QT: The Secondary Character Counterattacks (Obey Me! characters x Reader)

Arc 5. The Unfavored Daughter Chooses an Unlikely Backer (Mammon x Reader) 6

Chapter 6: A Maddening Tea Party

MAMMON

"I beg you."

"Your grace..."

"Viscount, no, Uncle Leonard, I beg you. I wouldn't be here if I were not desperate."

Mammon was on his hands and knees. Most nobles were too prideful to even consider the thought of begging, let alone a duke and general of the empire, but Mammon didn't care about those things. He only cared about taking care of his people. His savings were dwindling, and the reward money from winning the war was all used to compensate his soldiers and their families.

He spent countless nights writing and rewriting a request letter to visit Viscount Leopold, the older brother of Mammon's father, the former Duke of Roksana.

Mammon spent the past month debating about this decision, especially knowing the rocky past between his uncle and father, but as he had just ardently declared, Mammon was desperate.

It was quiet in the viscount's office as the man rubbed his chin.

The aging man did not say a word for a long time, leaving his nephew to prostrate like a dog.

Finally, the silence was broken by the viscount's heavy sigh.

Mammon lifted his head and unsurprisingly found his uncle's disparaging eyes. A hint of superiority oozed out of the man as he shook his head and spoke, "Father always had faith in that brother of mine, and it's true that he has done many good things for the sake of our nation. 'Tis a pity that the man couldn't leave behind a competent heir."

Mammon bit down his tongue and pressed his forehead to the floor. He wanted to fight back, but what would he say? His uncle was right. The duchy was dying. If he were truly capable, he wouldn't be in this position.

Without telling Mammon to stand up or at least remove his head from the ground, Viscount Leopold continued to speak, "I feel sorry for the people, and for you of course, nephew. However, I have always been a firm believer that loaning is an act of desperation unfit for nobility like myself."

Mammon clenched his knuckles but kept his mouth shut.

"As a man of honor, however, I also believe that it is my duty to help every peasant and beggar I come across. You agree, don't you, nephew?"

Mammon reluctantly pulled himself up and met his uncle's eyes.

The man's eyes seemed to pity him, but Mammon could see beyond that facade. Greed and a sense of superiority often belied the honeyed words and cheap smiles of most aristocrats, that's why he hated attending balls and meeting with other so-called nobles.

Viscount Leopold fingered his mustache and said, "Hand over the dukedom."

That statement sent Mammon to his feet, but Leopold continued without missing a beat, "Don't be so shocked. Surely you know that the title of duke rightfully belongs to me, and as you can see, my territory is thriving so your people will not suffer under my guide."

The young duke was speechless.

Truly, he had no words for his mind was blank, unable to comprehend the ridiculous demand.

Fortunately, before he could raise a hand or speak vile words against his uncle, there was a knock at the door.

"My lord, the merchants have arrived. I have led them to the waiting room."

"I will be right there," replied Leopold. He put a hand over Mammon's shoulder. "Think very carefully about it, dear nephew." If it were anybody else, they would have thought his tone to be compassionate, but Mammon knew better.