Chapter 2 - I become the Useless Trash Son (2)

Algard was a little bit stunned on the news on what he had just heard from his father but he calmly calmed himself down as he thought that he doesn't want his big brother, Dmitri, to become more worried or suspect that something is wrong with him and make everyone suspect that something is wrong with him too.

He looked at his older brother to first reasured to his older brother again and everyone that he is okay with a gentle smile that made everyone looked at him with full of disbelief that made Algard confuse on why everyone is looking at him with such look. Algard was still confuse when he suddenly remembered that he forgot that Algard didn't smile like that with other people even with his own family so Algard looked the other way to avoid everyone gaze at him. Everyone notice Algard reaction and they just continue eating as they didn't want to make this more awkward for all of them.

Algard just ignored all of them and just looked around at of all the dishes infront of him. Algard just thought that it is all looked too delicious for him, so without holding back Algard moved his fork towards the salad full of fruits with vegatables that he didn't recognize. After filling his stomach with meat, fruits, soup, and bread, he wanted to try more food that is something new.

Algard saw a fruit that almost looked like a shape of an apple but the color is yellow almost like gold so Algard decided to call it golden apple because of the shape and the color of the fruit. Algard couldn't wait any longer to try the fruit so he put it in his mouth then he took a bite of the golden apple.

"Mhmm~"

'So delicious!'

In an instant sweet fruit juice of the golden apple filled up his mouth that really suit his taste that it made him subconsciously start to drool.

But at that moment he somewhat felt that someone is looking at him so he looked up and he made eye contact with his father, Duke Alexader, who was the one looking at him.

"Algard"

Duke Alexander quietly called Algard's name without hesitating. The table becomes more quiet that made it more awkward but Algard didn't like this awkwardness so he decide to start the conversation.

"The food....It's delicious."

"Yes, you are right it tastes like trash like before.....What? Did you just say the food is delicious?"

"Yes....Every single dish is delicious father."

Algard only continued eating, he picked up a different fruit and smiled after taking a bite, tasting the sweetness of the fruit in his mouth once again. Algard didn't cared if he showed some correct etiquette just like Algard in the game.

Algard know that he shouldn't be doing this infront of his father, the Duke, the head of the household, but he doesn't care because he just a trash in the first place.

'Sometimes being a useless trash is the best.'

Nobody will get in his way because nobody really cared no matter what he did. As long as he avoid getting beaten up by all of the male leads because of the heroine. It will be a good life for him.

Algard was very happy because no one criticized his lack of matter then when looked up to both of his parents, the Duke and the Duchess, had smile on their face but for him his father smiling is the most surprising thing that he had seen.

Duke Alexander just smiled with satisfaction that made everyone on the table, except his wife, surprise when they saw his expression.

"It's nice seeing you smile father!"

Both the twins, Lucas and Fredirick, and Anise looked at their father, who they saw for the first time smiling, with full of cheerfully expression that can be seen in there huge and wide smile from their face except for Fredirick who looked nervous when he saw his father, Duke Alexander, smiled for the first time that for him is a sign that something is going to happen. Duchess Elizabeth saw her fourth born son, Fredirick, nervous and almost crying expression and just laughed while hugging Fredirick to calm him down. Duke Alexander saw this and just become embarrassed while Dmitri notice his father expression and decided to start the conversation.

"Your right little brother Algard, the food is sure is much more delicious than before...Isn't that right father?"

Dmitri looked towards his father and smiled with full of satisfaction while continuing enjoying the food on his plate.

"Yes, it is really delicious. It's nice to see that all of you are enjoying this food so much."

"Mhhmm."

Anise agree with her father with full of satisfaction while still eating her food meanwhile Fredirick agree with her but he only said it quietly.

Algard was a little bit confuse on why is everyone agreeing on his opinion and smiling cheerfully as if there is some celebration that is happening.They didn't seems to care Algard manner and they just all looked happy when he said that the food is delicious.

Algard didn't think of it any longer and just looked at the dishes and continued to eat all the food on his plate.

"All of you should eat more and enjoy your food today."

"Yes...Please make sure you eat a lot as well, father."

Algard looked at his father smiling cheerfully while Dmitri let out an, 'heh', and Algard, who have heard it, turned his gaze back towards the dishes. The 19 years old Dmitri who is the first son of Duke Alexander. Two years older than Algard, who Dmitri spoiled very much and thought that is to easy to handle.

Unlike the useless second son of Duke Alexander, Algard, Dmitri is smart, sincere, dependent, and very responsible older brother to his younger siblings almost like a perfect son of the Duke.

Everyone on the Kingdom is pushing Dmitri to be the next head of the Halford family household that even James Hummington agreed with their opinions even after turning into Algard. But Dmitri dismiss all of this sentiment and proclaimed infront of everyone that he wanted to let Algard, who is the second son of Duke Alexander, to be the next head of the Halford family household.

'Rather than being the next head I'd rather pursue my older brother, Dmitri, to take back what he said and be the next head of the Halford family household on the line again because I'd rather used my position as the next Duke younger brother and a trash and useless second of the Duke to laze around and live peacefully in a section of our family territory.'

Algard tried not to argue much to his older brother, Dmitri. He could hear the cheerful humming of Dmitri and knew that Dmitri is eating his food with full of satisfaction that before.

Once Dmitri becomes the head of the household, his personality was one that will never forget to give his younger brother some large allowance even if the year passed, but in order to get that much help to his older brother then he needed not to get into his older brother's, Dmitri, nerves.

'If that's not possible, I'll just start to make some money beforehand and go somewhere the upcoming wars will not reach.

Algard just pretended not to hear his older brother, Dmitri, humming and just continued to eat his food. Once the meal was over, his father, Duke Alexander, was the first to get up. The Duke cold expression from his face before, when he came to the dinning room, vanished as he seemed to have been satisfied with the meal today, as his face was filled witb a satisfied smile.

'The dish was really too delicious."

If every meal was like this everyday, for Algard it would be probably give up some sleep to come to eat every meal all the time with his family. Duke Alexander looked around at all of the family members who got up after he did, before resting his gaze to his second-born son, Algard.

"Algard, is there anything you need? you can tell me right now so that I can give it to you quickly."

Algard was a bit surprise and confused at his father, Alexander, sudden gesture so Algard thought deeply and decided to answer his father question honestly.

"Please give me some amount of money....I need it for some stuff I need."

"Sure, I'll give you a lot and I'll just ask Noah to deliver the cheque to your room today."

Duke Alexander answered quickly without any hesitation.

This is really a very flourishing and opulent family.

As a family that owns a territory that mined thousands, no, millions worth of marbles, gems, and diamonds and also grew millions worth of grapes for wines generation to genaration, this family is overflowing with billions of money right now.

"Great, then please give me a lot of money as much as you can."

Algard could feel that his three younger siblings, the twins and Anise, looking at him with full of disbelief, but there is no other reason for him to be embarrassed asking money to his father. Isn't this much better than him drinking while being over age and causing a lot of troubles and ruckus?

Futhermore he need this a lot of amount of money to proceed with his upcoming plans in the future. He need to prepare to the sudden visit of the third prince or the the first male lead and his younger brother next week. He need much of this amount of money to find all of those faithful encounter that made all of the male leads in the game much more stronger in the future so that he can get it for himself to gain enough power that can keep himself safe.

"Sure, Is still there anything you want?"

"No, the money is enough already."

Algard was smiling with full of satisfaction with his father response to his request. As everyone was already leaving the dinning room he was stopped by his older brother, Dmitri.

"Little brother, Algard, can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Mhmm....Sure, I guess?"

Algard stopped on what he was doing and he decided to follow his brother in the hallway. He listened on what his older brother, Dmitri, wanted to say to him. Dmitri looked at Algard with a concerned and worried looks as a frown can be seen on his face.

"Are you really okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine...Why?"

"It's just-"

Dmitri wanted to say something but when he was going to, he suddenly remebered something and he stopped talking. Algard started to felt that something is wrong but he only saw Dmitri frown quickly turn into turn into a cheerful smile again. Algard didn't think much of it and just decided to carefully obeserve Dmitri's whole movement and his expression.

"....Are you okay big brother, Dmitri?"

"It's....nothing.....Just know that if you have any problem you can always ask me for advice...Okay?"

Algard just nodded as a responsed. Dmitri put one of his arm to his shoulder as Algard can still see the concern, worried, and the sadness through those deep red eyes of his big brother, Dmitri.

"Its just nice to have you back again."

He didn't knew what that does that mean but he knew that Dmitri is hiding something from him or even from the whole family that he doesn't want to reveal to him or to anyone.

Balcus arrived to see the two brothers talking to each other in the hallway, he doesn't want to interfere from the moment of the two brothers so waited to the corner until they finished but as soon as he turned around, Dmitri notice him and quickly excuse himself to leave.

Algard looked at Dmitri leaving with an odd and worried expression from his face that still observing Dmitri. Balcus walked towards Algard a little bit closer as Algard heard a small footstep heading towards him, he quickly turned his gaze to where the sound was coming from and he saw Balcus walking towards him in the corner of the hallway.

"You're early as ever Balcus."

Algard walked towards Balcus with a wide cunning smile formed on his face making Balcus expression turn into an odd and complicated look on his face that Algard notice.

"Thank you for that compliment young master but as you should know that a servant must be early on time so that they can be there when their master needed them."

"...."

Algard smiled bitterly when he heard those words coming out of Balcus mouth and he was even more annoyed when he notice Balcus smiling at him with a cunning grin on his face.

'Is he mocking me?'

Balcus saw the changes of Algard smile through his eyes and he turned around smiling widely even more while also leading Algard back to his room. Algard followed Balcus back while he was still smiling bitterly and just looked towards Balcus back with an annoyance that can be seen in his face and through his deep red eyes.

*****

Algard returned back to his room, he sat down on his sofa and waited for the deputy butler, Noah, to deliver the cheque to his room. As he was sitting there patiently he decided to search his bookshelf some interesting books to read so that he can read some books while he wait for Noah which made Balcus a little bit surprise at Algard sudden decision to read a book.

A few minutes of waiting they heard someone knocking on his door so he quickly stoped reading and just answered the door.

"Who is it?"

"It's Noah, young master. I'm here to deliver the cheque that you asked from your father."

Algard looked at Balcus as a signal to open the door and let Noah inside. Balcus saw Algard looking at him and he quickly understood what it means, Balcus went towards the door and opened it letting Noah inside the room.

Algard quickly smiled with full of satisfaction when Noah gave the cheque on his hand to him. However, he was at loss of words after receiving the cheque on his hand from the deputy butler, Noah. The cheque was issued through a partnership with the largest and richest treasury department and the most largest magic department that made Algard's heart run wild.

'This is so much money than I ever imagined.'

If you looked at this family at first glanced, you will thought that this family had just a little bit of money but in fact, they had tons of billions of money.

The game did in fact mentioned that the Halford family is the most richest family in the whole kingdom of Redvelve and that it is also mentioned that Algard received a lot of large amount of money as his own personal allowance, but the game didn't really mentioned on how much the exact amount of money he received. However, now that he is in Algard position, he could realistically understand how large it was based on the amount listed on the cheque he receive from his father.

'100 million gallon.'

It is about the same equivalent to 1 billion Korean won. If it is always like this then Algard can still change his plan and prepare much more for his upcoming future. Algard's brain quickly started to thought of a plan and more options that he can choose in the future.

The deputy butler, Noah, completely delivered the cheque that Duke Alexander requested him to deliver to Algard so as soon as he delivered it he bid goodbye to Algard who was staring intesively on the floor with a blank expression on his face. The deputy butler Noah just treated this as a normal day and quickly headed towards the door. However as soon as he was heading outside the door, he soon stopped moving any step forward.

Noah stopped walking any steps when he heard Algard gotten up from his seat and said something unbelievable to Balcus that he never thought that he would hear from his young master.

"Balcus, Let's go the study together."

Noah turned around towards Algard he became anxious at Algard's words even Balcus felt the same as he did.

"Did I hear that right, young master?.....Did you just said that you wanted to go to the study?"

Algard found it odd that Balcus want him to repeat on he had said by now and he even was a bit surprise on seeing this sly and cunning old man's voice that is shaking a bit. Is he not allowed to go to the study?

"Yeah....Am I not allowed to go there?"

He needed to go to the study this instant so that it can help him form his plan. The desk in his room is not good for writing because it is so small and there is not a single paper here in his room that he can use to write his plan. Algard looked around in his room but he can only find a lot of expensive looking wine bottles and nothing more.

"Excuse me, young master."

"Huh? What is it?"

Algard looked towards the anxious looking deputy butler.

"This, you are allowed to go the study but....."

"hm?"

"We haven't been not able to do our morning cleaning of the study yet."

"Is that so?.....It's fine If it's not been cleaned yet besides I just need to go there to study not to criticize it."

"No, young master...We can never let you see such a mess."

The deputy butler, Noah, suddenly became a little bit pushy about this matter for some reason. He looked at Algard brightly with a huge bright smile on his face and put up a single finger.

"Please just wait here for an hour! I will do my best and my name on the line to make sure the study is completely clean and not even mess can be seen that even if it is not used for over twenty years, it will look like it was been used just yesterday."

"Sure, I don't mind waiting, just do whatever you can do."

"Yes, young master..Then I will be going now."

"Yeah, sure."

Noah closed the door without making any noise, like a well-trained deputy butler, and disappeared. He seemed to be in a rush. Algard knew from the game otome game that there are about of four deputy butlers that vying to become an official butler of the Duke's family. Maybe that's why Noah was so eager and so passionate about cleaning thw study.

"Balcus."

"Yes, young master?"

"Is there something wrong?"

"There is nothing wrong, young master."

"Why are you blanking out like that?"

"My apologies for blanking out like that, young master."

"No need to apologies."

Algard could see another odd expression from Balcus face but Algrad quickly put the cheque in his inner pocket as he asked Balcus. Algard realized that there was so much happening right now that he didn't have enough time to ask Balcus about today's date.

"What day is today?"

Algard knew that asking this is seems a bit odd coming from somebody else, but Balcus only answered him with a gentle voice.

"Today is the 27th day of the 6th month of the Irene Calendar."

"Mmm, that's a great news."

"Excuse me?"

"Nothing."

Algard head towards his balcony and stand there while cleanching tightly the 100 million gallon on his pocket. In this world money is the only thing that you should trust because everyone here has a very much dark secret or desire that you woudn't see it coming even the most innocent person you knew.

Tommorow, the 28th day of the 6th month of the Irene Calendar. This was the day the heroine, Emily Claes, will show up to a magic competition, the competition on where the heroine special and rare white or pure magic will be revealed infront of a number of hundreds villagers, that will happen on the Blackbell Village on the Nothern continent. This day is also the day a secret organization will show up in the Nothern continent that will be cause of all the upcoming wars in the future.

Even Algard, who had played the otome game until the six volume doesn't know the true identity of this secret organization that will cause the upcoming wars in the future.

When Algard as James Hummington checked all the reviews of the fans of this otome game, they are just like him that doesn't know and was very confuse on what the secret organization true identity.

However, no matter how the fans what to know the true identity of this secret organization, the creator of this game only focused on the life of the heroine, Emily Claes, that this secret organization true identity was never revealed.

[The Noble Lovers] is made by Helena Curtis.

It was a story about the life of a young girl born as a commoner in the Azula Village of the Nothern continent of the Redvelve Kingdom. The heroine, Emily Claes, had a very loving family and had a normal childhood, that she enjoy very much and very thankful to have in her childhood.

Something that changed all of that is the awakening of her rare magic ability which is the white of pure magic ability. Because of that many nobles comes to their house for help to heal them or their love ones with the exchange of thousands of gold coins that made her father to become thirsty for money and use her own special magic ability for his own use or desire. Her mother just ignore her and blamed her for turning her loving husband to a greedy and gluttonous person, even her friends before started to avoid her.

Even after all of this Emily still regained her kind, innocent, and gentle person who could not take revenge on anyone who have hurt her in the past, that was only the reason that both her and all of the male leads fought for the first time when she found out that they are the reason Algard died in the game which she forgive them after they showed to her that they repent killing him.

When Emily revealed her rare and special magic ability this news was delivered to the head principal, Philip Jean Wittabane, of the highest noble school of magics and swordmanships named Edel Mageaí Academy, she was accepted to enroll on upcoming enrollment of the school on the 7th day of the 8th Month of the Irene Calendar which where she met all of the male leads, all of the lover rivals, and the villains of the game.

Emily was shocked when she heard this news which made her father, who is very greedy, much more excited and happy because of the money that Emily will receive when she enter the school, it said in the game that all student who passed the exam of the academy will receive daily amount of money every week as a reward of their hard work.

Emily had to traveled to the Western continent and had to leave her childhood hometown to enroll in the Edel Mageaí academy and continue to study magic.

Algard was left there in with his though but he suddenly felt thirsty so he headed back inside his room.

"...Balcus."

"What's wrong, young master?"

"..I...need a cup of cold water...Please."

"...I understand..."

Balcus left the room quickly while Algard was left there with his thoughts, Algard walked towards his bed to lay down and put both of his hands to covered his face.

Algard knew that today the heroine is not the problem but the sudden visit of the third prince, or the first male lead, and his younger brother next week. Everyone thought of the third prince as a very sweet and perfect guy but Algard knew that all of this is lie because the third prince is really a very sadistic and merciless man, which is why he is very nervous to meet the third prince next week.

The third prince, Julian Von Ascart, is very much as a sadist and meciless but he doesn't show it to everyone, when he is infront of everyone or someone he show a very much kind and gentle smile and personality with also a very handsome face which made every single noble girl fall inlove with him but secretly he always torture and killed those who he hate, Algard in the game for example.

But the game didn't metioned that Algard and Julian met before their meeting that everyone said theire first meeting.

'...Wait.'

Algard got up from his bed and walked back and forth as he quickly thought deeply.

The best options for him is not to get beaten up and getting killed by all of the male leads, right?

'Now that I have think about it, I have the chance to meet the third prince or Julian, who is the most strongest male lead among all of the male leads, and have a talk to him next week so if it is possible then maybe I can befriended Julian then have pursue him to side with me against some of the male leads if they want to fight him and that I can have someone to have my back who can help me survive the upcoming wars. Befriending the strongest male lead and avoiding as much as I can some of the male leads and the heroine is much more good idea to survive, right?'

'So that's mean I really need to meet up with Julian next week so that I can do my best to befriend him. Then If I successfully befriend him then maybe I can have him join me and start our journey to find and let those faithful encounter to happened so that I can get those power. Then that only lead me to just one course of action and that's how should I befriend Julian and also his younger brother while not pissing them off.'

With doing the best way of showing a best first impression towards them next week. If it is possible.

He stopped walking back and forth when he heard Balcus footsteps heading towards him so he quickly turned around and saw Balcus holding a cup of glass.

"Young master, here you go."

"Ah, Thank you for this, Balcus."

Balcus gave the cup of glass to Algard then he took the cup of glass from Balcus hand. Algard took a sip of the cup of glass that Balcus gave to him. He turned his gaze again towards Balcus and he asked with full of curiosity.

"It's not just cold water, isn't it?"

"It's lemonade, young master."

"...Is that so.."

Algard took a sip again of the cup of glass of lemonade and sat down on his sofa while secretly not enjoying the sourness of the lemonade.

Balcus is really a insidious and guileful man. He really knows every food that Algard hates and loved. He knows that, just like his past self James Hummington, really hates sour things so he brings him the food that Algard hates the most that is a lemonade, which would take more work to prepare than cold water. He wanted to complain but he was so afraid that Balcus might assasin him now so he have no choice but to pretend that he enjoy the glass of lemonade and drink it all.

"Thanks, I really enjoyed the lemonade, It was wondeful."

"No problem, young master."

Algard was smilling bitterly when he remembered that it is almost one hour had pass and that the deputy butler, Noah, should be finished right now on cleaning the study. So he only had no choice but ask Balcus about the situation of the study.

"Balcus have you heard any news about the situation in the study?"

"Ahh, right...Deputy Butler Noah said that we should be able to head to the study soon enought."

"That's a great news."

Algard looked towards Balcus when he notice that Balcus turn his expression again into a benign, earness, and gentle smile that cause all parts of his body suddenly to have the chills. He quickly head towards the sofa and sat down as he put his hand inside his pocket and once again tightly clenched the 100 millions gallon cheque from inside his pocket for support.

Money and power is the only thing that you can trust in this world and nothing more even the person that you deeply thought that you knew.

Algard was sitting in the sofa while he thought deeply with a blank expression on his face which made Balcus stared at him with full of odd expression.

Algard was still in his full of deep thought while sitting peacefully on his sofa that's why he didn't hear his two younger brothers, Lucas Sora Halford and Fredirick Sora Halford, entering his room.