QT: Scum Gong System: I Became the Male Leads I Hated!? - Chapter 69

There was suddenly a call later that day. It was from the Fleurys.

When Stein heard about that, he became shaken again. There’s just something about the couple that gives him an inkling, but what that inkling could possibly be, he may never know. It’s like the feeling of small ants crawling on your back, all the way to you shoulder. He could not help but shudder from it.

‘Franklin’ received the call with the jolliest tone, as per proper gentlemanly attitude should. “Guten Morgen, Good Morning. Franklin Storitz, speaking.”

He listened in again peeking in at the door. He recalled the science exhibition.

He wasn’t able to enjoy all the gadgets and inventions showcased in it. He could not even remember a single one.

The only thing he can remember is how much of his heart had become tired and fully eaten by the cocktail of emotions that night had served him. There was too much emotions all over the place that it even affected his cognitive ability and memory. His cerebrum was in full overdrive that all was left is endless fog, his brain boiling and turning into steam.

If he could, would he relive that night again?

That night where Franklin finally…

Kissed him. Caressed him. Made him feel the love he wanted to feel.

But also the night that he had gone unconscious in public, deeply affected by Samuel Fleury’s speech about him and his brother, and was dragged along by that…..

Speaking of the devil himself.

“Who is he talking to through that thingamajig again?” Captain Clerval asked while yawning, scratching his belly as always. It must be one of his annoying idiosyncrasies, his bad habits upon waking. Stein deeply despised it when he does that.

“You have never heard of a telephone before? Even after being such a world-renowned explorer?” The ‘Snow Queen’ scoffed.

“Well, pardon me for not be being so well-versed in the world of devices and man-made objects, I only explore the natural world.” The captain answered sarcastically. “Just who is it on that ‘telephone’? He seems to be delighted to receive a message from them.”

“It’s not a message, it doesn’t work like the telegraph. He is speaking to them in real-time.” Stein recalled the mechanism from the back of his head. “Through those wirings, sound is being transferred and transformed into waves that can travel at a speed almost as fast as a lightning strike—”

“I do not care about the intricacies. I only care who is in the other end, speaking.”

Stein: …..

There’s no way he would like such a disinterested, dumb brute! How disingenuous his words must be back then! To treat someone you favor this way, who would believe such a thing now? Does he really mean any of it?

Stein was about to speak out his disbelief and bring up all those things he said that night, but then reconsidered. Why should he bring it up in the first place? So what if those words were candid or not?

He bit his lower lip. He doesn’t care at all. He doesn’t care about this man at all, he have his ‘Franklin’.

“The Fleurys. I heard that they were talking about being… severely mistreated by someone from a neighboring room at the hotel they are staying in, so they are looking for a new place to spend the night before their travel back to Louisiana.”

“Oh.” Captain Clerval’s expression suddenly softened. “Well, since they are calling the doctor….. It is most likely that they are asking him to lodge in Haus Storitz for the time being. Would their presence further affect you? Do you worry that they shall become guests here? If so…. You should tell your master about your worries.”

Stein was a little dumbfounded by this sudden change in tone. There is so much care and sincerity in them that it immediately contrasted with how uncaring he was earlier. Could it be that….

Captain Clerval is merely trying to distance himself to him so he would not be further hurt?

Was he merely being bitter about the rejection, yet harbors ‘confusing emotions’ for Stein, still?

He was not able to ponder about these questions for too long as ‘Franklin’ had now finished talking to the American couple, and came out of the door to break the news to them.

“Oh. Perfect timing. You both are already here.” ‘Franklin’ didn’t really sound surprised to see them eavesdropping, especially with that knowing smile. If this happens a third time, it will become more and more of a routine, him talking to someone on the phone and catching someone eavesdropping.

The first time though, it was only Stein. Now, the sea captain did not manage to escape on time, or perhaps he never intended to escape in the first place…..

“Franklin, I could explain…” Stein blurted out immediately, much to his regret as it had made clear he felt guilty of something.

But what it was he felt guilty about, even he was not aware of.

“Explain what, dear Stein?” ‘Franklin’ tilted his head in concern.

“Uh… Nothing. Not to mind it.”

“If you two do not mind…” Captain Clerval interrupted their awkward moment. “I would like to ask where the Fleurys shall stay later.”

“Mr. Clerval!” Stein exclaimed. Can he not be arrogant for once!? He did not even bother to feign ignorance about the news Franklin will impart on them!

“So you have overheard. Might as well.” The scientist adjusted his glasses with his index finger. ” Yes, the Fleurys will be staying with us for the night. They shall stay in the other guest room at the Western side of the house, near the ballroom.”

“There are more guest rooms?” Stein asked.

“Actually, the place Mr. Clerval is staying at used to be the servant’s quarters. Not just any servant quarter’s, but for my mother’s chambermaid.”

“Chambermaid?”

“Her most trusted out of all the attendants in the house.” ‘Franklin’ smiled for a strange reason only known to him.

Stein turned to see the captain’s reaction from this revelation, if he was surprised or shocked, but it was him in turn that was surprised by his indifference.

“I was already well-aware. Especially from the remnants of the last settlers there….”

‘Franklin’ raised an eyebrow at this, but Captain Clerval did not elaborate. Tension was strong as ever between them, but there are slightly new undertones to it. Stein could not point a finger to what those undertones exactly was. It was like being handed a dish with many flavors and layers, that they just mix together and make your palate go crazy from too much information the buds have tasted. He can only move away from the distasteful atmosphere.

“Well….. When will they arrive?” Stein asked, hoping to change the subject.

‘Franklin’ smiled. “Four hours from now. Just in time for dinner. We don’t have much time to prepare.”

“It’s a great honor for the both if us to step into your abode, Mr. Storitz. I hope we are not much of a bother. ” Mrs. Fleury said, always with a bright smile. There is something different from her appearance from that night at the science exhibition, however…..

Her upper brow have a black and blue mark.

Stein frowned as he ate his potatoes. He feels sorry for them, to be treated in such a way just from their appearance…..

If his identity was revealed, will he suffer from bruises and scars too?

Will people hurt him?

But then…

He felt under the table a sudden warmth over his right hand. The person beside him spoke. “It is no bother, Marie. And please, call me Franklin. Samuel must as well.”

Right. Why should Stein ever be afraid? That hand over his is proof enough that no harm will come to him.

He turned to ‘Franklin’ and gave a bright smile.

Captain Clerval ate his meal quietly, eyes focused on cutting his steak with a knife.

“How shall we ever repay you, Franklin?” Samuel Fleury asked with a bit of a sad and solemn smile. He looks tired and distraught. He had patches over his cheek too, possibly from a fight.

Stein overheard from the telephone conversation that he and Marie Fleury were attacked by six burly men. They are not as tall and powerful as Samuel Fleury, but they have the have outnumbered him, and he is a cripple after all with a prosthetic leg. They threw a bottle of beer towards his wife when they passed by, just going to their room and minding their business. Samuel was enraged, and asked them to apologize, but they wouldn’t, so a fight ensued. Both parties were badly injured in the fight, and the ruckus caused the management of the hotel to kick out both of them from the establishment, blacklisting them and taking their pictures to remind their employees not to accept these ‘undisciplined clients’ every again in the establishment.

Which is unfair, because the Americans have been pretty ‘disciplined’ until they were provoked for no reason. But since they are foreigners, and they are from a race that is not that well-accepted yet by everyone, people are not considerate with them.

“No need for repaying. My home shall be your home as well for this night. You two can stay as long as you like.”

My home is your home…. Stein had no qualms of them staying due to their pitiful state, but now that Franklin said that…..

Jealousy could not help but seep into his mind.

Shouldn’t he be the only one who ‘Franklin’ should promise with that?

A voice reverberated inside him.

“Shouldn’t I be your only home? Your only family? Why did you bring outsiders in our life, huh!?”

“Shouldn’t it just be you and I?”

“Brother.”

[These following words are here to allow me to publish because of an error. Ignore it.]

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