Chapter 186

Chapter 186

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 186: The Battle For The Head Of The Family (1)

Direct descendants of Reinhardt must descend to the family’s planetary system by the designated date to pay respects to the elders of the Council.

Arnold von Reinhardt

Brian chuckled as he read the email. The android attending him, Erica, bowed her head and spoke.

“Congratulations, young master.”

“Why do you say that, Erica?”

“I’m confident you will soon become the family head, young master.”

He couldn’t help but laugh at her almost flattering words.

“Tell me what makes you think so.”

“Yes, young master. Young master Cadric’s achievements pale in comparison to yours, and neither Aidel nor Miss Ceti attended medical school. The Council seeks a competent doctor, and there’s no better candidate than yourself, young master.”

“Is that so?”

Brian removed his doctor’s gown and settled into his chair. Tap, tap. His index finger drummed against the desk as he lost himself in thought. He murmured softly.

“…I think I need to visit the Adelwein main house.”

“Is something wrong?”

“Something has come up suddenly. We need to move quickly.”

Erica’s visual sensors scanned Brian’s face, noting his serious expression—a stark contrast to his usual gentle smile. Concerned, she asked.

“Is there something serious concerning the Adelwein family?”

“…Aidel.”

“Sorry?”

“If we don’t keep him in check, victory isn’t guaranteed.”

Erica tilted her head, still not comprehending his meaning.

“I don’t understand. Young Master Aidel isn’t a doctor, is he?”

“Erica, my father’s reactions have been quite unusual lately, even when reading news articles. I have a rough idea of how many reckless things Aidel has done consecutively. If all that is true, my chances are only about 90%.”

Brian took a warp ship, traveling at superluminal speed to the northern planetary system. Throughout the journey, his mouth remained dry, persisting no matter how much water he drank.

Gaining entry to the Adelwein main house proved simple. After Brian rang the doorbell at the front gate, Jerome Adelwein, a middle-aged council member, emerged to greet them.

“Welcome, young sir Brian.”

“I apologize for the unannounced visit.”

Jerome dismissed the apology with a shake of his head.

“Not at all. It’s our honor to receive the first son of the Reinhardt family. Aren’t you the distinguished physician who saved countless lives alongside Arnold Reinhardt at the southern front?”

As Jerome continued his effusive praise, Brian’s lips curled slightly. Beside him, Erica shrugged and added.

“I can assure you, young master Brian is destined for great achievements.”

“Indeed. But what brings you here today?”

“Nothing too pressing. I simply heard about your daughter’s engagement to my brother and wanted to offer my congratulations in person.”

“Oh my!”

Jerome’s jaw dropped, seemingly moved by the gesture.

“A message would have been sufficient!”

“I disagree. As our families are to be joined, a proper meeting seemed appropriate. I worried I might not find another opportunity. Again, I apologize for arriving unannounced.”

“Please, think nothing of it. I can’t leave family standing here. Hey! Show them to the drawing room at once!”

Even as they were led to the drawing room, Brian’s mind worked furiously, arriving at one conclusion: Aidel must be removed from consideration as head of the family by any means necessary.

Once seated, Brian offered a courteous greeting: “Congratulations on your daughter’s appointment as head of the Adelwein family, sir. With someone of her intelligence in the position, both families are sure to prosper.”

“Thank you for your kind words, young master.”

Brian noted the subtle change in his form of address from “young sir” to “young master.” Clearly, Jerome was testing him.

Brian deliberately took his time with the tea served by the android. Steam clouded his glasses, and as he set down the cup, it gradually dissipated from the edges. By then, his thoughts had crystallized.

“I have a suggestion.”

“Please, speak freely. Are we not soon to be family?”

“What if my younger brother Aidel were to reside here with the family head?”

Jerome halted mid-motion as he was lowering his teacup.

“… You’re proposing a matrilocal marriage arrangement?”

“Precisely.”

Brian, typically skilled at reading people, detected favorable signs in Jerome’s expression. This encouraged him to proceed calmly with the discussion.

“When the daughter of such a prestigious family marries, who will lead the Adelwein family? Logic dictates that my brother should take up residence here immediately following the ceremony.”

“Hmm, you make a valid point.”

Only then did Erica, who had been standing by silently, grasp Brian’s strategy. How impressive that he had prepared even for this scenario, she thought. The Reinhardt family would surely flourish under his leadership.

“Very well. Let’s schedule the engagement during the Reinhardt family lord selection ceremony, with the wedding to follow afterward.”

“Might we not hold the ceremony sooner?”

“The wedding date remains undecided. My daughter’s academic schedule is quite demanding, so the earliest possibility would be during her vacation period.”

“Perhaps Aidel could move in as your son-in-law immediately after the engagement?”

“Such arrangements aren’t typically discussed at the engagement stage, nor are matters of in-law relations. Without even having held the ceremony, these discussions seem premature.”

Brian realized things weren’t proceeding as planned. With effort, he suppressed his rising frustration.

“…I understand.”

He retreated reluctantly, deciding to be content with having made his presence and intentions known, at least for now.

After Brian’s departure, Jerome let out a soft sigh. His wife, Trisha, who had been eavesdropping, emerged and questioned him.

“Honey, why did you turn away such a promising opportunity?”

“It could be a trap.”

“Please explain it to me.”

Jerome chuckled as he sank into his chair.

“That Brian fellow – though this was my first time meeting him, he proved far more cunning than the rumors suggested. He’s attempting to trade his own sibling to our family just to secure the head position in his own family.”

“I noticed that too. But what’s wrong with that?”

“You naive woman, think it through carefully.”

Trisha pondered their recent conversation, but try as she might, she couldn’t identify any obvious problems. It seemed harmless enough for Brian to offer Aidel to Adelwein.

“Don’t you find it suspicious that someone of his intelligence claims to know nothing about our family situation? Hmm?”

“Are you referring to what Mr. Kashu did?”

“Exactly!”

Jerome exclaimed, raising his voice.

“From what I can tell, Brian is like a snake in the grass. He appears docile, but he harbors deadly venom. Not content with selling his own blood to another household, he’s now trying to devour our family, too.”

Jerome understood such facades better than most – because he himself wore one.

“Once he becomes head, he’ll likely investigate everything that’s happened in our household, using Aidel as his pawn. After our Council is purged, Zelnya will become nothing more than their puppet.”

“But couldn’t we potentially end up controlling Reinhardt if we play this right?”

“No, woman. If that man becomes head, we’ll be at a disadvantage.”

“Why?”

“Consider this common practice: when a noble’s child becomes family head through competition, what happens to their siblings?”

“They’re usually given money and sent away to prevent them from coveting the family’s assets and status… Oh!”

Understanding suddenly dawned on Trisha.

The arranged marriage had been designed to bind the Reinhardt family by wedding their head to a branch member here.

That branch member was Rejane von Adelwein – Arnold’s wife.

“I hear Rejane constantly criticize her family, complaining about being married off to a man she didn’t even like. Her grievances are loud enough to be heard from ten million light-years away.”

“If Brian gains real power over the Reinhardt family, he’ll likely send his father’s wife and her daughter here.”

“Exactly. And isn’t that daughter quite close with Aidel von Reinhardt? What if she starts interfering in family affairs as the aunt of Zelnya’s child?”

“That would spell the end of Adelwein.”

The couple shuddered, knowing history had seen many such incidents. This matter concerned their family’s future and livelihood – they couldn’t afford to be careless.

“What if Aidel becomes their family head instead?”

“You foolish woman! If that boy becomes head, Adelwein will be completely vulnerable!”

“Why?”

“Didn’t you see our daughter’s face at the banquet? She was half-smitten by that pretty boy! Even Zelnya is still a girl at heart!”

Though Zelnya had maintained a poker face that day, she couldn’t deceive Jerome’s watchful eyes. Her fidgeting fingers and frequent glances at Aidel were clear signs of interest.

“Impossible. She’s our daughter – she knows better than that.”

“Let’s hope so.”

Since becoming family head, Zelnya had been severing ties with Kashu Adelwein. She removed him from the family register again and compensated the families affected by his biological experiments, refusing to hide the truth.

These reforms had helped minimize the fallout affecting the main family.

Jerome respected his daughter’s intelligence and trusted her to handle internal affairs well. The pressing matter now was the Reinhardt family’s head selection ceremony.

“Cunning ones like Brian move carefully. For now, let’s put aside any talk of Aidel becoming a son-in-law and observe his actions before deciding our next move.”

Trisha nodded in agreement.