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Chapter 253
Richard couldn’t quite name the feeling rising inside him.
It felt like betrayal. Or perhaps a deep, hollow sense of loss. Or maybe... it was simply rage.
Only after what felt like an eternity frozen in a single moment did Richard finally begin to process what had just occurred.
The dog he raised had bitten its master.
It was a betrayal that could never be undone. And now, it was time to decide what to do about it.
But Richard couldn’t bring himself to just kill and discard the traitor.
Because the one who betrayed him… wasn’t merely a hunting dog.
Just because the hunt was over and the hound had bared its teeth at its master… didn’t mean what he felt had ever been love.
“...Who else knows about this?”
“J-just me, Your Highness.”
Max answered, eyes flicking around nervously.
He must have noticed that Richard wanted to keep the matter confidential and was concerned about listening ears.
“We’ll need to expand the search party. Bring Walter and Iona to me the moment you find them. Make sure to operate covertly—no one must know their affiliation.”
Having given the order, Richard stared at Max for a moment.
Sensing the tension, Max, who was surprisingly quick-witted in situations like this, promptly replied, “I’ll make sure everyone keeps their mouths shut.”
Leaving them behind, Richard retraced his steps.
It was now time to respond to the surprise gift his guest had left for him.
When Richard arrived at the private reception room, the Archduke stood with his hands behind his back, gazing out the window.
Sensing the presence behind him, the Archduke turned his head toward Richard.
Suppressing the searing heat that surged up his throat, Richard spoke.
“It’s the middle of the estate. I doubt the outside view offers much.”
“I was simply admiring the garden, that’s all,” the Archduke replied with a leisurely tone.
It was clear he had regained his composure completely, as though he’d read something from Richard’s hardened expression.
Richard’s lips twisted ever so slightly.
“The deal’s off. There’s been a disruption in the plan.”
“Not with the hostage, I hope?”
The Archduke gave a faint smile, clearly amused by his own quip.
Richard responded with a bite of sarcasm.
“Seems like you never had any intention of paying the price I demanded, Uncle.”
“How could I possibly offer someone else’s precious daughter’s head just to save my son?”
He added with a faint scoff, “And she’s not even royal blood, is she?”
The smirk vanished from the Archduke’s face.
He pulled out the gloves he had removed earlier and slowly began putting them on as he walked toward Richard.
Head held high, Richard stared coldly down at his uncle.
There was no warmth in the gaze exchanged between them.
Tapping Richard’s shoulder lightly with his gloved hand, the Archduke spoke.
“Just one thing before I go. Something I’ve been meaning to tell you for a while.”
“...”
“You’re a godforsaken, heartless bastard.”
Perhaps the Archduke had meant to refer to what happened to his son. But for some reason, Richard felt as if he were being scolded for something else entirely.
He didn’t bother to refute the insult.
After all, he had long since abandoned such things as humanity or morality.
Maybe those things disappeared forever, along with the truth he hid from Teresa.
Not even a flicker of shame crossed Richard’s face as he stood there.
The Archduke bared his teeth, repulsed by his nephew’s indifference.
“Before you used my son as leverage, there were times I actually felt sorry for you. A child doesn’t get to choose their parents, and I thought maybe you had your own hardships.”
“How leisurely of you. Worrying over such pointless things.”
“Yes, you’ve grown into exactly what I expected. Just like your mother and father.”
“…”
“What can we do? That’s just the fate you were born into.”
Richard knew better than to get angry at being told he resembled his parents—it would only make him look foolish.
And in truth, it was a bit laughable.
The fact that he, of all people, was offended and trying to come up with a witty retort to that remark.
A faint chuckle escaped Richard’s lips.
Glaring at the Archduke, Richard spoke clearly.
“If you see your son, do send him my regards. Tell him we should meet properly next time. I’ll make sure to treat him well.”
“The debt I owe this time is quite large. I suppose it’s only fair I repay it first,” the Archduke replied coolly, then walked right past Richard.
Without so much as turning his head, Richard muttered a soft farewell.
“Then do take care on your way back.”
The Archduke stepped into the corridor, suppressing the urge to grab his nephew by the collar.
He wanted to stop and catch his breath for a moment—but he couldn’t. Too many eyes were still watching.
So he strode across the hallway and exited the building entirely.
Only after breathing in the crisp outdoor air did the weight on his chest ease slightly.
Suddenly, the Archduke looked down at his right hand.
Perhaps it had just hit him—his son was safe. His fingers trembled uncontrollably.
“Your Grace.”
One of his attendants spotted him and rushed over.
Feigning indifference, the Archduke shoved his hand into his coat pocket and continued walking.
His attendant followed behind, asking, “Did the meeting go well? Should I have the carriage prepared for departure?”
Instead of replying, the Archduke paused and looked back at the building he’d just left.
Was Richard still standing in that same room? Or had he already moved to some window, watching him leave?
If he hadn’t intended to kill Iona, then what was he afraid of? Why try to silence her?
Just as the long silence began to make the attendant uneasy enough to repeat his question, the Archduke narrowed his eyes and murmured,
“No. There’s still somewhere I need to stop by.”
****
Meanwhile…
“It’s nothing special, but please help yourself.”
Leroy spoke in his usual gentle tone.
But the Archduke’s son, Walter, eyed the lavish spread of food with suspicion. He didn’t so much as lift his spoon.
It had been apparent from the start—he wasn’t exactly what you’d call sociable.
Trying to smooth things over, Iona leaned in and whispered softly in Leroy’s ear.
Since they were about to become family, she figured it wouldn’t hurt for them to leave a good impression.
“After everything he’s been through, if he just ate whatever’s handed to him, that’d be the real concern. Try to understand.”
“It’s fine. I don’t care whether he eats or not,” Leroy replied with a relaxed smile.
Their whispered conversation ended with a gaze so sweet it could melt sugar.
To prove just how little he cared, Leroy didn’t even glance at Walter and instead piled food high on Iona’s plate.
Watching the couple with a look of pure distaste, Walter pushed his untouched utensils aside and folded his hands on the table.
“Let me see my father.”
His voice was calmer now than it had been earlier, but the undercurrent of distrust and defiance remained.
Leroy had assumed that after they met up, things had settled. But clearly, Walter’s suspicion hadn’t completely dissolved.
It was hard not to feel a little slighted, considering all that Iona and Leroy had gone through to rescue him.
Evading Richard’s men and getting Walter to safety had been no small task.
After handing Walter over to Leroy at a rendezvous point outside the city, Iona had doubled back alone to throw off their pursuers.
Though they’d managed to reunite in this safe house without incident, the process had been far from easy.
As his savior, Iona had every right to scold him—but first, her stomach needed attention.
The moment she sat down, her body relaxed and the hunger hit her all at once.
She picked up her fork and began eagerly eating the food Leroy had served.
As he gently brushed her hair back, Leroy noticed a cut on her forehead and let out a pained sigh.
“This wound... I thought you promised you wouldn’t get hurt.”
“There were too many of them. I had no choice.”
“...I shouldn’t have let you go alone.”
He spoke with regret, gently pulling her into his embrace.
Mouth full of meat, Iona could only nod and lean quietly into her husband’s chest.
Unable to bear the sight any longer, Walter tapped his spoon against his glass to draw their attention.
“I want to see my father. Right now.”
---The End Of The Chapter---
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