Regressor of the Fallen Family novel Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Episode 7

Theres no need for that, Lady Riina. My stance is unwavering. Logan, the honor of the Maclaine family cannot be traded for money.

Yes?

After all that had been said.

Why? For what reason?

Even as Logan looked at his father with eyes full of incredulity, his fathers stern expression remained unchanged.

Beside him stood his stepmother, her gaze mocking, and other members of the household nodding their heads in agreement.

Feeling dizzy at the sight of all those piercing stares, Logan struggled to maintain his composure.

Why on earth?

Frustration bubbled up and his chest felt tight.

It wasnt terribly frowned upon among the noble families to forsake profit for the sake of honor.

But

That should be decided considering the circumstances. How does it make any sense to refuse money given our familys situation?!

Logan gritted his teeth internally, yet his fathers stance was unyielding.

The problem wasnt just this.

Why are they acting this way?

It looks like hes just being stubborn because his pride was hurt by the rejection.

Is that worth defying the Barons words? ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

The heir has always been a bit

The servants whispers comprised mostly of criticism aimed at him.

Riinas face, shamelessly feigning regret, seemed to smile with the victory of one who had anticipated this very situation.

Only after being struck by all these realizations did Logan understand.

He had been too complacent in assessing the situation.

I thought wrong. To think I could change the family by gaining their recognition?

By when?

Show a changed demeanor slowly over time?

Everybody would be dead by then.

It felt as though an icy wind had blown straight through his heart.

Only nine months remained until the Estate War.

Lets give up what needs to be given up.

The only thing that mattered was to save the family by any means necessary.

For now, he had to gain strength on his own, independent of the family.

With clenched teeth, he declared,

Lady Riina, in that case, I, as a party to this broken engagement, make my demand. Regardless of the familys wishes, I will personally accept the compensation.

Logan!!

The booming voice of Patrick shook the hall, and a tumultuous energy surged behind him like waves.

Gah!

Hmmmmm.

The force core within his heart pumped strength throughout his body, straightening his knees that nearly buckled.

Although still immature, the vision of the divine sword with infinite potential was his to bear, even if it couldnt compare to the strength of a senior knight.

But at least he had the power to fend off such oppressive pressures, in absence of direct violence.

I will not be satisfied with mere verbal apologies!

What did you say?!

If the honor can be compensated with a few fleeting words, then I consider its value to be just as trivial.

The shock or perhaps anger at seeing his son defy him, Patrick looked at Logan with a complex expression.

As a party to the broken engagement, I believe I have the right to make such a claim.

The Wolves will follow the wishes of Baron Patrick Maclaine, the head of our family. What is your decision, Baron Patrick Maclaine?

Riina interjected as the situation seemed to take an odd turn.

Though she appeared willing to accept Logans point, her words ultimately upheld the authority of the head of the family.

Essentially telling me to save the heads face.

Logans fierce gaze turned toward her once more.

Then, after a moment of furrowed contemplation, Patrick opened his mouth with a heavy look.

As the head of the Maclaine family, I am satisfied with a sincere apology. However, as for how the affected party, Logan, perceives the sincerity of that apology, Ill leave it to him.

My lord!

The head of the house?!

The murmurs swelled.

An unexpected answer indeed.

Riinas face, still displaying a hint of regret, contorted momentarily at his words.

As the commotion among the household members subsided, Patrick continued,

Think carefully, Logan. If you accept money for this insult to our honor, you are suggesting that your honor is always for sale in the future.

Patrick believed that if Logan had truly changed, he would make the right choice at this juncture.

That was why he gave his son this final chance, even at the cost of his authority as the head of the family.

Yet, Logans resolve did not waver.

I, as a party to the broken engagement, will accept the compensation from the Wolves family.

At his declaration, Patricks face contorted, and a smirk emerged on his stepmothers.

* * * Astonishingly, Riina paid the immense sum of 3 million gold, not through a bank transfer but in gold coins, right then and there.

The large chest almost reaching Logans waist, filled with glittering gold, inevitably shook his composure.

By this, I declare the dissolution of the engagement between the Count Wolves family and Baron Maclaines family effective.

I accept.

Riina turned to leave after setting down the chest of gold coins, her expression ever so slightly distorted.

Logan watched her with a conviction that his choice was correct, yet his father seemed to think differently.

I thought you had changed a bit, but instead, youve gotten worse.

All I did was for the family.

My fault, then, for failing to properly instruct you on the value of honor.

Despite the largest pile of gold he had ever seen before him, his fathers sigh carried nothing but bitterness.

As Patrick left the hall, the faces of the knights following him bore smirks of ridicule.

Meanwhile, his stepmother followed, her face beaming as if she had gained something substantial, a stark reminder of how his decision was received by the family.

Watching them with an expressionless gaze, Logan reaffirmed his resolve.

I will not concern myself with my reputation within the family. First, I shall focus on winning the Estate War.

Yet even as he calculated how best to spend the funds for the upcoming Estate Battle, he couldnt help a feeling of heaviness in his heart.

* * * Bang!

A loud noise reverberated from inside a luxurious carriage.

Are you alright, miss?

Lochfern inquired, but only silence followed within the carriage for a while until a reply came.

Yes, Im fine.

Are you upset?

What went wrong?

Hm?

I thought if I mentioned a ridiculous sum, the baron would surely refuse out of sheer pride. My prediction was right. But

I didnt expect the heir Logan to react like that.

That greedy brute