Chapter 2.6

“…?”  

“… I simply believe in doing my job thoroughly.”  

Rowen, who had been answering every question with ease, suddenly seemed evasive.  

“Anyway, I’ve conveyed everything I needed to say, so I’ll take my leave for today. If I have updates, I’ll visit the Earl’s mansion, so don’t set foot in that alley again.”  

“What if my husband catches you coming here? What excuse will you use? What if he finds out you’re investigating him?”  

“There are plenty of natural excuses. I could claim to be your lover, for instance.”  

“What?”  

“Why are you so shocked? Your husband has a lover, doesn’t he?”  

“Well…”  

“Isn’t it unfair that only your husband has a lover? You seemed upset about unfair situations before. I thought you were the type to return what you’ve received.”  

Ariana recalled her first encounter with Rowen.  

“Yes, I am that Ariana Astaroth. Since it’s unfair for you to know my name alone, I’d appreciate it if you told me yours as well.”  

She had said that when the man at the agency door had confidently addressed her by name.  

“Is this the same thing?”  

“Isn’t it? Both are unfair situations, aren’t they?”  

“So you think pretending to be my lover would balance things out?”  

“If a Countess like you had a handsome lover like me, it would surely infuriate your husband. Maybe then he’d realize how disgraceful his own affair is.”

Rowen’s audacious comment about being a “handsome lover” made Ariana chuckle. Of course, he wasn’t wrong.  

“I’ll pass on the lover act. I’m not particularly upset, so there’s no need to return the favor.”  

“Not upset? Even though your husband had an affair with your milk sister and got her pregnant?”  

“I’m angry, yes. But not because my husband has a lover.”  

“Then why?”  

“Because he broke our contract. That’s what makes me angry.”  

Rowen tilted his head, intrigued by Ariana’s calm response.  

“Still, you were betrayed. Are you saying it doesn’t bother you at all?”  

“Well… If it had happened shortly after we got married, I might have been shocked.”  

Ariana lowered her gaze, recalling the young girl who once held expectations for her marriage.  

Once upon a time, Ariana had feelings for her husband, Rowen. He had appeared like a savior when her family was in crisis, so her admiration for him was only natural. But over the course of five years, that admiration and respect had steadily eroded, leaving her with no expectations for him.  

When he eventually introduced Alena as his lover, all she could think was, ‘Of course someone like him would do something like that.’ Instead of feeling shocked, she was angry. Instead of feeling hurt, she was dumbfounded.  

“And isn’t it strange to think I should become just as despicable as my husband to get revenge?”  

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth—some might say that. But stooping to the level of garbage to punish garbage seemed like a loss to her.  

Naturally, Ariana believed in giving back what she received. But her approach was to do it in a way that was true to herself.  

“If you don’t want to stoop to your husband’s level, I could always play the role of someone who admires you unilaterally.”  

As he spoke, Rowen’s lips curved into a faint smile. Whether it was appropriate to describe a man as “seductive,” Ariana wasn’t sure, but the languid smile on Rowen’s face seemed to fit no other word.  

“… You definitely picked the wrong career. You should’ve been a theater actor.”  

If he had, he would’ve become a massive star with a devoted fan base.  

“Honestly, it’s a waste to see such acting skills being underutilized here. Besides, my husband wouldn’t care at all, no matter who I spent time with.”  

There was no point in wasting energy on something so trivial.  

“Just say you’re a businessman from the Principality, here because you’re interested in the Astaroth Collection.”  

The late Earl had purchased national treasures and antiques that were at risk of being smuggled overseas. People referred to these as the “Astaroth Collection.” After her father’s death, Ariana inherited the collection and kept it safely stored. Occasionally, art and history enthusiasts would request to visit the Earl’s mansion to view the collection. Disguising himself as one of those individuals wouldn’t raise much suspicion.  

“As you wish.”  

Rowen bowed politely. His commitment to the persona of a Crosell nobleman was evident, as he flawlessly adhered to the Principality’s courtly etiquette.  

“Then I’ll come to escort you on the day of the auction.”  

***

The day of the Sotherin auction, where the statue would be displayed, was approaching. Ariana began preparing early to ensure she wouldn’t be late.  

Since becoming the Countess, she had only attended the bare minimum of social events. As a result, Helen and Gwen were unusually excited about this unexpected outing and poured their energy into dressing her up. Gwen, who had recently been promoted to Ariana’s lady-in-waiting, was especially determined. It was her first opportunity to assist the Countess with an outing since her promotion, and she was eager to make Ariana look more beautiful than ever.  

After all, today’s escort wasn’t her husband, who was off gallivanting with Alena, but…  

“That gentleman, right?”  

“Pardon?”  

“The one accompanying you to the auction. It’s that dashing gentleman, isn’t it?”  

Helen’s usually calm voice carried a hint of excitement.  

“I only saw him briefly from afar, but his looks were extraordinary. And he was so dignified and elegant. Unlike someone else.”  

Gwen, who was brushing Ariana’s hair, chimed in to agree with Helen’s comment. While Helen had personally guided Rowen during his visit and thus seen him, Gwen, who hadn’t been present, also seemed eager to join the conversation.  

“You saw him too?”  

“Of course!”  

Gwen nodded enthusiastically.  

“Do you think I was the only one? Everyone rushed to the hallway to secretly watch him leave. Honestly, I’ve never seen anyone that handsome before.”  

Just recalling Rowen’s face made Gwen’s cheeks flush slightly.  

“Even Flory was completely smitten… She kept pestering everyone, asking which family that gentleman belonged to.”  

“Flory?”  

“Yes. She was shocked when she heard he visited without an appointment. After all, unannounced visits usually mean a very close relationship…”  

“So she assumed I was very close to him?”  

“Was she wrong?”  

Gwen’s wide eyes brimmed with curiosity, making Ariana chuckle.  

“Would you prefer if she wasn’t wrong?”  

“Of course. Everyone’s hoping for it. We’d all love to see that handsome gentleman put the Earl in his place.”  

“Hm. Does it have to be that gentleman?”  

“Pardon?”  

“I mean, putting the Earl in his place. That’s something I plan to do myself.”  

Ariana smiled slyly and glanced at her reflection in the mirror.  

“I think I’m ready.”  

As soon as Ariana rose from the vanity, a servant’s voice came from beyond the door with perfect timing.  

“Madam, Baron Seir has arrived.”  

Ariana paused at the door to the drawing room.  

“What’s this? How amusing.”  

From beyond the door, she could faintly hear a woman’s laughter.  

‘… Flory?’  

There was no reason for Flory to be in the drawing room greeting the guest, yet the voice unmistakably belonged to her.  

***

Frowning in displeasure, Ariana slowly opened the door to the drawing room, where Flory’s voice became clearer.  

“So you’re the Baron from the Principality. No wonder I didn’t recognize your face. I know almost everyone who’s active in the social circles.”  

Sitting close to Rowen, Flory leaned toward him, chattering away in a sweet tone.  

“What brings you to the Empire? How long will you be staying?”  

She couldn’t seem to take her eyes off Rowen’s face, clearly captivated by his appearance.  

The conversation was entirely one-sided. Even though Rowen responded with nothing but a cold smile, Flory continued talking without losing enthusiasm.  

“Oh, if you haven’t decided where to stay yet, why not stay here? My brother would gladly offer you a room.”  

How bold of her to invite someone as if she owned the place.  

“Ahem.”  

When Flory crossed the line, Ariana deliberately cleared her throat to interrupt. At that moment, Rowen, who had been sitting still like a statue, immediately stood up and approached Ariana.  

“Lady.”  

He took her hand and kissed the back of it with impeccable courtesy.  

“I’ve come to escort you. Wherever you wish to go, I’ll accompany you. May I have your permission?”  

Rowen’s elegant request left Flory, still seated in her chair, stunned with her mouth agape.  

‘So he’s not the quiet, cold type after all?’  

The man who had remained unresponsive to her chatter now bowed his head humbly before Ariana, leaving Flory feeling as if she’d been struck. Her confusion quickly turned into embarrassment and anger.  

Ariana glanced over Rowen’s shoulder at Flory, who was trembling with frustration, and then nodded graciously. Rowen might not succeed in getting under her husband’s skin, but he had certainly managed to unsettle Flory.  

“I grant you permission.”  

“It is an honor.”

Rowen naturally led Ariana out of the drawing room without even glancing at Flory, who had been chattering beside him moments earlier. Ignoring her entirely, as though she didn’t exist, made Flory lose her temper.