Chapter 50 - 13

The room became silent after hearing what Duke Hazell said. Raven immediately left the place after finishing his report, and Beatrix seemed to be thinking about something.

"Is that true, honey?" The one who broke the silence was Eleanor. She was initially surprised but, after a while, she felt relieved that the threat to her family was gone.

"Yes, that's true. I got this information directly from the spies I sent to Dugald City to look for evidence of Marquis Jacob's involvement with the crime that His Majesty is currently investigating." Duke Hazell nodded slowly at his wife and leaned back in the chair and let out a long breath.

"But isn't that a good thing, honey? Why do you look so worried?" Eleanor tilted her head in confusion at her husband who looked gloomy after hearing the news.

"I'm really happy, honey. Because our family won't be in the same danger as before. But...." Duke Hazell hesitated to continue.

"But...?" Eleanor curiously waited for her husband to continue. Likewise with Beatrix and Clara who also listened.

"But I don't know whether the culprit did it with good intentions or not." Duke Hazell continued with ambiguous words.

"What do you mean, honey?" Eleanor continued to bombard her husband with questions as she felt more and more confused and curious.

"What he means is...he is worried if that person aims to act terrorism in the Neigal Kingdom, then his next target could be this place. Isn't that so Duke of Castilene?" Beatrix who had been silent before suddenly answered Eleanor's question.

"You are right." Duke Hazell answered briefly with a bitter smile.

"So, do you mean..." Eleanor's face suddenly turned pale. she finally realized what her husband was worried about.

"Yeah, right now we don't know who did it. But this person is certainly far more dangerous from 'Dark Legacy'. In one night, he turned the luxurious residence of Marquis Jacobe into a giant bottomless pit." Duke Hazell said it in a trembling voice. It seemed that he was afraid to imagine what would happen if his residence had the same fate as marquis jacobe.

"What?!" Eleanor and Clara who heard it were shocked that their mouths opened wide. Fear showed on their faces. Even Beatrix who was a Magic King felt a chill run down her spine imagining that scene.

"Are you serious about what you said earlier?" Beatrix still had doubts about what Duke Hazell had said.

"I'm serious, maybe this afternoon I will go to Dugald city to check it in person. I'm sure His Majesty also knows about it." Because Dugald city is a neighbor of Moissan city. so duke Hazell had to go check it out in person for a report to King Jonathan.

"You don't have to think about it too much, honey. Let's just pray that everything will be okay. Besides, if that person came here. We still have Beatrix who can fight him." Eleanor held Duke Hazell's hand and smiled reassuringly.

"Yes, honey. Thank you." Duke Hazell felt calmer after seeing his wife's smile. While Beatrix only smiled bitterly hearing Eleanor overestimating herself.

"Father, you better rest first. So, your condition will be better before you go to Dugald city this afternoon." Clara approached Duke Hazell and hugged her father from the other side of her mother. She was worried about his father's condition.

"Yes, you're right." Duke Hazell heavily stood up from his chair and walked to his room accompanied by Eleanor and Clara.

There were only 2 people left in the room, Ziel and Beatrix. Ziel gave a small bow to Beatrix and turned around wanting to go back to his room to take a shower and change his clothes. But Beatrix's voice stopped him.

"Do you have time?" Beatrix asked while sipping her tea without seeing Ziel.

"Is there anything I can help, Mrs. Beatrix?" Ziel stopped his steps and turned back to look at Beatrix.

"Before that, sit down. It would be more comfortable if we chatted while sitting down." Beatrix pointed to the seat in front of her. Ziel did not hesitate because he had received permission from Beatrix and was immediately seated in front of her.

"So what do you want to talk about, Mrs. Beatrix?" Ziel didn't want to waste time and directly asked her purpose.

"You don't need to rush. How about we have some tea to make our conversation more comfortable?" Beatrix refilled her cup and offered Ziel tea.

"No, thanks. Sorry Mrs. Beatrix, I have to work soon. If there's nothing important, then I'll be going. Excuse me." Ziel got up from his chair and was about to leave but Beatrix stopped him with her words again.

"Do you know who did it?" Beatrix glared at Ziel. She tried to determine whether Ziel was lying or not by looking at his facial expressions and body movements.

"What do you mean?" Ziel pretends to be confused by Beatrix's question.

"You know what I mean." Beatrix narrowed her eyes at Ziel.

"I don't know what you mean." Ziel shook his head and his face looked like he wasn't lying.

"Haah...I mean the one who destroyed the Marquis Jacobe's residence. Do you know who it is?" Beatrix sighed heavily and finally gave up when she saw that Ziel wasn't lying.

"Why are you asking me that? I'm just a butler here. If Mr. Hazell doesn't know. How can I know?" Ziel continued to feign ignorance. His face doesn't change whether he's telling the truth or lying. Beatrix couldn't have thought that it wasn't someone else who did it. But a butler she's currently questioning.

"I don't know why I think this way. But I feel that you have something to do with this matter. Do you really not know?" Beatrix looks still suspicious of him. Although Ziel doesn't show any signs of lying on his face. But Beatrix's feelings remained doubtful with everything he said.

(Sharp...)

Ziel thought in his heart. He didn't expect that Beatrix who was only a Magic King could suspect him like that. He never did anything suspicious. He was always careful about using his powers so as not to be seen by others. Maybe a sixth sense or just a woman's intuition.

"It's just how you feel. I've been in my room since last night and I woke up very early to do my exercise routine. You can ask lady Clara. Because she's been accompanying my practice since morning." Ziel mentions Clara's name as an alibi. He knew because of whatever he said, whether it was right or wrong. Beatrix wouldn't believe it. She's been like that since the first time she met Ziel. That's why he brought Clara's name as a witness to make Beatrix believe him more.

"Hmm... Okay. This time I'll believe you. I'll ask Clara what you said earlier. But, if it turns out you're lying to me..." Beatrix releases her strength and puts pressure on Ziel.

"I will kill you." Beatrix emits his killing intent at him.

Ziel knew Beatrix was testing him. Then he knelt and pretended to be out of breath. Seeing that, Beatrix immediately retracted her pressure.

"Haaah... Eleanor is an old friend of mine. And her daughter is both my niece and student. So, I won't let anyone hurt them. You should know that. I'm sorry about my previous actions." She smiled and went back to drinking her tea.

"I understand." When Ziel is about to stand up, he heard footsteps from behind him.

"Ken...what happened to you? Why are you kneeling like that?" Clara rushed over to him and helped him up. She looks worried seeing Ziel's condition.

"Thank you, my lady. I'm fine. Maybe I'm just too tired from training this morning." He doesn't want Clara to know about the conversation he had with Beatrix and ended up with her threatening him.

"Thank goodness... Next time you better not push yourself too hard, Ken." Clara sighed softly after knowing that Ziel was fine.

"Yes, my lady. Then I'll go first. I have to work now." After saying that he then gave a small nod to Beatrix and quickly left the place.

"Ah... all right." Clara seemed to want to say something to Ziel but soon swallowed her words back. She could only be seeing Ziel walking away leaving her behind.

Beatrix who saw the exchange of the two couldn't help but smile bitterly and shake her head.

"Ahum... How long are you going to see him?" Beatrix's voice brings Clara back to reality.

"Ah... Uh... I didn't see him! I'm just worried about him. You know he's my butler. If he's sick, I as his master must take care of him!" Clara turned away her blushing face from embarrassment.

"Yes... yes... You are a good master. Let's start our training immediately. We have less than a year before the academy opens. You must open your 4th magic circle before that time." Beatrix got up from her chair and immediately walked towards the garden behind the mansion.

"Why do you sound like you don't believe me, auntie!" Clara immediately followed Beatrix who had walked first.

"Hehe...yes I believe in my sweet student." Beatrix teased Clara with a chuckle.

"You don't believe me!" Clara and Beatrix continued to joke around until their figures disappeared in the direction of the back garden.