Chapter 179
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
“Didn’t Count Chevron go to see the Duke?”
“No, there hasn’t been any significant movement. It seems, however, that Lady Luther has isolated him.”
“She’s quick on that front.”
Adrian chuckled and poured more whiskey into his glass.
“The Loren estate must be blooming with red flowers.”
“If you have any other tasks for me, please let me know. Also, should we place someone in Duke Heinrich’s household?”
“Let it be. It’ll be chaos, and soon enough, we’ll hear something.”
Adrian was eager for the next day to arrive. He hoped the gift he sent would be more appreciated than the one his mother sent.
Although the Duke didn’t act directly, with the gloves as evidence, this time, it wouldn’t be easy for his mother to get away.
“Alright, Mother. What should I do?”
Adrian weighed whether he should help his mother based on his own gain. But no matter how it turned out, he couldn’t bring himself to kill his last remaining family member.
His reputation was already poor, and if it fell any further, it would be truly dangerous.
Though he felt a bit reluctant, he decided that this time, even if his mother didn’t reach out, he would be the one to offer his hand first.
❖ ❖ ❖
Mikhail looked at Madam Loren who was lying on the bed.
“I-I’m sorry. I did everything I could, but all her organs were already damaged.”
The doctor knelt and begged for mercy.
“The antidote was useless. The poison has certainly spread throughout her body.”
“Even so, could her appearance change this drastically?”
“…Her body is slowly disintegrating. Eventually, there will be no trace left. I’ve heard it’s used to avoid leaving evidence.”
“That’s strange. Such poison shouldn’t be easy to obtain.”
Mikhail furrowed his brow. He pulled the white cloth up and covered Madam Loren’s face.
‘I’m glad I didn’t bring her here.’
Even he grimaced while watching, and if Emilia had seen…
The real problem would be after he left. She would do whatever it took to see her mother.
How could he possibly show her this? It might be better if she never saw it.
No, after thinking it through, he was sure that was the right decision.
“Is there any way to make her face look decent?”
“We can do that. It will take a few days, though.”
“I’d prefer it if it were done quickly.”
“Yes, yes! I’ll do it as fast as possible.”
The doctor nodded quickly, relieved that he was still alive. Seeing his determination to succeed, Mikhail left the room.
“Sir Byne.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“I’m heading to Duke Loren’s estate with the knights.”
“…Understood, Your Grace. But be aware, there will be royal family members at the Duke’s residence.”
“It doesn’t matter. If anyone tries to stop me, feel free to cut them down. Bring Duke Loren before me.”
She needed to know, didn’t she? What Duke Loren had done.
That way, she wouldn’t blame Mikhail anymore.
The knights, who had been waiting in the prepared annex, hurried toward the carriage. The squelching sound of their boots in the mud echoed around them.
Mikhail glanced up at the pouring rain. As the rain hit his head, it seemed to ease the tightness in his chest.
He then made his way toward the carriage.
The carriage stopped as soon as it entered the grounds of Duke Loren’s estate.
Mikhail furrowed his brow. Soon, Byne’s voice came from the door with a knock.
“…Your Grace, I believe you should step out here.”
He opened the door and stepped out.
His sleek shoes were quickly stained with mud. Stepping into a puddle, the dirty water splashed in all directions. As the rain and wind brought with it the smell of blood, Mikhail raised his head.
A body was sprawled in front of the Loren estate.
The blood mixed with the rainwater, collecting in puddles, turning the ground into a pool of blood.
“Upon inspection, it seems they passed away in a single blow.”
“Quite considerate in this situation, isn’t it?”
It was fortunate they didn’t have to endure prolonged pain. Mikhail passed the grim scene and headed toward the entrance.
As he reached the doorway, he wrinkled his face at the unpleasant smell that greeted him.
The knight carefully opened the door.
Inside, it was pure hell.
The scene was no different from the past palaces, and Mikhail let out a hollow laugh.
The knights quickly entered, beginning their search.
“Your Grace! You should come quickly!”
At the knight’s shout, Mikhail quickened his pace. Passing the bodies scattered on the floor, he made his way to the room at the far end of the second floor.
There, Duke Loren was gasping and coughing up blood, barely clinging to life.
“H-h…ck, y-you… c-cough.”
The words were so faint that they were almost inaudible.
“Impressive. Everyone else had their breath cut off, but you, Duke, clung to life like a cockroach. It’s truly remarkable.”
The will to survive was so strong that it gave him chills. The tenacity of his life almost made him laugh.
Mikhail’s steps toward Duke Loren were slow.
The blood on the floor stuck to his smooth shoes.
With each step, the sticky sound of it splattered and filled the room.
Finally, Mikhail stood before Duke Loren, looking down at him as he leaned against the wall.
His cold, frozen gaze studied the dying man as if measuring his fading life.
“I’ve been waiting for the day the Duke would die, but I never imagined it would be so anticlimactic.”
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