The Ducal Couple [7]

For generations, Philip had been the Taran Family's doctor and was absent from Roam since Hugo had left the estate for a long time. Nobody knew exactly where he went.

He'd said he would be travelling around for a bit and left but there had been no news for years. Philip had no friends or family so his absence didn't have much effect and no one was really curious about it. The Duke was very healthy and had never even been ill before. Also, for formality sake, as a noble, one did not receive regular check-ups from doctors.

Since Hugo became the Duke, the doctor hadn't had anything to do. Apart from greeting Philip a few times, Jerome had not really had a conversation with him. He had heard Philip was the also primary doctor of the deceased Duke even so that doctor… he was definitely a family doctor but he was a bit unique in that he was also a Baron.

Jerome believed the man had a lot of guts because he'd served dukes for generation but apart from that, he didn't feel the need to pay attention the doctor's matters. However, the moment the name Philip left his mouth, his master's face which had been somewhat relaxed, froze. Seeing his master's red eyes gleam, Jerome felt suspicious. Wasn't Philip simply a family doctor?

For a short moment, he searched his memories thoroughly but there was no clue regarding Philip and his master's relationship. He then came to the realization that his master and Philip had actually treated each other like they were air and this would be the first time Philip had personally come to meet the Duke. On paper, he was the primary doctor but the duke being the duke, he had never needed to receive any treatment.

"Let him in. Do not let anyone onto the second floor until I say so."

His voice was cold and murderous intent lingered in the air. Feeling his master's anger, Jerome nervously followed the Duke's orders without question.

"Yes, Your Grace."

Jerome left and after a while, an old man with half whitish and grey hair walked in. The man walked quietly to the front of the desk where Hugo was sitting then bent his waist to make polite bow.

For a second, Hugo didn't say anything, just stared piercingly at the old man then he spoke in an even and unfeeling voice.

"It's been a while, old man."

Philip was not displeased with the title that showed no respect and gave a faint smile.

"Yes, long time no see. After all this time, you've become a grown man."

Despite being only a doctor, the man was confident and showed no servility to the noble personage in front of him. His voice was calm but inside deep emotion surfaced as he faced Hugo.

His gaze was like that of a grandfather watching his grandchild that has done well. However, Hugo's eyes stayed frozen.

"I heard you went on a trip." [Hugo]

"I have returned."

"Too bad, you must have had a good time wandering around. Since you've said your greetings, get lost. In the future, don't do such things like greeting me. I'm saying you shouldn't show your face in front of me again."

As though he were reading off a book, Hugo's voice was arid but the contents were harsh. Philip's complexion remained unchanged as he heard the ferocity in Hugo's words. Rather, he seems a little relieved.

"You are still the same as before." [Philip]

"My nature's never change."

"Young master's nature is outstanding. You didn't reap this old man's life after all."

Hugo laughed sardonically.

"Don't misunderstand. The reason I let you live is because I owe you the debt of a life. That stupid kid had said he's protect his life's savior."

For a moment, yearning surfaced on Philip's face but it disappeared the next second.

"…Young master Hugo was a good-natured person. That's why he wasn't fit to be the master of Taran." [Philip]

'Young master Hugo'

Just for a short moment when those words left Philip's mouth, Hugo's gaze softened.

"That's true. Because of that devilish child, I'm taking care of this dirty seat."

"Young master Hugh…"

"If you call me by that name one more time, I'll rip out your mouth."

Hugo's countenance changed viciously and he roared at Philip. Like that of a wild beast before it pounces on its food, he wanted to standup immediately and bite off Philip's neck but was barely holding himself back.

Facing Hugo's fiery anger, Philip merely had a sad expression.

"That person sacrificed himself for the young master's sake."

"I never asked for that."

Hugo gloomily ground his teeth.

The Hugh who was more beast and animal-like met Hugo when he was on a vacation. The moment when Hugh went on a vacation, the devil became a human. That the owner of Taran would become Hugo was most suitable. Only he could cleanse Taran that was smeared with dirt and filth.

Hugh was always surrounded by enemies and had done many evil deeds to keep his life but he actually did not know why he had to live or the meaning of living. However, Hugh finally found a reason to live and that there was something more precious than his own life. That only brother would have to live and climb unto seat, the one called the devil should not be Hugh. (1).

"Young master Hugo wished more than anyone else for the young master to be on that seat. Anyways, you two are of the blood of Taran. Naturally, young master has the right to be master of Taran."

"That devil died that night in the west tower. I'm…the one right here now is Hugo."

"Yes, it is the young master. When will you accept the fact that you are now the master?"

"I won't be here forever. I will hand it over to that child when he's old enough."

Philip gave a small sigh.

"Young master Damian is still young."

"That's why I'm waiting, isn't it? I'm waiting and bearing this sickening and tiring place."

Hugo responded while gritting his teeth.

"Young master Hugo's seat is one full of weariness. So it's a nobler seat."

Hugo stared at Philip for a moment then spoke coolly.

"Well, I've always known that old man is good at keeping his head. That day, if you had blabbered on just like today's, I would have pulled out your neck and thrown it away. At that time, like a dumb person, you kept your mouth shut and knelt down. Did you know that I killed everyone who knows of what happened that day except from you, old man?"

For the first time since entering the room, Philip's expression stiffened.

"… You left no traces."

"Yes. I was disgusted and couldn't stand their sight. So, old man will be the last. Hurry up with your filth. Once old man disappears, it will no longer reek."

"The deceased Duke made the inevitable choice for the family…"

"Choice?"

Hugo slammed the desk violently with both hands and bolted upright. He moved forward and his red pupils were like a blazing fire as he looked at Philip…no, someone he could see beyond Philip, with rising anger. His rage was like a furnace that would overflow at any moment.

"That old fool sold his one of his son to mercenaries as a slave to be worked then instead of embracing the son he chose, he tried again to switch them."

He chose Hugo, threw away Hugh. However, as years passed, the duke changed his mind and this time abandoned Hugo and chose Hugh. For the reason that Hugo's personality was too mild. For the first time, Hugh clung to someone and pleaded. Not for his own sake but for another's.

[If I obediently become your successor, don't touch him] (2).

He did everything that was asked of him. He studied earnestly and exteriorly assumed Hugo's appearance. The coarse way of speaking was thrown away and he changed into a noble and self-restrained personage. He was like a reared beast and fell nicely at the feet of the duke. However, he did not know.

That for the same reason, for his brother, Hugo had gladly thrown away everything he'd learned until yesterday from the venerable Confucius. It was Hugo who first noticed that the Duke had tied strings to both of them and held sway over them in his hands and that was the beginning of the tragedy.

Hugo realized that as long as he existed and the duke who would use him to the end existed, they could never be free.

And on the day he left to Roam, Hugo brutally and thoroughly murdered the Duke and anyone with him, then by his side, slit his throat and died.

"He was someone who couldn't catch and kill a bug so the one who drove him to do such a cruel thing was that old fool. It was to the extent that I had nothing to say. What choice? That was not choice just ugly greed." [Hugo]

"Young Master."

"Stop calling me young master. I am the Lord of Taran and the Duke. Are you still living in the world from 10 years ago?"

The tall and firm wall around him did not show any gaps. Philip sighed. For a long time now, he was unable to end his feelings and he'd thought that now that the young master was an adult maybe he would understand. It was a fruitless expectation.

Would the Taran bloodline end this way? Is it right for such a noble lineage to end this way? He wondered if his father's dying words were karmic. Originally, there was no precedent in which twins were born into the Taran lineage. Maybe the unusual occurrence was a warning.

"I heard you were married." [Philip]

"So?"

"That person must not give you a child."

"Then it can't be any better."

"Do you understand what the Madame wants?"

"This is just a warning but don't you dare try approaching my wife."

Hugo fiercely bared his teeth. Surprise flashed through Philip's eyes.

"Then young master Damian needs a bride. Otherwise, the bloodline of Taran…"

"Shut up! you prattle on about such dirty acts pretty well."

People had no idea of when the Taran family started or why it took up residence in the desolate North. They did not know why the Taran family, with so much strength under its belt, would live quietly as servants to the King.

The one and only purpose of the Taran Family. The truth that only the head of the Taran family from generation to generation and a select few knew.

It was the preservation of the Taran bloodline. And to achieve that purpose, they found the safest and most secure position for their plan. It was a land that did not appeal to the greedy or desirous and was a place that not everyone could handle. The north was a place made for Taran.

Now the only remaining people who knew of this truth was Hugo and the old man in front of him. Hugo had grabbed and killed everyone who knew, leaving no stone unturned. The old man wouldn't have been able to avoid death if it wasn't for the fact that he'd saved his brother's life in the past.

"Did you know this? You guys are savages and I point at those bastards in the north who can't help but leech off my sister." [Hugo] (1).

"You must not judge it by the moral standards of an outsider. The Taran bloodline…"

"I've said you should shut up about that. I don't want to hear shit about those nonsense bloodlines. Normally, women do not hurt their children! More like monsters, what noble lineage!"

Philip slowly closed his eyes with a heavy expression then reopened them.

"…you still say such words. Then…is young master Hugo a monster? What of young master Damian?"

"…"

"Though the deceased Duke chose such an excessive method…"

Hugo smirked then sneered coldly.

"That jerk of a father…no, stop. I think my mouth will grow filthier."

"The Taran bloodline must continue…"

"That damned obsession. Such dirty acts will end with me! Hey, you crazy old man. I don't think things like God exist but you should thank God that your neck is still in place. If you touch my bottom line one more time, I won't owe you anything. Wherever you live, whether it is Roam or anywhere else, just like you've been until now, don't let me see you, just shove yourself somewhere. This is my last warning. Get out. Right now. If you show up around my wife, I will rip out your heart."

Philip looked at Hugo for a long time without saying anything, then he bowed his head, turned around and left the office.

Hearing the sound of the door closing, Hugo rose and in a pose of pushing against the desk, tried to adjust his breathing. His clenched fist was shaking violently. Kill him! He wanted to kill that bastard right now! Rip his heart out, break his neck and throw him into the most miserable place in the world then throw him to the beasts to eat!

The thing inside of him screamed viciously, threatening to break out. His whole body seemed like it was boiling and his red eyes darkened even more looking like blood.

After a long time, his breathing slowed to a more comfortable pace. It would be difficult for the monster inside him to come out now.

He was Hugo. Hugo would never abandon the prestige of his place as the Duke. It would be easy to kill the old man. But he couldn't. It would have been better if the life debt was for his own life, then he couldn't care less about it.

When Hugo had completely calmed down, he called for Jerome.

"You said you brought a female doctor from the capital, right? As my wife's primary doctor?"

"Yes, Your Grace. Shall I call her?"

"You don't need to do that. That old…no, Do not let Philip get close to or even approach my wife."

He knew that Philip had nothing to do with her as of now but he hated the fact that Philip was anywhere around her. He didn't want her to be hurt by Philip saying unnecessary words. He'd hate that. He didn't want to see those amber eyes sad.

"I understand. Do you want me to place surveillance where they wouldn't notice?"

"As long as he doesn't enter the Roam residence otherwise leave it alone."

"Would it be okay to inform her Grace?"

If he told her not to do something, strangely, it was her nature to become curious about it. He didn't want to make her conscious of Philip.

"…No. Let them meet naturally. Don't let her have questions."

"I will do as you have asked."

For a second, Jerome's thoughts went to the events that took place in the western pagoda. There was no workers left in the mansion that had personally seen the events that took place. Except one person. And that one person was Philip, the family doctor. He didn't know why those thoughts suddenly came to mind but he thought to somewhat tell his master of it.

"Your Grace, the other day, her Grace had asked why the west tower was locked."

Hugo's eyes immediately sharpened.

"So?"

"I told her truthfully what I knew. I told her the former duke and duchess died, and that your Grace's twin brother… my apologies. I had judged that it was okay for the Madame to know. I was thoughtless."

"…No. It is something she'll learn of anyways. What did she say after she heard that?"

"She were a little surprised, but she was more worried about your Grace."

"…"

Hugo stood up from his seat.

"I will be going out for a horse ride so don't prepare dinner. I may be quite late."

Jerome bowed in answer to the duke and waited as the duke went past him and out then he lifted his head with a grim expression.

'What of a gift for her Grace…'

It was definitely not the right mood to ask. On the surface, the Duke was no different from usual but after Philip went in and came out, he felt like the atmosphere had become pricklier. He immersed himself in his thoughts for a bit then shook his head. It was not the right behavior of a steward to dig into matter which his master hadn't told him to.

"Then…as a present for her Grace…how does a flower sound?"