I'M A Villains In My Second Life
Chapter 222's

“Shelf!”

Nora carelessly opened the door of Duke Leonard's office, making the Duke who was inside surprised by his sudden arrival by directly breaking down his door when he was serious.

“Nora?! He said as he looked at the boy who was now closing the door and running towards him.

“Dad!” Nora then placed the book she was carrying in front of Duke Leonard.

“What is Nora?” Duke Leonard clucked in annoyance, seeing the behavior of his son who had crossed the line.

“Dad knows you missed your lesson again, but this has gone too far. Father will give you a punishment now.” He said as he moved from his seat to take Nora out to be punished.

“Dad! Wait a minute, wait for dad.” Nora pulled back her father who had dragged her out. “Dad listen to my explanation first.” Refuse Nora to try as much as possible so that her father would listen to her explanation.

“Aya already knows all about Nora that you often miss your classes and wander around and today you also missed your classes right? but this time I can't just let it go you have to be punished so you don't repeat your deeds again.”

“No dad, wait a minute, this is about Leathina's sister actually I heard father's conversation with Anne in Leathina's sister's room, I was there too but hid in bed for fear of being caught skipping my class and being punished by my father.”

Duke Leonard stopped looking at Nora with a serious look, “If you just play around how do you bear the family name, you want to humiliate your father? don't expect dad to loosen your punishment!” He warned Nora.

“No dad, I promise! Please read this, I accidentally found Leathina's sister's note that she kept in a place that no one else could find.” Seeing her father soften, Nora immediately handed Leathina a notebook she had taken from Leathina's desk.

“Nora from where did you find Leathina's notebook?” his curious question saw his usually calm youngest son was now so excited to ask him to read the book he brought.

“Ah! that, a-I checked the table belonging to sister Leathina and found it by accident.” Nora replied stammering because she knew her actions were wrong and unjustified.

“Ah! Nora, I know you miss your sister but unpacking her personal belongings and taking it is not the attitude your sister deserves will definitely be disappointed.” Duke Leonard sighed at the push back of the book that Nora gave him for feeling it was inappropriate to interfere in the personal affairs of others what else to deliberately take and read it without the permission of its owner.

“Dad! Look.” Nora who was impatient and could not stand it anymore because her father continued to reject her immediately opened the book she held and then showed it to her father.

“What is this?” Duke Leonard was confused.

“What's more, this is sister Leathina.” Nora answered excitedly.

“Iya I know, but this..” Duke takes the book that Nora showed him and turns it over so Nora can see it again.

“Ah! Jeez this is not dad.” Nora was surprised when the page he opened turned out to be the second page containing creepy images drawn by Leathina.

“Huh?! Uh! Not this one dad.” Nora immediately reclaims the book her father holds, opening it to the page where Leathina writes a list of those who intend to kill her.

“What the fuck is this?” duke Leonard muttered as he finally read the page Nora had shown him.

“Why can it be like this?!” he said in disbelief, now Leathina's notebook has changed hands into the hands of Duke Leonard and began to read it seriously, it went page by page on every sheet of Leathina's notebook that Nora accidentally discovered.

“Nora do you know anything about your sister Leathina that no one else knows?” ask Duke Leonard seriously.

Nora did not answer immediately she was only pensive because she was worried about telling her father about her secret along with Leathina or keep her secret because she had promised Leathina not to tell anyone about what she was doing he knows.

“Nora, I know you know something dad hope you want to tell dad. It's for your sister Leathina, please.” Pinta Duke to Nora stared at her son in hopes that Nora would tell him everything she knew about Leathina.

Duke then knelt down in front of Nora aligning his eyes with Nora while tightly holding onto Nora's shoulders who still did not want to tell the truth.

“Daddy actually ...” Nora still seemed hesitant to tell the truth.

“It's okay to say Nora, tell dad anything you know.” Duke Leonard convinces Nora to tell a story.

“Father actually since Leathina's sister woke up after a coma because of drinking Leathina's sister's poison began to behave strangely, didn't you also realize it?” Nora begins the story and ends with a question to Duke Leonard.

Duke Leonard was still speechless not directly answering Nora's question.

“Humm, I know you didn't realize maybe we've all really done something evil to Leathina's sister. He was really hurt, it's worth it he didn't want to go back to his family if what hurt him for real was us.” He muttered as his father was silent.

“Dad knows, but it's not that dad didn't notice it at all but dad ignored it.” He replied then with a face that hardened as he endured the sudden pain he felt in his chest instantly hearing Nora's murmur just now.

“Nora forgive dad.”

“Dad, when Nora came to visit Leathina's sister she didn't know that the door to her room was open at the time because she was too afraid to enter I just stood outside but I heard a few sentences that Leathina's sister kept saying repeatedly.”

“What is it?” Duke Leonard asked curiously.

“I will die on my birthday execution, and all of them will do that execution to me without knowing what really happened.”

“That's what he said?” ask Duke.

Nora replied with a nod, “Not only is it dad, he also often times said that sooner or later someone will come to kill him.” Nora told her father.

...

 “What the fuck is this?” inner Nicholas who had just arrived in front of the work room his father wanted to meet Nora, but because hearing the conversation of the two who sounded very serious Nicholas paused his intention to go inside so as not to disturb.

Nicholas who was curious about Nora's strange attitude then looked for her, he asked her whereabouts to some servants and they all saw Nora running towards Duke Leonard's office.

“What book are they talking about? And kill? what does it all mean?!” The curious Nicholas listened from outside.

...

“What is really going on here.” Duke Leonard was confused.

“And also father, actually elder sister Leathina often settles out of the mansion at night.”

“Wait Nora.” Duke Leonard stopped Nora, unable to absorb the information that so struck her at once. “Where do you know all that, whereas your father or brother Nicholas just doesn't know anything about all this?!” her question is still in disbelief and inexhaustible because Nora knows more than her adult self.

“Kakak Leathina told me some of her secrets.” Answer Nora quickly.

“Why? I mean why your brother can trust you isn't your relationship with him not so good?”

“That's because Leathina's sister pityed me so she wanted to share a little of her secret with me, and also because Nicholas' father and sister were one of the causes of Leathina's brother continuing to fear and choosing to flee.”

Duke Leonard was stunned by Nora with a look of disbelief because he dared to say a sentence that he really could not believe at all.

“Shelf!” Nicholas who had been standing outside could not stand Nora's words that said he was the one who caused Leathina to become what she is today.

“Nora! What kind of nonsense are you saying that?!” it was on Nora.

“Nicholas stop!!” Convert Duke Leonard to keep Nora away from him. “Dad, who asked him to tell the truth listen to the explanation first."

“My father just.. I mean how could I kill my own brother.” His words do not believe.

“Dad, read Leathina's sister's notebook there maybe you can understand more."

Previously, Duke Leonard only opened it at a glance to read Leathina's notebook quickly because he still did not believe it and started reading from the beginning but was not satisfied with just once reading it, Duke was back repeating from the beginning this time he was more serious than ever while Nicholas was reading.

(On her 25th birthday Leathina will die in execution on charges of poisoning Yasmine which are not yet clear, the four main characters will demand execution for Leathina for trying to kill their loved ones)

(The first to sue in court was Prince Yardley, then ensnared for supporting testimony by Zeyden, the owner of the magic tower, and the chairman of Ed's shadow army, who also likes Yasmine of course will not stay silent at the same time with that sister Leathina Nicholas also testified of course the final punishment for me is death while Duke Leonard will not interfere anything else defending Leathina, I am completely alone and this is unfair!)

(I met Winter but I don't really know how she's going to behave, but of course I can't trust anyone right now. How could I believe that typing her own family would drive her to death for Leathina later)

(I'm going to run away! I will live on, whatever destiny I will experience I will try to stay alive!)

“Omong empty what is this!?” Nicolas uttered furiously after knowing that it was he who dragged Leathina in her death, “ This is not true, this is not the result of Leathina's thought she could not have been like this.” His words do not believe.

“His personality changed after waking up from his coma, father don't believe.” Nicholas who does not accept reality continues to evade.

“Sister, isn't it that Nicholas' brother and father didn't pay attention to Leathina's sister before? You just changed after he woke up and he also changed, right? Or have you not felt any change in elder sister Leathina all this time? And also is it true that Nicholas' brother likes Yasmine so much, Nicholas' brother always follows him everywhere and so do the others?” exclaim Nora who now helped raise her voice.

“No, I, I just ..” Nicholas could not answer, there was nothing wrong with Nora's words.

“Enough!” Shouted Duke Leonard mediate.

“So is Leathina dead or alive now?!” He was puzzled after reading Leathina's notebook, which kept mentioning that she was dead and alive.

“Sister is still alive!” nora shouted, not liking the words of her father.

“But you yourself said that he changed after waking up from his coma right?” Nicholas.

“No sister Leathina may change due to stress!”

“We still don't know, but we'll find out what really happened to Leathina this book I'll save! Until Leathina comes back." He said keep Leathina's notebook in his drawer and lock it.

“Dad what if Leathina's sister really isn't Leathina's sister?!” asked Nora who finally also doubted what she had believed until opposing Nicholas before.

“According to you how?” duke Leonard asked Nora and Nicholas. “Are you guys going to catch him because he's no longer your brother?” ask again.

Both of them shook their heads.

“Do you guys hate it?”  Ask Duke Leonard again to Nicholas and Nora.

“So what's your decision?” ask again.

“I don't know how to father.” Nora and Nicholas answered almost simultaneously.

“All right here! although her attitude and behavior changed, Leathina remained. Nothing has changed, she remains your sister and Leathina remains the daughter of the Duke Leonard family, you understand?!” duke said firmly.

“Good we understand father.” Say both.

“Beginning this time pay attention to your attitude and behavior, do not let this be known to others and also do not ask Leathina anything about this if she returns this, he said, this will obviously make it uncomfortable.”

“Good dad.”

“What is more important that we have to do now is protect Leathina even though it is not enough to make up for the mistakes that have been done to her at least this is one we can do, he said, for now we must focus on solving the problem of Leathina's disappearance first.”

“Dad!” exclaimed Nora who suddenly recalled something.

“What's Nora?!” taya Duke Leonard is almost at the same time as Nicholas.

“I just remembered, sister Leathina had once secretly come out of the mansion and I accidentally knew it back then to keep my mouth shut so I kept it a secret instead I asked her to take me along with her and that time we were also followed by someone.”

“Where are you going?!” nicholas asked curiously a little envious of Nora who had once gone along with Leathina.

“Dad remembers one of the nobles whose father handled them trading humans and children brought of age to be auctioned on the black market as well as smuggling illegal items into the kingdom.”

“Iya I remember the family is now imprisoned and confiscated all the property and houses they have.” Duke Leonard recalled the cases of people he had arrested for smuggling and trafficking of people and children he had handled. “What does this have to do with the case?” tanyanya did not understand.

“The children who were victims were put in orphanages and the orphanages they lived in were the homes of the criminals who carried out the human trafficking, they now live there and that's where Leathina's sister took me.” Nora excitedly told Leathina where to take her.

“What do you mean, I never knew Leathina had such things? When did he come out and meet them? Not that she was just busy doing the exercises and even before she disappeared Leathina just locked herself in her room?” Nicholas did not believe it.

“I also don't know how can Leathina's sister have a relationship with them, but Leathina's sister was the only one who gave them money every month so they could survive and all the children there knew Leathina's sister, they even always welcomed the arrival of Leathina's sister.” Nora told me everything she knew. “Dad, maybe sister sold all her dresses and jewelry to give to them and ..” her speech stopped hesitating to finish her sentence.

“And preparation to escape!” nicholas said he finished a sentence Nora did not finish.

“Ah! why is it like this?” murmured Duke leonard, “This is all my fault!” he said then rubbed his face rough.

“Dad!” call Nicholas and Nora who can't bear to see her father so depressed.

“My father and Nora will go visit the orphanage referred by Nora directly, I will also secretly search for information there.” Nicholas tries to help his father.

“All right, you go and ...”

“Do not!” nora is against Nicholas.

“Why?” nicholas asked confused why suddenly Nora forbade him to visit there. “Don't you say that you yourself under Leathina who continues to channel help to them all this time, so what's wrong if we visit there?”

“That's because Leathina's sister hid that she'd been visiting there a lot, she never told people that she was helping the kids there. They also do not know that the brother is a noble or the son of a duke except for some nanny who works there.”

“Then like that then we will come as prospective sponsors to channel help to them, not so far there are many orphanages that continue to get donation from our families, if you are afraid that Leathina will not like it if we visit there then we will include the orphanage also in the list of distribution of assistance this will not invite suspicion.” Duke's words calmed down Nora who looked worried for having revealed her secret along with Leathina.

“What now this way is okay Nora?” Ask Duke to Nora.

“Okay dad, I thought it wouldn't be a problem.” The answer after a long silence.

“If it is like that tomorrow we will both leave for that orphanage.” Nicholas was then nodding back by Nora who also agreed.

“Dad still have work to do today, you two go back and keep this a secret to others.”

“Good dad, we understand.” Nora and Nicholas said at the same time, the two of them then both leave and immediately get out of the duke Leonard's office.

On the way to their respective rooms, both of them just fell silent and walked while daydreaming drowning in their respective thoughts.

Duke Leonard sighed after Nora and Nicholas came out of his room, his gaze instantly becoming empty after being alone in his room.The old Duke Leonard was silent with his face and hands filled with cold sweat, guilt mixed with regret raged in his heart and mind to make his head buzz.

“Akh! What should I do now, how will I meet with Leathina after knowing all this.” Said Duke as he leaned his back against the back of the chair. Several times he rubbed his face rough with his hands.

Moments later, Duke's vision was diverted to his desk drawer where Leathina's notebook was found by Nora accidentally in Leathina's room, he unwittingly reopened the key and opened the drawer he saw Leathina's notebook he had just kept, when he wanted to take it his hand was intercepted and then trembled not out of fear but because of his guilt at Leathina which he could never get out of his mind.

He reopened Leathina's notebook and then read it again. The expression on his face that he had pressed so as not to show sadness in front of Nora and Nicholas was now clearly seen shrinking because he was holding back his tears so as not to fall.

“Excuse father Leathina.” He said softly then immediately closed Leathina's notebook and kept it back because it was no longer strong to read it.

“Whatever you are now, wherever you are from, you are still my daughter Leathina, nothing will change!” 

“I will accept any consequences you will give me later, but again forgive me. I can't let you and watch you hang around out there so let me take you back and protect you here.” His words then crumpled up the letters he had previously written after which he picked up a new paper and began writing a new message he would send to Prince Edward and Ed the chairman of the shadowy army organization.

...***...