TEWRIT 56

Episode 56

Flint ignored the shouting and walked straight forward. Without hesitation, he knelt and gently gathered the collapsed Eliano into his arms. His movements were fast, desperate—his silver-gray eyes focused only on her.

When the Duke of Rosana swung his whip in anger, Adel and Oliver moved to block him. But Flint was faster. He reached out and grabbed the whip mid-air.

“I didn’t know the man famous for loving his daughter had this kind of… hobby,” Flint said coldly.

His calm tone and expression were terrifying. Adel and Oliver could clearly sense how furious their lord was, and they stopped the rushing servants from coming any closer.

Astin, who had sneaked in after hearing the emergency message from Billy, watched the scene through a crack in the door, stunned. She quickly signaled her masked companions, and they all moved together.

“What is this outrage?! Even if you’re a Grand Duke, you cannot invade the House of Rosana like this!” the Duke roared.

The same man who always called Flint “Your Grace” now shouted at him with fury. But Flint no longer used polite titles either.

“And you, Duke—what kind of outrage is this?”

“She was being disciplined!” the deputy butler shouted. “She shamed the family by accepting a proposal. The Duke is only waiting for a proper reply!”

Adel exploded in anger.

“This is discipline?! Not even Zacador beats their daughters with a whip!”

Oliver stepped forward.

“And how dare a mere butler speak so rudely to the Grand Duke?!”

The deputy butler turned red and purple but couldn’t respond. The difference in status—and the overwhelming aura Flint gave off—made it impossible to argue.

“From now on, you will never lay a hand on my wife again,” Flint said clearly, holding Eliano close.

The Duke turned pale.

“What?! Eliano will marry the prince of Zacador! Who do you think you are, giving me orders?!”

“She’s already become the Grand Duchess of Howard,” Flint said sharply and turned away.

The Duke wanted to stop him, but the terrifying pressure Flint gave off rooted him in place. He looked like he’d tear anyone apart who got in his way.

Still, as proud as he was, the Duke couldn’t submit. He screamed again.

“Stop him! That bastard’s son is trying to steal my daughter! Where are the knights?!”

But the Duke’s knights had already been blocked outside by Astin’s guild members.

“I’m her father! No one can marry her without my permission! I reject the proposal!”

Flint replied firmly.

“I already signed a marriage contract with Eliano Rosana.”

The Duke clutched his head and screamed.

Last night, Eliano had convinced Flint to sign the contract. It wasn’t anything unusual—just the basic format used for noble marriages. But once signed, it was legally binding.

Eliano was of legal age. Even if the Duke tried to void it, Flint could prove it was valid.

“Eliano will never return here again. Your wishes won’t affect us anymore.”

At that moment, Pamela began creeping toward Flint from behind. Adel and Oliver didn’t notice—they were too busy stopping the other servants.

“You think you can tell me what to do? I’m her father! I raised her! You think I did that just to sell her off to the likes of you?!”

Flint’s anger reached its limit.

He drew his sword and pointed it at the Duke’s throat.

It happened in an instant.

The air became so thick with killing intent that the Duke backed away in terror.

Flint looked like he could strike at any moment.

“Your Grace, don’t! He’s the Duke! Your father-in-law!!” Oliver cried.

But Flint didn’t flinch. He didn’t even seem to hear him.

The Duke backed up until he hit the wall.

Flint raised his sword—ready to strike.

But just then, Eliano stirred in his arms. His eyes froze.

Then her green eyes met his.

Flint’s grip tightened as emotion surged in him.

“Don’t… please… don’t… kill… my father…”

Her voice was small and weak—but it reached Flint clearly.

He looked again at the Duke with sharp, icy eyes, still burning with fury.

Eliano’s delicate hand grasped his sleeve.

In that moment, Flint’s sword slashed upward.

Everyone gasped in silence.

There was a horrible sound—and something hit the floor with a thud.

The Duke of Rosana turned pale with fear.

But it wasn’t his head.

It was Pamela’s.

She had tried to grab Eliano’s hair and was struck down by Flint’s blade before she could even touch her.

Silence fell over the room.

Flint’s eyes still locked on the Duke, full of rage.

“Anyone who stands in the way of House Howard will end up like this.”

The threat was clear.

The Duke trembled but couldn’t move. Flint raised his sword again.

“You… you dare… I’m the Duke… her fa—”

The sword flashed again.

This time, it didn’t hit the Duke’s neck—but his beard.

A piece of his proud, thick beard—always carefully groomed—fell to the floor.

The Duke was so terrified, he didn’t even notice the small cut on his neck or the blood dripping down.

He wet himself.

There was no more dignity or power—only fear.

“Touch my wife again, and there will be no second warning.”

Flint crushed Pamela’s head underfoot as if crushing the Duke’s pride.

He turned sharply.

No one dared block his path again.

As soon as they left the room, Eliano fainted for real.

Flint held her tighter, speeding up his steps.

Adel and Oliver flanked him protectively.

Astin appeared and bowed respectfully in front of him.

“We’ve cleared the way. The young lord is moving too. Please go ahead. The heir of Asta has honored the Lady’s request.”

She meant for him to pass the message to Eliano later.

Flint gave a small nod and walked ahead.

His face still held traces of fury and pain.

If I had known… I would never have sent her back.

Flint had never done anything he regretted before. He always made careful decisions and accepted the consequences.

But now, regret hit him like a blade. It was unbearable.

He had failed Eliano.

     —Let’s wait until your family accepts the proposal. This is a serious contract. You should sign it when you’re fully sure.

Traditionally, noble families would meet and sign together. Flint thought a proud man like the Duke would never accept something rushed.

    —I can’t wait. I’m afraid I’ll lose you. Please understand a lady’s desperate heart. I’m an adult. There’s no legal issue.

Flint had thought Eliano just wanted to escape being married to Zacador.

Still, it felt rushed.

      —Why won’t you ever just say yes? Can’t you listen to me, just this once? Respect me, please.

When she said “respect” like that, Flint had no more strength to resist. Her urgency overwhelmed him.

After she went home, he felt guilty. Like he had forced something precious without care.

He thought he would tell her later that they could fix the contract if she wanted. He wanted to teach her—help her understand.

But now, after today… he realized how wrong he had been.

His thoughts spun—boiling, freezing, back and forth.

Just then, Flint was blocked by Damian and several knights.

“How dare you stand in our way! Move!” Adel barked. Oliver gripped his sword tightly.

Damian stepped forward and spoke coldly.

“What do you plan to do with my sister?”

Flint frowned.

“Sister? You mean Lady Eliano?”

The idea that this man—who let Eliano be tortured—called her sister was ridiculous to Flint.

“Yes. My other half. That girl in your arms,” Damian said firmly.

(To be continued…)