Chapter 52

“No! Mr. Dwight is on that train…!” Elwin cried out in sheer anguish.

But his protests were futile. The train, rapidly gaining speed, roared out of the station. Hollowed by frustration and deep despair, Elwin watched the black iron beast disappear, leaving only a long trail of white smoke fading into the sky.

“Ahh…”

“I am sorry, Sir Elwin,” Leon whispered, his grip slowly loosening. “But it was far too dangerous.”

Leon was right. In his desperate panic, Elwin had nearly thrown his life away. Even if he had managed to touch the iron railing, there was no guarantee he could have pulled himself aboard a moving train. He would have likely slipped, dragged along the gravel, and fallen beneath the churning iron wheels.

But the realization did little to ease the crushing weight in his chest. When had everything truly gone wrong? Was it when he pursued Dwight on horseback? When he failed to notice the suspicious movements around the estate’s annex? No, perhaps the tragedy had been set in motion the very moment they welcomed such a viper into their home as an honored guest.

His vision began to darken. When his father had sent word from abroad that their coffers were empty, and when a devastating drought had threatened to ruin the estate, Elwin had managed to solve each crisis. Even when their noble title and ancestral lands were on the verge of being seized, he had forged a path forward. But now, staring down the empty tracks, he could see no way out.

What do I do now? Is there anything left? What do I have left to fight with…

The strength drained from his limbs, and his knees buckled, but Leon was there, quietly supporting his weight. Leon’s firm arm remained wrapped around his shoulders, his broad hand gently stroking Elwin’s trembling back to offer comfort. Perhaps because those hands had twice saved him from the brink of death, the mere presence of his companion lent Elwin the faint, fragile illusion that hope was not entirely lost.

No, he could not afford to yield. Whatever happened, he had to do whatever lay in his power. Elwin placed his hand over Leon’s arm and took a long, steadying breath. It would have been easy to surrender, to accept that the House of the Count was ruined. But even without a clear path, he had to keep moving. He had people to protect, and someone standing steadfastly beside him.

“Let’s go home,” Elwin said, his voice quiet but steady as the trembling subsided.

Leon nodded, offering a gentle, reassuring smile. “Let us. The horses are exhausted, and so are you, my lord. We shall take the main carriage road back.”

When they finally arrived back at the estate, carrying the heavy burden of a near-shattered heart, the atmosphere of the count’s manor was grim and desolate. The household staff gathered, their eyes filled with fragile threads of hope, but Elwin could only deliver the bitter truth.

“I lost him,” Elwin confessed, his head bowing slightly. “Mr. Dwight managed to board the capital express. I should have been faster. This has become exceedingly difficult…”

“Ah…”

“Oh, please do not say so, young master. You did everything you could.”

“The important thing is that you have returned to us safely,” another added quickly, trying to mask their profound disappointment. “Those men were vicious and dangerous. They are not ordinary criminals.”

The servants did their best to put on a brave face, speaking with forced optimism. Elwin, drawing on his remaining reserves of composure, addressed the estate’s situation. “The sheriff and the physician… they arrived, did they not?”

“Yes, young master,” the butler replied. “The sheriff examined the scene, bound Isaac securely, and dragged him away to the garrison. The physician made a house call and tended to Mr. Alfred and Robin.”

Robin was the young footman who had been stationed to guard Dwight’s quarters in the annex.

“Robin was injured as well? When did this happen?”

The second footman, the one who had approached Elwin earlier under the pretense of finding Dwight’s medicine, stepped forward with an expression of deep shame. “While I was lured away by their fabricated illness, that bastard Isaac must have ambushed Robin from behind, striking him on the back of the head. Once Robin collapsed, Lord… no, that man Dwight must have taken Mr. Alfred’s keys to the safe.” The servant spat the title, clearly loath to afford Dwight any remaining scrap of respect.

“To strike an unarmed guard from behind… what cowardice,” Elwin muttered. “Is Robin badly hurt?”

“He is young and resilient, thank the heavens. He regained consciousness quickly. Mr. Alfred, however, is our primary concern.”

“Why? Are his wounds severe? Speak plainly.”

“They are not life-threatening, but he is covered in cuts and bruises. It appears he fought back until his strength failed him to prevent them from taking the key. How could that heartless wretch lay hands on an old man who has served this family longer than he has lived?” The footman sighed. “Yet even in his state, Mr. Alfred spoke clearly. He asked us to convey his apologies to you, and promised he would be back on his feet shortly. The physician administered a strong sedative, so he is resting now.”

“I see. May he recover swiftly,” Elwin murmured, releasing a heavy sigh. “And what of…”

“Um, young master. What should we do with that person?”

Seeing Elwin’s confusion, the servants guided him toward the drawing room. There, the housemaids had formed a tight, protective circle around the central table, guarding their charge like a prisoner. Sitting in the center of the room was Selena, who had accompanied Leon into town earlier that afternoon.

According to the staff, Selena had personally delivered a written confession of her crimes to the local magistrate. After reviewing the document, the magistrate had debated detaining her immediately, but Leon had stepped forward to pay her bail and brought her back to the estate.

Selena had already wept until her eyes were swollen before leaving the manor, and she appeared to have cried even more since her return. Her face was pale and drawn. She seemed completely shattered by the news that Dwight had wielded a blade against Mr. Alfred.

Some of the housemaids whispered sneeringly among themselves, muttering that her shock was merely a performance. Suspicion had already taken root when she first confessed to her crimes, and now that the man who brought her to their home had caused such violence, the staff glared at her with cold hostility.

“Miss Selena,” Elwin said softly as he approached the table.

Selena flinched, looking up at him with an expression torn between immense guilt and relief. “Sir Elwin! Did you… Mr. Dwight…”

“He has escaped to the capital.”

“…I see.”

Her voice was flat, hollowed out by resignation. She had clearly expected Dwight to abandon her the moment he had what he wanted. Considering how coldly he had treated her over the past few days, it was a logical conclusion.

Elwin pulled out a chair and sat across from her. He did not expect her to possess all the answers, but she was the only one who could shed light on why Dwight had targeted their family in the first place.

“Miss Selena,” Elwin began gently. “Earlier, you mentioned it was difficult to speak of this. But now that matters have escalated to this point, I must ask you to tell me everything. Why did he come here?”

At his gentle tone, the last barrier of Selena’s resolve crumbled, and fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. Steading her breathing, she nodded slowly.

“How could I dare lie to you now?” she whispered. “I will tell you everything. I… no, Lord Dwight…”

***