Hello.
It's me, your friendly butler, Zeppeli.
If I had to put into words what happened since Young Master Fray was found in a puddle of his own blood 3 years ago, the only word I could come up with would be:
Chaos.
Initially, I simply compared him to the Duke himself, but soon dismissed it as something not worth my concern.
As long as House Garoff had a suitable leader for the future, everything else seemed unimportant.
I anticipated a fierce war of succession, considering Young Master Fray's capability to lead and the widespread support for his younger brother, Young Master Julius.
However, my expectations were shattered when, just over a year after his transformation, Young Master Fray appeared before the Royal Court and accused his brother of treason.
The news spread rapidly throughout the Royal Capital, sparking a massive dispute within the family overnight.
Such an accusation carried grave consequences, potentially leading to immediate execution if proven true.
Since few had witnessed Young Master Fray's transformation and his relationship with the Princess remained discreet within the Academy's confines, the majority of people rallied behind Young Master Julius.
Julius was renowned for his angelic demeanor and intellect, with a genuine commitment to improving our dukedom.
With the overwhelming support he garnered, many seized the opportunity to admonish Young Master Fray, either publicly or through subtle means, unearthing various incidents to "teach him a lesson."
The revelation that the Dukedom had essentially been manipulating his grades until a year ago didn't stay hidden, dealing yet another blow to our reputation and turning us into the Kingdom's laughingstock.
The situation escalated rapidly, lasting less than a day before more accusations from Young Master Fray surfaced.
Surprisingly, every supporter of Young Master Julius found themselves implicated in illicit activities.
"...Lies!"
"He fabricated everything! I tell you, I'm innocent...!!!"
Each of Young Master Julius' supporters, formerly regarded as pillars of society, were now exposed for various crimes such as embezzlement and oppression of the lower class.
It seemed as though a veil had been lifted, revealing their true nature to the public eye.
Consequently, the unwavering support Young Master Julius once enjoyed swiftly ended, and he was thrown into prison with his supporters.
Moreover, doubts arose concerning their accusations, especially considering Young Master Fray's reputation as one of the strongest students in the Academy, backed up by all the teaching staff and the Headmaster himself.
It was as if traces of what we did in the past were never there in the first place.
Impressive.
The Duke was extremely enraged from his son's actions. He had summoned his son back to the estate, his face contorted in fury as he paced back and forth in his study.
I stood quietly in the corner, watching as the scene unfolded before me.
"How dare you make such baseless accusations against your own brother! He was thrown into prison because of you!" the Duke roared, slamming his fist down on the table with such force that it splintered beneath his hand. "Retract them at once, or I swear I will revoke everything you have been given and disown you!"
But Young Master Fray simply laughed, a cold and merciless sound that sent shivers down my spine. Before any of us could react, he had moved with lightning speed, his hand clamped around the Duke's throat.
I wanted to speak, yet fear gripped me so tightly that I couldn't utter a word.
It dawned on me then.
Any movement I dared to make at that moment would surely result in my death.
As I watched in horror, the young master's grip around the Duke's throat tightened, making it impossible for him to breathe. The Duke's face turned purple as he struggled to break free, his eyes bulging out of their sockets.
The Young Master's eyes were cold and merciless as he spoke in a low, deadly voice.
"You are free to try, Father," Young Master Fray said, his grip tightening around the Duke's throat. "But know that if you do, you will be the next one to face execution. The only reason you were spared, is because I still need someone to act as the Duke while I am in the Academy. If you dare to disobey me from now on, I will come and directly kill you without any hesitation."
The Duke struggled in his grip, trying to pry his son's hand away from his throat, but it was like trying to move a mountain. Young Master Fray's eyes were cold and calculating as he crushed the Duke's arm with his free hand, the sound of bone snapping filling the room.
The Duke's screams were muffled by the hand around his throat, but his agony was clear in his eyes.
But Young Master Fray was not finished, since there was still some will left to resist. He moved on to the Duke's other arm, then his leg, each snap echoing through the room like a gunshot. The Duke's struggles grew weaker with each passing moment, his screams turning into whimpers.
After a while...
"Please...I-I beg of you...I'll follow every o-order..." the Duke choked out, tears streaming down his face.
His appearance now was a stark difference compared to the aloof and cold man I had followed for all these years.
Honestly, it felt a bit... disheartening.
Seeing his will was completely crushed, the Young master finally released his hold on the Duke, who collapsed onto the floor, gasping for breath. I couldn't help but feel a shiver run down my spine as I bowed my head in fear.
"I-I greet the new Duke of the Garoff Family, Fray Von Garoff-sama."
He hasn't been officially declared as the successor yet, but given the recent events, it's only a matter of time, perhaps just a few years. Today's events will undoubtedly spread, leaving no one willing to oppose him.
Despite my trembling, it doesn't imply any doubts about Young Master's capability to lead our Dukedom. In fact, his unyielding character, though intimidating, is precisely what we need.
His ruthless demeanor ensures that no one would be stupid enough to challenge us, knowing full well his formidable strength and unwavering resolve.
The new Duke of the Garoff family will lead us to an age of unprecedented greatness.
For some reason, I was sure of it.
"Raise your head, Zeppeli," he said gently, giving my shoulder a reassuring pat. I complied, meeting his gaze.
"Your loyalty lies with the Garoff family as a whole, and I respect that. But it's not enough to just feel it in your heart. You must embody it in your actions. If you suspect any member of the family of engaging in questionable activities, it's your duty to investigate, uncover their misdeeds, and report back to me. As the one with the authority to mete out punishment, I rely on you to uphold the integrity of our family. That's what true loyalty entails."
The Young Master's understanding of my perspective was uncanny, reaffirming my trust in him. I knew my instincts were right to place my faith in him.
"I trust you'll also keep a close eye on this piece of trash lying on the floor. I doubt he'll try anything, but it's better to be safe than sorry."
"...Of course, Garoff-sama."
A new era is on the horizon for our household.
I can hardly wait for the remaining years he has left at the Academy.
---
Author's Note:
I guess that's it for now. This is what happened in the Duke household and how eventually Akira overwhelmingly won the Faction dispute.
If there's any reader here who did not join the discord, please do.
Link in bio :)