I Never Wanted His Child - Chapter 71
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
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“And a ticket from the Elta Club has arrived.”
Kartho handed over an envelope. Mikhail slit it open with a paper knife, pulling out the enclosed red ticket.
“Interesting. The dress code this time is red.”
Truly a peculiar bunch.
“Also, it seems a shadow has visited the mansion.”
“Call Sir Byne.”
It was rare for a shadow to visit the mansion outside of their scheduled time once a week. Therefore, this unexpected visit must be related to Dahlia.
It was that brief moment that had captivated Adrian’s attention. It was, perhaps, inevitable since, unlike Adrian, Dahlia was royalty itself.
“Send Emilia to the annex. Make it seem like she’s living separately.”
“Understood.”
“She’s quick-witted enough to act accordingly without being told.”
Mikhail pressed his throbbing temples.
* * *
“Ugh!”
She was suddenly gagged by the intruders.
Emilia’s eyes widened as she recognized the assailant.
“Shh, Madam. It’s me. The Duke has sent me. You must quietly move to the annex.”
The annex?
Emilia nodded. It seemed she had to quietly leave this place for some reason.
“This way.”
Byne pushed aside a picture frame on the bedroom wall that revealed a hidden passage.
‘…What is this mansion?’
She hadn’t expected such a sophisticated and complex secret passage, something one might find in a castle, to be in a mansion.
Although she had heard that high nobility’s mansions sometimes contained secret passages, she hadn’t imagined them to be this elaborate.
Following Byne slowly, they emerged into an underground passage.
The damp smell suggested it was buried underground, yet it seemed well-maintained with frequent traffic. Lanterns hung on the walls provided enough light to see clearly.
‘I need to get my hands on the mansion’s blueprint.’
Emilia was pleased with the unexpected information she had learned.
Soon, they reached stairs leading up from the underground.
As she carefully ascended, she noticed a wooden door in the ceiling. It required climbing a ladder to reach.
After Byne climbed up and knocked, the door creaked open.
“I’ll go up and help you.”
Emilia nodded.
After Byne went up, Dell climbed the ladder first.
“Be careful, Dell.”
“Don’t worry, Miss. I’ll be up there to help you!”
Dell got up spiritedly. As she reached the door, she was swiftly pulled up.
“Come up slowly.”
Finally, Emilia climbed the ladder, and the door closed behind them.
“Where am I?”
“This is the room next to Lady Dahlia’s. Please, come this way.”
Byne approached the wall and tapped lightly, searching for something.
Soon, a hidden door revealed itself.
‘Who lived here before that required so many secret spaces? Or did the Duke install these? Why? For what purpose?’
Before she could ponder further, a chilly voice spoke.
“Drive that person away.”
As they carefully passed through the door, Dahlia was seen sitting on a couch. She issued commands to the knights with her head held high, looking down on her subordinates.
“Mi, Miss. The Duke has said we need to move.”
“Just get rid of those who trespass into the Duke’s residence as they please.”
“…That’s not possible.”
“Oh, come on. Nothing is impossible here. Tell Brother. I won’t move an inch from this room.”
“Miss.”
Emilia stepped forward as she was unable to stand it any longer. The intruders, who were likely Adrian’s work, had suddenly appeared.
“It will only be for a moment.”
“You expect me to hide in this filthy place! How dare you!”
She couldn’t control her anger, but she quickly composed herself.
“I cannot stay in such a place for even a few minutes, so find that person and cut off their head. Make sure they can never approach the Duchy again.”
Dahlia was firm in her decision. Emilia took a seat in the chair provided. Then, she turned to those surrounding Dahlia and asked.
“But why must you hide Lady Dahlia to such an extent? Eventually, you’ll have to show your face in society. I’m curious about the reason for such secrecy.”
At that moment, everyone in the room held their breath.
“It wouldn’t hurt to let it be known that His Grace has a sister at this point. But it seems the King and the Duke have much to hide from each other, don’t they, Sir Byne?”
“…It’s his wish not to hand over Lady Dahlia to the King.”
“That’s what’s so strange. He could ask for his sister to be made queen since he placed the person on the throne, or choose the opposite if he wished. Right?”
Dahlia had said she didn’t want a marriage of convenience. However, Emilia didn’t take her words at face value.
There must be something else she desires. And the way Dahlia looked at Adrian that day bore a striking resemblance to how she looked at the Duke.
