~Chapter 130~
Would it really be a good thing to tell Ancia about the Count’s visit?
Bianca had acted for Ancia’s sake.
But even loyalty could become betrayal if it only drove a wedge between husband and wife. At last, Bianca’s eyes wavered with doubt.
“Duke, please let Bianca go. She’s my maid. No matter who you are, you cannot lay hands on my people.”
Richard’s voice was cold.
“Why should I trust someone who sneaks around and carries tales like a rat? She’s so quick-footed I could barely catch her—suspicious enough I should re-investigate her as a spy.”
“Duke!” Ancia cried.
“You call me Duke, and this is my household. There’s nothing I cannot do. Disposing of a maid is nothing—and it would serve as a lesson to others.”
Ancia’s voice stayed calm, but her gaze was unwavering.
“If you truly care for me, then don’t trample on my authority as Duchess like trash.”
She took a steady step forward.
“You confined me in this tower for my safety. My maids do all the work here without complaint. And because I believed your excuse that it was for my sake, I endured it silently.”
Richard protested quickly.
“It was no excuse.”
“One faithful maid brought me the truth I needed to hear. Was that such a crime, to be dragged out like a dog?”
Richard faltered under her accusing gaze. Facing a monstrous beast would be easier than enduring this. Still, he couldn’t let go.
“Servants work for us. Do not treat them cruelly, my lord.”
When Ancia caught his wrist, his strength suddenly vanished as if it were nothing. Bianca stepped back, confused, as Ancia gestured.
Ancia helped the fallen maid to her feet, while Richard gritted his teeth in frustration.
“No one is allowed to shake you.”
“What exactly could shake me?”
“That….”
“Did you lie when you said you trusted me?”
Her clear eyes pierced him, and his fear slowly calmed.
“I’ll do anything to protect you.”
“You don’t need to do this to protect me.”
Ancia never said she could protect herself—if she could, she wouldn’t have endured isolation all these months.
Richard’s voice lowered.
“I just don’t want you to look at anyone else.”
“You mean… you don’t want me to see my brother? Forever?”
“Not forever… no.”
What he feared most was not her safety, but the whispers if the child resembled Nathan. The imperial court would seize any excuse to attack.
Ancia gently took his hand. Richard held hers carefully, afraid to hurt her.
“Turn your strength outward—toward beasts and real threats to this house.”
“I do.”
“Then ask me directly, instead of imagining.”
“…Ask you what?”
“Ask me if I want to see my brother.”
Richard only stared at her with trembling eyes.
Ancia spoke softly.
“My answer is yes—I want to see him. But not now.”
Her hand touched his cheek, easing his clenched jaw.
“If you’re this afraid, then I’ll wait. I don’t need to see him right away.”
Richard’s face finally softened. Ancia smiled faintly.
“But I want to see my mother.”
“Ancia…”
“I’ll stay here. I won’t do anything reckless. But my mother is nearby, and I want to see her.”
Richard knew how much the Countess loved Ancia—that was exactly why he resisted. If she saw this tower, if she saw this room, what would she think? He could remove her, but Ancia’s heart might be lost forever.
Ancia’s voice grew firm.
“Bring her here. If not, I’ll leave myself.”
Even fragile as she was, her resolve was unshakable.
At last, Richard surrendered.
“The garden of the annex, or this room. Which do you prefer?”
Ancia smiled warmly.
“This room, please. Thank you, my lord.”
On the way to the tower where Ancia stayed, Hilda’s heart grew heavier.
The knights, the layers of security—it felt as though they were hiding an imperial treasure. For Ancia’s safety, it was admirable, but the arrangement looked as much like surveillance as protection.
The little garden was pleasant, but the looming tower was jarring. Hilda’s knees weakened. My Ancia is in there? She bit back all her fury, glaring silently at Richard’s back.
At the top, as the bolts were undone, her heart pounded. This was imprisonment, clear as day. She forced herself to think only of Ancia behind the door.
The door opened. Inside was a world apart—bright, warm, and cozy. And in the center, Ancia waited.
“Ancia!”
“Mother, welcome.”
Hilda rushed to embrace her daughter gently.
“My dear child.”
“Mother.”
“You’ve suffered so much, Ancia. You’ve been so strong.”
At last, Ancia broke down.
“…Hic… huuh… Mother…”
Hilda stroked her hair.
“My poor child. You’ve become such a crybaby.”
“I was always like this… hic… Mother…”
“Of course. I missed you so much. Do you know how much?”
They sat on the sofa as Anna dismissed the others and Ellie poured tea. Hilda dabbed Ancia’s tears with a handkerchief.
“Thank goodness, you haven’t lost weight. I worried morning sickness might trouble you.”
“The baby seems gentle. Too quiet, sometimes I worry.”
Hilda reached out. Ancia guided her hand to her belly. Hilda smiled, stroking the small curve.
“Your brother Nathan was a quiet baby too.”
“Really?”
“Yes. When I was pregnant, I thought I had just gained weight from training preparations. The cook even asked if it might be pregnancy!”
Ancia’s eyes widened with interest as Hilda told stories of carrying Nathan, her words flowing easily to reassure her daughter.
