The Devil's Betrothed-Chapter 712: Father’s Mistress

Nathaniel arrived at his father’s estate and headed straight to his own quarters. After getting ready and having an afternoon meal, he made his way to his father’s residence, where Lord Noel Mortimer was busy in his study.

As Nathaniel approached the door, the butler stopped him. "Young Lord, let me announce your presence first."

"What’s there to announce? Don’t tell me my father is with his mistress at this hour of the day," Nathaniel’s voice carried through the hallway, loud enough for Noel to hear. "And even if he is, it’s not the first time I’d catch him in an inappropriate situation. Now, get out of my way."

Nathaniel pushed the door open, his eyes sweeping the room. His father sat on an elevated platform at the far end on the cushioned arrangement, behind a rectangular wooden desk.

"Oh, no one’s here," Nathaniel remarked playfully as he glanced around. "Seems like Father’s finally too old to be entertaining mistresses in his study or wherever he pleases."

Noel raised his head from his work, his expression calm, his voice deep. "You’ve returned after so long, and this is all you have to talk about? Trash?"

"Since when did Father’s favorite activities become trash?" Nathaniel smirked as he approached. "I thought now that your son’s an adult, you’d enjoy discussing such matters with him."

"It seems your friend’s success and the King’s reward have turned you daring," Noel commented dryly, not surprised by his son’s newfound boldness.

"Well, every dog has his day," Nathaniel stopped just in front of the platform. "You had yours, Father. Maybe it’s time for mine."

Noel simply glared at him with the look that said: I am above you and soon I will make you pay for your boldness.

But Nathaniel, unbothered and fearless, seemed to enjoy the tension, meeting his father’s gaze without flinching.

"Alright, let’s get to the point of why I’m here, despite hating this hellhole," Nathaniel began, his voice cold. "I’m here to take my mother’s ashes and her memorial slab with me. After that, neither I nor my mother will ever see you again, Lord Mortem."

"You can go wherever you want, but you’re not taking anything with you," Noel growled, his voice sharp. "My wife stays here with me, even if only as ashes."

"Your wife?" Nathaniel chuckled darkly. "Do you even deserve to call yourself her husband? What kind of man drives his own wife to take her life? What did you really do to her?"

"Nathaniel—"

"You can fool others, but not me. After her death, instead of mourning, you were busy fucking your mistresses. Have you ever truly loved or missed my mother? No. To you, she was nothing more than a tool to produce an heir. Even now, all you care about is fucking those women, hoping to produce another heir. But it seems my mother cursed you with her dying breath—no more heirs for you."

Slam!

Noel slammed his hand on the table. "Watch your mouth, Nathaniel."

"I’m only speaking the truth, Lord Mortem," Nathaniel said, his voice steady, his demeanor unshaken. "Everyone believes my mother died because she couldn’t handle the cold or because she was weak after giving birth to me. But I know the truth. I saw her take her own life. I remember her last words, how sorry she was for leaving me alone. I watched the life drain from her body, and I could do nothing."

"Shut your mouth, Nathaniel."

"Afraid of what might happen to your precious reputation if the truth comes out?" Nathaniel raised an eyebrow. "Or is there something else you’re hiding? If that’s the case, I will find out the truth sooner or later and that day you would truly regret giving birth to me."

"Shut up," Noel snarled, his fists clenched in fury. "Don’t forget you still owe me a last wish for freeing your friend and I still hold the things that can create trouble for him. Or do you want him to pay me back for allowing my son to take care and help a traitor’s blood, despite knowing the consequences back then? Your friend is indebted to me."

"He is not. I paid you back by sacrificing my life to you and obeying you all these years," Nathaniel countered and my friend know it. If you go to him, he might take a revenge in my place as he care for nothing but me. And that Last wish?" Nathaniel chuckled darkly. "What could your last wish possibly be, Lord Mortem? To force me to produce an heir for you?" He nearly laughed. "Sadly, that’s something you can’t make me do. Who knows, maybe I’m cursed just like you, doomed to fail in continuing your bloodline."

Noel stayed silent for a moment, his eyes narrowing. "I’m still your father. You think you can do whatever you want? You haven’t seen the worst of me yet."

"As if I care," Nathaniel scoffed, undeterred. "I’m done here. I will take my mother’s ashes with me. Try and stop me if you can."

Just then, a butler announced from behind the door, "Lord Mortem, they are here."

Noel’s eyes flicked back to his son. "Leave. And don’t you dare touch anything in my estate."

"I can’t make any promises," Nathaniel muttered, turning to leave. As the door opened, he noticed a middle-aged man accompanied by a young girl stepping into the room. Nathaniel didn’t walk away immediately; instead, he stopped and stared at them.

"So, this is my father’s newly bought mistress?" Nathaniel remarked coldly.

"Young Lord, please leave," the butler urged.

Ignoring him, Nathaniel walked up to the girl, his hand reaching out to tilt her chin, forcing her to look up at him. He examined her small, delicate face, her wide, bright eyes meeting his.

"Not bad. My father’s taste in mistresses is still remarkable," he commented, his icy blue eyes boring into hers, making her gulp. Leaning closer, his voice dropped to a whisper in her ear, "My father’s just an old hag who won’t satisfy you. You might prefer to find your way to the beautiful residence in the east of the estate tonight. Trust me, I can make your first time more enjoyable than you can think."

Nathaniel’s intense gaze had already made her heart race, but now, his deep, husky voice whispering against her ear, his warm breath fanning over her skin, and the seductive brush of his lips along her earlobe made her feel faint. His touch, lingering beneath her chin and trailing along her neck, coupled with the closeness of his tall, overpowering, well-built body and devilishly handsome face, left her breathless. Her legs went weak.

"Nathaniel," Noel’s voice cut through the air, sharp and commanding.

Nathaniel leaned back slightly, still holding the girl’s gaze, but spoke to his father without turning around. "I was merely praising your fine choice in a mistress, Father. Almost makes me want to take her to my bed right now. You wouldn’t mind, would you? It’s not like it’s the first time we’ve shared a woman."

"Get out of here," Noel’s voice roared in anger, causing the girl to flinch in fright.

"Shh," Nathaniel whispered softly to her, his gaze never leaving hers, still captivating her. "Don’t be scared. He only barks—he won’t bite."

Noel, fuming, called for his butler. "Drag him out."

"Do you dare?" Nathaniel warned the butler, his thumb gently caressing the girl’s chin before tracing her lips. He smirked, his words dripping with mockery. "Father, of all the mistresses I’ve had of yours, this one’s especially tempting. I can’t blame you for wanting her first." He released the girl, leaning in one last time to whisper in her ear as if casting a spell, "Beautiful residence at the east." He pulled back, winked at her, and then left.

The girl swallowed hard, watching him walk away, her heart racing faster. She had never seen such a handsome man up close, let alone one who showed any interest in her. It felt like she had fallen in love for the first time.

The man beside her nudged her back to reality. She quickly lowered her head and walked into Noel’s study, her thoughts still lingering on the man who had just left, taking her heart with him.

Noel observed the girl and could not deny what his son said, she was truly beautiful.

"Lord Mortem, everything has been explained to her and she knows what she is here for," the man next to her informed after they greeted Noel.

Noel hummed and looked at the butler, "When is the day?"

"Tomorrow night, my Lord."

"Take her to her quarters. She will attend me tomorrow," Noel instructed as he eyed the girl who had her head lowered.

If not for the appropriate time he had to wait for, he would have taken this girl to his chamber right away.

Once the girl and the man left, Noel instructed the butler, "Keep eye on Nathaniel. If there you find him trying to instigate about his mother’s death, destroy any evidences he can reach. Though I am sure there is none."

"Yes, my Lord."