If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 257

‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.

“I suppose it’s not all that unusual. At first, even when His Majesty’s health began to decline, he didn’t refuse visitors outright. But now, it’s been just under three months since anyone has seen him leave his bed.”

“Three months…”

“I’ll make sure to speak to His Majesty about your visit, but I think it’s best if you head home for today.”

Joseph suggested, rising from his seat. Cain had already heard the rumors of the Emperor never leaving his bed, so he hadn’t truly expected to see him within a single day.

“I’ll pray for your son’s health. I’m planning to visit the temple soon to offer up my prayers.”

Cain nodded. Surrounded by enemies in this city, he was grateful for at least one loyal friend.

Joseph gave a sincere smile.

“I never thought I’d see the day you’d smile, Cain. When your son grows up, you’ll have to thank him for that.”

He tried to keep a straight face, but he couldn’t help grinning every time Cain’s expression softened while talking about his child. To think—the infamous blood-stained knight, Marquis Vernat, could look like that!

As he watched Cain walk away from the audience chamber, Joseph’s gaze grew thoughtful.

Silently, he wished for Cain and Duke Kristin to build a truly happy family together. He’d heard rumors of their marital troubles a year ago, so the birth of the little duke was all the more joyful to him.

Of the ten rumors Joseph heard on any given day, maybe one was true. Eight were pure inventions, and the last one was usually half-truth with a bitter edge. The gossip about Cain and Agatha’s discord must have been one of those fabrications—or maybe it was only half true.

Regardless, judging by what he saw now, they seemed to be a well-matched couple, blessed with a beautiful child.

Joseph was determined to visit the temple and pray for the happiness and health of his old friend and his family.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

A chilling atmosphere lingered in the air. The stone walls, covered in mold and moss, often—no, almost constantly—harbored bugs. It was almost accurate to say that she was sharing her cell with them.

In the darkness, where no light entered, the only sounds were the occasional groan or stifled whimper.

Huddled in the deepest corner, a middle-aged woman squinted as she heard someone enter her cell. She lifted her head warily.

“Get up.”

“What is…”

Other than the two daily ‘meals’—if one could call them that—the door was always locked tight. Was it time to eat again? Were they giving her an extra meal today?

A figure stepped inside, holding out a lamp. The woman, huddled in the darkness for so long, shielded her eyes from the sudden light, startled and blinking.

“Stand up. Alexei.”

It had been a long time since she’d heard her own name spoken aloud. The sound was oddly unfamiliar, even though it was hers.

But that wasn’t surprising. She’d been imprisoned for over a year, accused of spying for the Grand Duke’s house while serving at the Marquis’s estate.

She’d lost track of time; at some point, she’d stopped counting the days. It might have been one year, maybe two. She could only guess based on brief conversations with the guards who brought her food.

“Wh… what’s happening…?”

She tried to stand, but her legs, weak from lack of use, nearly gave out beneath her. Steadying herself against the damp stone wall, she managed to rise shakily.

As the cell door opened wider, two knights entered, each carrying a lamp. The dark prison was suddenly filled with light. Blinking, Teschen lowered her hand—then recognized a familiar voice.

“It’s been a while, Teschen Alexei.”

It was Marquis Vernat. The master of the estate she’d desperately pleaded to see—Cain Vernat himself. Her fingers began to tremble uncontrollably.

“M-Marqu—…”

Before she could finish, Teschen collapsed to the floor. To have the very face she’d longed for appear so unexpectedly was both a relief and a terror.

Why now, after all her pleading had gone ignored? Was he here to kill her at last? The thought sent a jolt of fear through her, but she reminded herself—surely the Marquis would not need to personally execute her.

She tried to calm herself, but her hands and lips wouldn’t stop shaking. Unable to stand on her own, she remained sprawled on the ground, trembling pitifully.

“Get her up.”

The lamp’s flickering light cast menacing shadows across Cain’s face, making him look even more intimidating. Each time the shadows shifted, Teschen’s heart pounded wildly in her chest.

“Stand.”

At Cain’s order, the knights seized her arms and yanked her roughly to her feet. The sudden force made her shoulders ache as if they’d been torn.

After so long curled up in a ball, her muscles screamed in protest. Biting her lip, she stifled a cry of pain.