Romanoff Dukedom: Aftermath (2)

Rather than heeding the words of his father, Ius didn't move an inch from where he was standing.

He just looked at the Duke while trying his best to appear dignified. Ius gave the Duchess a brief glance, wondering if she would oppose her husband.

When it came down to the result, the mission would be considered successful. However, for a mission that carried the prestige of an entire clan, the methods were more important than the conclusion.

In this case, Ius had ignored almost all warnings and instructions from the wolf clan elders and even his own parents. What's more, it brought a plethora of trouble for the Dukedom as well.

"What do you think you're doing, Ius Romanoff?" Duke Vartas asked, his voice deeper than usual.

"My statement still stands, Duke Romanoff. I believe that I was in the right to resort to such measures. If I didn't, Erwin Pelt might have wreaked even more havoc within the capital. If that happens, the Dukedom will have to bear a greater responsibility -- one that we won't be able to take without emerging unscathed."

Duke Vartas didn't entertain Ius' elucidation. He simply tightened his hold on Ius' jaw, tilting his head further upward. Ius was almost tiptoeing by that point, but the pain rattling his whole head was more of a concern for him than his father's piercing gaze.

"You still refuse to admit that you have committed a damnable mistake? Huh? My son?"

Ius couldn't help but snicker at the Duke's endearment.

Despite the favour that Duke Vartas had been showing to him, that didn't mean that their relationship as a father and son was going well. Cruel though as the truth might be, their relationship was more like they're business partners than family.

"Yes, dear father. I don't want to apologize for an action that I don't consider as mistakes."

Right then, Duke Vartas let go of his son. Ius began to massage his jaws without taking his eyes off of the Duke.

"Ius Romanoff, do you really want to remain stubborn?"

"Yes, My Lord. I have no plans of apologizing."

Tired of the tension brewing between Duke Vartas and Ius, the Duchess stood up and slowly made her way towards them. There was a small frown on her countenance -- a rarity of an emotion that the Duchess could display.

Once she was beside the Duke, the Duchess put a hand on his shoulder. Duke Vartas quickly responded to his wife's comfort, gripping her hand with his.

"Dear, don't get too overworked. I know you're aware of what's best to do in this situation." The Duchess uttered, her voice melodious enough to calm the Duke.

"No matter how helpful my methods are, they won't bear any fruit unless someone follows my instructions."

The Duke then stepped away from Ius. And soon, he was back behind the Duchess' table, taking a seat as soon as he could.

In the meanwhile, Ius just observed the rulers of the Dukedom fret over his actions. It didn't give him any pleasure to see them frustrated. However, the only thing that Ius wasn't thought to do was to lower his pride.

He was proud of himself for capturing the hybrid who was dubbed as one of the strongest among the two clans. It might have been due to the weakened state of Erwin. Or perchance, the old man decided to be lenient to him in his last moments.

Nevertheless, a kill was a kill.

'Why would I say sorry for accomplishing such a feat? Are they trying to downgrade my accomplishments now? There's nothing worth more than finishing the mission with success. We've prevented a major catastrophe from happening inside the capital.'

Ius' head was the complete opposite of his mouth. His mind was swimming with recollections after reasonings regarding the past, present, and future of the mission.

"What about that lady? The one named Zarya? What do you think is the best way to deal with her?"

Upon the mention of Zarya;s name, Ius' ears perked up. He directed his attention towards the conversation of his parents.

"There's a possibility that what Erwin said was true. There might be more dangerous creatures hiding within the shadows. Hence, we cannot indict her even if we have circumstantial evidence that she was the suspect for the attack on Herkel Avret."

"That might be true. But you know how the minds of the Avret family works right? They have to be assured of the presence of a concrete suspect."

The Duke nodded, fully agreeing to his wife's inference. Even though the Romanoff Family was more powerful than the Avrets, it was never a good decision to get on the bad side of the nobles. That was the reason why Duke Vartas was urging Ius to apologize in the first place.

"For the time being, we'll have to hand her over to them. We have no other ch--"

"I apologize for the interruption, My Lord."

Duke Vartas sharply turned his head towards Ius. The Duke didn't like any sort of interference from anyone, or anything at all, whenever he's talking. It was the first rule that every new employee had to learn once they entered the estate.

"Why apologize when you know that I won't accept your apology?"

"That woman is under my jurisdiction. She is my prisoner. Why in the world are you deciding her fate without my involvement?"

At that moment, the Duke immediately took a stand and placed his hands on the table.

"Under your jurisdiction? Nothing is under your jurisdiction, Ius Romanoff. From the second that you decided to kill one of your elders, you've shown that you can't be trusted."

The Duke closed his eyes. Thereafter, he inhaled as much air as he could, filling his lungs to the brim. When he opened his eyes, he met the gaze of his son once more. However, the glints on his eyes were even more virulent.

"I'm telling you this now, Ius. If you continue being like this, I will forfeit your right to be the heir to the Dukedom."