There's a terrible rumor going around right now.

The Rowoon's First Prince and Mogoru's Crown Prince are both interested in the same nobleman and have even declared themselves to be the latter's wife.

Rok frowned, the sour lemon tea dripping from his lips with disgust. Cale was laughing his head off, openly mocking his older brother and oblivious to the rest of the world.

Whoever said these things, Rok will skin him alive, pour salt on him, and hang him outside in broad daylight for 24 hours.

"Go ahead, laugh at me," Rok said bitterly, "you once said you'd marry whoever marries me."

"I did not say that... I will marry for love! Hahahahah!" Cale laughs again.

This jerk has selective amnesia when it suits him. Rok scowled as he examined the papers in front of them.

"How should we proceed?"

"Last time, these tutors continued to find fault with Bassen."

"Did they hit him?"

"Apparently... But this time, Hyung-nim, we're the target of scorn."

Rok looked at Cale, who appeared to be plotting their next move.

"There's no need for that," Rok said, leaning back in his chair, "they just need to find no flaws in us."

Cale looked at him, perplexed. Rok was the one who advised living modestly and away from the spotlight. Given that they are already the center of attention, Rok advises them to let go of all inhibitions and go for the bang.

"Shouldn't we act like little shits if we want to corner them?"

"Imposing little shits," Cale agreed, smiling devilishly.

Deruth will undoubtedly pick up on their movements. No, he should be prepared for what comes next after they move.

"I suppose we'll miss our good Bassen."

"I enjoy hanging out with our good Bassen."

"Let him miss Hyunnim and Hyunnie."

"What a bastard of a Hyunnim he had."

They hadn't mentioned it before, but the Henituse County has an odd education. Househead education is mandatory for all children their age. Branch Families and even Ddirect descendants are subjected to the same training.

Cale: Actually, dad isn't supposed to be the head of the household.

Rok: Really?

Cale: Arsen or Silvior Henituse was supposed to be there. However, the previous patriarch made his will to make dad the next head of the county, and because succession in the county is strictly the Patriarch's succession, the Elder's council cannot interfere.

Rok suspected the council even sent Deruth to the Academy to delay succession after hearing these. The council couldn't deny Deruth's right as Head of the Household because their father proved he was worth it and because of the incident where he took the lead over the drought a few years ago.

Rok: For a family that wants to live in peace and happiness, we do have greedy elders, huh?

Cale snorted.

Cale: Did you know that the people who truly believed in that motto were chosen to be the county seat?

Rok: I'm never going to believe that motto again.

Cale: That's very funny; you want to live a rich slacker life, but does that imply peace and happiness?

Rok: No, it isn't. It's different.

Rok sighs, his obnoxious younger brother delights in teasing him. He'll find the best time to tease him as well. He can hardly wait. He'll find someone to lump this younger brother with, somehow.

They sat at the very back of the room, casually. They were assessing the children around them and knew who was who. Arsen's children are also taking part, huh?

Ignoring them is the best feeling in the world. We don't need you!

They're nothing more than ants trying to cause trouble in comparison to the enemies of the future.

It was when the tutors gaze caught their attention. He made them sit along with the children and began discussing about politics and statescraft.

Cale: that's the wrong stuff.

Rok: it's the standard of tyranny.

They remained silent as they observed their cousins actively participating.

"How about you, Young Lord Rok? Young Lord Cale?"

They looked at them. Agh. They're irritating them!

"Don't ask them, teacher! I'm sure they don't know how to write yet!"

Rok: Who the hell is that? "

Cale: Arsen's first born.

Rok cracked a wide smile. Everyone fell silent.

"We didn't need to participate if everyone else was already doing so."

Cale got chills from how cold Rok's voice is right now.

"I just didn't think such a rigged lesson could peak everyone's attention," Rok said, making some of the kids flinch, "I guess there are still idiots... attention seekers and, worse, head wannabees around."

Cale: ROK!

"Teacher, the way to a prosperous and powerful kingdom is not through military prowess... it's about statescraft," Rok said casually.

Cale's face flushed. Rok, who wants to slack off and mess around, is correcting someone, let alone an enemy within the Henituse! Damn, damn, damn! How can I shut this stupid brother of mine up?

Rok smiled once more. "There is no need to enforce the law of force on the poor who couldn't afford a single meal, on the widows of the knights who died, and on the county who suffered because of the leader's incompetence; the kingdom will surely die."

The teacher blushed furiously, clearly, he's angry.

"To the people who lived for peace and happiness, that teaching is against our principles."

The teacher shook his head and said, "But it can't be denied that this long peace won't last long."

"Yes, it won't." That's a fact. "Then teacher let me ask you, what do you think will fail first? A country that enforces the law of force or a country that believes in the force of law?"

That made everyone silent.

Cale carefully gazed at his brother. The teacher was taken back. He looked like he knew the answer but if he answered the right thing, he'll be going against his own teaching.

Rok smiled once more, "A country with talents will bloom than a country that controls it's talents... Too bad, someone would never bloom despite being a good seed."

"ROK HENITUSE, WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE!? YOU'RE JUST AN ILLEGITIMATE? WHAT CAN YOU UNDERSTAND?!" the teacher yelled, but at the same time, the doors opened with few elders and Deruth Henituse in sight. Arsen Henituse was also present.

"Hah..." Deruth smiled coldly, "I guess even the greeted scholar in the county is reduced to this."

Shame and remorse filled the tutor's face.

Actually, the elders and the rest of them heard how Rok logically asked the tutor.

If there is something that makes the twins head and above among their peers...

It's intellect.

Deruth would praise and simp over his son all over again if only these old bastards were present.

It was at this point that Rok decided to pursue Oscar-winning acting.

He welled up with tears and approached his father.

Cale: ahhh. What a two faced bastard.

Rok: this is better. Hahahahhahaha

Cale approached their father with caution, clutching his father's pants.

"I don't want to study here," Cale stated. Rok continued to sob as Deruth cradled him in his arms.

Cale: hoho... Arsen's face twisted.

Rok: Look at those adorable elders! I want to wreak even more havoc on them!

After that humiliation, the tutor immediately fled. Deruth lowered Rok to the ground and patted his head.

"Fine?"

"I'm fine..."

Rok cast a sidelong glance at Arsen Henituse, who appeared irritated by the turn of events.

That's because this jerk wanted them to be beaten so badly.

"What do you think of classes, Rok?'

"Boring." he replied. He looked at the elders and continued, "Grandpa's lessons are much more interesting than these. Back at Thames House, Grandpa would teach us everything outside the box. Teachers in the county are here for indoctrination."

They're not actually here to teach.

Deruth smiled.

"My boy is really smart."

"Don't forget, Cale," Cale exclaimed sweetly.

Right now, it's more convenient to act like a child.

Deruth smiled, the tutors in the county are all the elders and Arsen's people.

Violan, who suggested introducing them to the twins, knew exactly how they'd screw things up.

"Ahem... let's go!" exclaimed the council elder...

They had no idea the father and son had three devilish smiles on their faces.

They'll be purged in the most civilized but painful way possible.

TBC