The End of Your Arrogance - Chapter 17.1

Evelyn opened her mouth after a moment’s hesitation. “The golden fox is brother Odin’s nickname,” she said.

Ilya spoke in awe after quietly staring at the handkerchief. “So the fact that you knew the news of Odin Maduse’s marriage first…”

Evelyn nodded.

“There must be a skillful information source in the castle of Maduse. Delivering information through the handkerchief… you two are incredible.” Ilya seemed sincerely impressed. He had on a fair expression… but she had an admirable side, his wife.

“Anyways, you’re saying that this horrid plant has something to do with Maduse.” Ilya glowered fiercely at the handkerchief. Evelyn’s heart tightened at the thought of her father planning another conspiracy. “What is it used for?” he asked.

“It’s a remedy for all illnesses. It’s widely used as a pain reliever. Depending on how you make it, it can be used as a drug, or a hallucinogen. The problem is that the manufacturer can demand any price for it.”

“Can this be grown?” Ilya asked further.

Rene’s face turned serious. “No, according to the law of the empire, the cultivation of Mandrakes is illegal. When you uproot it, it makes a strange noise, and anyone who hears it is said to die or go insane.”

Evelyn’s mouth opened in shock.

“The horrible stories that Mandrakes carries are plentiful. We should stop for today.” Rene looked at Ilya and spoke. “My Lord, I will be gone for a few days.”

“Fine, anything else?”

“May I borrow the vice-captain?” Rene asked.

Standing behind them, the ears of Arthas pricked up.

“Yes.”

Rene smiled at his willing consent. She looked at Evelyn this time and said, “My Lady, if you get any additional contact from the castle of Maduse, please inform the Lord.”

Evelyn nodded, “I will.”

Rene stole a quick look at her owner. He was staring at her wife with an expression that could not be read. Rene quickly stood up to leave.

“My Lord, I will leave now. I have a lot to prepare for tomorrow’s trip.”

Before leaving, Rene stared wistfully at the treats left on the table. Evelyn caught the doleful look in Rene’s eyes and gestured to Sophie with her eyes. She nodded and quickly left.

* * *

The sitting room was engulfed in silence as soon as it became just the two of them. Evelyn snuck a look at him. Maybe it was because it had been over ten days since he had come, he had bags under his eyes. When Ilya stood, Evelyn looked at him with a dazed expression.

“Are you leaving? You look tired, why don’t you…” she asked.

“I need to be somewhere.”

“At this time?”

Ilya frowned as if he had found himself in an awkward position. He reached for his wife’s hand after a long silence. Evelyn grabbed it, mesmerized. When the grand duke had left the building with his hand locked with his wife’s, the guards quickly followed their footsteps. The Royal Guards had their hands full whenever the grand duke was with his wife, since they could never predict what he would do.

After running for a long time, they arrived at an antique building south of the main building. After getting off the horse, Evelyn looked around and found soldiers standing guard in front of what looked like a small church. They bowed in surprise at the unexpected arrival of the grand duke.

“Where are we?” Evelyn asked.

“The Exhibition Room of Eternity.”

Ilya stepped into the room and Evelyn followed him quietly. Tthe moment they stepped inside the magic lights turned on one by one and brightened up the surroundings. The high arch-shaped ceiling caught her eyes. Along the long hallway, the portraits of previous archdukes and family of Ajauntice stood hanging on each wall.

Studying the portraits with curiosity, Evelyn stopped in front of a portrait of a woman. A young woman with silver hair and deep green eyes was staring straight with a dull expression on her face.

“It’s the late-late grand duchess. She’s Nasir’s, my brother’s, mother,” said Ilya.

“She’s beautiful,” Evelyn whispered.

There was a trace of longing found on Evelyn as she stared at the silver-haired beauty. Ilya stared at Evelyn, who could not take her eyes off the portrait. He let out a deep sigh and continued talking.

“She was the eldest daughter of Marquis Lauren. Before she was overthrown by my mother… she was the grand duchess of Ajauntice.”

Evelyn twisted her head at the first mention of his mother. Following his line of vision, she saw a portrait of a beautiful woman with long black hair. Evelyn did not even notice she was holding her breath.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone so beautiful.”

The beauty of the woman wearing a tiara made of pearls with pitch-black hair as long as her waist was incredible. The blackness of her hair contrasted significantly brought out her green eyes, and Evelyn stared, enchanted.

“Well, she is a beauty.”

The man with the same color hair and eyes murmured in a hoarse voice. Gathering all her courage, Evelyn asked her husband, “My Lord… what sort of person was she?”

Waves of fury washed over Ilya’s face. Evelyn quickly apologized, thinking she shouldn’t have asked.