Chapter 356

Chapter 356Previous

Volume 9 Chapter 356

It almost seemed like it wasn’t Joseph who was speaking, but the terrible desire beyond the physical body. His fingernails, which had grown long from laying in his sickbed, dug into Lil’s skin like he was holding onto the edge of a cliff. Joseph’s face, with veins bulging on his temples, turned a moderate shade of red all the way to the tip of his nose.

“The child... where is it?”

As if those last words were spoken with his remaining strength, Joseph fell back onto the pillow and gasped. A fit of dry cough quickly followed. His half-submerged body beneath the blanket fluttered around like a fish out of water.

The scene was shocking enough for Lil, but it also surprised the Archduchess. Lil supported the staggering woman until she safely sat back in her chair. She then gestured to Ed, who was across the bed, that it was all under control before responding to her father.

“There are no children.”

“...”

Joseph’s fingers, which had been gripping Lil, loosened. Blood that was flowing from the corner of his mouth dripped onto the pillow.

‘He could’ve used his last bit of strength to say something meaningful... but it shows that Joseph doesn’t know what it means to be a father...’

Dr. Limue pressed down on Joseph’s shaking shoulder.

Lil continued to speak to Joseph, who glared at her as if she had betrayed him.

“You overexerted yourself. It would be best for you to get some rest.”

Dr. Limue shook his head at her, but Lil had no regrets left. Rather, she felt an inexplicable sense of desolation.

‘Despite being in this state, he keeps bringing women into his bed, just for an heir.... It’s terrible and incredibly foolish of me to try to find traces of my father in this shell of a person who only harbours resentment. No, actually, Joseph should’ve never been associated with fatherhood. It was all just my illusion. Parents are indescribable beings. During our time apart, I forgot about this. The moment I’m back he’s quick to offend me and becomes even disappointed in me without thinking twice...’

After leaving Joseph’s bedroom, the Archduchess turned toward Lil. She was a woman wearing a dark blue dress with her thin blonde hair done up neatly. Lifting her fox-fur shawl, her calm blue eyes looked up at Lil.

“I prepared a simple dinner for you, so I will see you later.”

In the past, the times Lil had mixed words with the Archduchess were very few and far between. But although the older woman was neither interested in Venua nor Lil, she never violated her duties as Archduchess.

Lil bowed her head and expressed his gratitude.

“Yes, Your Highness. Thank you.”

The Archduchess’s maid, who had been waiting in the hallway, greeted her and followed. Soon, the Archduchess turned and walked to the other side of the hallway.

As Ed thought Lil was thinking about the Archduchess, he stepped closer and whispered.

“...According to the reports, the Archduchess took control of the administration and household affairs of Obernyu while the Archduke came down with his illness. The Prince Regent will succeed to the throne, but the real power right now lies with the Archduchess. So, it won’t be easy to ignore her for the sake of the throne...”

“...”

Lil nodded slowly. But truth to be told, she was actually thinking about something else as she stared at the place where the Archduchess had disappeared.

Ed leaned over and looked at Lil more intently.

Lil had no idea how Marguerite lived. Since Ricard’s death, she had even stayed away from Lil, and Lil had been too busy carving out a life for herself in Sesbron. However, it wasn’t hard to imagine that Marguerite would be unhappy living with the man who killed the man she loved.

“Then, when the palace became noisy again, that is when I thought, ‘Ah, she must be still alive’.”

“...”

Lil laughed bitterly.

‘Hearing Marguerite describe my survival as some kind of disturbance, it’s obvious that it was because of Venua’s doing. Marguerite, like everyone else, is clearly enduring Venua. And it’s much more difficult for her due to her status as his wife...’

“Venua went after you, did he not?”

“..!”

Before Lil could respond, Marguerite took her hand. She spoke, lowering her voice sharply in case anyone would hear.

“Be careful. He might try to steal your child. I wanted to tell you in advance, but I did not know where you were.”

“Oh, that is already...”

Suddenly, there was a ‘commotion’ at the entrance of the banquet hall. Small screams and sporadic shouts rose, and the people gathered in groups moved to either side as if they had been swept away by a wave.

“...Marguerite!..”

It was Venua.

“...Marie!..”

Even though he was still wearing a justaucorps, Venua’s cravat and shirt were both undone. His bloodshot eyes were sunken, and the areas under them were dark. Perhaps because he was drenched in sweat, the strands of wet hair were plastered on his forehead and ears.

“Who told you to come here!”

As Venua crossed the banquet hall, the smell of alcohol gradually lingered in the air. Ed, who was near, moved and stood next to Lil. Reaching the table, Venua swept his arms to topple a bowl full of fruit, a candlestick, and a vase decorated with flowers. The ceramics that fell to the floor shattered and splashed.

Venua then shouted and slammed down on the wooden surface.

“How dare you defy my words?”

“Venua, prepare yourself and join us.”

The Archduchess gently reprimanded Venua for the sake of saving face. But he refused to listen to what she said. He didn’t even give her a glance. His burning gaze was directed at Marguerite only.

It made Lil anxious, afraid that Venua might do something unpleasant to his wife. Glancing next to her, Ed seemed to be thinking the same thing. Lil stood as if to block Marguerite’s path. But at the same time, Ed’s shadow fell in front of her.

“Prince Regent. It has been a while.”

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