Crownless Reincarnation: New World? Nah I'd win-Chapter 135: Duke Darvin

[Vyavan Dukedom.]

[Main Castle.]

The halls of Vyavan Castle were quiet, as always.

The air was thick with the scent of sorrow that everyone could feel.

The afternoon light spilled from the windows as a boy walked inside the hallway.

His long wheat-blonde hair tied neatly, his eyes on the steward who he was following.

Veres.

Akamir remembered him from the time when he used to stay in the place.

He was the one who looked over all the maids and butlers in the place.

"How is Duke Darvin doing?" Akamir asked, still behind him.

"...He is... weak, young master." Veres replied, his voice low. "It’s been five days since he has barely eaten anything."

Akamir frowned. "Was the poison messing with his appetite?"

Veres glanced back at him with his old face.

"The poison is only affecting his core, young master." He replied with a pained face. "Lord Darvin isn’t eating because of depression."

"...I see."

Akamir had an inkling that it might be the reason.

’I mean, he has been practically living for power.’

And now, his greatest asset, his mana, was snatched away....

’It is nothing but a death penalty for him.’

Veres led him through the corridor in silence, he was mourning his master’s demise even though Darvin was still alive.

’I don’t know for how long he can live though.’

They stopped before a pair of wooden doors at the far end of the hallway on the third floor.

"He’s inside," Veres said quietly. "He won’t speak to anyone so, please be mindful."

Akamir nodded and placed his hand on the handle.

The doors creaked open.

The room beyond was dim, the only light coming from the crackling fireplace.

The thick curtains had been drawn shut.

The scent of herbs and ash lingered faintly in the air.

Duke Darvin sat in a large armchair beside the fire.

He looked much older than the last time Akamir saw him.

His shoulders were hunched, his face pale, and his eyes dull.

A blanket covered his legs, and a cup of untouched soup sat on the small table beside him.

But what took Akamir’s attention was the lady beside him.

Verona Leon Vyavan.

She too looked a lot older than the last he saw her.

Her emerald eyes now dull and her wavy auburn hair now messed up.

When Akamir walked inside, her gaze snapped at him.

Anger immediately burned in them as she glared at him.

"YOU!?" She snapped, her voice echoing within the silence of the room. "Why are you here!?"

"To see him—."

"GET OUT!" She yelled, pointing at the door. "Get out right now!!"

Akamir tilted his head as he glanced at Duke Darvin.

The man looked at his old son with his dull eyes and then at his wife.

"Verona." He whispered, his voice weak. "I want to talk with him."

Verona gave him a shocked look. "Why would you—?"

"Please." He whispered softly. "One last time."

Verona looked at him with her tearful eyes before she nodded once.

She walked out of the room, not before glaring daggers at Akamir.

"Asher." Darvin said, staring at the fire. "Come sit."

Akamir nodded, he walked and took the seat beside him.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

"...I heard," Darvin said eventually, "about what Inara is doing."

Akamir didn’t respond.

Darvin turned his head slightly, eyes flickering over the young man. "You are behind it all, aren’t you?"

Akamir let out a faint breath. "What makes you say that?"

"I am not foolish." He replied, shaking his head. "That child is smart but she isn’t enough."

"I don’t know what you are saying." Akamir said, blinking in arrogance. "What is that—"

"I was proud of you, you know." Darvin said, voice hoarse. "But I was afraid of you too."

He looked at the soup on the table and then turned back to the fire.

Akamir quietly looked at the man for a while.

"Shouldn’t you be happy now?" Akamir asked, "Your wish to rule the kingdom is coming true, even though it’s me who is doing it."

".... Happy." He repeated softly. "I would have been if you were really my son."

Akamir blinked twice. "What?"

"You aren’t Asher, that I knew for sixteen years" He replied, voice barely audible. "I feared who you are since the day I adopted you... now I fear you more."

Akamir didn’t speak right away.

His gaze lowered, not in shame but in thought.

"...So you knew," Darvin finally said. "That you aren’t my son."

"Well, I did have some thoughts." Akamir mumbled, leaning back. "So, who am I?"

The older man gave a small nod, eyes distant.

"I didn’t know." He replied, "I found you floating in the river with a necklace."

"Necklace?"

"Zia will give it to you, if you ask her." He replied softly. "She kept it with her all this time."

"What was in the necklace?" Akamir pressed further. "Anything?"

"You should see it for yourself." He replied, his eyes distant. "...It would be easy for you to understand."

He coughed weakly, pressing a hand to his chest.

Akamir leaned back in the chair, "Why adopt me then?"

"You had a phoenix guarding you when I saw you the first time." He said, smiling weakly. "I thought you were special."

"You adopted me for the phoenix?"

"No, because I thought I could control you." Darvin laughed bitterly. "I was a fool."

Akamir didn’t say anything as he kept on staring at the Duke.

Darvin shifted slightly in his seat, the blanket slipping down his lap a little. He didn’t bother fixing it. His hands trembled, too weak to do much now.

"I raised you like a sword," he said after a pause. "But swords don’t follow orders forever."

Akamir looked at the fire. "You didn’t raise me. You used me."

Darvin gave a tired nod. "That too."

The silence stretched again.

"...Are you going to kill me?" the old Duke asked, voice dry and calm.

"And get executed for it?" Akamir asked. "No thanks."

"No, you won’t be executed." He replied, shaking his head. "You are the new Duke, who can execute you?"

Akamir looked at him. "What?"

"I have already made my will." He replied, his voice low. "I am passing everything to you now."

Akamir didn’t reply as the old Duke slowly stood up from his seat.

"In return, all I want is one thing." He replied, walking towards the window. "Keep on using the Vyavan family name."

Akamir didn’t speak right away.

He watched as Darvin moved to the window, his steps slow and shaky.

"Why?" Akamir finally asked. "Why should I do it?"

Darvin rested a hand against the window frame. "Because this family... it’s all I’ve built. And even if I’m not proud of what I did... you’re the only one left who can carry it forward."

Akamir stood from the chair, brushing down the front of his coat. "You think I’ll honor the name?"

"I think you already have," Darvin said softly. "In your own way."

Akamir walked over, stopping just a step beside the door. "Anything else?"

Duke Darvin opened the window as he let the air come inside.

"No." He replied, shaking his head. "And please don’t kill Verona."

"...I see." Akamir mumbled, opening the door. "Then I will see you in hell."

Darvin chuckled. "If there is one, sure."

Akamir walked out of the room as he drew in a deep breath.

Verona still stood by the corner waiting for him.

Just when he walked out she glared at him. "Get out of my way."

She pushed him aside and walked in.

But...

It was already too late.

With a heavy sound of someone falling, the estate quieted down.

Verona fell on her knees as she glimpsed her husband jump down the window.

Duke Darvin of the Vyavan Dukedom....

....Killed himself.

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