I've already obtained information that Lucia's position within Rodbel has changed incredibly recently.
Even that was miscellaneous information that flowed in like a tag-along while observing the Duke's movements.
So, I didn't think much of it.
I should have noticed it sooner.
The fact that the Duke's gaze towards the bastard had changed.
'No.'
Perhaps it wasn't that, but he realized that Lucia might become a stepping stone to bring down Estio in the future, and blocked it in advance.
Whatever the reason, it was his mistake that he didn't recognize Lucia's presence sooner.
If he had known in advance, he might have changed the plan.
'I should keep an eye on that side too.'
Now that he has confirmed that Lucia Rodbel could be a variable.
He thought that maybe that variable could become the key to overthrowing the impregnable Duke Ego Rodbel.
However, it's a shame to just let it go like this.
Even as an Elder, he couldn't freely enter the Duke's estate.
Moreover, the Duke didn't particularly welcome the Elders' visits, so the entry process was very strict.
If he was going to do something, now was the opportunity while he was inside the Duke's estate.
Fearing that the return journey might be disrupted, the Elders' return to the council was slightly delayed.
Gaspar turned his head and looked out the window.
A pointed spire stood somberly against the sunset.
Rodbel's great legacy, the library.
"……."
Gaspar's eyes flickered somberly.
'He's not here.'
The answer he received upon visiting the Duke's office, which he had decided to do with some effort, was the disappointing news that he was currently absent.
'I hope it's not a lie?'
That he sent me back with a lie because he was too bothered to deal with me…….
He doubted for a moment but soon shook his head.
'He doesn't need to lie.'
He's someone who can chase me away with just a few words.
Then he's really not there…….
'Where did he go?'
It's just after the direct line ritual.
There are still guests who haven't left, so the Duke wouldn't leave the house first.
Then where on earth…….
'Wait.'
A thought suddenly occurred to him, and he stopped abruptly while walking down the hallway.
He muttered quietly.
"……Could it be, a meeting?"
Rodbel holds an emergency meeting when a significant matter that requires immediate decision arises.
Only two people are qualified to convene a meeting.
The Duke and the Head Elder.
And if there were a topic for an urgent meeting at this time…….
'The ritual.'
Specifically, about the strange phenomenon that appeared during my turn.
"……."
Suddenly, a bad feeling washed over him.
If a meeting was really being held in relation to me, it wouldn't be for good intentions.
'The Elders despise bastards.'
Weren't they the ones who tried to bring down Estio for being a bastard?
They only wanted pure-blooded Rodbels to remain.
That means they could question my qualifications by bringing up the strange phenomenon that occurred during the ritual.
If the target was Estio, the Duke would have protected him, but if it was me…….
'He won't protect me.'
He already dislikes me, so there was no reason for him to protect me while going against the Elders.
As a Duke, he would want me to live quietly, as if I don't exist, and fall into the Abyss when the time comes, rather than me gaining Rodbel's qualifications and becoming more significant.
Squeeze.
His nails dug into his palm.
'I can never let that happen.'
He immediately turned his steps.
If it's an emergency meeting, the meeting place would be the Great Hall on the east side.
He hurried his steps.
Even if the reason for his absence wasn't a meeting, it would be fine.
Because it's a matter of life and death for me, I needed to be overly sensitive enough.
...Tada dot!
His pace quickened, and when he came to his senses, he was running at full speed.
At that moment, as he turned the corner.
Suddenly, a voice echoed in the hallway, causing him to stop in his tracks.
"Daddy-ah!"
It was a clear and cheerful voice of a young girl.
He stood blankly and stared beyond the hallway.
The sunset light that seeped in through the window dyed his brilliant white hair a beautiful red color.
There was no hesitation in the legs that kicked off the pure white marble floor and ran forward.
"Miracle?"
The Duke, who lowered his posture, quickly spread his arms.
Miracle flew into his arms like a baby bird.
"Miracle, what brings you here?"
The Duke, holding Miracle in his arms, asked with a surprised expression.
Miracle pouted her lips as if she was upset.
"Of course, I came because I missed Daddy. Aren't you happy to see me?"
"Ah……."
Miracle turned her head away as if she was upset at the Duke's lukewarm reaction.
The Duke smiled faintly and replied.
"Of course not. I'm happy too."
"Hehe."
It was a kind and warm voice that was hard to believe belonged to the Duke.
Miracle buried her face in the Duke's chest and whined as if all her upset feelings had been resolved with just that one word.
"Daddy, my legs hurt. Please carry me to my room."
"Okay. Let's do that."
The Duke accepted Miracle's spoiled behavior with a smile.
The Duke put Miracle down on the floor for a moment to hold her more comfortably.
The moment he was about to hug her in a more comfortable position.
"……."
His eyes met mine.
Did he just notice my presence now?
Ha.
For some reason, a feeling of falling below his feet made him burst into a hollow laugh without realizing it.
But is it just his imagination?
It seemed like the Duke's eyes were trembling slightly as he looked at me.
'That can't be.'
Even if he just realized my presence now, there was no reason for him to be flustered at all.
He scanned the Duke and Miracle with his eyes once and turned away without hesitation.
'Let's find him again later.'
Now is not a good time.
He knew about moments like this better than anyone else.
The moment when he becomes the most miserable.
A terribly miserable moment as if it would be better for his existence to disappear.
If he went to the Duke now, he would resent him for disturbing his time with Miracle.
There's no need to step forward and upset the Duke.
Just as he was about to disappear quietly.
"Stop."
Suddenly, the Duke's voice was heard.
What? Did I hear it wrong?
"I said stop right there. Lucia."
But the Duke was clearly calling me, to the point that I couldn't dismiss it as a misunderstanding.
Why me?
I turned around with a perplexed expression.
The Duke slowly put Miracle down.
"Daddy……?"
Miracle looked up at the Duke with trembling eyes as if she couldn't believe this situation.
"I'm sorry, Miracle. You'll have to go back alone today."
"Wait……."
Miracle quickly reached out to the Duke, but the Duke moved without hesitation.
Towards me.
I stared at the Duke, who was getting closer, with shaking eyes.
What on earth is happening right now?
Tak.
The Duke, who had stopped right in front of me, looked down at me.
The Duke's huge shadow completely covered me.
Unable to hide my agitation, I looked up at him.
The sunset had already disappeared, and only the Duke's purple eyes shone brightly in the encroaching darkness.
Terribly cold and ruthless eyes.
A gaze that was more familiar than anything else, a gaze that only I knew…….
"I clearly told you to stop."
With those eyes, he.
"Did you hear me and ignore me?"
He quietly expressed his anger.
He was calmly furious that I had ignored his words.
"Daddy, I'm cold……."
Even though Miracle was calling him with a pitiful voice from behind, the Duke's gaze was fixed on me without wavering.
"Answer me, Lucia Rodbel."
He just commanded coldly.
I stared blankly at him as if I had been caught in a snare, then slowly parted my lips.
"Because……."
For some reason, my throat was tight, making it difficult to continue speaking easily.
That wasn't the only reason.
I glanced at the girl standing beyond the Duke.
In the darkness, Miracle was staring intently at this place without blinking.
It was too dark to know what kind of expression she was making, but her gaze was so intense that I couldn't ignore it even if I wanted to.
But…….
'Can't he feel the gaze?'
The Duke is only looking at me, as if he can't feel that intense gaze that I can clearly feel.
'This is really strange.'
He still had a cold, indifferent, and aloof face as he looked down at me.
It was the same face as usual.
But…….
'Why does he seem like a different person?'
He was unfamiliar, as if he were a different person wearing the Duke's mask.
Even in this situation, the Duke's eyes were clearly demanding an answer.
Why did you ignore my words to stop?
'Why?'
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