Chapter 57

After the banquet, Erez lived each day feeling like his blood was drying up, relieved that his abilities had not been discovered.

However, the matters he had kept in his heart were not completely resolved. The reason was that Carlos was still solely focused on Aneta.

Erez recalled the last time he saw Carlos. From the way he smiled seductively at Aneta to the way he had coldly rejected Erez’s request, and then how he had changed his tune as if nothing had happened, all because of a single word from Aneta.

All of these should have been done for Erez, but Carlos was blindly infatuated with the wrong person.

His resentment turned towards Aneta.

“This is all because of that sly woman who seduced another woman’s man.”

As always, all the blame fell on Aneta. It was a natural flow.

“Why did the author needlessly grant that woman such excessive power? And that’s not all. She even gained abilities that didn’t exist before. I don’t even know how the situation is unfolding.”

There wasn’t a single thing he liked about her.

Despite his grumbling, Erez believed he still held the protagonist’s spot. He was confident that Aneta’s abilities were useless against his own.

“No matter how hard she struggles, she can’t even come close to my level.”

Bolstered by his confidence, Erez lifted his chin. He suddenly recalled the scandal involving Aneta and the mysterious painter at that moment.

Thinking that this new partner was more fitting for Aneta’s status, Erez scoffed.

After trying to seduce not only Carlos but also Sercé, it seemed she had finally realized her place.

“In that case, I should personally go and encourage her.”

With a scheming look, Erez pulled the bell cord. His impatience led him to repeat the action several times, causing the bell to ring loudly in the room.

“Did you call for me?”

Responding to the arrogant summons was not a servant or maid, but the butler of the Bauter family. As the bell stopped ringing, a sharp voice filled the space instead.

“Why are you only coming now after I called?”

“I apologize.”

The butler bowed excessively, trying to avoid Erez’s irritation. He didn’t offer excuses; it wasn’t the first time this had happened, as his familiar demeanor showed.

“Enough, just prepare the carriage. I have somewhere to go.”

“Yes. Where might you be heading?”

“To Aneta Adenauer. I’m going to her mansion.”

The butler was startled by how Erez referred to the higher-ranking Aneta as if she were a subordinate, but he soon understood.

The new head of this household had always been this way, so it was nothing new.

The butler’s thoughts towards his master were quite disrespectful, but Erez, unaware of this, simply rolled his eyes in annoyance.

“Why are you just standing there instead of going to tell the coachman? Aren’t you leaving?”

“Are you going without an appointment?”

“Why should I make an appointment with Aneta Adenauer?”

“Even so, it’s a Marquis’s estate. Shouldn’t you at least send word ahead?”

“Send word? Forget it. Why should I care about her?”

“Then I will immediately instruct the coachman to prepare the carriage.”

The butler rolled his eyes at the obvious statement but retreated without further protest. It wasn’t about watching him, but about basic courtesy. However, his past experiences had taught him that arguing would only waste his breath.

It would only tarnish his reputation, and there was no reason to endure unnecessary scolding to persuade him.

***

The noble household was in a constant state of tension due to the successive lawsuits filed by Aneta. Those who had thought that Aneta, like Countess Damon, would not dare to sue anyone had to taste the bitterness of defeat one after another.

The person who was busier than the parties involved in these matters was Alex.

Thanks to having a competent representative, Aneta only had to sign the necessary documents without making any particular moves related to the lawsuits.

However, that didn’t mean she was idly sitting around.

In preparation for the flood of documents that would soon come, Aneta started to handle whatever tasks she could in advance.

While other neighboring countries were focused on wrapping up the year during the winter, the impatient Russell hoped to complete all the paperwork before the final season arrived.

‘If the lawsuits had piled up on top of that, I might have died from overwork.’

Aneta couldn’t be more grateful that Alex was her representative. She shivered with relief as she recalled his past.

There was a reason why Alex, who was the most brilliant among his siblings, could not succeed in the family. It was because of his position as the fourth son, not the eldest.

‘No matter how much I think about it, it’s an absurd reason.’

But thanks to that, Aneta acquired a talent like Alex Lemris. Alex was inherently righteous, and he flawlessly performed his duties with his innate acumen and capability.

Aneta did not force him to commit any wrongdoing, and she did not spare his compensation, so the trust between them naturally deepened.

For Aneta, Alex was someone she could entrust with family affairs. That was why she delegated full authority to him without getting directly involved in the legal responses.

If she had appointed someone else as her representative, she would probably be overworking herself and unable to trust anyone.

Just the thought of it sent a chill down Aneta’s spine, and she gently stroked her arms.

That’s when the unexpected news arrived.

Aneta straightened her back, which had been leaning against the chair, for a brief rest.

“Who came to visit?”

“It’s Marquis Erez Bauer.”

Hearing the name, as if she hadn’t misheard, Aneta narrowed her eyes.

“Why would Erez Bauter come all the way here?”

Even recalling, there was no reason for Erez to visit the mansion. It was only natural, as they had no public or private interactions that would necessitate a meeting.

However, she did have a vague guess.

‘Carlos.’

Aneta instinctively knew it was likely related to him, and she showed her displeasure. Noticing this blatant change in emotion, Isabel, who had informed her of Erez’s visit, cautiously asked.

“Should I tell him to leave, as visiting without prior notice is great rudeness?”

If it were Carlos or Chris, it might be different. But for someone with whom she had no connection to barge in and demand to summon the head of the household like a subordinate, it even touched Isabel’s sincerity.

Moreover, there was a clear hostility in her eyes directed at someone, so there was no way she could see it favorably.

“No. Let him in for now and have some light refreshments prepared. Let’s see what business he has come for.”

“Are you sure? Wouldn’t it be better to take a rest instead?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll deal with him appropriately and send him away. We won’t be facing each other for long.”

Hearing the implication that he was not a desirable person to deal with, Isabel bowed her head.

“Understood. I’ll guide him to the reception room right away.”

“Thank you.”Aneta watched as Isabel left the study and then proceeded to tidy up the desk. She only stood up after securely storing the important documents.

Her steps toward the reception room were unhurried. While some people delay time by redoing their makeup or stalling to make their guests feel the difference in status and humiliation, Aneta had no intention of doing that.

After all, the person wasn’t worth such consideration.

As soon as Aneta entered the reception room, she saw Erez’s busy, darting eyes. He seemed to be evaluating the level of the Marquis’ residence by observing every piece of furniture and decoration.

“I heard you came to see me. What is this about?”

When Aneta spoke, Erez, whose attention had already been scattered, looked up. Aneta, sitting across from him, ignored the hostility in his eyes, though she knew he was trying to hide it.

“I heard recently that Your Ladyship has been getting along well with a certain painter. I thought I’d come to congratulate you.”

“If that’s the reason, your news is too slow and inaccurate. And weren’t you unaware that I have sued all those who spread false rumors about me?”

Aneta’s response to Erez’s feigned congratulations was as firm as ever. She deliberately painted a graceful smile on her face.

“Let’s make this clear. The scandal is false, and my relationship with the painter is merely that of a patron and a protégé.”

“Then what about Lord Raphaeli?”

“I don’t know why you’re suddenly bringing up Serce, but it’s the same with him.”

“Well, frankly, it doesn’t matter what kind of relationship you have with either of them. As long as Your Ladyship helps me.”

Even with Aneta’s firm denial, Erez did not back down. Seeing his attitude of not listening at all, Aneta swallowed a sigh.

“You need my help?”

“Yes. The truth is, I’ve been admiring the Duke of Baltimor since the first moment I saw him. But you’ve always been by his side, so I couldn’t approach him. So I was hoping you could keep your distance so that I could get closer to him.”

Not only was he blaming her, but he was also making a ridiculous demand. Aneta thought he might soon outright force her not to meet Carlos anymore, and she let her emotions show.

“Ha.”

A laugh of disbelief escaped her. Aneta soon fixed her gaze on Erez and spoke.

“Coming unannounced to a family you have no connection with and making such a request is quite shameless. I’ll lower my language since there’s no way to be considerate.”

This was a notification that his wishes didn’t matter. What’s the point of showing consideration to someone who lacks it? Aneta decided to stop using polite speech.

“First, explain why I should help you. Just because I stayed close to the person you admire?”

“There’s another reason besides that.”

The one who ruined the original work was Aneta. Although it was a belief he held, there was nothing to gain by saying that. That’s why Erez changed his argument to one that was more favorable to him, citing a non-existent ability as evidence.

“In the future I saw, you were supposed to live without developing any abilities at all. But it was me who changed that future. Thanks to that, you gained your abilities, and it greatly benefited your family. So you should repay me in the way I want.”

Changed the future. Aneta scoffed at Erez’s boastful demand. This further convinced her that he was aware of the original work.

‘What you saw was not the future, but the original work.’

The words rose to her throat, but she suppressed the urge. She didn’t deny Erez’s claim. She still had to pretend to believe in the power of Shine, and it was true that his actions had ruined the original story.

However, she had no intention of simply nodding in agreement, as if his words were correct.

Aneta easily lifted the slightly tightened corners of her mouth and spoke.

“I don’t know what actions you took to change the future, but it doesn’t seem like they were done for me.”

Aneta’s pointed remark wiped the smile off Erez’s once boastful face.