If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 167

‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.

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The very next day after being investigated by the Imperial Guard and the Vernat knights, Stella was arrested on charges of forging official documents and concealing a criminal.

At first, Stella thought she’d be able to get out of her predicament quickly. However, contrary to her expectations, ten days passed with no one coming to visit her in the prison of the Imperial Guard.

She was in a dire situation. She had hoped that someone from the Count’s family would come to her rescue, but no one appeared.

Her son, Christian, came to visit her for a brief moment, but he didn’t share her thoughts. Coldly, he asked, “Did you really abduct that child on your own?” and then added, “If you’ve committed a crime, you should face the consequences, Mother,” before leaving.

She didn’t know that her son had hurriedly left to follow the Emperor’s command not to leave Cain Vernat alone.

It felt like the sky was collapsing. Even her family, whom she had trusted, had turned their backs on her. She had never once treated her family indifferently.

“That damn bastard, who could abandon his own mother like this? What’s the use of being a member of the Imperial Knights? Useless bastard, damn bastard…”

She muttered angrily, exhaling harsh breaths.

Her sons, none of whom were of any help, left her to handle everything on her own. Her eldest son, who had been born with pride, went abroad for studies, promising to return when he received his title.

Her second son said only nonsensical things, asking her not to interfere with his future, and her youngest son… Well, there was no point in talking about him. Every time her youngest son got into trouble, she was always the one cleaning up the mess.

A fire of anger rose within her. She wanted to throw something, to vent her frustration, but there was nothing she could throw. The Vernat knights were watching her, eyes wide and vigilant, so she couldn’t act out recklessly.

For days, she had been unable to even bathe properly, her appearance was a mess. She angrily touched her tangled hair and waved her hand in frustration, as though about to strike someone standing in front of her.

What kind of grudge did that Vernat bastard have against her? Every step she took, he was there to oppose and obstruct her, making her life miserable. She was seething with anger.

Her beloved son, who had never done a hard day’s work in his life, was suffering amongst the commoners, doing things he shouldn’t have to. It broke her heart. Then, when she found out there was a way to get him out, she acted.

Stella didn’t think she had done anything wrong. What mother could stand idly by while her child was pushed into a dangerous situation? If she had the means to save him, wasn’t it her duty to do so?

“Face the consequences? Ha, what a joke.”

Stella believed that neither she nor her son, John, deserved this treatment. She didn’t realize that her shamelessness had led to imprisonment.

She thought she would be released quickly after entering, but it was now over ten days, and to her surprise, Vernat hadn’t even shown his face. Only his subordinates came occasionally, repeating their questions in a parrot-like manner, asking her if she would confess her crimes.

“Those damn bastards. As soon as I get out of here, I won’t let any of them of.,”

Stella cursed and cursed, though it did nothing to ease her anger. Thinking of her youngest son, who must be struggling without her support, made her even more anxious. Her anxiety soon turned into overwhelming anger.

“Who do they think they’re feeding this to?”

Stella growled as she kicked the tray of food across the floor. The crash of the plates shattering against the stone floor sounded loudly, and one of the guards nearby warned her not to cause trouble.

“Damned fools, bastards… I’ll kill them…”

How long had she been squawking like this? Stella felt a shadow loom over her and looked up. She was about to yell at the guard who was bringing her another meal, thinking it was just another guard. However, the figure approaching the bars was not who she expected.

“Stella Calvino, prepare to leave. We need to move quickly. Hurry.”

“Who?”

Stella’s gaze focused on the unfamiliar man, noticing an insignia she vaguely recognized on his chest. She racked her brain, trying to remember where she had seen it before.

Then, suddenly, the memory clicked. Her mouth went dry, and she nodded in surprise.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Four months after heading to Arta, Cain Vernat returned to Leden.

Officially, it was said that he had left to strengthen the national defense and investigate the death of the late Duke Kristin, but in reality, he had spent all his energy and time searching for his missing wife.

After being absent for such a long time, Cain had to stop by the Imperial Palace to report to the Emperor and reorganize the Knight’s Order. But the moment he returned to the capital, he bypassed both the palace and his home, heading straight to Duke Kristin’s estate.

He followed every trace left by Agatha, but he could find no sign of her. Though she should have been in the south, she had hidden herself so well that he couldn’t find a single hair.