If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 202

‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.

The Grand Duke’s command had been clear: the Queen of Amasril was to be killed, and all related documents and evidence were to be destroyed.

Yet, the Count had brought in new slaves who resembled her, defying the Grand Duke’s direct orders. This only fueled the Grand Duke’s fury further.

“…What an idiot.”

The Grand Duke was momentarily stunned by the unexpected response from the Count. It took him a few seconds to gather his thoughts before he spoke. His first words were an expression of astonishment at the Count’s foolishness.

“How could you be so foolish as to think that? When I told you to kill that slave, I meant to destroy all the related documents, records, and any information tied to her. But now you’re bringing in new slaves who look similar—what is the meaning of that?”

The Grand Duke’s anger flared, turning bright red. The simple Count, who had not considered this, now vaguely realized he had made a grave mistake and lowered his head again.

The Grand Duke was about to unleash even more fury when the noise outside the mansion grew louder, and through the window, he could see the servants rushing around.

The Grand Duke’s gaze, which had been fixed on the Count’s face, naturally drifted towards the window.

The Count’s bedroom occupied the entire top floor of the mansion, giving him a clear view of what was happening outside the mansion without needing to leave. The mansion itself had been built on the highest hill in the village, which also provided a good vantage point.

“That’s…”

The Grand Duke’s eyes narrowed as he watched the procession outside. Among the heavily armored knights, he did not recognize any familiar faces, but there was something about their armor that looked familiar.

He quickly racked his brain. Which family did that armor belong to? Had this man been secretly leading such knights? As these thoughts crossed his mind, one of the servants rushed into the room and announced a visitor.

“Duke Kristin, and her knights have arrived at the mansion. They wish to meet with you.”

Kristin? For a moment, the Grand Duke’s heart sank. But then he quickly remembered that the Duke Kristin the servant mentioned wasn’t the one he had been thinking of, and he exhaled in relief.

That man was dead.

The current Duke Kristin was his daughter. The Grand Duke’s gaze shifted back to the window.

“Ah, yes. The insignia on their armor.”

It took a moment for the Grand Duke to remember where he had seen it before, but eventually, he recalled that it was Kristin’s insignia.

He had not seen this insignia since the Kristin knights were absorbed into the Vernat Order. The Grand Duke raised his hand and brushed his chin thoughtfully. Why had they come here?

“Why have Kristin’s knights come here?”

“I… I don’t know. They left a few days ago, saying they would never set foot here again…”

“Be honest. Have you been secretly involved with them?”

“That’s impossible! Absolutely not, Your Grace. I am on your side. I don’t align with anyone else without your command. I don’t know why they have come either.”

“On my side?…”

The Count’s choice of words was annoyingly juvenile. Having skipped proper education and focused only on wealth, this provincial noble was predictable. The Grand Duke clicked his tongue in disapproval.

“Go down and bring them inside. Tell me what they want.”

“Yes, Your Grace!”

Only when the Grand Duke left the room did the Count finally manage to get up with the help of his servants.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Rubens really did not like the situation. While he fully understood Agatha’s decision to stay in Pahel and not give birth to the future heir in Pahel, the fact that Cain would be accompanying them on their way back to the capital bothered him deeply.

He had no objections to helping protect Agatha from all possible dangers on the long journey, but Cain’s constant presence around her was unsettling.

If he dares to make a move, I’ll punch him straight in the face. Rubens crossed his arms and glared at Cain’s back.

Unlike Rubens, who was visibly annoyed, Karon seemed to have accepted the situation to some extent, standing quietly by Agatha’s side. Rubens clicked his tongue in frustration at Karon’s calm demeanor.

Once Agatha decided to leave Pahel, her immediate plan was to visit Count Schuck.

She had no desire to meet him again, but to restore the Borgia family, she had no choice but to seek his help.

Charlotte, who had seen Agatha grow into a capable leader of the Kristin family, had said that her life no longer had any regrets. Yet, Agatha knew Charlotte’s true feelings—she still harbored deep resentment for the injustice done to her family by Count Schuck.

Charlotte longed to reclaim her family’s honor, but without the means or ability to do so, she had quietly kept her frustration hidden.

To Agatha, Charlotte was like a mother. Perhaps one of the most important people in her life. For her sake, Agatha was determined to do what she could as the leader of the Kristin family.

Even if she had to leave this place, she would first restore the Borgia family from Count Schuck’s control before departing.

Agatha’s eyes gleamed with resolve.