The Villainous Male Supporting Character Courts Death Every Day : Chapter 10: The Scent of Wine

Miss Charlotte Laurentis’s birthday banquet reached its peak when the servants wheeled out the Zabert Piano.

The servants lit the candelabra at the center of the hall and rolled out the red carpet. Under the lights, several attendants gracefully pushed forward a massive object draped in satin.

“The gift from Young Master of Duke Ausente!” Someone could not contain their gasp.

When the satin cloth was slowly lifted, the entire hall gasped in wonder. The refracted light of the crystal chandelier fell upon the piano, casting a halo over its jet black body, gleaming brilliantly, holy and radiant.

As if the artistic achievements of the legendary musician’s entire life were within arm’s reach, right before their eyes, the guests exclaimed in admiration, their imaginations running wild.

Although this matter had already been the talk of the town, witnessing it with their own eyes still left everyone clicking their tongues in amazement. The nobles marveled at the ducal manor’s skill and influence, while the noble ladies felt both envy and jealousy toward Charlotte.

Miss Charlotte rose gracefully and gave Milo a lady’s curtsy, beautiful and cultured. Milo sat on the sofa at the opposite corner, his posture lazy, one hand propping up his cheek, the other swirling his wine glass, his chin lifted slightly in acknowledgment.

Charlotte walked toward the piano and performed a piece on the spot, drawing a perfect close to the evening’s feast. The melody was elegant and moving. Her slender jade fingers danced across the black and white keys, composing a beautiful picture that drew the guests in, leaving them enchanted.

A young lady muttered in secret resentment. “Miss Charlotte really has all the luck, always stealing the show. Now she has another honor to her name.”

“Ha, this is hardly Charlotte’s honor. Clearly the ducal manor is using her to show off. If anyone is basking in reflected glory, it’s the Laurentis family. She is nothing but an excuse.”

“The ducal manor has never cared for music. Such a grand gesture is truly rare. Could they be thinking of a marriage alliance?” Someone speculated in a low voice. “It seems the charm of the number one beauty is something even the Duke’s young master cannot resist.”

Kyle stood behind Milo, shadows falling across his face so his expression was unclear. He bent down and whispered. “Young Master, Miss Charlotte’s skill at the piano truly lives up to her reputation.”

“Is that so?” Milo took a sip of red wine. Though his gaze was on Charlotte, his expression was rather flat.

An ice queen like her, the original character probably thought she was different from everyone else, so special, so likable. But Milo had little interest. He did not enjoy throwing himself at someone who gave him the cold shoulder. Yet he had to play his part and shower Charlotte with attention all night, eating cold looks the entire evening, feeling quite put out about it.

He was still much more at ease with Kyle. Without thinking much about it, he said simply. “It sounds very ordinary to me. Not even as good as you.”

Kyle was startled, then smiled, whispering back. “Thank you, Young Master. You praise me too much.”

Milo did not respond. But a young lady nearby had overheard, and seized the opportunity to stir up the crowd, asking Butler Kyle to play a piece and open their eyes. This lady’s clever scheme was that since Kyle was a well known butler of the ducal manor, everyone would surely flatter him, and in this way they could steal Charlotte’s thunder.

How could Kyle not know what this lady was thinking? Besides, tonight was Miss Charlotte’s big night, and under no circumstances should they embarrass the host. For the moment he simply watched the crowd’s commotion with a faint smile and said nothing.

But Milo took an interest. He thought this was also a chance to get Miss Charlotte to notice Kyle. A music lover like the female lead might just be won over by the male lead like this. If that happened, it would save a whole lot of troublesome plot.

According to the original story, tonight he should have been struck dumb by Charlotte’s beauty and begun a relentless pursuit, visiting her door, sending flowers, making invitations, all sorts of flashy nonsense. In reality it was just about showing how low he could sink while letting Kyle, who accompanied him, build up good feelings with the female lead.

If they could develop quickly and score a direct hit, he would not have to run over and eat closed doors every day. He could live easy and free.

“Go on.” Milo turned to Kyle, his golden eyes sparkling with mischief and anticipation. “It would be a fine thing. Don’t embarrass the ducal manor.”

Kyle paused slightly, then smiled lightly. He bowed respectfully and walked toward the piano. His long, well proportioned fingers brushed across the keys. He looked up in Charlotte’s direction and gave a slight nod of greeting.

The melody flowed out gracefully, like a breeze brushing across a calm lake, each note sending out tiny ripples, quiet and gentle, lingering and echoing. The guests held their breath, as if the entire hall had gone still, leaving only the piano notes flowing.

When the piece ended, the guests crowded forward with flattery and praise. Some praised Butler Kyle for being young and accomplished. Some praised Miss Charlotte for having both beauty and talent. Others said it was all thanks to the Zabert Piano, and all credit went to the Duke’s young master.

Beyond the applause and cheers, one lady whispered with a giggle. “What number one beauty of Ausente with her unmatched piano skill? Not even as good as the ducal manor’s butler.”

“Musical taste is in the eye of the beholder. But for the ducal manor’s butler to have such skill at the piano, it seems the Ausente family must have deep musical cultivation indeed. No wonder they earned Mr. Zabert’s trust.”

“The Duke’s young master took such care to arrange this matter. His dedication to the arts is beyond doubt. He seems quite different from the Grand Duke who favors military over culture.”

“As for the Laurentis family, they always have arts and culture on their lips, yet now it is the Duke’s young master who came to their aid. They got the treasure of the music world for free, and picked up a good name to boot.”

A voice diverging from the plot was quietly brewing, but at this moment Milo was completely unaware, simply smiling and mingling amid the praise and adulation.

Normally he found this kind of fake socializing tiresome, but after facing an ice queen all evening, these fake smiles all seemed warm and pleasant. Every word sounded sweet and refreshing. Glasses clinked, conversation flowed easily, and he immersed himself in a sea of laughter and merriment.

After several rounds of small talk, Kyle noticed Milo’s cheeks were flushed, his drunken laughter hazy and unfocused, showing clear signs of intoxication. Without drawing attention, he instructed the servants to prepare the carriage, exchanged a few more words with several noble gentlemen, found an excuse, and escorted Milo to take his leave.

“Young Master, it is time to go back.” Kyle whispered gently, bending slightly to help Milo up.

Milo seemed not to notice, leaning half against Kyle’s shoulder, his steps unsteady, still chatting and laughing with people beside him as he walked. In this way he unknowingly exited the venue and was helped by Kyle into the carriage.

Kyle closed the door, took out a soft blanket from the chest, and in the time it took him to turn around, he looked back to see Milo holding a wine bottle, already at his lips, ready to pour it down his throat.

It was the fruit wine kept regularly in the carriage, originally prepared as a refreshing drink. But now Milo was in high spirits and only wanted to satisfy his craving, when suddenly Kyle grasped it. The world spun before his eyes, and his hands were empty.

Milo looked at his empty palm, somewhat dazed. He raised his eyes slightly slowly and let out a hum, about to say something, when suddenly he heard a clear voice from outside the carriage. “Young Master Ausente, please wait a moment.”

Hearing that it was Miss Charlotte, Milo scrunched up his little face, utterly annoyed, his lips pursed. He stood up unsteadily, lost his balance, and fell softly into Kyle’s arms, tumbling the man onto the seat cushion. In a daze he whispered against the man’s ear. “Say I’m asleep. You go deal with it. See what she wants.”

At this moment Milo’s voice was soft and sticky, his cheeks flushed with a tipsy pinkness, fair skin showing red through white. A pair of hazy golden eyes glistened with moisture, full of charm, yet completely unaware of it himself. His scorching breath blew against the man’s neck, carrying the scent of wine.

Kyle steadied Milo, yet his palm boldly slid along his waistline, lightly caressing. He took a deep breath, and after quite some time, lowered his gaze and said. “Yes, Young Master.”

Stepping down from the carriage, Kyle stopped at a polite distance and bowed to Miss Charlotte. “Miss Charlotte, the Young Master has already retired. If you have something to say, I can pass it along.”

Miss Charlotte glanced at the carriage, walked forward two steps, and said softly. “It is alright. Actually… I was looking for you, Butler Kyle.”

Kyle was slightly surprised, though it did not show on his face. His tone remained respectful. “Miss Charlotte, please speak freely.”

“Butler Kyle need not be so formal. I simply wished to thank you, about the Zabert Piano.” Miss Charlotte raised her eyes, her gaze clear and bright, warm and sincere, completely different from the coldness she had shown at the banquet.

“Everyone says the Zabert Piano was preserved and treasured thanks to the favor of the Duke’s young master, but I know it was you, Butler Kyle, who worked behind the scenes.” Charlotte’s tone was gentle and earnest, each word spoken clearly and firmly. “Thank you for preserving this treasure of the music world, and thank you… for thinking highly of me. I shall not let you down.”

Kyle was greatly surprised. He had not expected the daughter of the Laurentis family to be so direct. Whether this was the innocence of a hothouse flower, or the uprightness of one who rises from the mud unsoiled, he did not know. But none of this was what concerned him now.

Lowering his eyes to look at the shadow of the carriage in the moonlight, he thought about how dark the little one’s face must be upon hearing these words. Thinking of the boy’s bristling appearance, a doting smile flashed in his eyes. Kyle humbly lowered his head. “You overthink, Miss Charlotte. Everything was the Young Master’s idea. I merely completed the task the Young Master assigned.”

Miss Charlotte’s expression did not change. Clearly she did not believe him. She simply gave a slight bow of her own accord. “Butler Kyle, your kindness and trust, I swear upon the name of the Laurentis family, I shall remember in my heart, and one day I shall surely repay it.”

“I am deeply honored by your kindness, Miss Charlotte.” Kyle bowed in return. A flash of depth passed through his gaze, and when he raised himself again, he had returned to normal. He said calmly. “Tonight is your important moment. I shall not disturb you further. Please, no need to see me off.”

Watching Miss Charlotte return to the banquet, Kyle’s fingertips subtly traced against each other, as if assessing Charlotte’s value. A plan flashed through his mind and was gone in an instant, like a seed quietly sprouting.