Chapter 95
Idel was no longer a delicate flower raised in the sheltered greenhouse of the Count’s family.
The food she ate, the clothes she wore, and the room she slept in no longer belonged to the Canyon family. It had been a long time since the surname “Canyon” was attached to her name.
She recalled something Laszlo had said not long ago.
“You ended up like that because you couldn’t be ruthless.”
Clenching her fists tightly, she repeated the words to herself.
“It was you who made me ruthless, Father.”
Regaining her composure, Idel pulled out a piece of stationery from her drawer. She deliberately chose the finest paper and envelope she had.
Dipping a sharp pen nib into the deep black ink, she began writing without hesitation.
“My ties with the Canyon family were severed a year and a half ago. I have repaid the kindness of my upbringing by marrying into the Lancaster duchy, and when I became a prisoner, the Canyon family relinquished all rights to me, thus ending our relationship. Do not contact me again.”
Not once did the letter contain the word “Father.”
She could already picture her father raging upon receiving it. Her hands tensed with anxiety at the thought, but Idel closed her eyes tightly and sealed the envelope.
Although she had written a cold and dry letter cutting off contact, Idel knew her father was not the type to give up so easily.
Still, she had not expected him to be this bold.
“So… you’re saying that Count Canyon is visiting Count Crysis right now?”
“Yes, my lady,” the maid Daisy replied.
Daisy nervously observed Idel’s reaction. Even she knew this was an unwelcome situation.
Had Idel been the one to greet Count Canyon, she would have ordered him out before he could even set foot in the mansion. But, of course, he had arrived while she was away—without so much as a notice.
“My lady, are you alright?”
Daisy’s concerned voice pulled Idel from her thoughts.
Of course, she wasn’t alright. But what could she do at this moment?
“I’m fine. For now… let’s wait until their conversation is over. Do you know how Count Crysis reacted when Count Canyon arrived?”
“I didn’t see him directly, but there were no loud arguments or signs of hostility.”
“I see. Thank you, Daisy.”
Idel’s smile looked as composed as ever, but inside, she felt like she was being swallowed by an overwhelming wave of anxiety.
“What if Count Crysis misunderstands me? What if I end up unable to stay here, too?”
She had only just begun to breathe freely, to feel like she could live again. And now, her father had come to shatter even that small peace.
Some might try to reassure her, saying Count Canyon had come out of genuine concern for her well-being. To outsiders, it might appear that way.
But Idel knew the truth.
Count Canyon had never once cared about the well-being of his daughters. Even on the day Lin died, he had been more concerned about rumors spreading outside.
Thinking of Lin, Idel felt her resolve harden.
“Yes, stay strong. I am no longer Idel Canyon. I don’t have to be swayed by my family’s name or honor anymore.”
She clenched her trembling hands into fists and took a deep breath.
Meanwhile, in the drawing room, Dustin sat across from Laszlo, wearing a grim expression as he sighed.
“So,” Laszlo finally broke his silence after taking a sip of tea.
“You’re saying the only reason you haven’t tried to see Idel all this time is because of the surrounding circumstances?”
“Exactly,” Dustin replied. “Think about it. As you well know, our family was falsely accused of supporting the Lancaster Duchy’s rebellion. If I had immediately sought out my daughter, the former Duchess of Lancaster, do you know what further suspicions that would have raised?”
“Hmm…”
Laszlo’s lips curled into a faint smirk.
Frustrated, Dustin leaned forward, pleading.
“What kind of parent can sleep peacefully knowing their child is in danger? My family and I have not truly been living—we’ve only been surviving. My wife, Ludmilla, has been in poor health ever since.”
“I see.”
“I’m not asking for much. I just want to exchange a few words with my daughter, to hold her hand just once. Please.”
Laszlo thought Dustin’s attitude was incredibly self-serving.
Yes, any decent parent would be deeply unsettled if their child was in danger. Most parents, in fact, would risk everything—even their own lives—to save their child.
“At the very least, they wouldn’t have so easily declared that they were relinquishing all rights to their daughter.”
Laszlo still vividly remembered the moment when Dustin, without hesitation, had spoken of “giving up” on Idel in front of Dimarcus. It seemed that Dustin himself had conveniently forgotten.
Still, in the end, Laszlo decided to grant Dustin’s request.
“I also need to observe Edel’s reaction.”
While he did not believe Edel would betray him, he could not afford complete trust in anyone.
“Well, it’s not a difficult request. Just a father and daughter wanting to see each other—nothing extraordinary.”
“Thank you, Count!”
“But.”
At Laszlo’s seemingly defiant tone, Dustin’s face hardened.
“You’ve been rather informal with your words, haven’t you?”
Laszlo’s cold eyes clearly looked down on Dustin.
Dustin disliked the condescension, but since he needed Laszlo’s favor, he forced a sheepish smile.
“It’s common to use informal language with those of lower status. I have come to regard our Lord Crysis with great affection…”
“Are we such close acquaintances, Count Canyon?”
“Th-that’s…not…”
“I am the one who exposed the connection to House Lancaster and charged the Canyon family with complicity. Yet you treat me with such familiarity… How generous of you.”
Laszlo smiled, leaving Dustin frozen in an awkward expression—unable to smile or get angry.
And with that, Laszlo delivered the final blow.
“However, since I am not as magnanimous, let us address each other formally to avoid discomfort.”
“Y-yes, that…sounds…appropriate.”
The head that bowed easily before other nobles now creaked before Laszlo like rusted metal.
To Dustin, Laszlo was still nothing more than a “filthy mercenary,” and even addressing him informally was a considerable concession.
Though Laszlo knew Dustin’s true feelings, he did not press further. Instead, he called for Margaret, the head maid waiting outside.
“You called for me?”
“Where is Edel?”
“She has just returned from her outing, sir.”
“Good. Bring her here.”
“Yes, Count.”
Once Margaret left, Laszlo also rose from his seat.
“Since my presence may be burdensome, I’ll give you privacy. I hope you can catch up with your daughter, but unfortunately, I have another engagement and cannot grant you much time.”
“I…understand. After all, I came without prior notice…”
“I am glad you understand. You have thirty minutes. That should be enough to check on her well-being.”
“Of course. Thank you, Count Crysis.”
Laszlo nodded lightly and exited the room, running into Edel just as she arrived.
“You’re quite fast.”
“…I heard you were here. I figured you’d call for me soon.”
“Your father says he missed you terribly. He begged to see you just once—how could I refuse that?”
Though Laszlo spoke playfully, Edel’s face remained pale and stiff, wordless.
“Take your time and speak your mind,” Laszlo said, patting her shoulder lightly before passing her by.
He then entered his office next to the drawing room and traced his fingers along a column against the wall.
The column, finished with wood, was a secret door.
“I don’t enjoy eavesdropping… but I need to know Count Canyon’s true intentions.”
In truth, Laszlo was more curious about Edel’s feelings than those of Count Canyon.
How did she feel about the father who had not tried to save her? Did she resent him? Or did she still yearn for him as family?
Inside the secret door, Laszlo peeked through a small hole in the wall to observe the drawing room, holding his breath.
Edel was already seated across from Dustin, who stared at her intently. Silence hung between them until Dustin, too impatient to wait, spoke first.
“Not even a word of greeting after so long?”
His voice was cold for a father who supposedly missed his daughter desperately.
“We exchanged letters recently. It doesn’t feel like it’s been a long time… More like nothing has changed.”
Letters?
This was news to Laszlo.
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