THIBV - Chapter 128

"I guess you were watching this."

The Duke of Linchester chuckled and kindly explained to Isaac about the statue he was looking at...

"There is a popular saying that if you hang something you cherish on this statue, you will live a long life."

"Is that so?"

"Well, I wonder if a young person would be interested in It. It's just an old man's outdated hobby. Haha. Anyway, it's nice to meet you like this."

The Duke extended his hand to Isaac and shook it cheerfully.

Isaac bowed with both hands and took her hand.

It was a warm, wrinkled hand.

Isaac began to relax as he felt a sense of familiarity from the Duke.

"I didn't know you would invite me to your residence like this."

"I feel embarrassed to Invite you to such a shabby place. I appreciate you coming. Now there are no more guests and it is lonely."

For that reason, nobles would come to the warehouse next to the farmhouse every day.

Of course, the numbers were significantly reduced because of Bridget.

The Duke, who was skilled at lying, smoothly engaged in the conversation without even blinking an eye.

"I heard you were recuperating for health reasons. How are you?"

"I am feeling much better now that I am living in a place with good air and water. However, I am still feeling weak. I have heard news of Miss Penelope. I am sorry. Have you found your son?"

"Thank you for bringing him back safely. Thank you. I don't know how I can repay this favor."

"What kind of favor! The person I introduced to you committed a heinous act. I felt bad that I had interfered for no reason. I am just glad that you found your son safely."

Just then someone knocked on the door and came into the study.

"Your Excellency, it is time to take your medicine. Oh, you have a guest."

He was a young man. He seemed to be in his early twenties.

The Duke took some medicine from the young man and introduced him to Isaac.

"This child is my nephew, Utah. He is the eldest son of the Count of Lennox. He came to me to teach me this and that. He is just running errands for me.

The Duke spoke lightly, but Isaac knew that Utah was being tutored by the Duke of Linchester to become the successor to the House of Lennox.

Even though the Duke was old and had been pushed out of politics because of Julian, he was still active and had not yet inherited the title...

Moreover, as he had stayed in central politics for a long time, he would have accumulated knowledge and information, so if he was given the opportunity, anyone would want to send their child to the Duke to ask for his teachings.

"It's the time when you're actively participating in social parties and choosing a bride. I feel bad for this child because he's stuck in the countryside. That's why I often send him to the capital, but..."

He looked at Utah and scolded him.

"Isn't there a lady you like?"

"Fate doesn't always go as I want it to. I'm in a hurry too, Grandpa."

Utah laughed heartily.

The Duke of Linchester shook his head.

"Is it because you have high standards or because you don't like women? Viscount Winston, if you know of any good women, please introduce them to this guy. There are only old people around me."

It was said lightly, but Isaac's eyes lit up.

'If they're a collateral branch of the Duke of Linchester, they're definitely a prestigious family, and this... Chloe is perfect for them.'

Isaac smacked his lips as he looked at Utah's sullen face.

That day Isaac was treated to a roasted squirrel hunted by the Duke of Linchester.

Isaac, who had secretly thought that the Duke must have had some kind of secret in mind since he had called him here, felt relieved as he returned home after receiving a meal and treatment.

The Duke seemed to have treated him to a meal as a gesture of gratitude for his success, or so Isaac thought.

'Well, what use am I?'

Isaac was quite aware of his situation these days, which was unusual for him, who often had trouble grasping topics.

He was spat out by Count Nicholas and was a cold meal to Bridget. The information he holds? There can be no such thing.

He was feeling helpless as he looked back at himself for not being able to find his son on his own.

Instead of worrying about what the Duke of Linchester could get from him, he felt like he had to get something from the Duke.

Isaac took the Duke's offer to come play again and promised that he wouId come whenever he was called.

As he left the farmhouse, Isaac gave his address to Utah, who had come out to see him off.

"When you come to the capital, be sure to look for me, Lord Utah. Understood? You must come to see me."

For Isaac, who was wandering in the middle of a wall with no hope, Utah was a ray of light sent from heaven.

***

Isaac, who returned to the capital, immediately took Chloe to the jewelry store.

"Something trendy these days. Recommend something flashy that will stand out the most."

Chloe felt excited as she listened to Isaac place his order to the jeweler without knowing what was going on.

"Thank you so much, brother-in-law!"

"If you appreciate it, do it right this time. And kill that bastard's temper."

Isaac sighed when he saw Chloe, who liked him so foolishly and didn't know her own pace.

Isaac put his business up as collateral to buy Chloe some jewelry.

Although it was a business that went bankrupt because of Julian's relief work, it was a place that had symbolic meaning to him as a businessman, so he felt bitter.

Of course, this isn't something she does for free, but it's something he does while piling up debts for Chloe.

"Tch. It's not my fault. You want me to just watch the guys I've been dating dance with other girls?"

"That's how it is at a ballroom! You take turns dancing with fifteen people a day. It's all about networking and making friends. Who likes it when you try to manipulate a guy who's not even engaged for some ridiculous reason?"

"Oh, I don't know. What can I do when I lose my temper?"

"I don't know! Do it right, do it right. If you keep doing this, you might not be able to go to any balls!"

"Yes, yes. I won't do it again."

"Ugh, tsk tsk. You don't even know ball etiquette. Don't open your mouth and just smile brightly. Just do as I say. Got it? This time, I'll introduce you to a real man. This is your last chance. Remember."

"Yes."

Isaac glared at Chloe as if he was not impressed, clicked his tongue, and turned away.

Then, he ended up bumping into a young woman who was passing by.

"Oh!"

"Excuse me. Are you okay?"

Isaac looked at the young lady's face and apologized.

The young lady was wearing magnifying glasses, which were rare for a young lady to wear, and her neck was shrugging.

"I'm okay."

"Diane!"

A noble lady who was not far away saw this sight and came over with an anxious look on her face.

The girl who bumped into Isaac was Leticia's older sister, Diane.

She was out shopping with her mother, her mother's friends, and their daughters.

Because of her improved health, Countess Lunalock was pushing Diane into various social gatherings, including these private outings.

However, Diane was not in very good health as she had been bedridden for a long time.

Diane, who had suddenly felt dizzy and was looking for a place to rest after leaving the group, was confused as she could not control her abilities.

There were days like this sometimes.

Memories of the surrounding objects were jumbled together, creating complex images in her head.

But just now.

'Uh?'

Diane's eyes widened.

'That necklace!'

A snake necklace wrapped around a lion's neck. It appeared and disappeared before her eyes.

That's when Isaac collided.

Diane unconsciously grabbed Isaac's sleeve. A recent memory contained in his clothes came back to her mind.

'Boots. Wrinkled hands. And the Duke of Linchester?'

Even though she had been a shut-in, there was no way she wouldn't recognize that face.

"Why, why are you doing this?"

Isaac, startled by the hand that suddenly grabbed him, pulled his upper body back.

The image soon disappeared. Since human clothing is not a suitable medium for storing memories, the memories can only be read for a very short time.

Diane knew she had a lot of luck on her side today.

She tried to ask Isaac's name, but Countess Lunarock arrived and stood between Isaac and Diane...

The Countess forced a smile on his face and led Diane away.

"Excuse me. My child is a little sick."

Then, before Diane could say anything, she dragged her to a corner and beat her daughter.

"What if you mix with a writer like Viscount Winston? It will lower my reputation."

'That man is Viscount Winston!'

Diane blinked her wide eyes.

'Viscount Winston met the Duke of Linchester. The necklace that Lady Winston is looking for belongs to the Duke of Linchester.'

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