Duke, Please Stop Because it Hurts

“That is the reason why I’m asking. I know better that Count Clemence wouldn’t be doing that sort of thing.”

Raven drew a relaxed smile around the corners of his mouth yet again. But Count Clemence on the other hand, was staring with his icy-cold eyes.

“Please do not forget that my work also includes the security of the Empire as well, Count Clemence.”

“No, of course not. I was definitely beguiled into bringing in something that hazardous. I’m actually always reminded of this daughter of mine when it comes to the topic of medicine as she is my utmost priority.”

“If so, I’m sure you’d understand what had happened in this place before? I’m just so worried because my wife had simply gotten up from bed.”

The Count seemed to be embarrassed by the idea of the particular medicine as his face flushed brightly. As though he had understood Raven’s words like a ray of light that had shone through, the Count immediately raised from his seat.

“Oh, it seems like I’ve got another matter to attend to. So, I will be leaving now.”

“See you later, then.”

“Yes…”

Count Clemence straight away concluded his awkward greetings before quickly stepping outside. He had adamantly said that he came specifically for his daughter, yet he didn’t even spare a single glance to Molitia when he left.

Molitia was barely breathing when she heard the whir of the carriage leaving. Finally, the chilly frozen air seemed to be released, albeit by a hair’s breadth.

“Your hands are quite cold.”

Raven immediately wrapped her hand in both of his.

“Did the Count tell you beforehand, what he had told me just now?”

“Yes.”

He instantly felt a twinge of sorrow. As he looked at the downcasted Molitia, Raven felt a prick that distended his heart. It shouldn’t have ended with just simple words uttered.

Raven was already in much trouble once he had gotten the information through Terrance. Whether to make use of the security forces in raiding the top traders or to give them one chance. He eventually chose the latter for Molitia’s sake, but it was uncertain if he were able to execute the same choice on the condition that such a thing were to be discovered again after this.

There was also the matter of turning things over. Raven had moved stealthily as he decided to penalize the Count. He didn’t even have to step forward. It was quite evident, if a situation were to arise when the Count gave the clues to the other ministers before he could even handle them, the plan would ultimately go downhill.

Molitia looked terribly restless whereas all this while, he was just thinking of other measures to take care of the Count.

Heeding to Raven’s words, she gradually realized that this had never been his first ‘request’. She had always tried her very best not to be a burden. Still, she felt distressed over the fact that she had become a problem because of the Count.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t expect you to hear this kind of nonsense from my own father…”

“It’s not your fault at all. The Count would have still approached me, even if it wasn’t for you.”

“You don’t have to worry about Count Clemence on my account. My father has always been that kind of character even if it hadn’t been for my sake.”

Molitia uttered, simply because it wasn’t wrong in the first place. Despite the possibility that many facts were already relayed to the others, there were no differences at all.

She just felt apologetic towards all of these that had happened. Perhaps, it would have never happened without any sort of credence after all. It was only due to the fact that it was caused by her own father, who only viewed herself as another chess piece on the board.

The vermilion hue of the sunset painted in the sky shrouded over her chalky white face. Her rosy, young cheeks complemented her very much, yet it was quite awkward somehow.

There seemed to be a trail of shadow lurking around her heart. Raven eventually parted his mouth in a careful manner as he focused on her.

“…My father was a brusque man. My mother, on the other hand, was an unduly delicate person. Hence, I understood that even with the most minimal communication, everything could still work in the end.”

“The previous Duke of Linerio?”

“He probably didn’t care much about the household since he, himself, was struggling with all the rumors circulating around the family. In the end, he was still undoubtedly the Duke, regardless of everything.”

Raven then reached out, before touching her cheek gently. His every touch seemed to be very prudent after she had suffered from the bad case of cold. As he was worried that she would break at any moment, Raven couldn’t use much of his strength and thus, limiting his own actions at every single moment.