CHAPTER 267: TROUBLE (2)

Mark peered at where Alessandra stood. It came as a surprise that the couple lasted so long.

"You could have let the duchess speak for herself. I hope you aren’t always so controlling, Edgar. It might have been romantic in the past, but she might grow bored with it at this age," said Mark.

"Since when have you quit the court to offer advice to married couples? You, a man who has never been with a woman," said Edgar.

Mark ignored the comment about not being with women.

"I’ve always offered advice over the years. It wasn’t needed for you to send the duchess away when I spoke of her sister. I don’t know who else has come to you to speak about Kate, but what I shared was important," Mark said, hoping Edgar would listen.

Kate finally confessing she wanted Simon to harm her sister was something Alessandra should know. It had to take a lot for Kate to confess such an evil thought.

Mark continued to say, "As someone who knows even the faintest details of what Kate did to your wife, I will never step out of line to force your wife to forgive Kate, but Kate is trying to better herself."

"It sounds to me like you are pitying Kate. Care for her all you wish, but don’t think it is needed to tell my wife about the changes," said Edgar.

Edgar didn’t care if Kate was doing bad or good with her life since he didn’t think of her until her son decided to stand before him.

Edgar’s fight with Kate ended long ago, and as long as Kate stayed away from his family, Edgar wouldn’t trouble her.

"Do you share with Kate what my wife does?" Edgar asked, curious if it was one-sided.

"Well, no-"

"Then save us the trouble of having to hear about Kate. Is it because she cannot walk that we must hear about her? If all you have come to do is speak about Kate or her son, then I encourage you to leave while I am being nice," Edgar said, drawing closer to the vase where he hid a gun.

"I have not come here to tell you all that Kate is up to. Like I said earlier, her son is missing, and since there was a little conflict with your family, I have to ask if he is here. She is finally in a good place, Edgar. Losing her son might push her back," said Mark.

Mark still believed that Kate’s actions in the past were wrong, but she had paid the price for them for many years. He believed in second chances for some people, and the time for Kate to do better was here.

"She doesn’t deserve to lose her son," Mark said, pleading with Edgar.

"Wherever he is now, he should have made better choices. I don’t have him," Edgar spoke honestly. "You can search the estate high and low, but he won’t be here."

Mark remained silent for a moment.

Since Edgar was so willing to offer a search of his home, Mark believed that Warren wasn’t there.

For now, Mark could only wait to see if Warren would show up once Victor was paid.

"If Warren approached you, what happened then? Kate has shared that he was angry your wife didn’t take him in," Mark revealed.

Edgar laughed at the entitlement of a boy he had no ties to. "He tried to put on a show for a crowd, and it didn’t work. I hope you are putting this much effort into finding who dressed up the dead woman at the ball as my wife."

The court always seemed to have time for other matters while Edgar was left to solve bigger cases when he wasn’t part of the court.

"I am looking into everything, Edgar. I am only one man; therefore, it can not all be done quickly. So many years have gone by. Must we still bicker?" Mark asked, wanting a civil relationship with Edgar.

"We would not bicker if you would stop showing up at our home. You are welcome to care for Kate, but don’t drag us into your feelings. Her son isn’t here; therefore, you don’t have a reason to stay," Edgar said, ready to see Mark off.

"The duchess seemed to care about her nephew. Next time, you should give her the chance to listen instead of sending her off. Has it ever occurred to you that maybe the duchess would like to talk with her sister?" Mark asked, hoping it was so.

It wouldn’t have come as a surprise to Mark if Alessandra were curious about the progress Kate was making and maybe wanted to sit with Kate in hopes of an apology or understanding Kate’s actions.

"You make the mistake of thinking my wife and I don’t speak. I urge you to stick to important matters of the court instead of telling me how to be with my wife. You’ve overstayed your welcome," said Edgar.

Mark was ready to leave, but there was something he needed to say before leaving.

"I know you say that many troubles you, but if Warren didn’t harm your family and you took him, then it is low oo you, Edgar. To take a child-"

"Warren is a man," Edgar clarified for Mark. "Do not try to describe him as a little boy who needs to be coddled.

"If your son troubled someone, wouldn’t you hope they wouldn’t go to extreme limits to hurt him in response? Violence does not have to be the answer," Mark said, but he knew it was falling on deaf ears.

Edgar smiled since Mark’s absence had made him forget who he spoke to.

"I have taught my son to pick his battles well. Kate should have done the same, but as I said, her son is not here. You can’t help him if you are missing," Edgar warned Mark.

Without turning around, Edgar knew that Alessandra was still near, and with Isabelle home, he wouldn’t harm Mark here, but if Mark kept pushing, it would happen.

"Is that a threat, Edgar? Do you intend to kill me here?"

"Here? On my clean floors? Alfred would roll in his grave," Edgar replied.. "I wouldn’t ruin my floors with your blood. You’re not worth it, Mark. I would rather hit you. There’s no law about that."

"Perhaps I shall push for the king to create one. A new king is coming soon, Edgar. You won’t be able to get away as you always do," Mark said, believing one day Edgar was going to pick a fight he couldn’t win.

Edgar moved to open the door for Mark and held it for him.

Edgar didn’t care who sat on the throne. He was the same person he was when Tobias’s father sat on the throne, and he would be the same after Teo took the throne.

What mattered was Mark finding evidence of Edgar’s involvement in the crimes Mark spoke of.

Edgar had gotten wiser and better over the years at hiding what he did.

Mark walked out the door and turned around to speak, but Edgar beat him to it.

"You are no longer a welcome guest on the estate. Should you not leave within a reasonable time, I am within my rights to deal with you as I see fit. Leave," Edgar said, closing the door before Mark spoke again.

’I should have killed him,’ Edgar thought.

With Mark dealt with, Edgar looked up the stairs to where Alessandra stood. There was still much to speak about.