"I see that both of you have made up at last." Blood rushed into my cheek as soon as I heard my father say that when I opened the door of Fergus' room.
"I can also see that you have quite a handful of information when you eavesdropped on our conversation, father," I playfully retorted. His face showed some shock as he didn't expect that I would know how he listened to our conversation.
After the confession, Fergus and I talked about lots of things, mainly how we would go from here. Yet I noticed faint noises creaking from the door and a shadowy figure behind it, immediately then I guessed that it was my father who wanted to listen to our conversation. Based on his position then, I have figured out that he was there from the moment I entered the room. I knitted my brows as a smile crept inwardly.
"Erm, I think I must leave you and Fergus now. You can continue talking with him about life. Forgive me for intervening your sweet momentum, my dear." With that he slowly retreated his back. I shook my head and let out a small laugh at my father's silliness. I wondered why I never got that trait from him. Still thinking about how my father acted today, I slowly went down to the kitchen. It's a good thing to see my father as alive and as bubbly as ever again.
Half an hour later, I came back to Fergus' room holding a tray of food for him. I saw him in the act of trying to sit up in bed. I hurriedly went to his side and placed his food in a chair near me. "Careful!" I hissed at him. His face contorted in pain as he gasped for air when he was finally able to sit on the bed.
"What were you even thinking?" Annoyance is evident in my voice. "You have just been treated earlier this day. The medicine that the professional have put on you have not yet been a day old and here you are, trying to disobey what the professional said about your condition."
"I know," he grunted. "But I just cannot be bed ridden here for a long time. Especially this time when Edward and his mother are still on loose. They are surely up to avenge themselves after Scotland defeated them in the war and they were chased by us like rats. They have more manpower and firearms than we ever calculated or expected."
"What do you mean?" I asked, confused. Haven't they exhausted all their power in that war just to conquer our motherland? Although they have failed, they still have had a great impact on our forces as well.
"When we were chasing them down, we stumbled upon several firearms and some handwritten contracts signed by the Baroness. We often raided where they stayed, although most of the time, their tent is all that we have seen, the evidence that they have been acquiring manpower and firearms illegally was left. After a series of hunting and tent-raiding, we have collected a few handful of contracts and letters. They might have long left the tent whenever we attack them but the evidence is left. It's with the other people who went with me. I have decided to disseminate the information to them equally in case something happens to me, they would still be able to spread their wrongdoings. I guess, I was never wrong to do that."
I sat there, frozen in shock. Yet as soon as I recovered, I hugged him immediately. "Nothing will ever happen to you, okay? You were almost taken away from me, but we won't let it happen. We can bring them down this time. We will end their evil reign and all of their power." A glint of viciousness flashed in my eyes. Luckily, I was still hugging Fergus so he did not see it.
I broke off the hug and stared at Fergus' bruised and scarred face. "I'll arrange all of those matters. What's important now is for you to recover. As for the rest, I will personally handle all of them. Need not to worry about that, I will make them pay for all of the things that they did." Fergus nodded and forcefully smiled a little. "Be safe for me." I murmured some words of assurance and comfort before leaving him alone, not after I had fed him with his meal.
I asked some servants about my father's whereabouts when I reached the last step of the stairs going down. Luckily, one was able to tell me that he is in our garden outside the manor. Without having a second doubt, I quickly went to where he was.
"Father!" I called upon him in an attempt to gain his attention when I saw him looking endlessly out of nowhere. He looked at me and met me. "Please take care of Fergus for me. I have to do something extremely important at this time. I might not be back for several days or a week. I want to ensure that he is in good hands before leaving, therefore, if you may, I would like to give you the responsibility of taking care of him."
Father looked confused for a moment. "Of course, my dear. I have seen how Fergus took care of you and I also liked him. I will take care of him like how I am taking care of you. Rest assured that his safety will be prioritised. But, if I may ask, where are you going? Why do you have to leave now that your husband is still in this state?"
My gaze turned cold as I remembered what Fergus and I had talked about earlier. Before coming to see my father, I have already collected all the evidence that Fergus has mentioned pointing out to the Baroness and Edward as proprietors for buying illegal firearms and for acquiring illegal manpower.
I told my father all my discussion with Fergus as well as the testimonies given to me by Fergus' subordinates. Similar to my initial reaction, father is also left dumbfounded and shocked at how vicious and how evil those two really are. I assured him that I would take matters into my own hands.
Indeed, everything is not yet over. But this time, I am going to make sure to end them, their legacy, and their name.
--------------
Author's note:
Hello fighters! I'm so sorry for taking a long time to update, but please do hold on as we are reaching the end. Only 3 chapters to go and we will see whether Lair Fergus and Duchess Victoria will be together until the end.