RVMPT Chapter 116

Chapter 116 

“Ah…”

The moment Kaiden appeared before her, Diana’s breath hitched. A flicker of desperate hope that had dared to rise—hope that the man stepping out of the carriage might be Harold—crumbled in an instant. Her fingers, hidden within her skirts, clenched tightly, and her heart dropped into a cold void. But her expression quickly flattened into calm courtesy. She couldn’t afford to let him see her disappointment.

Straightening her back, Diana greeted him with distant formality. “Lord Kaiden, outsiders are not allowed into the Duke’s residence. How did you gain entry?”

The decree was still in place—no one outside of House Baisen was permitted past the gates, and certainly not Kaiden, who had long since been banished from this place. Yet the imperial knights had opened the gate and let in his carriage as if he belonged there. That meant…

Her blood ran cold.

That could only mean one thing.

And as if in answer to her unspoken fear, an imperial attendant stepped down from the carriage and strode forward with stiff formality. His voice rang out with authority and contempt.

“By His Majesty’s command, until the charges of treason against Harold Baisen are resolved, Kaiden Baisen will assume full management of House Baisen.”

“What…!” Diana’s voice trembled with disbelief. “The Duchess of Baisen is still here! His wife is still—!”

“The Duchess,” the attendant barked sharply, cutting her off, “has no authority to object. This is His Majesty’s direct order. Any resistance will be seen as rebellion against the crown.”

He left no room for argument. The message was clear: her role as Duchess meant nothing. Not until Harold’s innocence was proven—if it ever was.

Diana bit down on her lower lip, her entire body tense with helplessness. Then, without warning, Kaiden stepped forward and brushed his thumb across the spot she had bitten.

Startled, she slapped his hand away and stumbled as if she had caught fire. “Don’t touch me.”

Kaiden’s fingers curled into a fist as he looked at the reddened skin where she’d struck him. A slow, dangerous smile crept onto his face.

“Diana,” he said smoothly, “you should remain quiet for now. It’ll be easier that way.”

His tone was calm, almost gentle—but it dripped with possession. Like he already believed everything here, including her, belonged to him.

***

Amanda Baisen walked through the once-familiar halls of the mansion, her steps light, almost joyful. She lifted her chin, gazing in the grand corridors and painted ceilings with nostalgia and hunger.

‘Yes… This is how it should be,’ she thought smugly. ‘This is my home. I should never have had to leave in the first place.’

She had expected to return as soon as Harold died. But by some cursed twist of fate, the man had clung to life. Even worse, he had begun to recover. Her return had been delayed, her plans nearly derailed.

But now… Now it was different.

“Hoho. Once Kaiden officially becomes a Duke, we must replace this awful wallpaper,” she murmured to herself. “And tear up those old carpets.”

Dreaming of chandeliers and gold-framed mirrors, she spotted Kaiden marching down the hall and called out sweetly, “Kaiden, dear, where are you off to?”

“I’m fulfilling a task His Majesty entrusted me with,” he answered without stopping.

“Oh, of course! Our future Duke—how responsible. Do your best, my son.”

Kaiden didn’t look back. He moved quickly through the corridors, eventually arriving at Harold’s study.

It was in chaos. Drawers were removed, books were thrown aside, the walls were scraped, and everything was ruined in search of a hidden compartment by the imperial investigators.

Kaiden surveyed the scene, unfazed.

He strode to the far side of the room, where a panel in the wall blocked a hidden entrance. Only the head of House Baisen and his heir knew of it. His father had shown it to him years ago—back when he still believed Kaiden might inherit the dukedom.

Inside, the air was heavy with dust and silence. Kaiden rifled through the shelves, seeking something—anything—that could hint at the miracle that cured Harold’s disease. But there were only old journals, long-forgotten deeds, and records of the previous Duke.

Useless.

He leaned against the wall and rubbed his face in frustration.

‘So Harold hid the real secret somewhere else… Clever bastard.’

Still, Kaiden wasn’t worried. He knew this house better than anyone. If Harold had altered or hidden something recently, Kaiden would notice. All he needed was time.

‘A miracle, huh…’

He recalled the way the emperor had looked at Harold during the last audience—his gaze glinting with animalistic greed.

“Why should such a cure belong to one man?” the emperor had said.

Kaiden had agreed instantly.

He didn’t care what the emperor wanted it for—he only wanted what he could gain in return from it. If he found the secret, he would be rewarded. Power, prestige, influence, anything he desires.

And including Diana, too.

Everything that had been denied him. Everything that should have been his.

***

For days, Kaiden searched the mansion. He combed through the wine cellar, the attic, the library—every nook and corner. When he found nothing, he grew more irritable.

One afternoon, as his headache pulsed behind his eyes, a servant knocked softly.

“Lord Kaiden, it’s time for lunch.”

“Already?” He glanced at his pocket watch with a frown. He had lost track of time again.

But instead of going to the dining hall, he made a deliberate turn and walked straight toward the Duke and Duchess’s private quarters.

Knock, knock.

There was no response.

Still, Kaiden opened the door.

“Diana,” he said, stepping in, “let’s eat together.”

She looked up from where she sat near the window, her expression tightening.

He had come early—too early. She hadn’t yet had a chance to slip away, as she had done for the past few days.

A servant brought in the food and quickly departed. Diana rose from her seat and went to the door, trying to leave.

The doorknob swung but didn’t turn.

“…Ha.” A dry, bitter laugh escaped her lips.

Locked.

She turned slowly, her expression unreadable.

Kaiden smiled gently, as if he hadn’t just imprisoned her in her own bedroom.

“Diana, you haven’t been eating well. Come. Let’s eat together.”

She looked at him, eyes filled with unmistakable disgust.

He swallowed hard. It hurt more than he expected—but even that was better than her indifference.

“I’m not hungry,” she said curtly. “I’ll eat later.”

“Then I’ll wait until you are.”

“……”

“And that door won’t open until I say so.”

Kaiden sat down at the table, not touching his food. His arms crossed, he stared at her, waiting.

Diana gave no response. She walked to the far side of the room and sat down on the sofa, deliberately as far from him as possible.

The silence stretched.

She stared out at the terrace, calm and composed. Kaiden’s jaw tightened as he watched her ignore him like he was nothing.

Finally, he slammed his hands on the table and stood up.

“You’re really not going to eat with me?”

“……”

“Diana.”

Her voice was quiet, almost gentle.

“There was a moment,” she said, “when I considered it. Just eating with you and ending this little nonsense quickly. But…”

She raised her eyes.

“I don’t want to give you what you want.”

His breath hitched.

Her eyes—once burning with fury—were now hollow. Emotionless. As if she had nothing left for him.

That emptiness scared him more than any hatred ever could.

He moved closer until his shadow fell over her face.

“Diana,” he whispered, “do you really think Harold will come back?”

It was the first time he had mentioned Harold since all this began. Until now, he had refused to even say the man’s name around her.

But he wanted her to understand. That she has to give up.

“Yes,” she said firmly. “He’ll return.”

Her gaze didn’t waver. Like a lighthouse in a storm, her faith in Harold shone unwavering.

Kaiden’s lips curled with bitterness.

“Diana, you’re wrong. Harold won’t make it out alive.”

“……”

“The emperor wants the secret to his recovery. He’ll torture him until he talks. And if he doesn’t… he’ll die.”

Her face went ghostly pale.

Kaiden leaned down, lowering his voice like a comforting friend.

“No one knows how Harold survived. But his silence will get him killed.”

That part was a lie. The emperor wouldn’t kill Harold—not until he got what he wanted. But mixing truth with lies was Kaiden’s specialty.

He placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Even if Harold dies, your status will be protected. I’ll protect you.”

“……”

“I love you, Diana. Please… let me make things right.”

She didn’t look at him.

But then, she stood.

“…Let’s eat.”

Kaiden’s eyes lit up with hope.

“Yes. Yes, Diana. I’ll have them bring fresh dishes—”

“No,” she interrupted softly. “Let’s eat this.”

She sat down, picked up a fork, and delicately adjusted the napkin in her lap.

Kaiden smiled like a boy whose first crush had smiled back.

He didn’t notice the glint in her eye.

Diana picked up the knife beside her plate and tightened her grip.

She looked at the man across from her.

And thought only of one thing:

I must save Harold.

No matter what it takes.