'T-this brat!'
Stefan's eyes widen as his heart nearly jumps in shock.
'What is he giving all this attitude for? We already know your situation!'
The Minor Families have many spies in the Main Estate, and so they are kept abreast of the matters within it. Even though Javier tried to keep this matter hidden, how could he possibly hide it from their information network?
Even walls have ears, and anything said in private could always be picked up by any of the many staff working in the Estate.
It was inevitable that they would find out the truth.
'So what is with this bravado?! We are your only hope, and you know it! So take the bait and stop wasting everyone's ti—!' Right as he is about to finish his thoughts, Stefan's body freezes as he takes one good look at Javier's face.
His calm, utterly malevolent, and expressionless face.
The old schemer feels a sudden chill. His gut immediately sends him a distress call.
Something isn't right.
Even though this is the perfect plot to tie Javier to the Minor Families, using a contract that seems fair and considerate on the surface, but possesses many layers that will secure the former's victory in the end, he senses something is off.
What has he missed?
Is there an oversight he failed to consider?
Stefan is enraptured by these thoughts that he barely notices when Javier rises to his feet.
Then—
"You fools…" His words are cold as ice, yet calm like a lake. "Do you still not realize it yet? That I expected all of this, and you all have fallen for my trap?"
"H-huh?!"
In that moment, a small commotion erupts among the crowd.
One by one, the Minor Families rise and start making irreverent remarks towards him, taking offense at his words.
Comments like "You ungrateful boy! Even though we were only trying to help," and "We should just leave you to your fate!" fly around, creating a tense atmosphere. Everyone seems to have one or two words to say.
Everyone except Stefan Aditi, who remains the only one quiet.
His face is pale.
His aged body trembles as his eyes twitch.
"Y-you…?"
"Oh? Looks like one of you finally realized it." Javier Aditi chuckles loudly as he gives everyone before him a detached, malicious glare.
"Your schemes end now."
**************
What a crowd this is!
They are far more than I expected, but the more the merrier.
Honestly, could their intentions be any more obvious? They smelled blood, and their first instinct was to take a bite, not even checking if what they were biting into was prey or bait.
In this case, it turns out to be the latter.
Indeed! I baited the Minor Families with my current situation.
I already knew of their spies, due to my past life's knowledge and experience dealing with the Minor Families. In fact, I have been using Leon to gather evidence against them for quite some time now. As I currently speak to these people, the Main Family is rounding up all the spies in the Estate, and we should be done before dusk.
In essence, their entire information network falls apart today.
But this is only the icing on the cake.
My real intention is to deal a heavy blow to the Minor Families, and to do that… I plan to use these people as scapegoats. I will ensure they receive the harshest punishment for their scheme, making them an example to the other Minor Family members so none of them dare make a move against my Main Family.
If I leave them be, they'll only make matters more difficult for me in the future.
So I should nip things in the bud now.
That's why I decided to use this letter from the Academy as a catalyst for my scheme. I was initially worried about how well it would go, but things have turned out better than I expected.
"You all thought you knew everything, but were too ignorant of the truth. Was it greed that blinded you? None of you suspected at all that I intentionally leaked out all the information you received…" I shake my head and grin at them, amused.
I already had an idea of the identity of the spies in the Estate, but it was always a possibility that I wouldn't know all of them. As such, I deeply investigated the matter with Leon, secretly uncovering many clues.
After just a little digging, there were some whose identities became practically confirmed, while others were suspects.
For the sake of absolute certainty, I decided to feed each of them varying information and waited to see which one the Minor Families would use against me. Now that I have listened to them in detail, I know which ones among our retainers, warriors, stewards, and servants are spies.
They were a little more than I expected.
The Minor Families sure are impressive, or perhaps my Main Family is simply too complacent.
Either way, I have gotten the job done and weeded out all the vermin.
'If there's anything I regret, it's the fact that Jerome Aditi didn't take the bait. He's the most dangerous person among the Minor Families, but he didn't participate in this scheme…' I sigh to myself, but quickly realize there was nothing I could have done.
Since my father already granted Dustin permission to enter the Knight Academy, it's clear that Jerome's family has an advantage. Despite not being a Knight himself, he will have two children who are Knights—though this is only if Dustin passes the Academy. Still, with such potential before him, it's very evident why he has chosen to stay away from further schemes.
Lying low and patiently trying to amass sufficient power is the best move he can make.
'If Dustin becomes a Knight, his family will shoot up the ranks and become the most likely to succeed the Main Family—especially since our Main Family's situation isn't looking too good.
The other Minor Families must have also recognized this and felt threatened.
After all, there is no unity in their camp.
All of them are simply after benefits.
They probably didn't involve Jerome Aditi in their scheme since they didn't want to give him any further advantages. It's not like he would have joined even if they wanted him anyway, since he is currently way ahead of them in the race for power.
'Their anxiety ended up blinding them, hence why they chose to make such a scheme to have an upper hand against me. It backfired in the end, but it's a little saddening that I couldn't implicate Jerome's family alongside them.' I sigh, shrugging casually. 'I suppose we can't always have everything we want.'
Regardless, this action of mine is sure to serve as a warning to Jerome's family, so they won't be making any funny moves.
At least, not anytime soon.
Naturally, I explain all of this to the Minor Families, and the look on their faces makes me nearly burst out laughing. Moments like these are cathartic to me and almost make me feel young again.
I recognize how childish it is, but something about their stupefied looks is funny to me.
Of course, they all try to defend themselves and plead innocence.
But only one person recognizes that situation.
Uncle Stefan sighs and smiles bitterly.
"The jig is up, huh? We lost. In the end… I failed…"
There is a hint of tragedy in his voice, but I am not the slightest bit interested in exploring it. We all have our own stories to tell, and every person is a main character in their own tales.
Even these people whom I look at as vile enemies feel justified in their actions.
Such is life.
After they are all captured by the Main Family, and all their spies are rounded up, I leave their presence and enjoy the scenery in the garden, away from it all.
My father approaches me while I silently enjoy the serene view and pats me on the shoulder.
"You did well this time, Javier. We have had our differences many times this year, but your actions against the Minor Family have really helped us out. You made all the right choices, and for that… I am proud." A bright smile forms on his usually stone-cold face.
It is frankly weird to see.
"Just doing my duty as Heir. I told you… I will help the Aditi Household in my own way."
My father hears this and nearly rolls his eyes.
But he doesn't let it ruin the moment.
"Listen… I had my doubts before, but I am more confident than ever now that you are well-suited to be the Head of the Aditi Household." My father continues, a sigh leaving his lips. "Our family cannot afford to send you to the Royal Academy, and I am glad you did not attempt to borrow money from outsiders, so you must already be aware that that window has closed for you…"
'Huh? What is he talking about?' I wonder to myself.
"Why don't you just attend the Knight Academy? They have some academic courses there that you can explore. In fact, I can promise you that your mother and I will support your scholarly interests as long as you become a Knight."
After processing all my father's words and understanding his intentions, I laugh.
My laugh is loud and full of energy.
With a puzzled look, my father stares at me in silence. In the past, he might have thought such a thing was rude of me, but he understands me better now.
Rather than speak, he quietly lets me finish laughing so I can explain myself.
I start by asking him a question.
"Do you know why the Minor Families lost against me today? It's because they underestimated me too much. They relied on everything I revealed and thought they had me all figured out. They were wrong."
"What… are you trying to say?"
My smile broadens as I pat my father's shoulder this time. "You, too, underestimate me too much, father. You were fooled by me. I never had any financial constraints, so my plan to attend the Royal Academy remains unhindered."
"…."
Now, it is my father's turn to express stupefaction.
It remains an amusing sight to see.
I wonder if I should tell him the other thing I've been hiding from him, and everyone else…
… The fact that I actually got a Scholarship.