131 CHAPTER 131

"I heard that the Duchess almost got into big trouble because of Count Riegelhoff's childish tricks. How could a person call a noble do such a cruel thing! They are reckless bastards!"

Although he had a serious expression on his face, Count Sinclair was actually happy when he heard the news of what had happened.

'It's very exciting news for us!'

His prediction surprisingly fit nicely. Because of that incident, the emperor had given the right to dispose of the Riegelhoff family to Duke Ludwig, and he also heard rumors that the entire Riegelhof family had been beheaded and all their heads had been handed over to the imperial court. He was trying to hold back his laughter right now.

"Well, it's not a very pleasant memory, so I'd like to talk about it."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I was so angry that I forgot to consider your feelings first."

Although he looked very embarrassed, Count Sinclair thought that the situation he hoped for was going well. He winked at Layla, who came with him, pretending to mention the Northern iron ore distribution rights he had just acquired. Layla glanced at Killian and quickly pretended to be calm when she saw her father's eyes.

"By the way, Your Excellency. Have you thought about our conversation last time?"

"What did we talk about that day?"

"It's about. . . . Killian married issue."

Hearing those words, Killian's eyes suddenly became sharp.

"What do you mean by that?"

Count Sinclair made a kind but sympathetic expression as if he understood everything.

"I heard rumors that you've had a lot of trouble since marrying the daughter of the Riegelhoff family through politics."

"Where did you hear that?"

"It doesn't matter where we hear it. Isn't it true that the Riegelhoff family gave their daughter to you in exchange for the distribution of iron ore and loyalty to His Majesty the Emperor?"

"That's true, but. . . ."

"Rufus Rigelhoff, that man has been so wicked since ancient times!"

Even though Killian was about to say something more, Count Sinclair cut him off and continued to say what he wanted to say.

"Now that all the Riegelhoff bastards have finally been dealt with, you should also find a new wife, too. That is why I thought i was a bit ashamed, I recommended my daughter Layla to the duke before."

Layla blushed and made eye contact with Killian before lowering her head slightly. She tried to hold back, but a happy smile spread across her face. However, Killian wasn't like that at all. He furrowed his eyebrows and slowly turned his gaze towards Duke Ludwig.

"Father. Is this true?"

"It's true that I received such an offer."

"Did you just hear that? I already have a wife."

Then Count Sinclair is taking again.

"I thought you might not like the idea of ​​this arranged marriage. But more than half of the marriages between nobles are arranged marriages, and especially the son of a duke, right? So you should put your family's interests first."

"So, are you saying that my feelings don't matter to anyone?"

"That-that's nothing is impossible! It's seems that our Layla has been crushed on you for a long time. She will be a greet wife who will faithfully support you. She can be compared to that slut daughter of Count Riegelhoff!"

Count Sinclair also used harsh words to disparage the Rigelhof family, who were enemies of the Ludwig family before, but Killian's mood worsened more. Duke Ludwig put his hand on his forehead, when he saw Count Sinclair getting excited, and didn't have time to stop him.

"How dare you insult the daughter-in-law of the Duke Ludwig family, Count Sinclair?"

Count Sinclair and Layla are shocked, at Killian's harsh words.

"Why all of a sudden, Killian? Isn't she already dead?"

"Who died! Edith Ludwig, still alive and well, no, from now on she is Countess Ryzen. What do you mean? Slut?"

Killian's fist was shaking. It was only then that Count Sinclair realized that Edith not yet dead and she still Killian's legal wife. However he couldn't stepped back like this.

"Well, first of all. I'm Sorry, I was to harsh. I really didn't intend to insult the Ludwig family. But Killian, think carefully."

"What else do you want me to think about?"

"Since you are Duke Ludwig's second son, you will be His Majesty emperor's loyal aide when you got the title of new count. Does it make sense that you accepted the daughter of a traitor as your wife?"

Killian thought he might feel relieved if he draw his dagger and cut off this person head right now.

"Killian. Be patient. Anyway, he is a ally of our family and a loyal aide of His Majesty the Emperor."

Before he knew it, Cliff's hand covered Killian's hand holding the dagger handle. Killian took a deep breath to calm his anger, and then spoke in a very heavy and cold voice.

"I, really love Edith deeply. I'm crazy about her. She's my only wife."

"Wh-what?"

"It seems like you haven't grasped the situation yet, so I'll be generous and close my eyes just this once. If you talk about it again. . . . You have to be prepared to turn me into an enemy. Count Sinclair."

After he uttered those words. Killian's expression began to calm down. Only then did the Duke Ludwig sigh and shrugged.

"I'm sorry, well, since you already heard the answer from his mouth, i think we have to end the conversation here."

It was a big disappointment for Count Sinclair and Layla. But the bad news didn't end there.

"Oh, and by the way, I don't think we need to bother Count Sinclair with the iron ore distribution rights."

"Yes?"

"When the Riegelhoff family was executed, His Majesty the Emperor confiscated their southern iron ore distribution rights, but fortunately, His Majesty gave it to us."

It was the worst situation for the Sinclair family. This is because, in order to be attached the Duke Ludwig, they took the right to distribute iron ore in the North, even at the cost of great losses.

'If the biggest iron ore buyer disappears, it's no use holding the iron ore distribution rights!'

This time Count Sinclair's hands began to tremble.

Now that things are like this, I have to hold on to something and stretch it.

"I-i see. By the way, Duke. I've been waiting to tell you this before, but. . . . "

"What is it?"

"No matter how many contracts are written, the relationship between parents and children is still bound to heaven. Now, can you give Lizzy back to me?"

And that was the worst move Count Sinclair could have made.

"Now. . . .are you trying to play a prank on me?"

Killian's unparalleled ferocity a moment ago now flowed from the duke.

"The contract you made with the duke must be very funny."

"But is there any law in the world taking they child away from her parents?"

"Those words are not worthy to be spoken by someone who is willing to hand over his child as compensation for his debt. Isn't it, Count?"

"Hold on, brother. you said it would be difficult if we killed him."

Cliff's hand was holding the letter knife that was on the table. Count Sinclair and Layla, who thought he was just playing around with the letter knife as a prank, retreated after hearing Killian's words. In the end, Count Sinclair had to back without getting anything, in hurry. When he came out of Duke Ludwig's drawing room, on his way home, he found Lizzy sitting in front of the fireplace in the drawing room on the first floor. Count Sinclair looking at her and quickly ran towards Lizzy.

"Lizzy! Lizzy!"

When Count Sinclair called her name so desperately, Lizzy turned around with a puzzled look on her face.

"Lizzy, let's go come back home now. No matter what anyone says, you are my daughter! We must live together as a family!"

"As Family. . . .?"

"Yes, family! Your family is us, not these people who didn't have any single of drop blood related to you! Forget your childhood. From now on, this is your father. . . . !"

"Phew!"

Count Sinclair who thought Lizzy was naive, trying

his best to persuade Lizzy by appealing her feeling in some way, but was shocked and speechless when he saw that she was clearly mocking him.

"You gave birth to me as you pleased, took me away from my mother as you pleased, and then abused me as you pleased, and now you are ordering me to forget the past as you please?"

"Lizzy. . . . ?"

"Now you're talking about family. . . . Yes, as the Count said I'm your family relative. Then you have to pay the debt your owe from the Duke to take me back. So, did you already prepared 30 million sena for me?"

Count Sinclair's mouth was shut, when she mention about the money. Lizzy grinned as if she knew that would happen.

"Listen carefully. People like you, even if you are Duke Ludwig inself, i can't recognized you as a my father."

Count Sinclair opened his eyes wide and blinked at the words that Lizzy utter, that completely not like her.

"I believe this world wouldn't collapse, just because the ending you set not achieved. Rather, there must be more fun and happy endings may come to you someday."

Lizzy was recalling what Edith said. She was angry, but she has no choice but to accept it for now. Since she already decided to do so. Lizzy decided to leave her past behind, where she live pretend to be naive and good. I always trembled and cried in front of Count Sinclair because i was prentend to be naive , but in reality, I always wanted to tear Count Sinclair apart with my words.

"Li-Lizzy. . . . Oh my, when she lived here, she completely lost her true self!"

"What kind of rude remarks are you making to someone else's fiancee?"

Cliff, who had come after Count Sinclair, spoke in a murderous voice.

"Fi-fiancee?"

"That's right. She's my fiancée, not your daughter."

"Then soon i'll be your father-in-law. Hahaha!"

"Should I show you the contract again? You can't claim any right or connection to Lizzy."

Count Sinclair, who snorts at the words, reveals Lizzy's words and actions.