"You… You're a monster."
I furrowed my brows as it wasn't the first time I was called a monster. Perhaps it was becoming my second name among others as much as I preferred to only have one name.
Lecherous bastard, lascivious deviant, and no-good scoundrel rank among the highest of my accolades.
The butler was escorted out battered and bruised. Such an esteemed man was once in a prestigious position as the head butler in the D'arby barony; now he looked no better than an alleyway ruffian.
I'll admit my conduct is unbecoming of a blueblood no matter how low I rank, so I cleaned off my knuckle and dusted my shirt. Presentability is the name of the game when you play. Hopefully I can get enough attention this way. The other butlers and the maids looked mortified at my actions.
"You! Son, what have you done?"
Barrelling out was a middle aged man with a receding hairline. This man was my father, Victor D'arby. His normal go-to was to turn a blind eye, but even an animal doesn't shit where they eat; so this was unacceptable. Here he had to act like he cared about my conduct.
In the foyer of the D'arby family home the entire play acted out.
Without much of my input needed I got what I wanted.
"From this day forward, regardless of your status as the elder amongst your siblings, I can no longer condone your behavior. Joseph Herring von D'arby! You are no longer a D'arby and must leave immediately!"
And with that I left. I didn't say a word; I just left.
All that was on me was the clothes on my back, my family crest, and some coins; which is fine by me, if there was ever a time to start relying on myself and getting off my family's teat it would be now since I was no longer welcomed.
Finally, I can be free.
Is what I thought before I got embroiled into more shenanigans.
Past my family estate, well, estranged family's estate, came a forest in the north. This forest covered about 2-3 weeks of journey. My goal was the imperial city of Iberion.
Upon leaving the area surrounding the family home I came to the village that led to the family manor.
The town's people looked at me with unveiled disgust and they hid their mouths gossiping about the latest news about me.
Perhaps I've done more than I give myself credit for; if I didn't do anything, these people would have nothing else to talk about than last year's harvest or the increasing taxes. I walked towards one of the guards patrolling around the village and asked for his sword.
"You want this kid? Pfft, even if you were the son of Lord D'arby I wouldn't let you have this. Get out of here."
He gestured for me to get away. This was an outstanding guard, his patience was something noteworthy as usually people don't give me the time of day due to the rumors about me.
Perhaps he was bored.
But as I was walking away.
"Joseph! I heard what happened at the Lord's estate."
Oh great it was…
"Berteim is the name of the one who will bring you to justice. You can no longer hide behind the name of your blood! Now face me!"
Berteim is a delusional boy who heard rumors about me going around, like that I'm a scoundrel and what not. His actions alone have significantly helped in my efforts to shed my D'arby name but he's also been a great headache. I can't even step outside due to him.
Anyways, as much as he is appreciated I need to stop him before he becomes a twisted adult.
"Berteim you've caught me in a good wind. Very well I will face you. Come meet me and we will commence."
I led Berteim to a secluded area away from the eyes of the town's people. What I was going to do would be better without an audience.
Berteim obliged but it was evident that he was all nerves. His hands were trembling and he was scanning the surroundings as if I had set something up, which is uncalled for, and he became nonverbal; as if something other than me was going through his mind, like, a plan of action.
"Berteim."
He squealed, which made me chortle nasally.
He was a good kid so I wanted to let him know that,
"Eveything you've heard about me is a lie. I'm not some sort of 6 armed demon that preys on the unsuspecting and hurts children."
This greatly unnerved Berteim who was expecting something different.
He restlessly moved around in a contained spot, kicking some dirt here and there while I explained the reasons for my near criminal behavior.
"And that's why those rumors were being spread around. Let me be clear that I did not do any of the things that you heard me do. I did it to get rid of my name."
"Why?"
Berteim asked with an innocent expression. He looked rather silly now, he was all geared up in anti-Joseph armor, which was a slightly thicker coat, baggy pants, and he was equipped with what appeared to be his father's shield, boots, and a sword. His helmet, probably loaned from his father too, was too big and not properly sat on his head. He had a goofy countenance, sure, he was too young to be putting on adult clothing.
I took off the helmet Berteim was wearing and ruffled his hair.
"Because Berteim, I have a dream to make my own name. Living and dying in the same spot is what livestock does. I look at my father and everyday it seems funny; I can't stop thinking that what he is, what he looks like, is what I'm going to become. Berteim, you might be too young to understand, but I'm scared of what I would become if I stayed."
I flashed a mirthless smile at Berteim as I explained. I loved the people of the town and I loved my family but I hated to think that my future was this.
"And maybe I'm shortsighted and that isn't what's going to happen…"
I mumbled inaudibly.
Berteim removed my hand from his head and stanced up.
"Take me with you."
"Huh?"