Chapter 270
The Wheddon estate hadn’t changed in decades. As Gren passed by the ancient statues and ornaments meant to preserve tradition and honor, a chilling glint flashed in her eyes.
So much time has passed that even your traces are gone now, Eyle.
The dazzling hallways overlapped with the mirage of the past. Memories from long ago—her first visit here to celebrate a friend’s wedding—came drifting back, though now those memories were little more than faded echoes.
[Gren, thank you for coming.]
[Did you really think I wouldn’t? If so, I’m disappointed, Eyle.]
[You always say that. Still, thank you.]
Eyle, once so happy to be marrying the man she loved, died after giving birth to twins. She wasted away, leaving Silas with a difficult decision. Marrying Eyle had naturally given him ties to the eastern nobles, but with her death, that link was broken.
Gren made sure the eastern lords understood that Silas could remarry at any time. Suspicion quickly shifted toward him, and in the end, Silas had to formally swear—on paper—that he would never take another wife.
For a while, it seemed everything was working out.
Gren had married Rash Inverness to swallow up the north, the Empress had removed her rival to secure the throne for the Crown Prince. But—
Everything began to unravel the moment that girl appeared.
Sebelia Wheddon. The illegitimate child of the Marquis, and living proof that he’d broken his vow.
[Wasn’t it enough to just not bring another wife into the house? I even made a formal pledge. Don’t make a fuss over something the First Queen herself never cared about.]
I should have killed him then, Gren muttered silently, a deadly glint in her green eyes as she walked down the corridor.
But she couldn’t bring herself to do it—not when the twins, so much like Eyle, were in the picture. It wasn’t pity or sympathy for Eyle that stopped her; it was just that she didn’t feel like it.
I was too soft.
Why had she been that way? Now, all she felt was regret. Eyle was long gone; why had she let Silas off the hook just because of her children?
She had no idea that the things she let slip away would come back bigger than before. Or that those insignificant fools would one day dare to stand against her.
“Madam, the Marquis isn’t ready to receive—!”
“Out of my way.”
The butler tried to stop her outside the study, but Gren wasn’t one to be cowed by such a trivial obstacle. She knew exactly how to get past him without raising her voice.
“Do you really want to watch the police tear this house apart tomorrow?”
The butler’s face stiffened at her cold, mocking tone. It was Silas’s attendant, not the butler, who finally opened the door for her.
“You’re invited to enter.”
“At least your master isn’t as stupid as you. Move.”
Gren gave the butler a contemptuous look, and his face turned red at the icy disdain in her gaze. She snorted, lifted her chin, and strode into the study.
“I can’t exactly say you’re welcome here, Gren.”
“Don’t flatter yourself, Silas. I’d rather not speak to you, either.”
Their eyes locked in a fierce battle of wills. The tension in the room was so thick that Silas’s attendant swallowed nervously, the sound loud in the silence. Gren smirked at this.
“Couldn’t handle me on your own, is that it? Takes two men to face one little woman. Impressive courage.”
“I’ve heard your snide remarks in letters enough times. Just get to the point. I told you—I’ll take care of Duke Inverness. Why have you come to the capital?”
Gren gave a dry, mocking laugh. Who was he to glare at her like that?
“If you hadn’t been so stupid, I wouldn’t have had to step in. If you’d just killed Dehart instead of hesitating, you wouldn’t be having so much trouble over Rosalyn.”
“So it all comes down to that. You’re trembling over a girl the Third Prince picked up off the street?”
“Don’t act high and mighty, Silas. Your own situation isn’t looking too great, is it? Everyone in the Empire knows that Nathan’s sitting in a tower in your place.”
The only thing missing from the room was drawn swords; the tension was just as thick. Both knew each other’s weaknesses and pressed them with every word.
But neither could destroy the other completely. They were bound by sworn oaths, and each held evidence that could bring down the other.
In the end, all their battles ended in the same tired negotiation. After a long, heated exchange, Silas finally raised both hands in surrender.
“That’s enough, isn’t it? I don’t have the energy to yell anymore. Sit. Let’s talk properly.”
“Then first get rid of that rat skulking in the corner.”
“Gladly.”
With a jerk of his chin, Silas sent his attendant scurrying out. The butler closed the study door behind him, and silence settled over the room.
Silas looked at Gren sitting on the sofa and let out a long, weary sigh.
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