TOOCM | Chapter 057

Chapter 57

Arteon held out a pocket watch, Jeffery’s cherished possession, the one he carried even before heading into the subjugation.

It was the gift Reina had given him for his twentieth birthday.

Her heart sank.

With trembling hands, she took the watch and opened its lid.

May Jeffery’s path always be blessed with fortune. – Reina

The confirmation that it was Jeffery’s sent a wave of dizziness through her.

For years, she’d chased his traces, suppressing her grief.

She’d treasured his belongings left in the palace, opening them time and again, consumed by longing.

And now, an item he’d carried before vanishing was in her hands.

It could mean one of two things: a relic of the dead or proof he was alive.

Reina steadied her shaking legs and fixed her gaze on Arteon.

“I have one question.”

Her lips trembled, each word a struggle.

Arteon, brimming with confidence unlike before, replied, “Ask anything, Your Highness.”

His changed demeanor made her pause to catch her breath.

After a long moment, she managed to ask, “Is my brother… still alive?”

She’d asked this countless times.

And always, those around her insisted he was dead.

They said a sudden rift to the demonic realm had swallowed him without a trace.

That searching for a dead man was a waste of time.

She’d always denied their words, proclaiming Jeffery’s survival alone.

Speaking into a void where no one listened filled her with sorrow, loneliness, anguish, and confusion.

What if they were right?

What if Jeffery was truly gone?

What if accepting reality was the wiser choice?

Then Arteon spoke.

“He’s not dead.”

“…”

“I believe he’s alive. That watch in your hands is proof.”

No one had ever told her Jeffery was alive.

No one had declared his survival with such conviction.

Reina trembled like a frightened child.

It was the answer she’d always longed for, yet half-given up on.

Perhaps that was why, upon hearing Arteon’s words, a thought struck her.

I’m glad I never forgot him.

See? I wasn’t wrong.

The world’s denials had finally been rewarded.

She’d expected this moment to bring overwhelming joy.

But strangely, it was excruciating, her heart aching as if it might break.

The weight of her suppressed grief crashed over her like a storm, overwhelming her.

“Your Highness?”

Arteon called out cautiously as Reina’s complexion visibly worsened.

In that moment, she collapsed, as if her soul had fled her body.

“Your Highness!”

Arteon rushed to support her, but Reina, limp in his arms, began to sob.

* * *

The Duchess’s sudden collapse and wails stunned the banquet hall.

Guests stared, alternating between the weeping Reina and a flustered Arteon.

Reina cried like a child, oblivious to her surroundings.

The flood of buried sorrow overwhelmed her like a tidal wave, making it impossible to stay composed.

“Your Grace…!”

Arteon, unprepared for such intense emotion from the usually poised Reina, was at a loss.

This is bad.

If this continued, it could spark misunderstandings.

Unfortunately, Kaiden returned at that moment.

Seeing Reina in tears, his presence turned menacing.

“What is going on here?”

His icy voice sent shivers through the room.

Arteon felt like he was facing death.

“Urgh.”

Kaiden’s killing intent pinned him down, blood trickling from his clenched lips.

Alfredo tried to intervene. “Your Grace, let’s first understand the situation—”

But his words were cut off by Kaiden’s oppressive aura.

“Lock him in the dungeon.”

“Yes, Your Grace!”

Knights seized Arteon, dragging him away like a criminal, with Alfredo trailing behind.

“Oh no, Young Master!”

No one dared intervene, their instincts screaming to stay out of it.

The merchants’ faces paled. Those who’d underestimated the young Duke now trembled, collapsing under the weight of his authority.

Even Ben’s legs shook.

What just happened?

It had unfolded in the brief moment he’d stepped away.

He’d never seen Reina cry so desperately.

Kaiden seemed to have lost all reason.

It hadn’t been long since Reina was hurt by the North’s hostility, and now this.

For her to break down publicly was unthinkable.

Kaiden’s rage was, in a way, understandable.

Her unrestrained sobs, so unlike her usual composure, shocked everyone.

What do we do?

This could ruin the rare moment of harmony.

The priority was to evacuate the guests before Kaiden’s aura harmed anyone.

“Everyone, follow me. Stay here, and you’ll have nightmares tonight.”

* * *

Even after the hall cleared, Kaiden hesitated to approach Reina.

His mind went blank.

He’d never felt such turmoil watching a woman cry.

“Reina.”

“Hic, sob.”

She wailed on, clutching something tightly, her face etched with anguish.

Tears streamed down her cheeks in rivulets.

“Stop it.”

Unable to bear it, he grabbed her wrist. She looked at him with resentment.

Her tear-streaked face was ghostly pale.

Now she sobbed silently, her suppressed emotions all the more heartbreaking.

Kaiden knelt to meet her gaze, warming her icy hands in his.

“What happened? Did that man do something to you?”

Reina shook her head silently. Kaiden wiped her tears with his large hand.

“Then why are you crying?”

“…”

“You’ll collapse if you keep this up.”

“Hic, sob.”

It felt like her heart was being torn apart, as if a sharp blade were digging into it.

She felt like she was drowning, sounds muffled, her breath caught in her throat.

Unable to answer Kaiden’s questions, she clutched her fists and leaned into his chest, sobbing.

Her actions mirrored someone in shock, unable to speak.

What had broken her so completely?

If he could, he’d bear her pain for her.

Wordlessly, Kaiden held her close.

She wept in his arms until, exhausted, she fell asleep.

He gently carried her to her chambers.

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