Situation Resolved.

Roy's eyes widened when he heard Badulf taking his side over Noah. It was well known that Badulf didn't like him and liked Noah more than anyone in the household. Thus, this came as an unexpected surprise to him.

'Why is he taking my side after being indifferent to me for so many years? Is he possessed?'

Seeing the bewilderment on Roy's face, Arlo winked at him.

This told Roy that his uncle had a hand behind the change in the Count's attitude towards him.

'Why are you also taking his side? First my mother and now my father; both chose him over me! Fuck, I should have killed him in the cradle. Why did I let him grow so old?!'

Breathing became hard for Noah as he felt betrayed to see his father punishing him for someone else's sake.

"But-"

"No buts." Arlo coldly shot down his plea for mercy in his brother's stead.

Noah looked past his uncle and pleadingly looked at his father.

But Badulf turned his back to him.