Desperate Measures (1)

Two weeks had gone by since Mikayla's elopement, and the residence had been fraught with commotion and frustration. Count Steele had been relentless in his search for his daughter, sparing no expense to find her.

With each passing day, he grew more desperate, his appearance now marred with signs of sleepless nights.

Mikael had watched him pull at his hair in frustration each time his people reported that they had not yet found a trace of Mikayla and her lover.

Despite the chaos in the estate, Mikael secretly wished to Silvest at night that his father would not find his sister. He knew that if she got caught, it would be the last time she would ever be free.

Forever bound to a marriage she never wanted.

Another morning came. The gentle rays of the sun brushed warmth against his face. Mikael relished it, unwilling to start his day so early as he enjoyed the cozy comfort of his bed.

"Lord Mikael," someone called, rousing him from his slumber.

Mikael's eyes fluttered open, and he faced the familiar figure of Miss Lea, the head maid.

His head was adorned with bed hair, forming a disarray of fluffy curls. As he blinked sleepily, his hand absentmindedly reached for his tousled hair.

"Hm?" he asked. With squinted eyes, Mikael tried to clear his mind and make sense of his surroundings.

His eyes found Miss Lea standing by his bedside, her brows furrowed, a deep frown etched on her face. Eventually, he noticed Talon, who stood by the door. Mikaela could not read his expression.

"My lord, wake up," she said urgently. "You ought to see this."

Rubbing the remnants of sleep from his eyes, Mikael sat from his bed and leaned against the headboard. He looked over and finally noticed the presence of the head butler, Mister Remus.

"See what?" he asked, his voice groggy.

When Miss Lea nodded to Mister Remus, his guts felt something was off. The expression on Miss Lea's reminded him of a recent memory when she had broken the news about his twin sister leaving the estate and eloping.

"What are you supposed to show me?" Mikael asked, growing more anxious.

Mister Remus gave him the letter on the silver tray. "This is a letter from your Count Steele," he informed, his tone grave.

Mikael reached for the letter knife to open the letter, his fingers trembling slightly. "What's up with the letter? Did Father leave for business again?" he inquired.

The trio's expression mirrored his apprehension. They knew the contents of the letter were important.

"I believe not, my lord," Mister Remus answered honestly.

When Mikael finally pulled out the parchment and read his father's writings, the tension in the room escalated. Miss Lea and Mister Remus exchanged glances, concern on their faces, while Talon remained stoic.

Mikael's brows knitted with confusion the moment he read the first sentence.

His father, Count Atlas Steele, had indeed left the estate, but this time, it wasn't for business. He took off, bringing with him the family's treasured chest.

"Huh?" Mikael still could not understand as he had only read a few words in the letter.

As he continued, his father wrote the detailed importance of the wedding alliance that he and Marquess Wolfram had planned, emphasizing its significance in securing the family's future.

However, everything had changed because of Mikayla's elopement, and the carefully crafted alliance had fallen apart. Count Steele expressed his profound disappointment, explaining that the family's reputation was at risk of ruin due to Mikayla's actions.

Mikael could sense the fear and anxiety in his father's words as he continued reading.

He read the lines out loud. "That's why I will leave you with our family's business. Until Mikayla has returned home, try talking it out with Marquess Wolfram."

His blood rushed in his veins with fury coursing through like wildfire. He clenched the letter tightly in his hand, his fist shaking.

The last words from his father felt like a cold slap in his face, showing his father's decision to leave the problem to him.

Anger surged within Mikael as he realized his family members had abandoned him. He felt deeply hurt that they both left him alone to face the consequences of their actions.

"What about me, you dimwit!" Mikael exclaimed, his emotions rising to the surface.

He had soon been the dutiful one who followed his father's expectations. Yet, in this moment of crisis, he found himself alone, burdened with the responsibility.

Now, the estate felt like a lonely battleground to confront his father's problem alone.

His mind raced with questions. Why had his father done this to him? More so, Mikael had a week before the wedding happened.

The trio never left their eyes on Mikael, understanding that the young lord now carried the weight of the family's future on his shoulders.

Miss Lea's concerned gaze met Mikael's, and she gently placed a hand on his shoulder.

"We are here to serve you, my lord," she comforted gently.

Mister Remus nodded in agreement, silently conveying his support to the young lord with his stoic demeanor.

Talon, on the other hand, walked over to his bed and joined in. "We'll stand with you, Mikael," he said, his deep voice reassuring.

The trio stood by him, their presence offering relief. With gratitude, his face glimmered with hope from their unwavering support.

"Thank you, everyone," Mikael said.

With renewed purpose, he rose from his bed and looked over the window. The warm sunshine basked him and seemed to dissolve the cold weight of the situation.

He took a minute before finally deciding he must not wait any longer. "I'd like to visit Father's study," he announced firmly.

Immediately, Mister Remus stepped forward, extending his hand with a glimmering golden key.

With no hesitation, Mikael took the key to his father's study. It felt cool in his hand, sensing the responsibility resting upon him.

He strode his way through, exiting his room in his nightgown with the key tightly clutched. Outside, he found servants waiting for him, who bowed promptly in his presence.