Chapter 8

“Now he’s a proper merchant lord. Declan must be really worried. I need to contact him right away to tell him I’m alive.”

Ha. Kaiden let out a self-mocking sigh.

Astrid noticed the vivid anger in his golden eyes, but she deliberately ignored it.

She didn’t like that he kept bringing up the awkward Declan from their Academy days, but for now, she had to end this farce quickly.

“Kaiden, find someone else for your stand-in. I need to go back to the West.”

“…There are already several people who’ve seen your face. Besides, do you think a ruined merchant guild will recover just because one employee returns?”

They say the Mason Merchant Guild suffered so much damage it might go bankrupt.

Kaiden let out a small laugh as he trailed off.

She glared at him in irritation, but he just chuckled. The way he looked down at Astrid was that of a lord, and her rebuttal scattered in the air.

The man who had gripped her heart so completely now shook the world she had painstakingly built, telling her a harsh reality.

“That’s right. Me going alone won’t turn a crisis into an opportunity. But if I can help, even a little…”

“If you become Brielle Selinger for just one year, blessings will rain down on the Mason Merchant Guild.”

In that moment, Astrid clenched her teeth. As if he had expected her reaction, Kaiden watched her leisurely, one corner of his mouth tilted.

Yes, he had always been like this. Always pulling the strings from above, forcing others into his plans.

Everything was going according to Kaiden’s wishes. Astrid had already become Brielle Selinger at both the Raselles Duchy and the hospital.

If she suddenly disappeared, rumors would spread in the press that the Duke of Raselles had gotten rid of his greedy sister-in-law for money. Such speculation would be fatal to Kaiden’s reputation, especially since he had just become Duke.

But she couldn’t act as if she had any leverage over Kaiden.

If Brielle disappeared, Kaiden’s dignity might take a hit. However, the Duke of Raselles was the greatest noble in the kingdom, someone no one could easily touch.

“If you become Brielle Selinger for just one year, I’ll give you the money to rebuild.”

Astrid closed her eyes tightly, then opened them. The thought that Kaiden had already decided her fate left her breathless.

“…Why do you always do as you please?”

“As I please? I’m kindly giving you an opportunity. Ast, you need to save your family.”

Astrid’s eyes grew red. After losing the competition for the marquisate, she had lost herself and had to struggle just to survive.

Kaiden might find it laughable, but even her life as an employee of the Mason Merchant Guild was the result of her breaking herself to the bone.

And now, she was being told to abandon herself again and live as someone else.

She tried desperately to hold back, but bitter tears welled up. Her green eyes, now soaked, glared at him. Meeting her gaze, Kaiden stroked her cheek. The hand gripping her chin was cold.

His hand moved without hesitation past her neck, so Astrid slapped away his large hand.

Astrid was more curious about whether this cruel man was really Kaiden Raselles than about her own identity.

“The merchant guild family must be desperate for money. They wouldn’t want to end up on the street. Compassionate Astrid, what will you do?”

“…Why do you talk like that?”

“Because I pity you.”

Kaiden didn’t smile, but Astrid felt even more miserable than if he had openly mocked her. Everything he said was true, so she couldn’t argue.

｢Maybe it’s because I’m pregnant, but I was so scared that something might happen to that child earlier.｣

As Astrid bit her lips, Brielle’s words suddenly came to mind. She wondered if Kaiden knew Brielle was pregnant, or if that news had spread to high society.

Astrid parted her lips, then cautiously spoke. Either way, she needed to confirm the facts with him.

“The only similarities between me and Miss Selinger are our blonde hair and eye color. She had a much slimmer figure…”

“You’re calm enough to worry about such trivial things.”

It seemed he didn’t know Brielle was pregnant. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have let the comment about body shape pass so easily.

In any case, Astrid had to tell the truth. Kaiden would make his decision only if he had accurate information.

“I spoke briefly with Miss Selinger on the train, and she said she was pregnant.”

“That’s why Mother called her in such a hurry. …Why? Do you plan to pretend to be pregnant too?”

Kaiden looked at Astrid and reached out his hand. His long fingers brushed her blonde hair and touched her red lips. At the slow touch tracing her lip line, Astrid flinched.

“If you’re going to do that, you’ll have to make it happen first…”

As she lowered her gaze, Kaiden tilted his head and whispered above her trembling ear. The breath at her ear was hot.

“Are you planning to sleep with me?”

“W-what are you saying? I was just stating the facts.”

“I was hoping you would. You were quite good in bed.”

Her cheeks flushed hot. She was shocked that the Duke of Raselles could say something so crude. Astrid trembled and stepped back.

So that night I can’t forget meant nothing to you.

Sorrow surged, but Astrid held back. Since abandoning her life as the former Marquis Hamilton’s daughter, she had always had to endure the humiliation and complaints of others.

Astrid straightened her back and squared her shoulders. No matter how vulgar Kaiden acted, she had to keep talking.

“I can’t have children anyway. I have no intention of getting into your bed, so don’t misunderstand.”

“……”

“If you want to propose a deal, bring a contract. I don’t trust promises made by word of mouth.”

After a moment of silence, Kaiden, who had been watching Astrid, finally spoke.

“Fine. I’ll send the contract soon. Your family is probably dying as we speak, so you’d better hurry.”

With a cold face, Kaiden put on his coat. Even the way he adjusted his tie was perfectly neat. Astrid watched him without moving, not missing his unhurried demeanor to the end.

“Don’t you have anything else to say to me?”

Before turning around, Kaiden spoke. She fidgeted with her fingers, then managed to stop him. As Kaiden tilted his head, Astrid finally said what she most wanted to say.

“Kaiden, I need to contact Declan. There’s something I must tell him.”

“…Fine, I’ll summon the merchant lord to the ducal residence.”

Haa. Astrid met Kaiden’s cold gaze for a moment. His icy eyes were as cold as the wind blowing outside the window.

Kaiden gave a short bow and walked away. Watching his retreating figure, Astrid bit her lip.

Their reunion after three years was much sadder than she had imagined.

* * *

“It seems Kaiden will be late returning. I’m sorry, Princess, for making you wait after such a gracious visit.”

“No, it’s fine. I’ve stayed too long anyway.”

Sophia cheerfully answered as she set down her teacup. Tea time in the famous greenhouse of the Raselles Duchy had already passed two hours, yet Kaiden hadn’t returned.

Marchioness Douglas, who had come with Sophia, glanced at her, tired of waiting. Dinner time was approaching, and Sophia could no longer hold out.

Kaiden had kept avoiding Sophia, so she had used the Dowager Duchess’s visit as an excuse to barge into the house. Even so, not seeing him made Sophia’s anger boil.

Kaiden is deliberately avoiding me.

No matter how much she tried to hold on, the man always slipped away. Every time Kaiden ran from her, Sophia felt as if he was toying with her, and it made her anxious.

If only she could have Kaiden, she would do anything. That’s why she gladly used her status as the kingdom’s !st Princess.

After Norton died, Sophia thought she would finally be with Kaiden.