I Raised Him Modestly, But He Came Back Obsessed With Me

Chapter 77

Cersinia was surprised that the old man, whom she never met, knew her. The old man, lying on the floor with a dying face, was so skinny that only his skin and bones remained. Judging by his appearance, it seems that he had been imprisoned for a long time.

How do you know my name? Cersinia said with a surprised look.

Oh, dear I know it very well. Since I heard it to the point that your name has now nailed itself in my brain. Seeing that youre here now, that brat eventually brought you into the Grand Duchy.

Devil that brat? Who are you talking about right now?

She glanced at the old man with her eyes squinted. Because he kept saying the words devil and brat annoyed her greatly. Especially since she did not know who it was referring to.

The half who brought you into this house. That brat is a devil. A devil that will destroy this family.

When Cersinia looked confused, the old man sneered and added.

Looks like that brat didnt tell you anything. And yet you followed him, right?

Cersinias shoulders trembled. His words hit the nail straight away. She didnt know anything but only believed words from Limapheus and came all the way here.

Who are you, and what are you talking about?

Just by looking at the old man, it was clear that he had a bad feeling toward Ben. But she reminded herself not to trust peoples words recklessly.

Im Verdik, the ears, hands, and feet of Shorevarce. There is nothing in this family that has not gone through me. Cough

The old man panted because his stamina had run out.

Verdik.

Cersinia remained silent from hearing the old mans name.

Verdik. Verdik.

It was a familiar name to her.

Butler Verdik, who was there before, had served the former Grand Duke, but he stepped down from his position and went to a new place.

It was what Verne said when they went out to Fabian Street.

The only butler who has worked in this family ever since the former Grand Duke. Cersinia heard that he stepped down from his position because he was not feeling well, but why is he imprisoned here?

My Master and I planned our whole lives for so long but that brat  came and instantly ruined everything. How dare he do that to my Master when he is just a half-noble.

Cersinia frowned at his words that flowed out his mouth like curses. She could see why this old man was imprisoned here. It was because of his attitude, he seemed to only believe in the former Grand Duke and disrespected Ben. Even though Ben is now the owner of Shorevarce.

You and your previous masters plans dont matter to me. Tell me if Ben had been imprisoned here and the story behind it.

That brat killed my Master. That illegitimate child killed my Master! Cough, cough!

Verdik screamed, ignoring the question thoroughly. Then he coughed so hard that he could barely breathe.

Illegitimate child?

For a moment, Cersinias mind went blank.

Ben is an illegitimate child?

Its true that Ben killed his own father?

The novel says that Ben killed his father and took the power. But she thought there must have been some misunderstanding. Because the Ben that she knows wasnt that kind of person. But is that really true?

No, lets not believe it. Dont believe anything he said. Just believe what Ben says.

Cersinia made up her mind. She didnt want to judge or criticize Ben after hearing about him from someone she had met just once. She didnt want to have any prejudice about Ben. And so she decides that she will only listen to Ben.

That brat is an imposter. Everything he had was originally owned by someone else. A fake even that brat cant reveal by himself because he is hidden in the shadows for the rest of his life. Its really the perfect life for that half-noble.

Angry at the old man who judges Bens life at his will, Cersinia replied with clenched teeth.

Dont talk carelessly without knowing anything. Someone like you cant understand what kind of effort hes been making or what hes been through.

Cersinia turned around without glancing back. She didnt want to hear any more from the old man who seemed to think that he had the right to judge Bens life carelessly and easily talked about it as if it was his. She clenched her fists and felt her sharp nails penetrated through the palm of her hand. Cersinia could say so much about what kind of life Ben had lived since childhood and how fiercely he had survived this mansion for three years.

He had been here He must have been lonely.

In this place full of hostility, Ben, who had to endure everything alone, nevertheless tried countless times to come to her. The image of him drew itself in front of Cersinias eyes as if she had actually seen it.

Her heart ached. Tears welled up and blurred her vision. But Cersinia kept walking without hesitation. Even though her ankle was hurting, she couldnt care less. Now she had to go to Ben. She misses him and wants to hear his story. She wanted to know him completely.

That brat will ruin everything! There is nothing that half-noble with no roots cant do. Its the same for you too!

Cersinia heard the commotion behind her, but she didnt pay it no mind. She hurriedly climbed the basement stairs. The sound of footsteps filled the basement and resounded. Standing in front of the door, she lifted her foot and kicked the door.

BANG

The closed-door was crushed beyond recognition.

Hiiik!

The maid who was standing in front of the door freaked out. Cersinia glanced at the maid with cold eyes which didnt contain any sympathy, unlike before.

W-Where are you going! You cant go! Never!

The maid grabbed Cersinias clothes violently. It was clear that Cersinia would go to her Master, so she had to stop her.

Get lost.

She didnt have time to waste, so Cersinia pushed the maid without hesitation. The maid rolled around the floor screaming, but she didnt give her a glance. She left the annex, passed the connected corridor, and ran toward the mansion. The wind hitting her cheek was cold, but she didnt care. She had to see Ben as soon as possible.

Ben! Where is Ben!

Upon arriving at the mansions main building, Cersinia called him without hesitation. The servants murmured, and Murchen glanced at her with displeased eyes, but she ignored them. What important is she had to meet Ben right now.

Ben!

She looked everywhere Ben could be. From the parlour room, the study, to the training center in the garden. But his figure was nowhere to be seen.

Lady Cersinia?

When she turned around to the sound of her name, Archen was approaching her with a puzzled expression on his face.

Archen, where did Ben go?

Your Excellency left early in the morning.

Archen looked anxiously at Cersinia, who appeared to be in a hurry.

What happened to you?

Cersinia took a breath, now feeling tired from running around and swept away the hair that stuck to her face. After she calmed herself down to some extent, she faced Archen. Before Ben returned, she wanted to ask Archen something.

Archen, I just came back from the annex.

Archens pupils shook violently.

I found a hidden door. When I went down, it led to the basement. There I met a man named Verdik, and I found another prison with traces of someone who lived there before.

Archen closed his trembling eyes with a devastated expression.

The second prisondid Ben live there? The wound on his backwas it because of the whip hanging on the wall?

Heavy air sank between the two people. Archen opened his mouth, with a painful expression, as if he recalled old memories.

Lady Cersinia, no matter what Verdik said, please believe in Your Excellency.

Yes, I dont believe what he said. All I want to know is whether Ben lived in that prison before.

Thats right.

Ha F-For h-how long was it?

As Cersinia staggered because of the shock, Archen quickly grabbed her arm and supported her.

I think its better to find somewhere for you to rest first.

* * *

Cersinia followed Archen into his room. As he poured out the hot tea for them, she stared intently at him. Recognizing her rushing gaze, Archen stopped pouring tea and set the teapot on the table.

Lady Cersinia.

Tell me, Archen.

What do you think it would feel to live someone elses life?

Someone elses life. Those words made her remember what Verdik had said.

Is that what Ben is doing now?

Yes, thats right. Your Excellency came to this Grand Duchy for this reason.

She couldnt digest Archens words right away.

Your Excellency is not the first successor but the illegitimate child of the previous Grand Duke.

I heard about that earlier.

Archen nodded, saying, Is that so?

He couldnt believe that Cersinia understood the situation since it was something that no one could or would believe.

The former Grand Duke had another child. He was the child born from the Grand Duchess. But he was too sickly to appear in public, and he didnt leave his bedroom until the moment he closed his eyes.

Archen continued to speak.

The former Grand Duke was a man with great ambition. The biggest desire in his life was to sit on the throne. But to do that, he needed a successor that would support him, not a sickly child.

It was the beginning story of Bens long and painful past.