Chapter 45

Adrian, who was returning from the capital, thought that the inevitable had come when he saw the urgent letter delivered to him. The letter from Julia Lillian contained details about the matter he had caused in the past.  

[I’m sorry to contact you like this. Rivera found out about the secret you told us to keep quiet about, Duke. I don’t know who told her. However, it seems she doesn’t know what kind of people the men she met before were. She’s probably crying a lot by now, so please don’t leave her alone. ― Julia]  

In the end, Rivera had found out. The truth Adrian had wanted to keep hidden at all costs.  

Most of Rivera’s ex-boyfriends had only seen her as a tool. They had approached her intentionally to build connections with Adrian. Cassilia and Julia had wanted to tell Rivera the truth, but Adrian had stopped them.  

He had planned to handle it himself.  

– Is that her? The woman Duke Bartman is playing around with?  

– Her looks are passable, but why does he pour so much affection into her?  

– Who knows? Does she kill it in bed?  

– Haha, this is amusing. How good must she be for the infamous Black Lion to fall head over heels?  

– Try your luck. I heard rumors that she’s really into it. Apparently, she’s always looking for men.  

Strange rumors spread. Even when Adrian insisted that he wasn’t in that kind of relationship with Rivera, no one believed him.  

No matter how many people spreading the rumors he caught, it never ended. If he focused only on catching those spreading malicious gossip about Rivera, more people would start doubting her again. He couldn’t just kill them all.  

Because things had gone wrong from the beginning, everything kept spiraling out of control. When he later tried to reveal the truth, he feared the resentment he would face from Rivera, who had been hurt without knowing anything.  

‘It’s all my fault.’  

He never imagined that she would try to heal the wounds caused by men by meeting another man within just a few days.  

As he missed the right moment to reveal the truth, the situation grew worse. Adrian had thought she would give up after dating three men, but he was wrong.  

Rivera didn’t give up easily. She sought true love, but the only ones who actively approached her were those with ulterior motives.  

“I’ll have to beg, won’t I? If you tell me to kneel until you forgive me, I’ll kneel.”  

Trying to make excuses would only worsen the situation. The only solution was to confess the truth and ask for forgiveness before Rivera completely turned her back on him.  

***

To repent for his mistake, he sought her out.  

“I’m sorry, but Lady Rivera absolutely refuses to see you.”  

Adrian was turned away at the door.  

“Just for a moment. If that’s not possible, can I at least talk to her from outside?”  

The servant hesitated.  

[Miss Rivera said she would hang herself if we let the Duke in…. Should I even say this?]  

Realizing what the servant was thinking, Adrian couldn’t insist any further.  

“…Very well. I’ll leave for now, but if Rivera’s condition improves, please contact me, even if it’s late at night.”  

“Understood.”  

Why hadn’t he realized it? That even an apology required the other person to meet with you.  

Rivera refused to meet him, as if mocking his plan to simply ask for forgiveness.  

Unable to even get the chance to apologize, Adrian could only stare at Rivera’s window from afar.  

The curtains were drawn tightly, making it impossible to see inside. Upon closer inspection, wooden planks had been nailed to the window to prevent anyone from sneaking in.  

‘It’s because of me.’  

Adrian felt like he was going mad with guilt. He had brought her favorite cake, but Meriang apologized and threw it into the trash.  

The knights of the Bartman family tried to protest, but Adrian stopped them. It was likely Rivera’s orders.  

She had told them to throw away everything he brought.  

He had prepared a proper proposal, even had the ring ready, but now he feared the entire marriage might fall apart.  

***

Rivera hadn’t left her room or eaten properly, so the Countess of Iaron visited out of concern.  

“What’s wrong, my dear?”  

“It’s nothing.”  

Rivera lay on the bed, burying her face in a pillow. She didn’t want to talk to anyone right now.  

But the gentle touch of a hand stroking her hair made her burst into tears.  

“It’s suspicious for my daughter, who usually eats so well, to skip meals and say it’s nothing.”  

“……”  

The Countess of Iaron spoke gently.  

“Did you fight with the Duke? Is that why you’re refusing to eat the dishes the chef worked so hard to prepare? Are you protesting by fasting?”  

“It’s not like that.”  

“Then why are you starving yourself? In times like these, you should eat well and gather strength to fight.”  

Rivera fiddled with her engagement ring, hesitating and pondering deeply.  

“Mom, have you ever felt betrayed by Dad?”  

The Countess of Iaron’s expression shifted as if she had realized something.  

“Hmm. So the Duke did something to make you feel betrayed. That’s why my daughter cried so much her eyes are swollen.”  

“Well…”  

Rivera glanced at the slightly open door and moved to close it. Meriang was standing in the hallway, but Rivera locked the door firmly. Since this was a story her father shouldn’t hear, she made sure he couldn’t enter by securing the latch.  

Returning to the bed, Rivera spoke in a small voice.  

“Mom, you know I’ve dated and broken up with many people, right?”  

“I’ve heard about it.”  

The Countess of Iaron had heard the rumors, as there were many who enjoyed gossiping.  

“I thought I was the problem, that I was the reason they broke up with me. I blamed myself a lot, but apparently, it was all… because of Adrian.”  

“Because of the Duke?”  

“They said Adrian threatened them. That if they didn’t break up with me, they would die.”  

“…What?”  

The Countess of Iaron was speechless for a moment, clearly caught off guard.  

“Why would the Duke do something like that?”  

“Jealousy, maybe?”  

“You haven’t asked him directly?”  

“I’m afraid I’ll say something harsh if I meet him, so I haven’t.”  

“Still, you should meet him. Nothing will be resolved if you stay in your room brooding alone.”  

“But regardless of his reason, he deceived me. Every time I broke up with a boyfriend, he comforted me. But deep down, how much must he have laughed at me? I kept visiting the person who caused my breakups.”  

“Do you really think he laughed at you? If he truly thought you were ridiculous and intended to deceive you, he wouldn’t keep visiting you every day, asking to see you.”  

“Hmph. He hasn’t visited lately.”  

“You told him you’d hang yourself if he came.”  

“That was… just something I said.”  

“Do you think the Duke would see it that way?”  

The Countess of Iaron stroked Rivera’s hair, looking fondly at her grown-up daughter.  

“Go and ask him why he did it.”  

“What if asking doesn’t make me feel better?”  

“Then you’ll have to live with it. Or break off the engagement.”  

“Can you say that so easily?”  

The Countess of Iaron chuckled.  

“Life is all the same, my dear. Do you think I’ve liked your father every single day? Sometimes he gets on my nerves, and there are days I don’t want to see him at all. But what can I do? Deep down, he’s someone I want to see every day.”  

Rivera listened attentively.  

“I always thought you and Dad were happy.”  

“Most of the time, we were. But we’re people who lived in different environments, so isn’t it strange not to fight? Despite that, we’ve adjusted to each other and lived together all this time. Those who couldn’t do that have separated.”  

“I… don’t want to separate.”  

“Then vent your anger until you feel better. The Duke made the mistake, after all. And no matter how angry you are, time will eventually heal it.”  

The Countess of Iaron knew her daughter well. She was certain Rivera would let go of her anger soon enough.  

“If it’s Duke Bartman, I’m sure he had his reasons. I doubt he forced separations simply because he hated seeing you date other men.”  

“I hope that’s the case.”  

Rivera sincerely hoped that there was a reason she could understand and forgive.  

***

Adrian glared at the last person he wanted to see.  

“Cedric Denmark.”  

An unwelcome guest had come to the Bartman Ducal House.  

“That name… It’s been a while since I’ve heard it.”  

Normally, he would have been escorted to the drawing room, but Adrian didn’t want to go to the trouble for this man and called him to the study instead.  

“May I have some tea? Strong, please.”  

Without being invited to sit, Antonio crossed his legs and looked at Adrian arrogantly.  

Adrian was incredulous but ignored him, as Antonio’s rudeness wasn’t new. He sat across from him.  

“Why have you come?”  

“Aren’t you aware? I thought you’d heard that Rivera found out the reason her ex-boyfriends broke up with her was because of you.”  

Adrian immediately reached across the table and grabbed Antonio by the collar.  

Bang!  

“How dare you…?”  

Antonio pulled out a letter Adrian had sent.  

“Didn’t know that threats weren’t exclusive to you? You must have lived a comfortable life until now.”  

“So, are you here to die by my hand?”  

“Of course not. My revenge hasn’t even begun yet.”  

Antonio brushed off Adrian’s grip on his collar, signaling him to let go.  

“If you kill me now, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life. What I’m about to say involves Rivera as well.”  

The mention of ‘Rivera’ dampened Adrian’s anger.  

Clench…  

Antonio smirked. As expected, Rivera was Adrian’s weak spot.  

Watching Adrian return to his seat, Antonio felt a strange sense of satisfaction. Seeing the arrogant man falter because of his words was delightful. He could watch it forever.  

Adrian bit his lip, signaling Antonio to speak quickly. But Antonio, knowing there was no need to rush, took his time.  

“Rivera will come to see you soon.”  

Adrian scoffed.  

“You must not have heard yet. I’ve been asking to meet her for days, but she’s refused every time. And now you’re saying Rivera will come here? Ridiculous.”