His hand was as hard as a glove. As if telling the story of the times he had sent so far.

“Although I said it, I don’t break promises. And it’s the same for the person who made the promise with me.”

“…….”

“Take care of your body. That’s the way to keep the promise, isn’t it?”

Duke Pieren picked up the box as if nothing had happened.

I couldn’t say a word until he checked the contents of the box and closed it again. The velvet laid on the box brushed against the tender flesh inside my hand, making my palm ticklish.

“……Won’t you behead me if it goes that way?”

“…….”

“And what’s so scary about those rumors?”

“You’re not one to care about reputation.”

There was a reason why I had to do so until then.

Yes, I did my very best. I worked hard and strived hard out of fear that my past would become a defect in Meriel.

But now, there is no Meriel. My child will never become an adult.

I swallowed the sob that reached my throat.

Of course, even at that moment, there was a smile on my lips.

“I can’t help it. I need a reason to get out of being a halfbaked Countess of Creighton.”

“…….”

“Oh, look at the time. The preparation for the backtang must be finished, I should go.”

Ignoring the burning gaze on me, I got up from my seat.

It was obvious what the man’s blatant attitude meant, but I didn’t want to know.

“I will wait until the end.”

“…….”

But still, the man’s indifferent gaze was still directed at me.

“Tracking was somewhat difficult because it was sold in pieces, but it’s certain. It belongs to Lady Fisher.”

Bake opened the box instead of answering.

Small, unidentifiable fragments were inside the box.

“Yes. It’s right. It’s Margaret’s thing. It’s rare to see such wellmade imitations.”

Although it was not in its original form, it could not avoid Bake’s eyes.

Thanks to having a merchant father, he first learned the value of goods before words. He did not easily forget the goods that once passed through his hands.

Especially if it’s an item with bad memories, even more so.

Bake ground his teeth as he stared at the fragments that were once a beautiful necklace.

How could he forget? The earrings that were part of this set became the ignition point of all problems.

“Now the necklace follows the earrings. What a mess.”

As if to say it’s not a set, the accessory that he carelessly handed to Margaret when he was drunk returned to him just as he was about to forget it.

Bake roughly closed the box and slammed it on the desk.

He thought it wouldn’t happen. Margaret had recently whined, but she never went against his will.

But his faith returned as a betrayal.

All circumstances pointed out that Margaret was not kidnapped, but ran away.

“Damn woman.”

“Your Highness, not everything is completely revealed yet.”

“Kalix, he dragged that kid in! Not only did he figure out my schedule in advance, but he also secretly met him with Liviana while I was gone!”

Scepter could no longer open his mouth to Bake, who was growling with his eyes filled with blood.

The young Count was particularly sensitive to matters involving Duke Pieren. When he raised his voice so much, no other stories would get through.

The long relationship of knowing each other well was rather poison.

Margaret knew very well how much Bake could tolerate and moved well within that range. But that was when Bake didn’t know.

Since she disappeared mysteriously, Bake dug up everything inside and out, and all the actions Margaret had taken over the years were revealed.

It was not difficult to open the mouth of the person who had been bribed with money. If you closed your mouth with money, you could open it with money.

“Did I let her off too easily? Or has she become arrogant? She’s bearing the successor of Creighton? Just her?”

It was so outrageous that he couldn’t even laugh.

Bake violently kicked the box in front of his eyes. The box shattered into pieces, and fragments scattered in all directions, but that was not enough to calm his anger.

“Just wait a little longer. We are narrowing down the range, we should be able to catch her soon.”

“Drag her before me as soon as you catch her. Even if she kneels and begs, I won’t leave her alone.”

“……”

“Why? You’re not answering?”

“Isn’t Mrs. Fisher not alone?”

Scepter awkwardly laughed.

“A child like that……”

Bake was about to get angry but soon shut his mouth tightly. Then, after a long while, he opened his mouth again.

“……Bring her first. We’ll think about the punishment later.”

He seemed to be furious, but fortunately, he didn’t fail to recognize his own offspring.

With Bake’s slightly softened momentum, Scepter sighed with relief internally. He understood the chief’s anger, but it was not easy for him to deal with a pregnant woman.

After all, the child in Margaret’s womb was a child who followed the blood of the Count of Craiton. Carelessly messing with her could potentially bring unknown trouble.

He remembered the day long ago when Meriel was born.

That day, Bake, holding his daughter, who couldn’t even open her eyes and was full of wrinkles, even cried out loud.

Though many things changed after he learned that his daughter had a real father, up until then, Bake was a father who would die for his daughter.

Now, he was trying not to get emotionally attached to the past, but seeing the newborn, he didn’t know when his mind would change. It wouldn’t hurt to be cautious in anticipation of the future. Scepter bent his waist with such a thought.

The butler knocked urgently and rushed into the room.

“Sir, something terrible has happened!”

“What’s the terrible thing? My head is already hurting, don’t make it worse”

“The madam has collapsed and is being quickly brought to the mansion!”

“What do you mean by Liviana collapsing?”

“There seems to have been an incident in the royal court, you should go and see it yourself.”

The servant rubbed his hands and opened the door.

Bake stared at the opened door, roughly brushing the hair up on his forehead. Problems erupted from all sides when things didn’t go well.

“I’ll go see Liviana, you should put all your effort into pursuing Margaret. Find her as soon as possible”

Thunk.

Bake, trying to step outside, stopped and furrowed his brow. The box he had kicked hit his foot.

“Everything is getting on my nerves now!”

Bake kicked the box away in irritation and resumed his steps.

Every step he took, the loud sound of breaking resonated.