Chapter 13: Her Answer
Chapter 13: Her Answer
"Are we really staying here for 3 days milady?"
"Yes, you can go if you don't want to be here."
"But what about the Count, have you told him yet?"
That is my biggest challenge yet. They would've turned the estate upside down if they've received the letter I sent. Mother and father would surely be devastated but my brothers would be stupidly angry that they would attempt to go up North.
I closed my eyes and silently apologized to my family. I have always did whatever I want without minding about what they would feel. But they're free to hate or curse on me anyway.
"So where are we going right now milady? And why are you still wearing men--"
"At least for now, no one should know that I'm a noblewoman, especially the people of the castle."
I remembered the several reminders he gave me yesterday and it gave me a headache knowing that I have to be aware of all those things while staying here as a freeloader.
"Have you already sent the letters I have given you a while ago?"
"Yes milady, fortunately they do not check the letter's contents in here so your letters have been safe and not filtered out."
"Milord, you have woken up. His Excellency asked me to take care of you since you'll be staying here for days." The butler immediately showed up with three female servants.
"Ah I see, please extend my gratefulness to him."
"Yes milord and to ease your stay here in our estate, His Excellency provided you three servants. He instructed me to tell you that you may use them however you see fit and if any problems might occur. You can just tell me your concerns or you may go to him directly yourself." He said and I nodded. Having just one servant is enough but if he insists, we can't disobey the order of the Duke himself right?
"So His Excellency asks if you can spare time in the evening for he invites you for a dinner later in the evening."
"Oh, dinner. To be invited to eat with him is my pleasure so I'll do my best to return on time this evening." I said and instructed my servants to leave my room as it is and asked them to be our guide when we explore the grounds of the Halsted.
"Sir Gray, can I help you carry Milord's things?" We stopped walking for a moment when one of them started to show themselves as good servants.
"Gray, have them carry my belongings." I said as we make our way outside the castle. However, before we can make it, a black-haired woman wearing a black strapped dress with cross arms stopped me from walking and surveyed me from top to bottom.
"Who are you? And why are you hovering around Hal?" I immediately bowed and readied to escape since I was not allowed to talk or even meet eyes with her.
" Lady Emily, at whichever circumstances, you shall never talk or even exchange eye contact with Lady Felicia. Just avoid her at any cost."
"Oh yes Your Excellency." And I don't intend to break my promise.
"Milady, it's my pleasure to meet you. However, His Excellency instructed me to not waste your time. If I, under any circumstances, disobeyed him I will meet an unfortunate death--"
"So what? I'm asking you! I'm the only respectable lady of this house and you're disrespecting me instead."
I clicked my neck for a minute because I think a few minutes of my time would be wasted on this nonsensical whining bitch.
"Milady, I apologize if that is how it sounded to you but His Excellency--"
Before her hands reach my cheek, I sneakily took step away from her. Her eyes widened from the great humiliation.
"Y-you! Bitch! Hey grab her!" She instructed her minions to restrain me but Gray immediately went in front of me to protect me, while the servants I brought were lost not knowing what to do. Well, who in their right minds would protect a stranger and disobey their long-time running master right?
"Gray, step aside."
"And having you get hurt again. Just slap me after we finish this bullshit milady." I knew I should've slapped him right here right then but I can't help but to roll my eyes on his cringe remark. I heard him trying to stop himself from laughing so I secretly kick his feet.
"Milady, I deeply apologize for this unruly behavior of mind but His Excellency has given me a very important errand and we will both be in danger if I can't do it now." I saw her face paled with the word 'danger'.
There I realized that she still fears the Duke. I wonder if something happened for her to be that pale in fear. Was the Duke scary when he gets angry?
I somehow want to see him angry. Then I thought of several things to make him angry while considering his somehow shy personality.
I gave a curtsy before leaving the castle and storming my way onto the marketplace.
"Now where shall we go milady?"
"And do we really have to bring them?" He said and gestured the three servants so I nodded. Of course, they will be useful somehow with that body of theirs.
"Can you guide us into the territory? I really wanted to familiarize myself into it." I said and gave them my most charming smile. They blushed and then I realized again that I was a nobleman in disguise.
"Your Excellency. They've left the castle, do you wish to have someone watch over them?"
I busied myself looking at her cheerful demeanor through the window. She was gleefully talking to her guard and the servants. Even if she's dressed as a man, I can't help but notice her development as a woman. To think that she would be that beautiful when she grew up. Can I really have her by my side?
"Do I have the right to imprison a free flying falcon?"
The Butler looked puzzled with my question but I just continued glancing on her way as she disappear through the crowds.
"Milord, I may or may not have an idea as to what you're thinking right now but the late Duke and Duchess would want you to choose the decision that will make you happy." I glanced at the butler who cleared his throat as he speak to me.
"What a generic thing to say. What about her, will she be happy to choose me? Or will she even choose me until then?"
Somehow, I regretted my decision, I should've accepted her deal right there without any exceptions. We could even start preparing for the wedding then I could legally have her all by myself.
However, I don't want her to say such a thing without considering her true feelings. I don't want her to end up regretting her decision. I want her to understand that marrying me means staying in this hell forever and I don't think I can have her endure such a cruel thing. I want her to realize that she would not have any advantages to keep for she could only gain a monster as her husband and a luxurious cage bound to imprison her for the rest of her life.
But you could've just dragged her out of the estate instead of letting her stay here for three days. Shit. What was it Vannister? Letting her stay here for three days while hoping for her not to change her mind?
No, I could've just missed her and being able to see her again after five long years was something I couldn't expected let alone imagine.
"Your Excellency?"
"Bruno."
"Master."
"Keep an eye on them especially the nobleman between them. Take an action and prioritize his safety if anything comes up."
"Yes milord."
"And butler, he's my guest so let everyone treat him properly. I don't intend to overlook anyone who disobeys me."
"Yes Your Excellency."
A three-day agony. Think you can keep up with it Vannister?
"Milady, that pin would look good at you." Gray mumbled as we walk past the merchants selling hairpins. I agreed on him so I bought three pieces.
"This looks beautiful don't you think?"
"This too!"
Before I knew it, I have bought a lot of accessories and have the servants bring it with them.
"Milord, it's getting dark now, we suggest you to return to the castle." Bea suggested but I had something different in mind.
I gave them 100 tales each, tales is the name of our currency and a hundred of it is enough to even buy a full course meal and three pairs of dress or suit.
"M-milord this, why?"
"Just, I have somewhere I need to pass by on and it's an errand given to me by His Excellency. So you can take your time buying the things you needed and wanted." I said and winked at them. They blushed at what I need and so without further complications they set out individually.
My smile faded and I reviewed all the plans on my head.
"Milord, so where shall we go right now?"
Gray tried his best not to laugh but he can't keep it down can he?
He groaned when I glared at him as his first warning.
"Alright, I'm sorry but someone has been following us ever since we set foot in this place. Should I knock him down?"
I covertly glanced at the way he's gesturing me and I spotted a familiar figure. He was the man who was with the Duke back when we were at the Labyrinth Forest.
"No, just let him be. And let's proceed as planned." I said as I realized that the Duke might be surveying me to make sure that I don't do anything stupid. He can do whatever he wants since he's the Duke after all and this is his territory.
"Milord!" I let myself be captivated by such measly abducting skills by some level one kidnapper. And so I found myself laying down with both of my arms tied in an empty and dark room. What a new way to abduct and restrain a person.
Without wasting much time. I let a small foldable dagger slip from my sleeve. Thus, being able to free myself from those measly rope. Using my sensitive hearing, I observed the outside so I can move on timing.
Carefully turning the doorknob which was surprisingly open, I inspected both sides and went out after seeing that both coasts are clear.
Let's make this easy and fast, I'm hungry. Then I spotted someone turning from the west corner, so I quickly launched at him. I sprint at him and quickly kick his neck with my feet causing him to fell of quietly.
I turned right to the next corner but I can't helo but be curious of the many doors in the hallway. There's no reason that this is only a normal house. That's what I thought when I opened a door and there I found an unconscious man lying naked on a red bed.
I continued to be sensitive with my surroundings as I opened random doors and the situation that I ended up seeing was men either chained onto the floor or nakedly laying on the bed. What is this? A brothel?
"Where did you put the new product?" I heard a few men talking inside the room next to where I was standing. These men must be the lackeys for the real boss of this organization won't be fool enough to show up in this--
"Hey! Bastards the boss is at the lobby!"
I was bewildered with the sudden changes in the plot. To think that the boss would be really here. He must be a disgusting piece of shit for him to drug and abduct men into his lair.
I immediately hid in the next room beside me when I felt them moving towards the door. There, I immediately felt a sharp thing being pointed at the side of my neck.
"Who are you?" The moment I heard that voice, I turned back and my forehead crumpled.
"M-milady! Shit! I'm sorry I haven't recognized you." He immediately withdrew his sword and bowed at me several times but I already knew that he was bluffing so I kicked his knee.
"What is it m-milady?" He innocently asked me.
"Quit the act before the I beat the shit out of you." He began to sweat as he heard me cursed him and I immediately realized that traumatic event that made him act like that.
"Y-yes I apologize. B-but I have to tell you something milady."
"What?" I was busy peeping onto the slightly opened door to see what was happening outside. But I was confused as to why I heard some of them shouting.
"Protect the Boss!"
"Shit! How did the Duke got the wind of this!"
"I told you there has been a spy among us! Come one let's escape! We would surely die once the Duke catches us!"
"What's happening?" I turned to look at Gray who was also peeping at the panicking men who were busy shouting and running across the hall.
"I didn't know how the Duke managed to find out about this place. I was busy tailing those bastards to this hideout of theirs and was busy looking for you milady. I'm afraid that my head would roll once your family found out that you were harmed." He said as a matter of fact.
But my sight caught a small body unconsciously lying on the bed.
"A boy, how is a child here? I thought only men were..."
"Their boss must have weird fetishes. I have found out a while ago that there were also some children being help up in this place... Boys and girls... I'm afraid I would burn this place to the ground if I ever saw some young ladies here too." He said with his hand clenched. I approached the young child who has a blanket wrapped around his body. Gray must've took care of that.
"Let's save the burning later, we have to save these kids. And for that I have a job for you."
"M-milady, I think it's better to just get out of this place before the Duke finds out that we're here."
That's a better idea you've got there but I just can't let that son of a bitch go without being unscathed.
"Gray, find the knights of the Duke and tell them to prioritize the kids." I said and he started to rain me with complaints.
'"But milady that... How about you? What are you planning to do this time?"
"Don't worry I'm not going to hurt myself like I did years ago."
I said and his face turned grim. I just smiled at him and took a peek on the door. Gotcha!
"Milady." He said in a warning tone but I didn't mind him.
"Have them rescue the kids themselves and come find me then." I told him as a reassurance that I won't do anything stupid.
"Milady."
I immediately went out of the room and blended in with the clamoring people. I searched for that pigsty in pink. Can't let that son of a bitch get out of my sight.
"Let's get to the back door, milord!"
"Hurry up and protect me! You useless bastards!"
"How did the Duke find out about this hideout! This our main hideout for god's sake!"
"Milord! It's lock!"
"What the fuck! Get the key hurry!"
"What? But milord, I thought you had the key with you?"
"That's why I've been telling you that we should just leave this door open, so how are we going to escape right now?"
"What! You insolent fool? Do you think I'm an idiot? We can't have sneaking men inside this building so we locked this one right? You fucking fool! Get back there and get me the damn key!"
"But milord, the Duke's knights are swarming inside! Getting back there would only get me killed--"
Ah yes the Duke's knights got to discover this disgusting place. Thinking about it, I bet he's frustrated upon discovering that such a disgusting act has been happening right under his nose.
"So you want me to get killed instead?"
"Let's just break the door--"
The two servants and the squabbling master stopped talking when a dagger dug right onto the door they're trying to open.
"Milord, shall I help you open it?" I said with a menacing smile, their forehead crumpled because of a stranger suddenly offering some help.
"W-who are you?"
"D-don't come closer! A-are you with the Duke?" The disgusting pig retorted as he's pushing his two servants using them as a shield.
"What did you say?"
"He has been taken away by some--"
"Y-Your Excellency!"
I immediately held the Master's hand to keep him from strangling his knight.
"He has been taken away and yet you're here. Why didn't you saved her then?"
"I-I o-overheard..."
"Your Excellency, he'll die at this extent."
At last, he listened to my tearful plea. To think that His Excellency would lose his control to the point of strangling his trusted aide. What is my Master's relationship with that young man guest of him?
"I overheard that it was his plan to be taken captive in the first place."
"What?"
I fixed my glasses and confirmed what he has just said. Why would that young man plan his abduction. Is he some kind of psycho?
"What trash are you spouting Bruno?" Despite the deathly glare he's receiving from his Master, Bruno kept calm and composed and explained what he witnessed.
"There wasn't any single resistance from that young man Master, instead he gave a meaningful stare at his guard as if signaling him their plan. There wasn't a single shout or struggle from him."
There was a brooding silence between us as the Master thought about what Bruno said. To think that the young man intended to get captured. He must be out of his mind, normally people would do anything just to escape, they can even sacrifice their own guards but he instead jumped into the pit of fire.
"Do you know where they brought him?"
"Yes Master, just the abandoned mansion near the Northern border."
The Duke loosened his cravat and glanced on the window outside.
"Gather all the knights, we will raid that house and your sole mission is to find him and protect him until I arrive."
And with that, the mansion was turned upside down. The Duke gathered only the best knights in the estate and flashed their way into where that guest of his was taken. I only could pray and wait for their safe return while protecting the fortress. If only the Duke could finally find his Duchess.
I stopped on my tracks as that young man came into my mind. A man as the Duchess. That would definitely make the nobility wild.
"Oh, what should we do, you only have six fingers left?"
He just started crying and begging me with tears and blood as he was kneeling in front of me.
"P-please just stop this. J-just let me go. How much do you want--"
He shrieked in pain as I had cut another two of his fingers. So I inserted a bunch of cloth into his mouth so he could not produce any sound. The knights of the Duke would be here any minute from now so let's make this fast. Then I removed the cloth from his mouth so he could answer my question.
"I have my own money. I don't need yours--"
"Then lands, any property or do you want a mine? Or men? I still have lots of them back in my estate--"
"Who's behind you?" His forehead crumpled as he wondered about mg question.
So I threatened to cut another finger if he does not talk.
"N-no! I don't have anyone like that! I p-promise--" so I severed the next finger. 6 fingers down and only 3 left.
"Who is protecting you?"
Knowing the Duke, he wouldn't let this unscrupulous act go once he discovered about it so someone who's powerful enough like the Duke must be covering him for him to not be detected by the Duke.
"Who was it?"
"Please don't kill me! I don't really know! What do you want men? Or women? I still have some left back in my estate--"
"Don't take me as someone the same as you, you disgusting piece of shit. And your audacity to assume that I would like the men you would present me."
"The Hamlet siblings! P-please don't kill me!"
"Hamlet. Who the hell is that?"
"Y-you don't know them? Lord Felix and Lady Felicia. T-they are the ones who were always sucking up to the Duke--"
Then the image of the lady I mistakenly took as the Duchess came into my mind. I never thought I could meet someone as crazy as me. But for her to be involved in this kinds of things.
"Are you sure you're not slandering them? They're close to the Duke that's why they wouldn't attempt tarnishing the Duke's honor--"
"Milord, what you see isn't always the same."
"What are you talking about?"
"The Duke has already abandoned you so the Duchess is trying to get rid of you."
I held my head because of the pain which felt like my head would suddenly split into several parts.
"W-what are you talking about? What Duke? W-who are you talking about?"
"Hey tie her hands and gag her mouth so she can't move or talk. It would be bad for us if she get to make trouble."
I suddenly lost my balance and dropped my dagger. I can't help but kneel onto the floor. It was the first time in five years that my head started throbbing again. But this time it's so... So painful.
But I only get to hear voices and I could still somehow see the pigsty in front of me who's currently aiming the dagger at me. Shit. I tried to dodge but every move I made, my head just starting to get terribly painful but I won't die today. No, not today.
With my left hand, I stopped the dagger and I bit my lip when my grip on its blade tightened only for its sharpness to dug into my palm.
"H-hey what are you going to do to me. L-let me go please. Please! L-let me go." I can hear my past self begging those men to let me go. Only then I realized that maybe this pig was also one of the people who made Emily suffer.
"Were you also one of them?"
I asked despite my throbbing painful head as he was still trying to take the dagger out of my hand. But later on he let it go and kicked my gut, then his eyes shifted on the sword lying near him.
Enduring the pain coming from my head, I stood up and quickly ran into the sword but he was faster than I thought. I stepped back when he immediately aimed it on me.
"How could you still hold the sword with that three fingers you have left. You think you can kill me with that?"
"You bitch! Who are you really? Why the hell are you doing this to me!"
Then he started slashing me with his sword but he can't even hit me once. But a ringing sound made me somehow deaf, so he took that advantage to slash me. I managed to save my head at the cost of my arm being sliced and is currently bleeding.
"Son of a bitch. This would turn into a scar--"
"You bitch-- I would really kill you--"
"You're the second one to call me that. Cause you know, the first one got his balls cut."
I immediately attacked his gut evading his sword from slashing me. I eventually managed to stab him in the dick. Yeah not on his stomach for that will easily kill him. I don't intend to give him a peaceful death. No he won't even die today.
He fell and groaned as he cupped his manhood. But I stepped on it instead until it broke.
"Don't worry you won't die today, just a little agony will do.."
"Milady!"
Just then I heard two familiar voices running towards me. Gray and shit. I immediately dropped my dagger and gestured Gray to come closer to me quickly.
"Milady. What happened?" Gray came to me first and surveyed the surroundings. He immediately understood what I was talking about and carried me.
"Hey what the hell--"
"I saved milady from that disgusting pig and was about to get out of this hell. Don't worry, I tortured the pig because milady got in danger and..." His face darkened when he saw my wounded arm and hand.
"It wasn't me, it wasn't intentional and that pig injured me." I defensively said then I heard the Duke calling me again. Why did he even come here?
"Lady Emily!"
"Milady!"
Time for the damsel-in-distress to faint. Well, my it seemed like my head would be split into three or four if I don't close my eyes.
But just before closing my eyes, I saw the Duke worriedly running towards us. Well, would you look at that, he seemed so worried about me. Well, I'm in his territory and me being hurt is so much that it could hurt his reputation.
But was it really the reason why he gently took me from Gray and carried me himself?