Richard Tarten is clearly an outstanding individual. Amidst the group of more than ten
similar boys and girls, he always stood out the most. Not because he was taller or stronger
than his peers.
With a gentle and kind smile always on his face, Richard never intentionally stood in front,
but he always shone like the sun over everyone. Even among those of his age, he was an idol
to the other boys and girls.
When he spoke, people felt more convinced; when he acted, people saw more weight in his
actions. Some boys even mimicked his slightly slow way of speaking and his habit of tilting
his head while thinking.
Since childhood, Richard was always wiser and more reliable than boys and girls three to
four years older than him. Therefore, when Richard was chosen as one of the selected
children by the seniors, no one found it strange. He deserved it. He deserved to inherit the
family with its long history and to stand in the highest position to lead them.
On the other hand, it was not strange that Christoph—though different, yet undeniably
outstanding—was also chosen by the seniors. Christoph was entirely qualified to challenge
that position more than any of the jealous and envious boys.
However, Christoph was markedly different from Richard. Christoph could not attract people
around him like Richard. He was cold, harsh, ruthless, and sometimes eccentric. Some boys
were afraid of him, admired him, and others hated him.
But clearly, Christoph did not receive the absolute trust and support from the other boys like
Richard. His emotionless face and icy voice created a distance with people. Perhaps
Christoph's overly beautiful appearance had a negative impact. An appearance that
mesmerized everyone at first sight and set unrealistic expectations. Christoph was neither
affectionate nor kind-hearted, and those expectations could not be met.
Many boys hated Christoph and spoke ill of him. They didn't make up stories but often
exaggerated and portrayed Christoph's actions in the worst light. They prided themselves on
not lying.
However, the boys who gossiped behind Christoph's back dared not say anything to his face.
Their eloquent tongues became useless when facing Christoph. They knew very well that no
matter how much they badmouthed Christoph, they could not compare with him.
In this situation, it was inevitable that Richard and Christoph would become rivals. Whether
they intended to or not, the boys divided into two factions. Those who worshiped and
followed Richard. And those who disliked Richard for any reason—due to family
relationships, inferiority feelings, or personality differences.Though Christoph did not belong to any faction, the boys who disliked Richard assumed
Christoph was on their side. Even without affirming or denying, perhaps not even having the
opportunity to do so, Christoph stood on the side of those who believed him to be their ally.
With this perception and the competition stemming from the seniors' choice, it was inevitable
that they became rivals. Small and large events piled up, and their relationship, even in casual
talk, could not be called good.
They were rivals both internally and externally, with sharp swords pointed at each other
without retreating an inch. It was undeniable.
***********************
[From the perspective of Evan Tarten, one of the candidates in the Tarten family competition]
Since childhood, I have always admired Richard. As a small boy, not strong and not
particularly smart, Richard was like a hero to me. Like many other boys who followed him, I
also admired him. Although Richard might not have known me—a boy blending in with the
crowd wanting to play with him—I always watched him. Richard was the ideal model I
aspired to become.
Growing up, I realized Richard was not as perfect and ideal as I had thought; but emotionally,
Richard remained the best person. Sometimes I dreamt of becoming Richard and felt happy.
Since childhood, I was a shy, introverted child with little social interaction but had a strong
desire to integrate with people, so I was very sensitive to others' emotions. I could sense
someone's mood just from slight changes in facial expressions, eye movements, or mouth
curves. Perhaps it should be called observational ability.
Of course, most of my observational ability focused on Richard. I tried to follow and mimic
his small habits, hand gestures, body language, etc., but eventually always had to give up. In
that process, I discovered a small secret joy.
I noticed a habit of Richard's that perhaps even he didn't realize. It was something I randomly
noticed, and I wasn't sure, but I believed I was right and delighted silently.
Richard, always proud and confident, yet gentle and soft; sometimes while thinking, he
would place his hand on his chin to cover his mouth. At that moment, the lower part of his
face was covered, making it difficult to see the expression in that hidden area. Only his
emotionless eyes could be seen.
When we were no longer children, around the vague period between adolescence and
adulthood, one day, as I watched Richard, I suddenly realized. It was hard to believe, but
when Richard was confused or cautious, he often covered his mouth like that. As if he
couldn't hide his expression and had to use his hand to cover it.
This habit was always successful because when Richard covered his mouth like that, he
looked like he was calmly thinking.But the truth was, he rarely did that, maybe only two or three times a year. Anyway, Richard,
being mature and an idol to many boys, rarely felt confused or cautious.
I had only seen him do that a few times. For instance, when a boy in the group suddenly
confessed to him with a serious face or when a boy who always doubted him suddenly
approached and started a conversation without clear reason.
As Richard matured and got used to hiding his emotions, such moments became rarer.
Though a bit regretful, I was satisfied knowing a habit no one else knew.
*************************
Though many boys followed Richard, they couldn't always stay by his side all year round.
They lived in their own homes, the smaller branches of the Tarten family, eagerly spending
their time on assigned tasks, busy with studies and other activities.
I was the same, often spending time in the library after school, attending additional classes on
musical instruments, foreign languages, and sports. On weekends, I went to the main house to
learn about the family business I would serve in the future.
However, it wasn't mandatory to visit the main house on weekends, so some boys only met a
few times a year.
But there was one day when everyone with the Tarten surname gathered. It was the senior's
birthday.
Every year, without fail.
I would arrive at the main house two to three days before the senior's birthday, while the
quick ones arrived a week in advance.
Usually, during this time, they would talk about small personal matters or rumors within the
family.
But that year was different.
They had grown up, no longer boys and girls, most in their twenties.
No one talked about winning medals in international shooting competitions or successfully
completing cello concerts. They all mentioned one name. They seemed disbelieving,
sneering, clicking their tongues, and expressing regret. Everyone mentioned his name.
Christoph Tarten.
The rumor that he had refused the senior's offer right after turning twenty had spread
throughout the family.
He had given up the right to inherit the family, the right to compete for the highest position in
this small yet vast kingdom that everyone desired but could not attain, requiring hard work toqualify.
At first, everyone dismissed it as nonsense. But when the rumor was confirmed as true, they
were all astonished and immediately thought of Richard.
Christoph's rival. No. More accurately, the most promising and outstanding candidate for the
inheritance after Christoph withdrew—Richard.
I was no exception.
Due to an important club research meeting, I hurried to the main house the day before the
senior's birthday, and the first person to stop me was my fairly compatible cousin, Ulrich.
"Evan, you're here. Have you heard the news?"
"What?"
Even before greeting, Ulrich started the conversation, surprising me. I widened my eyes at
his excited voice.
"Christoph has withdrawn from the inheritance race! They say he told the senior on his
twentieth birthday last month."
I was silent at the shocking news, then stammered, unable to believe it.
"Really… Isn't that just nonsense?"
"It's true! At first, I didn't believe it either, but I overheard Uncle One talking to Uncle Two!
And do you know what's even more surprising? You'll be shocked when you hear this."
Ulrich lowered his voice as if about to reveal a big secret. Although what he knew might not
be that important, I still couldn't grasp the situation, so I asked back quietly.
"What is it?"
"Christoph joined the T&R Mobile Unit…! Right after telling the senior he would withdraw,
he left Dresden for Berlin. You know? That place with the crazy Rick! Although Christoph
isn't normal either, I was really shocked."
Listening to Ulrich say, "Who in their right mind would choose that path?" I could only blink
blankly.
If you talk about Crazy Rick, that's the second son of the Riegrow family.
The Riegrow family had maintained a close relationship with the Tarten family for hundreds
of years. I had met the Riegrow family members many times. Particularly because of the
similar age, from childhood, we were often grouped together and made to play together by
the adults. Growing up, we only met on significant occasions like the senior's birthday, but it
wouldn't be wrong to call us childhood friends.However, no one wanted to claim to be childhood friends with the second son of the Riegrow
family, Ilay Riegrow.
Everyone unanimously said he was truly a madman, a genuine lunatic. And to maintain social
reputation and personal safety, no one wanted to be friends with that lunatic. Because of this,
only two people occasionally talked to Rick in the Tarten family: Richard and Christoph.
I ignored the excited Ulrich and quickly walked away. Each step made me more eager.
To clarify, although I admired Richard, I didn't hate Christoph. Despite keeping a distance
due to his ruthless and quirky nature, there was no regret between us.
However, Christoph had left the inheritance race. This meant the person most likely to carry
the Tarten family now was Richard. Although there were two other contenders, they had long
been unable to compare with Richard or Christoph.
I felt I needed to congratulate Richard.
Congratulations, Richard. Christoph—the thorn in your side—has finally left. Now the Tarten
family is almost yours. Congratulations.
I wandered around the mansion, looking for Richard with a heavy heart. But when I found
Richard in the house, he was already surrounded by many people. Although I wanted to
congratulate him, with my shy and timid nature, I could only awkwardly approach.
Everyone around Richard was saying things similar to the congratulations I had intended to
say.
"Great, Richard! Now you don't have to see that annoying face anymore!"
"I'm sure he withdrew because he feared you would defeat him. You've won! I knew it
would be like this from the start."
"T&R Special Mobile Unit is full of madmen! He's found the right place. From the
beginning, no one was more suitable for the Tarten family inheritance than you. Truly,
congratulations, congratulations."
Among the words criticizing the rival who had left and praising the one in the advantageous
position, Richard just stood silently. Not showing joy or discomfort, he simply smiled calmly
and vaguely nodded at their words.
The people around admired Richard's calm and mature attitude and continued talking.
Richard seemed a bit tired, perhaps from hearing these words dozens of times.
But while patiently listening to the praises and criticisms, the topic gradually shifted to other
matters. After discussing the most shocking news, they began to return to everyday topics.
What they had done, the latest news, etc….
Meanwhile, the latecomers occasionally interrupted the conversation."Richard! Have you heard about Christoph?!"
And Richard would be silent for a moment, then slowly nod and reply.
"Yes, I've heard."
Then that person would say a few words criticizing Christoph and end the conversation with
congratulations to Richard.
"Congratulations. So now you will inherit the family."
And after that congratulations, Richard would awkwardly smile and modestly reply, "Oh,
we'll see. There's still plenty of time."
But it seemed Richard wasn't very interested in that topic.
Although calmly listening to their stories, sometimes Richard would rub his temples or neck
as if he was tired.
That attitude seemed to say, "I never considered him a rival from the start, so it doesn't
matter now," and this made his followers feel satisfied, as if representing that sentiment.
However, I didn't care about those things. I carefully observed Richard's expression.
Perhaps because he had to repeat the same stories, he didn't seem very happy. Having
observed Richard for a long time and being very sensitive to others' emotions, I hesitated
before realizing he seemed uncomfortable. But he still smiled calmly, making me think
several times and finally concluding that he must be fed up with the words around him.
Anyway, that day there was no more outstanding story than Christoph's, and each time a
newcomer arrived, the story was repeated. People were starting to get tired of this topic.
At that moment, Ilay Riegrow appeared.
His appearance was not unusual.
The Tarten and Riegrow families had a special relationship, always participating in each
other's significant events. The senior's birthday was no exception.
That day, the Riegrow family elders had come to congratulate their close friend, bringing
along their sons, who were significantly younger than their fathers.
While the Riegrow family elders and others were probably with the senior and other elders,
Rick wandered alone around the house and then appeared here.
Ilay Riegrow—known as an eccentric—wasn't someone everyone wanted to interact with,
but his appearance still drew attention.