If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 43
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
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It was strange to know that Agatha would be in the dressing room. It was strange from the beginning. If it was a chance encounter, how could the carriage to take Agatha have been separately prepared? The realization and regret came too late.
“Stop the carriage, stop!”
Liana stuck her head out of the carriage window once again and shouted.
How many times had she shouted with such urgency? Gradually slowing down, the carriage eventually came to a complete stop.
“Hey, where on earth are you driving the carriage!”
After the carriage came to a stop, Liana opened the door and jumped out. With a flushed face, she was about to question the driver about what had happened when she checked the driver’s face and immediately froze in place.
“You…!”
“Keep quiet. I told you I’m not deaf.”
“You… Why are you here…?”
“Quiet down. How dare a servant like you arrogantly call me. Do you want to die?”
“Ah!”
A dull sound echoed, followed by Liana’s scream. The sounds coming from outside the carriage were ominous. Had thieves attacked the carriage? No, if that were the case, it would have been more tumultuous. Agatha took a tense breath.
The door, which had closed, opened again, revealing Liana, who had fallen to the floor. In the moment she tried to get up, the voice that slipped through the open door made Agatha turn pale.
“It’s been a while.”
The man took off the hood flipped over his head.
A sinister look and a malicious smile.
“I missed you.”
It was John. Agatha hadn’t seen him since she left the Count’s estate.
“You, how are you here, how…”
“It’s been a while since we met, and that’s all you have to say? Disappointing.”
“How are you here, why are you here?”
“You didn’t miss me, dear? I missed you so much.”
“Don’t come any closer. I’ll scream.”
Ignoring Agatha’s warning about screaming, John leaned in, laughing loudly.
“You’re going to scream? Go ahead and scream. Will there be anyone here to help you? Haha, you’re still stupid and cute. Dear.”
As if enjoying a cute prank from a child, John began to chuckle, mocking Agatha. Could laughter sound so chilling? Cold sweat broke out on her back.
When did John start pretending to be the coachman and driving the carriage? Was it switched at the moment the carriage stopped to light the lamp? Or even before that? Perhaps since they were at the Grand Duke’s estate?
Agatha’s mind became entangled in confusion. She couldn’t understand or organize the situation.
John’s laughter echoed, and Agatha’s face grew paler.
“Don’t we have much to talk about? Let’s discuss it slowly without anyone bothering us.”
“Don’t come any closer. I warned you.”
“You’re still feisty. It has a cute taste, but you should keep it in check.”
“I am the fiance of Marquis Vernat. I will have a wedding soon, and I have received approval from the Emperor. If you touch me, you will have to duel with Marquis Vernat.”
It was Agatha’s strongest warning. At this moment, she had no power, and the only means she had to intimidate John was to mention Cain’s name.
John stepped into the carriage, and Agatha took a step back. She soon found herself against the carriage wall with no more room to escape.
Meanwhile, the Grand Duchess had just finished her meal and was leisurely enjoying a massage. A satisfied smile graced her lips as she reclined halfway, sipping wine.
It had been about two weeks since someone from Calvino County sent a gift.
<“Calvino County sent this as a gift?”>
<“Yes. They specifically asked to convey it to the Grand Duchess.”>
<“To me?”>
The envoy from the County who came to the Grand Duke’s estate held a large jewelry box surrounded by blue velvet. Even the footman could tell from the overt procession that it was a bribe from Calvino County to the Grand Duchess.
Many came to offer gifts to the Grand Duchess. The County, too, likely intended to gain some advantage. It was a common occurrence. However, there was something peculiar about this situation.
The noblewomen in Leden were divided into three main groups, depending on who they supported.
The first group centered around the Empress, the second group rallied behind Grand Duchess Norfolk, and the third group pursued integrity and knowledge, not aligning with either of the first two.
The third group, consisting of petty nobility who found solace in not being directly influenced by the aristocracy, self-satisfied and self-contained, was not a concern. The Grand Duchess was only concerned about the factions revolving around the Empress.
The Empress’s maternal family, the Wittelsbach Duchy, had a long history of tension with the Durer Marquisate. Therefore, as time went on, it was only natural for the factions centered around the Empress and the Grand Duchess to counterbalance each other.
She who held the title of Grand Duchess and the Empress who was married to the most powerful man were, in fact, quite different from each other.
The Grand Duchess, who secured her position as the Grand Duke’s second wife with her flower-like beauty, took advantage of her looks to lead the trends in Leden. She became the object of envy for noblewomen and established herself as the queen of society.
However, with such accomplishments, she still couldn’t effectively counter the Empress, who already wielded formidable imperial authority.
