Claude X Lia

Chapter 89

He let out a long trail of smoke as he stared at the ice wall beyond the forest, filled with flowers, snow, and greenery. Ian had been in this state of mind since he returned from the Empire. He appeared pensive and distant, and his secretary had difficulty engaging him in conversation.

The secretary approached Ian with determination, clearing his throat before presenting two letters on a silver tray. “They’re from the Empire, sir. One is addressed to the grand duke’s granddaughter.”

Ian examined the seals on the two letters. One bore the imperial coat of arms and the other bore the Vale family crest, with Canillia’s name written on the front. “Is this all from Canillia?” Ian asked.

“Yes, sir,” the secretary replied.

“And for me?”

Instead of answering, the secretary pointed to a letter from Prince Wade. Ian crushed out his cigarette and ran a hand through his hair in frustration.

It had been two weeks since he returned from the Empire and Canillia had not accompanied him. He knew his feelings did not reach, so he acted boldly. But Canillia had refused even that. He suspected Archduke Ihar had something to do with her refusal.

He remembered how, while infiltrating the Louvre and rescuing Laura, the mention of Canillia’s name had made the rebellious woman obedient. When she heard that her child was at Geore, she took his hand without hesitation.

She bore a striking resemblance to Canillia, with clear signs of age and suffering, but her beauty could not be hidden. He understood why the Marquis and his wife had gone mad.

“Did you read it?” Ian asked, referring to the letter from Canillia.

“Yes. It’s just an ordinary greeting letter,” his secretary replied.

“Anything about me?”

“Yes, but…” the secretary hesitated.

Ian understood that the letter contained nothing of importance regarding him. He excused his secretary and traced Canillia’s name on the letter with his fingers, chuckling at the familiarity of her handwriting. He then took the letter and left the room.

As he walked through the grand duke’s garden, which was in disarray due to ongoing restoration work, he heard the sound of children laughing. He entered the outhouse where guests were staying and found Laura and some children laughing beneath a sun-drenched pergola. The children were the family members of the workers who were mobilized for the restoration work and they liked the kind and gentle Laura.

Ian leaned against the entrance of the archway leading to the pergola. Laura belatedly noticed him and hurriedly stood up, but her injured ankle caused her to sway. Ian couldn’t help but think of Canillia as he saw Laura’s resemblance to her.

“Please stay seated,” Ian said.

Laura’s ankle was bandaged and her dark brown hair was tied up. Ian had made sure to treat her injury as soon as they arrived at Geore. Although she wasn’t completely healed, she was able to walk. The doctor who examined her leg said it was an intentional attack, that her Achilles tendon had been targeted so that she could not walk.

Ian knew who was responsible for the attack. It must have been the marchioness or her henchman, Dornan.

Frightened by Ian’s appearance, the children covered their mouths with both hands and hid behind Laura. He felt secretly sad despite knowing his public image was not the best.

“A letter came from the Empire,” Ian said to Laura.

“A letter?” Laura asked, her eyes lighting up with hope.