“My . . . my brother . . .”

Anne trembled and tried hard to explain the situation. But her words kept blending together. She was afraid because she thought that the moment she spoke the words, she would end up like that dragged man.

I am also a victim . . . Anne tried to suppress her tears and swallowed gulps in succession. The fear of death was drawn in the heavy, suffocating air. Wasn’t there a room for terrible torture in the Grand Duchy?

“Hooo . . .”

The Grand Duke let out a long breath as he saw Anne’s shoulders trembled. He looked at her slightly trembling face, trying to hold back her tears, and the hand that was holding the sword fell in vain.

Horrible emotions were read in the pitiful distorted expression. He was astonished at just how frightened this woman was, and his wrath was quenched in an instant.

“Angroanne.”

The Grand Duke knelt on one knee and brought himself to her eye level. When he reached out his hand, Anne, who flinched reflexively, closed her eyes.

But he only reached for her bound wrists. Her wrists were loosened as the rope was pulled.

“Your body.”

“. . .”

“Are you injured?”

“. . . I’m okay.”

As if her muffled speech was suddenly cleared, the answer came out reflexively.

A deep sigh sounded from above her head. It was heavy, stuffed breathing. The large fingertips touched Anne’s cheek, and the redness in his eyes softened slightly as he saw the visibly trembling of her startled body.

“You’re not okay.”

While examining her body, Anne met his eyes. She couldn’t take her eyes off him, and she could see the deep red eyes twitching slightly. Anne was taken aback by his unusual reaction.

He didn’t get angry or open his tight lips again. Even so, as the anger disappeared without a trace, a terrible sadness was buried somewhere instead.

“Why aren’t you saying anything? I have nothing to do with this.”

“Angroanne.”

He, who was only stiff, finally distorted his face as if he had been stabbed. He hugged Anne affectionately. Just like the day he came to rescue her.

As she buried her face in his arms, the sound of his heart pounding violently hit her ears. Among the rapid beating, Anne silently buried her face in his arms and waited. His clumsy hand ran slowly across her back. When he gently caressed her, her eyes grew hot even though he just hugged her.

“Huuh . . .”

As she bit her lips and held back the oncoming cries, the Grand Duke pulled back his body and met her gaze. His hands cupped Anne’s cheeks. Her skin, which should have been soft, was caked with dried tears.

“I don’t doubt you. Let’s go home.”

He first told her what was bothering her, then lifted her up with both hands. Then he lightly stepped from the carriage.

On the ground, a disfigured body was rolling on the dirt floor like trash rolling on the street. Seeing a puddle of blood on the ground, Anne turned her head away.

It was so terrible that it made her nauseous, but she didn’t pity him. If he tried to do such a bad thing, he should have been prepared to suffer. When she saw the Grand Duke, she was relieved, and then her cold reason returned.

Anne looked around. His knights were nowhere to be seen. There was only his beloved dark horse in front.

Could it be that he rode this horse all the way here from the north?

How did he find out about this place? There were many things she wanted to ask, but she held everything down. It was a question that she could only ask if he brought it up first.

“Even if it makes you uncomfortable, bear with it.”

The Grand Duke put Anne on his own horse.

Anne held the bridle slightly between the horse’s mane. Soon after, the Grand Duke climbed up, covering her at once. With one hand wrapped around her waist, the Grand Duke held the reins with the other.

Robert, who had fainted after being hit on the head, got up and rolled his eyes in a panic.

“Which bastard spilled the beans, hah.”

Seeing the man lying on his stomach covered in blood, he spat out a strange sound, and soon saw the Grand Duke’s face and stopped breathing as if he had encountered a monster.

“Your Grace . . . let me explain . . . how . . . this happened . . . I am . . .”

“What you were going to do today . . .”

The Grand Duke words paused for a moment. He took a deep breath as he gripped the handle of the sword at his waist as if he would break it. Blue veins protruded from the back of his hand.

“I will never forget it. I’ll return to you, what you tried to do to my wife. Today’s succession ceremony will be your last experience as a noble.”

His inconceivable anger leaked out in each syllable, as if he was holding something tight.