Chapter 60

The office was left with only Daniel and Dominic, enveloped in a heavy silence. Hoot, hoot. Even the noisy owl's cry couldn't break the oppressive quiet. It was only after the wind rattled the window that Dominic finally managed to speak.

"I'm sorry, my lord."

It was a clear mistake, one that couldn't be excused. 'Matilda' was the name of Lady Boiled's wife.

'Damn it.'

Dominic, overwhelmed with self-loathing, bit the inside of his lip hard. The situation was just as absurd for Daniel.

"You have every reason to be sorry."

<Matilda is doing well. Please write to her often.> It was a letter to inform relatives of his wife's well-being. Misinterpreting it and jumping to conclusions, he had even arrested an innocent maid. It was a despicable act.

"How is the maid?"

"..."

Without needing an answer, Daniel could guess. She had been locked in a dark underground prison for days; there was no way she could be unharmed.

"Is she still alive?"

"Yes, but her legs... she might end up crippled."

Daniel's eyebrows raised slightly. Did Dominic Moli harm a woman directly? Realizing the meaning behind Daniel's raised eyebrow, Dominic shook his head.

"She fell down the stairs while we were moving her. We treated her urgently, but there will be aftereffects."

It happened in an instant. On the way to the underground prison with Matilda, the mercenary holding her lost his grip on the struggling woman. She rolled on the ground, sobbing, but her insistence that she was innocent was strange. The bitter taste of blood filled his mouth from biting his lip. Regardless of the reason, he was the one who had brought Matilda to this state. Feeling conflicted, Dominic sighed and pressed his hand to his forehead.

"It's my mistake. I'll take full responsibility and resolve it."

"Don't be insolent."

A cold sneer spread across Daniel's face as he reprimanded Dominic.

"I was the one who told you to arrest that maid and to find out the truth by any means necessary. If there's any responsibility, I'll take it."

The smile on his face grew colder with each passing moment.

"If you want to stay by my side, don't even bring up such talk. Have you forgotten?"

After losing his mother and those around him, Daniel had taken on everything alone, as if punishing himself. At thirteen, he didn't understand what atonement meant, but he felt it was what he should do. Whenever he was alone, he imagined death. If it weren't for the persistent Moli family, that imagination might have become reality. Now, they dared to act so presumptuously.

"Do I have to say it again?"

"..."

Dominic lowered his head in response to Daniel's question.

"Never, at no moment, should I act on your behalf... I understand."

How could he forget? The desperate scream of the young boy who had lost his voice due to the guilt of his mother's death, spitting blood as he cried out.

"If you want to stay by my side, don't do anything for me. Don't even say you'll live for me. Do you know how it feels to be the only one left alive? Don't make such a promise to die in my place. I hate it... I really hate it! Damn it."

Three years ago, Daniel had thrown himself in front of a spear aimed at Dominic without hesitation. He would rather die himself than see someone else die because of him. Greedy, arrogant, and annoying, but... pitiful. To Dominic, Daniel was the last bloodline of Lady Laura, whom he had considered like a mother. He was like a younger brother. Even if he didn't want to, Dominic would willingly take on the role of the villain for Daniel. He just didn't want to provoke him further, so he kept his mouth shut. Daniel, resting his forehead on his clasped hands on the desk, asked calmly.

"Family?"

"Three younger brothers live outside the castle. Both parents have passed away."

He had always thought that the reason Dominic kept up the act was for his brothers. Using family as hostages for threats was a common tactic of the Empress.

"I'll handle it. It's better if the Duchess doesn't know about this."

Daniel nodded, still resting his forehead.

"She shouldn't know."

He had said the maid was a trusted servant. She would make a fuss for the sake of unknown commoners, so if she found out her beloved maid was in such a state...

"Take her home as soon as it's light. Offer her anything she wants if she agrees not to return to Münheim Castle. It would be even better if she settles somewhere outside the duchy."

Send her to a place where Freida won't know, a place where she can never meet her again.

"However..."

The predator's eyes, visible through his crossed hands, flashed coldly and fiercely.

"Make it clear. If Freida finds out about this, it's over that day."

***

Because her master feared the dark, the wall lamps in Freida's bedroom were the first to be lit and the last to be turned off in the castle. So the last thing Freida remembered before falling asleep was always the blurry pattern of the ceiling.

"Eleven, twelve, thirteen..."

She counted the leaves on the ceiling, which she sometimes did when she couldn't sleep, but today she was counting to stay awake. The problem was that her eyelids, which kept drooping, wouldn't stay open.

"...fourteen. Damn."

She yawned repeatedly, trying to keep her heavy eyelids open. She had soaked in a lavender-scented bath and drank a mint-flavored tea. Muire had massaged her limbs before leaving, saying it would shock her body. It was unreasonable to try to stay awake. But today, there was a reason she had to stay awake.

"I'm resting. I'll come as soon as we're done talking."

Because Daniel was coming. When he arrived, there were many things she needed to discuss and many things she wanted to say. About the Emperor's visit, and... she wanted to reaffirm the promise they made today. It wasn't that she didn't believe he would take her to the sea. She just enjoyed the time they spent talking. She liked how he listened to her and the calm look in his eyes when he answered seriously. She even liked the mischievous expression he showed when he occasionally joked.

"Ten... eight, ten... oh..."

She couldn't fall asleep, but her vision kept blurring. When Daniel came, she wanted to thank him for allowing the road construction and for his attention. She was moved that he believed in her despite the endless tasks. She also wanted to thank him for taking her outside the castle today. Riding a horse for the first time was terrifying, but she wasn't scared because he was there. Her heart was still racing, but it wasn't just because of the horse. She had many questions. Her trembling was probably because of Daniel, but what about him? Was she in his trembling? Do you remember the light that filtered through the deep green leaves that hid our kiss? Do you know that it was the most beautiful spring sunshine I've ever seen, having lived in the shade all my life? I'm so happy and excited, but... why is my throat getting sore and my eyes burning? My body felt like a water-soaked cotton, heavy and limp, when a warm presence enveloped her face.

"Freida."

Daniel had arrived.

"Freida, wake up. Freida."

She should open her eyes since the person she was waiting for had come.

"Why are you like this? Freida. Open your eyes. Come on, open your eyes. Damn it."

Her eyelids kept getting heavier.

***

The document handed over by Baron Turner, who managed the finances of the Duchy of Weimar, contained only one name: <Adin Franco>. Duke Andrea of Weimar, frowning deeply, asked Baron Turner.

"Who brought this letter?"

"It's a messenger from Duke Richard. From his appearance, he seems to be a mercenary from Milabo that the Duke keeps."

"Duke Richard?"

How does he know Adin? Duke Andrea folded the document several times and slipped it into his sleeve, making sure no one saw.

"Where is the messenger?"

"I told him to wait outside the door."

"Bring him in."

Duke Andrea couldn't hide his anxiousness and tapped his fingers on the desk. Adin Franco was responsible for the maritime trade between Weimar and the Empire of Rügen. While trading with Rügen wasn't unusual for Duke Andrea, who had made a fortune from Eastern trade, the issue was that Duke Richard, of all people, had mentioned the existence of 'Adin Franco,' known only to a select few in Weimar. The messenger entered the room. He had a rugged, dark face, black hair, and dark brown eyes, confirming he was from Milabo in the south of Laphas. If this man, trusted enough by Duke Richard to deliver such a document, was from Milabo...

"Are you the famous 'Cold-Hearted Dominic Moli'?"

The man, confirming the guess, smiled and brushed his dusty black hair back.

"Indeed, the Duke of Weimar, known for gathering all kinds of information in the empire. I would like to introduce myself further, but time is short, so I'll get straight to the point."

Dominic extended a scroll from his sleeve to Duke Andrea.

"My lord, Duke Richard's request is simple. Send the items listed in this document to the Duchy of Utrecht within five days... now, it's four and a half days."

I'm tired, so tired. He had traveled the distance that would take at least three days by carriage in a day and a half on horseback. Dominic, sighing deeply, scratched his stubble that had grown overnight.

"If you send these items to the Duchy of Utrecht on time, Duke Richard said that Adin Franco's activities between Rügen and Weimar will not be revealed to Schendal Castle."

"What...?"

Before Duke Andrea could speak, Dominic raised his arm politely to stop him.

"I won't beat around the bush. I know about the secret deal between you and the Margrave of Morenhayts in Rügen, which the royal family doesn't know about. It's probably the exclusive rights to the iron ore from the Laphas Mountains, with Adin Franco as the responsible person."

'Daniel Richard, you bastard. How much do you know?'

As if hearing Duke Andrea's inner muttering, Dominic nodded repeatedly.

"Yes, I know everything. I know that Adin Franco is a close confidant of the Emperor of Rügen, calling him brother. Let's get to the preparations. We need to leave as soon as it's light tomorrow."

Since he knew everything, there was no need for long talk. Duke Andrea, who was quick and rational, quickly scanned the document. Beds, furniture, carpets, tapestries, and tableware? The quantity was large, but they weren't hard to obtain...

"Why does Utrecht suddenly need so many things?"

He had always found it suspicious. First, he asked for dozens of servants at once, and now this?

"Even to prepare all this by tomorrow morning, it would take at least a week, no matter how fast we work."

Dominic, taking off his gloves and shaking his hands, frowned. He was so busy, but the other's understanding was so slow.

"Make a decision. My messenger is waiting for my signal."

He pointed to the northeast, taking a deep breath.

"His Highness, who has accumulated wealth on land leased by the royal family, has been secretly trading with the Empire of Rügen and communicating with them without the royal family's knowledge."

"Communicating...?"

"If you don't like the term 'communicating'..."

His tired, dark brown eyes emitted a chilling light.

"How about 'treason'?"