24.

He put the blame on the Captain of Guards. It wasnt exactly something to hold him accountable for. Thankfully, nothing happened to Ercella. But to change the captain over only this.

I cant understand Fathers intentions. Harsen is a strict but fair man. Vicente was even more embarrassed because he wasnt a man who abused his authority. But then he suddenly heard a breath of relief.

But Im 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 Visarides love for his mother, Ercella, was so famous that even Vicente himself heard of it.

Its 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 wasnt a complete transfer of assets. However, it was a great benefit to be able to fully enjoy Sannars 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 mothers family, they barely interacted.

Excluding his memories as a child that he doesnt remember, he doesnt 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 couldnt 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. Theres 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. Carters boss, Drions 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 cant do anything without his fathers orders.

Then Ill back off.

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

But Im glad the Duchess is safe.

With Verons 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 wouldnt have noticed if he didnt 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 didnt seem to be a place for mere recreation.

Vicente looked at the owners 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.

Its 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 kings territory. Vicente wasnt officially knighted so he couldnt do anything on his own. He can only capture them. Thinking so, he went to the place written on the paper.

He saw the shopkeepers back when he reached the red-roofed cabin. He pulled out his sword silently. I wont kill. Or so he thought. Until he heard their conversation.

Top prize!

Creak-

Its 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 Hunters neck, and slashed it. It was an impulsive act. It didnt even occur to him to see Hunters body falling heavily on the floor. This death is not enough for this damned man.

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 Carters hand with the sword, thinking to get him to blurt out their leaders 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 Carters hand and pointed it at his neck.

And then, the Capital Guard Captain Earnhardt appeared.

Tsk.

He clicked his tongue inside. He cant kill a man in front of the captain. He felt uncomfortable as he turned over Carter since it wasnt 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 didnt 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 cant believe I feel relieved that I dont have to stand in court. A person came to mind. She always smiles and welcomes him.

I dont want her to find this out.

He laughed at himself. I never dreamed a day would come when I would hope she doesnt find out that I dont hesitate to kill. Vicente bit his lip. Now that he thought about it, he felt somewhat strange.

Whats this? Hes 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 wouldnt bat an eye if he died tomorrow. She always abandoned him. It didnt 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 mothers family, Visaride, will consolidate Vicentes position.

Its good to have a good family. Shes not completely useless. Vicentes 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. Its 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 Vicentes pupils were losing focus, he heard Verons report. Simultaneously, a mysterious fog covered his eyes.

Theyre human traffickers who disappeared a year ago. Looks like they secretly settled in the capital lately. Because theyre 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 Verons words. Just thinking about it made him dizzy. But he couldnt tell whether it was simply frustration or instinctive fear of losing something valuable.

He thought hed know if he thought about it a little bit, but he didnt 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 dont 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 didnt need to say that. Shes 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 dont want Mother to see this.

Its just courtesy to the woman who gave birth to him, thats all. There is no other reason.

Also, Im 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 Ill 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.

***

Vicentes POV hurt my heart. The way he tried to cope with his reality. He didnt even throw a tantrum demanding his mothers affection. And he meant no harm to her and just thought that hell 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

If you like my work, please support me on my kofi