Chapter 20: BWCGD

Chapter 20

The Count looked down at his daughter, who was flying into a rage, with weary eyes.

Even with the Viscount present, she paid him no mind.

It seemed that, in her current state, she couldn't see anything at all.

The Count knew well that there was nothing to gain from arguing with someone who refused to listen.

"This is none of your concern."

"Why not? Do you know how much humiliation I've suffered because of that bitch?!"

The Count rubbed between his brows as exhaustion washed over him.

Kidnapping...

Ordinarily, the Grand Duke taking his daughter away would have been a cause for celebration.

Even if an illegitimate daughter with nothing to her name became nothing more than the Grand Duke's mistress, countless people would have flocked to their estate hoping to establish connections.

But because of what his wife had done, he wasn't in a position to say a single word.

If he acted recklessly, the Church might discover that he had never even registered his illegitimate daughter in the family records and had simply neglected her.

He could even be expelled from the Order.

The Count disliked noisy scenes.

He gestured toward the door, telling her to be quiet and leave.

"Lower your voice. There are many ears listening."

But Erze showed no intention of leaving.

She rudely pulled out a chair and sat down, her lips twisting into a sneer.

"Only if there were anyone here to listen! No matter how many times I ring the bell, not even a single servant comes!"

Most of the servants at the Count's estate had already been dismissed.

After finally realizing the seriousness of the situation, the Count had fired everyone except the head maid and the butler who had witnessed that day's incident.

It wasn't because he regretted his years of indifference.

Nor was it to punish those who had participated in the abuse.

It was simply because reducing labor costs was one way to patch the family's ruined finances.

"Fine, but why did you even dismiss my personal maid? Who's supposed to brush my hair now? And I'm sick of soaking hard bread in soup before eating it!"

Grumbling like a spoiled child, Erze shot to her feet.

Then she even stamped her feet, unable to believe the situation before her.

"And I heard we have to hand over all our jewelry and accessories to pay off the debts! Do you know how hard I worked to collect those? I'd rather die than give them up!"

The Count let out a deep sigh.

"Enough with this childish behavior. Can't you act a little more maturely in the face of the family's crisis?"

"How am I supposed to stay calm? Even my marriage prospects are about to be ruined!"

"Erze Lawrence."

"Hah! I should have been the one to enter the Grand Duke's bedroom. No, this never would have happened if Father hadn't been so obsessed with that woman in the first place—"

Smack!

Unable to contain his anger any longer, the Count slapped her across the face.

Erze collapsed onto the floor and burst into bitter tears.

The Grand Duke... took that girl?

Meanwhile, as the Viscount watched the chaos unfold, he recalled the Grand Duke he had once seen.

A man with black hair as deep and mysterious as the night sky.

Wherever he walked, noblewomen crowded around, hoping to catch the attention of such a wild and captivating man.

Yet no one ever dared approach him.

They merely entertained dangerous fantasies from afar.

His beast-like golden eyes...

And the cloak made from the remains of monsters...

Everything about him radiated the bloodlust of a man obsessed with slaughter.

Tsk.

Unfortunately, if that beautiful girl had already caught the Grand Duke's eye, there was nothing he could do.

He wasn't foolish enough to risk his life over a woman at his age.

In that case...

His pale eyes, like those of an old fox, slowly swept over Erze's full chest and fair skin.

Because she resembled her mother, he had always considered her rather plain and had never paid much attention to her.

But now that he looked more carefully...

Her figure wasn't bad.

Once the lights were out, who cared about her face anyway?

She didn't seem obedient, either.

Breaking her in might even make the bedroom more enjoyable.

Besides...

She was the Count's legitimate daughter.

From a broader perspective, she might actually be the better choice.

"Hmm... Count Lawrence."

Both Erze and the Count turned to look at him.

Apparently Erze had forgotten he was even in the room.

Startled by his voice, she quickly wiped away her tears.

The Viscount stroked his chin with a benevolent smile, as though he were doing them a favor.

"Why should either of us leave on bad terms? House Lawrence needs money, and I simply need an adorable wife to spend my overflowing fortune."

Overflowing fortune.

An adorable wife.

Those words hardly matched the reputation of a murderous old man.

The stiffness slowly disappeared from Erze's face.

Her heart was still filled with thoughts of revenge against Evelyn.

To someone in that state...

The Viscount's proposal sounded as sweet as fruit soaked in honey.

Perhaps because of that, he no longer looked as old or as frightening as the rumors claimed.

Who cares if he's old? He doesn't even have a son to inherit his fortune. If he dies early, that only benefits me!

Besides, there was no reason for him to harm the only legitimate daughter of the Lawrence family.

At last, Erze felt as though she had found a way out.

A hopeful gleam flashed across her blue eyes.

The Next Day

The next day, Evelyn headed back to Adelheim.

A guard quietly followed several steps behind her.

Leah had replied immediately after receiving her letter.

Beneath a note saying she had almost missed it were a time and meeting place.

She had also written that if they didn't meet today, it would be difficult to see each other again for quite a while.

Jingle.

The place Evelyn arrived at was a cozy dessert café.

<Étoile>

Its interior was just as lovely as its elegant sign.

The display cases were filled with desserts.

Just as Evelyn reached toward an irresistibly beautiful cake—

Someone lightly tapped her shoulder.

"Miss?"

Evelyn turned around, and her face immediately brightened.

Leah stood there, her cheeks flushed.

"Leah..."

Leah's eyes filled with tears.

Setting down her luggage, she threw her arms around Evelyn.

"Oh my goodness! You're safe! I was so worried after you suddenly disappeared that day!"

Although they hadn't known each other for very long, saving Leah's life and later asking for her help had forged a strong bond between them.

If not for Leah, Evelyn never would have met Callian.

Nor would she have been able to ask for all the help she needed.

Having made her very first friend, Evelyn gently patted Leah's back, hoping this precious friendship would never end.

"I'm sorry. I should've at least told you before I left, but I didn't have the chance."

"Please don't apologize. I'm just glad we managed to get in touch!"

Judging by how unaware Leah was of everything that had happened...

It seemed Louise had thoroughly silenced every servant who had witnessed her being escorted away.

Still...

What did she mean by saying they wouldn't be able to meet for a while?

Evelyn picked up Leah's luggage.

"Let's go inside first. What would you like to drink?"

Since they couldn't exactly have a conversation in the middle of the café, the two moved to a table beneath a canopy.

Not long afterward, two cups of tea and several desserts were served.

"Miss! By the way... where are you staying now? You're not... with that terrifying Grand Duke, are you...?"

Leah had always been quick-witted.

After having been summoned by the Grand Duke herself, there was no way she wouldn't have guessed something about Evelyn's situation.

But Evelyn couldn't tell her the truth yet.

So she simply nodded and gave a vague explanation.

"Yes. The Grand Duke agreed to become my guardian. It's a secret for now."

Even if Leah learned the truth later, it would still serve as a convenient excuse.

After all, it wasn't unusual in noble society for a guardian and their ward to become close.

Apparently imagining something similar, Leah blushed with excitement.

"Oh my! What incredible luck! Honestly, I was worried the Grand Duke was so frightening that something terrible might happen to you."

"He does look rather cold, doesn't he? But he's actually not as scary as he seems."

Leah immediately waved both hands in disbelief after taking a sip of tea.

"Oh, come on! That's only because you're so beautiful. The Grand Duke must've tried really hard not to frighten you."

"No. It's not like that."

When Evelyn answered firmly, Leah shivered as though she had personally experienced something terrifying.

"Of course it is! Even little children know how scary the Grand Duke is. I'm willing to bet anything that he's interested in you. No... not just interested. I'm sure he likes you a great deal."

Unfortunately... you've got it completely wrong.

Evelyn smiled bitterly as she traced the rim of her teacup with her fingertip.

The surface of the brown tea rippled.

Floating upon it was the flawless face of a perfect man.

The Iron-Blooded Grand Duke.

Who would ever imagine that such a cold, rational man—

A man who seemed as though blue blood flowed through his veins—

Was actually someone so deeply in love with one woman that he had no room in his heart to look at anyone else?

Even I didn't know...

And I was his wife.

Pushing those thoughts aside, Evelyn shifted her gaze to the travel bag resting beside the table.

"By the way, what's with the luggage? Are you going somewhere?"

Leah smiled with mixed feelings.

"Oh, this? Actually... I got fired today."

"What? Fired?"

While Evelyn stared in confusion, Leah began telling her everything that had happened at the Count's estate.

She explained that most of the servants had been dismissed.

She also shared the surprising news that Viscount Fairfield had moved into the estate and seemed to be developing a rather strange relationship with Erze.

After causing such a scene yesterday... I guess she finally realized there was no future for her at the Count's estate.

For a brief moment, Evelyn almost wanted to applaud Erze for choosing such a path full of thorns.

Then Leah continued,

"I was already planning to leave and join my brother, so I guess the timing worked out."

Those words instantly darkened Evelyn's expression.

"Why all of a sudden?"

"Well..."

After making sure no one was nearby, Leah leaned across the table and lowered her voice.

"A merchant who arrived at the port a week ago died from a high fever. Then the innkeeper where he stayed got sick... and now people throughout the village are falling ill one after another."

"What are the symptoms? Just a high fever?"

"Yes... so far. Since no one else has died yet, it probably isn't anything more than an ordinary fever. Anyway, they don't have enough people, so I should go help."

Leah spoke with her usual cheerful smile.

But Evelyn couldn't smile at all.

Richef.

That was where Leah was headed.

And before long...

That place would be devastated by a horrifying plague and the appearance of mutated monsters