I Never Wanted His Child - Chapter 114
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
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Her heart pounded. The thought of the savage dog sinking its teeth into her was terrifying—mere bites wouldn’t be the end of it.
“A fighting dog rampaging on the walkway.”
Though the dog showed no sign of backing down, it now had a cane clamped between its jaws. Mikhail had subdued the dog without any hint of fear or hesitation.
Shortly after, several men, pale with fear, came running.
“Pant… pant… We apologize deeply, Your Grace!”
They arrived sweating and out of breath, holding muzzles and whips in their hands.
“What are you waiting for? Muzzle it.”
“Yes, sir!”
They quickly muzzled the subdued fighting dog. Although they secured the leash tightly, the frenzied dog didn’t calm down easily.
“Even for a fighting dog, it looks like its eyes are glazed over, and it’s drooling excessively. This isn’t normal.”
“Haha, well, it’s just been in a fight, so it’s still excited.”
Mikhail read the name on the dog’s collar.
“Epoheim.”
“Well… the gate opened unexpectedly, and it all happened so quickly.”
“Look around you.”
The dog’s owner surveyed the chaos. Women and children, injured from bites or tripping while fleeing, clutched their chests in fear and cried. The men were not much better. It was natural—few could stand against a fighting dog driven solely by its instinct to battle.
Emilia’s heart was still pounding.
“It seems today’s walk should end here.”
“…That sounds wise.”
“I have some errands to run. Head back to the estate.”
Emilia clung to his coat. She wanted to agree and return immediately, but she felt she might collapse once the tension was released.
“You really are something else.”
He effortlessly lifted her into his arms, striding to a public carriage.
Opening the door, he placed her inside and instructed the driver.
“To the Heinrich estate.”
He didn’t forget to toss a gold coin to the coachman.
“Go straight to the estate without detours. Don’t even think about picking up other passengers.”
“Y-Yes, of course.”
Left alone in the carriage, Emilia caught a glimpse of his cold, stern expression through the narrow gap of the closing door.
As soon as the door shut, the carriage set off. Emilia watched him through the window, his figure growing smaller as he walked toward the people involved with the fighting dog.
* * *
Mikhail arrived at Epoheim.
Although dog fighting arenas existed, they were mostly disappearing. It was rare to find one still operating, especially in the heart of the capital. It seemed that the dog had been given some kind of drug.
Clearly, this was not a legitimate operation.
Accompanied by the guards, he headed to Epoheim.
‘As the royal family decays, the state of the country follows suit.’
The people bitten by the dog in Epfora Park were immediately taken to the hospital. They needed rabies shots and thorough examinations for any potential complications.
“A dogfighting ring, huh? I was shocked to hear about it.”
The investigator glanced at the men detained by the guards. Noticing the name on the dog’s collar, he narrowed his eyes.
“Do you think I’d waste my time on something uncertain? You do seem genuinely surprised, though.”
The investigator cleared his throat in response to Mikhail’s words. Clearly, they were caught off guard by being exposed.
“Running an illegal dog fighting ring and drugging the animals—it’s unimaginable.”
“Indeed. This will be reported to the royal family. Lead the way.”
“Ugh, no! We can’t let you know about Epoheim!”
The captured man struggled desperately. His reaction only piqued Mikhail’s curiosity further.
Using the end of his cane, Mikhail lifted the man’s chin.
“You might not be able to tell me, but you can show me.”
He pressed the cane against the man’s throat.
“Urgh!”
“You should be grateful I’m letting you show me since you can’t tell me.”
* * *
Emilia arrived at the estate. Stepping down with trembling legs, she was immediately approached by a butler who had noticed the public carriage.
“Madam, why did you take a public carriage? Did something happen during your walk?”
“Butler, it’s nothing serious. A mad dog attacked while I was walking…”
“Is His Grace safe?”
“Yes, he is safe. I was too shocked, so he sent me back first.”
Kartho breathed a sigh of relief. Dell rushed out to support Emilia.
“My goodness, Madam! You look so pale. Please, come inside.”
“Dell, I was just startled.”
“A mad dog, did it bite you?”
“No, it didn’t.”
Before the sharp teeth could reach her, the Duke had pulled her into his arms. If he hadn’t acted quickly, her arm might have been badly injured.
“Please, come to your room.”
“Madam, you must be very shaken, but what about His Grace…?”
“He seemed to be heading to the dogfighting ring. He called for the guards, so he must have gone with them. The dog seemed to be in a strange state.”
“It’s a relief that both of you are safe.”
