CHAPTER 49: CHAPTER 49 - FAMILY HEAD’S DECLARATION

The Head of the family set the phone down with a sharp click, his lips twitching in disbelief.

’Did that brat just cut the call?’ His mind raced as the words from Cruxius still echoed in his ears.

// So, being a soon-to-be emperor of that empire, shouldn’t I be collecting my Imperial Harem? //

The Head’s hands tightened around the armrest of his chair, the shock still settling.

Cruxius, his son, had rejected the very idea of following in his footsteps, of forming a family with one woman.

It was unthinkable.

He had allowed Cruxius freedom, yes, but only because he had believed that his son would eventually understand the value of loyalty and commitment—just as he had once done when he met Cruxius’ mother.

But this? A harem?

He ran a hand through his hair in frustration.

’Did I make a mistake in his upbringing?’ The Head had been young once, indulging in fleeting relationships, but when he had met his late wife, all of that ended.

He had left all others behind. He had thought Cruxius would do the same when the right woman came along.

But now, Cruxius was not interested in any such commitment.

He wanted a harem.

But that wouldn’t do.

No.

His son needed discipline. He needed to understand what it meant to carry the Blac family name with honor.

He turned to the door. "Ermond."

The butler entered without a sound, his expression calm but observant. He had heard the anger in the Master’s voice, and he knew this wasn’t an ordinary matter.

"Master?" With a respectful tone, Ermond asked, his sharp eyes taking in everything. He was wearing a classic black coat and white gloves, a telltale butler’s uniform, as he placed his hand over his heart.

The Head looked at him, his face a mask of frustration. "Did you hear what Cruxius said to me?"

Ermond didn’t answer right away, as if carefully considering his words. "Yes, Master. The Young Master rejected the marriage proposal I delivered. I’m afraid he doesn’t wish to follow the family tradition."

The Head’s eyes narrowed as he digested Ermond’s words.

Rejected?

This was not a rejection for not continuing the family line; instead, this was simply a rejection of a century-old tradition of the whole lineage of the Blac family.

His grip on the armrest tightened again.

"He first rejected the idea of marriage...." The Head repeated, his voice dangerously low. "A harem? That brat doesn’t get it. Queens rise with their king, while chicks show up when the nest is built. He’s chasing chicks, not seeing the queen he might meet one day."

One could hear the frustration in his voice as he reflected on how his wife was the one who was with him during his toughest times and helped build their business from the ground up.

Sure, he inherited some wealth, but to actually grow it, he had his wife—who was like a queen—by his side.

Meanwhile, his son was busy thinking about bringing in women who only wanted him for his money, without any real value of their own—like chickens wanting to be fed.

"Indeed, Master," Ermond replied, keeping his voice neutral but tinged with worry, as he had been keeping an eye on the young master earlier.

He knew what kind of woman he was in contact with, given that they were easily swayed and couldn’t be considered worthy enough to sit beside him as Mistress of the Blac family. "He wants to make his own choices, it seems. He will not be swayed by traditional values."

The Head clenched his fists. "Well, let him try."

He stood up, his form commanding and filled with intent. "I will show him that the Blac name isn’t something to be discarded. If he wants a harem, I will make him fall for just one woman—someone strong, someone disciplined, someone capable enough to correct his mental disability."

Ermond raised an eyebrow. "Master, you would send him women?"

Wasn’t it simply sending prey to predators?

"Yes," the Head replied sharply. "But not just any women. I want the toughest, most disciplined ones. Ones who will make him fall in love with her. Let’s see how long that harem disease lasts when he faces one woman who refuses to bow to his whims."

He turned to face Ermond, his gaze hardening. "I want women who hate polygamy. Ones who will make him regret thinking he can simply collect lovers. I doubt that brat will be able to play my own move against me this time."

Ermond considered this for a moment, then lowered his gaze slightly, acknowledging the challenge. "You are not underestimating him, Master?"

The Head’s lips curled into a thin smile, almost imperceptible. "No. I’m merely reminding him of his place."

There was a long silence before Ermond spoke again, his voice almost cautious as he felt this battle between father and son was not equivalent at all, given that the son had a big advantage. "Master, if I may... the Young Master is certainly your son, but his intelligence and temperament also carry the traits of the late Mistress."

The Head froze. His eyes narrowed as he took in Ermond’s words.

The late Mistress—the woman he had loved more than anyone.

The woman who had given Cruxius the gifts of intellect and insight, but who had also been... independent.

Far more than any man or family could tame.

The Head’s expression shifted slightly.

He hadn’t considered that, but now it clicked.

His son might have inherited more than just his intellect—he might have inherited the late Mistress’ drive for freedom, for choosing his own path.

In the end, she did leave the royal family and her title as princess to marry the head of the Blac family.

A sharp woman who made even him—the man of culture—forget any others; that particular trait of manipulation and shrewdness may have been passed down to Cruxius.

That could make him even more dangerous.

"Ermond," the Head said slowly, his voice tight, "I want the details of each woman we send. I want them to be thorough, disciplined, and absolutely unyielding in their beliefs."

Ermond nodded, understanding the gravity of the task. "Of course, Master, but if you go through those details, you might get distracted from business."

"Then do overtime." The Head looked at him intently.

Ermond kept looking towards the Head, who was serious, giving a glance towards him, as if he hadn’t just given him such ridiculous orders.

Ermond, for God’s sake, was already doing overtime.

"Understood, Master." Though being a butler he can’t voice his anger, just inquire the date until which he has to suffer. "But... if I may ask, what about my retirement? You did mention it before."

"Tch, tch, go away. You’ll get it someday, Ermond. Of course, when I find someone as capable as you." The Head of the family now even turned towards his butler, shaking his head and gesturing for him to leave with his hand.

"I heard you loud and clear, Master," Ermond just heard the words: Until the day you die, you will be a slave of this house.

"Haah, I will leave to search for such candidates—" Knowing another burden was on his shoulder, Ermond turned to leave, but as he did, he got interrupted by the family head.

"And until you are searching, tell the women we considered to marry my son to date him... at least until then he will be busy..."