Chapter 133
Percival’s face reflected softly on the smooth tombstone—it looked very young, perhaps in his late teens. Though he didn’t shed a tear and kept his lips tightly sealed, he looked deeply sorrowful.
Just then, a presence stirred beside him. Turning his head, Percival greeted calmly:
“Thank you for coming, Mrs. Norton.”
The woman’s face was mostly hidden behind the black veil of her funeral hat. Yet Eugenie could tell from the shape of her lips that Theodora was burdened with guilt.
“I’m sorry, Duke.”
“…”
“What I could save by my own strength—”
“Please don’t think like that.”
Percival shook his head firmly at Theodora’s words.
“I am only grateful to be saved.”
“…”
“And that even my family’s bodies could be recovered intact…”
Eugenie stared at the rows of tombstones beyond Theodora Norton’s back. Large and small markers stretched endlessly.
‘…this many?’
No matter how ancient the Troys family history was, could there really be this many? Some had birth and death dates younger than her own.
‘Ah…!’
Memories of events just before the funeral flashed before her eyes—
The many relatives who had lived in this castle together. Countless siblings and cousins.
But unfortunately, those of Percival’s generation all suffered the first manifestation of the monster transformation—‘madness.’ Those who couldn’t overcome the madness ended up killing their entire families.
Eugenie swallowed hard just from the faint recollection.
‘The curse wasn’t just about going a little crazy sexually.’
After all, just looking at the size of the black monster wolf that lunged at Cassius in the cave…
Percival was the only one who barely managed to return to human form in that situation.
The once lively family had all fallen asleep, leaving only Percival in the huge castle. Despite this tragedy, they barely managed to keep the capital from learning the truth.
“It was smoothed over as a frontier accident. The imperial court wasn’t particularly shocked.”
“Well, with the Ravenic Kingdom nearby, that excuse probably worked.”
“Yes.”
Theodora lingered beside the somber Percival, unable to leave easily. She lowered her head and whispered,
“…Do you think the Duke will be alright alone now?”
“Yes, I am fine.”
Percival nodded as he met Theodora’s eyes.
“There’s also the ‘contract.’ I’m waiting for that promise.”
“…Though I forced it on you to save your life.”
“Please don’t think of it that way. Even if it’s a contract—”
Percival hesitated, his cheeks flushed, and spoke slowly but sincerely,
“I would be glad to become your daughter’s family.”
“…”
“I have no blood relatives left. So if she were to become my family… I will do my best to live up to that.”
“I’m grateful that such a responsible person accepted.”
“That’s kind of you to say. But, Mrs. Norton, how many more do you plan to offer this contract to?”
“Well…”
Percival asked out of simple curiosity. Yet Theodora’s amber eyes glistened strangely, almost as if not entirely sane.
“I suppose until my life runs out.”
“…”
“My daughter will certainly have a different kind of life than me.”
“Do you really think that’s possible?”
“Of course.”
When Percival asked cautiously, Theodora nodded as if saying ‘why wouldn’t it be?’
“I don’t trust a man’s affection, but I do believe in guilt.”
“Guilt…?”
“Well, sometimes you could call it a sense of duty. Actually, that’s what matters most even in marriage.”
“That’s not quite right, Mrs.”
“Hm?”
Theodora’s eyes flickered at Percival’s sudden reply. He hesitated a moment, then steadfastly said,
“Duty is important, but I believe there should be no guilt in a relationship.”
“…”
“I hope the men who come to serve the lady won’t treat her out of guilt alone. And I hope she won’t suffer because of such feelings…”
It wasn’t only Theodora whose eyes wavered at those words.
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