Secret Private Life of the Villainous Grand Duke - Chapter 119

As if to prove his uneasy feelings, Paul and Moritz’s hands moved faster. They wanted to finish the task as quickly as possible. No matter how reliable their comrades were in Cretail, Moritz couldn’t shake the constant anxiety.

As the afternoon passed, a servant from the Kneiss castle barged into the study without knocking. Moritz glared at him with a harsh expression.

“Report.”

“Lady Claudia urgently sent word. We found the Ravenas family’s coachman. And… a letter has come from the Pax family to Kneiss castle…”

The servant from Kneiss castle pulled out the letter he had brought in his coat. It was the letter Claudia had written. Moritz took the letter and carefully opened the envelope with a thin paper knife.

[The Ravenas family coachman is unconscious, but we are protecting him. Lady Lily has been kidnapped, and a letter has come from the Pax family with a negotiation proposal. I’ll transcribe it exactly as written.

‘Your woman is with me. If you don’t want her to be further ruined, sever all ties with the Pax family. Then I will return her to you. Of course, proof of this will be my re-engagement to Claudia. Or, you can marry Katrina instead. Do whatever suits you. I don’t care.’

Don’t come down, Momo. I’ll handle it. Friedrich is combing through the Pax territory. Leave this to me and Friedrich. Finish what you’re doing. As soon as the Ravenas coachman is able to be treated, we’ll send him back. I’ll take Lady Lily to Moonique, so don’t worry too much.

You know. Lady Lily isn’t Hartmut Pax’s hostage, she’s his lifeline.

With infinite trust, Claudia.]

As Moritz read the letter, a cold murderous look began to settle in his eyes. His uncontrolled anger caused him to crumple the edges of the letter in his hand. Slamming his fist down onto the desk, he cursed loudly.

“Damn it…”

Further ruined? What the hell has he done already? His hand trembled with rage. Moritz slammed the desk again, wishing he could vent his anger somewhere. If only he could, he would beat it to pieces until his hands were raw.

He wanted to rush straight to Cretail, but Moritz knew better than anyone that Tim and Claudia would handle things just fine.

Calm down. That’s why they’re there…

For someone as meticulous as Hartmut Pax to make such a reckless move meant he was cornered.

There’s no need to panic.

Moritz pressed his fingertips to his temples, trying to soothe himself. The butler, hearing the sound of the desk being slammed, rushed over and stood before him with a worried expression.

In all the years Moritz had worked under him, the butler had never seen him lose his composure or show his anger.

“Master, are you alright…?”

“Go to the palace immediately and bring Kane here.”

Now, even if he had to force things and borrow Matthias’s power, it was urgent.

* * *

When Lily regained consciousness, she immediately realized she was in a different place from where she had fallen asleep.

The walls were not of luxurious stone but dark, blue bricks. The space looked like an old hospital.

Narrow beds with black metal frames were lined up along the walls, and the window, no more than two spans long, was high enough that even if Lily stretched her arm, she couldn’t reach it.

Lily felt scared. Hospitals were a common setting for eerie atmospheres in many games. She scanned the room with a tense feeling.

“Is anyone… there…?”

Her terrified voice echoed through the dim hospital room. From the hallway outside, the sound of a faint, buzzing wind could be heard.

Still naked, Lily twisted her wrists that were bound to the metal frame of the bed. But there was no sign of it loosening.

She wished Hartmut were at least with her. She cursed herself for thinking that way. Was she actually attracted to a man like him? Why on earth…? Lily sniffled quietly to herself.

After about twenty minutes, the sound of footsteps came from the hallway. Lily found the sound of the boots approaching oddly comforting. It was better than being alone.

Creak. Click. The sound of a heavy lock being undone. Shortly after, the doorknob turned with a soft click.

When the black hospital door opened and Hartmut entered, Lily found his presence strangely familiar. His blonde hair seems darker, more ash-gray in appearance, but it gave off a similar vibe to Moritz.

His height and build were similar too. The only difference was that Hartmut had a slightly broader frame than Moritz.

It’s because she didn’t want to be alone…

As soon as she saw Hartmut, Lily forced a smile at the corner of her lips, only to quickly wipe it away. She repeatedly denied that she felt any affection or attraction to him.

“Even if last night’s affair was good, I’m the one who kidnapped you. Shouldn’t you be a little less pleased, Lily Ravenas?”

His voice was as unreadable as ever. Lily looked up at Hartmut. She struggled to move her body, still bound by her wrists, and backed away toward the head of the bed.

“Don’t, don’t come any closer…”

“Why? Are you having trouble controlling your excitement? You moaned a lot last night.”

Lily didn’t notice that Hartmut’s voice and tone had grown strangely harsher. He was trying to keep his distance, making sure he didn’t get entangled with her.

“You, you’re the beast who can’t control your desires …Hartmut Pax.”

At those words, Hartmut tilted his head and chuckled lightly, then, slightly parting his lips, he pressed his tongue against the inside of his right cheek, pulling it out to swipe across his lips.

It was a display of lust that was overwhelming in its intensity.

Hartmut was making every effort to avoid being entangled with Lily, or fall into the trap of emotions.