His Highness’ Secret Accountant

Slap!

The sound of skin-to-skin contact echoed through the dark interior.

How much did she get hit? Her cheeks were so hot that she couldn't even feel the pain.

Being beaten like this, she thought she had gotten used to it…

After the tingling pain, she felt the fishy taste of blood coming from her torn lips.

"You're the one who lost Ayla?"

Immediately, the heavily sinking man's voice echoed in Lily's ear.

Even though it was only a couple of words, it was so threatening that the two hands that were against the floor were shaking.

"…"

She couldn't say anything.

If she said something wrong, he would really take her life.

Lily's skinny body trembled as she kept her gaze down.

Duke Daniel, who was holding a drink, turned around slowly and smiled.

His red eyes flashed with madness.

‘If only I could escape this hell…'

Milton's face was filled with a sense of guilt as he restlessly slapped Lily's cheeks.

He felt terrible, but there was no way. He had to obey the Duke even though he knew it wasn't right. He needed the Duke's help to earn money to buy medicine for his daughter, who was getting worse day by day.

"I-I apologize. I only took my eyes off her for a second…"

Lily, who was covered in blood, pulled up her torn clothes and spoke.

There wasn't the slightest sympathy in Duke Daniel's gaze as he looked at Lily.

"I thought you were clever… As expected, there's no helping it with lowly people."

The Duke frowned and revealed his displeased mood as if he was facing something filthy.

Immediately after, Duke Daniel glanced at Milton, who had stopped.

Shwing.

The sharp sound of metal cut through the air.

As if she knew her future, Lily's eyes, which had been filled with transparent tears, disappeared without a trace. Milton's gaze at Lily was marked with one word. Hesitation.

This child who was receiving a harsh beating without even screaming was pitiful.

The little girl who didn't rebel once, as if she already expected it, was pitiful.

"I'm tired."

It was only a short sentence from Duke Daniel, but it had a lot of meaning in it.

Feeling the silent pressure directed at him, Milton bit his dry lips and strengthened his grip on the sword he was holding.

A stream of hot tears ran down from Lily's closed eyelids.

She clenched her fists to try to overcome her fear and her lips trembled, but there was no one to help her.

Swish-!

The sharp tip of the sword finally cut through the air at a rapid speed.

Just as the sharp metal sound was about to touch the slender body,

Click.

Bam!!

The iron door that was firmly closed opened with a loud noise.

Through the open door, a panting Louis could be seen.

"Ahh, ahh, your sword… put it down."

"Continue."

As if he didn't mind it, Duke Daniel urged Milton while keeping a stiff expression.

Milton's fingertips trembled slightly as they wrapped around the hilt of the sword.

"P… Prince."

"Are you foolish… Get up now. Now!!!"

"…"

The thin body that was crying thick tears wobbled and rose from its seat.

His chest hurt at the sight of Lily trembling incessantly. Although he wasn't aware of it.

"This is the child I brought in. If she is to receive punishment, I'll be the one doing it. Even if you are a high-ranking duke, you can't take this child's life."

"Tsk, tsk, you're pathetic. Are you saying you're going to turn your back on your father just because of a bitch?"

"Are there any sentiments left between me and the Duke?"

Duke Daniel let out a small snort at Louis' resentful voice. The Duke's red eyes stared at Louis silently.

With a blazing stare, as if to burn down everything.

"From whom do you think all these things that you enjoy have come?"

"…"

"Your childishness stops here. If you defy me once more… you won't come out unscathed."

At the same time, Duke Daniel's eyes trembled.

"I will return the child you brought. Whether you let her escape or keep her here, it's up to you. Though I can't guarantee how long my mercy will last."

Leaving those last, meaningful words, Duke Daniel left the room.

There was a heavy silence between the three people who were left behind.

Louis' eyes, which were shaking aimlessly, moved slowly.

Lily's small body, trembling in fear like an aspen, was pitiful, and Louis reached out his arm without realizing it.

"!"

Lily's big eyes, shedding tears, opened wide at the warmth that wrapped around her shoulders.

How long had it been since she felt warmth… It was as if the sadness she felt all this time was rushing in.

The dark room was filled with silence, and only Lily's occasional sobbing could be heard.

Louis' gaze went past Lily and turned to Milton, who was keeping his position with a blank face.

His drooping shoulders, eyes that lost focus, and lips that were slightly open as if he were hesitating about something.

The person he was facing also seemed to be keeping a complicated state of mind.

"Milton."

"…"

"Let's… stop here. Please."

***