If I Disobey the Duke Chapter 198

Lily de Winter (4)

When Shylock had just left the dining room door, the sound of maids cleaning the table was busy in the quiet space. Valks handed the paper signed by Shylock to Vlad, who was reclining in the chief chair.

“I didn't know it was going to end. He's like a greedy pig looking for power all over and now he signed the paper so easily..”

“Now is the beginning.” Vlad unfolded the paper.

It was about the succession of all the management rights of Isles to his eldest daughter, Lily Isles. By law, a wife's property belonged to her husband, so Vlad himself was the Isles owner.

His eyes widened as he looked at the name on which the seal was engraved. “He's a man who plans behind the scenes.  Right now, he has no chance of winning a head-to-head match.” He rolled up the paper again, handed it to Valks, and got up from his chair. “Arrest Shylock Isles at the entrance to Cadis Castle and put him in his carriage. Let him go with Crocus Isles.”

He had no intention of letting him live without paying a price for subjecting his wife to constant emotional distress.

And this all had to be hidden from her.

He'd given the management to Lily, so eventually, she'd find out about it too. Still, he wanted the timing to be right.

Today was a rough day.

“…I won't be leaving the castle today, so the rest is up to you.”

The sight of Lily lying in bed with no energy was reassuring. It was fortunate that Shylock Isles and her would never run into each other.

“This problem is dismissed… Give me the important report.” Vlad walked to the doorway and glanced at Valks.

“…The Crown Prince has decided to abdicate. It may take some time to announce, but it is solid news.”

Vlad's eyes trembled slightly. There was furious energy in them. He shut his mouth, choosing to organize his thoughts.

Just thinking about it made him angry.

Valks added cautiously, “…It seems that it will be difficult to return to the next delegation.”

He had a bloodline that was of no help whatsoever. Vlad stretched his sore neck a few times.

“It would be better to move first. Send Nerva all over the world. The princess went straight to Cadis without going through the main castle….”

When he reached the door, he froze, like a bird of prey upon hearing unfamiliar sounds from its nest.

It wasn't long before Valks realized what state his lord was in. As usual, he was hearing sounds from a distance that ordinary humans could not hear.

No matter how angry he was, the only thing he did was furrow his eyebrows, but if this was his reaction…

“You're dismissed!” Vlad threw the breakfast room door open and left. As he ran down the hallway, he grabbed the railing with the momentum to jump right away.

Shylock Isles was standing on the stairs going down to the concourse. And he was standing opposite her, a few steps down the stairs.

Opposite Lily, who looked like she couldn't breathe.

She looked desperately at Shylock. “She died of an illness… It was not murder, it was misery.”

The voice that came out wasn't as soft as it had been. She was gaining courage.

“I did nothing wrong. Not me, everyone… It's your fault!”

A pulse pounded at the nape of Vlad's neck.

She was strong. She was a woman strong enough that he did not have to protect her.

But Shylock was also a formidable opponent.

“Do you know the duke? What would happen if the duke, who loves you, found out that you were married for his seed?”

After those venomous words, the Isles' second son appeared.

“Be respectful. The status I have is very powerful now, Father.”

The sound of anger rising from Shylock's neck seemed to reach Dandelion.

Dandelion was terrified as his father raged. Their father wasn't an explosive person. He was a man who collected his anger well and took revenge in another way.

Shylock still hated his sister and him. Moreover, the more Lily rebelled, the more his anger would grow and come back…

Dandelion gulped. He gently grabbed her sister's hand. “Stop it, sister. What if we get hurt later?”

It looked like his father was about to swing the cane that he held in his hand at any moment. Tears welled up in fear.

Lily put her strength back into her hands as they grabbed her brother. “Don't be afraid, Dandelion. You don't have to.”

Paradoxically, for Lily, she became aware of where she stood thanks to the words Shylock threw at her like a dagger.

Chapter end