Chapter 62

"What?"

"Didn't you say that even humans can make mistakes? I will take responsibility, so please release the captured individuals..."

Fin couldn't say anything more. It was because Robert reached out his arm and choked his neck.

Fin, who hit the back of his head against the wall, let out a low moan.

"You... Do you think this is a joke? Do you think it's okay to say such insensitive things just because we showed a little vulnerability? We're in a situation where we could all die, and are you not aware of it?"

"Guh, ugh..."

"Why, are you worried that those lowly serfs will be harmed? You're quite compassionate. There are many people to worry about, after all."

Robert released his grip on Fin's neck, muttering.

Fin leaned against the wall and desperately took a breath.

As Fin gasped and coughed, Robert uttered a few harsh curses.

Robert pointed his finger at Fin and spoke.

“That's why you're living like this now, you bastard. You're caught up in a situation where you're risking your life, all because of your own incompetence."

“...”

"If you want to see your father live a long and healthy life, then do well and take care of it. Understand?"

Fin caressed his aching neck and gasped for breath. His vision was blurred because of the tears welling up in his eyes.

Robert briefly stuck out his tongue as he observed Fin's distressed state.

"Before you go to that woman, tidy up your appearance. Maybe wear a cravat or something."

Robert kicked the chair next to him in a fit of irritation and left the room. Fin said he was planning to meet Iona soon, so it seemed Robert couldn't bring himself to do anything more.

Fin, who had prepared himself to be severely beaten, felt a sense of relief deep down. And he felt disgusted with himself for feeling that way.

Standing in place, Fin took deep breaths for a while and wiped away the moisture around his eyes.

Looking at himself in the mirror, he tidied up his appearance and found a thin silk scarf as Robert had suggested.

As he wrapped it around his neck, the red marks from his grandson quickly disappeared from view.

With his usual expressionless face, Fin stepped into the corridor and headed toward Iona.

After returning to the main residence, Iona had naturally pushed Robert aside and occupied the study.

Fin left a polite knock and entered the room.

"I heard you called for me."

Iona, sitting with her chin resting on her hand in front of the desk, turned only her eyes to look at him.

Fin felt that she was observing him.

After a brief search, she asked.

"Was your throat sore or something?"

Fin remained frozen in place.

When he had checked in the mirror, all traces of the violence Robert had inflicted were completely hidden.

He couldn't understand why the other person would ask such a question when there were no visible signs of what had happened.

Fin reflexively denied it.

“What are you saying…?”

“That cravat, take it off.”

Iona ordered, pointing at him with her pen. Fin couldn't readily comply with her words.

Iona's eyebrow raised slightly.

"Are you defying my words?"

In the end, Fin reluctantly raised his hand and untied the cloth covering his neck.

He couldn't confirm with his own eyes, but the grandson's marks wouldn't have disappeared in that short amount of time.

He felt her gaze lingering just below his chin.

“Is it the work of the baron?”

Fin found this situation truly bizarre.

He had just met Iona today. It was strange enough that she seemed to know about him, but what he couldn't understand was why she was showing interest in his wounds.

'Has someone in the mansion relayed the information?'

Was she trying to assert her dominance and show off her knowledge, as if she knew everything?

If that were the case, he couldn't deceive her with half-hearted lies.

Fin felt the need to mix truth with his words. He answered, playing the role of a faithful subordinate to the Baron.

"I failed to properly attend to the guests."

"Oh, is that so?"

Iona replied with a lack of sincerity.

She didn't seem to believe Fin's excuse, but at the same time, she didn't seem interested in probing further about the same issue.

As she stood up and motioned him inside, she said, "First, come over here and have a seat."

Inside the study, there was a small room attached for meetings.

After entering, Iona picked up a glass kettle placed on top of a low storage cabinet and poured herself water.

Fin attempted to stand up and do it himself, but she extended her hand to stop him.

Returning to her seat, Iona pushed a glass of water in front of Fin and said,

"I apologize for not having proper tea to serve."

"No."

Fin replied with a sense of apology.

Although it was likely her first time visiting this place, she acted as if this space was extremely familiar to her.

It was a strange feeling, as if she was receiving him as a guest. She suddenly asked, "How old are you?"

“Twenty-eight.”

"Ah, I see. Around that age."

Before he could feel puzzled by her inexplicable reaction, she threw the next question.

“Since when have you been working for Baron Franz?”

“It’s been about eight years.”

"It coincides with the time when your father's business suddenly closed down."

Was her friendly attitude an attempt to make him drop his guard? She touched upon a sensitive topic unexpectedly.

After a brief deep breath, Fin answered.

"You're right."

"The one who apprehended your father was none other than Baron Franz himself. How did you end up helping him?"

"You seem to be talking about something unrelated to the current matter."

"I'm asking about how you became involved in a crime. How can that be unrelated?"

Iona's casual retort made Fin momentarily hold his breath.

Was this a question to test him or was she truly speaking as if she knew everything?

Fin's mind became complicated. Trying to hide his perplexed expression, he said, "I don't understand what you're talking about."

“You are cheating.”

“I have nothing to say.”

“Why, are you afraid of the baron?”

Although it was a situation where he had initially taken the Baron's side, it could potentially turn the tables and lead to even greater guilt. Nonetheless, Fin had no choice but to remain silent.

Fin's father was currently living in a residence arranged by Robert, away from the Modrov Estate, receiving medical care.

Robert jokingly mentioned that it would have been difficult to complete the recovery if it weren't for him, but in reality, he had hidden Fin's father in a place where no one could reach him.

With his father's life in Robert's hands, Fin could never betray him.

Looking down at Fin's bowed head, Iona swallowed a wry smile.

Loyalty to the enemy for the sake of the father.

From Iona's perspective, who held Count Modrov as her enemy, it was a sentiment she couldn't understand.

'It was like that in my previous life too.'

The way he lived was not much different then and now.

Baron Franz used his father's safety as a weapon to wield the pin, and the Fin moved as the opponent wishes.

In terms of absolute obedience, it was similar to her relationship with Richard.

One difference was that Fin always wanted to get away.

Iona remembered the words he had said when they first met.

***

"I have a favor to ask."

A weary voice from an overly thin body. Despite having no strength due to prolonged interrogation, his posture was impressive, with a straightened back.

Of course, that wasn't a reason to forgive his arrogance.

"Do I look like I'm sitting here to listen to your request?"

“It's a simple thing. Please find my father. Then I will tell you everything I know.”

Fin remained steadfast, even in the face of Iona's disdain.

As Iona stared intently at Fin's face, the attendant who was standing beside her approached and whispered.

“It is said that Baron Franz imprisoned Ichi's father and threatened him. People say he worked like a slave for over 10 years… … .”

There was a trace of human compassion in the attendant's voice.

Punishment was inevitable, but couldn't they at least consider granting his final request? That was the tone of the message.

At that time, Iona had just stripped Hayden of his title and assumed the position of the Countess.

Feeling uneasy about the situation, Robert had already planted his people within the Count's estate, allowing him to swiftly escape before his past actions were exposed.

By the time Iona came down to the Modrov estate, he had already disappeared.

It was Fin who was brought out as the person in charge in place of the escaped enemy.

Hearing the story made her feel sorry for him.

"If you had come with evidence before this matter was revealed, you might have achieved what you desired."

Even so, Iona drew a firm line with a cold voice.

--- End Of The Chapter ----

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