Chapter 145:Bloodlines Unveiled"
Chapter 145
“What is this, Won?”
Old Mrs. Russell grumbled with a stiff expression, clearly finding the situation of being suddenly kicked out absurd. She glanced out at the quickly passing scenery and addressed me again.
“Prince Windsor seemed to have at least a shred of humanity, but how could he so cruelly throw someone out?”
I remained silent.
“Isn’t that right, Duchess?”
When I gave no reply, she pouted. Honestly, I hadn’t heard a word she said, but I responded vaguely just to pass the time. She continued ranting about Edward all the way to the Marquis’ residence in Böln.
Still, it wasn’t entirely a waste. I managed to gather some valuable information.
First of all, there really is no connection between Old Mrs. Russell and Edward’s murders.
There were only about ten people living in the Marquis’ residence. She didn’t explain why, but I already knew—the servants had likely left one after another, unable to bear her temperament.
Eventually, she led me to a dusty old room.
“I was kicked out so suddenly that I couldn’t clean up,” she muttered, then left, telling me to rest.
The room looked like it hadn’t been used in ages. I dragged my heavy dress around as I inspected the space, then noticed a box on the dresser.
My eyes narrowed.
A box just like the one my father gave me.
I recognized the craftsmanship. My father must have learned how to make it from her. Perhaps it was a Russell family tradition?
I hesitated. I didn’t enjoy opening others’ belongings, but information was crucial now—and technically, she had abandoned this room.
I opened the box.
“What?”
I expected to find something valuable, but there was only a single letter.
My instincts told me not to read it. But when I saw the handwriting and the name on the envelope, my hand moved on its own.
[To my mother, from your sinful son, Max Russell]
Father…?
My grip tightened.
I opened the letter, and as I read, a surge of anger choked me. My breath quickened.
Old Mrs. Russell had done this to my father?
No wonder he warned me not to trust her.
I was still trying to steady my emotions when a knock pierced the silence. I didn’t hear it. Only when her icy voice stabbed into the room did I realize she had entered.
“Duchess, I asked what you are doing!”
I turned slowly. She stood there trembling, red with rage.
But I wasn’t sorry. Not at all.
She had no right to be angry.
Now was the time to confront her. I needed to secure my safety and Johannes’ future. No more guilt.
In a past life, I had died at Edward’s hands—leaving Johannes behind.
This time, I would survive. This time, I would use Old Mrs. Russell.
I met her eyes and spoke calmly.
“Why did you do it?”
“What?”
“Why did you treat my father so harshly?”
Her face darkened.
“Did you hate my mother so much just because she was a commoner? Is that why you couldn’t forgive him? Why he had to crawl back to you, broken?”
Old Mrs. Russell paled.
“What nonsense are you speaking?”
“I am the daughter of Candice and Max Russell. If you need proof, I can show you a portrait or their marriage certificate.”
I knew where the certificate was kept in Würtenburg. As I listed clear evidence of my identity, she sank to the floor.
Flashback – Three Years Ago
It was a stormy summer day.
Three years had passed since Max Russell left the family. Since then, Old Mrs. Russell had become increasingly irritable. Servants quit regularly, unable to endure her.
On that day, she was in her study, trying to calm her nerves with a book when the butler approached.
“The master has come to visit.”
Her hands trembled, but her eyes remained cold.
The butler said ‘came to visit,’ not ‘returned.’
She had no intention of welcoming him.
He had left everything for a woman. He was dead to her.
“You said someone came claiming to be Max? My son is long gone. Must be a mistake.”
“He said he has a request for his godmother. Please meet him just once…”
She slammed her book shut.
“If someone is impersonating my son, I want them charged. I have no son.”
“I’m sorry, ma’am… but he looked very thin. And it’s pouring outside.”
The butler waited, expecting to be scolded. But she only said:
“As a noble, I will show mercy until the rain ends. Let him shelter, nothing more.”
Back in the present, I clenched my fists.
I wouldn’t let Edward kill me. Not this time.
I would survive.
And I would use every person, every secret—starting with the truth about Old Mrs. Russell.
