Chapter 6 – Part 2

“That’s not the case. I’m grateful for your advice. No one has ever told me that before. But unless it’s the Duke… I don’t have any other choice.”

“Are you sure there’s no other way? Marcus doesn’t give in to desperation, and he’s going to pressure you until he gets his way, and then Lieselotte will be the only one who suffers.”

Another way?… Perhaps there was one after all.

How to pay his grandfather’s hospital bills, pay off the mortgage on the orchard and bungalow, and provide for his younger brother and his aging nanny, all at once.

It might take a long time or result in a huge debt, but she could find a way. Liese pondered without revealing her thoughts.

‘Am I being greedy? ‘

In a world where countless people work hard and sweat their asses off, is the amount of money she gets paid for catering to men’s needs and faking a smile really worth it? It’s a struggle she faces time and time again, as she has always wanted to stand on her own two feet without help.

But when she thought of her family, it didn’t seem like greed. If it weren’t for the Duke, who could have helped them on the brink of despair?

Even then, she rarely spent the money she received from the Duke on herself because she didn’t want to feel indebted. The dress and accessories she wore now weren’t even entirely hers, as she planned to sell them after the summer.

Liese glanced at Claudia, who sat across from her.

She was clever, sweet, and unusually enterprising, but there was no denying that she was a precious young woman who had grown up without a drop of water on her hands.

Would Claudia understand if she confessed her situation? It was hard to be sure. She was still a friend who had shared a deep bond with Marcus for a long time.

“Thank you for your concern. But the Duke is so good to me. Despite the trouble, he’s been very accommodating and has provided many conveniences.”

“…….”

“He’s the one who reached out when I needed it most. I consider myself lucky to have a relationship that fits so well with him. Really.”

“…I’m glad to hear that.”

Claudia nodded slightly, her chin resting on her hand. It was evident that her words were mere courtesy, but she didn’t add anything further.

“Lady Fitzgold.”

An unfamiliar voice broke the silence. Liese and Claudia turned at the same time.

“Claudia Fitzgold, right? I see you here.”

“…Lady Dawson, yes, it’s been a while.”

Claudia replied, sounding surprised. At the entrance to the terrace, a woman and a dozen or so ladies in colorful dresses stood staring down at Liese. Liese narrowed her eyes at the vaguely familiar face.

It didn’t take long for her to recognize the woman. It was Haley Dawson.

“Lady. Fitzgold, I see you have company. Why don’t you join us, if you don’t mind?”

“Thank you for the offer, but we were planning to leave soon, but we can chat later.”

Claudia smiled and politely declined. Haley gave her a disappointed look. Her eyes flicked back to Liese.

“Who is this lady, by the way?”

“This is Lady Lieselotte, from the Viscountcy of Brennan, and this is Lady Haley, the daughter of Earl Dawson.”

Liese swallowed dryly, with a hint of nervousness in her voice.

Haley was the woman who had run out of Marcus’s office crying. She remembered well, for she had nearly broken all the teacups and glass jugs with her arm.

She was dressed as a maid. She doesn’t know if Haley saw her or remembered her as she passed by, sobbing so hard that her makeup smeared.

Before the silence lengthened, Liese bowed politely.

“I’m pleased to meet you, Lady Dawson. I’m Lieselotte Brennan.”

“Nice to meet you, too. I’ve never seen you before….”

Haley tilted her dense face. The ribbon in her glossy hair swished with the motion. She was dressed like a princess again today.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you in Loheim, either. You’re not from the capital, are you?”

“No, I’ve only just arrived at Bachmann. Before that, I lived on a small territory in the southwest.”

“What’s the name of the territory?”

“You’ve probably never heard of it; it’s quite small.”

“Ah… so you’re from the countryside….”

Haley nodded, her voice as light as a hum. Then, with an adorable smile, she asked.

“So I guess I’ll see you at this summer event?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Liese held her breath, not wanting to be asked who her partner was. From what she’d heard, Haley had been Marcus’s partner for the victory ceremony, and she’d expected the same for the summer event.

She must be upset that it didn’t happen. To the point of sobbing in public.

“Lady Dawson, your companions are waiting for you behind.”

Claudia intervened in the conversation they were having. It was a welcome interruption. Haley turned around with a shrug.

“I suppose there’s nothing I can do. Well, then, I hope you both have a pleasant time.”

“It was a pleasure to say hello.”

“Same here, Lady Brennan.”

As their conversation came to an end, the women moved to another seating area on the terrace. Haley, too, turned to leave, but even after she had sat down, her gaze remained fixed on Liese. It was fortunate that the situation didn’t escalate into a barrage of questions.

As Liese sipped the rest of her tea, she noticed a strange change in the air on the terrace.

All eyes were focused on one spot. Claudia was no exception. It was near the entrance to the terrace, leading to the hotel lobby.

“…Isn’t that His Grace, the Duke?”

Liese’s eyes were drawn there as she heard someone whisper. A tall man with an imposing presence that was impossible to ignore was strolling into the café, drawing all eyes to him.

“Marcus, what are you doing here?”

Claudia stood up with a smile, her voice tinged with curiosity. Liese followed suit, pushing her chair out of the way. Marcus was dressed in a navy blue suit that showed off his broad shoulders, and his natural blond hair was tousled.

“I arranged this meeting, so why would there be any reason for me not to be here? I’m here to pick up Liese.”

He trailed off, then reached down and gently grabbed Liese’s wrist. Then he brought it to my mouth and pressed his lips to the back of her hand. It was a polite gesture, unlike the man who had made the unscrupulous offer.

“Lieselotte.”

“Duke.”

“Did you and Claudie have fun?”

“…Thanks to you.”

“Good. I thought you would.”

Marcus smiled sweetly, his face devoid of any hint of unease. Liese felt the shocked stares raining down on her from where Haley was seated.

Claudia interjected with a puzzled expression on her chubby face.

“You’re here to pick up Lieselotte. What does that mean?”

“Just what it sounds like.”

“We were planning to leisurely enjoy afternoon tea and stroll around the shops before going home.”

“I’ll take care of Liese, and you can leave. The driver is waiting outside the hotel.”

Marcus kissed the back of her hand again, his eyes locked on hers.

‘…No.’ With desperate eyes, Liese threw Claudia an unspoken signal. ‘Don’t go. Stay with me.’ Her eyes were filled with pleas.

Claudia, who unfortunately didn’t notice, narrowed her eyes, slightly annoyed.

“You’re still as stubborn as ever.”

She clasped Liese’s hands in her lace-gloved ones.

“I’ve enjoyed myself today, Lieselotte. I’ll see you at the opening ceremony.”

“It’s what I wanted to say. I’ve had a great time too. Thank you, Claudia.”

Claudia, who had never smiled so sweetly, turned over her palms and looked up at Marcus.

“Marcus, who always hovers around Lieselotte, goodbye. See you later.”

And with that, she strode off the terrace and across the café with graceful strides. Marcus didn’t even bother to look at her; he just slipped his hand through Liese’s. His eyes scanned her face with an intensity that could only be described as obsessive, and he refused to let go.

Even though his actions were likely to draw attention from all around, Marcus acted as if they were invisible. Was such a contradiction even possible?

At this rate, he might as well hug her and suggest they sit by the roadside and have tea. Liese was afraid of what might happen next.

“I was just about to leave from here. I wanted to take a walk after indulging in too many snacks.”

“Great. Let’s take a walk together.”

“…….”

“Why aren’t you answering? Don’t you want to get paid?”

Marcus lowered his voice as he revealed his true self. Feeling like she was being dragged back to last night by the hair, Liese shuddered without showing any reaction. The smile that appeared on her pale face was forced.

“That’s not true; come on, I want to walk with you.”