18. Return Home

“Are you just going to let her go?”

Bernardo Hardy asked Jace Riverton while looking out the window. Below, a small head with abundant, fluttering hair could be seen moving away. She was gradually disappearing along the only path leading from the outer castle.

“This is the first time, isn’t it? I thought you would eliminate any witnesses without hesitation when a moment like today came. A witness—why take such an uncharacteristic risk?”

Jace Riverton carelessly straddled a chair as if throwing his body onto it and lit his lighter. Still looking dazed, Jace put a cigar in his mouth.

If his usual self was unreadable behind a poker face, his current state was nothing more nor less than complete stupefaction. He absently stroked a leather bag and opened it.

“Is it really a risk to let her go?”

At his counter-question, Bernardo Hardy had to abandon his plan to immediately present his argument. This was because countless bullets were visible inside the leather bag beneath Jace Riverton’s fingers.

The neatly placed bullets had all sorts of shapes. Their diverse forms seemed to suggest that other weap*ns were hidden in this room.

That wasn’t all.

When caught in madness, he would destroy anything in his path. Especially now, in this irrational state, was when he was most dangerous. Though it wasn’t a frequent occurrence, having it subside without any incident like this was unprecedented.

In fact, the most effective way to restore his sanity was to kill something. According to Jace Riverton, the targets that could resolve his madness had gradually shifted to higher animals.

In reality, the rumors about his incurable disease were merely bait. He had prepared countless traps to hunt the political enemies who flocked to him.

The prisoners he had justifiably detained underground to resolve his madness had long since been depleted.

Jace Riverton deliberately created conflicts as well. The reason was simple: to create new enemies to hunt. The rumor that everyone around him disappeared and died was almost true. Each death had a different appearance, but they all had the same end.

“It’s a pity.”

Jace said in a voice devoid of any emotion.

Strictly speaking, even Jace Riverton in his right mind, not in madness, should have killed Rosaline Brienne just now.

“That’s exactly what I……”

A gaze that gleamed coldly even in the darkness pierced Bernardo.

Bernardo Hardy was well aware that if Jace felt inclined at this very moment, he could harm him, and the speed at which he could execute that thought was unmatched by others.

Above all, the madness that had come upon Jace today was ‘still’ unresolved. If he were to try to resolve it again, it wouldn’t be strange if that time was now. It was still better to be careful.

This delay was something Bernardo was seeing for the first time. At least as far as he knew. He had never heard from Jace Riverton about the existence of such an anomaly. But there was a possibility of variables in his condition.

Though their relationship was merely a shallow business one, there was no rule that Jace had to inform Bernardo of every situation.

“The Brienne contract.”

After a while, the topic of conversation returned to what he had intended to convey. The quiet end to today’s commotion should be considered a stroke of luck. Bernardo should be grateful for such a coincidence.

“Ah, here it is.”

As soon as Jace broached the subject, Bernardo quickly took it out and presented it before him. Bernardo remained tense, preparing for a sudden attack, but fortunately, he didn’t draw a weapon in that brief moment.

Jace roughly checked the contract he had obtained with his eyes.

“Are you planning to monopolize the iron mines? The price could be raised from what it is now.”

“I’ve thought about that too.”

Judging from his reaction, Bernardo’s guess seemed to be correct. His interest also seemed to have quickly shifted elsewhere.

In fact, even having such a normal conversation was a tremendous miracle. Bernardo wanted to seize the opportunity and leave this place quickly.

“But that’s for later.”

Jace Riverton leaned toward the window and smiled secretly.

Bernardo returned an overtly puzzled expression. However, Jace Riverton, with his head buried on his folded knees, only let out a small sneer without giving any clearer answer.

❀❀❀

Since it wasn’t a fatal gunshot wound, there didn’t seem to be any damage to the bones or muscles in my leg. I had only suffered a slight burn on the surface.

The reason my leg had stiffened and wouldn’t move earlier was probably because my muscles had momentarily contracted from shock.

The wound wasn’t large, but it throbbed and occasionally stung terribly. However, there was no problem walking.

I tore the handkerchief from my pocket and bound the wound on my leg.

The hygienic condition of the handkerchief was probably not good due to going out two days in a row, but for now, this was the best material available to me.

After roughly stopping the bleeding, I covered it well with my voluminous skirt.

“You’ve returned.”

Just then, I heard a call from people waiting for me in the distance.

“Yes.”

I answered with a smile, pretending nothing was wrong, but cold sweat broke out on my head.

Due to the darkness, a lantern was hanging in front of the carriage. It was the first time I had seen this here. Somehow, seeing that light, which was merely to illuminate the night road, made my heart flutter.

The misfire I had encountered earlier came to mind. Because of this, the wound on my leg stung anew. It seemed best to forget about the young master I had just seen.

“Are you uncomfortable somewhere?”

The sharp-eyed attendant noticed my expression and asked about my well-being.

“His Grace the Duke has instructed us to report any problems or discomfort you experienced inside. It’s all for your safety, so please speak comfortably.”

I couldn’t answer hastily.

In the process of conveying the message, imaginative flesh would be added, and then another strange rumor about the young master would undoubtedly be created.

The young master was already surrounded by enough bad rumors.

I couldn’t talk about his room, which was in disarray as if a commotion had occurred, and the fact that I had been (indirectly) injured there. Strictly speaking, he hadn’t tried to kill me. The bullet grazing my leg was just an unfortunate accident.

Above all, there seemed to be a reasonable justification for him having a gun. He was a person receiving all sorts of death threats.

He had to be extremely tense every moment to protect himself. Just imagining being in such a situation was horrifying. If I had to live like that every day, I would go mad too.

Despite being a gravely ill person who had even declared his intention to give up his position as heir, he was targeted for his life at every moment. Being a member of the Empire’s only ducal family seemed truly exhausting.

“You’re sweating profusely. Are you really alright?”

The coachman, Watson, also asked me with great concern.

There was no need for me to add to the already rampant rumors.

“Oh, was I? I must have been running here.”

Seeing Watson’s eyes widen even more, I realized I had chosen the wrong excuse. Running right after meeting the young master—what was I thinking?

He would think I had fled from the young master. I seemed to have confirmed the bad rumors about him that everyone was thinking.

“Well, you see. I enjoy running alone on dark, deserted roads.”

But this excuse was strange too. I immediately regretted my careless answer. This rambling appearance would likely solidify their dangerous speculations about the young master into certainty.

“Let’s get in the carriage, Miss. It’s getting darker.”

I nodded. He guided me into the carriage. I boarded with his help.

Cold air seeped under my skirt. The wound I had hastily bound seemed to be loosening.

I fixed it with pressure from my other leg to prevent the handkerchief from flowing. A groan tried to escape as the clotted wound was compressed, but I bit my teeth hard and endured it.

Fortunately, the attendant didn’t seem to notice anything.

The inside of the carriage had a different temperature from outside. I wasn’t sure how they had arranged it, but it was very warm and cozy. It felt like being inside a blanket.

The tension eased. The regular rattling vibration of the carriage also contributed to this release of tension.

Perhaps because of this, I momentarily dozed off. When I regained consciousness, I woke up hitting my head against one side of the carriage wall.

A familiar landscape was visible outside the window.

I had finally returned to my residence.