So the Duchess Disappeared

34. Counterattack

Psyche was somewhat tense, but she descended with as much composure as possible.

“…”

She calmly composed herself.

Perhaps they never thought she would be here. They had concluded that Psyche’s influence in the Alister territory had completely vanished, and they saw this as an opportunity to exploit her absence.

Despite Psyche becoming the Duchess, they had consistently plotted against her. Now, with the news about her cut off, they might have deemed it an opportune time to make their move.

Having lived far away from Hwanguo, they were almost ignorant of the rumors circulating there. They never had any reason to be connected to them, especially since they had no dealings with Hwanguo.

Furthermore, they had no interest in Psyche’s well-being. In the beginning, when she left for Hwanguo, the branch family didn’t pay much attention to the Alister territory. They knew there was nothing left from the inheritance of Psyche’s father, the Viscount. Above all, the Alister territory was not the easiest land to cultivate, and they found it bothersome to manage.

However, with time, even that seemed regrettable. Moreover, they began to move precisely when Psyche’s term as acting lord was about to end.

“Still, it’s fortunate. Such a thing happened while you were here…”

Claude, coming down the stairs, spoke.

“…”

Psyche couldn’t say anything in response. She felt a sense of regret, wondering if she could have exploited them if she were in the position of the ‘Duchess.’

“Since the Duke dislikes disturbances…”

Then, she thought about Clint and felt a sudden realization.

“Well, it’s a good thing. I can’t keep relying on his shadow forever… This is a matter for my family, so I should be the one to handle it.”

With such thoughts, Psyche smiled, raising the corners of her mouth. She was no longer the frightened child she used to be.

❖ ❖ ❖

The visitors were very surprised to find Psyche inside the castle.

Their expressions seemed as if they had seen someone they shouldn’t have. Psyche gracefully smiled, as if she were a ghost they were shocked to encounter.

“Why are you all so surprised? Shouldn’t the owner of the castle be inside the castle?”

When she spoke to them first, they awkwardly laughed, taken aback.

Since they only remembered the young Psyche from the old days, her current appearance seemed quite unfamiliar to them.

Back when she was left alone in the castle, before meeting Clint, she was young, undernourished, and afraid of being assassinated. That fear was one reason why Clint became more obsessed with plants, fearing she might die. She didn’t want to die like her parents.

At that time, she was just an unremarkable, feeble young woman in the eyes of the castle residents. So, as Johnny did, everyone looked down on Psyche.

But not anymore.

How could people from the branch family, who were just part of the castle, be intimidating after the days she spent with the Duke?

Then and now were entirely different.

When they saw Psyche, Cain, who was the leader, tried to nonchalantly respond to the situation.

“Haha, how come you’re here?”

“Shouldn’t I be involved in family matters? Isn’t that right?”

Psyche condescendingly remarked, creating a slightly surprised atmosphere.

They, who were familiar with her submissive behavior in front of Johnny, hesitated on how to respond.

“I’m curious about the answer to why you sent a messenger to me, Cain.”

Calling Cain, who was much older than her, by his name without hesitation, Psyche’s gesture amused everyone.

“Hahaha. Why are you so bitter in your words, Psyche? You’ve abandoned this place and married another noble. Why would you even send a messenger to someone like me?”

“Tighten your loose tongue!”

Suddenly, Psyche cut him off. Cain’s eyes widened in surprise at the thundering voice.

Psyche took a step forward.

“How dare you say something like that? Do you think you can say whatever you want? Have you forgotten your status? Seems like you’re forgetting. Should I teach you how a noble knight should address someone in Hwanguo, even if it’s a duke’s representative? Claude.”

She gestured to Claude standing beside her, commanding him with a nod. Claude, with a dignified step, walked towards Cain.

“Oh, no! Claude, when did you arrive here? Tell me… Ugh.”

In an instant, a sword from his waist was pointed at Cain’s throat.

Still not understanding the situation, Cain pretended to be nonchalant, but suddenly, the blade at his throat made him swallow nervously.

“What… what are you doing?”

“Lord Acting, show some proper manners.”

Claude spoke dryly, still holding the sword. There was no hint of amusement in his eyes. When Cain hesitated, Claude spoke again.

“If you won’t, I’ll do it for you.”

He struck Cain’s lower abdomen. A thud sound followed.

“Ugh!”

Cain cried out, doubling over in pain.

Those who had accompanied him were surprised, jaws dropping. Sounds of gasps echoed around. It was a completely unexpected scene. Claude, as if warning, spoke in a low voice.

“If you don’t want to end up like that, show some proper manners too.”

Again, Cain, unsure of what to do, awkwardly bowed his head, and the others followed suit, forcing themselves to lower their heads. Although it was far from a proper greeting, Psyche shrugged her shoulders, taunting them openly.

“It’s tough to receive such a thing from those who don’t even know proper etiquette.”

Psyche chuckled lightly.

“Facing these people who don’t know how to show respect.”

She openly mocked them, thinking that Cain, who still didn’t understand the situation, could grasp the message. Though Cain wanted to retort, he feared Claude’s sword. He was aware that Claude had become a mercenary using swords in Hwanguo.

Even if he had traveled with some knights, they were merely in name. Compared to Claude, who was accustomed to combat, they were not on the same level. Claudia sheathed his sword neatly, sending a threatening gaze towards Cain. In response, everyone awkwardly lowered their heads. It wasn’t a proper greeting either, but Psyche waved it off with a tongue click.

“It’s difficult to expect proper manners from these fools.”

She muttered to herself, feeling quite disappointed after meeting her relatives.

Psyche had spent several years with the Duke, living as a Duchess in the Alister territory. The Duke was at the highest echelon even among the nobles. Moreover, there were rumors that he could kill with just a glance. The time she spent with him couldn’t be easily overlooked.

In the past, when adults from the branch family crowded around young Psyche, they felt like terrifying beings. She had endured solely with the thought of preserving the dignity her parents had left behind.

However, those who seemed so frightening back then now seemed extremely trivial.

Clint and his group had a different demeanor altogether.

They were so composed that any tension seemed irrelevant.

Thinking she could easily dismiss them, Psyche spoke again.

“Shall we get to the main point now?”

She had no intention of letting them come any further inside.

Cain and his party, including, stood awkwardly, staring blankly.

They, who had expected a bloodless entry, were now flustered and unable to handle the unexpected appearance of Psyche.

“With the authority given to me by my father, I intend to become the official lord from the acting lord. Any objections?”

“…”

Cain squinted his eyes.

“Well, even if you have objections, what can you do? You had no authority from the start. Just invading my castle unauthorized is enough for you to have no right to speak, you know?”

“…”

Cain couldn’t think of anything to say.

“Oh. And one more thing. I plan to strip Johnny Alister of all his authority as my parents’ murderer.”

“What! How can you do that! Ugh!”

Cain protested, but Claude struck him on the opposite side of his thigh.

He had no choice but to bend over in pain.

“No, Claude. He seems curious about what Moore is talking about. Cain, go on.”

“…Now the one who used to lick my father’s boots is acting all high and mighty…”

“Ho, interesting. Keep going.”

“He won’t stay quiet about this in front of my father!”

“Your father will be silent. Cain.”

“What!”

Cain blushed, embarrassed.

But Psyche didn’t flinch.

“So, you’re no longer part of the Alister family. Do whatever you want outside; it’s not my concern. Or you might end up dead here.”

“What!”

Then it happened.

The creaking sound of an old door opening once again.

“No, what’s all this noise insi… Oh…”

As the door opened, the one who appeared was none other than ‘Johnny Alister.’ Johnny smiled strangely when he saw Psyche.

Psyche’s nemesis.

The one who killed her parents.

Seeing him, Psyche felt as if something snapped in her head.

How dare he set foot here!

“You’re insane! How dare you think of entering this place!”

Her voice raised, but Johnny, leaning on a staff, bowed his legs, his expression unchanged.

“My niece, Psyche… It’s been a while! Nice to see you, nice to see you!”

He acted as if he had become a beloved uncle to Psyche.

Unable to tolerate it, Psyche grabbed anything she could find and threw it at him.

Since Johnny had difficulty moving properly, Psyche’s thrown vase accurately hit him on the forehead.

Everyone’s faces were filled with astonishment.