Noblewoman (muttering): "That boy...!"
She passed several servants, all of whom immediately averted their gazes. One unlucky butler wasn't quick enough to escape her notice.
Noblewoman: "You! Where is my son? And don't you dare lie to me!"
The butler stiffened, his face pale as he stammered.
Butler: "M-Missus von Virtus, I-I believe h-he's still in his r-room...!"
Her eyes narrowed.
Mrs. von Virtus (Noblewoman): "In his room? At this time of day? On his own birthday?!"
She leaned closer, her voice a sharp whisper.
Mrs. von Virtus: "Is he...?"
The butler flinched but managed a tiny nod before scurrying away, desperate to escape her wrath.
The woman clenched her fists.
Mrs. von Virtus (seething): "Virno... I swear to all that is sacred, if you're doing it AGAIN..."
She marched down the corridor, her stride quick and purposeful. Two maids passed her, giggling softly to themselves.
Mrs. von Virtus: "You two!"
They froze mid-step, the blood draining from their faces.
Mrs. von Virtus: "We do not pay you to gossip. Back to your stations, now! And if I hear a word of this anywhere, I will ensure no house in the country will hire you again. Do I make myself clear?"
The maids nodded frantically, their expressions solemn as they hurried away.
Mrs. von Virtus: "Sixteen years raising this boy, and this is what I get... Lord, what have I done to deserve this?"
When she reached Virno's door, her suspicions were confirmed. From inside, she heard muffled voices -- and then, unmistakably, a young woman's moans.
Young woman (inside): "Oh, master Virno... Oh! I'm... I'm—"
Her face darkened. She rattled the doorknob, but it was locked.
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Mrs. von Virtus: "VIRNO!"
Young man (inside the room): "Shit -- it's my mom! Get off, get off!"
The woman fumbled with her keyring, her fingers trembling with fury. She found the right key, jammed it into the lock, and threw the door open.
Mrs. von Virtus: "VIRNO VON VIRTUS! What is the meaning of this?!"
The young maid, half-dressed, froze in horror. Virno, shirtless and unbothered, leaned casually against the bedpost.
Virno (young man, smirking): "Mother, please. Don't be so dramatic. It's my birthday, isn't it?"
Her voice was ice.
Mrs. von Virtus: "You. Girl. Gather your things. Now."
The maid scrambled to collect her clothes from the floor, trembling like a leaf.
Mrs. von Virtus: "Not those things. ALL your things. You're fired. And if I hear even a whisper of this from anyone..."
Maid (desperate): "I swear, madam! No one will hear a word! I swear on my parents' health!"
She waved her off, barely sparing her another glance.
Mrs. von Virtus: "Go. Now."
The maid fled, clutching her belongings, and shut the door behind her. Virno yawned, stretching as if the whole ordeal had bored him.
Mrs. von Virtus: "Is this how we raised you, Virno?"
Virno shrugged, reaching for his discarded shirt.
Mrs. von Virtus: "Answer your mother!"
Virno: "Tsk. You always told me that one's greatest purpose should be the pursuit of happiness, didn't you mother? Well, I was the happiest man in this mansion just seconds before you barged in..."
The crack of her slap echoed through the room. A red mark bloomed across his cheek, but his smirk remained intact.
Mrs. von Virtus: "Listen to me, young man. You are not a child anymore. In two years, you will be an adult. You will have responsibilities. You will manage this estate, grow this family's wealth --"
Virno (interrupting): "And that's exactly why I'm enjoying myself while I still can!"
She stomped her foot, her voice rising.
Mrs. von Virtus: "DO NOT INTERRUPT ME, VIRNO VON VIRTUS! Listen to your mother!"
Virno rolled his eyes, but the confidence in his posture wavered as her words continued.
Mrs. von Virtus: "It is the last time anything like this ever happens. From this day onward, I'll instruct every maid to avoid any contact with you whatsoever, both directly and indirectly. Only the butlers will be allowed anywhere near you, or your room."
Virno: "Mother, really? That's so childish --"
He cut himself off, realizing the irony in his own words.
Mrs. von Virtus: "Childish? CHILDISH?! Young man, have you looked yourself in the mirror? Your demeanor resembles that of an infant in a man's body! You do not take your studies seriously, you do not spend time with the lady that was chosen for you to MARRY, you show no interest in the family business... Instead, you spend your time in bed with the maids and practicing with that damn sword!"
Virno couldn't suppress a chuckle.
Virno (muttering): "Both literally and figuratively..."
She stepped closer, her glare cutting through his smug demeanor.
Mrs. von Virtus: "You bring nothing but shame to our family... As our only child, we expected so much more of you. Where did we go wrong, Virno? Tell me, please. Where did we fail you in our duties as your parents, so that I can begin to understand why you choose to behave yourself like this... Why you choose to be such a terrible son to us...!"
For the first time, Virno couldn't meet her gaze.
Mrs. von Virtus: "We've given you everything. You've been blessed to be born into this family. Why can't you see that? Why can't you repay us with respect?"
Her words hit a nerve. Virno's smirk faded, his expression darkening.
Virno: "... Is that all, mother?"
Mrs. von Virtus: "ANSWER ME, VIRNO! I can see you're angry. Tell me why!"
Virno (snapping): "Do you really want to know? Do you want to know where you fucked up?!"
Mrs. von Virtus (sharply): "LANGUAGE, young man!"
Virno: "Oh, fuck this..."
Virno shoved past her, heading for the door.
Mrs. von Virtus: "VIRNO! Come back here this instant!"
Virno: "We'll talk later, mother. I'm in no mood for this."
He stormed down the corridor, ignoring her shouts.
Mrs. von Virtus: "Your father is coming home today, and you can be sure he'll hear of this!"
Virno didn't look back.
Mrs. von Virtus exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of her nose. As she turned, she spotted a butler frozen in place, staring at her with wide eyes.
Mrs. von Virtus: "What? What is it?"
The butler quickly straightened, stammering.
Butler: "N-nothing, madam. My apologies."
Mrs. von Virtus: "Clean his room, then return to your duties. And wipe that look off your face!"
The butler nodded, scurrying into the room.
Mrs. von Virtus: "That blasted boy..."
She turned on her heel and marched away, her mind racing.
Mrs. von Virtus: "will be the death of me."