sister owns. But… heh, even though I usually wear shabby clothes, today’s attire is from a well-known designer in the capital.

There’s no point in dressing up like this at this stage.

And after the costume fitting that lasted nearly three hours concluded…

“…I left something in my room, so I’ll go get it.”

“? Forgot something, you say…?”

Ellen tilted her head in curiosity. 

It seemed my mention of leaving something behind piqued her interest. Leaving Ellen lost in thought, I returned to the room and opened the drawer of my desk.

“…”

There lay the only keepsake from my late mother—a hairpin adorned with peculiar designs. Heh… even though I had resolved not to need a family…

With a wry smile, I picked up the hairpin, discreetly placed it in my pocket, and returned to Ellen.

“Now, let us proceed to the mansion.”

Guided by Ellen, I made my way to the main residence. 

Along the way, Molly wore a noticeably refreshed expression.

Well, if the rumors are to be believed, entering the Woodstock Ducal Family is akin to facing death. 

Of course, I had settled such resolve at the start of this seventh life.

Today… marks a momentous occasion, the first step I took towards revenge.