“We’re in a relationship where we’ll have to see each other often in the future. So treat me comfortably as you would a friend.”

He looked as though that was enough.

Chloe just nodded slightly without answering further. Of course, she wasn’t completely at ease, but she didn’t want to speak any longer here. As if her wish was granted, Aaron brought up a different topic.

“Chloe, I want to plan an exhibition with Tickelon’s works. Is there any way?”

It was a question mixed with a bit of jest, but Chloe rather welcomed this conversation. Of course, that didn’t mean she had a brilliant idea to move someone who doesn’t attend exhibitions.

“Well, I’m not sure about that either.”

In the end, Chloe turned her head with a light smile.

The tension that had been building up subtly but quickly began to subside slowly with Aaron’s efforts. And before they knew it, the association building that had drawn closer also revealed itself slightly outside the carriage window.

***

“I’ll wait here. Please call me when you’re done talking.”

Daniel stepped back a few steps in front of Duke Dietrich’s bedroom.

Since everyone had already been dismissed according to the Duke’s orders, there was no sign of anyone around. Moreover, according to the head maid’s explanation, Fabiana happened to be away from the castle.

“The madam has gone down to the villa on the east coast. Her nephew came personally to escort her. She went down for about a week’s schedule, so she’ll be back up early next week.”

The head maid who finished speaking seemed very surprised by Andert’s unexpected visit. With just a few clues, Andert understood the situation.

Although he couldn’t know the exact details, his father had called him, taking advantage of his wife’s absence. Moreover, it seemed that his cousin Patrick, who had been staying in Daloa, had left for a trip to the villa with Fabiana as soon as he returned to the country.

Andert stared meaninglessly at the large frame that almost filled an entire wall. The abstract painting with all sorts of geometric patterns and fragmented male faces was dizzyingly chaotic.

What bad taste.

Andert briefly evaluated the taste of whoever chose the painting that didn’t suit the place. At the same time, the sound of knocking that started from his fist echoed clearly along the long corridor.

“Come in.”

A gruff voice was heard from beyond the door.

Andert entered without delay. It was extremely rare for him to set foot in the Duke’s residence, especially in this bedroom. It had been almost a year since he had faced the old Duke sitting up against the bed’s headboard.

“You managed to come without being late. I heard you’ve been away from the capital often lately.”

The first greeting from the white-haired man was a cold rebuke. However, in Andert’s memory, this was not bad for him.

His father, unable to get up from the bed alone, looked even more frail. He calmly bowed his head.

“It’s been a year since I’ve greeted you.”

“Yes. So, is House Hardin’s daughter saying she won’t live with you anymore?”

“……”

“Or did you hand over the divorce papers first because the person seated on the king’s seat has changed?”

It was a barrage of questions that was hardly appropriate as a response to a simple greeting.

Andert swallowed a bitter smile at the direct hits fired without warning. The Duke’s eyes were as sharp as ever, showing no sign of the passage of time.

For someone who’s been practically confined to his bedroom, he’s not missing any information from the outside world.

That too was like Duke Dietrich. He probably had a pretty accurate grasp of how the situation was unfolding.

“Why don’t you tell me the reason you called me first?”

Andert asked about the business first, briefly as his father had taught him. Above all, he didn’t want to discuss the issue with Chloe in this place.

At that, the thick wrinkles around the eyes that had been staring intently at his son deepened further. After looking silently for a while, the Duke pointed to the bedside table right next to him.

“Read it.”

At those words, Andert took a few steps closer to the bed. There was one document placed on the round wooden table.

Andert also wanted to know why he had been called secretly. His eyes, which were much darker than usual, began to read down the densely written text.

「I, Winston Dietrich, hereby bequeath all rights I own to Andert Dietrich.
The scope is precisely stated to include all property owned in the name of Winston Dietrich, including titles.
(Land, real estate, bonds, stocks, trusts, deposits, all ownership shares in investment companies)
All rights are immediately transferred the moment Andert completes his signature.
However, this is only valid if he also signs the additional documents that Winston Dietrich requires.」

Andert remained silent at the unexpected content. According to this document, it meant he could have everything Dietrich had in his hands the moment he finished signing.

Andert’s gaze checked the last clause again. The condition was that he also had to sign the additional documents that his father would demand.

What on earth is he planning to present? His eyes, moving away from the text, turned to the Duke.

Winston had been looking at his son all along. Before he could ask anything, his wrinkled hand picked up a sheet of paper. The documents prepared beside where he sat trembled slightly at his gesture.

“These are the conditions I’m proposing.”

That was all.

Andert received the document handed over without any introduction. But he still didn’t take his eyes off the Duke. Everything was suspicious from start to finish.

Winston, noticing his son’s wariness, spoke first.

“Check it. The choice is entirely yours.”

“……”

Choice? Andert chewed on the ominous word with the tip of his tongue. His eyes, which had been reading quickly, stopped on one person’s name.

It was none other than… his wife Chloe, who had nothing to do with this issue. Andert’s face was calm as he precisely understood what the Duke was demanding.

“Are you serious?”

The dry voice had almost no pitch variation. At the same time, Andert’s fingertip precisely pointed to Chloe’s name.

“Yes. It was originally a position that didn’t suit House Hardin, but now, hasn’t she run away on her own? We can’t give the position of Duchess Dietrich to a person like that.”

“So now, I have to sign the divorce papers to have all these rights… Is that what you’re saying?”

Andert, clutching the paper, swallowed a bitter laugh. The king who used the secret of his birth as leverage had pushed marriage on him, and now his father was urging divorce as if he had been waiting for this moment.

So this was what he meant when he told him to visit with a lawyer.

Only now could he understand the purpose of this meeting. The Duke intended to settle everything here and now.

“Isn’t this a deal where you have nothing to lose? No, it’s a very small price to pay for gaining all the authority of Dietrich. After announcing the divorce for an appropriate reason, marry someone new about a year later. This time, a family that can truly be of help will be enough. Make Johannes, who has ascended to the throne, a strong ally. He’s a man who pushed aside his weakened uncle and wore the crown himself. He’s a figure with no political foundation, so it’s an excellent opportunity for you to exploit that gap.”

The sharp voice was cast down at Anderett’s feet.

“The lady of House Hardin, unlike her father, seems to know her place. At least she seems capable of discerning the situation. Yes, it’s a much better picture for her to leave proudly on her own feet than to be disgracefully driven out. Announce the reason for divorce at an appropriate time. That will be Dietrich’s last consideration.”

Chik, Winston’s gesture of lighting a cigarette was leisurely. Soon, a pale smoke began to rise over the bed.

The seasoned politician believed that the other party could not possibly refuse this proposal. A dry smile leaked from Andert’s lips.

It was a familiar aspect to him. The Duke must have entrusted him with practical affairs for three years to observe him silently.

Even if he was his only son, if Winston had not been satisfied, he would have sought alternatives. For instance, someone like Patrick, who was said to have inherited noble blood.

Andert turned his gaze from the hand tapping off cigarette ash and headed towards the window. Soon, the garden of Duke Dietrich’s castle spread out before his eyes. But his eyes began to trace the memory of a certain lakeside he had walked in Daloa.

Didn’t they say it was Fabiana’s personal villa?

She said she had disposed of the villa when she returned to Artion after Andert was born. The mansion, which had passed through several other owners and was now back on the market, was beautiful.

And it’s also where he was born.

He stayed at that lakeside until the surroundings turned pitch black. There were very few who knew about the secret birth that took place more than 20 years ago.

It was natural, as Fabiana would have thoroughly silenced everyone at the time. But there were no perfect secrets. Especially not in front of bundles of banknotes large enough to make one’s eyes bulge.