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Chapter 34
Only One Place to Go
Dominic pressed his lips tightly and rubbed his sore jaw, glaring at his father. When the two of them finally fell silent, Daniel walked a few steps and picked up Koldar—the sword—that had fallen in the grass. Dominic flinched, thinking Daniel might throw it, but sighed with relief when Daniel simply sheathed the sword and grabbed Ricardo by the collar.
“Are you getting tired of living, Ricardo Molly? Or have you lost your mind? You were the one who told her those lies, weren’t you?”
Ricardo replied calmly, “If you mean the story about what happened between you and the Dowager Empress, yes, I told the lady.”
Dominic, watching them with worried eyes and rubbing his aching jaw, shouted,
“Dad! Are you crazy?”
This wasn’t something that would end with just a punch. Dominic looked around, hoping someone would help him stop Daniel, but the herb field was empty except for the three of them. He realized he’d have to deal with it himself. He stood close to his father and whispered,
“Seriously, have you gone senile? Why did you tell the duchess that?”
Dominic thought this could only be explained by old age. If Daniel punched hard enough, it wouldn’t just be his jaw—he could lose his head.
But Ricardo just smiled and said, “A couple should know about each other to build trust, my lord. If you don’t talk, misunderstandings pile up. It’s better to be honest…”
“I said shut up.”
Dominic joined in scolding Ricardo, “Dad, if you know so much about couples, how did you not notice when your wife was cheating on you?”
Both Daniel and Dominic shouted at Ricardo at the same time. Ricardo just wiped the spit off his face, while Dominic, now angrier than Daniel, yelled even louder.
“If you know so much about relationships, how did your first love get taken by a sickly noble before you even confessed? And how did you not notice when your wife left you for another man right in front of your eyes?”
Daniel let go of Ricardo’s collar, the situation now so intense that even he hesitated.
“Why did you tell the duchess all about the Dowager Empress? What is she supposed to do with that information?”
Ricardo tried to answer, “She seemed curious, so I…”
“Even if she was curious, you should have kept quiet! Why not just tell her everything, even about the echinacea?”
Dominic, seeing his father look away in silence, covered his face. Had he really told her about that, too? This was a disaster. He couldn’t even turn around to look at Daniel. He knew this wasn’t just some family drama—the truth behind Daniel’s past was a matter of life and death.
“Dad. Why do you always put me in impossible situations… How am I supposed to fix this?”
Dominic stared at his father in frustration but knew it was hopeless. Some people just cause trouble without knowing it.
Daniel’s icy voice came from behind them.
“So, Ricardo Molly, did it feel good running your mouth to my wife? Do you feel better now?”
Ricardo answered quietly, “Of course not. The duchess looked so heartbroken that I felt sorry for her.”
Dominic groaned inside. He should have stopped his father’s mouth earlier.
Ricardo kept talking, “The Dowager Empress only pretended to care for you to use you, and she treated a child’s jealous mistake as if it were a crime… She acted like a real adult should know better.”
Daniel’s fist shot out, this time too fast to block. Ricardo was punched hard and fell to the ground. Dominic rubbed his jaw, wishing he hadn’t taken the first punch for his father.
Daniel glared at Ricardo and threatened,
“Didn’t I tell you to keep your mouth shut if you don’t want to die quietly? The only reason you and Dominic are alive is because the Dowager Empress doesn’t know you know the truth. But now you’ve told my wife everything? Why? Do you want to follow me to the afterlife?”
Ricardo just wiped the blood from his lips and smiled.
“If Laura saw you like this, she would have been happy.”
“Why mention my mother now?”
Ricardo replied, “Who do you think would be happiest to see someone good like the duchess by your side?”
“What does her being a good person have to do with me?”
Ricardo came up to Daniel, grabbed his fist, and gently patted his hand.
“There’s no bigger blessing than having a good wife. You two will be happier than anyone. Don’t be afraid. Don’t hide from her. Just accept her.”
Daniel pulled his hand away and looked away, his knuckles still aching. Ricardo noticed and smiled again.
“Stop talking nonsense. We’re not a married couple. We’re just—”
Ricardo interrupted, “You just called her ‘my wife.’ You said it twice.”
Daniel tried to protest, but remembered his own words and fell silent.
Ricardo grinned, “What is marriage anyway? Two people slowly getting to know and care for each other—that’s all it takes.”
Daniel was so much like his mother, Laura Chardo—Ricardo’s first love—stubborn and honest about love. She had risked everything to protect her son.
Ricardo said quietly,
“My lord, you’re the son of Laura, who was full of love and courage. Stop blaming yourself and start being happy. I need to see that before I can die peacefully.”
“Cut it out. Enough.”
Daniel turned away coldly. Dominic grumbled,
“Yeah, if you don’t want everyone to see this mushy scene, you’d better stop. Look, an unexpected visitor is coming.”
Muriel was heading toward them, her hair tied back like a ponytail. Dominic handed his father a handkerchief.
“Did the lady give you this? Smells nice.”
“Yes. She gave me a bunch, knowing you’d spill food on yourself. She said to always wipe your hands before eating.”
Muriel came up to Daniel and bowed.
“Your Grace, I greet you.”
“Did you come to see me, Sir Rosibalt?”
“No. I came to find Dominic Molly. I have a question. May I interrupt?”
Dominic pointed to himself in surprise. Daniel, back to his usual cold expression, nodded.
“Go ahead.”
Muriel spoke quickly,
“I believe you have an appointment with Lady Frida today, Dominic.”
“Oh, right. I guess I should go. Wow, when did it get so late?”
Dominic looked up at the darkening sky and saw the castle lights coming on.
“The duchess must have sent you to get me. I forgot with all the chaos. Let’s go.”
As Dominic started to leave, Muriel stopped him.
“The lady isn’t inside the castle. So you don’t know where she is either?”
“What do you mean? Isn’t she on house arrest? I thought you were keeping her locked up…”
“Damn.”
Suddenly, Daniel cursed and ran down the field.
“Hey, you—my lord! Where are you going?”
Dominic’s shout faded into the dark sky.
Bang! Daniel slammed the tower door shut, set his lantern down, and looked at the footprints on the dirt. In the lamplight, his face was full of worry.
“Where did she go?”
It was already sunset, and Frida hadn’t returned. He’d searched the secret passage and every path from the tower to the castle. All the servants were searching too, but no one had found her. Using his spare vault key, Daniel checked inside the tower, but she wasn’t there. He stood up and ran his hand through his hair.
“Damn it. I can’t find anything without a clue.”
How could a woman who walks in and out of the bedroom every day just disappear?
“I thought she could only not see at night. She should have come back before sunset… Damn.”
He leaned on a tree and took a deep breath, trying to think. The secret passage was out—Frida wasn’t foolish enough to use it without a lamp. She wouldn’t use the wide main road either, not wanting to be seen by Sir Rosibalt. She would go where the fewest people went, so not the busy left path, but the opposite way. Daniel raised his lantern and walked along the right side of the castle wall.
There were two places connected to Marian Hall: Scadi Hall, recently cleaned for Baron Boild, and Brabant Hall, full of old portraits and armor, barely used. Daniel quickly passed the busy entrance of Scadi Hall and climbed the steps to Brabant Hall, pushing open the door.
The door creaked open. On the floor, he saw dirt footprints.
‘This is it.’
Daniel hurried inside. Brabant Hall had more than thirty rooms, but if Frida had come here, there was only one place she would go. Daniel strode toward the tallest room in Munheim Castle and threw the door open.
“Frida!”
