Chapter 79
However, Raylenne didn’t need to go see Duke Ergen first. As soon as she returned to her room, the head maid approached her and bowed.
“My lady, Duke Ergen has summoned you.”
“My father?”
“Yes, and he has also called for Young Master Caverion.”
Hearing this, she made her way to Duke Ergen’s office and met Caverion along the way.
“Have you heard the rumor about Aiden?”
“That he’s staying inside the residence?”
“Yes. The servants are saying so.”
“I’ve heard. I was thinking our father called us because of that.”
It seemed Caverion had the same thought as her. All the answers would be given by the person beyond that door. When they opened the door, they saw the duke sitting at his desk. He stood up and moved to the sofa upon seeing them.
“Sit down.”
Raylenne had never seen the duke’s face without a frown recently, but today, the wrinkles on his forehead were surprisingly smooth. His inviting them to sit was also unusual. Raylenne found his demeanor very suspicious.
‘…Should I be suspicious about something like this?’
It was a miserable life, having to be wary of her father being a bit kind. Duke Ergen, sitting opposite them, began to speak with a somewhat solemn expression.
“I called you about Aiden Bedeusian.”
He brushed his forehead with his hand and looked at Raylenne.
“Raylenne, you’ve endured a lot, going back and forth to the underground prison to monitor Aiden.”
“…It’s nothing.”
Raylenne tried hard to keep her face from showing displeasure at the unexpected compliment.
“But now you won’t have to go to that dirty underground prison anymore.”
“What do you mean…?”
“I plan to manage Aiden within the residence.”
Raylenne’s eyes widened. At first glance, she should have been happy that Aiden would no longer be in that dark and cold cell, but she wasn’t happy at all.
‘There must be another reason.’
Caverion, who was listening, seemed to have a similar thought, frowning as well. He spoke first.
“Do you mean to manage Aiden in the residence, not just during the rainy season, but permanently?”
“Yes. So Raylenne, you’ll continue to monitor Aiden, and Caverion, you’ll need to keep an eye on things as well.”
Caverion’s sharp gaze locked onto Duke Ergen.
“What is the reason for this sudden decision?”
“This incident made me realize that I might have been too harsh on Aiden Bedeusian.”
Duke Ergen clasped his hands together and let out a small sigh. To Raylenne, this seemed extremely hypocritical.
“He’s been abandoned even by his own family. Shouldn’t we treat him well, at least?”
“…”
“However, make sure he doesn’t entertain any other thoughts and monitor him closely.”
Caverion continued to frown but said nothing further. It was clear that Duke Ergen had no interest in his children’s opinions or reactions.
“That’s all I have to say. You may leave now.”
Raylenne considered asking more questions but decided against it. The duke would likely avoid answering or get angry and try to silence her. She stood up from the sofa, feeling uneasy. It seemed she needed to watch the situation for a while. Unlike Raylenne, who stood up, Caverion remained seated.
“Brother?”
“Raylenne, you go ahead. I’ll stay and talk with Father a bit longer.”
His voice was low. It seemed Caverion intended to find out more from the duke.
‘Hmm…’
Well, if it’s Caverion, maybe the duke will reveal more. Raylenne nodded, glancing between Caverion and Duke Ergen.
“Alright, brother.”
It was probably for the best.
* * *
After Raylenne left, Duke Ergen’s lower face seemed more tense than before. The face that had briefly softened was now as stern as usual.
“Do you have more to say to me?”
“I know that you wouldn’t make such a decision out of mere sympathy or pity for Aiden.”
“…”
“If you don’t give me a satisfactory explanation, I won’t follow your orders.”
Duke Ergen and Caverion’s eyes locked. The duke felt a surge of anger at Caverion’s bold words but saw his own blue eyes reflected in his son’s gaze, and his anger subsided somewhat.
‘Yes, no matter what, you are my son.’
Now was not the time to be at odds with Caverion. Despite their frequent disagreements lately, Caverion was his blood. He would understand and follow him, as he always had. Duke Ergen took a deep breath and began to speak.
“Caverion, listen carefully to what I’m about to say.”
He clasped his hands on his knees and leaned forward.
“As you said, I’m not doing this out of concern for Aiden. It’s for our family.”
Caverion’s eyebrow raised slightly.
“As you know, since the marriage proposal between Raylenne and Crown Prince Harbian fell through, our connection to the royal family has been severed. If things continue like this, the royals and nobles will side with the Bedeusian family, and then our family is finished.”
“But…”
What does that have to do with moving Aiden into the residence?
Caverion still couldn’t grasp what Duke Ergen was trying to convey.
“So, I’ve decided to create a situation that would make the Bedeusians and the royal family turn against each other.”
“How do you plan to do that?”
“By provoking Lady Merian.”
Caverion paused to think.
‘Lady Merian, isn’t that the Emperor’s sister?’
She was also Aiden’s biological mother. If so, then perhaps…
Caverion’s eyes, which had been cast downwards, suddenly widened. In his blue eyes, he saw the duke wearing a cruel smile.
“Aiden’s death.”
Crash—! At that moment, a bolt of lightning struck through the dark clouds, illuminating the room.
“Aiden’s death will shake Lady Merian and, consequently, the entire royal family.”
Duke Ergen quickly concealed his smile and sighed.
“It wasn’t easy for me to make this decision either, Caverion. But there’s no other way. I must protect the House of Ergen at all costs.”
“…”
“It’s also for the sake of the many people living in our territory.”
Caverion clenched his teeth. The man was disgusting. Dragging others into his filthy ambitions. Caverion knew that Duke Ergen only thought of himself. But invoking Raylenne and the territory’s residents so casually made anger surge from deep within him.
“The reason for keeping Aiden in the mansion is also because of that. Once Aiden dies, Lady Merian will surely investigate and place blame. We need to show that we did our best for Aiden.”
The sudden shift in treatment towards Aiden was merely for show, a preparation for the aftermath. The swift spread of rumors throughout the mansion was also deliberate, ensuring there would be witnesses to attest that “our duke treated Aiden very well.”
“Caverion, this is also for your sake.”
“…”
“You are to be the future head of the House of Ergen. If I lay a solid foundation now, you won’t have to walk a difficult path.”
The audacity of pretending to care for him was sickening. Caverion forced his jaw open and spoke.
“What if I refuse?”
“What…?”
“I’m asking what you’ll do if I oppose killing Aiden.”
Duke Ergen’s expression immediately twisted. But Caverion continued in a firm voice, undeterred.
“I don’t want to pave my way by killing someone.”
“You foolish boy!”
The duke slammed his knee with a loud thud and sprang to his feet.
“I’ve suspected you were losing your sense lately, but I believed in you. Yet, even in this crucial matter, you’re senseless!”
“I’m sorry to disappoint you, but my answer would have been the same regardless of when you asked.”
“Your answer doesn’t matter. I’m doing it anyway!”
Duke Ergen glared, breathing heavily.
“I’ll replace your entire knightly order.”
Caverion’s eyes flashed fiercely.
“What do you mean by that?”
“If you don’t follow my orders this time, I’ll dismiss all your knights and recruit new ones myself.”
It was a childish and emotional threat, but Caverion couldn’t stay indifferent. He knew Duke Ergen was capable of dismissing the knights who had fought for the family for so long.
“They are not at fault.”
“Indeed, but they’ll suffer because of you.”
Despite being his father, the disgust he felt now was unbearable. He wanted to rip out those blue eyes that looked just like his own. However, instead of acting on this impulse, Caverion clenched his fists tightly. One reckless word from him could harm many knights. As he stood to leave the office, Duke Ergen issued another warning.
“Caverion, this is my final warning. Do not act rashly in this matter.”
* * *
As soon as he stepped outside, Caverion rubbed his throbbing temples. Leaving the office, he felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him. However, upon seeing the person standing before him, his fatigue turned to shock.
“Raylenne… you haven’t left yet?”
Seeing Raylenne’s pale face, Caverion immediately knew something was wrong. Her hand, covering her mouth, was trembling.
“Brother, is what I heard inside true…?”
“Raylenne…”
“Did Father really say he would kill Aiden?”
Raylenne’s sharp voice echoed through the hallway. Caverion grabbed her shaking hand.
“Calm down… Getting angry won’t—”
Raylenne slapped his hand away and reached for the doorknob.
“Let go of me. I need to talk to Father right now.”
