Chapter 144: Stuck In A Loop
Back in the Duke’s mansion, Juliana was preparing herself to attend a Matinee as her servants crucially helped her get dressed for the event. Rising to her feet the minute they were done, Juliana looked at herself in the tall standing glass mirror to make sure she looked perfect, not willing to take the risk of even letting a single strand of her hair be out of place.
Satisfied with her appearance, she dismissed the servants with a flick of her wrist, and they bowed their heads politely before exiting her room. On their way, they met Abbot standing at the entrance and quickly bowed in greeting, which he ignored as he walked past them and stepped into his Mother’s room.
"Abbot dear, how do I look?" His mother asked as she admired herself in the mirror. "I’m attending Mr Hoogrey’s Matinee event, and I want to give my best look once I step in, since I will soon be known as the mother of a Duke." She smiled at her son through the mirror, but his expression remained indifferent as he folded his arms.
"Mother, you and I are pretty much aware of how father feels regarding the rest of us." Stated Abbot, "the reason he’s not letting go off his title just yet has something to do with you, Mother, I mean, what you had to do in order to make yourself the wife of a Duke. Sigh... you really played dirty, mother." Abbot smirked as he watched the color on his mother’s face drain gradually at his subtle statement.
Not willing to expose herself since she couldn’t fully comprehend Abbot’s words, she laughed it off as if she heard him utter a joke, but her son clearly wasn’t smiling, and that made her laughter seize as she soon realized that he wasn’t making any effort to crack a joke.
"What are you saying, Abbot?" She turned to look at him, realizing he was being serious, "how am I responsible for your father not letting go of his title? You know I’ve done what I could to help you and make sure you keep a good name in front of your father. You cannot blame me for this, you’re uttering nonsense."
"Father still has his belief on Cassian whether we choose to see it or not." Abbot made it clear to his mother. "Cassian has proven to be a tough competitor for me, he’s not someone who would back down without putting up a fight and father sees it." He hissed out his annoyance, trying to keep himself collected. "He still left the mansion and has gone against father multiple times, but he still has more of father’s attention than me."
Abbot could no longer hold on to his patience as time was starting to run out for him, and it was about time he took serious actions before he ended up in the mud, cause if Cassian takes that title before him, he’ll be stranded for good.
Looking at his mother who still thinks he was speaking in full absurdity, he said. "Mother, all I’m asking is your support to get rid of him so no one stands in my way of becoming the Duke. Let’s get rid of him forever, and make sure he takes the empty spot beside Jeremy’s grave. I know you want this as much as I do."
"Get rid of him??" Juliana’s eyes widened for a split-second, trying to process what her son just uttered before shaking her head in disagreement, already shocked he even brought such an idea before her. "That is murderer, Abbot, do you hear yourself speak?"