Episode 28
Even if all the days the Rudion Duchy’s bloodline spent in this residence were combined, it wouldn’t amount to a full year. How could it be called their home?
At one point, the duchy, facing financial difficulties, had even requested to return the mansion to the imperial family, as maintaining it was too burdensome. However, the imperial family refused, taking on all the expenses of the mansion instead. Thus, it was more appropriate to consider it imperial property.
As Euclid reflected briefly on the long history between the imperial family and the Rudion Duchy, the carriage, having passed through the main gate, finally came to a stop.
Pushing off from his seat, Euclid erased the exhaustion and complexity from his face as he opened the door.
“Your Grace, it’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other.”
The mansion’s butler, informed of his arrival, came out to greet him.
“Ah, yes. Your name is… Philip, if I recall?”
“Yes, Your Grace!”
Philip’s eyes widened momentarily.
“It’s truly an honor that you remember me.”
It was a name he had heard five years ago when he visited the capital to claim the remains of his father and brother and to succeed the title of Duke of Rudion. Philip’s reaction was understandable.
Yet, despite Philip’s enthusiasm, Euclid’s gaze remained cold, far from his usual demeanor.
“How could I forget?”
“Pardon?”
“Nothing. I’m tired and would like to rest immediately. Oh, and my aide has fallen asleep in the carriage—please guide him to a room.”
“Ah… Understood, Your Grace.”
Philip hesitated briefly, unable to naturally inquire about the purpose of the visit. Still, unlike the guards, he was quick to adapt.
Philip, smiling warmly, trailed behind Euclid, speaking in a friendly manner.
“Did you come directly from the duchy? If so, it must’ve taken three days… or perhaps only two, considering you traveled by a magical carriage. You must be tired.”
“…”
“By the way, have you eaten? Should we prepare something for you?”
Noticing that the carriage wasn’t ordinary but a magical one and attempting to discern Euclid’s movements, Philip’s probing questions momentarily stopped Euclid in his tracks.
Caught off guard by Euclid’s piercing gaze, Philip’s smile faltered slightly. Then, Euclid smiled faintly.
“I’m not very hungry. I’d like to wash up and rest right away. Can you make the arrangements?”
“…Of course, Your Grace.”
Feeling a chill run down his spine, Philip nodded, sensing an unshakable unease. He regretted not gathering more information but knew he couldn’t obstruct the master of this mansion.
Though the scant material for his report made him anxious, Philip expertly masked his expression, especially since Euclid hadn’t yet taken his eyes off him.
The Duke’s gaze felt like it was dissecting his very thoughts, but Philip knew Euclid wouldn’t act rashly.
Euclid Rudion, the current Duke of Rudion, had been the second son. He hadn’t undergone formal training to inherit the title, nor was he particularly skilled in anything remarkable. His reputation was one of kindness and compassion, never raising his voice in anger.
Moreover, Philip had once secretly witnessed the young duke, with a face still boyish, crumble entirely under the weight of his grief, even coughing up blood.
For a family that never revealed weaknesses or allowed even the faintest rumor to escape, discovering that the new duke was unwell had been a major breakthrough.
Thanks to that knowledge, Philip had secured his role as the butler without needing to accomplish much.
Viewing Euclid as a useful figure who had been beneficial and would continue to be so, Philip softened his demeanor and stepped back with a gentle smile.
“…”
Euclid observed Philip call over another servant and issue instructions before swiftly walking away.
“Y-Your Grace, shall we proceed?”
A boy, seemingly around fourteen, nervously addressed Euclid, finding the unfamiliar owner of the mansion intimidating.
Despite the boy’s youth, Euclid didn’t lower his guard. The butler wouldn’t assign just anyone to attend to him, likely choosing someone deliberately innocent-looking.
Though Euclid would normally ask for the names of his attendants and express concern for them, this wasn’t the Rudion Duchy.
Pretending not to notice, he walked on, and the boy, shedding his earlier awkwardness, began chatting in a warm, familiar tone.
Through this, Euclid learned the boy’s name was Rick. An orphan who had lost his parents young, Rick had grown up in an orphanage and, through exemplary behavior, earned the recommendation of the orphanage director to secure his position here.
But what could Euclid, with no actual authority over this mansion, do for the boy, no matter how earnest his words were?
Feeling a twinge of guilt and unease, Euclid offered Rick a faint smile.
“I see. Keep up the good work.”
Rick’s eyes widened, as if he hadn’t expected a response.
“Of course! I’ll work really hard!”
Watching the boy renew his determination, Euclid suddenly wondered why he was saying such things and what he was even encouraging. He let out a faint laugh at his own thoughts.
At that moment, Rick, his eyes shining almost excessively, shyly remarked, “Your Grace, you’re really kind.”
“Pardon?”
“Oh, well… It’s just that the butler and the other servants have said the same. That you’re someone who treats your staff with respect and genuine care.”
“…”
Did the butler and servants really say such things?
Euclid’s smile faltered momentarily, but Rick, oblivious, continued murmuring with admiration, “Someone as kind as you, Your Grace…”
Euclid regarded the boy with a calm, subdued gaze.
It didn’t matter what was true or false. Most of it would be lies anyway, and even if some of it were true, he just needed not to believe it.
After arriving at his quarters, Euclid waited for Rick to fetch water for the bath before sitting up from where he’d slumped into the sofa.
He quickly scanned under the table, beside the bookshelf, and near the decorative items.
It wasn’t hard to locate several recording magical devices, but he left them untouched.
If he had intended to destroy or tamper with such things, he would have done so five years ago.
—
“Euclid, Father… has passed.”
“…Brother?”
“I’m sorry. The truth is… I don’t think I have much time left either.”
“What are you saying? Where are you? I’ll come right away…”
“I left evidence behind. I don’t know if it’ll help you or just burden you, but… I’m truly sorry. Please take care of Marianne and Dior.”
—
Yes, it was when he had flipped this mansion upside down after hearing his brother’s final words before his death.
He hadn’t found what he so desperately sought but instead uncovered how deeply the mansion was embedded with the empire’s surveillance devices.
Realizing the mansion was entirely under the imperial family’s watch shattered him. In his despair, his body, already weakened, gave out completely.
He hadn’t even had the mental strength to hide his condition from the mansion’s servants, a secret he had kept from everyone except his father and brother.
Or perhaps, knowing that someone had noticed, he had simply let it be.
Even in his darkest moments, the one thought that kept him going was his duty to protect his nephew and niece.
He had debated whether to silence others or let them leak his condition, ultimately deciding that exposing his weakness and lulling them into complacency was the safer choice.
• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Esraa• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •
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