Leonardo walked towards Maliny and leaned close to her with a smile. It looked warm — but somehow, there was something twisted behind it.
He spoke softly, "Is everything alright, little sis?"
Maliny nodded quietly, feeling a wave of relief that her older brother was here.
Leonardo gently guided Maliny to sit next to him as the head of the family — the former duke, Lord Drime, Maliny's grandfather — took his seat. Beside him sat Maliny's father, the current duke, Alexander.
The other family members began taking their seats around the long dining table.
Maliny spoke softly, "Grandpa… can Druvok sit next to me? He's my friend."
The former duke looked at Druvok with clear disdain, then muttered, "Maliny, you're so sweet… you even count a goblin as a friend."
But with a wave of his hand, he motioned for a servant to bring a chair beside Maliny for Druvok.
The other family members immediately protested.
An older uncle spoke up, "Father, how can you allow such a lowly creature to sit with us at this table? I know you pity Maliny for her… condition, but this is an insult to the family!"
The former duke's frown deepened, and he slammed his hand on the table, making everyone jump.
"Are you questioning me now, Frederick?"
The uncle instantly went pale and fell silent.
Leonardo chuckled under his breath and muttered mockingly, "Idiot… no wonder you were never chosen as heir, even though you're the eldest."
The uncle's face twisted in humiliation as he lowered his gaze and remained quiet for the rest of dinner.
The former duke then turned to Maliny, ruffling her hair fondly, which made her smile.
"Thank you, Grandpa."
The old man smiled softly. "As long as I'm alive, my dear granddaughter, no one will upset you."
Druvok watched the scene carefully. Now he understood why — despite being blind and fragile — Maliny was treated like royalty and allowed to have whatever she wanted.
It was because the former duke — the man who clearly still held most of the family's true power — adored her.
Then, Druvok caught a quiet mumble from the old man that gave him the last piece of the puzzle.
"You're just like your grandmother… the same cheerful smile."
So it was true — Maliny reminded him of his late wife. The only person, it seemed, that this cold, ruthless man had ever truly loved.
Druvok recalled rumors from the maids about the former duke being heartless. But seeing how he treated Maliny… it was complicated.
A man with a soft spot for one person in a heart of stone.
Then, the former duke shifted his gaze to the current duke, Alexander.
"Alexander. Did you find the spies?"
For the first time that evening, Alexander spoke — his voice calm and steady.
"Yes, Father. I found them."
A cold smile spread across the old man's face.
"Did you have them properly tortured and get everything we need?"
Alexander responded casually, as if discussing the weather, while calmly cutting his steak and taking a bite.
"Yes. I'll send the report to your office later tonight."
The former duke leaned back in his chair, his cold smile growing.
"That's why I chose you as my heir, Alexander. You know what needs to be done. Not like your useless siblings."
His cold gaze swept over the other family members, making a chill run down their spines.
Then, he turned back to Maliny with a gentle smile, pinching her cheek softly — making her giggle.
"And because you gave me this sweet granddaughter who looks just like Jasmine… my sweet Jasmine."
The last words were filled with longing for his late wife — the only love of his life.
Alexander glanced at Maliny, his expression still cold, but with a faint warmth in his tone.
"Yes… she's precious."
Druvok took in the expressions of the other family members, their faces filled with jealousy and resentment. Now he truly understood why they treated Maliny so cruelly — because the former duke, the true power in this family, adored her.
Druvok turn to Leonardo and notice Leonardo's eyes gleamed with something unreadable, a glint of cold amusement beneath the warmth of his smile.