Duke, Please Fail! - Chapter 98

Episode 98

“If the estate is not improved within that time, Leonel Altwood will be charged with disobedience.”

To avoid hiding his smile, Devondus lowered his head. 

Accusing Leonel of disobedience! This meant a death sentence.

‘If it goes well, there may be no need to move the soldiers.’ 

Even with a legitimate reason, it wasn’t appealing to march troops against a lord.

‘If I had known, I would have approached the queen earlier.’

It’s usually the grudges with those close to you that last the longest.

Devondus planned to use this grudge to make Leonel and Adelhardt engage in a duel for the throne. Over the past few years, as their emotions deepened, they never seemed intent on killing each other. 

All his previous attempts had failed.

However, he believed that if he interfered with Leonel’s activities for about four years, he would eventually die. Once Leonel was out of the picture, the Duke’s position would naturally be his. 

‘If I can eliminate Prince Adelhardt, it’s only a matter of time until I become king.’

Things were going better than expected. 

The problem was Nelly Pepper. If the brilliant strategist remained by Leonel’s side, it would be difficult to interfere. Nevertheless, there was no need to rush. 

Taking out an estate manager was much easier than assassinating a Duke. 

Devondus managed to conceal his expression and respectfully bowed his head.

“I will wait.” 

Devondus replied and withdrew, offering a respectful farewell. He left the meeting chamber.

After Devondus departed, Alexandra rose from her throne, and Etkin followed her.

“He’s quite audacious.”

Alexandra looked at Etkin, suddenly confused.

“He offered to let you use the knight order as you wish.”

Trembling, Devondus sought the Duke’s position. It meant he was willing to offer anything to the queen. This had only one meaning: he was aiming for the successor’s position. 

“Your Majesty’s protection is so solid, yet he dared to…”

“No need to get angry.”

It was clear that Devondus intended to manipulate Nelly to interfere with Leonel. Alexandra didn’t believe Leonel would just stand by and let it happen. Even without her spilling blood, Leonel would handle Devondus.

“If Devondus succeeds, what will you do?”

“I won’t lose anything. I can control and shake the Altwood until the day I die.”

Etkin seemed to be asking if Leonel Altwood meant nothing to Alexandra.

“If he falls for Devondus, he’s only useful to that extent. It wouldn’t be worth it.”

Etkin hid her face behind her fan, swaying it. Alexandra, though, felt a hint of regret. She had watched Leonel grow from a young age, and she had a certain attachment to him. She couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

When Etkin closed her mouth, Alexandra turned back to face her.

“Annabella Etkin, do you doubt my judgment?”

Leonel was the talent that Alexandra had preserved. She had no plans to let him die. Etkin read the underlying message and smiled.

“No, of course not. It’s just that Leonel is doing so well that I thought he might have leaked information to Devondus Altwood to play tricks on him.”

Alexandra was secretly displeased with Leonel’s growing power, partly due to Nelly Pepper’s influence. That’s why she didn’t deny Etkin’s words and continued to walk. Etkin followed her with a graceful yet sly smile.

“Thanks to that, I’ll have some fun watching this spectacle, Your Majesty.”

* * *

The chaotic mansion had regained its original atmosphere. 

Leonel showed mercy by returning the deceased maidservant’s body to her family. He even hired a doctor immediately.

The food underwent a more rigorous preparation process. Before serving, body searches were required, but no one seemed to mind. 

I felt sorry for causing this inconvenience. 

So, whenever I had some free time, I was studying in my study to be of help.

Whenever I was in the study, Leonel would bring stacks of documents and keep me company. We usually focused on our respective work, but sometimes our conversations veered elsewhere.

“Why did he poison the pudding? What’s the point of killing me?”

I set down the book I was studying, and Leonel did the same with his papers. I leaned on my desk and looked at Leonel.

“I can’t stand strawberry compote. Just seeing you eat it makes my heart sink.”

“We might have to cut out strawberries then.”

I thought he was joking, but his expression was serious. He tends to cut things out whenever he feels like it. He stopped surveillance last time and suffered from insomnia.

“I’ll try to overcome it.”

“Until you do, I’ll refrain too.”

“What if you can’t sleep again?”

“You can put me to sleep.”

“What, what, put you to sleep! We’re all grown-ups!”

I thought my heart would leap out of my mouth!

I buried my face in my arms to hide my blushing cheeks. Leonel’s warm hand touched my ear.

“It tickles.”

When I shrunk my shoulders, his hot hand wrapped around my neck. When our lips met, hot breath flowed, and his dry tongue tickled my palate.

I was getting out of breath. I know in my head that you can breathe through your nose, but it doesn’t always work as intended.

I tried to move back to catch my breath, but Leonel backed away. He looked at my face and laughed playfully.

“You should take a break from studying. You have a fever.”

“It’s not a fever.”

“Doesn’t seem like that.”

Still, his long and well-shaped thumb caressed my throat.

“Aren’t you working late and studying until late these days? Today is your day off, but you’re just reading books.”

“I’m taking good care of my health.”

“It doesn’t seem that way.”

He gently caressed my cheeks, using his thumb to softly sweep the area around my eyes.

“What’s the rush?” 

“I just don’t want to hear that I’ll be useless once I’m taken to the queen’s court, even if I don’t become as skilled as the rumors say.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.”

“I want to be of help in managing the estate. I can’t leave it all to luck, so I need to improve myself.”

I held Leonel’s hand and kissed his fingers.

After we started dating, I noticed that Leonel was secretly overworking himself as well. He’d pout, and his hand, which joined mine in a kiss, was brought into my view.

But I didn’t mind Leonel’s devotion.

“Take a break today.”

“I’ll take it easy.”

“Stubborn.”

His long fingers brushed through my hair before withdrawing.

I closed the book on estate management and leaned on my desk again. Leonel’s desk was piled with documents.

“Go work comfortably in your office.”

“I’m most comfortable where you are.”

He replied, matter-of-factly.

My cheeks warmed at his affectionate words. Even when it was just the two of us, I felt a bit embarrassed. 

I tried to cool my cheeks on the cold desk, but then we heard a knock on the door.

“Come in.”

The study door opened, and the butler entered.

“Your Grace, a guest has arrived.”

“But I haven’t invited anyone. Who is it?”

“Viscountess Morgane.”

I stood up without thinking. Why was she here? Was she here to see me, or did something happen at Morgane Manor?

Nobility, be it personal or public, doesn’t visit without prior notice. The name “Viscountess Morgane” shattered the peaceful atmosphere. It was uncomfortable as if an uninvited guest were about to walk into the room.

The butler glanced at me and then asked Leonel.

“Do you know her?”

“No.”

“What should we do?”

“Well…”

Leonel held my hand. I, without realizing it, squeezed his hand and lowered my head.

“Let’s go outside to see her for now.”

It seemed the butler had sensed the uneasy atmosphere, as he cautiously advised.

“Leaving a guest waiting for too long is not polite.”

“Okay.”

The butler nodded and left the study. Once alone, Leonel turned to face me.

“What do you want to do?” 

“…What do you mean?”

“Viscountess Morgane is your mother…”

As he began to speak, he displayed a rare moment of hesitation. He hadn’t mentioned that he conducted any background checks yet.

I couldn’t help but laugh. I moved closer to him, still seated, and our faces were inches apart.

A sigh of regret escaped his lips, and he opened his mouth, looking like someone about to confess something.

“Actually,”

“I know.”

“…”

“You already looked into me, didn’t you?”

“…Yeah.”

“Your trust issues with people, remember? I understand, so you don’t need to apologize.”

Leonel chuckled softly and pulled me closer. In the midst of this, my butt unexpectedly fell onto his thigh.

I couldn’t believe I was practically sitting on him.

I was taken aback and tried to stand up, but Leonel held my waist and kept me in place. Feeling uncomfortable in this position, I jumped as he asked again.

“So, what do you want to do?”

What did I want to do? My mind was blank; I couldn’t come up with an answer.

“I don’t know.”

Leonel didn’t press further; instead, he embraced me.

I relaxed my stiff body and thought about what it would be like when I met Viscountess Morgane again.

‘Been pretty intrusive, digging into Leonel’s life.’

Recalling that gaze left me feeling uneasy. I wondered if it would be better to go back, but the bruises under my sleeves reminded me of the reality. Personal resentment clashed with human empathy.

“If she came here because she need help, what should we do?” 

“Whatever you want. There’s no one here to blame you.”

Right. She was the one who had abandoned me in pursuit of marrying a wealthy noble for the sake of greed. She would do anything to achieve her desires.

But I couldn’t let Leonel or the people of the estate suffer because of that woman’s ambition.

“…I think it’s best to send her back.”

As I said it, my heart felt heavy, as if it were burdened with something.

Nonetheless, my decision remained firm. Leonel neither judged my choice nor expressed any anger. He simply ordered that Viscountess Morgane be sent back.

The problem was that she returned the next day.

“What should we do?” 

The butler asked, and Leonel turned to me once more.

“Who did she say she wanted to see?”

“She said she wants to see Miss Nelly.”

Maybe it was a slight relief that she didn’t come to meet Leonel.

“Please, send her back.”

“Understood.”

But she returned the next day, and for several days, Viscountess Morgane camped outside the mansion. It appeared she had even taken a room at an inn in town.

She usually came to visit after I had returned from work and was in the mansion. 

If she truly had only wanted to see me, she probably would have visited the estate office since it’s easier to enter, with or without business.

‘What does she want, exactly? Why is she going to such lengths?’

Further pushing her out would risk tarnishing the Duke of Altwood’s reputation. 

I sighed, and Leonel looked up from his work.

“Are you worried about rumors spreading?” 

“Yes.”

“Well, there’s always the option of just letting her in and not meeting her.”

That was true, but I didn’t like the idea of her entering the mansion. Something was unsettling about it. I felt that getting involved might exhaust me.

“I’ll just meet with her once.”

“I’ll come with you.”

“No. This is something I need to deal with.”

Leonel seemed slightly disappointed as if he thought I was setting boundaries.

I approached him and gently hugged his head.

“Leonel, she’s not worth your concern.”