The duke’s family gathered around the table and enjoyed a warm and delicious dinner. They were spending time leisurely, sharing stories that they hadn’t been able to tell each other while being apart for a while.
“Duke.”
Irina, who had retreated for the family’s private time, came in with a stern face.
“What’s the matter?”
“The child…… Eli has returned.”
“Eli?”
Before Irina could answer Micaela’s question, Lapellian stood up first from his seat.
“What’s going on?”
“The child’s condition……. ”
With a foreboding feeling that seemed to sting his heart, Lapellian quickened his pace.
Eventually, he nearly ran out into the garden.
When he arrived at the gate with quick steps, the corners of his mouth were pulled up more mischievously than ever.
Occasionally, his smile was very useful in making his opponents careless.
“I greet the great Mosteros.”
“You’ve come a long way.”
“I don’t know what to do with myself for your hospitality.”
The man laughed heartily, practically dragging the child and held him out by the scruff of his neck.
Lapellian’s smile deepened as he slowly lowered his gaze.
“This kid just came back not knowing anything, so I came back to discuss compensation.”
“You are this child’s guardian?”
“That’s what it amounts to.”
“I see. A guardian.”
His voice that sat above his red lips became absolutely cold.
The smile on his lips was entrancing, but the energy emanating from him was colder than the air approaching from the north in winter.
“You must pay for making my family like this. I only forgave the pretty face, but now that the face has become like this, it’s become something I can’t even sell.”
The man gesticulated exaggeratedly as he babbled.
“The condition is much different from what I knew.”
“Accidents are like that, aren’t they? Bruises darken over time.”
“Yes, that’s the way it is.”
His beautiful face wore a smile that somehow seemed precarious, growing deeper.
But the man had not yet realized the truth of the smile and chuckled smugly, shrugging his shoulders.
“Ahaha. How fortunate I don’t know what to do, that we can talk so well with this humble thing.”
“If you feel that way, it’s fortunate.”
“I was disappointed, but I’m relieved. I was surprised at how you just sent him away after making him like this. Surely the great Mosteros Duke’s family wouldn’t just wipe their mouths.”
The ruffian shook Eli’s unconscious neck.
The right cheek was somewhat intact, but the left cheek was a mess.
Lapellian’s smile became even brighter.
Unlike the smile that filled his entire face, the power in his eyes, which had never smiled once, became fiercer than ever.
Bright blue eyes shone with pure white light, scattering a chilling energy.
Only then did the leader of the pickpocket den stumble back, trembling with fear.
“I came to collect the price. Where are you going?”
“That… Aa, aaah!”
The man’s legs froze instantly as he tried to retreat.
Mikaela, who had been watching from a distance following Lapellian, approached.
“Lapell. We made a huge mistake.”
“Grrr.”
Briel and Riel, who had lost their human form due to anger, stood by her side, growling softly.
They seemed ready to tear their opponent’s throat out at any moment.
“Sister. It’s my mistake. I need to make amends for that mistake.”
Lapellian walked up to the man whose legs were frozen stiff.
He looked down at the man as if he were a worthless bug, twisting his wrist that was holding El.
“Aaah…!”
The man had chosen the wrong opponent.
Mosteros was known for being highly suspicious of others, but once he let his guard down and allowed someone into his circle, he took care of them more than anyone else. This was another characteristic of Mosteros.
Currently, Mosteros had shown favor to El, and Lapellian had intended to take El in as his own from the beginning. Needless to say, the pickpocket leader and his den were not safe that night.
“Noisy.”
Lapellian blocked the irritating noise.
He froze the man’s vocal cords, tongue, and even his lips.
With ease, Lapellian broke the man’s wrist and held El in his arms.
With cold, colorless eyes, Lapellian held El, wiping the blood stuck to her ear with his sleeve.
“I’m sorry. I failed to protect you.”
The blood that had dried and would not come off hurt him.
A strong sense of responsibility turned into guilt, wrapping around his entire body.
Realizing that consideration could be a poison, Lapellian hugged El tightly and turned to Mikaela.
“Take care of El. Here is…”
“You handle it. As befits Mosteros.”
Finishing her sentence, Mikaela smiled as beautifully as Lapellian.
A smile that could make one offguard, but full of intent to kill.
“Is there anything else?”
Lapellian bowed to her and turned away.
Mikaela, holding the unconscious El, rushed into the mansion.
With that, a snowstorm struck the duke’s house earlier than usual.
Why She Is Still Unmoved (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: He uses various methods to seek her affection, but she remains unmoved.
Synopsis:
Si Qingyu is a doctor who has saved countless lives and enjoys tranquility.
Luo Shaoxuan is ruthless, deeply scheming, and the top young master in the capital. He admires Si Qingyu.
Luo Shaoxuan: I want to be the only one in your eyes and heart.
Features a cold and calm female lead vs A noble and scheming male lead.
There will be both sweetness and torture towards the male after their marriage.
