* * *

Just as Chaeyi was starting to feel flustered under Leonard’s gaze, averting his eyes nervously, the unexpected happened.

The Viscount Jacen, realizing what was unfolding before him, shot to his feet and began shouting, his voice loud enough to shake the room.

“This cannot stand! Damn it, summon Delion at once! I demand to see the Grand Duke now!”

It was clear that he was furious because things weren’t going his way.

Startled by the Viscount’s outburst, Yosin flinched and trembled.

Seeing this, Chaeyi stepped in front of him protectively, while Leonard’s once tender gaze turned ice-cold as he glared at the viscount.

The warmth in his eyes just moments ago had vanished without a trace. But Chaeyi, standing behind Leonard, couldn’t see his expression.

“I’ll handle this, Chaeyi. Take him and leave.”

“…Alright. I understand.”

Leonard’s tone was firm yet gentle, leaving no room for argument.

Without further protest, Chaeyi opened the office door and gestured for Yosin to follow.

After a moment’s hesitation, Yosin, looking slightly more composed, quickly darted out of the room as if fleeing.

Once the two of them were gone, the oppressive silence in the room seemed to tighten like a noose around the viscount and his wife.

Leonard’s expression, partially obscured by his lowered bangs, was emotionless—like a lifeless doll with a broken spring.

A dense pheromone, thick with the dominance of a prime alpha, began to permeate the air.

Its pressure made the viscount and his wife visibly uncomfortable.

‘Damn it. If it weren’t for that wretched brat, this wouldn’t have spiraled out of control.’

The Viscount gritted his teeth.

It wasn’t supposed to escalate to this.

Their usual method was simple: brainwash Yosin, render him helpless, and make him obey.

But fate had other plans.

When the Ferdinand appeared, his unique ability had nullified the viscountess’s powers, and what should have been a simple task turned into a battle of egos.

Leonard, who had remained silent and cold, finally lifted his gaze and spoke.

“You’re not ignorant of the fact that owning slaves is illegal, are you?”

“Young master! We—”

“As of today, I revoke your title as retainers of the Zachen estate and permanently banish you from Combest lands.”

“…! W-What are you saying?!”

The viscount and his wife’s eyes widened in disbelief.

They couldn’t believe Leonard would not only strip them of their status but also exile them permanently.

It was too harsh.

However, Leonard, his face devoid of emotion, simply looked down without any sign of wavering.

For the viscount and his wife, it was a moment of despair.

They had a young child, raised in luxury.

If they were banished, the family’s future would be bleak.

The child, who had been pampered and shielded from hardship, would undoubtedly struggle.

And yet, even in this dire situation, the viscount clung to a sliver of hope.

‘Would Lancaster truly abandon us completely?’

If the Duke Delion had issued this decree, it might have been different.

But Leonard was still just a young heir, not yet the duke.

The viscount dared to believe that Leonard’s decision didn’t necessarily reflect Lancaster’s official stance.

Moreover, Leonard lacked a title and was still inexperienced compared to someone like him, who had faithfully served Combest for years.

‘He can’t seriously think he can decide this on his own.’

Even as these thoughts raced through his mind, the viscount’s face twisted with malice.

“You should think carefully, young master. If you make an enemy of us, it won’t sit well with the other noble retainers. Are you sure your decision is truly in Combest’s best interests?”

His tone dripped with veiled threats.

“Do you think we’re the only ones who own slaves?”

The viscount smirked, emboldened by Leonard’s silence. He leaned forward, sneering.

“If you insist on being so ruthless, we won’t go quietly. You know who just left this room, don’t you? A slaver. And yet you’ve aligned yourself with him. Do you think you’ll walk away unscathed? It’s clear you’re fond of him, but if you push us away, we’ll have no choice but to use him against—”

Before the viscount could finish, he was yanked forward by his hair and slammed to the ground with a sickening thud.

“Ahh!”

The viscountess screamed as the viscount’s head hit the floor, leaving his forehead bleeding.

Pain flared through his body, but before he could comprehend what was happening, Leonard grabbed his head and forced him to look up.

The viscount found himself staring into icy blue eyes.

Leonard crouched before him, his gaze devoid of any warmth.

“I already know everything,” Leonard said coldly, his voice disturbingly calm—as if they were discussing the weather rather than the blood pooling on the floor.

The room filled with Leonard’s oppressive pheromones, paralyzing the viscount in terror.

“I already know everything.”

A casual tone, as though talking about everyday life.

Even though Viscount Jacen was bleeding from his torn forehead and nose, and his wife stood trembling and pale, Leonard’s nonchalant demeanor—like someone discussing what to have for lunch tomorrow—sent a chilling sensation down Jacen’s spine.

Meanwhile, Leonard’s threatening pheromones grew even more intense.

Viscount Jacen, frozen with terror, began to clench his teeth so tightly they chattered.

“I’ve known for quite some time now that Chaeyi used to be a slave trader.”

“If you dare do something like this to me—”

“Don’t delude yourself, Viscount Jacen.”

Interrupting him mid-sentence, Leonard lifted the viscount’s head slightly higher and tilted his own.

His icy blue eyes gleamed with a cold, unfathomable depth, like the abyss of the ocean.

“We are not equals. Right now, I’m showing you ‘mercy.’”

“Ugh… Please…”

“To be honest, I don’t care what filth like you has to say.”

Leonard’s cruel, low whisper lingered in Jacen’s ears.

At those words, the viscount, ashen-faced, shut his eyes tightly.

They called Leonard a “tyrant with a merciless disposition, unbothered by whether his opponents were nobles or commoners.”

It seemed the rumors were true.

There had been talk of him becoming unexpectedly gentler recently, even suggesting he might be easier to reason with than Delion—but clearly, that wasn’t the case.

“Damn it! I should’ve gone to Duke Delion from the start.”

As everyone knows, the most terrifying adversary is one who doesn’t listen to reason.

Realizing he had nothing to gain from further resistance against this madman, Viscount Jacen finally gave up, his shoulders sagging.

Blood dripped steadily from his nose onto the floor.

“P-please, have mercy, my lord… Spare my family…”

Leonard sneered at the sight and released the viscount’s head, standing up.

“Go back and prepare to leave. In a few days, knights will come to your estate.”

With that, Leonard left the office without hesitation.

Behind him, the viscount and his wife stared after him, their faces full of despair.

---

Not long after Chaeyi had descended to the first-floor lobby with Yosin to join the others, Leonard appeared, seemingly finished with his business.

Chaeyi welcomed him warmly, and after giving the group a quick once-over, Leonard approached Chaeyi and cupped his cheek.

“Leo, how did it go?”

“It’s taken care of. He’ll be free soon.”

“I see… Thank you, and well done.”

Chaeyi brushed his hand over Leonard’s waist in a gesture filled with mixed emotions.

Leonard smiled faintly, pleased by the praise, but his expression shifted back to its composed state as he turned to the others standing behind Chaeyi.

“Head steward, escort the viscount and his wife out of the mansion.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Enoch, you take that man and follow me. We’ll need to reissue his identification papers.”

“Yes, my lord.”

As Enoch carefully guided Yosin by the shoulder, Leonard gave Chaeyi a glance to indicate he’d be back soon.

Then he led the way, with Enoch following behind him.

Shortly after, the viscount and his wife, looking utterly defeated, were escorted down to the lobby by the steward.

Though they glanced briefly at Chaeyi, standing in the center of the lobby, they said nothing as they passed by.

The steward gave Chaeyi a nod before leading the couple out of the mansion.

Left behind in the mansion’s lobby were only Ferdinand, Bennex, and Chaeyi.

Scratching the back of his neck, Ferdinand spoke up.

“Looks like the trip ends here. I’m heading off to rest. I was planning to return home tomorrow anyway, so I’ll start packing.”

“Alright, Fer. You must be tired after all this chaos. Get some rest.”

“Sure. See you tomorrow.”

Chaeyi watched Ferdinand wave lazily over his shoulder as he left, then turned to face Bennex.

Now alone with Chaeyi, Bennex seemed hesitant and awkward, fidgeting where he stood.

Concerned that Bennex might not be feeling well, Chaeyi spoke up gently.

“I’m sorry, Ben. You came all this way to visit, and things turned out like this… You should go rest, too.”

But Bennex didn’t take Chaeyi’s suggestion.

Instead, he hesitated even more, his face turning red.

As Chaeyi began to wonder what was wrong, Bennex finally opened his mouth to speak, slowly and shyly.

* * *