Previously
Euclid departs the Basilian estate with his drunken assistant Delano, reflecting on a private conversation with Duke Basilian about the marriage. The Duke revealed that the Imperial family snubbed Evgenia by proposing to her niece instead, leading Evgenia to choose this marriage herself to move on from the Crown Prince.
Even if all the days the Rodion bloodline had spent in this residence were combined, they would hardly amount to a full year. How could this place ever be called his home?
At one point, the duchy, having faced financial difficulties, had requested that the estate be returned to the imperial family because maintaining it had become too great a burden. Yet the imperial family refused, opting instead to shoulder all of the estate's expenses. Thus, it was far more fitting to consider it imperial property.
As Euclid reflected briefly on the long history between the imperial family and the Duchy of Rodion, the carriage finally came to a halt after passing through the main gate.
Euclid rose from his seat, wiping the exhaustion and turmoil from his face as he pushed the door open.
Having been notified of his arrival, the estate’s butler had stepped out to greet him.
Philip’s eyes widened briefly.
It was a name he had heard five years ago when visiting the capital to claim the remains of his father and brother and to succeed the title of Duke of Rodion. Philip’s reaction was understandable.
Yet, despite Philip’s enthusiasm, Euclid’s gaze remained cold, a departure from his usual demeanor.
Philip hesitated briefly, unable to naturally inquire about the purpose of his visit. Yet unlike the guards, he was quick to adapt.
Smiling warmly, Philip stepped behind Euclid and spoke in an amicable manner.
“…”
Noting that the carriage was no ordinary carriage but a magic one, and attempting to discern Euclid’s movements, Philip’s probing questions brought Euclid to a sudden halt.
Taken aback by Euclid’s piercing gaze, Philip’s smile faltered slightly. Then, Euclid smiled faintly.
A chill running down his spine, Philip nodded, gripped by an unshakable unease. He regretted failing to gather more information, but he knew better than to obstruct the master of this estate.
Though the meager details in his report made him anxious, Philip expertly concealed his expression, especially since Euclid had not yet looked away from him.
The Duke’s gaze seemed to dissect his very thoughts, yet Philip knew Euclid would never act recklessly.
Euclid Rodion, the current Duke of Rodion, was a second son. He had undergone no formal training to inherit the title, nor was he particularly skilled at anything remarkable. His reputation was kind and merciful, and he never raised his voice in anger.
What was more, Philip had once secretly witnessed the young duke, with a face still boyish, collapse entirely, even coughing up blood.
For a family that had never revealed a single vulnerability or allowed even the faintest rumor to escape, uncovering that the new duke was in poor health had been a monumental feat.
Thanks to that very piece of knowledge, Philip had secured the role of head butler without needing to accomplish much else.
Convinced that Euclid was a gentle figure and would remain so, Philip softened his demeanor and stepped back with a mild smile.
“…”
Euclid noticed Philip summon another servant and give instructions before hurrying away.
A boy who appeared to be around fourteen years old addressed Euclid nervously, clearly finding the unfamiliar master of the estate intimidating.
Despite the boy's youth, Euclid did not lower his guard. The butler would not assign just anyone to attend to him, likely having selected someone innocent by design.
While Euclid would usually ask for an attendant's name and show genuine concern for them, this was not the Duchy of Rodion.
Pretending not to notice, he walked ahead, and the boy, having shaken off his earlier awkwardness, began to chatter in a warm and familiar tone.
Through this, Euclid learned that the boy's name was Rick. An orphan who had lost his parents at a young age, Rick had grown up in an orphanage and, through exemplary conduct, received a recommendation from the orphanage director to secure a position here.
Yet what could Euclid, lacking any actual authority over this estate, possibly do for the boy, no matter how earnest his words?
Feeling a prick of guilt and unease, Euclid offered Rick a faint smile.
Rick’s eyes widened as if he had not expected an answer at all.
Watching the boy renew his resolve, Euclid suddenly wondered why he had spoken such words and what he was even encouraging him for. He let out a low laugh at his own thoughts.
At that moment, Rick said shyly, his eyes shining almost excessively, “Your Grace, you truly are kind.”
“…”
Did the butler and the servants truly say such things?
Euclid’s smile faltered for a moment, but Rick, oblivious, continued with admiration, “It’s so wonderful having someone as kind as you, Your Grace…”
Euclid looked down at the boy with a quiet, dimmed gaze.
It did not matter what was true or false. Most of it would be lies anyway, and even if some of it were true, he simply needed not to believe it.
After reaching his quarters, Euclid waited for Rick to bring water for the bath before rising from where he had slumped onto the sofa.
He quickly scanned beneath the table, beside the bookshelf, and near the decorative ornaments.
It was not difficult to locate several magic recording devices, yet he left them untouched.
If he had intended to destroy or tamper with such things, he would have done so five years ago.
“I am sorry. The truth is… I don’t think I have much time left either.”
Yes, it was then, after hearing his brother’s final words before his death, that he had turned this estate upside down.
He had failed to find what he had so desperately searched for, uncovering instead just how thoroughly the estate was embedded with the empire’s surveillance devices.
The realization that the estate was entirely under the watchful eye of the imperial family had shattered him. In his despair, his body, already frail, had completely given out.
He had lacked even the mental fortitude to conceal his condition from the estate’s servants—a secret he had hidden from everyone except his father and brother.
Or perhaps, knowing that someone had already noticed, he had simply let it happen.
Even in his darkest moments, the only thought that kept him going was his duty to protect his niece and nephew.
He had debated whether to silence the witnesses or allow his condition to leak, ultimately deciding that revealing his weakness to that person and indulging him to ensure his silence was the safer choice.