Chapter 8
“Thank you for the advice.”
“Thank me? Wow. Never thought I’d live long enough to hear gratitude from a Leranswell.”
To Generaliss, Duke Leranswell was one of the most terrifying men she’d ever met. She had met countless nobles throughout her life, but never one with such a chilling, snake-like aura.
His oppressive presence made others unable to lift their heads. His innate arrogance forced even the proudest nobles to bow before him.
Even now, the imperial family still had to tread carefully around the Leranswells. In their prime, their power had been so great that even the Emperor’s authority had trembled.
Their pride in their lineage was absolute — their “eternal glory” a mantra everyone knew by heart.
When people spoke of the Empire’s greatness, they didn’t picture the Emperor — they pictured Leranswell.
Even in foreign lands, the family’s name was known. When foreign envoys came, the gifts they offered to the Leranswells were often more extravagant than what they presented to the Imperial Palace.
And yet, the Emperor could say nothing.
Because the Empire’s diplomacy depended on the Leranswell family’s whims.
“For that kind of family to fall…”
But in the end, even they crumbled in an instant.
“Who could’ve imagined we’d live to see Duke Leranswell dragged away in chains?”
Generaliss had witnessed his downfall with her own eyes. When she heard he’d been captured, she wouldn’t have missed the spectacle for the world.
As he was paraded across the plaza, being pelted with stones and insults, the once-feared duke — who used to crush people from inside a golden carriage — was now nothing more than a disgraced criminal.
The sight had been deliciously satisfying.
‘After all, that man destroyed my family.’
She had once wanted to kill him with her own hands, but couldn’t. So hearing of his family’s annihilation had lifted a ten-year weight from her chest.
‘But strangely enough, there was almost no information about his daughter.’
That was because the duke had hidden her completely from the world.
“Still, I think I’ve made up my mind now.”
“Really? Even after I talked to you like that?”
“Wasn’t it because you were worried about me?”
The first time Generaliss had met Penelope Leranswell was just yesterday.
The girl was nothing like what the rumors had painted. People had described her as calm and restrained, and they were right.
At first, Generaliss had felt a twinge of hatred — she was, after all, the daughter of her worst enemy. But as they talked, that feeling started to fade.
Introduced by Clarice, the girl truly looked like a Leranswell — shining golden hair and deep red eyes.
Generaliss had never seen gold that pure before.
“Golden Family,” indeed.
Penelope’s features, however, seemed to take after the late duchess rather than the duke. She was… beautiful, in a quiet and fragile way.
Her red eyes, though similar to her father’s, were clear — her gaze straight and steady.
Those were the eyes of someone alive.
Something the oppressive Leranswells could never have produced.
“I think I understand why Clarice and Castro took her in.”
That was why Generaliss had found herself drawn to the girl.
She wanted to know what went on in that small head of hers — what thoughts circled behind those calm eyes.
“But why did you speak so informally to me earlier? We’d just met.”
“Well, obviously… when a stranger speaks informally first, there’s no reason for me to be polite in return.”
“…Fair enough. My bad, then.”
‘Ha. This brat talks like a cat with claws, but her soul’s clean.’
“Hmmm.”
Penelope was probably the first person Generaliss had ever been interested in as a person.
“Last night’s conversation was fun too…”
The rumors had been right — the girl was mature beyond her age, and so tightly controlled it almost seemed unhealthy.
It worried her a bit.
“Being your bodyguard doesn’t sound too bad.”
Others might call it shameful to protect the child of their enemy.
But Generaliss wasn’t one to care about petty pride.
If anything, she admired the girl.
For surviving that house.
Anyone who could endure that hell with only their mind intact was stronger than the duke himself.
“Already seven o’clock. I wonder if she’s awake.”
Generaliss genuinely liked her new assignment.
But that morning, her optimism shattered the moment Castro appeared with news.
She’d been ready to complain about being disturbed so early — until she heard what he said next.
“He’s really out?”
“Yes.”
The guards were found brutally murdered.
The deepest cell in the imperial dungeon — empty.
“Duke Leranswell has escaped.”
* * *
The Duke escaped.
Furious, the Emperor immediately issued a nationwide alert and ordered all borders sealed.
From that morning, every noble territory was placed under surveillance by imperial knights. The palace announced a staggering bounty worth billions to capture the fugitive.
Everyone had celebrated his capture — but it seemed they’d underestimated him.
To think he’d escape within a single day.
“The guards were bribed? Then the deaths…”
“Cover-up.”
“Crazy bastard.”
Escaping from the imperial dungeon — that was unheard of.
No one had ever done it before.
Generaliss cursed under her breath, hand on her hip. The thought of that cockroach of a man surviving again made her blood boil.
She’d even skipped breakfast, following the dukes to the study, pacing restlessly as she clenched her fists.
Her insides burned as though she’d swallowed fire.
“Are you all right, my lady?”
“…I’m fine.”
But she wasn’t. Not at all.
No one in that room was more terrified than Penelope.
‘Why didn’t I think of this? Of course he’d still have allies. Of course he’d escape!’
‘Damn it!’
She was furious — at him for escaping, and at herself for not predicting it.
If the duke had fled, then the ducal couple would undoubtedly question her next. She had been the one closest to him, after all.
‘Who on earth would help him escape now?’
No sane person would side with a fallen traitor.
The family’s wealth had already been confiscated. Anyone helping him would be turning against both the Empire and the royal family.
So who?
“Penelope.”
“!?”
Her trembling hands froze as Castro called her name.
Her red eyes lifted to meet his — wide, fearful, like prey cornered in a hunt.
He sighed softly.
“He won’t come here.”
Unless you want to die.
“Generaliss.”
“Yeah?”
“Stay close to Penelope at all times. Protect her.”
‘He’ll come for her — I’m sure of it.’
He didn’t say the words out loud, but his eyes made it clear.
“The girl’s safety is your priority.”
“Understood.”
“And don’t kill him.”
“Of course. If we find him, we’ll hand him nicely over to the palace, Your Grace~.”
Generaliss playfully saluted, then gently placed a hand on Penelope’s shoulder.
The girl flinched, pale as a ghost.
Generaliss only smiled softly, mimicking Clarice’s expression, and helped her up from the couch.
“Come on, little lady. Let’s take a walk around the mansion.”
“……”
Penelope glanced at the duke and duchess for approval before nodding stiffly. Generaliss grinned and led her out of the study.
Right before she left, she looked back — and her eyes met Clarice’s. Startled, she quickly turned away and hurried out.
Once the door closed, Clarice let out a long sigh.
“Clarice.”
“What.”
“…Did you threaten the girl?”
Castro’s voice was calm, but firm. He’d sensed the strange tension between them.
Clarice frowned, shaking his head.
“No. It’s just… complicated.”
“You did, then.”
“…Sort of.”
Clarice cleared his throat, and Castro sighed in return.
“She seemed completely unaware of what’s going on.”
“……”
“A promise is still a promise, Clarice. We agreed to protect her. Once the Emperor’s seal is finalized, she’ll officially be our daughter.”
‘I know.’
Clarice clenched his jaw, avoiding his gaze.
That child — for some reason — rubbed him entirely the wrong way.
“I’m not mistaken.”
“She’s cautious enough.”
But the way she trembled like an abandoned puppy… somehow, it irritated him even more.
“I’m sorry, Your Grace.”
“……”
“For… everything.”
She just— got under his skin.
Clarice hated her existence.
And yet, the awareness of her — of the guilt twisting inside him — wouldn’t fade.
He didn’t understand it.
People called it guilt, but to someone who’d long killed all emotion, it was nothing more than an impurity.
So why…
Why did that impurity make his anger boil over so easily?
“The only reason we adopted you,” he muttered to himself, “was to watch you.”
“Don’t misunderstand.”
“I know.”
‘My anger’s misplaced.’
“I know,” he repeated softly.
‘I know I’m treating her unfairly.’
* * *
“Are you sure you’re okay? You look pale.”
“I-I’m fine.”
“If you start feeling sick, tell me right away.”
“Yes.”
After barely convincing Generaliss not to follow her inside, Penelope entered the bathroom and sank weakly to the floor.
The cold tiles bit into her legs, but she didn’t care. She hugged her arms tightly, shivering.
Looking up at the chandelier, she splashed water on her face.
Her muscles relaxed, and all strength drained from her body.
She desperately needed to be alone — even for a few minutes. But guilt pricked at her. She’d lied to Generaliss, saying she felt sick.
“I’m so tired.”
‘It’s so damn hard to stay alive.’
“What if the duke comes for me?”
‘What if he tries to kill me?’
‘Will they save me?’
She didn’t want to rely on anyone — but still, she wished they would.
Because if it came down to dying by his hand… she’d rather end things herself.
Even thinking about him made her skin crawl. She tried not to imagine the worst-case scenario, but she couldn’t stop.
‘Still… I can’t cause them trouble.’
As frustrating as Clarice and Castro were, they had taken her in.
They had saved her from execution.
The least she could do was not drag them down.
Even imagining her father’s face made her heart race, but she refused to just sit still.
‘This mess is mine. I’ll clean it up myself.’
‘I’ll endure.’
Their intentions might be twisted, but they’d still saved her.
And for that, she owed them.
“Penelope. Penelope.”
‘Get a grip.’
“If you lose focus,” she muttered to herself,
“Everything you’ve built will collapse.”
‘It was survival — nothing more.’
The ducal couple were the lifeline she had to cling to.
Then, a thought flickered in her mind.
‘Generaliss said she’d protect me, but if he really comes… I have to use this to my advantage.’
She forced herself to think calmly.
‘Maybe this incident could be my chance — to gain their trust and cut ties with the duke for good.’
But deep down, another feeling whispered.
“Please don’t come for me.”
‘Please… don’t find me.’
