Kyle Rahon Blackwell leaned against the window of the study of the late Duke Edward Liam Blackwell. He had a full view of the central garden, with its fountains, dead branches, and rows of winter flowers, dotted with lingering snow. His momentary musings were interrupted by a knock on the door.
“Come in.”
Louis Dunst entered. Mrs. Dunst, with her usual reserved gestures, bowed politely to the future Duke. Her expression was as calm as usual, but she could not help but admire the young man before her.
You've really grown up well. And you've recovered so well without relying on the nutrients from Remedy. That's incredible mental strength.
Kyle was wearing a vest over a shirt that showed off his broad shoulders, his cravat neatly fastened with a pearl tie pin. His black hair fell on one side of his beautiful forehead in elegant waves, and his face beneath it was full of cold dignity. Unlike his teenage years when he had been extremely difficult and sickly due to his madness, he now exuded a calm strength.
He looked very much like his father, but he was different somehow. His facial features were delicate and captivating, his jawline was graceful, and his outline had sharp lines. It was an aura that his weak father did not have. A piercing sense of oppression dominated the room and even flowed over the desk.
“Your Highness, the succession ceremony has been set for March 5th according to His Majesty’s will. Therefore, you must travel to the capital city of Hedestad during the last week of February. If you wish to go earlier, we will temporarily suspend the winds in the area and then set sail.”
“No. There is no need to go any earlier. I will decide the date according to His Majesty’s will.”
Even though he is a puppet King with no real power. As he said that, arsenic appeared and scattered from the corners of his mouth.
“But I’ll decide everything else on my own. Two weeks after the succession ceremony, I’ll hold another ceremony as scheduled. The announcement will be made around mid-February. Until then, keep it to yourself.”
“Yes, I will do as you command. I will also make sure to tell Leticia and Dervan.”
Leticia was the daughter of Harold Dervan, who took care of the administration of the dukedom on the island. However, she was actually the niece of Baron Samuel Dervan, a collateral branch of the dukedom on the mainland and the chairman of the Caelum Church Association. It was obvious why he had actively brought his niece into the cause, even though he had a daughter of his own. That must be the reason why the young master was doing his utmost to protect Angie Ridsdel.
“Your Highness. And about ‘that thing’ in the basement...”
She cleared her throat and opened her mouth again. Before she could finish her words, tension choked her throat. As soon as she said the word “that,” the air surrounding Kyle turned gloomy. Even the world-class Louis Dunst couldn’t properly do her job in that atmosphere.
Now, a young man who has barely turned 20 can feel this much pressure. How happy the first Duke must be to see him grow so well. If only he could see him in good health...
“Have you made a decision about that?”
“Take care of it perfectly before you go to the capital. They say that February this year will be stormy due to climate change, so if you’re lucky and have a day with a lot of thunder and lightning, it’ll be perfect.”
“But as you know, my lord, there is no way to perfectly deal with ‘that’.”
“That’s right. Guns and swords are useless, and even if you cut off their necks, they’ll just stick together in the end... Even if you burn them whole from head to toe, they won’t die. Then there’s only one way. Bury them deep in the ground or bury them deep in the sea.”
Kyle continued his speech coldly as if discussing how to deal with an object. After all, 'it' was no different from an object in his concept. In fact, it was much worse than an object. What on earth would you call a monster that could not be dealt with as you wished, a monster that even the devils of hell refused to take away?
“Bind the whole body together, put it in an oak barrel, seal it tightly, and sink it in the deepest point between the mainland Trieste and the island. That’s the best way for now. Isn’t it?”
“But he has just turned ninety... How about we wait a little longer to see if he will live to be a hundred? It wouldn’t be a bad idea if we could keep an eye on him while you are in the capital.”
“There’s no need for that. What’s the point of living past the age of 100 in that state? It’s better to end it than to leave it like that any longer.”
Kyle's cold eyes turned to the old butler. His indifferent gaze was fixed on Mrs. Dunst's forehead, which was showing signs of turning gray.
“It’s better to deal with failed experiments. Is it your future success that you’re concerned about?”
What you want is for me to succeed in Eternity, so that I can infuse its benefits into your flesh.
“Yes. Then... I will handle it in that way when the time is right.”
The middle-aged woman bowed politely. Kyle looked down at her politeness with all the contempt he could muster.
It's all your own fault. Just like 'that', you'll all pay the price. All I can do in this situation is to give you false hope. Expect as much as you want and flounder in hope.
Louis Dunst looked up again, not understanding the implications of that gaze.
“There’s one more thing, my lord. So what do you plan to do about Angie Ridsdel...?”
Remedy didn't necessarily have to be a companion. In the case of the previous Duke and Duchess, Edward and Eugenia, Edward found out about Eternity right after they had made their marriage vows, so it was irreversible. However, Master Kyle was already aware of everything.
He had no intention of revealing Angie to the outside world. In a way, it was a natural decision. He probably wanted to keep his most precious person hidden and secretly protect her.
“As I instructed earlier. Leave that woman alone. Until the mainland is supplemented as planned, she will stay in the mansion as a temporary maid until the end of January. After a month, she can return home and continue her normal life.”
Louis had no intention of doing anything to the child either. It was better to keep her alive in case something unusual happened to the young master's body.
Remedies that have served their purpose will die according to the law of nature. However, the principle was to quietly dispose of Remedies that were no longer useful due to their constitutional incompatibility, or those that ceased their role before their purpose was exhausted. Just like Natalia Rohen and Lucia Peron, the last Remedies before Edward passed away.
Just in case, she planned to find an alternative remedy and keep it on standby. However, no cure was as suitable for the young master as Angie’s. The two of them were surprisingly well-matched. Whether it was because they had been reading and talking together for the past three years, or because they were destined to be together, or because of both, only God knew. No one knew whether there was a God, and if so, what kind of God it was.
“Your Highness. Then, after you go to the capital... do you plan on not seeing that child anymore?”
There was no way they wouldn't meet. He desperately wanted Angie Ridsdel. His body and mind were completely devoted to her. Just as Edward had been deeply in love with Eugenia. So it was impossible not to know that he wanted to draw a clear line with Angie. But Louis pretended not to know and continued to speak persistently.
“That’s something I’ll take care of.”
“You must return to Hedestad permanently within a few months of the succession ceremony. Not only is the imperial call upon you, but you cannot afford to neglect the capital any longer. I assume you will take the child with you then.”
If he ever needs Remedy again, he doesn't necessarily need to take the body with him. But what the master needs is not Angie as Remedy. Angie Ridsdel was meaningful to him as a woman.
So, he thought he would have her accompany him as one of the servants. The only problem is how long he can fool Leticia's eyes.
“You must understand that I need to know in advance. My helpers and I are tools that only work for the well-being of the young master.”
It's funny. In the end, they're just trying to use me as a tool for their own purposes.
Kyle swallowed a bitter smile as he looked down at the butler who was nodding her head. Then he spoke even more coldly.
“Of course, I plan to take her.”
“Yes. Then I understand... I will prepare her when the time comes.”
Kyle turned his gaze to the papers on his desk. It was a silent signal for her to leave. Louis Dunst bowed politely and turned around. A vague smile hung on her lips as she left the room.
Well, it doesn't matter. Whether you keep it as a government or have a secret meeting.
As the next Duke, he would take over the tasks that Edward had left unfinished, and as long as he fulfilled his duties as 'Eternity', it would be fine. In fact, it was true that she was more than happy to do so.
The new master was strong enough to remain perfectly normal without Remedy. He was much colder and more vicious than his father, and he had a cruel side. He was definitely different from Edward, the previous master who had been forced to take Remedy's nutrients to suppress his madness and writhe in pain.
After Mrs. Dunst left, Kyle pulled the rope. It was not on the wall next to the desk but hidden in the curtain of the library. Jerome entered through the other door a moment later.
“Did you call, Young Master?”
“At midnight tonight, strengthen security around the Generalife Gardens and Annex. No one can enter. Angie will be here.”
“Understood, Young Master.”
The 'anyone' he spoke of included not only the butler and the maid but also Mrs. Dunst. Jerome quietly left the room to prepare to carry out his orders.
Kyle, left alone again, went to the library and looked through the books on display. The stories Angie had read to him before, the original stories that had been translated into different endings through her own unique interpretation, were familiar to him. His long, white fingers scanned the spine of the books and stopped at one place.
He took out an old book from among the books. It was called <The Night the Monster Meets His Bride>, a book about old-world folktales and strange tales. It was a creepy title at first glance.
Kyle looked at the book for a moment, put it back in its place, and returned to his desk. There were many documents to review before the sunset. While concentrating on his work, one hand unconsciously pressed the back of his stiff neck.
As his fingers ran through the ends of his hair, tiny blue roses floated up like patterns on his skin.
“Come in.”
Louis Dunst entered. Mrs. Dunst, with her usual reserved gestures, bowed politely to the future Duke. Her expression was as calm as usual, but she could not help but admire the young man before her.
You've really grown up well. And you've recovered so well without relying on the nutrients from Remedy. That's incredible mental strength.
Kyle was wearing a vest over a shirt that showed off his broad shoulders, his cravat neatly fastened with a pearl tie pin. His black hair fell on one side of his beautiful forehead in elegant waves, and his face beneath it was full of cold dignity. Unlike his teenage years when he had been extremely difficult and sickly due to his madness, he now exuded a calm strength.
He looked very much like his father, but he was different somehow. His facial features were delicate and captivating, his jawline was graceful, and his outline had sharp lines. It was an aura that his weak father did not have. A piercing sense of oppression dominated the room and even flowed over the desk.
“Your Highness, the succession ceremony has been set for March 5th according to His Majesty’s will. Therefore, you must travel to the capital city of Hedestad during the last week of February. If you wish to go earlier, we will temporarily suspend the winds in the area and then set sail.”
“No. There is no need to go any earlier. I will decide the date according to His Majesty’s will.”
Even though he is a puppet King with no real power. As he said that, arsenic appeared and scattered from the corners of his mouth.
“But I’ll decide everything else on my own. Two weeks after the succession ceremony, I’ll hold another ceremony as scheduled. The announcement will be made around mid-February. Until then, keep it to yourself.”
“Yes, I will do as you command. I will also make sure to tell Leticia and Dervan.”
Leticia was the daughter of Harold Dervan, who took care of the administration of the dukedom on the island. However, she was actually the niece of Baron Samuel Dervan, a collateral branch of the dukedom on the mainland and the chairman of the Caelum Church Association. It was obvious why he had actively brought his niece into the cause, even though he had a daughter of his own. That must be the reason why the young master was doing his utmost to protect Angie Ridsdel.
“Your Highness. And about ‘that thing’ in the basement...”
She cleared her throat and opened her mouth again. Before she could finish her words, tension choked her throat. As soon as she said the word “that,” the air surrounding Kyle turned gloomy. Even the world-class Louis Dunst couldn’t properly do her job in that atmosphere.
Now, a young man who has barely turned 20 can feel this much pressure. How happy the first Duke must be to see him grow so well. If only he could see him in good health...
“Have you made a decision about that?”
“Take care of it perfectly before you go to the capital. They say that February this year will be stormy due to climate change, so if you’re lucky and have a day with a lot of thunder and lightning, it’ll be perfect.”
“But as you know, my lord, there is no way to perfectly deal with ‘that’.”
“That’s right. Guns and swords are useless, and even if you cut off their necks, they’ll just stick together in the end... Even if you burn them whole from head to toe, they won’t die. Then there’s only one way. Bury them deep in the ground or bury them deep in the sea.”
Kyle continued his speech coldly as if discussing how to deal with an object. After all, 'it' was no different from an object in his concept. In fact, it was much worse than an object. What on earth would you call a monster that could not be dealt with as you wished, a monster that even the devils of hell refused to take away?
“Bind the whole body together, put it in an oak barrel, seal it tightly, and sink it in the deepest point between the mainland Trieste and the island. That’s the best way for now. Isn’t it?”
“But he has just turned ninety... How about we wait a little longer to see if he will live to be a hundred? It wouldn’t be a bad idea if we could keep an eye on him while you are in the capital.”
“There’s no need for that. What’s the point of living past the age of 100 in that state? It’s better to end it than to leave it like that any longer.”
Kyle's cold eyes turned to the old butler. His indifferent gaze was fixed on Mrs. Dunst's forehead, which was showing signs of turning gray.
“It’s better to deal with failed experiments. Is it your future success that you’re concerned about?”
What you want is for me to succeed in Eternity, so that I can infuse its benefits into your flesh.
“Yes. Then... I will handle it in that way when the time is right.”
The middle-aged woman bowed politely. Kyle looked down at her politeness with all the contempt he could muster.
It's all your own fault. Just like 'that', you'll all pay the price. All I can do in this situation is to give you false hope. Expect as much as you want and flounder in hope.
Louis Dunst looked up again, not understanding the implications of that gaze.
“There’s one more thing, my lord. So what do you plan to do about Angie Ridsdel...?”
Remedy didn't necessarily have to be a companion. In the case of the previous Duke and Duchess, Edward and Eugenia, Edward found out about Eternity right after they had made their marriage vows, so it was irreversible. However, Master Kyle was already aware of everything.
He had no intention of revealing Angie to the outside world. In a way, it was a natural decision. He probably wanted to keep his most precious person hidden and secretly protect her.
“As I instructed earlier. Leave that woman alone. Until the mainland is supplemented as planned, she will stay in the mansion as a temporary maid until the end of January. After a month, she can return home and continue her normal life.”
Louis had no intention of doing anything to the child either. It was better to keep her alive in case something unusual happened to the young master's body.
Remedies that have served their purpose will die according to the law of nature. However, the principle was to quietly dispose of Remedies that were no longer useful due to their constitutional incompatibility, or those that ceased their role before their purpose was exhausted. Just like Natalia Rohen and Lucia Peron, the last Remedies before Edward passed away.
Just in case, she planned to find an alternative remedy and keep it on standby. However, no cure was as suitable for the young master as Angie’s. The two of them were surprisingly well-matched. Whether it was because they had been reading and talking together for the past three years, or because they were destined to be together, or because of both, only God knew. No one knew whether there was a God, and if so, what kind of God it was.
“Your Highness. Then, after you go to the capital... do you plan on not seeing that child anymore?”
There was no way they wouldn't meet. He desperately wanted Angie Ridsdel. His body and mind were completely devoted to her. Just as Edward had been deeply in love with Eugenia. So it was impossible not to know that he wanted to draw a clear line with Angie. But Louis pretended not to know and continued to speak persistently.
“That’s something I’ll take care of.”
“You must return to Hedestad permanently within a few months of the succession ceremony. Not only is the imperial call upon you, but you cannot afford to neglect the capital any longer. I assume you will take the child with you then.”
If he ever needs Remedy again, he doesn't necessarily need to take the body with him. But what the master needs is not Angie as Remedy. Angie Ridsdel was meaningful to him as a woman.
So, he thought he would have her accompany him as one of the servants. The only problem is how long he can fool Leticia's eyes.
“You must understand that I need to know in advance. My helpers and I are tools that only work for the well-being of the young master.”
It's funny. In the end, they're just trying to use me as a tool for their own purposes.
Kyle swallowed a bitter smile as he looked down at the butler who was nodding her head. Then he spoke even more coldly.
“Of course, I plan to take her.”
“Yes. Then I understand... I will prepare her when the time comes.”
Kyle turned his gaze to the papers on his desk. It was a silent signal for her to leave. Louis Dunst bowed politely and turned around. A vague smile hung on her lips as she left the room.
Well, it doesn't matter. Whether you keep it as a government or have a secret meeting.
As the next Duke, he would take over the tasks that Edward had left unfinished, and as long as he fulfilled his duties as 'Eternity', it would be fine. In fact, it was true that she was more than happy to do so.
The new master was strong enough to remain perfectly normal without Remedy. He was much colder and more vicious than his father, and he had a cruel side. He was definitely different from Edward, the previous master who had been forced to take Remedy's nutrients to suppress his madness and writhe in pain.
After Mrs. Dunst left, Kyle pulled the rope. It was not on the wall next to the desk but hidden in the curtain of the library. Jerome entered through the other door a moment later.
“Did you call, Young Master?”
“At midnight tonight, strengthen security around the Generalife Gardens and Annex. No one can enter. Angie will be here.”
“Understood, Young Master.”
The 'anyone' he spoke of included not only the butler and the maid but also Mrs. Dunst. Jerome quietly left the room to prepare to carry out his orders.
Kyle, left alone again, went to the library and looked through the books on display. The stories Angie had read to him before, the original stories that had been translated into different endings through her own unique interpretation, were familiar to him. His long, white fingers scanned the spine of the books and stopped at one place.
He took out an old book from among the books. It was called <The Night the Monster Meets His Bride>, a book about old-world folktales and strange tales. It was a creepy title at first glance.
Kyle looked at the book for a moment, put it back in its place, and returned to his desk. There were many documents to review before the sunset. While concentrating on his work, one hand unconsciously pressed the back of his stiff neck.
As his fingers ran through the ends of his hair, tiny blue roses floated up like patterns on his skin.
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