Chapter 17

Rosalie’s eyes, which had remained calm, trembled slightly at Kenneth’s following words.

“Even if the feeling is a lie, appealing to emotion is more effective.”

At that, Rosalie’s lips parted briefly, then pressed shut. As if that was the one thing she could never bring herself to say. Even in her position of disadvantage, she clung proudly to her dignity, and that scraped against Kenneth’s nerves.

“If that were the case, wouldn’t you already be engaged to Lady Bellure? Whether it’s true affection or a desire for status. Even Lady Bellure, who was so transparent with her feelings, failed to win you over—how could I?”

“How would you know that without trying?”

“If there’s no hope, then trying is pointless.”

Rosalie met the icy blue eyes that had always felt chilling and spoke directly.

“You’ll end up marrying me, Duke.”

“And if I don’t permit it, what then?”

“I’ve decided to stake the rest of my life on that single sheet of paper with our names side by side.”

‘For as long as you breathe, I’ll dedicate my life to dragging you through despair. To the point you’ll wish you were dead.

But you must not die easily. You must live a long life and suffer for even longer. That is the punishment I will give you.’

“So I will find a way, no matter what. Give me a good answer before I become petty.”

There was a quiet venom in her eyes, as if she truly meant to use any means necessary.

“Perhaps then, you’ll even hear me say I love you.”

Being treated as someone desperate to hear those words made Kenneth’s head begin to ache. He hadn’t expected the words he threw to provoke her would come flying back at him so fast.

Kenneth admitted it—at this moment, he was completely outmaneuvered.

“Please say you’ll reconsider marrying me.”

Rosalie’s voice had the air of a veiled warning, as if asking whether he wasn’t afraid of what she might do next.

Kenneth scoffed inwardly. What could this woman, who looked like she’d blow away with the wind, possibly do?

And as the Duke of Vinzetten, there was no one who could stand in his way.

“Let’s end the conversation here. No matter what else is said, my answer won’t change.”

“……”

“I’m quite looking forward to seeing what Lady looks like when she gets petty.”

Even at Kenneth’s taunt—no less than a declaration of war, daring her to try—Rosalie didn’t so much as twitch an eyebrow.

Kenneth moved to her side and, just as he had when escorting her from the carriage, bent his arm and held it out.

“Shall we? The ladies must be waiting anxiously.”

Rosalie understood that this gesture was purely for the sake of the duchy’s dignity. Leaving a guest alone in the garden was hardly gentlemanly. The Duke of Vinzetten had to be flawless in all things.

She hoped Kenneth would continue to hold that unnecessary dignity dear. If, as the ladies following Celetina had said, an unavoidable situation came upon him—then even a man like Kenneth, who prized honor, would have no choice.

***

As the evening sky turned completely orange, Kenneth stood before a mirror, changing into formal attire for the ball.

His fingers slowly fastened the buttons of his shirt, heavy with boredom. He was sick to death of these endless summer balls held nearly every day.

In the corner of the mirror, he could see the fountain in the garden spurting water into the air. The face of the woman he had spoken with in front of that fountain just days ago vividly resurfaced.

After ignoring Rosalie’s plea to reconsider the marriage, Kenneth had returned to the dining room and offered his regrets to the ladies. Rosalie seemed unwilling to accept it, but perhaps because they were before the elders of the house, the boldness she had shown earlier had faded.

That was the end of his tie to Rosalie Cailon.

Unfinished threads, when not tied off, frayed and broke easily—no better than meaningless connections. The scraps of it clung messily to him, but he could simply brush them away.

The only reason he rejected marriage with Rosalie was this—he didn’t want to accumulate anything more.

Fully dressed in formalwear, Kenneth made his way to the front of the mansion to board his carriage.

Just as he was about to climb in, another carriage came racing up and skidded to a stop in front of the mansion.

Even before the wheels had come to a full halt, Jaden jumped out and rushed toward Kenneth, grabbing his arm.

The ever-present cheerful smile was gone from his face.

“Kenneth, I need to talk to you. Right now.”

“What the hell do you think you’re doing, Jaden Segrington? Even I have limits to how much rudeness I’ll overlook.”

“Isn’t this going to Count Delid’s residence? Let’s talk on the way. Please?”

Jaden looked at Kenneth with an anxious, pleading gaze. There was a tremble in the hand holding his arm. Kenneth gave a nod toward the carriage, having little choice.

Tension hung in the air inside the carriage where the two sat.

Jaden took a deep breath and carefully spoke.

“Is it true that there’s talk of marriage with Lady Cailon?”

The heavy breath Kenneth let out sank to the floor. He had hurried to sever ties with Rosalie, but it seemed that damned talk of marriage had still reached Jaden’s ears.

“How did you find out?”

“There’s a quiet rumor going around. They say the Marquisate of Cailon and the Duchy of Vinzetten have been exchanging visits frequently. And you can’t shut every servant’s mouth.”

Jaden often came and went from the ducal residence as if it were his own and treated the servants kindly. Servants took interest in the private affairs of nobles and gossiped among themselves, so it wasn’t surprising Jaden had learned of the situation.

“Did I have to hear this from someone else?”

Jaden expressed his hurt to Kenneth. Kenneth was the only one who knew Jaden’s secret feelings, so if something like this had happened, he should have at least given a heads-up.

“Please, just answer me. Is it true?”

“What if it is?”

“Since when? Even when I was going on about how much I liked Lady Cailon in front of you, had talks already started? Or was it after that?”

Jaden fired off questions without giving Kenneth a chance to respond.

Their eyes met midair. Kenneth remained silent until Jaden calmed down.

When Jaden’s ragged breathing finally eased, Kenneth told him what had happened—things Jaden had wished never to know.

Learning that it had been a long-standing agreement between their families, Jaden was momentarily relieved to know Kenneth hadn’t pursued it despite knowing his feelings—but his expression soon turned pained again.

“Did you accept Lady Cailon’s proposal?”

Jaden’s eyes trembled helplessly with anxiety. Breaking off a family agreement was no easy task, so even if Kenneth had accepted the proposal, Jaden wouldn’t have had the right to object.

But to Kenneth, it was already a broken engagement.

It wasn’t hard to say that the old promise had ended in vain, yet for some reason, his voice wouldn’t come out, as if something were choking his throat.

After a tense silence, when the carriage finally stopped in front of Count Delid’s estate, Kenneth gave his answer.

“No.”

With that one short word, Jaden’s face regained its usual bright smile.

Kenneth stepped out of the carriage first. He deliberately ignored the faint murmur of “Thank goodness” from behind that put him in a foul mood and made his way into the mansion.

While they enjoyed the banquet, Jaden didn’t bring up Rosalie again. When Kenneth accepted a glass of wine from him, he noticed Jaden’s gaze drifting somewhere as if entranced, prompting him to turn around.

Rosalie Cailon was approaching them.

Jaden stepped forward and greeted her as she drew near.

“Lady Cailon.”

Rosalie offered Jaden a polite nod, then passed by him to stand in front of Kenneth.

“Good evening, Duke Vinzetten.”

Hearing her gently speak another man’s name, Jaden clenched his fist and lowered his head.

Kenneth looked down at this troublesome woman. It was clear now—this woman had no intention of giving up on the political marriage.