DUKE THESIO

“Sir, I saw everything from the shadows. Luckily, I hadn’t entered the camp yet. They came like a plague and wiped out our men! The Duke of Everhart led the charge…”

I listened to my soldier’s report, pacing like a caged beast inside my study.

He hadn’t even had time to warn Arthur about the retreat.

Truth be told, deep down, I was relieved they had killed him rather than taken him hostage as a witness.

Now, he could serve as my scapegoat.

I would deny everything. It was better to be seen as an incompetent Duke than to be linked to witchcraft and my plans to ruin Elliot.

“Damn it!” BAM!

I kicked the chair in fury.

So much money invested in raw materials and bribes, and what I stole from Elliot barely compensated for it—it had all gone into feeding my soldiers.

I feared the Regent’s men would pay me a visit at any moment.

Knock, knock, knock.

I froze at the sound at the door.

“Shut up,” I signaled to the soldier and motioned for him to open it.

“Yes?”

“Someone is asking for