Don’t Be Holy! - Chapter 131

Meanwhile, Duke Andreas sensed something ominous in his son’s demeanor and clutched his head. No one knew Rubel’s willfulness better than he did.

Since childhood, Rubel had always been the type who had to do whatever he set his mind to. Until now, this determination had mostly manifested as positive willpower worthy of praise, but honestly, as a father, he had always worried that someday this trait might veer in the opposite direction and break the boy.

Duke Andreas had come to understand this aspect of Rubel’s character through three incidents from his childhood.

The first occurred when Rubel was three years old, just beginning to walk and establish his sense of self. Passing by, the Duke heard unusual whimpering that was never typically heard, so he stopped to check. His young son was clinging to his nanny’s leg, whining.

‘What’s the matter?’

To his question, the nanny replied that Magnus had visited Rubel, and he’d been like this ever since.

Andreas, concerned that Rubel always stayed in his nanny’s arms and didn’t play actively like other children his age, immediately summoned Magnus and instructed him to give Rubel whatever he had shown him. He was well aware that Magnus typically showed off toys only to run away.

Magnus, naturally, resisted fiercely. Andreas tried to persuade him, promising to buy him something better if he would just hand over whatever it was. But Magnus pulled away nervously and shrieked:

‘It’s not a toy!’

Then, from behind, a man whom Andreas had barely noticed, thinking he was just a servant, stepped forward. He expressed embarrassment, saying he seemed to be the cause of the commotion.

He explained that he had shown Rubel some magic tricks, and afterward, Rubel kept asking to see them again. When Magnus grew bored and suggested they go elsewhere, that’s when the trouble started.

‘Magic? You brought something so impure into our home?’

When Andreas expressed his displeasure, the man quickly knelt down. Magnus, unable to bear losing his precious toy, hastily defended the man:

‘It’s just sleight of hand! Uncle brought him from abroad, and since I liked him so much on my birthday, he let him stay with me for a while!’

Magnus insisted that he couldn’t give up someone he would only get to spend a few days with to his clueless younger brother. But to Andreas, this seemed like an easier solution. He figured a three-year-old wouldn’t cling to the man for long anyway.

Besides, Magnus was the eldest son, and Andreas felt he shouldn’t be exposed to such trivial eye-catching tricks so early. Andreas sternly scolded Magnus and sent him back to his duties, then told the remaining guest to stay by Rubel’s side and help alleviate his shyness.

But afterward, Rubel wouldn’t let the guest sleep, repeatedly begging to see the magic tricks until he learned the methods. According to the nanny, once he had mastered them all, he never showed interest in the matter again.

The second incident was when he was six and first held a sword. Initially, it was merely meant to build physical strength, but as soon as he grasped the sword, the child went without sleep for six days, clutching the weapon.

He was trying to replicate exactly what his master had shown him as a mere demonstration to spark his interest.

Of course, once he understood that he needed to start with the basics to achieve what he wanted, he stopped such reckless behavior.

And finally, the third was when he dismissed his nanny. She had essentially raised Rubel since early childhood, and he had followed her closely, but when she committed one mistake, he mercilessly dismissed her just like any other maid.

The mistake was nothing more than the minor transgressions typical of nannies who raised young nobles.

‘Mrs. Curtain has changed. Therefore, it is my moral duty to ensure she faces appropriate consequences.’

Duke Andreas, concerned about rumors spreading that the ducal family had dismissed a nanny in such a manner, called Rubel in again to try to persuade him, but Rubel simply stated this without wavering.

He undoubtedly couldn’t tolerate her using him as a shield to commit petty misdeeds.

Duke Andreas, who had never broken Rubel’s stubbornness in his life, simply said he understood and allowed things to proceed according to Rubel’s wishes.

He never dreamed this would be the outcome.

‘A witch…….’