If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 158
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
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When Esther said ‘useless husband,’ a faint smile briefly crossed Agatha’s lips before disappearing.
It seemed like a trait Esther had inherited from Cain—her unwillingness to unconditionally take sides just because someone was close to her. The way she firmly voiced her thoughts reminded Agatha of him.
That brother and that sister. Her eyes, sharp like his, and her firm lips. Agatha took her eyes off the face that reminded her so much of Cain.
“If I’ve said anything I shouldn’t have, I apologize in advance, Lady Agatha. But I do need you to answer me. Do you want the child?”
If Agatha answered that she didn’t want it, Esther would find some way to make sure it didn’t happen. She couldn’t bear the thought of someone else going through the same pain she had experienced years ago.
No one should have to endure such torment, and the thought of that weighed heavily on her heart.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
At the Leden Guard Command, a woman in a lavish red dress entered the interrogation room, a place that felt utterly out of place for someone like her.
Stella Calvino.
Her bright red dress and matching lipstick were completely at odds with the gray, grim interrogation room. Normally, anyone summoned to such a place would try to appear pitiable to evoke sympathy, but Stella made no attempt at that.
She walked confidently, as if she were oblivious to the suspicion her dramatic gestures might stir in the interrogators.
The person who had summoned her to this harsh place was none other than Marquis Vernat, who had recently been acting as the commander of the guard.
“Long time no see, Marquis.”
Stella didn’t bother with any formalities. Her behavior was unapologetically brazen, as though she were challenging him on purpose. It was obvious she meant to provoke Cain, but sadly for her, her petty scheming had no effect on him.
“You’ll be held accountable for summoning the Countess here. So, what is it you want with me?”
“Stella Calvino, you’re here because you’re suspected of hiding a criminal.”
“What? A criminal? Hiding? What nonsense.”
Stella quickly took out a fan, trying to cover her lips as if to hide her embarrassment, but the shaking of her hands was visible.
“You can hide your trembling lips behind your fan, but not your hands.”
Cain said with a mocking smile, and Stella’s face flushed red with anger.
“I know you, Marquis, hold personal grudges against me. But interrogating an innocent citizen like this—surely that’s against imperial law?”
“Whether you’re innocent or not is for me to decide here.”
He almost added “so be quiet,” but held back. Instead, he motioned for the guards to bring the list of southern laborers’ names.
The guard who had brought the list whispered in Cain’s ear.
“Sir, Deputy Commander Ethan has arrived at the headquarters urgently.”
Ethan, who had been assigned the task of investigating everything related to Agatha and controlling Gulem, had returned to the capital. This meant…
Cain immediately jumped up from his seat.
He had left Stella behind, who was loudly protesting her mistreatment as an act of disrespect to the Calvino family, and quickly rushed toward the guard to ask, “When did Ethan arrive here?”
“About half an hour ago.”
“You should have called for me immediately.”
“Apologies, Sir. I couldn’t interrupt you while you were in the interrogation room…”
Ethan had arrived at the Marquis’ residence the moment he heard Cain was here, and had come directly to see him without a break, which suggested there was urgent news to share.
Had he found Agatha? Or at least figured out where she went? Was she safe? Was she hurt? It would be ideal if Ethan had returned to the capital with her under his protection.
Cain continued to rush up the stairs, not stopping his thoughts. He wasn’t consciously aware, but within him, rising hope mixed with his thoughts as he wondered if he might see Agatha again.
“Ethan!”
“Sir.”
Ethan looked exhausted after what must have been at least two sleepless nights and greeted Cain as he entered. Cain put aside his worry for his subordinate for a moment. As soon as he stepped inside, he quickly scanned the room, but there was no sign of Agatha.
“Alone…?”
It made sense. If Ethan had found Agatha, he would have made sure she was resting at the residence first. There was no way he would bring the Duchess to such a harsh place.
“I ordered you to lock down Gulem.”
“Yes. You instructed us to do so in order to find any trace of Madam.”
Ethan reached inside his robe and pulled out something from within his sleeve—a small envelope.
Cain immediately recognized it as a letter from Esther, as it bore the seal he had given her before leaving Arta.
“Is this from Esther?”
“Yes, it’s an urgent message.”
