“finally shut that brat up?”


    “


    What?”


    Now even my own son accuses me of some crimes? Come here, you ungrateful brat!”


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Shut up!” His voice echoed through the entire room. He almost expected someone to hear, but he couldn''t bring himself to stay quieter. His life''s work and all of his influence were threatened here. How could he stand still? “Both the emperor and the prince want us dead now. Do you know what that means?” Claude closed the distance between him and his son and grabbed Luciano''s shoulders to shake him. “Neither of their factions can win, or they will ruin us. You heard what that bastard emperor said to us, right? He announced that he would crush our entire family in front of witnesses.”


    You are insane!” The sudden impact made Claude stumble away, which Luciano immediately used as a chance to back away. His eyes were wide now, filled with fear and something a bit more hateful. His face was scrunched up as well as he held his chest and seemingly didn''t take what he had heard well at all.


    and you are calling me insane?” He took a step forward.


    “what?” Claude shook his son again. “Do all we can to protect us? You don''t want to try that? Do you care that little? You are the heir of this family! How can you just hide and hope that it will turn out fine? If you want power, you have to dirty your hands too! If you aren''t even willing to do that much, you can leave this house right now!” He got even louder at the end and then pointed at the entrance door to prove his point.


    Nothing. After years of taking care of them, they paid him back like this?