Chapter 27

After all, she wasn’t worth the trouble of getting entangled in some annoying problem.

No, Langston would’ve played the doting father with that greasy smile of his—there would’ve been no reason for the Grand Duke to suspect otherwise.

Of course, it wouldn’t be difficult for the Grand Duke to uncover the truth.

Knowing him, he could probably uncover the entire sordid history between her and Langston with a mere flick of his finger.

But even if he did… what would that change?

Under imperial law, once an adoption is finalized, it’s incredibly difficult to reverse the process.

Sure, someone with the Grand Duke’s power and status might find a way—but she wasn’t worth risking his reputation for something like that.

And if that were the end of it, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.

But…

She didn’t doubt that, to Langston, she had been a significant source of money.

He would be willing to pay a high price to take her back.

‘And didn’t they say the Grand Duke already has another healer?’

Judging by his attitude so far, that other woman was probably far more skilled than she was.

A clear and crushing conclusion echoed in her mind, over and over like a haunting refrain.

‘At this rate… the Grand Duke will hand me over to Langston.’

* * *

“She’s the Viscount’s precious daughter, is she?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Though he didn’t show it outwardly, the Grand Duke’s interest was clear.

Viscount Langston could hardly hide the smile curling inward.

“I still remember the day I adopted her like it was yesterday. She was so small, so beautiful. I couldn’t help but want to bring her home right away—she looked like a child you wouldn’t mind keeping even in your eye.”

“…”

“And I raised her with great care ever since.”

Langston snuck a glance at the Grand Duke, reading his expression before moving to the point.

“My heart tells me to take her back right away, but…”

Surely, by now, the Grand Duke would be leaning his way.

If he had feelings for Sylvia, he’d surely consider what was best for her—and maybe even reopen the trade routes that had been abruptly cut off…

Langston was still brimming with hope when—

“And what exactly do you plan to do with her?”

“…Pardon?”

Langston stammered, momentarily thrown.

The Grand Duke had simply asked what he intended to do once he had the girl back.

Of course he wouldn’t know anything. That made sense.

“Ah, well… of course, I just want to give her everything she’s missed after losing her memory. I want to give her the world. She’s my daughter, after all…”

But the Grand Duke’s faint smile carried a distinct malice.

There was something in that expression that made Langston uneasy, like he was being mocked.

Still, Langston knew he needed to keep his pride in check. If he played this right, the Grand Duke looked just about ready to hand Sylvia over.

“Well, that’s not really something I need to know, is it?”

Kallain let out a quiet chuckle, then nodded. At his signal, Jayden stepped forward and placed a document on the table.

Langston picked it up eagerly.

Finally, Sylvia would be his again, and they could resume talks about reopening trade…

But then…

As he read the document, Langston’s eyes began to widen.

His furrowed brow refused to relax.

‘Damn it.’

What the Grand Duke had placed before him was Langston’s own secret ledger—an alternate set of books he’d been maintaining for years.

He had recorded every item he could sell under the table to evade taxes.

Under Emperor Periord’s reign, tax laws had become unforgiving. If this came to light, he’d be utterly ruined—body and soul.

“Wh-what is this…?”

Kallain, unfazed, lit a cigar and stared at the pale-faced Langston.

Huff— As he exhaled, smoke drifted across the table and disturbed the surface of the adoption papers.

Then, he pressed the burning tip of the cigar down onto the papers.

With a searing sizzle, the sheet blackened, letters melting into illegible scorch marks, the stench of charred paper rising with the smoke.

Running a hand through his hair with a deep sigh, Kallain crossed one leg and fixed Langston with a cold stare.

“My answer to your request.”

The acrid smoke floated gently across Langston’s face.

Langston trembled, eyes squeezed shut, unable to withstand the pressure.

It was a fear unlike anything he had ever known—true terror.

“There was never an adoption. Not anymore.”

Langston, now ghostly pale, tried to think quickly.

Emperor Periord had tasked him with handing that girl over for use in his pleasures.

But ever since he’d lost her, she had become irrelevant, and his son’s standing had fallen with her absence.

If this truth got out, the Emperor would cut ties without hesitation.

“I-I understand…”

“For someone supposedly repentant, your knees are awfully stiff, Viscount Langston.”

Kallain’s lip curled into a crooked smile as he looked down at him with a terrifying gleam in his eyes.

Langston’s knees hit the floor with a loud thud.

“You must’ve been wondering why your ties to the North were suddenly cut, without reason. Why the trade routes were closed. Why misfortune kept finding you like clockwork.”

“Like you were sailing through a blind fog with no land in sight.”

“…”

“You must’ve come here hoping I’d let you live—just once.”

“Well then, shall we finally begin the real conversation?”

“……!”

* * *

It was a long while before the Grand Duke finally emerged from the room.

His figure, slowly approaching, blurred and wavered before her eyes.

‘Is he coming to drag me into hell?’

She didn’t want to cry—but the tears wouldn’t stop. They spilled uncontrollably, helplessly.

Her body wouldn’t move, like a hunted animal caught in a trap.

It was the instinctive fear overtaking every inch of her that left her paralyzed.

The tears soaked her cheeks, distorting her vision in a hazy blur.

Then, his boots came into view—only a single step away now.

Someone once said, even when standing at death’s door, if you keep your mind intact, you can survive.

Right now, the only thing she could cling to was the man before her.

She had to beg again—cling to the man who had first brought her to this place, her supposed savior.
Like a parasite.

But she didn’t have the luxury to care about words like “parasite” or “clingy.”

Not when her life was on the line.

Still… would this man really choose her? And for what reason?

What value did she hold?

After a long silence, the words that finally escaped her lips were pitiful.

“I’ll satisfy you.”

She had no idea what she was even saying.

“Please… just give me one more chance.”

* * *

She was saying she’d satisfy him—just for a chance.

Under the bright daylight, in the middle of this peaceful, sun-soaked estate, she was saying those words.

Depending on how you heard it—or even hearing it exactly as it was—it sounded almost indecent, like a secret whispered behind closed doors.

Did this woman even know what she was saying?

She must. That’s why she said it.

And yet… he should’ve been pleased. As her employer, all he needed to do was make use of her.

But instead, something unpleasant stirred inside him.

“How exactly do you plan to satisfy me?”

Her face slowly lifted, and tears streamed endlessly down.

That pitiful, miserable sight twisted something inside him—he couldn’t stand it.

“Wearing that kind of face…”

“So pathetic…”

The same woman who once acted so bold in front of him was now trembling from head to toe.

One step. Two.

Kallain knelt down in front of her, just within reach.

His large hand gently cupped Sylvia’s face.

Her clouded vision cleared, and the Grand Duke’s face came sharply into view.

Over the quiet air, his low voice rang out.

“You once said you were thankful I saved you.”

“But it seems… you really thought I was just a bastard.”

“I had no idea.”

The tears that stained her pale face were easily wiped away by his large hand.

And with that, Kallain lifted Sylvia into his arms.

Her limp body folded effortlessly against him.