Chapter 25: 24

24.

He put the blame on the Captain of Guards. It wasn’t exactly something to hold him accountable for. Thankfully, nothing happened to Ercella. But to change the captain over only this.

I can’t understand Father’s intentions. Harsen is a strict but fair man. Vicente was even more embarrassed because he wasn’t a man who abused his authority. But then he suddenly heard a breath of relief.

“But I’m glad the Duchess is safe. Had something happened to her, not only the Duke but also the Visarides would have caused an uproar.”

“Certainly.”

“Yes, everyone knows that Marquis Visaride dotes on his sister, the Duchess.”

Vicente raised his chin without answering. As Veron said, Marquis Visaride’s love for his mother, Ercella, was so famous that even Vicente himself heard of it.

It’s so much that as soon as he succeeded his title, he gifted the ‘Sannar’ estate, a fairly high yield property in the Marquisette, to his sister.

Of course, the Visarides had real ownership of it, so it wasn’t a complete transfer of assets. However, it was a great benefit to be able to fully enjoy Sannar’s wealth while she was alive. Veron shuddered as if he had the same idea as Vicente.

“The Duchess is wealthy.”

Vicente suddenly wondered what Marquis Visaride would be like. Although he was his mother’s family, they barely interacted.

Excluding his memories as a child that he doesn’t remember, he doesn’t know what the Marquis Visaride looks like because Ercella never took him there later.

Rumors say that he is an aloof nobleman. However, whether he has a desire for power or not, he became the Lord Chamberlain at only thirty-five. Unlike the military, considering the effect of age on the promotions of civil servants, he couldn’t help but say that it was a great feat.

No one knows what the Marquis would have done, had something happened to Ercella. After a while, Veron erased his smile and opened up the documents he prepared.

“And I looked into your instructions. There’s something about this, too. I wondered how could such criminals settle in the capital, and it seems to be related to the recent disappearances in the provinces. Carter’s boss, Drion’s last words were that he was only doing what he was ordered to do, and then he was decapitated.”

“Are there nobles among the missing?”

“Yes, some of the missing are nobles. Gloria Pantetz, the young lady of the Pantetz is also disappeared this time. Lady Gloria Pantetz is a niece of the current Count Pantetz.”

Veron finished with a serious face.

“Soon, there will be an unofficial meeting of the nobles regarding this matter.”

I guessed what the purpose was, but I think there is something bigger in the picture.

“A bloody tug-of-war between the royalty and the church is about to begin.”

This was the domain of high-ranking nobles like his father. He decided to neatly pull out of here. Because he can’t do anything without his father’s orders.

“Then I’ll back off.”

Veron bowed his head and left the room. Vicente leaned back and closed his eyes.

“But I’m glad the Duchess is safe.”

With Veron’s voice, that day came to mind.

***

No one in this country sees her as a sexual object.

Because of her descent, her family, and her status.

But as soon as they entered the archery range, Vicente scoffed low at the lustful gazes that scanned Ercella. How dare they exhibit their filthy desires for this noblewoman?

He wanted to send my mother back right away, but because she was anticipating this outing, he only sighed inside.

He was thinking about the pros and cons of leaving the range. Suddenly, he smelled a faint smell of blood that he wouldn’t have noticed if he didn’t concentrate.

Pretending to check the score with rising doubts, he looked behind the target. The ground was covered with straw. At first glance, it seemed to be built to prevent stray arrows from getting stuck in the ground. He took the straw off the floor with his feet.

Blood.

There were light bloodstains. It seemed as if they tried to wipe out the bloodstains but failed to. After all, it didn’t seem to be a place for mere recreation.

Vicente looked at the owner’s behavior handing the paper to Lianne. Though apparently, he was admiring her excellent aim, his eyes glancing at Ercella were showing his lust. It was disgusting. Vicente made a chilling smile without realizing it.

It’s sloppy. He thought as he looked at the address on the paper. Predicting that they were probably not an organized group, he ordered Veron to call the capital guards.

The capital clearly is the king’s territory. Vicente wasn’t officially knighted so he couldn’t do anything on his own. He can only capture them. Thinking so, he went to the place written on the paper.

He saw the shopkeeper’s back when he reached the red-roofed cabin. He pulled out his sword silently. I won’t kill. Or so he thought. Until he heard their conversation.

“Top prize!”

Creak-

“It’s a top-grade prize!”

He heard his reason crack. A squalid voice overlapped with words that were objectifying his mother with filthy lust.

Without hesitation, he aimed a sword at Hunter’s neck, and slashed it. It was an impulsive act. It didn’t even occur to him to see Hunter’s body falling heavily on the floor. This death is not enough for this damned man.

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And then I saw the man called Carter. Since he was called the captain, he must have a leader commanding him. I pierced the back of Carter’s hand with the sword, thinking to get him to blurt out their leader’s name. Unable to overcome the pain, Carter replied obediently. Now that he heard the answer he wanted, he was ready to kill him. He took out the sword stuck in the back of Carter’s hand and pointed it at his neck.

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And then, the Capital Guard Captain Earnhardt appeared.

Tsk.

He clicked his tongue inside. He can’t kill a man in front of the captain. He felt uncomfortable as he turned over Carter since it wasn’t under his authority nor the Duchy.

He kept an eye on Earnhardt with an unsavory face. Fortunately, his actions were ruled out to be self-defense. He was relieved he didn’t have to go to court. Then he held his sword forcefully.

Why?

Why am I so relieved? He was embarrassed at the thought. The law will acquit him. Such was this awful class society. The same thing would happen at court. I despised this law, so I can’t believe I feel relieved that I don’t have to stand in court. A person came to mind. She always smiles and welcomes him.

I don’t want her to find this out.

He laughed at himself. I never dreamed a day would come when I would hope she doesn’t find out that I don’t hesitate to kill. Vicente bit his lip. Now that he thought about it, he felt somewhat strange.

What’s this? He’s behaving like a dog that wags his tail and shakes his head because its owner has been nice to him.

His face visibly crumpled when he thought that. Displeasure rising from inside encroached him.

“At least-”

Vicente unknowingly said.

At least, when she smiles, it feels a little good.

No wonder I felt a lot of anger towards that woman. I clearly remember. Her heartless eyes looking at me. A dry voice. A perfect way to treat others without caring for them at all.

Her eyes were so heartless that I thought she wouldn’t bat an eye if he died tomorrow. She always abandoned him. It didn’t take long to realize that.

So he also decided to conform to that reality. For Vicente, ever since the day he gave up his expectations of her, she had become nothing but a useful tool. One of the tools to embellish his seat in the future.

Even if she dies or divorces and his father brings in a new Duchess, and the new Duchess gives birth to a son, the glory of his mother’s family, Visaride, will consolidate Vicente’s position.

It’s good to have a good family. She’s not completely useless. Vicente’s idea of using that woman was about that much.

But why?

Her gentle smile, her soft-spoken tone, her kind touch, and eyes that trembled in fear of rejection… Why do they keep on wavering me?

A deep sense of contempt permeated deep in his chest. It’s contempt for myself, not for that woman. He hated himself for being distracted by the fact that he had a glimpse of her kindness after being neglected since forever.

As Vicente’s pupils were losing focus, he heard Veron’s report. Simultaneously, a mysterious fog covered his eyes.

“They’re human traffickers who disappeared a year ago. Looks like they secretly settled in the capital lately. Because they’re physically strong, these scums target women, children, and young boys. If the Duchess were there, she would have been in a difficult position.”

He nodded at Veron’s words. Just thinking about it made him dizzy. But he couldn’t tell whether it was simply frustration or instinctive fear of losing something valuable.

He thought he’d know if he thought about it a little bit, but he didn’t want to. For Vicente, Ercella had to remain a thoroughly exploitable asset. Just like how she turned a blind eye to him until now.

“Your clothes are dirty.”

But strangely, he kept looking at his bloody sleeves. Veron said worriedly.

“Are you not uncomfortable? Why don’t you hurry home?”

He tried to nod as usual. But somehow, bloodstains soaked in his sleeves kept coming in his eyes. If I run into her looking like this…

He lowered his gaze for a moment. The red liquid flowing through his sword felt different today.

“I have to change my clothes before that.”

He didn’t need to say that. She’s a regular woman, not a knight. She may lose her mind if she sees blood. And returning home in this state is generally a discourtesy to a mother. Yes, generally.

“I don’t want Mother to see this.”

It’s just courtesy to the woman who gave birth to him, that’s all. There is no other reason.

“Also, I’m going to stop by the bookstore.”

Just a little trick of the eye would be enough. It can look weird when I go home after changing clothes, so I’ll just buy some books.

Vicente found himself pathetic, rationalizing his actions with one excuse or another. He hurried to shake off that feeling.

A wind blew. It was the stuffy wind that blew before summer came.

***

Vicente’s POV hurt my heart. The way he tried to cope with his reality. He didn’t even throw a tantrum demanding his mother’s affection. And he meant no harm to her and just thought that he’ll accept her as a useful asset.

Also a big thank you to BrightSoul and MELANOSHI for Proofreading for me. I really appreciate your help <3

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