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Ace turned and looked at him. It was the first time had seen his face unmasked. "It was not your fault. I will settle this score with my father when time comes." He said with such vengeance. He followed the maid to his room. He glance at his bed and saw his bag lying there. He grabbed and changed into his old clothes which he preffered. He opened his window and sat on the window sill. He was deciding if he should sneak out or stay. He looked around and saw guards everywhere. "They raised their defense.. Even I can't evade that much security."

"My lady, that boy is filled with sorrow and vengeance and I think he might want to leave. Is it not better if we have him stay since he is one of the few who are healthy?" Nicholas said to Scarlet. He struggled to sit and saw his severed mask on the bedside table. He took it and wore it. Now, the lower part of his face can be seen but his eyes remains unseen. Scarlet tried to stop him from leaving his bed but he shook his head.

"I just want to walk," he offered his explanation. "I dislike lying down more than I should. I shall come back soon." He smiled and exited the room. He began to walk in earnest but with no particular aim.

He saw a shadow and recognize it to be Ace's. He went near and greeted the crestfallen looking boy.

"Good morning, Ace. I seems like the sun has already ascended. Why the long face? I thought Ramun is gone and so is your father? What more, everyone including you are also safe from anymore death threat from any man," Nicholas patted Ace's shoulder as he said that with a smile.

"Pleased to meet you Ace. I am Duke Nicholas Lighton," Nicholas introduced himself. "As you can see, I am easily recognized by my mask," he added with a laugh.

"Well, that was all," Nicholas struggled to remember. "He said that your father sent him to kill you because he has another son to take over his empire, probably a business, but he died from the illness that is killing people now," he retold as much as possible.

"It is possible that you are a son born out of his knowledge and that he found you were alive before he was given a son rightful in the law. I do not know more, forgive me," Nicholas tilted his head downwards in an act of sympathy.

"I think, it is more that your birth was unplanned for and that he did actually search out for you. maybe, if Ramun was till alive he could have told us more but I fear that he will no longer rise to threaten anyone," Nicholas said. "As for the other son, I do not know. If we want to know, we would have to leave the confines of the castle to search for him or that maybe he is among us today." Nicholas turned to look at the rising sun.

"He would be no older than I child, I'm afraid. He must have been newly born if your deceased father wanted you dead." Nicholas held onto the crutch he held. "But it is clear enough that he is your half brother."

Nicholas saw Scanda hurrying towards Scarlet and he followed. The man was simply queer but he stayed quiet about it. The moment he reached Scarlet, Scanda had shown something to her and he said it had something to do with an infected person

"Good sir, would you mind telling me what is it that is going on? Did something else happened?" Nicholas asked.

Nicholas followed Scarlet to the room with the crotch under one arm.

"Princess, tell me what can I do to help?" He asked. He suddenly coughed and realized that his chest was in pain. Then he saw the crimson on his palm. He tried to hid it from Scarlet.

"No," he tried to smile. "I feel useless being bed ridden while you do something. It taints my pride to let a lady do a job all on her own," he reasoned but he coughed blood again and nearly stumbled. He held his crotch tighter and closed his eyes in pain.