Hadn’t she always sent word beforehand about her visits? Moreover, this was the Duke’s residence, where he was the rightful owner. 

Even if she was the Grand Dame, it wasn’t common for her to visit unannounced and request a sudden meeting. He waited silently for his master’s permission. 

The Duke was silent for a moment after hearing the situation. Andert, who had been looking out the window where even the cool breeze couldn’t reach, gave a brief order. 

“Show her in.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Andert waited in his study after Roman left. He didn’t know why Fabiana had come, but it couldn’t be anything good. 

Besides, this was the first time they were meeting face-to-face since he had inherited the title. However, facing Fabiana, who was bound to be distorted with anger, was also something he was looking forward to. 

So, you felt this way too?

Perhaps Fabiana, who had waited for his birthday long ago to reveal everything, had expected the same. To see the face of her opponent endlessly contorted and despairing. 

“Your Grace, the Grand Dame has arrived.”

Roman’s low voice resonated from beyond the door. At the same time, Fabiana appeared through the wide-open door. 

Even after the door closed, a chilly silence lingered in the study. Andert met her piercing gaze without a word. 

Since they were alone, Fabiana didn’t speak first either. His opponent’s composure, which seemed to have become even more pronounced, further fueled her anger. As if her pride was hurt, Fabiana averted her gaze and headed towards the sofa first. 

She had originally come to the capital for a social gathering. Meeting with the noblewomen she had built relationships with over the years was something she needed to take care of for the future. 

But she wasn’t satisfied with just going back like this. Fabiana wanted to at least upset Andert, who was acting high and mighty as if he had the world in his hands.

Besides, she wanted to subtly confirm something. Andert’s true motive for helping Viscount Hardin, who was in trouble. 

“I heard at the gathering today that you’ve had a meeting with House Sharlo.”

Fabiana opened the conversation first, her lips curled into a smirk. There was no shortage of topics for their conversation, as all the information and gossip circulating in the capital seemed to gather around them. 

She knew that her husband, Winston, wasn’t one to sit idly by, but she hadn’t expected him to move so quickly. Moreover, she had heard that Andert had already met with the daughter of House Sharlo once. 

Until she left, Fabiana put all her effort into maintaining a gentle smile. The noblewomen, unaware of her true feelings, each added their own opinions. 

“House Sharlo is certainly a marriage prospect that can stand shoulder to shoulder with anyone.”

“Indeed, the Duke Dietrich and the Old Duke must have given it much thought, as it’s their son’s marriage.”

“Hmm, but isn’t Lady Espin’s reputation not so good? Forgive my boldness, but I’m sure you’re aware of that, Lady Dietrich.”

“Lady Lancel, I don’t think such talk is appropriate here.”

“Oh my! I was just worried because I heard some things…… I didn’t mean to offend you, Lady Dietrich.”

The woman, who had been subtly trying to gauge Fabiana’s reaction, bowed her head slightly. But when she lifted her head, her face seemed relieved, as if she had already said everything she wanted to say. 

It was a typical tactic—pretending to agree with the conversation while slipping in unfavorable information about someone. It seemed that the young lady of House Sharlo had lost the trust of the noblewomen to such an extent. But Fabiana didn’t care about Espin Sharlo’s reputation. 

It wouldn’t matter if Andert was already married. Because a target he might marry was meaningless. 

Fabiana was determined to prevent him from making a marriage that would give him powerful allies, no matter what it took. 

Hiding all those inner thoughts, Fabiana looked around. The attendees were all interested in Duke Dietrich’s new marriage prospect. 

Except for one person, Countess Declen. 

The woman sitting diagonally across from her was observing the situation from a distance. Fabiana felt a sense of incongruity, but that was all. She wasn’t particularly close to her personally. 

Fabiana frowned slightly, recalling what had happened in the morning. As expected, Andert hadn’t given her a proper answer. 

In the end, it was Fabiana, bursting with frustration, who spoke again. 

“So House Sharlo doesn’t care? Even if you’re only half a Dietrich. Well, it’s a world where people who think money is everything are overflowing. Tsk, tsk, how vulgar.”

“……”

Despite her blatant disregard, Andert’s gaze didn’t waver in the slightest. His sensibility wasn’t so delicate that he would be angered or hurt by such things. 

Andert simply watched. She struggled to hide the burning impatience in her heart. 

Besides, he hadn’t even considered marriage with House Sharlo. So Fabiana’s harsh words were nothing more than ineffective curses. 

Seeing Andert’s lack of reaction, Fabiana went on the offensive again. 

“You’re putting on a brave face, but you must be struggling. Once the truth is out, you’ll be the one who suffers the most. You know better than anyone how bastards are treated in noble families, don’t you?”

The last question was quite deliberate. 

At her question, which was like a final blow, Andert’s gaze finally turned towards her. His head, which had been fixed on the window, slowly turned. 

He knew exactly what Fabiana was expecting. Instead of answering her question, Andert asked one of his own. 

“Then why didn’t you reveal the whole truth today? The name Dietrich would have been all over the news for a while.”

“How dare you say that! You’re still as blunt as ever.”

“I don’t care.”

“What?”

Fabiana raised her voice at his indifference, treating it as if it were none of his business. The air, which didn’t seem to cool down, was unbearably stuffy. 

As Fabiana picked up her fan, a dry reply followed. 

“I don’t care how I was born or whose son I am. Nor do I care if the world finds out. It’s not like I can change my birth, can I?”

“……How dare you!”

Fabiana’s lips trembled at his audacious and bold retort. Andert continued, as if her reaction didn’t matter. 

“I’m not interested in something I could never have in the first place. But once it’s in my hands, I’ll do whatever it takes to protect it. I’m sure you understand what I mean, Mother.”

Andert gave a smile devoid of any warmth. On the other hand, his cold eyes weren’t smiling at all. 

His birth was also Fabiana’s shame. No matter how enraged she was, the possibility of her revealing her weakness was slim. Regardless of her thoughts, Andert considered it inevitable that the secret of House Dietrich would be revealed to the world. 

It wasn’t like he could choose his parents when he was born. 

So he wasn’t afraid of how people’s perceptions of him would change now that they knew the truth. What he had desired was Dietrich, not the envy and respect of the world. 

His desire to completely possess Dietrich was blind. He didn’t deny it. It was difficult even for him to explain the clear reason. From some point in his childhood, it had been the driving force that kept him moving forward. 

Andert’s intentional revelation of his true feelings was clearly conveyed to Fabiana, who was facing him. 

Realizing that the object he was talking about protecting was Dietrich, she bit her lip hard. She might be holding his weakness, but it was a more fatal Achilles’ heel for her. 

Andert glanced down at Fabiana’s hand, clutching her dangling fan, and stood up first. It was a clear indication that he didn’t want to be in her company any longer. 

“If you’re done, I’ll be on my way. Mother, I have a prior engagement this evening.”

Andert spoke casually, as if they had just been exchanging pleasantries about the weather. His once cold eyes had completely thawed. 

Fabiana couldn’t help but admit it. It wasn’t easy to break Andert, who had been tempered by time. 

She also immediately abandoned her attempt to subtly pry into the matter of Viscount Hardin. If she misspoke and provoked Andert, the situation would become even more troublesome. 

“Nothing lasts forever, Andert. Do you think that truth only applies to me? It applies to you too.”

Before leaving, Fabiana muttered briefly. It was both self-deprecating and a warning to Andert. 

Her astute opponent would have understood the meaning of her words, but it didn’t matter. If she returned without even saying this much after coming all the way here, she would have burst with frustration. 

As soon as Fabiana left, Andert immediately summoned Daniel. Despite the sudden summons, the lawyer entered the study in less than an hour. 

Andert had already changed into a perfect outfit for the evening gathering. As soon as Daniel finished his bow, an order was given. 

“Keep a close eye on the movements of the Ducal House.”

As always, it was a short and concise, but not very kind, order. Daniel, who understood the target but found it difficult to pinpoint the exact scope, furrowed his brow. 

Then, unexpectedly, the Duke added an explanation before he could even ask.