Chapter 11 - Beginning as an Accomplice

The next day during breakfast, Soeng-jin was seated across from his father at the end of the table which is where, his younger brother - - used to sit. It's been a little over two months and he couldn't bear this treatment anymore. Looking over to his brother whose munching peacefully at his side, his heart aches as he wonders how this young kid could bear all this and still deal with his bullying. That was simply pushing him to the gates of hell... If it was himself he would have killed the bully in the most miserable way ever ... And he did just that... He clears his throat as he pokes his bowl of rice. A hand smacking against the table causing everyone to jump in fright. Everyone pauses what they're doing and look up to the source. The mansion's Lord, his palm still kissing the table as his eyes lift from his plate to glare across the table

Soeng-jin lowers his chopsticks and looks at the table, his hands folded in his lap. Thus the Lord resumes eating, and so does everyone else except Soeng-jin. Soon Kwang Yeou puts down his chopsticks, he looks over to his older brother. "Big brother eat, you'll need the strength when we go for training after this." Catching everyone's attention, their father speaks, "Since when have the two of you gotten so close?" Kwang Yeou smiles as his eyes look down giving an impression that his sad. Coupled with speaking in a soft tone, "It's only right for birds of a feather flock together." The head looks at his son with a look to say 'What does that mean'. Yoeu looks up with a cheeky light to his eyes, "Two motherless boys with no one to defend them can do nothing but huddle together for warmth and comfort each other. Since their father seems unqualified for such a duty in their lives." The man smacks the table again and points at the boy, "You-". The boy shivers and gestures for his father to calm down. Taking up the facade of a scared child, "Father, this is not my words personally. I am only relaying a servant's words." The main consort laughs as she speaks arrogantly, "A mere servant dares to mock a member of this family? Who is this brave soul, ready to walk through the flames of hell." The Lord nods his head indicating that he wishes to know this person as well. Kwang Yeou smiles in secret as the main targets fell for the bait

"Mother, this person is none other than brother's personal man servant. He steals from brother and mocks our family name, yet brother can't punish him as his lost father's favour or so says everyone. I tried stopping him but he beat me up recently saying somethings I don't dare say at this table as they are blasphemy." "You boy, tell this Lord if they dare speak ill of our family. I shall cut his tongue out and feed him poison to render him paralysed!?" The Lord roars in anger. Appearing scared, Kwang Yeou looks at the ground seemingly tight-lipped. The older man roars once again, "This father orders you to speak this instant!" As if telepathically sharing a brain cell the two brothers think in unison, 'Father? What a joke such a title is not suited for such a man

It's only irony giving you such a name!' Coming out of his thoughts, Yeou quickly rises to his knees as he replies, "Replying to father, this rumour involves Consort Song..." All eyes land on the main consort, Kwang Yeou calls out to the consort to test the waters and to his glee she seems panicked. "Mother-", "Ah-! Don't spout such nonsense about me or I'll-!" She stops abruptly after seeing her husband's hand, he clears his throat as he stares at his son sternly, "Proceed, however I will warn you that if you are indeed speaking falsely against your mother..." The boy springs to his feet then moves back and dramatically falls to the ground. His upper body sprawled onto the floor as he kneels before the people at the table. "I know the consequences father!" The man seats more comfortably, his hand resting on his knee, rubbing his chin. "That's why you chose to tell me at this moment." He looks over at his consort then back at his son. He waves his hand dismissing everyone, "Leave us." Kwang quickly lifts his head, "Ah father, can Soeng-jin stay- he knows his servant best so he can verify something and testify as a witness to some of the things I have to say..." He looks at his father with genuine desperation, seeing someone at his disposal always made him feel full of himself

Thus he approved as his shallow ego was being stroked by this boy's desperation. Knowing fully well that his final judgement could be in his favour or be his end. This man loved power, he killed his mother, father and older brother ahead of time just so he could be in control. Yes, he was a excellent soldier but his Achilles heel was his love for power, dominance. He bathed in blood all for the sake of covering the inferiorly complex that was seeded and watered by his parents unintentionally. Thus is matured into a ticking time bomb, which is this man. His short temper was a in family secret. And his ambition was the reason he had a limited amount of concubines. Back to the dining room with food still on the table, the father gestures for his sons to sit closer to him. The eldest springs to his feet and helps his brother up guiding him to seat next to him as he is between his younger brother and father. Sort of acting like a shield though this won't really make much of a difference if they're father decides to beat up one of them. The father can only laugh in amusement as he strokes his chin

He waves his hand then pours himself a cup of tea, "Begin," looking at the youngest expectantly. Thus he does not disappoint his father, knowing the mind games to use on his father. Even if his father sots his scheming he'll play along as long as his ego is boosted and is made to seem in control of everything and on the top. Their father always loved having the last word after all. Treating his family, even his offspring like live stock on a chess board. "Father I heard the servant under brother bragging that he was sleeping with Consort Song-" The man raises his hand seeming to be disappointed, "I know, I gave him permi-". "Sorry to interrupt you father but he even said that he fathered all your offspring cause you seeds are for nothing but decoration. A real man would never allow another man to touch his woman so carelessly and-" "Oh- Oh!" The father's eyes widen as he grips the side of the table, eventually ripping the edge off the table in anger. "He said that did he!? How brazen this bastard has grown after all I did for him. He dares to bite the hand that feeds him does he!" Gritting his teeth, his eldest son decides to rub salt on the wound, gaslighting him. "F-father Consort Song-", he pauses waiting for permission from his father to speak further, "En." With his father's permission he doesn't raise his eyes but merely continues talking, "Father mother even once praised that servant's performance, saying it far surpassed yours. That-that," feeling annoyed he grabs his son's arm, " Say it all you beat!" "Ye-Yes father. Ah, she said you could never compare to him. Though I don't know what that means." Kwang Yeou chips in and adds on, "Me too father. Do you mind enlighting us?" The man smiles at the indirect mockery, "Yes! If one says such about you, you are to cut them to pieces and cast them into the fire!!" The mansion Lord stands in a rush but halts when someone holds the hem of his clothes

Bowing with his head on the floor Kwang Yeou causes a petrol station explosion. "Father brother told me this servant has been steal from him in secret but denies it when asked and mocks us by saying we are failures, he said we were quite the creation hence their mother's lived for so long" The mockery I this line, and the previous contradicted but also made sense. Basically Kwang Yeou said this servant said he could father god-like offspring while the only two this Lord could deliver were defects. Any man's pride would feel trampled in mud by such lines, "Father please forgive this son for not being able to-" "Enough!" He kicks away the kicks hand then storms out of the dining room. The boy hisses in response, the other rushes to his brother's aide and supports him while inspecting his hand. The younger boy pulls away his hand in discomfort. But the older boy pulls it back, continuing his inspection on the hand thus discovered the crooked finger. He looks at his brother in shock. In his previous lives, his brother had this crooked finger. So this is how he got it, if his not mistaken Consort Song was executed and the servant was sold to the red light district. He knows was a reversal of situations but that's just how sick the man they called father was. How could he forget, this was how he slowly began to gain power and build his reputation within the four walls of this mansion which the servant's soon spread to the outside commoners