# 53
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The Marquis of Lenco's gaze suddenly cooled, and sank into a cruel depth.
One day, the emperor who looked like a black panther fell. This seemingly invincible lord, the ruler of the empire, was overthrown by an astonishingly frail woman. It was she who gave the Marquis courage.
“Don't you want to own the ducal palace? You can. Marquis, if your hands and mine are intertwined, it's possible. "Just tell me a few things I'm asking of you."
The Marquis stared at his son with strangely shining eyes, then chewed his words and spat them out bitterly.
"Do you think that the history of naming the land, planting stakes, and claiming ownership is a long history? In the beginning there was the land, then the sea, then people came. This land on which we stand today has changed its name over and over again. What is the harm if I change its name again?"
“So you are involved in the death of the previous duke. Were you allied with the Hatvi and the Empress of Saxony?”
At Edward's words, the corners of the Marquis's eyes twitched. It was a secret that he told no one, a secret that only the couple knew. He poured the strong whiskey generously, and gulped it down in one go. He hurriedly wiped away the alcohol stuck in his beard with his sleeve, then exhaled hotly and nodded.
"Yes...if your grandfather had been alive, he would have killed me with his own hand. He would have hung my head himf over the moat of Richmond Palace."
“…….”
“I didn’t want to live like a loyal dog.”
Faced with his father's confession, Edward sank deeper into the sofa.
The duke's face appeared to him. Maybe it's grandfather's blood. Edward suddenly felt a faint remorse. If he had known sooner, or if he had been a little older.
Edward shook his head and dismissed his thoughts. What cannot be returned leaves only one option.
“Then cut off the tail.”
“…….”
“Stick everything to Count Lewin, and cut off the tail. There is no way out of this trap but him.”
The Marquis sat across from his son, his features serious.
"I would. But the lower prison is now guarded by Lexton and Isaac. How shall I make my way through them, and meet Count Lewin to bargain with him?"
“Even if the guards are who they are, there is only one person who can meet the Count, right?”
At Edward's words, the Marquis blinked repeatedly, then finally nodded.
“Right… yes, there is!”
He hit his knee like someone who saw a light in a dark maze, then burst out laughing as he looked at his son.
“Indeed, you are your great-grandfather.”
The descendant of the counor whom Eliza Richmond loved most began to sharpen the knife pointed at her neck.
If you do not kill, you will be killed.