I, the Villain, Want to Save Myself, But the Yandere Heroines Disagree
Chapter 71 - Unable to Be Honest

“But, Mr. Zenith... the situation shouldn’t be that dire yet. If there really is no other option, and if it has to be that way, I will do it,” Donny said this, put away the poison, and stood up.

“I understand. After all, you are the Duke’s son. It is only human nature not to want to harm your own father,” Zenith said with a smile, nodding. “However, Young Master Donny, please remember this: you absolutely must not do too much to resist the allied forces, according to the Duke’s orders. Otherwise, even if you cut your losses in time in the end, the allied forces might only consider it making up for your mistakes and will not give you more favorable terms.”

To put it simply, Zenith was advising Donny to defect early.

In this situation, defecting early means the Napoli Duchy still has leverage to negotiate with the enemy, and neither side’s losses have become too great. Everything can be reasonably resolved through negotiation.

The later he defected, the fewer benefits he would receive.

Donny naturally understood this. He simply nodded.

He firmly believed in Zenith’s words.

If it weren’t for Zenith’s advice, he would still be confined by Giovanni now, unable to even leave the house, let alone gain Giovanni’s trust.

He believed that Zenith had resorted to this drastic measure because the situation was dire. Otherwise, in peacetime, he would definitely have a better way to take over the burden of the Napoli Duchy from his father sooner.

“Then, Mr. Zenith, how can I continue to gain Father’s trust and favor by his side from now on?” Donny changed the subject, asking about the matters he discussed most often with Zenith.

Zenith seemed to understand Giovanni better than Donny did. Most of the advice he gave was spot-on with Giovanni’s preferences.

For example, when Donny was out on business before, Zenith advised Donny to bring back some local gifts and specialties to give to Giovanni. As a result, although Giovanni didn’t say anything on the surface, his attitude towards Donny was indeed much better in the following few days.

“The Duke’s mood is probably not very good these days. What you need to ensure, Young Master Donny, is that no outsiders disturb the Duke. Besides that, you two should talk more about family matters.”

“Alright,” Donny received advice from Zenith, thanked him, and then left.

...

Returning to the ducal mansion, Donny paused for a moment outside Giovanni’s office, composed himself, and then walked in again.

After all, he had just been discussing poisoning his own father with someone else. Even if it was a last resort, this was still a human life.

To put it nicely, it was righteousness and sacrificing one’s own family. To put it bluntly, it was a beast who killed his own kin.

“You’re back?” Giovanni’s tone was weary. He didn’t look up at Donny.

“Yes, Father. A few counts seem unwilling to put in effort for us. They haven’t withdrawn troops from their territories to support us, nor have they intercepted the enemy army. What should we do?”

“Since things have come to this, let them be,” Unexpectedly, Giovanni did not get angry. Instead, he sighed dejectedly.

The events of the past few days had dealt him a blow that surpassed the past decade or so.

Yet just a month ago, he thought he was an observer watching from below the stage. He hadn’t expected that he himself had become the clown on the stage now.

Of course, he hadn’t completely given up resisting. If the enemy truly intended to come to Romulus City, he would engage in the final battle with them here.

He was not without any trump cards.

Then, he looked at Donny, who was standing stiffly in place, and spoke, asking, “Donny, tell me, for the sake of the soldiers on both sides, should I surrender and voluntarily accept judgment?”

“Apologies, Father, I don’t know...” Donny shook his head. “But, if you, Father, accept judgment, the Florence family might...”

“You’re right.”

Giovanni glanced at Donny, and said sincerely, “I don’t know if it’s because the duchy has faced hardships, which has made you grow up, but, Donny, in my opinion, you have truly grown up recently.”

“The reason I don’t let you lead a single army is not because I don’t trust you, but because I no longer have anyone I can trust.”

“To be a lord to this extent, I am quite a failure, but, I do not regret it, because at least, I still have you, my son.”

“I often compared you to Lucius’s two sons, saying they were more capable than you, but that’s not true.”

“In my opinion, you are the most capable. The reason I said that was to motivate you. Seeing that you have indeed grown up now, I am very pleased.”

Donny was silent.

The more Giovanni said this, the more tormented Donny felt inside.

For a moment, Donny even wanted to reveal all the plotting he had done with Zenith just now, to let Giovanni know that the son he had placed such high hopes on was actually conspiring with someone else on how to murder him.

But he ultimately did not dare to speak it out.

After all, if Giovanni knew about this matter, he would definitely be severely punished.

Giovanni looked at Donny’s hesitant face, sighed inwardly, then said, “You’ve been busy outside these past few days, and you must be a little tired. Go back and rest first. I can handle these matters by myself.”

After Giovanni said these words, Donny, as if relieved of a great burden, quickly fled the room.

Just after Donny left, from the shadows of the room, a person wearing a black cloak and whose appearance was obscured walked out.

“Duke, why didn’t you continue asking just now?” the person in black asked, his tone filled with confusion.

“I am giving Donny a chance to repent,” Giovanni said this.

“He is just a child. The pressure of confessing something like this to him is still too great, isn’t it?” Giovanni sighed, then his tone changed, becoming cold, “That dark rat hiding behind Donny, you had better hope I don’t catch you. Otherwise, you will die a much more tragic death than Marcus back then.”

...

On the other side, within the Imperial Academy.

Although two-tenths of the students were from regions where war was breaking out, only a handful of students actually took leave to go back this time.

Among the people Orson knew, only Litte and Virgil took leave to go back. The entire Imperial Academy had less than ten people apply to leave school.

“Good morning, big brother,” Laina said this, smiling and greeting Orson.

Since Litte left these past few days, the person who went to and from class with Laina had changed.

“Mm, good morning,” Orson said this, looking at Lianca standing beside Laina.

“Lianca, you too, good morning.”

“Mm... good... good morning,” Lianca heard Orson proactively greet her, turned her face away, and replied uncomfortably.

After Litte left, Lianca proactively took over the task of accompanying Laina.

Actually, Laina had already been enrolled for a while and had no problem going to and from class alone.

“It’s just because Laina is a new student, and happens to be in the same class. I’m doing this to help Litte. It’s not specifically to please you, Orson.”

Thinking of Lianca’s awkward and hesitant appearance back then, Orson couldn’t help but find it amusing.

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