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Chapter 76
After closing the door to my room, I finally let out a long sigh.
‘All that’s left now is to return safely.’
But instead of feeling lighter, something inside me sank with a strange heaviness.
This wasn’t something simple, and seeing it with my own eyes could be a real shock.
I couldn’t even imagine what that place would look like.
Even when I’d only read about slave auctions in novels, they had made my stomach turn.
‘Will I really be okay…?’
I sat on the bed, lost in thought for a moment, then shook my head firmly.
It was too late for regrets now.
It wasn’t something I could back out of anyway—this was my choice.
And I’d chosen this path to survive beside Vincent.
No, for something more than just survival.
After meeting the heroine, after that…
‘I don’t know. I’ll think about it later.’
Duke Wentworth was in the best mood imaginable.
Today was the day he would finally take over the Moulton family once and for all.
Without bothering to summon his aide, the duke personally began checking each document stored in his vault.
Once he took these to the bank and administrative office, the transfer process would be complete.
“Heh, autumn. Perfect season for it.”
As he sorted through the papers, Duke Wentworth suddenly noticed that a few letters looked odd.
He squinted, leaning closer.
At first, he thought his eyes were just tired, but after reading them two or three times, he realized it wasn’t fatigue.
“No… No, that can’t be right.”
He tried to deny it.
Then, frowning, he pulled the documents aside and began checking each one carefully.
But the more he read, the more his eyes began to tremble.
“What is this…?”
His voice started low with unease, then grew rougher—hot with anger.
His fingers twitched as he gripped the papers tightly.
The seed of doubt was turning into certainty.
His vision blurred.
The titles seemed fine, but the signature fields bore faint traces—subtle signs of tampering.
It was a nearly perfect forgery, but he had handled enough of these documents to sense when something was wrong.
“This can’t be…”
The words slipped out as a whisper, then burst into a shout.
Crash—
He hurled the papers and jumped from his chair, pacing the study in agitation.
Rage surged inside him, wild and uncontrollable.
“James!”
He bellowed.
He threw open the door to the study, then turned back and started rifling through the remaining papers.
His hands moved fast, desperate to confirm it wasn’t true—but the deeper he looked, the clearer the betrayal became.
His blood felt like it was boiling backward in his veins.
‘Stephan… You bastard…!’
Stephan’s face flashed through his mind.
His vow of loyalty.
His humble bow every time they met.
All lies?
That man had served under him for years—was he really the one who betrayed him?
He had planned to discard Stephan once this was all over, but the idea that Stephan had discarded him never once crossed his mind.
Even now, he couldn’t believe it.
“Ghh…”
At that moment, James opened the door.
His face was filled with alarm and confusion.
He didn’t need to ask—he could feel the fury radiating from his master.
“You called, my lord?”
James spoke cautiously.
Duke Wentworth’s chest heaved as he held up the paper, teeth clenched.
“Stephan!”
His roar burned like fire.
He glared straight at James and growled in a low, vicious tone.
“Find Stephan. I don’t care where he is—bring him to me now! I’ll tear him apart limb from limb!”
“Y-yes, my lord!”
James rushed out of the room.
He had no idea what had happened, but the urgency in his master’s voice was enough.
“Everyone, gather now! It’s urgent!”
His shout echoed through the corridor.
Duke Wentworth clutched the papers again, his hands trembling.
He looked them over one more time, hoping he was wrong.
But the evidence of forgery didn’t change.
His fingers shook harder.
His lips quivered, his jaw clenched so tightly that his face twitched with strain.
‘You dared… You dared to mock me like this…’
He turned away from the study and looked out the window.
The late autumn landscape beyond was cold and desolate.
His hand still trembled as it gripped the papers.
‘Fine then… You’ll pay with your life. You’ll regret betraying me, Stephan. I’ll make sure your end is worse than death.’
Stephan sat alone in a quiet inn room near the harbor, legs crossed comfortably in an armchair.
The thin curtain fluttered as a breeze slipped in through the window.
He casually cleaned his ear with one finger, looking completely at ease.
“Hm… Someone must be badmouthing me.”
He flicked his finger and chuckled.
Though his tone was light, his sharp eyes stayed fixed on the window, watching the street outside.
Every time he heard the clatter of hooves or a merchant’s shout, he tensed slightly, but his face showed no real worry.
He glanced around once, then calmly opened a small box on the table.
Inside were all sorts of things—documents, gold coins, and a small, delicate necklace wrapped in fine satin.
But what caught his attention was a thin metal plate.
Just looking at it made him grin.
“A baron… I’m finally a baron now.”
He tapped the metal plate with his fingertip.
Engraved in clean letters were the words “Baron” and his new noble title.
That small piece of metal would lift him into the world of nobility.
With Crown Prince Vincent’s promised status, his life was about to change completely.
“His Highness really is a man of his word. Unlike someone else.”
He placed the new identification tag in his palm and laughed proudly.
From commoner to noble—it was everything he’d ever wanted.
Then, as Duke Wentworth’s arrogant face came to mind, his expression twisted.
“You thought I didn’t notice you treating me like filth every time, huh? Tch.”
Still, seeing this noble badge made all those years of dangerous scheming and double-dealing feel worth it.
He was no longer the duke’s errand boy.
Now, he could finally live for himself.
Slowly, Stephan stood up.
On the table lay a thick leather bag filled with clinking gold coins, jewelry boxes, and important documents—all ready for his escape.
After checking everything, he went to the mirror.
Satisfaction filled his face.
He had worked hard for this moment, and he’d earned it.
“Perfect. Everything’s ready.”
He brushed off his hands and looked out the window.
The harbor was calm, and the breeze was cool.
The ship would leave soon.
All preparations were done.
He picked up his bag and slowly opened the door.
Before stepping out, he paused for a moment, hand resting on the doorknob.
A faint unease brushed against him, but he quickly shook it off.
“No. I don’t need to feel that anymore. I’m free now.”
Stephan closed the door and walked quietly down the hallway.
He boarded the ship waiting at the harbor and set out on his long journey.
