Chapter 183
* * *
Duchy.
In every country, great or small, the significance and power held by a āDuchyā is exceptional.
The same was true in the Nesman Empire.
A dukeās title could only be granted to those of imperial blood, or to a house that had achieved historic feats in saving the nation.
The Duchies of Taylor, Bayern, Granvil, Wessler, and Nord.
These five houses had each, at one point in history, saved the Nesman Empire from grave peril.
Among them, House Nord had once held tremendous influence during the time of the previous duke.
But after Frederick inherited the title, problems began to slowly emerge.
It was the result of clinging to the outdated tradition of primogeniture.
Frederick, who had no reason to put in any effort since the house would fall into his hands regardless, was so incompetent that everything he touched ended in failure.
His only interests were in leisure and indulgence.
The downfall of the house under his rule had been inevitable.
However, through a political marriage, the decline of House Nord was temporarily deferred.
The question now was this.
How much longer would that grace period last?
* * *
Nord ducal estate, the drawing room.
Rebecca was drinking wine on an empty stomach.
āA single warning should be enough. Iāll be holding House Nord accountable very soon.ā
The sharp warning sheād received not long ago from Duke Bayern, whom sheād encountered at Count Crestās manor.
Just thinking about that warning made her skin crawl.
With anxious eyes, Rebecca tilted her wine glass.
Though the crimson liquid warmed her stomach, it didnāt improve her mood. It only deepened her sense of foreboding.
āā¦No. That canāt be.ā
Holding a family accountable just for a comment made at a tea party?
That didnāt make any sense.
If such a thing escalated into a conflict between noble houses, the head of that house would surely have their qualifications questioned.
He wasnāt someone like her husband who couldnāt discern the gravity of matters.
Surely, it had just been an empty threat.
With that reasoning, she managed to calm her pounding heart somewhat.
But shortly after, the arrival of an unexpected person made her realize something was very wrong.
āDrinking in the morning? Have you completely lost your mind?ā
āā¦Grandfather?ā
Her maternal grandfather, who should have been in the capital, had come all this way without notice?
As the drunken Rebecca staggered to her feet, Marquis Crewe glared at her with bloodshot eyes, as if barely restraining his rage.
āIs this what youāve been doing at home all this time?ā
āNo, I was just feeling off this morning and had a drink to settle my nervesā¦ā
Tsk tsk, Marquis Crewe clicked his tongue in disgust.
āWhereās that bastard of a husband of yours right now?ā
That bastard? What had her husband done?
Strangely, Duke Bayernās warning and her earlier sense of dread flashed through her mind again.
āWhy are you so angry? Please, calm down andāā
āHeās probably in his study, hm?ā
Marquis Crewe cut her off with a hardened expression and immediately began walking.
Clatter, clatter.
When he found the door locked, he grabbed a candlestick from the hallway and started smashing the doorknob.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
āWhat are you doing?!ā
āGet back!ā
As the shocked Rebecca tried to stop him, he swung his arm wideā
Thud.
She was pushed back and collapsed limply to the floor.
She froze for a moment from the shock, then quickly stood up, trembling, watching her grandfather bash at the doorknob like a madman.
If the study door was lockedā¦ it meant her husband wasnāt inside.
āHeās not in there. Please, stop thisā!ā
Bang.
At last, the doorknob came off.
The door burst open.
Marquis Crewe stormed inside and began ransacking Frederickās desk drawers.
Drawers, the desk, even the books on the shelves that were more decorative than practicalā¦
He searched them all, his face filled with murderous intent.
Rebecca could only stare blankly, stunned by the sight of her grandfather tearing apart the study.
It was then that Frederick, having heard what was happening, came rushing in, flustered.
āG-Grandfather-in-law! What are you doing all of a sudden?!ā
āYou ask what Iām doingā¦?ā
Marquis Crewe pulled a bundle of papers from his coat and hurled it in Frederickās face.
Smack.
The papers scattered in front of him.
āAfter everything Iāve done for youā¦ and this is how you stab me in the back?!ā
ReadingRainbow9266
Thanks for the multiple posts!!! These past few chapters were amazing!!! It was so satisfying to have Ash literally crush her until she basically left in tears. And now, clearly bringing down house Nord has begun. I cannot wait!!!