DSMBL Chapter 96

Chapter 96 

Lorencia glared at the children, her face pale. The kids, all around Theo’s age, looked small and innocent, but to her, they seemed like monsters from the depths of hell.

‘Damn it. Why is everything going wrong?’

Grinding her teeth, Lorencia glanced sideways at Charlotte—the person she blamed for all of this. Charlotte simply stared at her with a calm, unreadable expression.

The noblewomen looked at Lorencia with expectant smiles, clearly excited. Charlotte’s composed face only made it worse. Lorencia clenched her jaw.

“Is something wrong, Miss Lorencia?”
Charlotte gently moved her lips.
“You don’t look well.”

“No, I’m fine. It’s just… teaching in front of so many people makes me a little nervous,” Lorencia replied with a trembling smile.

“You suggested this open class, so I assumed you were fully prepared,” Charlotte said.

“The lesson will go on. No need to worry, Duchess,” Lorencia replied stubbornly.

“I do hope His Grace can attend next time. Theo really loves his older brother. Isn’t that right, Theo?”

“Yes! He’s my hero!” Theo beamed.

Charlotte gave a gentle smile.
“If possible, I’ll arrange that. I’ll check with the ladies here, too. Now, let’s begin the class.”

Lorencia nodded stiffly.

***

After the class, Charlotte left with the noblewomen and children for an outing. Left alone, Lorencia’s pale face twisted in frustration. Even though the noblewomen had praised the lesson, saying it was enjoyable, it brought her no comfort.

“She did this on purpose…”
Lorencia clenched her teeth.

If only Charlotte had openly acted cruel, it would’ve been easier to handle. Instead, she tormented Lorencia in subtle, calculated ways.

‘You think I’ll back down?’

With Charlotte gone, it was the perfect time. Lorencia confidently made her way to Cassius’s office. The northern lands had been tense recently, though Lorencia was the only one unaware of the reason. Janice seemed to know something but said nothing.

‘Just stay quiet, Lorencia. Do as I say. Understand?’

She was sick of hearing that.

Smiling sweetly at the aides outside the Cassius’s office, she said,
“Your Grace, I have something to discuss. May I speak to you privately? It’s about Theo and the Duchess.”

Cassius nodded coldly. After the aides left, they were alone.

“If you have something to say, say it quickly. I’m busy,” he said, gesturing toward a pile of papers.

“Yes, Your Grace. I won’t take much time. I only wanted to talk about the differences in educational views between me and the Duchess. I want Theo to receive professional training and grow into someone valuable to the ducal family. So, I asked the Duchess if I could conduct deeper lessons.”

“And?”

“She said it’s too early. That Theo needs time to play.”

“Then do as Charlotte says.”

“What? No, Your Grace! This is something only you can correct. This is a crucial time for Theo. Please, just hear me out…”

Cassius frowned and stared at Lorencia coldly. Her eyes gleamed with ambition—like someone desperate for something they couldn’t have.

He was only tolerating her because of Janice.

“I’ve said what I wanted. Follow Charlotte’s wishes.”

“But I—! I care deeply for the North, for Istheria, and for Theo! This lesson—”

“Are you trying to speak on the young lord’s succession training?”

Lorencia’s lips trembled.
“C-Can’t I? I’m his teacher, and there’s no other heir. Besides, the Duchess…”

“Silence.”

Cassius snapped.

“You’re completely out of line. Who do you think you are to speak of the Duchess that way?”

“Your Grace, please understand my sincerity—!”
Tears fell from her eyes as she trembled and covered her mouth. It was an act to try and win over Cassius’s sympathy. Men were weak to beautiful women, after all.

Lorencia was confident in her appearance.

She had already forgotten how coldly Cassius had rejected her recently. Her face was hopeful again.

But Cassius looked at her with disgust.
“…I’ve heard enough nonsense.”

“Y-Your Grace?”
Lorencia flinched, shocked by his words.

“You’re fired. Leave my estate by tomorrow.”

Her eyes widened as she shook her head, about to plead—

BOOM!

The ground shook violently.

Lamps shattered and cracks formed in the windows. Cassius stood up.

“Kyah!”
Lorencia screamed as she fell. But Cassius ignored her and opened the window. Red mist was rising from the forest—it looked like the color of death. His grip on the window tightened.

“Y-Your Grace! Are you okay?”
Lorencia stumbled toward him.

Cassius instinctively smacked away her reaching hand.

“Ah…!”
He turned his head and saw her eyes—they were the same eerie red as the mist outside.

His instincts were screaming at him.
‘This is no coincidence, Cassius.’

He grabbed her collar and slammed her against the wall.
“What the hell have you been doing in the North?”

“I-I don’t know what you mean! Cough, cough!”

Cassius turned her to face the window, so her reflection could be seen.
“Explain your eyes, then.”

Lorencia touched her face in horror.
“M-My eyes?! What’s wrong with them? Your Grace!”

If it wasn’t her, there was one more suspect—Janice. Her behavior had been suspicious, and maybe the red mist was related to her too.

Cassius’s suspicions turned into certainty.

He called in his aides while still holding Lorencia by the collar. Then he threw her to the floor.

“Lock her in a room and keep her under watch. And find Janice immediately—bring her to me.”

“Yes, Your Grace!”

As the knights dragged the screaming Lorencia out, Cassius stormed out of his office.

“Find Charlotte, Theo, and Stephanie immediately! Bring them safely to the castle!”

“Yes, Your Grace!”

The knights hurried out of the mansion, and Cassius followed, his heart filled with worry for Charlotte and the children.

***

At that same moment…

“Everyone, stay calm. Even the slightest movement might make the floor collapse.”

Charlotte, the noblewomen, and the children were trapped in a bakery. Soft sobs and sniffles filled the air.

Charlotte clenched and unclenched her fists.

‘It’s okay, Charlotte.’
Cassius would come. He had to.

“We’ll get out of here safely,” she said.

But her eyes were fixed on the floor, where cracks were slowly growing deeper.