Help, I'm in Another World and All the Men Are So Hot! [BL]-Chapter 258: A Political Opportunity

"You weren’t planning to... take them down?" Damien asked, still trying to wrap his head around it.

"Yes, that’s right," Theo nodded. "My original plan was to have the current head and his conspiratorial wife retire and move to the capital. Then, the young heir could take over with the help of my servant as a guardian. I was hoping to complete the takeover that way. Later on, I was thinking of arranging a marriage with a noblewoman more to my liking, and if they had children, that would have been perfect."

Damien blinked his eyes, surprised by how ruthless Theo’s plan sounded.

Wow. Theo was a lot more cutthroat than he had expected.

And yet, despite thinking about all this, Theo was incredibly hot at night... Damien felt a little flustered, but quickly shook the thought away. Now wasn’t the time to get distracted.

"So, then, why is this happening?" Damien asked, still trying to make sense of things.

Theo’s wry smile deepened.

"Well, when we were planning the retirement and passing of power to the young heir, my stepmother began to make a last-ditch effort... As we tried to work out the details, things started to spiral out of control, and before I knew it, the situation turned into what it is now."

So it was that woman’s fault...

"Well, I think my stepmother was just desperate because her family was involved," Theo continued, giving a bitter smile. "But her desperation worked against her."

Damien couldn’t help but feel a little sympathy for Theo’s stepmother, but at the same time, he understood why the woman was so desperate. Still, it didn’t make her actions any less frustrating.

Damien felt a pang of sympathy for the people in the Viscount’s family whose punishment had become more severe because of this.

"The house steward, Isaac, and many other retainers tried to advise the head of the family," Theo explained. "So, there’s no sympathy for the head, who refused to listen to them. But as for the other decent retainers, the sons, and the servants who were unaware of what was going on, they’re the real victims in all of this. Well, they’ll be blamed for not being able to advise him properly... but that’s how things are being viewed in the public eye," Theo added with a sigh.

Damien understood now. It was one of those rumors that had taken on a life of its own.

"So, if you, Theo, just say you forgive them, would that solve everything?" Damien asked.

Theo let out a bitter laugh. "It’s not that simple. The punishment they’ve received is so severe that anyone would think I’m enraged, and if I just forgave them halfway, my stepmother would cause another ruckus."

Damien sighed. "Ah... she really is a pain in the neck."

"Yeah, it’s a tough situation," Theo agreed. "But what I’m trying to say is, it’s not just about forgiving them. It’s about how things have escalated."

Damien frowned. "But, if that’s the case, then me meeting Isaac was probably a mistake, right?"

Theo’s anger—at least the one on the surface—hadn’t cooled, so hiring Isaac wouldn’t be possible. And if that was the case, the slave merchant might try to make a move to push things in his favor.

Damien didn’t think the slave merchant would go that far, but he still didn’t trust him completely. He wasn’t sure what the merchant was really after.

He’d have to find a way to decline without causing trouble.

But before Damien could continue his thoughts, Theo completely dismissed his concerns.

"No, no. Actually, this is where you come in, Damien."

"Huh? What do you mean?" Damien asked, confused.

"As I mentioned earlier, this punishment wasn’t something I intended to impose, and I’ve been thinking about whether there’s anything I can do," Theo began, his tone serious. "But as the one who carried out the punishment, there’s nothing I can do directly. Since I’m angered as the heir, my house’s retainers and vassals are essentially in an untouchable position in relation to the Viscount’s family. I was thinking that I might have to go beg my father for help... but, no, wait, I have a better idea. Let’s throw untouchable against untouchable."

Damien was still confused. "Wait, you’re looking so relieved, but I don’t really get it yet."

Damien understood that Theo’s family couldn’t get involved with the Castellani family, but did that mean Damien himself should stay away from them as well?

"If it’s you, Damien, you can reach out to the Castellani family, and everyone will just smile and say, ’Oh, he’s doing something strange again.’"

Damien froze. "Wait, what? Is that how I’m treated in your family?"

"That’s about the gist of it," Sebas confirmed, nodding his head as he spoke.

Damien sighed. "I see... so that’s how it is..."

It looked like Damien would be able to help ease Theo’s burden. At least, that’s what he tried to convince himself of.

"Well then, is it alright if I hire Isaac at my place?" Damien asked.

"Yes, of course. In fact, I would appreciate it if you did," Theo replied, his face serious as he even bowed his head slightly.

Damien blinked in surprise at the gesture.

"If you hire someone from the Castellani family at your house, it will show that I, too, am turning a blind eye to them," Theo explained. "Especially Isaac, the steward, who was trying to lead the charge to advise the head of the family against his reckless actions. If he is spared, it will make things a little easier for the former retainers, especially those who were loyal to my family."

Damien understood now—they were planning to use him as some kind of publicity tool.

If that was the case, then he could proudly hire Isaac and the others.

"Young master, now that we’re at it, how about entrusting the matter of the child of the Castellani family to the Crowell family?" Sebas suggested.

"Huh...? Ah, I see, yes, it might be most convenient to leave it with the Crowell family," Theo replied.

Damien began to understand the situation as he listened to the conversation between Theo and Sebas progress.