Kidnapping

News of Alexander's disappearance wasn't confirmed until the following afternoon.

His personal valet, Dan, assumed Alexander had stayed overnight at Black Swan Castle. Recently appointed by Alexander to manage a new shop, Dan had been swamped with work. When Alexander didn't return that evening, Dan felt some unease but didn't pursue it further.

After spending a day idly, Tang Feiliu nearly sparked a heated confrontation with Edward. He decided he needed to get out of the mountains for a while. Otherwise, Edward—having tasted the sweetness of their connection—would likely linger around him with an unsatisfied look, making Tang Feiliu nervous and fearful he might lose control... While happiness was the ultimate goal in life, Tang Feiliu suspected that if Edward were truly satiated and content, he might just keel over dead.

So Tang Feiliu took Xiaohei out the door, strolling down the mountain with Ivana in tow. He planned to check on the progress of his factory's ball gown production, then swing by his brother's dessert shop for a slice of warm pie—complete with the milk tea Tang Feiliu had just contributed to the recipe!

Who could have imagined that Alexander—a young, robust gentleman whose hobbies included hunting and horseback riding—would be abducted in Black Swan City, right under Duke Edward's nose?!

Indeed, subsequent investigations quickly pinpointed Alexander's last known location that night. Witnesses reported seeing him drinking at the tavern, engaged in a lengthy conversation with a young woman before being escorted away by a young man wearing a hat.

Patrol officers reported witnessing Alexander being supported by this ordinary-looking young man. Recognizing him, the patrol questioned the man before watching him escort Alexander into a residence and departing reassured.

But it was already late at night. The maids had retired for the night, and the senior butler, though he seemed to have heard a noise at the front door, never actually encountered Alexander or that mysterious young man.

Just as the situation grew increasingly perplexing, Tang Feiliu and Dan stood bewildered. Suddenly, a familiar-looking child peered timidly around the doorway. Spotting Tang Feiliu, his eyes lit up. He scampered over, stammering, "Mr. Lance, someone asked me to deliver this letter to you."

Tang Feiliu froze. Ivans, who had been bustling about all morning, immediately stepped forward to take the letter. The moment he unfolded it, his expression darkened. Ivans turned and said gravely, "Sir, you should seek the Duke's help immediately... Mr. Alexander has been taken away by Prince Wright's chief knight."

"What?! Why would Prince Wright's knight kidnap my brother?!" Tang Feiliu was startled. Even though his previous meeting with Wright hadn't been pleasant, Prince Wright was supposedly dead in a hotel fire. Why would his knight come all the way to the Black Swan just to abduct Alexander?!

"This note only states that Mr. Alexander has been taken. He mentioned additional letters would be delivered to His Grace the Duke simultaneously." Ivans clearly found it peculiar too, but there was no time to waste. As Tang Feiliu questioned, he already began walking toward the exit.

"Can I come too?" Dan, who had grown up alongside Evans, felt deeply distressed that his own negligence had led to Alexander's abduction. Summoning his courage, he spoke up, "When the gentleman returns, I will beg his forgiveness. But for now, can I come along?"

Tang Feiliu nodded. "Come along, Dan. Don't blame yourself. Your brother just wanted some quiet time, that's why he sent you both away."

Dan really couldn't be blamed for this. Not every gentleman in town would always bring their servants along. After all, this wasn't the countryside—there were people everywhere, patrols too, and unknown dangers were rare. Alexander had noticed Dan's keen interest in the business, so he'd simply gone with the flow, letting him learn more about running the dessert shop. Though the confectionery was a modest venture, Alexander had no intention of limiting himself to a small shop for life. Dan would eventually become the steward. The estate's previous operations had been straightforward, so Dan hadn't needed to learn the ropes, but now he urgently needed practice to avoid being overwhelmed later.

Yet fate intervened in a most peculiar way. The patrol watched them enter, while the servants were busy preparing the master's bath, wine, and food for his return. Little did they expect that the mere gap of less than half a minute between their actions would provide that man with the perfect window to slip away.

This incident was largely a coincidence, compounded by everyone's carelessness. After all, there had been no war for seven or eight years. The patrolmen had never encountered anything more serious than brawls, so their vigilance was lacking. Alexander himself felt immense pride and honor toward the Black Swan of Prosperity—a project largely conceived by his brother. so he never imagined danger lurking within the city walls. He'd even left his personal valet behind and was now passed out drunk outside.

But now wasn't the time to debate who was right or wrong. Tang Feiliu's face turned pale with anxiety, though she could at least console herself that a letter meant he had something to ask for—better than no word at all from her brother. Supported by Ivans, she climbed into the ox cart. Xiao Hei, raised by Tang Feiliu, either sensing his master's anxiety or acting on instinct, broke into a gallop. The oxcart rattled along at a pace that felt no slower than a horse-drawn carriage.

The sturdy ox pulled them all the way from the city back to Black Swan Castle without breaking a sweat. When Tang Feiliu dismounted, Xiaohei gave a low bellow and followed her every step, eyes pleading. If not for her own anxiety, Tang Feiliu might have laughed at how adorable he looked.

Usually a lazy, rough-and-tumble sort, this time he was surprisingly comforting. Tang Feiliu patted Xiaohei's big head and whispered, "It's okay, don't worry. You can play outside."

Only then did Xiao Hei halt his hooves, watching as the group walked straight into the castle.

Behind them, servants efficiently unhitched the cart from Xiaohei's back. Left to roam freely, he wandered leisurely through the castle gardens, eventually stretching out on the grass to bask in the sun.

These were all familiar, beautiful sights, but lately, the castle's owners clearly weren't in the best of moods.

As soon as Tang Feiliu entered the castle, he headed straight for Edward's study. Upon entering, he saw Edward holding a long letter bearing the royal crest—a golden lion.

"Is it from Wright?" Tang Feiliu rushed forward anxiously, wanting to see the letter. Edward didn't stop him, but instead wrapped his arms around Tang Feiliu's waist, afraid Tang Feiliu might stumble in his excitement.

The page was filled with ornate cursive script, incomprehensible to Tang Feiliu. Previously, Edward had written to him in simplified vernacular to accommodate his reading level. Now, unable to decipher the words, Tang Feiliu was both furious and anxious, his concern for his brother overwhelming. He fired questions at Edward in rapid succession: "What is going on?! Why does this letter say Prince Wright's knight took my brother?!"

"Yes, it was him," Edward replied after a moment of silence. His voice was soft. "I'm sorry. It was all because I acted without permission... I sent someone to rescue Light."

The words left Tang Feiliu wide-eyed. She gasped in disbelief, "You saved him? Prince Wright is alive? He wasn't burned to death?"

Edward nodded silently, clearly troubled himself. He murmured, "...Lait is innocent. From a young age, His Majesty Josephine sent him to the Temple to study as a gesture of goodwill. Many nobles do this—sending their children to the Temple for education to demonstrate their family's devotion to the faith."

"Then why... why did he kidnap my brother?" Tang Feiliu asked Edward blankly. He couldn't understand. Though Edward had never mentioned palace intrigues to him, Tang Feiliu had heard about Prince Wright's death by burning. Edward had even sent gifts to Emperor Josephine as condolences for her loss of two children in succession.

Yet with both heirs dead at the emperor's deathbed, and himself ascending the throne, anyone with basic political savvy could see foul play. Though Tang Feiliu lacked such acumen, living in an age of information overload, he simply refused to dwell on it.

After all, throughout history, lovers turned against each other and brothers fought like dogs and cats. Under the sun, there was nothing new.

Tang Feiliu preferred to ignore matters beyond his control that only brought him pain. Yet hearing Edward speak thus, it became clear that when Empress Josephine struck, Edward must have known. His compassion had even led him to save Wright. So why would Wright kidnap Alexander? Even if Wright harbored anger, it surely wasn't directed at Edward.

"Besides, why would he target my brother? I'm in the city every day..." Tang Feiliu's voice trembled. He felt a wave of fear wash over him, mixed with sadness. He couldn't understand why any of this was happening. But if it was because of him and Edward that his brother was in mortal danger, Tang Feiliu simply couldn't accept it.

"It's fine. He just wants me to help him one more time." Edward quickly embraced Tang Feiliu, gently patting his back before hastily continuing.

It turned out that after saving Wright, Edward had brought him to his own territory. Edward offered Wright two choices: one was to live quietly in the countryside as a country gentleman for the rest of his life; the other was... Wright could leave the place Edward had arranged for him, and whatever he chose to do, Edward would no longer interfere.

Though he believed Wright was innocent, Edward didn't share a particularly close bond with him. Saving Wright had less to do with compassion than with Edward's own guilt—he feared his own bloodshed might taint his angel.

Moreover, while Charles harbored murderous intent toward his mother, Wright remained profoundly attached to Josephine. He treated nearly every word she spoke as gospel, carrying out her commands with utmost diligence.

At just six years old, he was sent away to study divine service at the distant temple. Though he had dedicated caretakers, servants, delicious food, and fine silks... what child wouldn't be afraid?

Yet Wright endured. Edward knew little of those years, but he understood roughly that Wright's childhood and adolescence had been far less joyful and smooth than others imagined.

At the very least, it was not as carefree and triumphant as Charles's life in the palace.

Edward had merely intended to perform a simple act of kindness. He never imagined that after Wright tearfully thanked him, he would immediately dispatch his most loyal knight to abduct Alexander.

"I know you would never permit me to do such a thing, but I must see her. I absolutely must see her. So..."

Tang Feiliu couldn't decipher the elegant cursive script, but Edward read it clearly. He sighed softly and said, "Alexander is being taken to the imperial city. I'm leaving immediately."

Catching up to their carriage would be difficult. Since Wright had gambled everything, he wouldn't wait leisurely for Edward to pursue. Therefore, going to the imperial city was inevitable.

"I'm coming too!" Tang Feiliu gripped Edward's collar tightly, her eyes reddened as she stared earnestly at him. "You must take me. My brother is there!"

Author's Note:

An editor messaged me privately, and I must admit I'm tempted to sign. After all, it would mean more readers.

But I'm afraid I won't be able to write freely anymore. Sigh, why does the unsigned score count as 0.82... It really kills any chance of reaching more readers and interacting with them... Not even giving me the chance to write for love anymore_(:з」∠)_