If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 255

‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.

There was no definitive proof that the Grand Duke was responsible for all these crimes.

Everything was based on circumstantial evidence and suspicions, but Agatha didn’t bother to point this out. If Cain said it was so, then it was.

If he declared he would find the only family he had left, then he would. At that moment, all she could do for him was believe in him and offer her support.

She didn’t need to ask any further questions. How he would find Ester, how he would bring her back safely—these were things Cain would handle in his own way.

All Agatha could do now was hope that neither Cain nor Ester would have to suffer anymore. She wished that no one would be hurt, that those who had committed crimes would receive the punishment they deserved, and that those who owed debts would finally pay for them.

Quietly, Agatha reached for Cain’s hand, wishing that even this small gesture could truly reach him.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

In the midst of all the political maneuvering over the throne, a sudden stir swept through Leden’s social circles.

Just a few days earlier, the acting commander of the capital guard had reappeared in Leden after a year’s absence—and that person was none other than Cain Vernat. Every time he appeared in the capital, all eyes inevitably turned to him. Although rumors swirled that he’d lost the Emperor’s favor and been exiled, his influence remained unshaken, even after a year away.

This time, however, his return fueled a different kind of speculation. With the Emperor ailing, the timid Crown Prince unable to win the nobles’ hearts, and now the Emperor’s brother rising as a potential successor, everyone wondered: Which side would the war hero Cain Vernat choose? Why had he come back so suddenly, and whom would he support?

Everyone had their theories, but none of them sounded particularly convincing. Some insisted Cain would, of course, obey the Emperor as always—but that theory quickly lost steam, since he’d already been sent away from the capital in disgrace.

And even after several days in the city, Cain had yet to set foot in the palace. Normally, anyone returning from such a long absence would immediately report to the Emperor, but Cain hadn’t done so.

So, as rumors and suspicions multiplied, on a warm summer day, Cain Vernat finally appeared outside his manor. But instead of heading straight for the palace, his first stop was the city’s great temple at the center of Leden.

There, he formally announced the birth of a new family member—a son, born to him and the Duke Kristin.

This news caused yet another commotion in high society. Nobles rushed to send gifts celebrating the new heir, only to have their presents politely returned along with the message that the first child of Duke Kristin and the Marquis Vernat would inherit the Dukedom, not the Marquisate.

Many aristocrats found this odd. Here was Cain Vernat, a marquis with no surviving relatives, the last of his line with only an honorary title from the Emperor, and seemingly no great ambition for his own legacy. People couldn’t figure him out.

With all these rumors swirling, the burning question remained: Whose side would Cain Vernat take?

A few more days passed, filled with unanswered congratulations. At last, Cain Vernat came to the palace. No one knew whether he’d been summoned by the Emperor or if he’d chosen this moment to report back himself.

But as soon as he entered, word spread like wildfire through Reden: Cain Vernat was in the palace.

“Long time no see, Marquis Vernat.”

It had been nearly four hours since Cain had taken a seat in the audience hall when a familiar voice greeted him.

“Long time no see, Palatine.”

It was his old friend, Joseph, who looked exactly as he had a year ago: silver hair neatly combed, dressed in full ceremonial uniform, carefully concealing his injured leg.

“I hear there’s happy news—congratulations on your child, Marquis.”

“Thank you.”

Joseph waited until he was close enough that only Cain could hear before dropping his formal tone to whisper.

“Are you really going to keep talking like that, all stiff and formal?”

Only then did Cain allow a small smile to break through, though his eyes remained guarded. With so many eyes and ears in the palace, he couldn’t afford to lower his guard.

“I hear His Majesty’s health has declined.”

“That’s putting it mildly. He’s been this way for over half a year now.”

It was different from the last time, when Cain had been kept standing in the audience chamber for hours as punishment. He wondered if news of his return had even reached the Emperor, since hardly anyone had seen the Emperor in months.

It seemed that the Emperor now struggled with seeing, hearing, thinking, and speaking. If that was true, it was a dire situation: the Emperor would need to hand over the throne.

“If His Majesty’s health is so poor, it’s no wonder the Grand Duke comes and goes from the palace with no one to stop him.”

Cain said, clenching and unclenching his fist.