Chapter 16
Dominic pushed Fabian aside and approached the bed.
He pointed at the attending physician, berating him for allowing the Grand Duke to fall into such a state.
“Uncle Dominic always seems to lack manners. I really wonder how someone like him came from the noble Laurent family,”
Eloise whispered to Fabian, fluttering her fan.
The breeze from her fan carried a heavy scent of perfume, making Fabian turn his head away as he spoke to his aunt and uncle.
“How did you get here so quickly?”
“These days, the train makes it quick. We left the moment we heard the news last night,”
Valerie replied irritably.
“They said he was on the verge of death, so I even brought Eloise with me. I hope this wasn’t a wasted trip.”
Fabian let out a hollow laugh.
“How did you hear the news so quickly?”
This time, Dominic answered in place of Valerie.
“I’m a son of this house too. There are plenty of people who’d send word in a hurry. When the master of the house is about to die, shouldn’t his remaining son be here?”
His tone was arrogant.
But Fabian could see right through him.
There was no doubt he had rushed here at the thought of inheritance.
They were the kind who would demand to see the will before the coffin lid was even closed.
“If you say so.”
Fabian smirked, lifting one corner of his mouth.
But he couldn’t simply smile at the next remark.
“For an old man in good health to suddenly collapse like this—did you poison his food or something?”
“Stop with the baseless accusations.”
Fabian’s expression hardened, prompting Eloise to quickly loop her arm through his and cut in with a sweet voice.
“Oh my, Uncle. Why would Brother Fabian do something like that? If Grandfather passes away, you’ll become the Grand Duke anyway. There’s no benefit to him at all.”
Fabian frowned.
Before he could pull his arm away, Valerie rushed in and yanked Eloise back.
“Eloise, didn’t I tell you not to get close to someone who isn’t even a real noble? You’ve already debuted in society. As a proper lady, you need to carry yourself properly.”
“But Mother, we’re cousins. Brother Fabian would feel hurt.”
“Don’t even call him ‘brother.’”
Even though they insulted him to his face, Fabian didn’t bat an eye.
It wasn’t the first time, after all.
All he wanted was for these annoying relatives to shut their mouths and be quiet.
Valerie sat Eloise down in a chair far from Fabian and muttered casually,
“By the way, what about the will?”
At those words, Dominic’s eyes gleamed.
He turned to the butler standing quietly in the corner.
“Well, isn’t it about time we took a look at the will? The old man’s not likely to get back up again. No point in wasting time on what everyone already knows. Just read it and kick that brat Fabian out.”
He shamelessly referred to the Grand Duke as “the old man.”
With his naturally loud voice, Dominic’s words rang through the bedroom.
But the butler’s calm response, though soft, overwhelmed his loudness.
“His Grace recently rewrote his will, Lord Dominic. As per his instructions, its contents cannot be revealed until his death is confirmed.”
The room instantly fell silent.
Fabian was just as surprised.
He had no idea the will had been rewritten recently.
Taking advantage of the stunned silence, the attending physician tending to the Grand Duke cried out,
“If you’re done here, please leave. That includes you, Lord Fabian. His Grace needs complete rest.”
Once all the relatives had left, Fabian was the last to exit the Grand Duke’s bedroom.
Outside, a familiar figure was waiting.
“Portus.”
When Fabian called, Po—Portus—quickly approached.
Fabian handed him the stack of documents he had hastily dealt with inside.
“Take care of this first. I need to pay a visit to my lovely relatives.”
“Understood.”
Fabian gave him a small nod of thanks.
As he turned to head to the parlor, Portus spoke up.
“I wasn’t sure if I should mention it since you must be overwhelmed, but I think you should know. Lady Blick asked for bandages and medicine, and I gave them to her.”
Fabian raised an eyebrow.
Bandages and medicine?
“Miss Marcia? She had a slight limp, but it didn’t look serious. Was it her sister who was injured?”
“She didn’t say. She didn’t ask for a doctor either, but the amount of medicine and bandages she requested was significant, so I thought I should tell you.”
“Significant? What kind of medicine?”
“She said anything suitable for treating trauma would do.”
Fabian’s brow furrowed slightly.
Whether it was the older or younger sister, one of them must have been seriously injured, yet they hadn’t shown any signs the night before.
Did it happen overnight?
‘Or were they hiding the pain all along?’
They probably didn’t ask for a doctor because they’d heard the master of the house was on the brink of death.
They must have guessed all the physicians would be tending to the Grand Duke.
‘Is it related to their father desperately searching for them?’
He had a bad feeling.
Clicking his tongue lightly, he asked,
“Anything else unusual?”
Portus shook his head.
“According to the surveillance placed last night, neither of the young ladies stepped outside their guest room. They only mentioned the bandages and medicine when breakfast was delivered. No suspicious activity was detected.”
“I see.”
For a moment, Fabian had suspected Marcia, but he relaxed his frown.
The reason he had offered a room to the unfamiliar sisters was partly goodwill—but mostly suspicion.
Marcia’s behavior and unclear purpose made him want to investigate under the pretense of kindness.
But she hadn’t even known who the Grand Duke was yesterday.
There was no way she was involved.
“Dr. Bellman is exhausted, so bring in another physician from outside.”
“Understood.”
“And just in case, do a background check.”
“I’ve already sent someone.”
“Good. You’re dismissed.”
Portus gave a polite nod and stepped away.
Fabian also turned to leave.
But at the end of the hallway toward the parlor, someone was blocking his path.
It was Richard Laurent.
Dominic’s son, Richard had just turned fifteen. With his curly black hair and blue eyes, he was a handsome boy who clearly carried the Laurent blood.
His long limbs and tall frame for his age showed he was still growing.
“Hello. Those devil-red eyes are still the same, I see.”
Richard spoke with a swagger.
Fabian glanced at him once, then ignored him and walked past.
“A witch’s child pretending to be the real grandson. What a joke. If you at least had magic, you’d be somewhat useful.”
Richard mocked him from behind.
“You think I don’t know you’re planning to become the Grand Duke instead of my father? Looks like you tricked the old man into rewriting the will. Even if you succeed, better watch your back, brother.”
Fabian didn’t even look back as he replied.
“If you’re done talking, shut up and go take one last look at Grandfather’s face. You might not get another chance.”
Richard shrugged, watching Fabian stride toward the parlor.
That night, the Grand Duke of Laurent passed away.
He was fortunate to die surrounded by his children and grandchildren, but none of them truly grieved for him.
Everyone’s attention was focused solely on who would become the next Grand Duke and how the inheritance would be divided.
“The will shall be announced tomorrow morning by the family lawyer.”
At the butler’s words, the relatives cursed and left the room.
Fabian was the only one who felt a twinge in his chest as he looked down at the deceased Grand Duke’s face.
Though he had hated his grandfather for a long time, he now realized that a bond had formed over the years.
He whispered softly in his heart.
‘Grandfather, I’m sorry, but I will become the Grand Duke by any means necessary—and destroy this family.’
Looking down at the peaceful face of the man who now looked as if he were only sleeping, Fabian added,
“Even if I have to stain my hands with blood.”
The next day, as soon as the family lawyer arrived at the mansion, all the members of House Laurent gathered in the Grand Duke’s office.
It was time to reveal the Grand Duke’s will.
