Chapter 12: The New Duke and the Hidden Mistress (Part 7)

‘Ridiculous.’

Kiern let out a hollow laugh at Theo Kabil’s sudden appearance. It was even more absurd knowing that the person behind this farce was none other than James Parker.

‘Not satisfied with spying, now he’s trying to escalate the situation.’

Recently, the Parker family had grown more influential due to the rising tensions with the Melkan tribe. As a family that had grown wealthy from military supplies, demand for their goods had skyrocketed. Of course, James’s recommendation wasn’t entirely baseless. The Kabil family, descended from mixed-blood nobles of the Kingdom of Brittany, was a strategic connection.

In these chaotic times with the Melkan tribe, forming ties with the Kabil family would be beneficial for the future. Thus, Kiern’s hostility toward Theo had nothing to do with politics. It was purely personal and entirely beyond his control.

Theo, meanwhile, was staring blankly at Elizabeth. On the other hand, Elizabeth didn’t even spare him a glance, which was amusing in its own way.

“I didn’t expect the gathering Sir Parker mentioned to be the Ingrid Club. It would have been nice if you had given me a heads-up.”

“I wanted to surprise you as part of your initiation. It seems I succeeded. Hahaha.”

James joked, and Theo scratched his cheek awkwardly. Kiern wasn’t the only one displeased by Theo’s arrival. Abigail was glaring at James with a hardened expression. She was irritated that he had complicated matters despite her warning to stay out of it.

It was as absurd as when he had barged in and started talking about breaking off her engagement.

‘Did you know that bastard had been sleeping with his old friend?’

‘Lower your voice. There are too many ears listening.’

‘Ha! So you knew. And yet you still went through with the engagement? Are you out of your mind?’

‘It’s you, Sir James, who seems out of your mind. I have no intention of indulging the complaints of a drunkard. Please leave.’

She had tried to send him away when he suddenly appeared and brought up Elizabeth and Kiern’s relationship. Abigail hadn’t expected him to grab her wrist and cause a scene.

‘Abigail, do you know what I saw recently? If you find out, you’ll want to break off the engagement immediately. Turns out, he’s worse than I am.’

‘Don’t call me by my name, Sir James. And breaking off the engagement is my decision, not yours.’

‘…What? You’re not even surprised. Don’t tell me you already knew?’

‘Having a mistress isn’t even a flaw. As long as he doesn’t cross the line…’

‘Don’t give me that nonsense! Are you really going to marry a man who sucks on and kisses another woman? The great Abigail is going to endure that? If it were me, I’d never…!’

‘What I chose was the title of Duke Agaphel, not the man Kiern Agaphel. You seem very intoxicated, so please leave now.’

‘Unbelievable! Do you think you’ll still have the final say if your brother finds out? If I so much as open my mouth, you’ll be dragged back to Prairie Castle.’

‘Try saying one word to my brother. I’ll make sure you never see my face again. You like my face, don’t you? What? Did you think I’d come to you if you told me the truth? That I’d fall for you?’

‘Do you know how much I’ve suffered because of you? Do you think I can just stand by and watch this?’

‘James Parker. Stop being ridiculous. If you had died of lovesickness because of me, I might have mourned for you. But this pathetic behavior? Never.’

‘…’

‘If you’re done talking, leave. I don’t think we have anything more to discuss.’

His drunken visit and desperate pleas had been nothing but trouble for her. His pathetic attempts at threats were laughable. And the fact that he subtly believed he still had a chance with her was infuriating.

To Abigail, James Parker wasn’t even worth considering. No matter how wealthy his family had become, in her eyes, they were still just nouveau riche with money.

In contrast, the Agaphel family was not only wealthy but also a prestigious lineage with a long history. A minor mistress wouldn’t be a problem for them.

Of course, it was shocking to see Kiern Agaphel, who seemed as if he wouldn’t bleed even if stabbed, lose control over love. Though he himself didn’t seem to realize his feelings.

Abigail intended to remain a bystander. Whether Kiern hurt Elizabeth with his unacknowledged emotions or not, as long as her interests were protected, she didn’t care.

In fact, she hoped he would remain oblivious to his feelings. If he ever realized them, he might do something even crazier. And Abigail might lose her share in the process.

That alone was unacceptable to Abigail. Thus, she had stopped provoking Kiern.

But to be caught by the foolish James Parker of all people… 

At least she had managed to keep Austin unaware for now, but it was only a matter of time.

‘Maybe I should just hand Elizabeth over to Theo Kabil. No. That would only provoke Kiern further.’

She already knew Kiern wasn’t in his right mind. His eyes had been far from normal when he had barged in and set conditions for their engagement. Even so, Abigail had chosen this gilded rotten fruit herself. There was no other family in the Kingdom of Yelhen that could elevate her status like the Agaphel family.

Abigail glanced at Kiern. His face wore the same practiced, insincere smile as always. Sensing the thick emotions hidden behind that smile, she let out a deep sigh. If Elizabeth were taken away from him, Kiern Agaphel would never stand by quietly.

* * *

Elizabeth hurriedly left the gathering as soon as it ended. Her mind had gone blank ever since Theo Kabil had arrived. Knowing that this was all James Parker’s doing made it even worse. She ran frantically down the corridor, trying to get as far away from the gathering as possible.

“Lady Elizabeth! Please wait!”

Theo followed after her. She cursed the cumbersome dress that slowed her down. Theo grabbed her shoulder and turned her toward him.

“Please, let’s talk.”

“Go back. Don’t ever come here again.”

Elizabeth spoke in a voice trembling with fear. Sensing her fear, Theo released her shoulder and stepped back. Elizabeth looked at Theo in despair. If she allowed Theo to stay, who knew what Kiern might do to him.

If Kiern’s wrath reached the innocent Theo, she wouldn’t be able to bear it. Elizabeth was terrified. The fear that there might be an even greater hell beneath the one she thought was the bottom consumed her.

She didn’t want Theo to come near her. He was an innocent man. He had the misfortune of giving his heart to someone like her, and she feared he would suffer for it.

“Please, I beg you, Sir Theo.”

“Ever since that day, I’ve been thinking. Why is it that you’ve suddenly started avoiding me?”

Theo spoke, keeping an appropriate distance so as not to frighten Elizabeth.

“I know very well that you don’t see me as someone special in a romantic sense. I also realize, belatedly, that my actions may have made you uncomfortable.”

That’s not it.

It was true that Theo wasn’t attractive enough to win Elizabeth’s heart, which had already been taken by Kiern. Even so, she had learned through their few meetings that he was a good person.

But telling him this would only give him false hope. When Elizabeth pressed her lips tightly together, Theo continued.

“That’s why I came to make another proposal.”

“Another… proposal?”

“I’d like you to be my friend. I won’t ask for anything more, so please, don’t avoid me. It hurts more than you think.”

Theo let out a bitter, awkward laugh.

“Ah…”

Elizabeth’s lips quivered in hesitation, unable to refuse the unexpected proposal outright.

It was then that her gaze caught sight of black hair. Blue eyes were staring intently at Theo and Elizabeth. A cold gaze that made her feel as though it could split her body apart. Elizabeth paled and instinctively stepped back.

“Lady Elizabeth.”

Sensing her attempt to flee, Theo grabbed her hand. Perhaps that was the trigger. Kiern, who had approached in an instant, seized Theo’s wrist.

“What’s going on here?”

“Ah.”

Theo flinched at Kiern’s sudden, silent appearance and let go of Elizabeth’s hand. Even so, Kiern didn’t release his grip on Theo, who looked at him with confusion.

Theo’s hand trembled. His wrist, gripped roughly, throbbed with pain. Meanwhile, Kiern’s face maintained a smile.

“Your Grace?”

“You have poor manners, Sir Theo Kabil.”

Kiern slowly released his grip and murmured in a low voice. Theo rotated his sore wrist with an awkward expression. He seemed troubled by the fact that others had witnessed this unpleasant scene.

“Ah, this was…”

“The exit is that way.”

Kiern cut off Theo’s attempt to explain. He gestured toward the opposite direction with a tilt of his chin. Though his gesture might have seemed arrogant, Theo didn’t have the luxury to care. He opened his mouth as if to say something more but hesitated.

“Then, I’ll see you again next time, Lady Elizabeth.”

“Yes, take care.”

Elizabeth bowed her head and avoided looking at Theo. She could feel his lingering gaze, but she refused to meet it.