WCMBI - Chapter 228: Betrayal (Patreon)

They had applied the same pressure on the county, but the reaction was different. As he had expected, Alex was more suited to this side than the knights.

"Ah, and bring Henry."

"Yes, understood."

As Ian moved between the annex where Melissa had stayed, he became aware of one fact. The unchanged scent that blatantly lingered in the air. She had left without taking anything with her, causing him to wonder about her actions.

If she was going to leave everything behind, why indulge herself like that?

He assumed she had spent the allocated budget, believing that she, of course, had consumed it before the eyes of the mansion staff. After all, there was no way they would know that the budget was placed before the duchess. But what if there was something else he didn't know?

Until now, he had naturally believed he knew everything about his mansion. But now, he couldn't be sure. There were many things happening in places he wasn't aware of.

Therefore, this time, he had to properly ascertain the truth. In case he misunderstood again...

"Will I be able to face her properly?"

Feeling ashamed and consumed by guilt, Ian felt as if he wouldn't be able to look at Melissa's face properly. He hoped it was simply her capriciousness as he waited for Henry.

After a while, Henry entered the study with a tense expression. Ian dismissed all the attendants and asked Henry directly.

"When I granted Melissa the budget, I left it unrestricted."

"Yes, that is correct."

"I reckoned it was only right for someone who's destined to bear my alpha heir to be treated so, and thus, I didn't give it much thought thereafter," Ian said.

Silence lingered.

"But one day, I discovered she had indulged in an absurd extravagance within the dressing room. Naturally, I couldn't hold back my disapproval," he continued, his voice softened with regret.

Before even being asked about it, Henry knelt down, bowing his head humbly and said, "I apologize, deeply."

"Hmm, seems like you know something. Speak the truth, instead of just apologizing," Ian demanded.

"Lady Nicola, while she was alive, made a request regarding this matter. I knew it was not permissible, yet seeing Lady Nicola in such distress, I had no choice but to grant her wish," Henry explained, his voice tinged with guilt.

"What a mess..."

"I've committed a grave mistake, Your Grace! I never intended to deliberately conceal it."

Ian felt a sharp sense of betrayal. He had shielded his eyes and closed his ears, justifying his actions in the name of devotion to him or the family.

The anger surged, not only directed at the butler but also at himself for being so easily misled by prejudice and misunderstandings, which had led him to mistreat Melissa.

Was it reasonable to demand accountability from them?

If he had taken the time to know a little more before getting entangled in his selfishness, none of this would have happened. Now was the time to confront that truth.

He covered his eyes, bowing his head. The heat of his tears made it impossible to look up. Unbeknownst to him, a few scorching tears escaped between his fingers, falling freely.

As if following the lead of a torrential rain, those few drops turned into a deluge of tears. Witnessing Ian's heartrending sobs, Henry found himself unable to utter a single word, frozen in place.

The echo of the late Countess' voice resonated in his ears. Her warning not to deceive their master felt like a sharpened dagger. Henry prostrated himself on the ground, silently beginning his apology.

Apologies were extended to his lordship, his ladyship, and even to Lady Nicola.

An intense sense of solemnity filled the air as the two men sought forgiveness from those no longer present. Though they knew how absurd it was to seek redemption after the fact, they had no other recourse but to do so now, even if it was woefully belated.