The Useless Prince Is A Gangster
Chapter 88. Talk with Duchess (1)

Chapter 88: 88. Talk with Duchess (1)

From a large tree at the outside of the manor, Brakk sitting on a branch, his lean frame blending seamlessly with the foliage. His telescope locked in on the training grounds, tracking Leo as he dismantled soldier after soldier with ruthless precision.

Brakk’s lips made a psychotic grin, his pulse quickening. "Well, damn," he muttered. "This one’s got spice. Gonna be a fun hunt."

He adjusted the telescope to the courtyard where Liana and the maids watched the spar. His grin turned lecherous, tongue flicking across his lips as he watched the young women.

But a sudden chill slithered down his spine, like a predator’s gaze locked into him. His instincts screamed, and he swung the telescope toward the manor’s tall wall. There, perched on the wall, was a black cat, its purple eyes locked onto him, unblinking, even from the distance.

Brakk chuckled, low and uneasy. "Just a damn kitty."

At the training grounds, Vivien bounced with excitement from the hallway, her eyes sparkling as Leo floored his fifth opponent with a devastating knee to the gut. The fallen soldier lay gasping, defeated.

The cheers weren’t just for Leo’s victories but for the sheer artistry of his combat—fluid, brutal, and terrifyingly efficient. Commander Dian stood mesmerized, his mind reeling.

He’d known Leonhardt as a boy who could barely lift a sword, a laughingstock. Now, watching him, dominate his best men, Dian wanted to believe the tales of him killing an S-rank monster were true.

Leo began unwrapping the cloth from his fists, his breath steady, ready to walk away. But behind him, the fallen guy, fueled by rage and humiliation, gets to his feet, teeth gritted. "I won’t be humiliated like this!" he roared, charging at Leo’s back.

Dian shouted, "Stop!" but it was too late.

As his foot steeped Leo’s shadow, a faint, inky hand—unseen by the crowd—coils around his ankle. It yanked just enough to throw him off balance.

Leo, sensing the attack, spun with lethal grace, his back kick slamming into his face with a sickening crack. The soldier crumpled, blood trickling from his nose, unconscious before he hit the ground.

[Opponents defeated: 5]

Leo sighed, wiping sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. "Sneaking is fine, but you gotta be sharper than that." He scanned the soldiers, made a taunting smirk. "Anyone else? I’m still warmed up."

Silence.

The soldiers averted their eyes, none daring to step forward.

Elynn’s voice chirped in his head.

[Sub-mission completed!]

[Good job, Reo! Rewards granted: 250 Mana Shards, 200 EXP Points!]

Leo’s smirk widened—easy rewards for light work. Liana approached, handing him a towel. "You did great, Young Master Leo," she said.

He started wiping sweat from his shoulder. A sharp meow cut through the noise, and Leo looked down to see Nimbus trotting toward him, his purple eyes intense, almost urgent. The cat sat in front of him, staring pointedly.

"Nimbus, what happened?" Leo asked, crouching. Nimbus turned his head, gazing toward the distant tree line beyond the manor’s walls. Leo’s eyes narrowed.

He stood, calling, "Sir Dian."

Dian hurried over. "Yes, Young Lord?"

Leo pointed to the distant trees, his voice low and firm. "Check that tree line. Every inch. Look for signs of someone spying."

Dian blinked, then nodded sharply. "Understood, Young Lord." He barked orders to a squad of soldiers, who scrambled to obey.

Then the head maid, an old woman with a stern face, approached him. "Young Master Leonhardt," she said, bowing slightly, "the Duchess requests your presence immediately."

Liana, standing nearby, tensed, her eyes flickering with unease. She knew the venom that simmered between her young master and Duchess Maria.

He wiped his face with the towel. "I’ll see her after I freshen up," he said, his tone flat.

The head maid’s lips pursed. "No, Young Master. The Duchess insists you come now."

Leo’s eyes narrowed, a spark of irritation flaring. He sighed sharply. "Fine. I’ll be there in a few minutes." The maid bowed again, and asked to come to the Duchess’s chamber before retreating. Leo glanced at Liana, who gave him a subtle, worried nod.

Minutes later, Leo stood before the door of Maria’s chamber, now dressed in a fitted black shirt and pants, his hair still slightly damp. His face was calm. Nimbus stands beside him, tail flicking.

Leo knocked, and the head maid opened the door, her voice formal. "Welcome, Young Lord. Please, come in."

Leo stepped into the chamber, an opulent shrine to noble excess—silk drapes, gilded furniture, and the faint scent of jasmine. At the center, Duchess Maria sat on a cushioned chaise, her emerald gown shimmering. Her gray eyes locked onto him, cold and piercing.

"Leonhardt," she said, her voice honeyed but laced with venom. She gestured to a chair across from her. "Sit."

Leo’s lips curved into a faint smile. The old Leonhardt would’ve trembled at her presence, too scared to even meet her gaze. But he wasn’t that boy. He strode forward with easy confidence, settling into the chair with a relaxed posture that made Maria pause, her eyes narrowing slightly. Nimbus was on the floor sprawling lazily but watching them.

Maria’s smirk returned, and she waved to the head maid. " Bring the Tea."

"Coffee for me," Leo cut in, his tone casual.

Maria and the maid blinked, caught off guard. Leo raised a brow. "What, the first son can’t have coffee now?"

The maid recovered, bowing hastily. "I’ll bring it at once, Young Lord." She scurried out, leaving them alone.

Maria’s gaze sharpened, her words smooth but barbed. "Oh, Leonhardt, why didn’t you visit me after returning? I’m your mother, even if I didn’t birth you."

Leo chuckled, low and dry. "Sorry, Duchess. Long trip, tired legs. Also, I had to talk business with Father."

Her smile tightened, but she pressed on, her voice dripping with false warmth. "You know how devastated I was when I heard you died in Eldergrove Forest?"

Leo leaned back, his eyes glinting. "Yeah, rough day. Bandits hitting us, knowing exactly how many guards I had, their weaknesses, like it was their damn job." His tone was light, but the accusation hung heavy, daring her to flinch.

Maria’s smile didn’t waver, but her eyes gleamed with understanding. "So? Do you suspect someone?" she asked, her voice a silken trap.

Leo shook his head, his smirk sharp. "Suspect? Nah. They made too many mistakes. I figured who it was already." He leaned forward slightly. "Seems Father figured it out too."

Her smile widened, but before she could respond, a knock came at the door. "Come in," she called, her voice confident. The maid entered, pushing a tray with drinks. "Here’s your coffee, Young Master," she said, setting it before Leo.

Leo glanced up—and froze, his eyes widening. It wasn’t the head maid. It was Liana, her face pale, her hands trembling slightly as she poured the coffee. Maria sipped her tea, her gray eyes locked on Leo, a cruel amusement flickering in them. "Shall we talk openly, Leonhardt?" she said.

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