Chapter 2 (Part 1)

Baron Demori was an ambitious man and a workaholic. He had already accumulated much wealth but was not satisfied. He owned many mines and farms, and his influence extended beyond the Caspian Empire to Urcana and Pasa.

“Sir, won’t you at least have a meal?”

“Alfredo, there’s no time for that. Quickly bring the new ledgers.”

Baron Demori, having returned from the palace, headed straight to his office without even changing his clothes. The butler, who followed him, hurriedly took his hat and cane.

“A stack of invitations has arrived for you.”

“…Discard the unnecessary ones and keep only those beneficial to business.”

“As you command.”

“And, any news from our Therese?”

“I understand there are no new messages from the Miss, I mean, the Duchess.”

“I see. No news is good news, I suppose.”

Thinking of his daughter, who married a month ago, made his chest ache. He glanced at the portrait of his deceased wife above the fireplace and smiled lightly.

‘Margaret, I promised to make our daughter the most precious woman in the empire, didn’t I? I’m glad I could keep that promise.’

Momentarily lost in sentiment, he quickly walked to his desk.

Opening the ledgers, he put on his glasses. Though he had several reliable accountants, he always had to do the final check himself to be satisfied. It was his diligence and meticulousness that had grown the once insignificant family to this extent.

“…Phew.”

Replacing a meal with a cup of strong tea, he rose and instructed preparations for going out. He had so many businesses in the capital alone that he couldn’t count them on his fingers. Initially, it was the desire for success that drove him, but now he was so accustomed to it that he couldn’t stay still for even a moment.

“Sir, I’ve brought your medicine.”

The butler handed him the medicine he took once a day.

“There’s no need to look so worried. The notion that my heart is weak is just the nonsense of quacks. Look at me. Even so, haven’t I lived another twenty years?”

Baron Demori’s illness first manifested shortly after his wife died giving birth to Therese. He collapsed from the shock and couldn’t rise from his bed for a while. Once he somewhat recovered, he consciously stayed away from home.

Though he cherished and loved Therese, who resembled his wife, more than anything, it was painful to look at his daughter.

“…Sir.”

The butler held back his words, but the Baron had already read his hidden intentions.

“I’m always cautious. That’s why I don’t touch alcohol or tobacco. To ensure our Therese doesn’t feel inferior in such a prestigious family, I must strive even harder.”

Drinking the medicine in one gulp, Baron Demori laughed heartily.

“But sir, Miss will be happy in the Duke’s family. They are good people, aren’t they?”

“Of course. They’re more than capable of giving the affection I couldn’t give Therese in her childhood.”

“Indeed, sir.”

The old butler’s voice was steeped in sentiment.

“Well, well, the sun will set at this rate. I must hurry.”

As the Baron hurried out, a small shadow silently hid behind a large statue in the corridor.

“…Father.”

Watching the Baron’s back from behind the statue was Therese, dressed as a man. 

She had snuck in intending to surprise her father. But she ended up overhearing the conversation between the butler and her father through the open door. She couldn’t bring herself to appear before him with a smiling face.

‘To ensure our Therese doesn’t feel inferior….’

Previously, she was just careful not to strain her father’s heart. It was the first time she heard his true feelings.

Her father was criticized by the entire nation as a man obsessed with money. Both nobles and commoners, and even fellow merchants, said they wouldn’t touch the money handled by Baron Demori. It was a testament to his ruthlessness, but her father just laughed at such remarks.

‘Therese, isn’t it nice? It means those people don’t dare to touch my money. Just trust your father!’

Although a bit off, her father tried to convey love through his business and wealth.

‘What I wanted was a father who was always there, even if we were a little poor…….’

In the empty room, Therese, sitting quietly in a chair, pressed a hand against her chest. Perhaps her entire life was slightly twisted from the beginning.

Everything was confusing.

From when she was kidnapped and Duke Richard saved her, to when she married him, and when she threw herself from the top of the Richard Castle.

Every moment, she didn’t know which way to go.

A breeze blew through the open window of a second-floor room in Baron Demori’s mansion, causing the curtains to flutter violently.

❖ ❖ ❖

Wondering where to go, Therese walked toward Oxford Street. It was where the academy was located, where she knew almost no one. It was suitable for her, as she didn’t want to meet anyone with her complicated mind.

The long street was lined with bookstores and cafes. At the end of the road, the academy’s grand gate was visible, with a fountain inside spraying water refreshingly.

“It feels unfamiliar, truly.”

She had never attended the academy. 

Most noble children learned from private tutors, but all the renowned families in the empire sent their children to Oxford Academy. Oxford was a prestigious school that produced the Crown Prince and even Duke Richard.

She, too, once wanted to attend here. She wanted to learn the world’s diverse knowledge and principles from many teachers. She also wanted to hang out with new friends, visit cafes, and chat endlessly. But she gave up on such dreams early in her childhood.

Because Therese Demori realized she was not welcome anywhere.

Female students, hugging their books, passed by her noisily. Their faces were so radiant that Therese stared at them for a while.

Though only three or four years apart, they felt different from her. They seemed to stand in bright light, while she felt like she was in a gloomy shadow.

While she withered away in the Richard family, laughter must have continued to bloom here.

Then she stopped at a place where a long mirror was standing.

“Well, I guess this could pass for handsome.”

The gentleman’s suit Roshan had tailored for her fit her perfectly, and she looked like a fifteen-year-old boy. The hat with her long hair tucked in was slightly bulging, but unless someone looked closely, no one would think she was a woman or Duchess Richard.

Feeling gradually tired, it seemed time to end her walk in the unfamiliar streets.

“Should I head back now?”

It was then.

A suspicious noise came from the alley at the end of the street.

“If more money comes out when we shake you down, you’ll get ten hits for each gold coin.”

“I-I really have nothing left.”

It wasn’t hard to guess what was happening without checking. It was a common occurrence in the alleys of Manus Bazaar.

‘Master, there are always dangers lurking in the streets.’

Roshan’s advice, as he handed her a dagger despite her firm refusal, came to mind. She fumbled at her waist, but there was no way it would be there since she hadn’t taken it then.

‘Isn’t there a patrolling soldier?’

But since it was past school dismissal time, the once bustling street had already quieted down.

Thump, thump.

Her heart pounded at the sound of punches thrown by the thugs.

Despite the merciless beating, Therese couldn’t rashly intervene. Though she had learned self-defense from Roshan, she wasn’t confident she could win against an unknown number of men.

‘If only I had a dagger.’

Yet pretending not to see someone groaning and getting beaten weighed on her conscience.

“…Ugh!”

Just as she decided she couldn’t stand it any longer and was about to dash into the alley, a large hand wrapped around her waist, stopping her.

“Wh-Who?”

Therese’s body froze as she saw the face of the person who stopped her.

“……Duke…….”

She almost called out to the Duke, forgetting she was in disguise.

Why was Jeremy here?

Surely he hadn’t recognized me now.

Why did he stop me?

Too many questions flooded in at once, leaving her unable to blink.

“Kid, this is a job too big for you to handle, so leave it to an adult.”

“……?”

Jeremy, unfastening the sword from his waist and handing it to Therese, strode into the alley.

He was dressed in a formal uniform, which he rarely wore unless there was an official event.

The dark navy jacket and pants that fit his body perfectly suited him well. As he moved, the numerous medals on his chest clinked, and the gold embroidery at the end of the red cloak draped over one shoulder swayed.

‘Even so, isn’t it dangerous without a weapon?’

Following him closely, Therese hid behind a wall and watched the Duke. It didn’t take long to subdue the unruly group. Recognizing Duke Richard, they quickly fled.

“Damn it! Why is His Grace the Duke showing up here!”

“Run fast! If he catches us, we won’t be able to recover our bones!”

In the place the thugs vacated, items presumably belonging to the victimized student were scattered. Therese quickly picked them up as the Duke appeared, supporting the injured student.

Therese was at a loss for words at his dignified appearance, without a hint of disorder.

While she hesitated, the Duke walked forward with long strides.

“If you’re not going to steal my sword, come along.”

“……Ah.”

At his words, Therese, holding the student’s bag, hurriedly followed him.