292.Chapter 292


    "Did you hear that?" Gabriel''s voice was cold and cutting. "Dn''s grown up, he''s spreading his wings, all he cares about now is flying away. What do you think you''re doing, defending him?"


    "But..." Benedict was about to respond, but Dn cut him off by grabbing his arm.


    "Benedict, enough!" Dn gritted his teeth, his voice strained. "I know you don''t want me to leave, but I''ve had enough. I can''t take this anymore."


    When he spoke thosest words, the disappointment and pain in his eyes pierced through Benedict''s heart.


    For a moment, Benedict felt drained, as if every ounce of strength had left him.


    He lowered his head, closing his eyes in silence.


    "Fine... go ahead, all of you," Benedict said quietly, his voice tinged with a slight tremor.


    He had forced it, pushed for something that wasn''t meant to be.


    Benedict thought, ''I too have lost all hope in this family. How could I me Dn for feeling the same way? He was the first to wake up to the reality of it all. It must be better for him out there than it is here. I shouldn''t have forced him to stay. If they''re going to leave, then let them leave.''


    "Gabriel, please, just this once, let him go. Don''t punish him," Benedict said, bowing his head before Gabriel.


    Gabriel studied Benedict for a moment, then nced at Dn, whose face was filled with anger. It seemed as though he understood something, and with a cold, indifferent tone, he said, "Do as you wish."


    Benedict exhaled visibly in relief. Slowly, he stood up and grabbed Dn''s arm, guiding him toward the door. "Gabriel, wait here. I''ll walk Dn out."


    Without another word, Benedict led Dn out of Gabriel''s study. The entire way, Benedict remained silent.


    Once they reached his room, Benedict handed Dn a bundle he had prepared earlier. "Take care of yourself. Look after Eliza and don''te back."


    Benedict paused, forcing a weak smile onto his face, and gently patted Dn''s shoulder.


    "Alright, Benedict. You take care, too."


    Dn held the bundle, his eyes inexplicably filled with a twinge of emotion as he looked at Benedict.


    "Don''t worry, Benedict. I''ll stay by Eliza''s side. Wherever she is, that''s where I''ll be. I''ll look after her, and I''ll take care of myself. When I have the chance, I''lle back to Hasen City to visit you, and I''ll write to you then."


    Benedict''s smile softened at his words, no longer forced, and he couldn''t help but gently ruffle Dn''s hair. "It feels like just yesterday you were all so young. Now you''ve grown so much, and you''ve be far more responsible. I''m not worried about you anymore."


    Even though his heart ached, Benedict still let go.


    "Come on, it''s gettingte. I''ll see you out."


    The two brothers walked in silence until they reached the gates of the Duke''s estate.


    Just before parting, Dn hesitated and grabbed Benedict''s arm.


    "Benedict, earlier you asked me what happened. I couldn''t'' tell you everything, but I''ll say this much."


    "What is it?" Benedict looked at him, intrigued.


    Dn nced around, his voice barely above a whisper. "Be careful of Gabriel. Don''t believe everything he says." With that, he pulled away and turned, walking out of the Duke''s estate without looking back.


    Benedict stood there for a moment, watching Dn''s retreating figure disappear down the street. He then sighed, his thoughts swirling with uncertainty. He returned to the estate and made his way back to Gabriel''s study.


    "Gabriel, I''ve returned." As soon as he entered, Benedict dropped to one knee, bowing respectfully.


    "Hmm. You sent Dn off, and now you are facing your punishment. You two certainly have a deep bond," Gabriel said, his voice cold as he picked up the whip from his desk. He strolled toward Benedict, towering over him with a stern expression. "Your lessons have been thorough," Benedict repiled, his voice steady as he kept his head lowered. He knew what was


    Sessfully unlocked!ing, but there was no anger in him-only res


    At least Dn was gone now. Whatever punishment awaited him, he would take


    it. He had done what needed to be done. Before he could finish his thought, a sharp, searing pain struck across his back.


    "Smack!"


    292 Chapter 792


    Gabriel''s whipnded with brutal force, without mercy


    Gabriel''s expression remained unreadable as he stared at Benedict. His voice was cold and hard as he spoke, "I taught you, didn''t I? To look after your siblings, to guide them. But now, look at this. One by one, they''ve grown their wings, no longer seeing this family as their ce. They leave when they wish, and even dare to defy me. Is this how you taught them?"


    Benedict remained motionless on the floor, silent as always. Gabriel''s anger red even further at the sight of Benedict''s silence. Without hesitation, he raised his hand andshed out


    "If you want to take their punishment, then I''ll be sure to give you a proper reckoning today? Gabriel snapped.


    "Smack!"


    "This is for Eliza''s decision to be a nun, abandoning her proper ce as a noblewoman. How disgraceful"


    Benedict bit down on his lip, about to say something, but he held his tongue, his mouth closing fight.


    "Smack!"


    "This is for Dn''s leaving the family. He was nothing but trouble, causing problems at home, making a mess, then just leaving without a care. Worthless. Useless. A disgrace


    "Smack!"


    Gabriel''s anger surged again, and before Benedict could react, he struck him


    once more.


    "And from now on, you are not to see those two rebellious children again. If I catch you with them, I won''t show mercy." Gabriel warned with a sharp edge to his voice.


    Benedict''s heart tightened at Gabriel''s words. He suddenly lifted his head, his eyes widening in shock as he stared at Gabriel,


    Benedict thought, ''What does he mean by that? What is Gabriel nning to do? Those are Dn and Eliza! They are my siblings, his flesh and blood! How can he say something like that?


    Gabriel looked at Benedict''s disbelieving expression and let out a coldugh. "Eliza has be the Holy Lady and secured the backing of Prince Regent Northan, which for now makes her untouchable. But don''t forget about Dn. He''s no saint. Once he''s outside the Duke''s estate, he''s nothing


    Gabriel thought, ''If I were to abandon all past sentiment and go after Dn, it would be as simple as crushing him with a single finger.


    "So, if you''re foolish enough to go against me over two outsiders, then remember this, Benedict-don''t expect any mercy," he continued coldly.


    Benedict felt a chill run through his body, disbelief clouding his thoughts. In that moment, he truly understood the terrifying depths of Gabriel''s power.


    He now realized what Dn had meant when he spoke those final words before leaving.


    Benedict could hardly stop himself from asking Gabriel. He thought, ''Did you ever truly love us as your children? Or, in your eyes, is it only Sophie that you honestly


    care for?


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    293 Chap 293


    293.Chapter 293