Chapter 252: Small act of Kindness

Looking at the house before him, Piast finally knocked on the door. He had been losing sleep over Lena’s safety, and the only grace he knew he had was that she was more valuable than alive than dead. The small slit in the door opened with a pair of cold eyes looking out. Seeing it was Piast, the door opened.

"Door at the end on the right." After giving Piast his instructions, the guard retook his seat. Piast couldn’t help but be nervous as he slowly walked down the empty house. It was no place for his wife to stay. Opening the door, Horace sat silently writing a note with his back to the door.

The idea of attacking Horace immediately sprung to mind. Taking a step forward, his fists curled into balls. Yet all it took was the scratching of Horace’s pen on the paper to stop him in his place. Hearing he stopped, Horace continued to write properly, ignoring the man behind him.

Minutes of silence passed until Horace finally put the pen down. Turning to face Piast, he smiled and offered a seat to him. "So Marquees. What do you have for me?"

Piast squinted dangerously but did nothing, only sighing and collapsing in the chair. "Is my wife safe? Can I see her?"

"That depends. What do you have for me." Looking at the devilish smile on Horace’s face, it took everything Piast had to control himself not to jump out and punch him.

"Fine. The best I could get you was a position as a gardener. He’s my only remaining man inside. I don’t know what you want in there or how you will take his place, but this is the best I can do." Piast leaned forward. "Now tell me, where is my wife."

Horace didn’t speak, only tapping the armrest of his chair and falling into thought. "Was there really no over way." Looking into Horace’s eyes, Piast felt he couldn’t hide anything.

"I’m being truthful. I wouldn’t risk my wife’s life over this."

"Okay," Horace happily replied. The switch in attitude was so abrupt that it shocked Piast. "You can see your wife. She has been missing you these past few days."

Sighing in relief, Piast followed Horace and got up. The man walked silently and led him into the door opposite the room. Pulling a bookshelf, they walked down an underground staircase with a door at the end. Opening it, a horrid smell assaulted the two, causing Piast to cover his nose.

Lena cowered slightly at the opening door, but seeing her husband, she got up and ran over, only to be pulled back by the chain on the wall. Piast quickly caught her and stared daggers into Horace. But looking at Lena, his eyes softened. "How are you?"

The emotion she had been suppressing burst, with tears quickly falling from her eyes as she fell into Piast’s chest. "Please get me out. I can’t take it anymore." Looking around the room, Piast could see that her treatment wasn’t befitting someone of her rank. A straw bed and bucket were all there was. Even her clothes were still the same ones she wore when kidnapped.

"I will. I promise."

"You have seen she is fine." Horace voice cut through the air like a dagger. Looking at him, he flashed a small smile, only aggravating the two.

"How could you treat my wife like this? Like some slave." He didn’t care anymore. Letting go of his wife, Piast walked in front of Horace and slammed his finger into his chest.

"I have treated her with the respect she deserves. I gave her a bed and bucket. She eats three meals a day. I have ordered no one to harm her. I could have done none of this." The veins popped on Piast’s head. He knew Horace knew this was poor treatment for a noblewoman. The man himself was obviously of noble descent.

"You better pray I don’t find you after this is done." The bloodlust oozing out of his voice was suffocating, but Horace didn’t acknowledge it, grabbing his shoulder.

"Time’s up. Forgive me if you feel the treatment isn’t good enough. I’ll see to it she gets better." Facing Piast’s wife, the woman shook slightly. "Is there anything you would like?"

"N-no. I’m fine." Going back into her bed, Lean curled herself into a ball, avoiding Horace’s eyes.

"Your concerns were pointless, it seems." Horace didn’t give Piast a chance to take a final look at his wife and forced him out of the room, closing the door behind him. "Now. I will look into this role you have provided for me. Once I have finished my work, I will return Lena, free of harm."

Pisats breathing was heavy. His fists clenched and unclenched. The idea of killing Horace and taking his wife home kept coming to mind, but he knew it was impossible. Not only was there a guard in her room, but every room in the house had one. "I swear I..."

"Forgive me, Marquess." Horace didn’t let him finish. "I know you love your wife and only want the best for her. So don’t be stupid now." Taking Piast up the step, he closed the bookshelf behind him, shutting Lena underground. "Due to certain circumstances, come to this address next time." Horace pulled out a small note in his pocket and handed it to Piast.

Taking a deep breath, Piast looked at the note. "Be ready in a couple of days. Your opening will be small." He had given up. Threats didn’t work, nor did bargaining. Throwing Hoarce’s arm off his shoulder, he left, sad he couldn’t help his wife.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the new safe house, Horace looked into the distant Dabrowski manor. Whilst it was never his plan when he first met Piast to use him as a way into the manor, he had to thank his luck that he was able to get control of one of the few nobles with enough power and close enough proximity to the Dukedom.

"He’s here, " one of the operatives politely said as he walked into Horace’s room. Getting up, he followed behind him. They walked into a room where a middle-aged man sat nervously. Despite working for Piast, he was still only a gardner, albeit one who was bribed.

"Thank you for meeting us. I’m sure you heard about us from the Marquess." Before the gardener could speak, Horace shook his head and spoke once more. "Where are my manners? Please have some tea." As he finished saying that, one of the operatives poured two glasses from a small pot.

Horace pretends to drink it, letting the tea touch his lips while the Gardner drank half the cup to calm his nerves. "I know the Marquess may have said something to you, but what’s going to happen is you will take the gold prepared for you and leave. Family and friends are no longer your concern."

"Sir, I have a daughter. I can’t just leave, " the gardener said worriedly, and Horace sighed, interlocking his fingers.

"That is... unfortunate." Closing his eyes he fell into deep thought but nodded. "I only asked you to do this because you will be in danger after we finish. The further you get the safer your family will be. But I’m not cruel. I’ll have someone take help you and your daughter leave."

The Gardner’s eyes lit up, and he lowered his head repeatedly, thanking Horace. "Please, it’s fine. Go home and get your things ready." The Gardner nodded once more and got up, rushing out. "The antidote." The operative took out a small glass vial and passed it to Horace, who downed its contents.

"Prepare my things. I will move tomorrow." Horace got up and said that then walked back to his room. Humming a small song, he carefully looked through the dresses he had prepared. He tried to think back to when he was in the Marquess manor and eventually landed on a dark blue one.

He saw the colour all over the room. Unless the Marquess was a strange husband, Lena must have been the one to decorate their house. Taking the dress out, he walked into the hall and down the steps of the house. Going into a room, much like the other house, his operative pulled the bookshelf for him, leading to an underground passage.

Going underground, he opened the door into Lena’s room and saw the woman curled up on her bed, with one of his men sitting and reading a small book. The room was a carbon copy of her previous cell down to the smallest details.

"Leave us." As if his word was law, the operative shot up and quickly left, closing the door behind him. Lena looked out with fear, but seeing Horace’s kind smile for the first time, it slightly disappeared.

"I know your treatment so far has been poor, but it was simply because your husband was delaying what I needed. I don’t want to hurt you. I’m not an animal." Walking forward, Lena slightly moved back in fear, forcing him to stop. Lying the dress on the floor, Lena looked at it with emotional eyes. "I picked this out for you. I hope you like it."

Lena looked at the dress for a minute before moving. The chain around her leg rustled, but she ignored it, grabbing the dress. It was obvious how high-quality it was, but seeing its colour made her tear up. "It’s my favourite, " she quietly muttered, and Horace smiled.

"Is there anything I can do for you?"

Lena looked up at Horace. "Can I please be alone in my room? I can’t sleep with your guard inside." Horace went silent for a few seconds, closing his eyes.

Nodding to himself, he looked at her gently. "That can be arranged." Horace smiled and turned his back on her. "I will be back soon." Alone in the room, Lena looked at the dress, clutching it closer to her chest. It was the only colour she had seen since her imprisonment. Slowly undressing, she wondered how long she had been a prisoner. She closed her eyes and went back to bed in the new dress, wondering when Piast would finally get her out.