Chapter 15- Crossed the line

Richard returned to the lands where he was born, the next day. He achieved his goal when he visited Cravenford. The engagement was annulled and when he came to notify his mother about it,

"That's fine, I will send them the notice that we no longer desire this arrangement." A smile was on her face when the Duchess stated her decision to her son's request.

Richard was taken aback by her nonchalance before asking, "Mother...are you not worried about the compensation we might have to provide? And also, our relationship with the Count family might not remain the same."

The nobles of higher rank must have a harmonious relationship for the betterment of their people. No one was almighty, not even the Emperor. And as such, the disturbance between the Duchess and Count Cravenford might become a reason for major concern in the future.

Duchess Scarlette shook her head in amusement before reminding her son, "Your mother didn't reach this position with others' support."

Richard didn't say anything to that but in his heart, he admits and admires that fact. One of the strongest individuals in existence who swallowed a great proportion of the demonic army single-handedly. Because of her fun-loving attitude, Richard nearly forgot how vicious and domineering she could be on the battlefield.

"So, Richie...what are your plans now? Regarding your marriage?"

The way she rested her face on her palms and swayed left and right made her seem adorable...and slightly suspicious in his eyes. However, he held back his suspicion, and gave her a concrete answer,

"Mother, is there any problem if I enroll as a bachelor?" Hearing his question, Bellarine tilted her head before slowly shaking her head,

"No...there is nothing like tradition and culture we must follow."

"Then please let me join the academy first. I would like to take my time and decide on my partner. Without knowing the other party, I can't make a rash decision...again."

Truth be told, Richard wasn't in a rush to get married or tied down by a relationship right away. He had some experience in the past and he found how crucial it was to first understand your partner before deciding to date them.

"Baby, now that you mentioned it, I heard that girl rejected you?"

Richard for a moment felt the ground beneath his feet rumbling and a domineering force weighing over a shoulder. However, faster than he could realize it disappeared. He looked at his mother with his eyes slightly parted wide.

The sadistic smile she wore was dangerous. He had seen it before when a man slapped Richard, thinking he was just a random child plucking flowers from his garden. Later, that man was found dead beneath the same flower bed.

There was no limit to her love for him and today, Emily broke off the engagement and insulted him in a way.

Richard tried to hide the actual exchange he had with Emily that's why earlier he told his mother that they came to a mutual decision to cancel the engagement. But it seems the Duchess already was aware of the situation.

Sweat trickled down his back. If this woman goes on a rampage then this world might as well meet its doom before it originally was supposed to be.

Not good.

Richard didn't know how the original owner used to soothe his mother. That's why he went with the method he used with his sister.

Advancing toward her, Richard stood behind his mother before wrapping his hands around her shoulder and embracing her from behind

"---!" Her body went completely still at the sudden intimacy as she felt her son's warmth from this close after so long. Her heart trembled at the closeness and her senses turned completely numb except for her nose which was sniffing her son's manly scent to her heart's content.

"Mother...I know you love me and are displeased at how Emily treated me but I don't want you to do anything about it." His hands clutched her slightly trembling one as he whispered those words.

Her heartbeat fastened and her face became redder by the second. Her full lips parted and steam seemed to be blowing out as he hummed,

"Mm-hmm...got it...I won't..."

Just as she slowly turned her heated face towards him, he suddenly pulled back—leaving a surprised and disappointed Bella behind.

"Thanks, Mother. You are the best." Giving her a light peck on the cheek, he walked away.

"Ah...." A longing voice leaked out of her mouth as she touched the cheek he just kissed. The warmth of his lips still lingered.

She gulped and looked at her hand which previously was touching her cheek, and a thought passed by her mind.

Work...can wait. There was something urgent she needed to do.

******

Returning to his room, Richard decided to first take a bath before resuming his training with Lilia.

He was able to turn on the water without causing a flood, thanks to her brief coaching yesterday. Just a little extension of his Ether and it worked.

Changing his clothes he decided to wear something light since during the training he would be sweating a lot.

*Knock*

Just then, Lilia knocked on the door.

While pulling his sleeves, Richard walked towards the door, and without asking who was on the other side, he opened the door,

"Come in-agh!" Just as he turned away, knowing that Lilia must be on the other side, something hit him on the head and his vision became blurry.

Richard grabbed his head and found some liquid seeping through the injury.

His vision became blurry as he turned to look at the person.

"A-Albert…" Although unclear, he was able to make out the outline of the silhouette that stood before him while holding something in his hand.

His head was banging heavily and despite his protest to remain conscious, Richard fell to the ground with his eyes closed.

He hated this feeling.

*******

"Nngh…" A grunt left his throat as Richard frowned in his sleep.

His head was hurting badly as he thought about what happened before he fell.

"Ah!" Suddenly his eyes parted wide as he realized what happened before he fainted.

As he opened his eyes, darkness greeted him. His head was hurting excessively but he chose to ignore that for now and see where he was.

It wasn't surprising that he was bound with ropes to a chair and his movements were completely blocked. He tried to use Ether to burn the ropes…but it didn't work. As soon as he tried to access his etherflow, he began to feel weak. It was a sensation akin to getting one's blood drawn out at a rapid pace.

"Ugh…" His head hung low as he stopped trying. It was too unbearable.

"It's futile to use your underdeveloped skills here, my lord." That voice…undoubtedly belonged to the butler he thought was loyal to the Scarlette house.

"Albert." Under his ragged breath, he called out to the traitor. Richard's eyes burned with fierceness as he looked in his direction—feeling the urge to just tear the life out of the bastard.

"I know you must be in a rage, my lord…but this was necessary. You were pretending to be someone who you aren't and for some reason, my lady wasn't able to see it."

The butler uttered those words with a tinge of grief while he remained hidden in the shadows. All around him, all he could see was the chair he was sitting on and nothing else.

"What do you mean?!" He cried.

"Stop shouting, you fool!" The butler suddenly appeared before Richard and slammed his hands on Richard's arms harshly.

The butler's eyes blazed with unwavering flames of agitation.

"You…whoever you are just stop pretending to be Master Richard before I do something which you won't like."

"What the fuck are you talking about, you dick face?! When did I pretend?!" Richard couldn't believe that no one but Albert had caught up to his act. But naturally, he couldn't yield here.

Albert's expression shifted hearing that before a thin smirk danced on his lips which soon turned into a loud laughter.

"Phahahahahahah!! Continue the act! I am so going to love this!"

He retreated for a moment—only to return the next with amusement completely disappeared from his face.

"You could have done anything…but shouldn't have touched her. You broke the line, now I will break you."

********

A/N:- Uh-oh..he so gonna regret this.