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After Richard had changed into fresh clothes, Lilia guided him through the mansion to a room situated at the back of the property. This particular room was built in a more secluded part of the mansion, away from the main areas and designed to be accessed by only a select few. The path leading to it was less traveled, adding to its sense of privacy and exclusivity.

As they approached, the atmosphere shifted, marked by a subtle change in the decor and a more guarded ambiance, emphasizing the room\'s significance and the importance of the few who were permitted to enter.

Richard didn\'t have much recollection of this place which was built underground. Must be because he never found the necessity to go in there. Regardless, his focus was more on the person who was caught rather than this mysterious place he was led to.

After descending for about twenty stairs, they reached a dimly lit lobby and from the other side, the scream of a male could be heard.

The cry of agony was something Richard heard some days ago, but naturally, these whimpers weren\'t of the same person.

"Is Mom inside?" He asked.

Lilia nodded solemnly.

They both walked cautiously, with Lilia holding a small, flickering lantern to light their way. The lobby they traversed was narrow, and the damp, musty smell that permeated the air suggested that this place hadn\'t been in operation for a considerable amount of time.

The walls were lined with peeling wallpaper, and the floor creaked under their footsteps, adding to the eerie atmosphere of abandonment and neglect.

Their feet came to a halt as they entered a dimly lit room where two individuals could be seen. One person was restrained on a slanted platform, his limbs securely cuffed, rendering him helpless. The other individual stood nearby, holding a whip, and was in the act of viciously beating the restrained person.

The sound of the whip cracking through the air and the muffled cries of the victim filled the room, creating an atmosphere of tension and brutality.

"Oh, Richie. You returned~" For a moment, Richard was frozen still after seeing his mother in such a state, however, as soon as she wore that gentle smile and embraced him, he was able to regain his calm.

"Mom." He called out and looked at the man who was beaten black and blue.

His face had been struck severely with a blunt object, leaving his nose, lips, and left cheekbone disfigured. His body was almost naked, except for his boxers, revealing the extent of his torment. His upper body bore numerous scrapes, and angry red whip marks burned dangerously across his skin, with blood pouring from several wounds.

His toes had been cruelly pulled out, and a gruesome chunk of flesh had been gouged from his left thigh, highlighting the extent of the brutal treatment he had endured.

This was the work of a psychotic interrogator—Richard inwardly muttered

Seriously, the way she was clinging to him, and the version of her which must have beaten up the man were in stark contrast. Richard was slightly terrified of how her mood could swing so easily.

"Have you come to see your mama? Aww...I feel blessed." She pressed her blood-coated fingers against her chest and said with a soft smile.

Lilia, on the other side, was feeling quite complex with the sight she was met with and the words she was hearing from the Duchess. Seriously, her obsession with her son seems to be elevating these days.

"Is he the spy? Did he say anything?"

Bellarine pouted seeing that her son just ignored her question. However, she didn\'t sulk on the matter for long and hummed in response before giving him the details,

"Indeed, son. He seems to be a quite qualified spy who never came in the radar of surveillance and was providing Albert with the information and resources he asked for." Suddenly a frown marred her face as she added,

"However, after hearing from him, something has become quite confusing."

"And that is?" Richard asked.

Bellarine took a step forward, and while wiping her hands with the towel which Lilia provided, she said, "The spy said that Albert dropped the plan on confronting you about the matter of your identity."

Richard frowned, "Dropped the plan? I certainly didn\'t get abducted because he dropped the plan."

"Yes, that\'s why this is confusing." Her frown grew deeper as she spoke in a quieter tone, "I also sensed fear when he came to talk to me about this matter...and I also thought that he would no longer pursue this subject. Then suddenly...."

"Manipulation?" Lilia subconsciously uttered, however, upon realizing her mistake she immediately bowed, "I apologize for interfering."

"No...rather thanks. I was thinking the same thing, and hearing it from you made me a little more assured." Richard spoke and gave her shoulder a soft rub.

Lilia felt her heart warming at the sight of the gesture, her eyes filled with admiration as she gazed at her master. The tenderness she felt by the gesture deeply resonated, evoking a profound sense of affection and respect.

Richard turned towards his mother before asking, "Mom...was there anything suspicious that was extracted from his body?" There might be an artefact used to control his mind.

Those words were met by an embarrassed laugh from the Duchess as she replied hesitantly, "The point is....I actually was so pissed at him that I burned his body into ashes right after you were taken away."

"..." (Richard)

"..." (Lilia)

This lady...doesn\'t know the meaning of restraint at all.

Richard sighed when suddenly his backbone straightened hearing a \'ding\' sound.

[Ding!]

[Quest arrived!]

[Discover the true culprit behind your abduction!]

[Time: One week]

[Reward: 20 Points, ???]

...

\'Damn....\' Inwardly he exclaimed. This was not just merely a quest, but rather a hint from the system that there was someone who was working from behind the scenes to hurt or possibly get Richard killed.

He knew that Albert was a bastard since the first day he saw him but he(Albert) was quite loyal to the Scarlette house as well. And from what Richard sensed, Albert had feelings for Bellarine...but in that case the last person Albert could have chosen to hurt was Richard.

And thanks to the system\'s confirmation now Richard was sure that there was someone he needed to catch. But who?

There were many people who surely carried a lot of hostility against Richard. Even the servants working in the mansion have been tormented by the old Richard in the past. However, to go to such lengths to get Richard killed....who can it be?

"Ah, I forgot!" Suddenly, to break his stupor, Bellarine clapped her hands and said, "The day after tomorrow we have to visit the capital. There is a celebration being held which we both must attend."

Richard frowned, "What celebration? Do I really need to join?"

He had to focus on training when he had the time, that\'s why he was reluctant to go anywhere as of now.

However, Bellarine\'s following words made him realise the importance of this celebration,

"Of course, you have to come. After all, it\'s your childhood friend, Princess Elizabeth\'s birthday."

Hearing that name, Richard\'s whole body froze and a single word left his throat,

"Crap..."

***********

Inside a thinly lit room, one could see a young lady with platinum blond hair currently lying down on the bed.

The room was quite magnificently decorated and was huge enough to accomodate fifty people with ease. The walls weren\'t of any fancy color even though the resident was a young girl.

Several pictures were on the wall and except for the girl there was no one inside the room to share her happiness.

A full-bloomed smile adorned her face as she hugged a pillow to her bosom, the pillow bearing the face of a young man meticulously sewn onto it. Scattered around her on the floor were several hand-drawn pictures, all depicting the same boy, each illustration capturing different expressions and moments. The collection of artwork and the pillow spoke of an intense and perhaps unsettling obsession.

It seemed like she was surrounded by the person even though he wasn\'t there with her.

With an excited smile, she uttered slowly under her breath, "Just a little longer...and we will meet again."

Looking at the face on the cushion, she giggled and excitedly said, "Can\'t wait~"

*********

A/N:- So...I screwed up.

Since I am new on WN I didn\'t know that people generally lock chapters at 30+ and I ended up locking it at 16. Fml.

I cannot change and only hope that people don\'t abandon my work. If you are here and reading this, then please comment down to encourage me ╥⁠﹏⁠╥