IBACM Chapter 135

Chapter 135

Axel gestured widely and called out to him forcefully.

“Brother!”

“What is it!”

“Now is not the time!”

“What do you mean?”

“You know very well what Mother’s situation is right now.”

“So, you mean I’m the fake?”

Somerset smirked and chuckled while looking at Axel.

“Hey, you should thank me too. Our roots are different, but I still treat you like my brother.”

Axel felt nothing but scorn instead of anger when looking at him.

‘He probably thinks this is someone else’s problem.’

Axel sneered and spoke with disdain.

“During the barbarian war, evidence was found that Mother conspired with Sir Arnold to assassinate His Excellency.”

Somerset answered carelessly.

“Wasn’t that Arnold acting alone?”

“That’s what we thought. But it seems someone from Dedrick’s side found a servant who knows everything. And we even found proof that the secretary was killed to hide my existence. So it’s only natural Mother was dismissed.”

“So, what about you? Are you going to be kicked out too?”

Somerset sneered, but Axel hid a bitter smile and added.

“If the servant is revealed to His Excellency, Mother won’t escape the death penalty.”

Somerset paused at Axel’s last words but soon shook his head.

“But? This has nothing to do with me anyway.”

“Is that really so…?”

Axel muttered to himself, and Somerset raised his eyebrows.

“Brother, Mother knew the truth and secretly sent Gemma to find the servant, but there’s still no news. So Mother asked me to…”

Axel deliberately paused, making Somerset frown deeply.

“What is it? Tell me!”

“…”

“Hey, Axel!”

“Mother wants to use the wardrobe incident to negotiate.”

“…What?”

Somerset stiffened. Axel carefully continued.

“She probably wants to sacrifice you since there’s no way out. Actually, you were the one who burned the wardrobe and tortured the monster. Mother wants me to tell Dedrick that it was your plan.”

But before Axel finished, Somerset jumped up yelling.

“Does that even make sense?! If you’re lying to me—!”

Somerset grabbed Axel by the collar. Axel shouted in frustration.

“Why would I lie? I lived to support you as your brother if you became the Lord! But now I’m about to lose everything too! In this desperate situation, which side would you choose? Mother who’s sure to lose or you who escaped Dedrick’s watch? Obviously you! And brother, don’t forget I begged Dedrick to bring you to the Grand Duke’s castle!”

Finally, Somerset loosened his grip. It was true; Dedrick mentioned ‘Axel’ when bringing him here.

Not Mother, but Axel.

That was why he could live like this now.

“But what good comes from bringing this up…!”

Mother is now arrested for attempted assassination of the Grand Duke.

Watching Somerset confused, Axel sighed.

“Without you, Mother loses her purpose.”

To make Somerset the heir.

If that disappears, Delani would have no reason to oppose Dedrick.

“She plans to beg Dedrick for forgiveness with that. If it works, Mother might even keep her life.”

“So she is going to sell me out again!”

Somerset’s anger, which had been piling up, exploded like a volcano.

Because of that damn upkeep, Mother sold him out; when he was kicked out, she used him to drive Dedrick away; now, in danger, she wants to throw him away and save herself.

Again, and again!

Pretending to care more than anyone else…!

“She wants to kill me! Sell me to that hell and save only yourself!”

If Dedrick heard that Somerset was behind everything and that the monster became what it is because of him—

Would Dedrick leave him be?

Never!

Even now, after the wardrobe fire destroyed everything, if Dedrick thought Somerset planned it all, he wouldn’t just kick him out.

A worse hell than death awaits Somerset.

That terrible fear suffocated Somerset’s reason. He grabbed the sword from the side of the bed. Axel blocked him.

“Brother! What are you trying to do?”

“Get out of my way!”

Somerset pushed Axel hard and stormed out, making Axel fall to the floor.

“Ugh!”

“Damn it! I won’t let this go!”

Somerset’s loud voice echoed down the hallway. Axel stood up and couldn’t hold back a laugh.

“Haha!”

Mother would be killed by her own beloved son…

Axel’s face turned cold as if nothing had happened.

***

Delani couldn’t sit still, nervously biting her nails until they bled.

‘What happened to Gemma? Did she succeed?’

Why was there still no news?

Time passed, but no word came even from Miranda, who was supposed to secretly send messages.

Unable to sleep again, Delani paced the room.

Then, a soft knock came at the door. The door quietly opened and someone entered.

Delani watched the door cautiously. When she recognized the person, her face brightened.

“Gemma!”

Gemma closed the door and walked inside, her hands tightly clasped, forcing an awkward smile. Her face looked terrified.

Seeing that, Delani’s expression twisted with anger.

“Did you fail?”

“…I’m sorry. He, His Excellency Dedrick found out already…”

“Damn it!”

Everything was over. They lost the view key, and the letter sealed with Delani’s signet would be in the Duke’s hands, sealing their fate.

Even if it was long ago, trying to harm the Duke was treason.

“Did I… lose?”

To him, the one who begged her to kneel and beg for mercy?

“Ahhhh!”

Delani screamed and ruffled her hair. Behind her, Gemma swallowed dryly, trembling.

She hid her shaking hands in her sleeves.

At that moment, Delani suddenly stopped. Gemma froze too.

“…Gemma.”

Gemma barely opened her trembling lips.

“…Yes, my lady.”

“You went yourself to find evidence and destroy the key, didn’t you?”

Gemma was silent. Delani let her hands fall weakly and listened to the small sounds.

Rustle.

She heard Gemma’s clothes brush.

“…Then why are you here alive? You were found out by Dedrick, so why aren’t you dead…?”

Suddenly footsteps came rushing. Delani turned sharply. Gemma raised a dagger and rushed at her.

“I’m sorry, my lady! I have family too…!”

Delani grabbed Gemma’s wrist, which was holding the dagger.

“You vile— After all the kindness I showed you…!”

They struggled until the door suddenly burst open loudly. Both were startled and looked toward the door.

“Mother.”

“Well, Somerset! You came at last! Deal with Gemma immediately—!”

Somerset’s voice was grim, his eyes wild, and he smelled strongly of alcohol.

“What am I to you? Not a son, but a scapegoat?”

Delani looked at Somerset closely.

Heavy breathing, sharp alcohol smell, and his fierce eyes.

“Somerset?”

“You left me to survive alone again?!”

Somerset drew his sword and charged at her as if to kill.

As death approached, Delani pushed forward Gemma, who was still struggling against her.

“Ah!”

“Get away!”

Somerset, face crazed with rage, swiftly cut Gemma.

“Kuh…!”

Gemma fell lifeless to the ground. Delani’s face turned pale.

“Somerset! Do you know what you’re doing? Snap out of it!”

“I’ll kill you before you throw me into hell, then beg Dedrick for forgiveness!”

Delani couldn’t understand what was happening. She stumbled, trying to avoid Somerset charging at her.

“Snap out of it, Somerset! Why would a mother ever abandon you?”

“Why wouldn’t she? She did before, when I was kicked out of the family, and now again!”

Whoosh!

Somerset swung his sword fiercely but lost balance. Delani tried to escape but saw Axel standing at the door.

“Axel! Close the door!”

As Delani reached out—

Click.

Axel deliberately shut the door.