Becoming the Villain’s Family - Chapter 339
Chapter 339
He gave a brief explanation of their situation after receiving an unspoken permission that it was fine to reveal it.
“Because of a prophecy.”
“A prophecy?”
So the Valentines have even developed prophetic abilities now?
But considering their achievements so far, the Dukes thought that they could certainly handle it.
“Does it mean there’s some divine mission or…?”
“Is the world facing a crisis or something?”
“Not again?”
At this point, the issue of forming a connection with the Valentines was irrelevant.
Lloyd, observing the Dukes’ anxious and flustered reactions, said.
“It’s quite amusing that you can look so pale at the mere mention of prophecy, yet still try to push your children towards the Valentines.”
“…”
“Does it seem any better now? Being called a hero instead of a demon?”
From the beginning, nothing had changed with the Valentines. Lloyd, with an air of annoyance, added, “Then a hero should go do hero’s work,” and stood up.
As his heavy footsteps grew distant, the Dukes sighed in relief and wiped their brows.
“But why can’t I see the children?”
Unaware that a worse hell awaited them.
Children are beings you can’t take your eyes off for even a moment. However, Duke Amarante had never once realized this basic fact concerning his second son.
Ugo was not just mature for his age. He was a child with exceptional skills. Even if left in the middle of a party, he wouldn’t cause any trouble. Instead, he would charm all the other children and turn them to his side.
Adults were no exception. Even the competing Martinez family admired Ugo for his charm and competence. Unlike the eldest son, who would reveal his teeth and curse like a common thug at the slightest provocation, Ugo was different from the very start.
‘He’s just gifted, plain and simple.’
Duke Amarante’s expectations for his second son grew with each passing day as he watched the eldest son grow more and more unruly. He had Ugo rigorously trained under the best tutors to become a perfect noble who would bring glory to the family.
And Ugo had never once disappointed the Duke’s expectations.
‘He’ll handle it well this time too.’
It was clear that Duke Valentine wouldn’t flinch even if a group of people were wiped out before his eyes. However, he was fiercely protective of his own children.
What did this mean? It meant that despite his fierce opposition, if his daughter liked something, he would have to yield.
‘And if it’s my son, Ugo, he must have already won the young lady’s favor.’
Other competitors were hardly worth considering.
Duke Amarante had a strong conviction.
Ugo was fundamentally different from those reckless children who would disappear and cause trouble the moment you looked away. Especially in the current era, when new nobles were arrogantly stepping out of line, the long-established Amarante family was undeniably the highest noble in the Fineta Empire…
“Master!”
At that moment, attendants and guards who should have been with Ugo rushed in, panting and breathless.
“The, the young master has disappeared!”
“…Disappeared?”
“He vanished without a trace in the brief moment we looked away…”
That’s right. The Duke had completely forgotten that Ugo was only seven years old.
“Good heavens, you imbeciles! How could you not notice when Ugo went missing!”
“We have committed a grave mistake!”
Recognizing it was clearly their error, the attendants and guards knelt with pale faces. They had been complacent. They had followed the second young master’s request to step away, believing that he would surely inform them if he was going somewhere.
They never imagined such a thing would happen in the brief time they left his side.
“Find him now! Deploy all search teams! Even if we need to seek help from other families, ensure the child’s safety!”
“But…”
The attendants and guards hesitated. They were on Valiya Island—a retreat for high-ranking nobles where only authorized individuals could set foot. No threatening force could get close.
Even if someone tried, they would face multiple layers of protective barriers and, if they got through, would be bombarded by offensive magic.
At the same time, a signal would soon come. Since no one was allowed in, it could be considered safer than even the palace. Moreover, the island was so small that it took less than three hours to search the entire place. For someone to go missing in such a location…
‘Unless they lost consciousness…’
‘Or… lost their lives…’
No matter how much he thought about it, only ominous scenarios came to mind.
“Why are you not moving? Do you want to die?”
“We have already begun.”
“What?”
“It seems that Valentine’s side moved first before we even realized.”
Grand Duke Valentine is leading the Black Falcons in a terrifying search effort.
“Wait, wait a minute. Does that mean…?”
Duke Amarante asked, stumbling over his words. He clearly didn’t believe what he was hearing.
“Does that mean young lady Valentine is also missing?”
“We have not seen any sign of young masters Valentine either.”
“…”
Duke Amarante turned his head with a creaking sound, as if pierced by a thousand eyes. By now, Grand Duke Valentine and his group, who had completed the first search, were approaching Duke Amarante.
Seeing the grimly dressed figures of the reapers, he momentarily thought he might be dead and had arrived in the afterlife.
“My children are missing, and it seems to be related to your son.”
“That, that is…”
“Do you know anything about why there are no traces of him even after thoroughly searching the island?”
“…”
“Silence. I didn’t expect to have the patience.”
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