08. The Fallen Loser

 The new Duke of Chesterfield announced his broken engagement with Ophelia Montes.

High society was (naturally) turned upside down by his decision. Lord Montes raged that the young duke, bewitched by Berienne’s daughter, had unilaterally broken off the engagement. 

 In response, Duke Chesterfield presented documents proving that Miss Montes had been receiving drug treatment abroad during the years she had disappeared. This came with a somewhat regretful interview stating, ‘I wanted to keep quiet for the lady’s honor, but since they keep raising issues, I have no choice but to make this public.’ 

 Heinrich Montes instantly fell silent.

At least regarding the official story appearing in newspapers. 

 * * *

 “I apologize for keeping you waiting. I lost track of time.”

“Please, don’t mention it. Heaven and earth know how busy Your Grace is.” 

 Heinrich Montes raised his cold eyes. 

 The root cause of all this trouble was sitting across from him, crossing his legs with a composed face. His casual shirt suitable for indoor wear and slightly disheveled hair were captivating. 

 Despite arriving at the appointed time, he had been made to wait for over ten minutes, only to be greeted by someone who looked like they had just gotten out of bed. 

 Heinrich hid his displeasure behind his face. He was the one in need now. Even if irritated, it was right to humor this arrogant youngster. 

 “I thought you wouldn’t meet with me. Given that my daughter and I have committed a great discourtesy to Your Grace.” 

 “I understand. Everyone harbors desires for social advancement. Especially someone like you, Sir, who has everything except status, must have felt even more ambitious.” 

 His mild response carried a sting. It implied that they had tried to use him as a stepping stone for climbing the social ladder. Heinrich bowed his head. 

 “I admit that part. I believe Your Grace understands as well.” 

 If anyone in Treven understood the importance of status, it would undoubtedly be Izer Chesterfield. Wasn’t he the one who rose from a commoner on the streets to become Treven’s wealthiest man? 

 As they say, experience breeds fear—Heinrich was confident that Izer Chesterfield, having tasted power once, would easily sympathize with him. 

 If he just threw a small bait… 

 “The reason I asked to see you today…… is to apologize for my daughter’s discourtesy.” 

 “Is that so?” 

 “Yes. Additionally, I heard that my daughter committed a great offense against Your Grace’s fiancée at Count Schwenn’s estate this summer. Had I known earlier, I would have sought forgiveness, but this incompetent father only learned of it recently.” 

 Was that the only wrong Ophelia had committed against Celian? However, pointing out every little thing would only be admitting his own incompetence in managing his daughter. It was better to use incidents that happened outside Humingham as an excuse for not knowing. 

 Izer, who had been staring with sinister eyes, tilted his head slightly. Behind the carelessly pinned brooch on his shirt, there seemed to be a trace of women’s rouge. 

 “Sir, you keep talking about Miss Montes’s wrongdoings. If it’s about Miss Montes’s mistakes, wouldn’t it be more appropriate for her to come apologize in person?” 

 Heinrich clenched his fist. He found the attitude of his low-born opponent discussing etiquette distasteful. It seemed like he was drawing a line, implying that he was noble while Heinrich and his daughter were mere commoners who knew nothing. 

 Heinrich smiled as kindly as possible. 

 “According to etiquette, your words are correct, but Ophelia is no longer in Treven.” 

 “……” 

 “I sent her back to where she originally was.” 

 Izer. And Heinrich, Ophelia.

Izer, Heinrich. And Ophelia.

Dividing these three into two groups, Heinrich Montes undoubtedly wanted to stand on the same side as Izer. That had been his intention since accepting Harris’s suggestion to gradually bring his daughter back. 

 His intention was properly conveyed to the Duke. 

 “What a cold-hearted father you are. As far as I know, that hospital requires a guardian’s consent for discharge.” 

 “As you say. Rather than having her suffer by constantly encountering Your Grace and your fiancée in Treven, I thought it would be better for Ophelia. The same goes for people’s whispers.” 

 “It was for Miss Montes’s sake…… Well, parents have many ways of loving their children. I suppose that was your way of love. I understand the situation.” 

 Izer sneered. How coldly these parents cast aside their children the moment they deemed their existence disadvantageous. 

 Now Izer’s gaze turned to the young man of similar age sitting beside Heinrich. 

 “You Sir came to apologize for Ophelia’s discourtesy, but what brings young Montes here?” 

 Instead of Cain, whose eyes were unfocused, Heinrich answered. 

 “I brought him to pay his respects since it’s been a while. I should start preparing to hand over my work, after all. As you well know, unfortunate accidents can happen at any time……” 

 Izer set down his teacup with a clinking sound. Heinrich asked naturally. 

 “How is your father?” 

 “Doctor Owen is taking care of him consistently. He says it will be difficult for him to wake up. Still, he’s definitely alive, so he tells me not to lose too much hope.” 

 “Your father would be very surprised to learn of your broken engagement.” 

 “I am an unfilial son. I feel apologetic about that point as well. However, I believe that if father values the family so much, he would understand completely. Surely father wouldn’t have wanted to take Miss Montes as a daughter-in-law knowing her flaws.” 

 Arrogant youngster. Heinrich’s insides boiled with rage beneath his benevolent smile. 

 He wanted to immediately pull out his final card and see that smiling face crack. But hasty decisions always ruin things. His years of experience, more solid than the young duke’s, had given him both patience and excellent acting skills. 

 “I dug my own grave. Let me change the subject. Though it feels awkward to have such formal conversations with someone I believed would become family until recently……” 

 “If it’s formal talk, Sir, do you want to discuss business?” 

 The Duke immediately matched the new topic. Indeed, he was clever. It seemed he had noticed that Heinrich held some leverage. 

 He felt more at ease. 

 “You catch on quickly. I’m quite upset that you’re willing to break the contract your father just extended, even paying the penalty fee. Marriage is marriage and business is business. Though I understand you’re uncomfortable……” 

 “I do mind.” 

 It became uncomfortable again. Heinrich no longer hid his displeasure. 

 “Your Grace, what displeases you so much?” 

 “……” 

 “Montes and Chesterfield have been partners for a long time. There’s no reason to worsen relations with me. I can support Your Grace.” 

 However, the Duke showed no signs of easily following his lead. His previously relaxed voice grew sharp. 

 “Lord Montes, you seem to have a big misunderstanding.” 

 “……” 

 “I’m not a politician. I have no desire to become an official. I don’t need any more support base than I currently have.” 

 “……” 

 “Chesterfield’s backing is already sufficient. So I respectfully decline your offered goodwill.” 

 ‘So this is how he wants to play it.’

Heinrich’s eyes sank coldly. 

 “Your Grace, I cannot yield everything to you.” 

 “What do you mean by that?” 

 “……” 

 “Sir, deals require mutual agreement. I’ve talked with the lawyers. They say if I want to break the deal even while paying the penalty, you have no grounds to refuse. Do we need to go to court over this?” 

 Heinrich openly sneered. It was time to reveal his hidden card. 

 “Going to court would be disadvantageous for Your Grace.” 

 “……” 

 “Though it’s shameful to admit, all the dirty work in the world leads back to Montes. Are you confident that the person you recruited at that hunting ground was only connected to you?” 

 His opponent was merely a youth in his twenties. Though he might think he cleaned up neatly after himself, Montes had connections everywhere. 

 “I know you spent all summer investigating what your father—the previous duke—did to your birth father.” 

 “……” 

 “I completely understand your feelings. I would have been angry too. I also regret what happened to your birth father. I showed enough sincerity by not reporting it to the previous duke.” 

 In Heinrich’s mind, he was Izer Chesterfield’s benefactor. The only reason his revenge succeeded was because Montes had remained silent. 

 The foolish youngster doesn’t know this fact. Heinrich glared at Izer. 

 “There’s a poisonous herb that causes dizziness in quadrupeds after a certain time.” 

 “……” 

 “Your Grace arrived at the hunting ground earlier than your father and checked the horse he would ride beforehand.” 

 “Sir, you have quite an imagination.” 

 A slight crack seemed to appear on the young man’s face. Heinrich pressed on fiercely. 

 “An ordinary horse would have staggered and fallen, but your father’s regular mount was known as one of the finest horses. The horse tried to endure, which led to seizures. That became fatal for your father.” 

 Who could have held on when a powerful horse was thrashing about trying to survive? It wouldn’t have been easy without proper training as a rider. 

 Though it was meticulous for a plan to kill his adoptive father, it was ultimately within Montes’s grasp. Even the Duke of Chesterfield probably didn’t expect someone to know his crime in such detail. 

 Heinrich returned to his gentle fatherly face. 

 “I didn’t come here to argue with Your Grace.” 

 “Is that so?”