CHAPTER 45.10

The Viscount tried to deny that this was not his method of education, but he couldn't. His throat was all choked up. Pain kept him from breathing properly.

Kyle glanced calmly at his work lying on the floor. Right away, the Archduke started on every method taught by Thor Spencer.

***

Thwack!

At first, it was the sides, right on his ribs. Kyle kept on kicking him, exactly like he did to Riddel; to the point of agony. The Viscount rolled on the floor and moaned in pain. Incapable of breathing.

Thud!

Next was the body. His back, stomach, and chest were thoroughly trampled and kicked. Kyle didn't deviate from the lessons. Blood continued to flow from Spencer's body, who was struggling to avoid even one less hit. There was no mercy.

Spencer felt distracted by the persistent and continued pain. Nevertheless, he couldn't let go of his consciousness. No, he tried with all of his will to stay aware of the situation. If he didn't, he would die here.

While silence filled the room, the constant beating broke the stillness of it. When it finally stopped, the half-conscious Viscount was on the verge of fainting, but Kyle grabbed him by the shoulder without a care in the world. Simultaneously, lifting the magic binding of his mouth, letting out all the cries, vomit and blood from his mouth.

"Well, wrong… I did. Curr… Save me, please, please save me…" The Viscount begged Kyle to save him with the little strength he had left. He was so desperate at the moment that he didn't know what he was saying.

However, Kyle was watching the scene calmly, as if it had nothing to do with him. He barely noticed the damage inflicted on the Viscount.

'… Shall I bring this pile of garbage to Riddel?' The single thought came to Kyle's mind at the moment. However, once, he realized what it would mean for her… 'No, I don't want to bring Riddel this dirty, smelly neck of this pile of trash. She told me not to kill people.'

But more than that, did Riddel really mean that?

"- Just like this… Forever, not being able to see my mother and father."

This was her 'father'.

Normally, Thor Spencer's bones would have been crushed at the first strike, but Kyle hit him with just enough force for him to feel the agony without breaking. He didn't want to inflict permanent damage on Riddel's father. Even if Kyle controlled his beating, it would have hurt more than being hit with an iron stick.

Kyle looked coldly at his own work.

'To call this trash 'father' and miss it…'

Kyle clicked his tongue without realizing it. Such a pathetic man, if you could even call this a 'man'. Frowning at this pitiable excuse of human being in his hand, he threw him on the floor again.

"Cough! Cough… Cough… Ah… Cough. Cough."

The Viscount curled up on himself and breathed heavily. Kyle heard his immediate shrieking. Wondering if he should show sympathy, Kyle just stomped on Spencer's shoulder with strength.

"Ahhhh!"

The screaming and snapping sounds, followed by a loud thud reached Kyle's ears. His shoulder had been broken by the force of his kick.

Kyle told him without a moment's notice. "If you talk nonsense again, this won't end like this."

When Kyle left the drawing room, he saw the employees, Vestia, and Riddel's stepmother, Catherine, who appeared when they heard the scream of his work. They must have come to see the condition of their lord, but it wasn't a pretty sight to hold.

Kyle's appearance was one of a death blood-soaked executioner. His eyes, light crimson, were terrorizing them.

Elvin, who came along with Kyle, was waiting outside. Coming forward, he asked. "Are you done with your business?"

"… Yes." Kyle answered dryly to Elvin.

"Elvin, I'll leave you here for a while, leave the Viscount as is and starve him for two weeks. Do not give him a sip of water."

"… Yes, sir."

He wanted the order to last for the rest of his life.

'But if I do, he will die.'

After completing his work, Kyle continued, looking at Vestia and Catherine, who were shaking, unable to meet his eyes.

"If you ignore those instructions, I don't know what will happen to the both of you, but you'll find out when I get here."

It was the perfect warning.

***

On this cold night, there was only silence. The fresh breeze coming between the curtains through the window was covering them in dew. It was definitely a chilly night.

While lying in bed, I was fully awake. I knew that no matter how hard I tried to fall back to sleep, the time had already passed. I couldn't sleep.

'Is it because I can't stop my mind from wandering? I'm confused in so many ways.'

It was almost time for Sejan to come back with his answer.

'I can't, let's go for a walk.'

It would be better than laying on my back all night with my eyes wide open, looking at the ceiling. I grabbed a shawl and draped it around me to avoid most of the cold of the night. As soon as I exited right out of my doors, I saw a familiar-looking maid standing by.

Soon our eyes met and Lily, asked my looking so surprised.

"Your Highness, it's very late, why are you not sleeping?"

"I can't seem to fall asleep. I thought I'd go out for a walk."

Lily looked anxious when she heard the word 'walk'. It was understandable. The last time I've been wandering around at night, she was the one I saw right before the fifth floor incident.

I waved my hand at her to relieve her anxiety even a little.

"Lily, you really don't have to worry this time. I'll be in the garden for a while. If anyone asks you can let them know."

"Of course, your Highness. I'll help you prepare to go…"

"No, it will only be a quick walk."

"But your clothes are too thin, I'm afraid you'll catch a cold."

"Thank you for your concern, but I'm really fine. It's not that cold, and you will sleep better if you stop worrying. I'll be right back."

Lily opened her eyes as if she couldn't let me out of her sight and said mournfully. "Then, please let me accompany you."

'Really, it's just a walk. Well, it's probably my fault since I failed in my last escapade to the fifth floor.'

"… Very well, but could you stay a few steps behind? I just want a moment to think by myself."

Lily kept silent as soon as I delivered my last request. She seemed to have noticed my acceptance to let her come to end all arguments including the big fuss of getting me ready for a simple walk in the garden.

I went ahead, walking faster than Lily. It was colder outside than I thought.

'Are the nightgown and shawl too thin?'

Fortunately, our path was lighted by the many lanterns scattered on our way. Thinking if I should ask for Lily's coat, I shook my head in denial. It's okay. I won't be long.

As I trudged along, I went back to the rose garden. Without hesitation, I moved to the garden, as if I knew the space like it was daytime. I admired the peaceful moment.

'Wow, it's still blooming.'

It was the same rose I saw blooming the other day. I came here wondering about the lonely flower, but I was glad it hadn't withered yet. I sat down and observed the rose that seems to thrive even in this weather. Such strong vitality.

'A beautiful, yet sharp, thorny red rose…'

It was cliche, but the rose somehow felt like it was referring to Kyle.

'Come to think of it, they look so much alike.'

"Huh?"

My voice came out without notice, I could feel the warm energy that flew close by, surrounding my whole body. When I turned my head reflexively, a man covered from head to toe in black stood in front of me.

"Archduke? Right…?"

"Yes…"

It was a rather heavy voice. As my vision gradually stabilized, Kyle's appearance became clearer. Looking at his clothes, I noticed he was still wearing the same clothes from earlier. I could only guess it hasn't been long since he came back to the castle.

It was perfect timing to run into each other now. When I looked closely at him, I caught sight of something thick on his white cheeks.

"… What are you doing here?"

"What? What am I doing? I am looking at the garden."

"At this hour?"

"Yes, I wanted to see some roses."

"Flower?"

"Yes, it's a flower. Would you like to go look at the flowers with me, Archduke?"

"You're talking nonsense again. What kind of flowers bloom in this cold season?"

Kyle suddenly stopped talking. He must have found the flower that he dismissed as nonsense.

I spoke in high spirits. "Look, it's not nonsense, is it?"

"…"

Uh? I could tell that he was silent, his face getting darker, because he could not refute my findings. It was not nonsense.

I thought about making a comment as usual, but I stopped myself. It was true that no progress would happen about the discovery of one flower, but now I wanted to bring up a different story.

"Actually, it's better than that. I really wanted to show this rose to the Archduke."

"… To me? Why?"

"Because the rose resembles the Archduke."

"I don't know how we look like."

"The red rose is like the Archduke's eyes when he's angry, and the thorns on the stem are as sharp as your personality…"

"What are you trying to say?"

"That… I like that."

"…"

"…"

I unintentionally started a quarrel.

However, it can't be said that this small rose looks beautiful like the Archduke and looks lonely like him drenched in the rain. Of course, I was not about to tell him that. I was not a minstrel, just thinking about it makes me cringe.

I cleared my throat to change the subject. "Anyway. Last time, I asked you for a thoughtful present and I wanted to give you one in return. I thought this flower was the best gift to show you. I was going to invite you to the garden tomorrow."

"…"

Kyle was silent.

'I'm only trying to show you my sincerity, why are you reacting like this? I'm so embarrassed.'

"Well, if you don't like it, please go on ahead. I'm going to look around a little bit more, I will…"

"No, I won't." Kyle cut my words and slumped next to me.

I didn't know what kind of change of heart suddenly came upon him. He kept his expression unchanged. I couldn't understand him.