[TKOSINM] 288 – The Heartbreak Of A Father
“What! Nonsense!”
“Quiet! From this moment on, if anyone stops the Grand Duke from talking, I will not forgive them.”
The vassals tried to protest at Noel’s unbelievable words, but they couldn’t make a single squeak at the Great Kristen’s intimidating threat.
They were apprehensive.
“Grand Duke, keep talking.”
“My brother had a lover, and when he inherited the Grand Duchy, he would no longer continue the relationship with his lover. So my brother often told me to inherit the Grand Duchy. That same day, he called me into the forest and repeated the same thing. And on the way back after expressing my refusal to my brother, I saw a familiar figure heading into the forest.”
“…who was it?”
“It was Count Rixis.”
“….”
The Grand Duke closed his eyes at the name that finally came out. The vassals looked on without saying anything.
Of course, it was hard to believe. It was also questionable whether that bow actually came from the Count’s treasury. However, the fact that such a question was raised was a great shock in itself. An uncle who killed his nephew for power! Even putting it in their mouths was terrifying.
However, Noel and the Grand Duke, who spoke, looked dignified.
“The reason we convened today’s meeting is to tell you that we will once again re-investigate the incident of that day. And if I ever find out what Count Rixis is doing at the scene, I will...”
“….”
“In the name of the Grand Duke, I will punish Count Rixis. Today’s meeting has been convened to seek permission accordingly.”
The Great Kristen looked at Noel.
His expression was more serious than ever.
“Is there anyone here who opposes the opinion of the Grand Duke?”
No one answered the Grand Duke’s question. That meant that there were no oppositions. When no answer came, the Grand Duke looked down at Noel. And he spoke in a hoarse voice.
“The Grand Duke will re-examine the events of that day, and if he finds out who killed the former duke... get rid of them immediately.”
“Yes.”
At the command of the Great Kristen, Noel bowed his head. The Great Kristen looked at Noel with complicated eyes. Until the meeting was over, no one was willing to open their mouth.
♔♔♔
After the meeting, Noel and the Great Kristen returned to the main building in a carriage. He initially did not have to ride the same carriage, but there was still more to be said, so Noel sat in a carriage with the Great Kristen.
“What do you mean?”
“I’d like to tell you something with Irene.”
When Irene’s name suddenly appeared, the Great Kristen’s eyes widened.
“Is it something to do with darling?”
“Yes. And it is a story deeply connected with the Grand Duchy.”
“I see. I get it. Let’s listen to it as soon as we get back.”
“All right. Thank you.”
The conversation was cut off briefly, and an awkward silence ensued.
Noel, who had been licking his dry lips, opened them slightly.
“Grandfather… are you okay?”
“What do you mean?”
“Count Rixis is your son. If the Count really killed my brother...”
Is it okay for me to kill your son?
He couldn’t speak up, but the Grand Duke understood even if he didn’t say anything. He nodded, and his eyes closed.
“It is true that the child is my son, but my grandchild is just as precious to me as my son. If my child has committed a crime, shouldn’t he deserve punishment? Even if it means death.”
Noel didn’t know how to take this. The former Grand Duke and Count Rixis were both precious to his grandfather. But wasn’t he far behind the two? Even if he punished Count Rixis, would his grandfather not be shaken?
He was worried, but he couldn’t show it, so Noel bit his lip.
The Great Kristen, who glanced at Noel, carefully opened his mouth.
“...and Noel, you are also a precious family member to me. So don’t worry about anything.”
For a moment, Noel’s shoulders trembled. Still, these warm words were uncomfortable and awkward.
On the one hand, he felt relieved in his heart to think that he and his brother’s injustice could finally be resolved.
♔♔♔
After a while, they arrived at the main building, and the carriage stopped. Noel’s eyes widened as he slowly got off the carriage.
“Irene?”
Irene, whom he’d thought would be in the room, stood in front of the door anxiously.
She leaned her body forward as if she didn’t know that the carriage was coming because she had stopped a little further away.
“It looks like your sweetheart has come to meet you. Come on.”
The Great Kristen, who got off the carriage, spotted Irene and spoke in a suggestive tone.
Noel shook his head; he sprinted towards Irene.
“Irene, why didn’t you wait in the room….”
But Noel could no longer speak. All of a sudden, Irene ran into his arms and hugged him.
“Hey, Irene?”
“...I missed you. Noel...”
♔♔♔
