Endless Leveling Done Right!

Chapter 637: That’s None Of Your Business!

After parting with his friends, Chuck headed to an apothecary stationed at an inconspicuous part of the city.

The potions for sale here were just as effective as those sold in the main marketplace, but they were cheaper.

Also, Chuck and the owner had developed a good relationship with each other, with the young man being one of the apothecary’s regulars.

His shopping session didn’t take long, and he managed to buy twenty-four potions at a discounted price. But when he left the establishment, he came face to face with a person he didn’t expect to see in a narrow alley.

"Do you have time, Chuck?" Duke Marius asked, blocking the only path to the exit.

"I guess I have free time now," Chuck replied. The earlier joy he had after getting a discount dissipated instantly as soon as he saw his father’s face.

"Come with me," Duke Marius turned around and walked toward the exit of the alley.

Left with no choice, Chuck followed. The Duke’s carriage was parked by the alley’s entrance, waiting for them. His father got inside first, and Chuck reluctantly followed.

The carriage then started moving. The young man had no idea where his father would take him, but he didn’t want to talk if possible. Frankly, the last person he wanted to see was his father.

Now that his mother was no longer in the main residence, he no longer had a reason to visit there again.

While he wondered if his friends would get worried if he returned late, the Duke finally spoke to him.

"I heard you and your friends saved the Adventurers I hired to explore the dungeon," Duke Marius said. "You also saved the children of the Nocturne Family. Is this all true?"

"Yes," Chuck replied with his head lowered.

"With this, I’m sure Duke Nocturne will think he owes me a debt," Duke Marius stated. "How do you feel about that?"

"We didn’t help them because we wanted to get a reward for saving their lives," Chuck answered. "You can take the credit if you want to, Father. I don’t really care."

"There’s an edge on your voice, Chuck," Duke Marius narrowed his eyes. "Tell me, do you hate me for the treatment I gave you and your mother?"

"Yes," Chuck answered without hesitation. "I hate you."

The Duke was surprised, not expecting Chuck to give him a straightforward answer. However, instead of being angry, he only smiled bitterly.

"I’m sure you wouldn’t believe my explanation. But, Chuck, I was only cold toward you and your mother to protect both of you. I was already engaged with Tremaine when I met your mother. Even if I wanted to, it was impossible to break my engagement back then.

"Just like most noble families, our betrothal had been decided when we were still babies. The fate of two families were at stake. I couldn’t break it, but I couldn’t deny my love for your mother, so I took the risk and took her with me against all opposition."

"And you made her miserable in the process," Chuck felt anger rising in his chest. "I guess my cowardly side was inherited from you, huh?"

Normally, he would’ve been shaking in front of his father, acting subservient. But now that Princess Xenia had brought his mother to the city of Harmonia, away from the duke’s and his legal wife’s reach, Chuck felt that the shackles binding him shatter in place.

Whatever love he had for his father had disappeared when his mother fell sick years ago. There was even a nagging thought inside Chuck’s head. That maybe Lady Tremaine was the one behind his mother’s illness.

Of course, this was only a speculation. But due to the harsh treatment she had to endure in the main residence, he couldn’t help but consider the possibility.

"It seems you’ve grown bold after your recent dungeon expedition." Duke Marius eyed his son, who seemed to have suddenly gained courage when facing him. "That’s good. At least, you’ll be able to survive.

"It’s time I get straight to the point. I came here to talk about your engagement with the Princess. Do you want to break it off or not? I know you only agreed to it because I promised to find the ingredients to your mother’s medicine. Now that she’s no longer in the villa, you no longer have a reason to continue the farce, right?"

Chuck looked at his father with a probing gaze. He didn’t know if the Duke knew that his mother had been cured from the disease that had been plaguing her for many years.

Of course, he couldn’t be a hundred percent certain that the pill that Dim Dim gave his mother was indeed the Golden Vitality Pill.

He tried to ask the little bun, but Dim Dim didn’t gave him any answer. Instead, the little bun only started whistling while averting its gaze, making it look very suspicious.

Now, asked if he still wanted to continue to become the princess’s fiance, Chuck couldn’t reply right away.

"There are many nobles who wish to marry their heirs to the princess," Duke Marius said after a few minutes of silence had passed. "Even now, they are doing their best to have your engagement with her revoked. They say you are a mere troublemaker, unworthy of Her Highness.

"So, tell me. Do you want to remain as her fiance or not? If not, I will talk to the king and have it revoked properly."

"Enough!" Chuck replied with barely restrained anger. "Just what do you think of Xenia and me? If you want us to marry, then we must marry. If you want us to break up, then we should break up. Just who do you think you are?"

"She is royalty, and you’re the son of a Duke," Duke Marius replied, unfazed by Chuck’s outburst. "While I do not know what His Majesty is thinking, those who whisper in his ears are getting bolder. Unless you match her status, the chances of your engagement being annulled are high.

"What I’m asking you is whether you want to be with her or not. If you wish to remain her fiance, I will fight for it. If you don’t, I’ll respect your wishes. I know it’s too late for me to act as a father. However, I will still respect your decision. Have you fallen in love with the princess?"

"That’s none of your business!"

"Actually, it is my business. If you don’t give me a proper reply, I won’t go out of my way to fight the other nobles who wish to break up your engagement. You’re on borrowed time, son. Use your newfound courage to decide if you want to be by Her Highness side or not."

Chuck glared at his father, who was looking back at him calmly. This was probably the first time the two of them had bared their hearts to each other.

As to what would happen next... only time would tell.

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