If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 284

‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.

Since, on paper, Ganam was virtually uninhabited, implementing a policy to allocate supplies according to the actual population would mean that most shipments destined for Ganam would be sharply restricted.

But even so, there was little the Grand Duke could do in response. By hiding his ownership of Ganam behind his father-in-law, Marquis Durer’s name, he had made it clear he couldn’t take action openly.

So, no matter how angry the Grand Duke was about the immediate measures, there was nothing he could do. If he protested against Cain, who was acting merely as the acting commander of the Capital Guard, he’d risk exposing himself as the real owner of Ganam. It would only add fuel to the rumors that he was plotting treason.

Surveying the population of all the surrounding regions was a massive task. The knights of the Capital Guard quickly began to show signs of exhaustion at the unexpected workload. When needed, Cain even mobilized members of the Vernat Order, steadily carrying out his assigned mission.

Of course, Cain’s orders were strictly confidential—no one was to know the real reason. To outsiders, it had to look as though he was simply performing his duties as acting commander, hoping to regain the Emperor’s favor.

“Commander. The survey of the three northwestern cities is nearly complete.”

“What about Ganam?”

“We started in the northwest so it wouldn’t look suspicious to focus on Ganam too quickly. Once we were more than halfway through the third city, we began the census in Ganam as well. But it’s just getting started, so we’ll need a bit more time.”

“Include a few more regions in the northeast along with Ganam.”

“Yes, Commander.”

Ethan, who had been handling things in Cain’s absence, managed all the assigned tasks efficiently.

“Um, Commander?”

“Yes?”

“Since the northwest surveys are nearly finished, perhaps you should go home to the estate today.”

It was a careful suggestion. Knowing how completely his superior could become absorbed in work, Ethan was worried that Cain had been away from home for too long. He didn’t know exactly what had happened between Cain and Agatha over the past few months, but now that they had a beloved child, he hoped their relationship was on the mend.

Just as they were finally beginning to spend more time together, Mernich’s sudden orders had Ethan worried that another rift might form between them.

“It’s been over four days since you were last at home.”

“Has it really been that long?”

Cain finally looked up from his mountain of paperwork. It had been well over a month since Christian had handed him the mission orders, and he’d immediately put them into action.

After returning to the capital, Cain had tried to spend as much time at home with Agatha as possible, but this past month, he realized he’d hardly seen her at all.

Even so, he had made a point not to be away from home for more than a week at a time, but every time he came back, both Agatha and the baby would be fast asleep. He didn’t want to wake her, so after just looking at her for a moment, he would quietly slip out again at dawn.

As a result, it had been a full month since they’d actually spoken face-to-face.

He wanted desperately to go home and see Agatha and the child. The very thought brought a wave of exhaustion over him. Cain pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a low sigh.

‘I wish you’d choose a name for the baby.’

Now that he thought about it, almost four months had passed since the child was born, yet he still didn’t have an official name.

An awkward expression briefly crossed Cain’s face. He still hadn’t decided if he deserved to be a father. But since Agatha had asked, he knew he ought to name the child.

This time, when he went home, he resolved to talk with Agatha properly. Rubbing his brow again, Cain exhaled and stood up.

It was time to go home—to the place where his wife and child waited.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

A letter arrived at the estate.

[Dear Agatha]

There was a recipient listed, but no sender.

Normally, the Butler Havel would never accept mail from an unidentified source—he was in charge of handling all goods and correspondence coming into the marquis’s house, and was ready to send the letter right back.

That is, until he spotted the name ‘John C.’ written in small letters on the back of the envelope.

Since returning to the capital, Cain had taken precautions against anything that might happen to Agatha, especially while he was away from home. He had given Havel strict instructions: what to watch for, what to be wary of, and which situations required an immediate report to him.

Havel was a meticulous butler with an excellent memory; his attention to detail kept the household running smoothly. And when the name ‘John C’. caught his eye, it suddenly brought a memory into sharp focus.