Bringing My Wife Back

008: Bil

dreaded arrived-a day that came sooner tha

fears. It only deepened their suspicion that something was hidden behind this proposal, something they couldn't yet understand. Rowt couldn't fathom what anyone could possibly want

that very morning only heightened the anxiety already weighing on the Rowt household. The man who dismounted-dresse

dence. "I am Billy Kutcher, emissary of His Grace, Grand Duke Gr

eneath his feet. His arrogance was palpable, as though he were sizing up creatures far beneath him. Ash, already unsettled by the man's demeanor, glared at him with tightly restrained fury. A chi

her-a baron-was an open provocation. This was more than mere arrogance. This man was deliberately trying to humiliate their family. The at

arger scheme at play-something beyond the delegation, beyond the proposal. Still, he couldn't yet gras

their dignity was being trampled. They welcomed Billy into their home with

sunderstanding," Rowt said carefully, his

s voice ringing with a sharper edge. His tone was unm

ere commoner-a hunter-before he was granted his barony. He wasn't well-ve

ect our daughter with such ceremony?" Rowt

on the response to his proposal-which, I might remind you, you

misunderstanding that we need to clear up," Rowt

cut in before Rowt could finish. "T

g, "His Grace has acted properly an

t letter

rrupted again. "This is simply

nly infuriated by Billy's conduct. He had

he was still a baron-nobility appointed by the king. Billy, on

ve we must discuss this further. As o

, showed no intention of engaging in real dialogue. He wielded the Grand

-" Billy began again, only to

ed, his voice firm and

ather is still a baron, and you wil

ebuke. "Ahem... Very well. Forgive me, Baron Galina.

, but surely you understand that your behavior-your reluctance-amounts to an insult to His Grace, the Grand

it was better than the relentless arrogance they'd endured earlier. Every sentence Billy utt

to this!" Rowt declared, his vo

risk provoking the wrath of His Grace?" Bi

boldness knew no bounds-buoyed by

word Billy spoke chipped away at his patience. Even Ay, though much y

in title, but insignificant in the grander schemes of power. A Grand Duke, even above a baron, was beyo

s calm, yet heavy with resignation. She bowed politely, then turned

m meeting quickly. Billy took his seat, still wearing an air o

after Atthy. They needed to speak

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out, his voice str

, her voice gentle, thoug

his!" Rowt pleaded. "We'l

fears. "He's right. The delegation is already here, a

standing-trying to show him that this was th

e. "This whole thing... it's not right. I can feel it-someth

than before. "But we can't run from it any

her grandfather cried, his voice

xasperated, her eyes brimming wit

crushed by a carriage wheel. Recover

o!" Ash offe

l only be three people left at home. Grandfather is injured-what about Gaf

Ash said in unison, their voi

st me," Atthy said with a hopeful smile, even as fear lingered in her heart. "If things improve here, one of you can come after me. But maybe you won't have

his voice thick with regret. "

poverty, but we've never lost our dignity. Grandfather-you may be old, but to me, you're still the brave hunter I grew up admir

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