If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 201

‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.

The more one shares ugly and filthy secrets, the deeper the bond becomes, and the relationship thickens.

Thus, the Count swore on his life to fully cooperate and offer all his wealth for the Grand Duke’s treason.

Everything flowed smoothly according to the Grand Duke’s plan… that is, until Duke Kristin learned of all these hidden truths and turned against them.

“Hm? Who is that…”

As the Grand Duke gazed out the window, he saw a familiar woman with long braided brown hair and a slender figure. At first glance, she resembled the long-dead Queen of Amasril.

“Who… who is that?”

The Grand Duke’s eyes widened in disbelief. Didn’t they have the woman killed along with Duke Kristin? He had specifically ordered it.

A fire surged in the Grand Duke’s eyes. Could it be that the Count had disobeyed his orders and secretly spared her, then lied about her death? This was something he couldn’t let slide.

The Grand Duke, who had been waiting for the Count’s message until lunch, immediately stormed out of the room.

Bang.

The Count, startled by the Grand Duke charging at the door with the intent to break it down, collapsed to the floor, still adjusting his clothes.

“Why… why… why are you doing this?”

It seemed that while the sun was high in the sky, it was still the middle of the night for the Count. His face, weighed down by exhaustion from the night, showed the strain. The Grand Duke’s eyes narrowed at the sight of the Count’s exposed skin poking through the poorly fastened clothes, unable to hide his disgust.

“You pathetic fool. It’s been how long, and you still haven’t…”

The Grand Duke wanted to curse more, but his status and pride kept him in check. Still, his anger didn’t subside, and he kicked over a nearby chair.

“Why are you doing this, Your Grace? What has made you so angry…?”

Sweat poured down from the Count’s face as he remained in his collapsed position. His arms seemed too weak to support his heavy body. The expression on his face twisted in discomfort as he struggled under the Grand Duke’s gaze.

To anyone else, it might look like the Count was struggling to stand, his face contorting with the effort. But in truth, it was just that he had lived a life of luxury, accustomed to being catered to in his magnificent estate.

Now, forced to bow before someone, his body and mind rejected the idea, which showed on his face.

The Grand Duke was the Emperor’s sibling, yes. But it wasn’t as if the Grand Duke was the Emperor yet. And now, after 20 years, the Grand Duke appeared suddenly, shouting and ordering him around, which was not something the Count was going to welcome.

The Count lay there, breathing heavily, still sprawled on the floor.

“What did you do with that brown-haired slave?”

“Eh?”

The unexpected question made the Count freeze.

The Count’s eyes widened as he heard the unexpected name fall from the Grand Duke’s lips. A brown-haired slave?

“The Queen of Amasril. The one I gave to you as a gift!”

At the mention of the queen, even the Grand Duke lowered his voice and glanced around. There was no way anyone would dare pass along their words outside the estate, but still, the Grand Duke felt a need for caution, thinking there could be a possibility of someone overhearing.

Moreover, hadn’t the Grand Duke himself just seen the woman, whom he believed to be the Queen of Amasril, with his own eyes just a short time ago?

“Ah…”

Only then did the Count appear to understand. He rolled his eyes around, then slowly straightened his body and wiped the sweat that had gathered on his forehead.

“That slave died over ten years ago. Your Grace, why bring up that slave now?”

“What? That slave is dead?”

“Yes. Didn’t Your Grace order her to be killed? Why bring it up now?”

“A moment ago, I saw that very slave walking around your estate. If that slave is dead, does that mean the woman walking around here is some kind of ghost?”

The weak-willed Count, who had been trembling in fear before, suddenly stood tall, looking the Grand Duke in the eyes without flinching. The Grand Duke narrowed his eyes and scrutinized the Count’s expression.

“The slave woman is definitely dead. I personally burned the body and even checked the ashes, Your Grace. The woman you saw…”

“Woman?”

“I deeply regret saying this, but even though I had her killed, I couldn’t completely forget her. I’ve been looking for women who resembled her, and I’ve found a few.”

The Count could not easily forget the Queen of Amasril. Despite her plain and unremarkable appearance compared to more glamorous women, there was something about her that made it impossible for him to look away. Every word she spoke and every gesture she made stirred something deep inside him.

The Count had helplessly fallen for her. He bound her, not allowing her to leave the bedroom, and every night he could not sleep without holding her.

When Duke Kristin had discovered the secret relationship between the Grand Duke and the Count and had threatened them, the Count had reluctantly killed her himself. Even then, he could not sleep properly for a long time afterward.

After countless sleepless nights, the only solution the Count could think of was to find another woman who resembled her.

There were as many as ten or more brown-haired women in this very estate alone with similar features. The Count brought them into his bedroom one by one, continuing his debauched lifestyle, even at the age of seventy.