Meanwhile, Lloyd was anxiously waiting for Dalia in the drawing room.
'What's going on?'
He had been certain that Clayton had brought Dalia here to imprison her. But after the arduous journey to Hudson, he realized the situation was far from what he had imagined.
Instead, he felt like his arrival here had only made things more complicated.
Just as he was overcome by an unsettling feeling, Dalia, who had been away for some time, appeared.
Unable to sit still, Lloyd had been pacing the drawing room. The moment he saw Dalia, he rushed to her.
"My lady…"
Unlike before, Lloyd's voice had lost some of its strength.
It seemed he had belatedly realized something was amiss. Dalia let out a quiet sigh and gestured for him to sit.
"Sit down first."
Lloyd obediently sat across from her and cautiously asked.
"The Duke didn't say anything unusual?"
"Huh? No…"
However, Dalia's answer felt somewhat unconvincing.
'Thankfully, Clayton let it go without saying much…'
Dalia recalled what Clayton had said to her just before she left the room.
'There's nothing else you're hiding from me?'
'What? Hiding... something?'
'Yes. Something I should know but you're keeping from me, like Rose Hertz's identity.'
'Well, that's…'
When Clayton asked if there were other secrets, Dalia debated whether to confess about her pregnancy.
Based on the Duke's behavior so far, she wondered, 'Wouldn't it be okay to tell him I'm pregnant?'
So, Dalia mustered her courage and opened her mouth to speak. But then…
'Um, my lord, the truth is…'
'If there's nothing, then that's fine.'
She had hesitated too long and missed the chance to speak.
After that, the conversation shifted to Lloyd and the Hertz family, leaving her no opportunity to bring it up.
'It's fine. There will be another chance.'
While she told herself she should confess everything even now, the timing felt too intense amidst the chaos surrounding Lloyd.
Especially since she had just been caught hiding Lloyd's secret, she hesitated to confess about her pregnancy.
Dalia placed her right hand over her stomach.
Soon, as the days grew warmer, her stomach would begin to swell. It wouldn't be long before she was found out.
'I'll wait until we get to the capital, assess the situation, and tell him at the right time.'
Lost in thought for a while, Dalia sat silently with a serious expression, causing Lloyd to call her name again, concerned.
It wasn't until her name was called a couple of times that Dalia snapped out of her thoughts and looked up.
"Sorry, I was just thinking. I've finished talking with the Duke, so you don't need to worry. And from now on, he won't drink your blood or Rose Hertz's. He promised he wouldn't use the Hertz family as scapegoats anymore."
"…The Duke really said that?"
"Yes. So, Lloyd."
Dalia reached out to Lloyd, who looked at her with a disbelieving expression.
"You should live your own life too."
As she spoke, she took his hand and patted it gently.
"You've been through a lot to come all the way here. It's late, so stay here tonight. I'll prepare a carriage for you to leave for the capital in the morning."
"What about you, my lady? When will you return to the capital?"
"I'll leave for the capital within the week too, so don't worry. I'll send you a letter when I arrive. Oh, and…"
Dalia took out an envelope she had kept close and handed it to Lloyd.
"Could you give this to Rose for me?"
"…To Rose?"
"Yes. I'd really like to meet Rose sometime. I suddenly asked her to take care of the cat, but I don't think I properly thanked her."
At her words, Lloyd took the letter she held out and nodded.
"Yes, I'll be sure to deliver it. Actually, Rose has been wanting to meet you too."
"Really? That's wonderful."
Dalia, feeling much calmer, paused briefly as if preparing to say something important.
"Lloyd. Thank you so much."
There was so much Dalia was grateful to Lloyd for.
Even though he had misunderstood Clayton, he had rushed all the way to this distant place for her.
It was reassuring to know Lloyd cared so much for her.
"You're a truly good person."
She thought she wanted Lloyd to find happiness.
She hoped he could live a normal life, sometimes acting carefree like other boys his age.
"…I'm really glad nothing happened."
Lloyd looked at Dalia with a bittersweet expression.
Although his assumptions had been wrong, it was enough that Dalia was safe. Still, he couldn't help but feel drained.
"My lady, it's Miller."
Just then, there was a knock, and Miller, the caretaker of the villa, entered the drawing room.
"Lloyd, say hello. This is Mr. Miller, who takes care of the villa. He'll guide you to your room for tonight. Mr. Miller, I'll leave him in your care."
Introducing Miller to Lloyd, Dalia took a step back.
"Yes, my lady. Mr. Lloyd, please follow me."
Miller was an elderly man whose hair had turned completely white.
Miller led Lloyd to the second floor and stopped in front of a door at the end of the left corridor.
"This will be your room, Mr. Lloyd. If you need anything, don't hesitate to let me know."
"Yes, thank you."
With those words, Miller left. Lloyd let out a brief sigh and opened the door.
However, what awaited the weary Lloyd wasn't an empty room.
Thick smoke filled the room, and moonlight streaming through the window illuminated a man's face.
The red gleam in the man's eyes, illuminated by the moonlight, glared menacingly, as if strangling Lloyd.
"…Duke Seayer."
It was Clayton. He was leaning against the desk, as though he had been waiting for Lloyd.
"Welcome, Lloyd. The security must have been tight, yet you managed to find your way here."
He took the cigar from his mouth and held it between his fingers as he continued.
"Is this the power of love?"
At the word "love," Lloyd's heart sank.
'Could it be?'
He already knew. Knew how Lloyd felt about Dalia and the way he looked at her.
As if hitting the nail on the head, Clayton asked again when Lloyd remained silent.
"Do you like Dalia?"
A mere dog of the family like you.
A simple blood bag at best.
You dare.
That's what the man's eyes seemed to say.
He had sometimes imagined it.
If he were Dalia's husband instead of that man.
If he were the Duke of Seayer instead of that man.
He could have made Dalia happy...
...or so he thought.
But.
Yet, he couldn't bring himself to answer "yes" to the man's question of whether he liked Dalia.
All he could do for now was clench his fists so tightly they nearly bled, trying to hide his trembling lips.
Clayton, who had been silently observing Lloyd, shifted his gaze.
He slowly scanned the room, as if reminiscing about something.
Then he set down the cigar between his fingers, picked up a match from the table, and lit a candle.
"Do you know who used to own this room?"
As he spoke, tiny flames began to light up the room, pushing back the darkness.
As the room grew brighter, Clayton's face became clearly visible.
When Lloyd didn't answer, Clayton took a step forward and continued speaking.
"Elise Hertz. Your aunt, correct?"
"...."
"Then who do you think was here before Elise Hertz?"
"Your Grace."
Only then did Lloyd realize Clayton's intent, and he called out to stop him, but it was no use.
"Valetta Hertz. Your great-aunt. Do you know what that means?"
Clayton, who had been tracing the old furniture with his hand, stopped walking.
Unlike when they first met here, Clayton's inscrutable eyes stared at Lloyd without wavering.
That gaze alone was enough to make Lloyd's mouth go dry.
"It means your beloved sister was supposed to be in this room."
"Your Grace!"
But once again, Clayton ignored Lloyd's exclamation and approached him.
Now standing close, Clayton murmured softly.
"You know, Lloyd."
Perhaps he noticed Lloyd's state, as the man's mocking laughter echoed in the air, piercing Lloyd's heart.
"Don't make me curious about what your sister's blood tastes like."
This is your final warning.