Chapter 185
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
Agatha had expected to meet him eventually while staying in the south. But she hadn’t anticipated that it would come so soon.
Although she did not like being manipulated by Count Schuck’s tricks, it was urgent to find Liana, Ruben, and the attendants who had come with them.
“…He says he wants to see my face so badly. I’ll grant him this one time out of generosity.”
“Are you planning to go by yourself? I could easily bring them back on my own.”
“It could be a waste of time. It’s best if I go and bring them myself.”
“That may be true, but…”
Karon’s gaze briefly touched Agatha’s belly before returning to her face. He was deeply uncomfortable with the way Count Schuck was treating her. He had heard many negative rumors about the Count, and the thought of Agatha facing him made Karon uneasy.
‘This won’t be good for a prenatal condition either.’
She should only see good things and hear good things. Karon sighed in frustration. He wished he could just hide Agatha away in a safe place, shielding her from all the harmful things in the world.
Although Agatha had now become the head of the family, Karon still saw her as the nine-year-old girl who had lost her parents. The ten years he had spent without being able to protect her, despite swearing to dedicate his life to protecting her, weighed heavily on him every time he looked at her.
“As soon as the sun rises, let’s go meet Count Schuck. Get ready.”
“Yes, understood.”
Agatha looked determined as she turned around. Seeing her so resolute, Karon followed suit and took his first step.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
After revealing their identities and swiftly subduing the mercenaries, Cain discovered that their leader was Count Schuck. He had always intended to meet him and confront him, but in the rush to find Agatha, the thought had temporarily slipped to the back of his mind.
Realizing that Count Schuck was in charge of Pahel, Cain immediately began to worry about Agatha’s safety. Although he could deceive Rubens and quickly leave, he was concerned that doing so might reveal Agatha’s location to the mercenaries.
Observing Rubens’s reaction, it seemed he was also reluctant to lead the mercenaries to Agatha. In situations like this, it was safer to reveal all identities. Doing so would serve as a warning, preventing them from acting recklessly.
It seemed Rubens had come to the same conclusion. By revealing their identities that night, they were now on their way to meet Count Schuck.
As expected, Count Schuck appeared to be even more of a grotesque figure than anticipated. His greasy forehead, darkened upper lip, and unhealthy-looking, pale lips spoke volumes about his poor health.
The thick, suffocating fat stuffed into his clothes seemed to emanate a foul odor, almost as if the stench was coming from within. It was unclear whether this was a result of the disgust rising within Cain or if the man truly smelled foul.
The overpowering scent of perfume filling the drawing room only made the air seem more nauseating. Had the Count piled on the fragrance to mask his own stench? Cain’s uncomfortable gaze never left the Count’s face.
Since the first time he had revealed his identity and met the Count, Cain had struggled to control the murderous intent that surged within him. This was a man who, in Cain’s mind, had been killed thousands of times— a man who had abused his mother, treating her as nothing more than a slave, committing acts too vile to speak of…
“I never expected to meet Marquis Vernat here.”
Count Schuck said with a thin voice that didn’t match his bloated body. Cain had sat in silence for quite a while across from him.
“I’ve heard so much about you. It’s an honor to meet you.”
His words, though polite, held no sincerity, and he made no effort to rise from his seat. As Cain didn’t respond to the pleasantries, the Count made excuses to not stand up.
“I apologize. My condition makes it difficult for me to stand. I hope you can understand.”
The Count’s large body seemed to strain against his weak legs. He had likely avoided standing on them, exacerbating his knee problems as his body grew larger and more unwieldy.
Cain remained silent, suppressing the urge to unleash the pent-up fury that was rising in him. If he spoke, he feared he would burst out and demand what the Count had done to his mother.
“May I ask why you were at that place so late?”
Even though he was wealthy, the title did not make him untouchable. It did not give him the right to ask such questions without the proper authority. Cain could easily have issued a command to silence him right there for his insolence.
“Marquis. Please be courteous.”
Lehman said first, sensing the coldness in Cain’s demeanor.
The Count’s face twitched slightly, showing his discomfort. He did not look at Lehman, continuing instead with his words.
“I suppose I got a bit excited, having never had the opportunity to meet one of the Empire’s great nobles. Please forgive my rudeness, Marquis.”
At last, he lowered his head. For a fleeting moment, Cain imagined drawing his sword and beheading him right then and there.
Would killing him in this moment avenge his mother’s death?
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