The Count’s Reception Room.
A heavy silence filled the air.
Dasus stared at Count Weinstein and his wife seated in the high seats.
Fire burned in his eyes, filled with rage.
Under his intense gaze, Count Weinstein and his wife sweated profusely, like prey before a predator.
How long had this oppressive silence persisted?
Haa…
With a short sigh, Dasus slowly opened his mouth.
“I’m disappointed in you, Carlos.”
“My apologies…”
From his perspective, Carlos had some excuses.
By the time Carlos noticed Leje’s presence, she was already engaged in battle with a monstrous beast.
Moreover, the turtle beast that attacked the Count’s domain was too strong to be subdued by the Count’s family alone.
Without the desperate stratagem of using Leje as bait, the Count’s domain would likely have collapsed entirely.
Of course, it was fortunate that Carlos wasn’t foolish enough to vocalize such sentiments here.
“Count Weinstein, the same goes for you. I never thought you would put my daughter in danger…”
“I’ll accept any punishment.”
Leje’s three-day unconsciousness was solely his responsibility.
No one in this room knew that better than Rudell himself.
“Leje, you too.”
Dasus, looking at Rudell, turned to Leje, who was sitting next to him, and scolded her.
“Do you even have the awareness to be the heir of the Duke’s House? It’s fortunate you woke up, but what were you thinking doing something so reckless if you hadn’t?”
But…
“Then what? I should have just turned back? You taught me to protect people and fulfill my honor and duty as a noble of the kingdom, Dad.”
Leje stared back at him defiantly, refusing to back down.
“Leje…!! Did you just…?!”
Dasus wore a bewildered expression at her unexpected rebellion.
It was as if this was the first time something like this had happened; his face was twisted with confusion.
“I’m an adult now! I make my own choices and accept the consequences. I decided to fight the beast and agreed with Rudell’s plan! So I’ll take full responsibility!”
“…!!”
Her words seemed to shock Dasus speechless, his mouth agape.
Then, he turned his gaze to Rudell, who had been watching.
‘What on earth have you done to my daughter?!’
Dasus’s expression seemed to ask that silently as Rudell lowered his head without a word.
“Yeah… I suppose you’re right. You’re an adult now, and it’s only fair you take responsibility for your actions.”
After looking at Rudell for a moment, Dasus sighed, standing up.
He slowly closed his eyes, then opened them to speak in a serious tone.
“Leje El Lagrind. As the head of the Lagrind Dukedom, and not as your father Dasus El Lagrind, I order this.
“…”
“From this moment, return to the Duke’s domain immediately and undergo indefinite suspension.”
*
A heavy silence lingered in the reception room.
Indefinite suspension.
Literally, it meant there was no set end to the suspension.
In other words, it was equivalent to saying she would be confined to the Duke’s domain until the Duke granted her permission.
“Wait, that’s…!!”
Of course, Leje wouldn’t stay quiet about that…
Soon, she seemed to realize something, and with a resigned expression, she sat down.
To take responsibility for her actions as an adult.
That meant, to put it differently, acknowledging that she must submit to the Duke as a member of the Lagrind Dukedom.
It was a way for the Duke to recognize her, but it also served as a punishment for her.
“…”
Finding it truly a Duke-like manner, Rudell gazed at Leje.
“…Understood.”
Seemingly concluding that further objection was futile, Leje finally dropped her head weakly.
“I’ll make sure to send a letter regarding the academy. As for your punishment, this is where it ends. The Count’s House will not be held responsible for this any longer.”
“Understood.”
Carlos and Maria, having risen from their seats, bowed toward Dasus…
Dasus looked at the bowed Leje before standing up and heading toward the door with his assistant.
Click.
With the sound of the door closing…
“I’m sorry…”
At that same moment, Rudell spoke once more to her.
What had transpired was ultimately his responsibility.
Had he not forgotten what needed to be done due to unforeseen circumstances…
Had he acted just a bit sooner…
Had he not been so reckless…
She wouldn’t have had to endure this.
“Don’t worry about it. It’s not your fault.”
But contrary to that, Leje responded with a bright smile.
“…”
Seeing that, Rudell grit his teeth.
What was this need to protect?
What was this reluctance to see her saddened?
What was this unwillingness to see her unhappy?
For a greater cause.
He found his despicable self, entrapped by that phrase, utterly loathsome.
“Rudell?”
“Oh… uh…?”
Just then, Leje’s voice startled him, making him look up quickly.
“Are you okay? You don’t look well…?”
Right then, he met Leje’s worried face.
“I’m… fine…”
“I’ll say it again; you don’t have to worry. This is something I have to bear and take responsibility for. You’re not at fault at all. Got it?”
“I… understand…”
“Alright, that’s enough.”
Satisfied with his answer, Leje stood up.
“Well, it seems I won’t be able to see you for a while, so I should say goodbye in advance?”
Then…
“See you later, Rudell.”
With a radiant smile, she said that and turned to leave.
*
Late at night.
Without even a handmaid by his side, Rudell walked down the hallway.
In the dim hallway, only the sound of his dry footsteps echoed as he came to a stop in front of a certain door.
A large door adorned with rough decorations.
Carefully reaching out, Rudell grasped the doorknob and lightly knocked on the door.
The low sound resonated through the hallway…
“Come in.”
As if expecting him, a voice responded, and Rudell cautiously opened the door.
“I figured you’d come.”
As he entered, the Duke, gazing out the window, spoke.
“The guards wouldn’t have let you through… Seems you have an unexpected knack for persuasion.”
“I know it’s rude, but please reconsider the suspension you imposed on Leje.”
He was well aware it was rude.
He understood there was no reason for the Duke to heed his words and that he could be punished for his rudeness.
Yet, despite that, Rudell could say nothing else.
Just as it was unimaginable for Leje to envision a world without him, it had become just as unthinkable for Rudell himself at this point.
“You seem bolder than I anticipated. You’re certainly not a bespectacled gentleman.”
The Duke chuckled softly at his words, turning to Rudell.
“Do you know what you’re doing right now?”
“Yes, I do.”
“In that case, you understand what my response will likely be.”
“Please reconsider.”
The punishment she should have received was essentially one Rudell deserved.
She had taken on that punishment by acting in unison with Rudell and the Weinstein family.
“It seems I misjudged you. If one could achieve everything with a silver tongue, nothing would be impossible in this world.”
“…”
“That girl is everything to me. She is the only treasure left by my wife…”
“I know…”
The bond between the Duke and Duchess was known throughout the kingdom.
The sorrow he must have felt on the day Leje was born while the Duchess departed this world was something no one could express.
For him, Leje was indeed a precious daughter, the only blood he wouldn’t want to hurt even if it meant placing her in his eyes.
“That precious daughter was unconscious for three whole days, all thanks to your plan.”
“…”
Rudell felt a sharp sensation in his chest at those words.
Each of his words pierced like sharp needles, but he couldn’t show any weakness.
That was something he had to endure too.
“Then tell me, what on earth should I believe in to entrust my daughter to you?”
“…”
From Rudell’s position, there was nothing he could say.
Even though he had no ill intent, the deed had been done, and the consequences were apparent before him.
He had to bear that responsibility.
“Then… I will prove myself.”
After a moment of silence, Rudell clenched his fists and looked at the Duke.
What he needed to do was simple: prove himself.
To show that he could protect Leje.
He had no choice but to demonstrate that through his actions, rather than mere words.
“To prove yourself? How so?”
The Duke sounded puzzled as he asked him that.
After a brief moment of looking at the Duke, Rudell closed his eyes and let out a short sigh…
“I challenge you to a duel, Your Grace.”
Slowly opening his eyes, Rudell stated that to the Duke.
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