If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 204

‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.

Judging that fighting with the lord of Kristin would bring no benefit, the Count quickly backed down. The unexpectedly swift bow from the Count surprised Kristin’s knights, who had expected a stubborn denial matching his appearance.

But it never came.

“Hand over all the rights and property documents of Viscounty Borgia that you have seized. And burn all the documents related to the debts here and now.”

The Count’s influence already stretched throughout Pahel. Even if he returned some rights to the Borgias, they would no longer act as the true masters of Pahel as they once did. With this in mind, the Count obediently ordered his butler to bring the relevant documents.

While the servants went to fetch the papers, the Count offered tea to Agatha, but she did not even sit down or glance his way. Once again, the Count’s pride was crushed.

Perhaps he was reminded of the former Duke Kristin, who once rejected even a single cup of the wine the Count had offered. Thinking bitterly of the striking resemblance between the two father-and-daughter, the Count withdrew his embarrassed hand.

Amid the awkward silence, the Count’s gaze swept over those standing firmly behind Agatha.

These were men of noble spirit, incomparable to the mercenaries he had once hired. Their well-trained physiques and clear, sharp eyes made him feel increasingly intimidated. Annoyed by his own discomfort, the Count bit the inside of his lip quietly.

As he scrutinized each person, his eyes finally landed on a familiar face.

‘Why is Cain Vernat there?’

He didn’t notice it at first because the large man stood at the back, blending in among the knights, but it was undoubtedly the Marquis Vernat. Considering the arrogant nature of the man, standing silently at the back protecting the lady was unlike him.

The Count wondered if he had mistaken him. But after blinking several times, it was unmistakably the Marquis Vernat.

Was he silently guarding his wife’s back without interfering in her affairs?

‘What a ridiculous fellow.’

Whether out of respect for his wife or not, the Count found everything deeply displeasing. Here they were discussing the grave matter of the family’s submission, and Vernat was standing quietly behind his wife.

The Count was about to hiss in annoyance, but when his eyes met Vernat’s, he hastily averted his gaze.

Vernat’s gaze, as he studied the Count and his attendants, was piercing. The Count’s fear, from being caught spying, faded the moment a servant appeared holding the documents.

After all, the Borgia family’s wealth was not that substantial.

The Count quickly began signing the documents Agatha handed him, eager to return everything and get these tiring people out of his mansion.

The papers included the transfer of all claims and a letter of guarantee stating that Viscounty Borgia would no longer be held responsible for any debts…

It was clear that the preparations had been thorough. He’d heard of some elderly Borgia woman serving as a nanny, but he had never heard of such lengths being taken just to tend to a mere nanny. The Count finished signing all the remaining documents.

“By the way… are you leaving Pahel?”

He was suddenly curious about the reason behind the demand for the Borgias’ submission, so the Count cautiously asked while watching Agatha organize the papers.

If it had been urgent, the demand would have been made the first day they met. Judging by that, it didn’t seem like an immediate crisis. But pulling together knights and issuing threats meant it wasn’t something trivial either.

So there must be a sudden reason she had to have the matter settled quickly. For example, maybe she had to leave the area soon and wanted to resolve everything before that.

“You’re quite incapable of learning.”

Agatha’s gaze turned cold, reminiscent of the look she had when she snapped at the Count for thinking the name ‘Kristin’ was something that a lowly Count could order around like a servant.

The Count quickly bowed his head and apologized but inwardly he was sure his suspicion was correct.

‘They’re leaving here. But where to?’

A chill ran down his spine as he recalled the Grand Duke saying that the time Marquis Vernat stayed in Pahel was the perfect opportunity to kill him.

If Marquis Vernat suddenly leaves like this, what should he do? What will the Grand Duke say?

Surely he wouldn’t order him killed immediately today.

Sweat soaked the Count’s palm.

Most of his worries were becoming reality. He had succeeded in handing over what was demanded and driving out Kristin and her retinue, but inside the mansion, the Grand Duke still glared fiercely.

It was like climbing over a hill only to find a mountain waiting. The Count kept wiping his sweat.

Facing the Grand Duke’s sharp gaze as he demanded a full report on what had been said to Kristin, the Count stammered through his explanation.

He said that Kristin’s daughter wanted the restoration of Viscounty Borgia’s rights and wanted to formalize it on paper. No other matters were discussed.

After repeating this several times, the Count managed to change the subject.

Fortunately, the Grand Duke eased his suspicion and instead threatened that he would now demand an answer regarding the orders given about Marquis Vernat.