Chapter 92

Chapter 92

It happened right after Ian left the Merellof estate. The steward blocked the wifes path as she dragged her tired body to return to her bedroom. Lady Lien wrinkled her brows as she looked at him.

What is it?

The Count requests your presence.

Why?

There was something uneasy and ominous about it. It wasnt a common summon. Was it because of the stewards stiff expression? The lady remained fixed in place, unmoving. As wax dripped down the candlestick, the steward urged her on.

My lady.

Wait. Let me think. Does even the steward not know why Im being called?

After a brief moment of silence, the steward heaved a sigh. That breath echoing in the unusually quiet corridor felt colder than the frigid wind outside.

Steward. Tell me.

Master is aware of the relationship between Sir Ian and my lady.

How?

The wifes face turned white as a sheet. It was such an unexpected response. As he looked upon her not denying it, the stewards heart burned pitch black.

If only she had said no, in her usual confident tone. Her attitude indicated what the servants had seen was correct.

Why would you do that, my lady.

No, this makes no sense.

Knowing the masters personality. Youve made a mistake.

No, thats not it! Its not!

However, Lady Lien completely misunderstood, taking his words to mean that the assassination attempt had been discovered rather than an affair. Her body shook violently as her mind went blank.

What to do? If the Count doesnt die? What would happen to me?

If the Count didnt die, she would. Even if she didnt stop breathing, she would be bound here for life.

This was a clear fact. And the only one who could help her now was Ian. Lady Lien immediately dashed down the corridor.

Woof! Thud!

My lady!

Damn it, Ian! Ian!

Wha-whats the matter?

A carriage, no, ready a horse! Sir Ian!

My lady! You must not!

The wife tumbled down the stairs as she shouted. Drawn by the sudden chaos, the servants who had been tidying up swarmed over. One moved to help the lady up but she violently shook off his hand, yelling.

Bring me a horse!

My lady, you cant do this!

Shut up! Its do or die, what choice do I have Get out of my way!

Crash! Smash!

Decorative objects in the corridor fell and shattered as the wife desperately ran for the main gate. Pain shot through her bloodied knees as if they would give out.

But she knew.

If she stopped now, it would truly be the end.

Swish!

My lady. Further disorder would be troubling.

Just then, a knight grabbed the wifes arm. He was one of the three knights residing in the estate. The wife had no color in her face as she panted for breath.

So-someone, please.

Good gracious.

My lady, are you alright?

Everyone return to your quarters. No one is to leave until given permission.

Disperse!

The servants worried about the lady yet retreated before the steward and knights shouts. Everyone lowered their heads as much as possible as they exited the corridor.

Let go! I said let go! You dare lay your hands on me?

Forgive me, my lady. But if you continue like this, things will only get worse.

Nooooo! I hate this! I hate it!

At the stewards signal, the knight slung her over his shoulder. Her bare legs peeked out from under her skirt, unavoidably. Lady Lien kicked and screamed murderously, her shrieks echoing throughout the estate and reaching Clarks ears.

My lady?

Ian may have brought him as a means to send him back, but Clark had not received any message. He had simply been sitting in the old servants storage in the Merellof estate, eating porridge. With Ian already gone, no one paid any attention to Clark amidst Lady Liens chaos.

Creak.

Clark walked the familiar corridors and looked up the stairs. He had lived here for years. Even with his eyes closed, the estates structure was clear to him. He also knew very well that most of Lady Liens screams originated from her bedroom.

As you can see, its been chaotic.

And the Count? Is he dead?

A doctor is examining the corpse in the bedroom. It seems Clark grabbed a letter knife and stabbed the Counts throat while he was being beaten by him.

Phew, she breathed out cigarette smoke with a murmur. In just a single night, just the time it took for the moon to cross the sky, the world had changed. Ian pressed his palm to his forehead as he peered inside.

Good grief, how preposterous.

What was the reason she sourced the secret drugs from the Hawan Kingdom, and schemed all this? It was solely to evade legal punishment.

Greetings, Lord Ian. I am one of the three Merellof knights, Fuhler.

Ian turned his head at this unfamiliar mans greeting. He had curly brown hair, but the look in the ladys eyes as she gazed upon him was less than kind.

Were you the one who sent the letter?

Yes. There are some things I must verify.

Verify? With me?

Ian furrowed his brows as if clueless. The lady merely stubbed out her cigarette on the table with a tired expression.

We are men who swore our loyalty to Count Merellof. Revealing the circumstances of our lords death thoroughly is our responsibility and duty. As the three knights, it shall be our final mission to execute all those responsible for the Counts demise.

Will you look at these guys.

With his arms crossed, Ian raised his chin.

So?

What is your relationship with Lady Lien Merellof?

Huh?

It should make sense, yet Ian felt his thoughts grind to a halt. They said Clark killed him, so were they suspecting Ians involvement?

But why on earth are they asking something so absurd?

Theyre suspecting an affair between us, Sir Ian. Specifically you and me.

Pfft!

At the ladys words, Beric burst into laughter. But the knights didnt so much as blink, seeming perfectly serious. Ian rubbed his forehead with an awkward smile.

Bullsh*t.

What about Clark?

Hes being imprisoned in the underground dungeon.

Have him brought here.

I cannot allow that.

The knight firmly refused Ians order. His brows knotted on their own. The lady who had been listening beside him commanded once more in a sluggish voice.

Bring Clark.

Until the circumstances behind this incident are made clear, I cannot obey even the ladys command.

And that is our situation as of now, Sir Ian.

With the Count dead, she should have taken over as head of the estate until the next heir was decided. But the knights defiance had complicated matters.

Ian glanced the knights up and down with a murmur.

What circumstances? Its retribution for your masters f*cked up personality. While he was dying you useless men could do nothing but chatter.

He could guess why they were kicking up a fuss like this.

Even in Bratzs case, countless factions had jumped in to try and take Derghas place. Morlin, Erica, followed by Gale, Ian, Cheonrye tribe, the adversarial Mariv and Romandro.

Not only that, treating a concerned neighbor who rushed over this way so discourteously, I cannot find a shred of propriety. As it happens, there is an imperial advisor on our side, so I shall request to draw up a deposition regarding this incident.

Ian immediately signaled Lady Lien with his eyes.

My lady, I sincerely hope you dismiss those fools when tidying up the estate. Theyve been performing poorly.

Lord Ian!

Swish!

As one knight protested loudly, it was Beric who stepped up.

Rather than answering with words, his reply came swinging his sword.

Gazing upon the Counts corpse, wife, and knights, Ian contemplated. If they were to shove aside the lady and Counts younger brother, occupying the estate instead, things could become quite tricky.

Beric.

Hmm?

It was as if Ians presence was an eyesore to the imperial palace.

I suppose we ought to tidy things up here.

Here?

Beric pointed his sword tip at the knights.

Should we tidy up those three bastards heads?