The Duke of Whishipper

Chapter 5: The Will (2)

Rivan Whishipper had a slight smile on his ghost-like face. It could even be considered humble if it wasn't for his cold sharp eyes that made eye contact with the presents in the hall.
The shocked vultures were taken back by his heavy aura and ended up avoiding his gaze unconsciously.
Not until one of the guests pointed violently.

"How can we be sure that he's the real one referred to in the will?!"

Her daring words seems to infuses the others with courage as another one raised his voice.

"I-indeed! we have no prove of his claims to be the heir!"

"He's someone that appeared from nowhere claiming to be the Duke! he might be an imposter!"

"Yes, and that's when this weird last will was read! it might be fake as well!"

"The dear late Lady would never write such a Will!"

Similar accusations kept falling from the panicking crowd. Everything said strengthened the one said before.

'Trying to push away the new comer then denying the originality of the will. Tsk, those filthy-'

Larck narrowed his light-gray eyes at the scene before him. His despite for their kind only grew watching them argue, as well as his amusement.

Whether they like it or not, this Will is determined and they had not the slightest gain from its content. It was pitiful to see them desperately fighting in any thin hope.

As for the so-called Duke, he has to prove his identify and claim his rights.

'That if he was the real heir'

Larck had an interested look as he was observing the situation quietly.

Rivan Whishipper wasn't paying the least attention to the rumbling crowd. It could even be seen as he wasn't hearing them at all. His Heliodors glimmering eyes seemed to set on one prey.

By leaving his seat, the arguing crowd cowered and calmed. However, the women to speak first looked at him determinedly and asked.

"Who are you?"

"Heh"

The young man laughed and finally moved his gaze to look at her while smiling slightly.

"Huh?"

The women was greatly shocked at the unexpected reaction but she soon was back to her senses and rage wore her off.

"You disrespectful litt-"

"Allow me...!"

Her words was cut by the honeyed voice of the young man. His hand was placed on top of his chest while his head titled a bit. The smile on his face never ceased even with the chilly looks he had.

"I will introduce myself one more time. I am Rivan Whishipper. May I remind you that this is my mother's funeral?"

"Nonsense!"

Rivan ignored her raging shout again to look towards the lawyer and addressed him.

"Mr. Dorben, I assume I need to prove my identify?"

Larck was getting more curious at the confidence that Rivan had to his words and actions, but also can't deny he was satisfied with the way those greedy guests were treated.
Mr. Dorben nodded in approval which made Rivan smile even wider.

"Elora."

"Yes, Master Rivan."

A young lady in a butterfly high-class maid's dress approached from behind Rivan at his call. The young pale man didn't look her way as she bowed with elegance and handed him an item.

The woman to start the rucks was extremely annoyed of being interrupted twice. Her eyes widened red, as she was ready for another raging blast. However, nothing of it happened as the woman's pupils shook and lips trembled. Her expression revealed the shock she felt. She took a few steps to the back, she mumbled.

"This can't be....this thing is not real...it's fake. it has to be fake..."

"Oho? I see that you recognized it."

The woman slowly moved her eyes away from the black haired young man smiling softly at her. Her face lost all colors. Her shock turned into horrified trembles and whispers of disbelief. The courage from earlier faded away and was replaced by pure frightfulness.

Every viewer was greatly confused upon such a reaction. What could've made such a change in behavior?

Nonetheless, Rivan handed the lawyer that item with a meaningful gaze.

It was a golden badge with a silver core in the shape of a manuscript. The badge had gems forming the letter W on the manuscript.

Rivan spoke slowly.

"Mr. Larck, as a Dorben you should be able to recognize the real Whishipper crest."

Larck froze in place. Did he hear that right? The real Whishipper crest?!

"That's-"

"Impossible?"

Rivan's smile was gone when he pointed at the badge and flatly said.

"You're a Dorben. You should be able to tell."

Larck hesitated a bit but soon reached to grab the item.

He's a Dorben, which means he's the only one who knows how to identify any item of the Whishippers. The only one to know if the crest of this dead bloodline was real.
His family has worked for generations under this dukedom after all, keeping all their secrets.

The hall was one again a cold grave with no sound but the lawyer checking the badge.

End of chapter 5