Chapter 187: Spec of dirt
Chapter 186
Jack
It takes everything in me not to beat this man to death.
I clench my fists.
"Okay, I’ll handle it," I say to Ciel’s father.
He leaves. Once he’s gone from the little secluded cafe where we had this conversation, I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.
I’m feeling murderous.
So the Baron is being threatened by a duke—to set him up with Ciel, or pay millions back for contract breach. Threatening to expose Ciel’s past.
I clench my fists.
That can’t come to light. I know Ciel is the victim here, but I’ve seen how they treat omegas in this society. I won’t let anything happen to him.
Since this is how that duke wants to play, so be it.
I’ll give him something to be busy about.
*
"Breaking news from one of the young Duke Florence’s properties. It’s been reported he’s been keeping endangered animals in cages—like the rare Crimson Sunbird, known for its vibrant red feathers; the Golden Tree Snake; the Solmerian Clouded Tiger."
The reporter’s voice is grave.
"We cut to Sarah Chen for more information."
"Thank you, David. Speaking to you live from the prison detention center, bail has been posted. Duke Florence has been reported by various environmental groups and biologists. We have here Dr. Elena Vasquez, PhD in wildlife biology and environment, with us."
"Thank you, Sarah. This is absolutely heartbreaking. I hope the courts will be fair—regardless of the duke’s nobility."
"Dr. Vasquez, most people like me aren’t aware of what the big deal is, per se. From the released pictures, it didn’t look that bad. In fact, the animals looked like they were living quite luxuriously."
The doctor’s voice sharpens.
"What use is luxury to animals when they are in cages? Every living being on this planet needs freedom. If freedom wasn’t so important to us humans, would prison be a punishment?"
She leans toward the camera.
"Tell me—what use is a golden cage to a bird? What use is it to a tiger? Because of humanity’s selfishness, multiple species are going extinct. It angers me that this was happening in Solmere."
Her voice cracks.
"The animals have been rescued. It’s disgusting—the birds have been in captivity so long they cannot fly anymore. The tiger has been declawed."
She stares directly into the lens.
"How would you like it if I pulled your nails out?"
She takes a breath.
"I urge the public. I urge the justice system—"
The screen cuts back to the news anchor in the studio.
"Well, that was rather passionate. Thank you to Dr. Vasquez for that. In other news—"
The king switches off the TV. His face is very red, he’s fuming.
"We barely dealt with the chaos caused by Roderick. Now this?!" The king’s voice booms at the group of old men seated before him.
I recognize them now. The fathers of the dukes. Grey-haired. Pale-faced.
I stand next to the Crown Prince as the king scolds them.
I’m honestly at fault for this. Proudly.
Turns out that bastard doesn’t just collect art pieces and omegas—but animals too. A few well-placed bribes here, information sent to the right places there, hiring trolls on the internet and fake protesters... and voila. It’s a huge fire.
I’m discreetly funding the best lawyers too.
Now I’d like to see him try to pay attention to Ciel.
He might not go to jail—obviously—but I’ll drag his reputation through the mud. I’ll make sure the amount of damages he has to pay will be massive.
"Crown Prince, you should prepare to bring out a statement," the king says.
"Of course—" Russell starts, but I tap his shoulder. Shake my head.
"Your Majesty, may I speak?"
I step into the spotlight. Everyone looks at me. The king looks surprised but waves his hand.
"I suggest we don’t get the royal family involved."
I clear my throat. "Due to the last incident barely a month ago, if we speak up, we’ll be in the line of fire. I don’t think it’s wise to come to the defense of the Duke right now."
I look around the room.
"Firstly, it will seem as if the crown is in support. Secondly, if the crown keeps stepping in, it will set a precedent."
"Your Highness, we can’t possibly let this be!"
"Right, he’s a duke!"
"The prestige!"
"Then he should have acted with the prestige befitting a duke!" I shout.
Silence fills the room.
"My apologies, but I know everyone must have skeletons in their closet." I let my gaze sweep across the room—the old men, the councilors, the advisors.
"What I’m saying, as the king emphasized, is that these are not the times of our predecessors, when nobility was god above men. So many monarchies have fallen—some arguably much larger than Solmere."
I pause and let the words settle.
The king’s jaw tightens. I’ve touched his reverse scale. He’s deathly afraid of a revolution happening.
"This is the era to be extremely careful," I continue.
"This should serve as a lesson to everyone else too. If you’ve got skeletons, make sure they stay hidden."
I look directly at Marius’s father. "How many times should the crown step in? How many more times before the people of Solmere decide that’s enough?"
The room is silent.
Then Russell speaks.
"He’s right, Your Majesty." The Crown Prince steps forward, his voice measured, calm.
"Despite the previous Duke of Roderick having stepped down, in the eyes of the people, he did not pay for his crimes. And if we step in again, our currently fragile reputation will plummet even further."
The king looks at his eldest son. Then at me.
"You both believe the crown should stay silent?"
"I believe," Russell says, "that the crown should let the courts do their work. And let the public see that no one is above the law."
More objections rise from the nobles, voices overlapping, desperate.
"Your Majesty—"
"With respect—"
"This is unprecedented—"
"ENOUGH!"
The king’s voice cracks through the room like a whip.
"As you’ve heard." He glares at each of them in turn.
"Send this out to all nobles. I don’t want a single speck of dust on your reputations. You will all act in accordance. Do good deeds. Charities. Kiss orphan babies. I don’t want to hear anything—not even a single speck of dirt."