The Duke's Passion

After shooting that warning shot, Klaus and I galloped our way to the borders of Grimsbanne. On the way, I instinctively increased the grip on the reins to halt my horse and have a shift of pace.

"Your Grace!" Klaus yelled as he trotted in my direction. I ignored him as my eyes landed on the small hollow caused by another pebble not far away from me. 

"Does this mean this is not the way?" I murmured, raising a brow as a pebble would land on the way, as if the person who was throwing them was telling me it was the wrong way.

"Your Grace, are you alright?" Klaus asked as soon as he reached me.

"I think the person is telling us this is not the right way if we want to see him." A smirk appeared on my lips as I looked up ahead. "How interesting, indeed."

"Your Grace, must you go yourself? Whoever this person obviously wanted to get your attention."

"Yes, Klaus. You've seen the first throw he did." My eyes glistened with malice, taking a deep breath. "Even if I go in hiding inside the mansion, he will just have to throw another pebble directly into my office."

"Damn!" a loud curse slipped past through his gritted teeth as he already knew that. "I will fucking kill him… whoever it is."

"But it's interesting, don't you think?" I glanced at him, smirking, eyebrow raised. "It's been a while since we've met such a carefree person… or people."

Klaus cast me a look as he sighed. "The only crazy people I know who would do this without a care in the world are that damn butler and Hell."

"That's why it's interesting," I said, chuckling at his guess. "It makes me look forward to how strong these people are to do such a thing in my place."

"Your Grace… please tell me the truth. Are you just going yourself because you don't want to deal with the political affairs in your office?"

I pursed my lips, clearing my throat while averting my gaze. "Of course not. I really care about my people and I don't want them to get hurt."

"You're a terrible liar."

"Come on, Klaus. Yul is…" I trailed off as I raised a brow. Klaus also furrowed his brows upon seeing my change of expression.

"Your Grace!" I heard Noah's voice inside my head, making me gaze at Klaus' baffled face. "There's an intruder! I sent Kristina and Ramin to take a look at it and figure out who it is."

By the sound of Noah's voice, the intruder was someone not to be taken lightly. It was rare for Noah to lose his composure.

'How many?' I inquired internally, squinting my eyes into slits. 

"Just… one, Your Grace. Even so, I think it''ll be difficult to seize him or her." 

"I see…" I murmured, taking another deep breath as I gazed at the direction ahead. I heard Klaus call me "your Grace?" but I ignored him.

Of course, I didn't expect that the people who were suddenly disrupting the peace in Grimsbanne were just one person. There should be more people involved… those who were outside Grimsbanne, and that one who entered.

"Hmmm…" 

"Your Grace, are you alright? You suddenly went silent," asked Klaus, gazing at me worriedly.

"Klaus, an intruder appeared. Mobilize your best men and do a search. Seize everyone you think suspicious." I ordered without casting him a look.

"An intruder… hah." Klaus scoffed as his tone was laced with malice. "Yes, Your Grace."

"Ten deaths, Klaus. I will only allow ten deaths in this plight. If the numbers go over that, seize whoever it is and bring him to me."

"Yes, Your Grace." His tone grew solemn, hanging his head low. "About you…"

"I will follow where these pebbles will take me." My eyes landed on the pebble once again. "Don't worry about me."

"I'm not worried." Klaus corrected, maneuvering his steed as they turned. "Even so, I will come to you once I give out your orders."

"Alright then." I glanced at him, smiling. "I'll see you later."

With that being said, Klaus and the knights headed in the opposite direction while I took the other way. Strangely, despite knowing how alarming this situation was that suddenly befell Grimsbanne, I felt rather calm. 

"Who… just who is it?" I whispered, eyes glinting.

******

Meanwhile, Heliot gazed outside through the window of the moving carriage. Lilou's knights were escorting him back to the estate, and it felt very reassuring to him.

"It is surely a shame," He murmured, recalling how amazing she was for being able to detect that incoming pebble and then shot an arrow in the same direction where the pebble came from. Heliot was certain the arrow landed to where it was supposed to land.

"Stop the carriage." He ordered, upon knocking on the driver's box.

A knight then appeared on the side of the carriage. "But your highness, Her Grace told us to escort you back without fail."

Heliot remained silent, staring at the knight who was trotting beside the carriage. The knight swallowed down a mouthful of saliva, clearing his throat, and then ordered the coachman to stop. Once they halted, Heliot wordlessly hitched outside and looked around.

"Your Highness, is there's something wrong?" asked a knight, trying not to offend the man the duchess favored.

Heliot raised his finger, placing it in front of his smirking lips. The knight furrowed his brows before the life in his eyes dimmed and he collapsed to the concrete ground. Shortly after, everyone around his vicinity collapsed, one after another. 

"My apologies, but I will borrow this one," he muttered, strutting towards the horse while its rider fell on the ground. "I appreciate Her Grace's effort and your genuine courtesy to the man she favored."

He mounted the horse as it trotted to a direction he wanted to go. "So, you don't have to worry about facing Her Grace's wrath once you all wake up. I'll take responsibility," and then Heliot galloped his way to somewhere… or rather, to someone.