🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 48
“Your Highness, the Duke. Let’s resolve this with words.”
Felix Sharte only released his grip when the sharp sword was inches from his neck.
“Betty.”
Betty only moved when Ian gestured for her to come to his side.
Her movement to stand was slow, but stepping back behind Ian was quick.
Ian gritted his teeth as he saw the deep, mottled discoloration on Betty’s neck. It required immense restraint not to bring the sword down and strike Felix Sharte then and there.
“Please put the sword away. I don’t know why you’re so angry over a single maid, but is it really necessary to go this far?”
Felix Sharte’s gaze remained fixed on Betty, whom Ian had shielded behind him.
Ian took several steps forward, completely blocking Felix’s view.
“She is cherished by Her Majesty the Empress and the Marchioness of Prowell. I’ve only stepped forward to protect her on their behalf.”
“Even so, she is just a maid. Moreover, she’s Sharte’s maid. Are you really going to storm around my domain, creating conflict with the Sharte household, over a single servant?”
Ian Deivan seriously considered ending Felix Sharte’s life right there.
He had the impulse to instill fear in the man who, despite holding a sword, looked at him with a contemptuous smile as if he could never deal serious damage.
‘If I end this here…’
Felix had no reputation in noble society to protect. Whatever little standing he had was only because the Emperor and Empress’s influence extended to him.
He never cared what other nobles said about him beyond his duty to the Emperor.
‘Even if I face reprimand or punishment, I can make a reasonable excuse and bear it all myself…’
Ian had calculated the foreseeable aftermath and consequences. Mere reprimands wouldn’t suffice.
He knew this thought betrayed all his past actions and the vows he had maintained until now.
For the first time, he seriously considered a choice that did not prioritize his loyalty to the Emperor above all.
He knew the Emperor could never abandon Ian Deivan or the Deivan family, as long as Ian didn’t commit treason.
If the Emperor did, Ian would lose all his military power, the frontier, and a reliable ally in crucial moments.
Even if the nobles reacted strongly against him, the Emperor would save Ian.
This reckless impulse was purely a selfish calculation.
The thought of killing Felix Sharte grew heavier.
“Your Highness…”
But a single voice stopped his uncontrollable thoughts.
The fragile voice, barely above a whisper, carried unexpected strength.
Ian looked down at Betty standing beside him, shaking her head nervously.
“No.”
Even without words, Betty seemed to understand exactly what Ian was thinking.
For a moment, Ian wanted to shout that she alone had the right to tell him to kill that man.
But her now-clear voice cut through his thoughts again.
“Your Highness. Don’t you remember what I said? I feel the same way.”
The gentle touch holding Ian’s sword felt more commanding than any imperial order.
Ian immediately understood her intent—it was the same as when she had said she wanted to protect him.
“She’s not worth it.”
Her low whisper was sincere.
Felix Sharte was not worth the countless things Ian had invested in, and Betty didn’t want him to act on impulse.
Ian finally sheathed the sword and looked at Betty, still feeling unresolved frustration.
He noticed her holding a torn piece of her clothing in one hand, likely from the scuffle.
His head cleared, and he regained his normal thought process.
“…Thank you.”
Without hesitation, Ian draped his coat over her shoulders, and a soft smile appeared on Betty’s face.
Felix, narrowing his eyes and about to say something, was interrupted by the sudden opening of the door.
A middle-aged blonde man, the de facto master of the estate, stepped in and quickly surveyed the room.
Fixing his gaze on Duke Deivan, he spoke calmly:
“Duke, what is the meaning of this commotion?”
“There was a misunderstanding…”
“I will be taking this maid with me.”
Duke Deivan cut off Felix before he could speak, leaving even Betty startled as she looked up at him.
What was he talking about—taking her away?
Even the Duke Sharte, unable to hide his disbelief, opened his mouth to say something but shut it again.
“Felix, explain why this is happening.”
A cold gaze, as if scolding him for creating the situation in the first place, fell on Felix.
Felix, who seemed fearless under the sky, could not meet the gaze and looked away.
“…I don’t know why, Duke, you want Vivian’s maid. Father.”
Felix forced the word “Father” out reluctantly.
“Then, I have no choice but to demand an explanation from you, since you are failing to serve your guest properly.”
“Guest…!”
“Quiet. If it’s just a maid, why not let her be taken if desired? What’s the cause of such a commotion with the Duke?”
Felix raised his head as if to protest but quickly turned it away, keeping silent.
Betty could only watch in awe at how controlled Felix was acting—there was no impulsiveness, no arrogance.
The son was perfectly hidden under the imposing shadow of his illustrious father, Duke Sharte.
“So, Duke Deivan, what is the reason for suddenly barging in to take our family’s maid? Explain yourself to my father.”
Her sarcasm and anger escaped naturally.
The Duke’s face darkened as he opened his mouth to scold Felix, but Ian intervened, no longer willing to watch.
“This is at the Empress’s request.”
Betty couldn’t hide her surprise at what she just heard.
Why did the Empress want to take her? Did she really have some role to play? It was still unclear.
“The Empress wishes for this maid to be fully transferred to the Prowell household. The Marchioness of Prowell cherishes her greatly, and she requested that I personally ask if she could be brought to their household.”
If this had been a major decision, Betty would have known first.
The Empress and the Prowell family would never proceed without consulting her, at the very least giving prior notice.
It quickly dawned on her: the Duke was fabricating an excuse to take her away.
“Then, of course, she must be taken. You said you’d act in my stead while I’m away. Why cause such a fuss without a valid reason?”
“It’s not that… I’m sorry, Father. Understood.”
Felix seemed the only one who vaguely saw through Ian’s shameless lie, though he had no choice but to respond with reluctant acceptance.
From Ian’s perspective, all that mattered was taking Betty cleanly from here.
“Then let’s consider this matter closed.”
“Your Highness…!”
As Felix realized Ian truly intended to take Betty into his custody, his face darkened, and he tried to protest again, forgetting his earlier submission.
