Seduce the hero's mother (GL)

Chapter 137: Chapter 34. Memorial Table

Walking through the corridors of the Royal Academy, Razor felt both nostalgia and excitement at the same time. The place seemed so familiar, and at the same time… Distant.

The second prince couldn't explain why. But one thing he did know was that this was where it all began. And, in all likelihood, it would end here.

As he walked to the headmaster's office, he had time to go over the same question in his head a thousand times. And finally convinced, I sighed, grasping the door handle firmly.

The director was alone in the office. An unassuming man with a pale face that Razor had not seen in three years. He was signing some papers, but looked up sharply when he heard extraneous sounds.

— Hello, Mr. Parkins.

The second prince said a polite hello and closed the door behind him.

When the headmaster saw him he went white as a sheet.

— Your Highness! — He got up from the table at once, what are you doing here?

Razor was embarrassed, obviously not happy about the whole encounter.

— I… I wanted to talk to you,» the lad admitted.

— You did? — Mr. Parkins whispered. «What shall we talk about?

Mr. Parkins was momentarily perturbed, fearing that someone might accidentally catch the deposed second prince. He obviously didn't want any unnecessary trouble. And if anyone else denounced it to the queen…

The headmaster quickly rushed through the cabinet: first he checked that no one was under the windows, and then he looked out into the corridor. It was empty. Relieved, he exhaled, when in his heart there was a hope that no one had noticed them.

Then he turned to Razor with a serious look.

— Your Highness, leave at once! — He demanded.

— What?

— The Academy, and I especially don't want any trouble,» said Mr. Parkins, «If anyone finds out you came here… They might suspect us of collusion!

— «Collusion?» — the prince wondered.

— Exactly. The queen may have spared you willingly, but your reputation is still highly questionable. I have no use for such connections.

— Ah, so that's how it is…

— Nothing personal, Your Highness,» the man said blandly, «but the truth is, it would be better if you left now.

Razor saw the apprehension in his eyes, and he wasn't going to insist. In a way, it really was none of his business. But in the meantime, he had come all this way for a reason, hadn't he?

— Sir,» the boy tried again, «it won't take long.

— What are you talking about?! I said…!

— I only came to ask you one question.

The headmaster stared at him in surprise.

— A question…?

— Yes,» Razor nodded, «Only you can know the answer.

Mr. Parkins hesitated. Obviously, he couldn't decide whether to throw the fellow out at once or give him a chance. But in the end he sighed.

— And what is it you want to know from me?

The second prince got excited.

— Three years ago… Do you remember your meeting with Archduke Ashford? — he suddenly inquired.

The director froze perplexed. What has that got to do with anything?

— What are you talking about? — He asked him again.

Razor continued:

— As far as I know, you were the one who informed the Archduke that Leriana had gone on vacation to Cassius Manor.

Mr. Parkins reflected. He'd had many meetings with the parents of students over the years, and many of them had slipped his mind. But he did remember that conversation.

— Suppose,» the man agreed slowly, «But why would you…?

— I'd like to know his reaction,» Razor said bluntly.

— What?

— The Archduke's reaction to you telling him Leriana had befriended the daughter of the Cassius family.

He hesitated. And you could tell by his demeanor that he had something to say about it.

— Was he angry? — The prince suggested,» Or perhaps he was upset?

Though the fire lord had no idea why the man wanted to know such things, he answered reluctantly:

— No.

Razor was surprised.

— Then…?

Mr. Parkins sighed.

— He laughed,» he answered abruptly.

The second prince opened his eyes in amazement.

— Really?!

At that moment, the headmaster involuntarily looked away.

— When I told the Archduke that his daughter had gone to the Duchy of Cassius, he…» he hesitated at the last words, «I mean, he didn't seem to be upset at all.

***

Actually, Raymond Cassius never really believed in the gods. He considered them merely foolish fabrications of men--designed to alleviate their earthly problems. But on days like this, the man still wanted to hope that his wife had gone to a better place.

On the anniversary of the death of the first and only Duchess Cassius--Raymond had organized a memorial table, which he intended to spend alone.

On dates like this, he hated to be disturbed by anyone. And for that reason, most of the estate's servants either took the day off or simply tried to stay out of his sight.

There were many candles burning at the long table, and of the dishes, all the ones the duchess had loved in her lifetime. Raymond was not even going to eat them, but simply to «leave» them for her.

In addition to the memorial meal, there was also one birthday cake with candles. In honor of Rachel's birthday.

It was a little strange to celebrate without the birthday girl-but the duke was going to do it anyway. In fact, just as he had for the last two years when Rachel hadn't come home.

Duke Cassius sighed, and, sitting at the table, folded his arms in prayer. The mundane traditions of the common people-which he observed for some reason.

But would his words really reach a higher power…? There was no way for the man to know.

After completing the ritual for the peaceful repose of his wife, the duke was going to spend the day at the memorial table. But he had barely uncrossed his arms — when suddenly he heard screams and knocks outside the front door.

— What the…!

The man barely restrained himself from cursing in such an environment.

In a jiffy he got up from the table, about to check who dared to make noise and disturb him like that. At the very least, to give that daredevil a scolding. Or at the most, to finish him off on the spot.

But the duke could do neither.

As he opened the door, he froze in surprise. The Archduke was standing at the entrance, trembling like an aspen leaf. It seemed as if the poor man was about to faint from fear.

— The Archduke?! — he said in astonishment, «What are you…?

But Henry Ashford, seeing him, at once pleaded:

— Your Grace, would you please let me in?!

— What?

— It is urgent…! Please help me!

Without wasting a second, the man ran into the house as if looking for a place to hide. Raymond watched him with surprise.

— Had something happened?

The man's lips trembled. He was silent for a couple of seconds, suppressing fear, then suddenly announced:

— Someone is following me!

— What?!

— It looks like the man you were talking about! — Henry exclaimed desperately, — I was going to string you up, but… On the way the carriage was suddenly attacked. I was the only one who managed to escape!

Duke Cassius went numb with shock.

— Is it true?!

He sobbed.

— I am afraid…» he stammered, «I am afraid that he is still after me…!

The Archduke looked very frightened indeed, and Raymond believed him. What to say, Leriane's father almost fainted with terror.

The duke walked up to him and took him by the shoulders.

— Don't worry,» he said firmly, «I'll be sure to protect you.

— R-really…?!

— Of course you will. We're practically family.

Henry seemed greatly relieved. Tears came to his eyes.

— Thank you! — exclaimed gratefully, — Thank you very much!

And while the man thought about the fact that he should call people to inspect the territory of the duchy — as the Archduke followed the noise from outside again.

This time the strangers kicked in the door themselves and rushed inside.

It was a small band of warriors, led by a young man. Duke Cassius was startled when he saw his face. The crown prince Philip Blanche.

Blood dripped from his sword, as did the men behind him. this-chapter-is-MVLeMpYr

Raymond could not believe his eyes. Not only was the crown prince alive, but he had gone down such a path. Could it be that he was the anonymous one…?!

But no. The man who threatened the Marquis of Windsor for so many years could not have been that young. But then what is he doing here…?

Philip hummed when there was blood on his clothes, too. The blood of all those people left behind today at Cassius Manor.

— I'm done,» he declared, «You can take it from here.

The crown prince dropped this, addressing someone in the room. But the duke couldn't figure out who exactly.

At any rate, he was certainly not going to give up. He stood up and covered the Archduke with himself: intending to defend Leriane's father with the last of his strength.

— Don't be afraid,» he whispered, «Just stay behind. I'll take care of all this…

But the man could not finish the sentence. Because he suddenly felt — a cold metal jammed into his back. A trickle of blood ran from the corner of his mouth.

— Don't blame me, Raymond,» the man grinned, «but I've waited too long for this day.