3.1 – When a Libertine Sets His Mind to Something, He Charges Forward Relentlessly

[The Lady Emerald sneaks out to Lucius’s terrace every night, even though she has a kind fiancé by her side.]

This rumor spread throughout the capital less than two weeks after the secret meetings on the terrace began. The rumor became so widespread that even Clara’s father, who usually paid no attention to gossip, heard about it and flew into a rage.

“You mean to tell me that you, at night, went to that man’s house?”

The Earl, too agitated to finish his sentence, was furious. However, Clara, the subject of the rumor, remained calm. After that day, she came to understand her feelings more clearly.

When she locked eyes with Young Master Aiden, the person she least wanted to witness her shameful state, her first thought was, ‘What if an enraged Aiden charges at Lucius?’

‘I have to stop him. I can’t let Lucius get hurt.’

She forgot that she was the one who had caused this situation in someone else’s home and instinctively tried to protect Lucius. At the same time, she felt relieved that their marriage talk would now disappear entirely.

She felt reassured, knowing he would never propose again. It was a selfish thought, but it was hers.

“So, what exactly did you do on the terrace in the middle of the night? What did you do?”

The Earl’s interrogation made Clara focus her gaze sharply. She refused to cower. The damage was already done, so she decided to face it boldly.

“What else could a man and a woman do late at night in a room?”

Slap!

The Earl struck Clara’s cheek. The blow was so strong that her body swayed, and she fell to the floor. A few drops of blood from her split lip stained the ground, but the Earl didn’t care.

In truth, the Earl had never liked the Baron’s family. He had only tolerated the interaction between their daughters because his wife and the Baroness were friends.

“You followed that man around like a puppy, and now you’ve gone as far as to sleep with him?”

The Earl foamed at the mouth, raging uncontrollably. He had been complacent, thinking Clara’s admiration for the Baron wouldn’t lead to anything serious. Now, this rumor had surfaced.

“Ha! You’ve completely lost your mind after hanging around that family!”

“Honey!”

The Countess appeared at the sound of the commotion. She rushed over to Clara, who was still on the floor, and helped her up. Gently caressing her daughter’s swollen, red cheek, the Countess bit her lip and glared at her husband.

“What are you doing to her? Look at her face!”

“From today onward, lock her in her room. No one from the Baron’s household—especially Lucius—should be allowed to visit. Do you understand?”

“If you stop me from seeing Liz, I’ll kill myself.”

Clara immediately protested.

She could endure anything, but not being able to see Liz was unbearable. Liz was the only friend who gave her solace when she felt suffocated.

But her words only fueled the Earl’s anger.

“Then go ahead and die! You’re ruined now anyway. No one will marry you with your tarnished reputation! I’ll make the Baron pay for this. Let’s see how much that great fortune of his can compensate for your worth.”

“Why would you hold Baron Lucius responsible?”

Clara, who had been staring at the floor, raised her head at the Earl’s words. She found his intention to profit from this situation utterly repulsive.

“I was the one who initiated everything because I liked him. The Baron did nothing wrong.”

“Silence! How dare you!”

The enraged Earl moved to strike Clara again, but the Countess shielded her daughter. Wrapping her arms around Clara’s frail frame, the Countess glared at her husband.

“Wife!”

“If you truly consider me your wife, do not lay a hand on Clara.”

Her firm words made the Earl lower his trembling hand.

“Hah…”

He paced around them in frustration, unable to decide what to do. Finally, he stomped his foot on the ground and stormed off, muttering angrily, 

“The women in this house have no respect for me.”

Even after the Earl left, the Countess continued to hold Clara tightly. She dismissed the gathered servants, ensuring they wouldn’t witness the scene any longer.

“It’s okay, Clara.”

“I’m sorry, Mother.”

Although she felt no guilt toward the Earl, Clara did feel apologetic toward her mother. It was thanks to her mother’s strength that she could remain so resilient under her father’s oppressive rule.

“Don’t say that. You’ve done nothing wrong, Clara.”

The Countess stroked Clara’s face repeatedly, her eyes filled with concern and love for her daughter.

“But the rumors are vicious. They seem intent on ruining your reputation…”

The Countess trailed off mid-sentence.

“Don’t worry. I’ll find out where these rumors originated.”

She tried to reassure Clara with a forced smile, but Clara could sense her mother’s inner turmoil and said nothing further.

“I need to send a letter to Liz, telling her we won’t be able to meet for a while.”

“Yes. It’s best to stay out of sight for now, considering your father’s mood.”

“And Baron Lucius…”

Clara bit her lip at the thought of him. Since that day, she hadn’t exchanged any letters with Lucius. He had only sent her one letter, telling her not to worry and to stay at the estate until everything was resolved.

“Lucius… that boy.”

It was the Countess who first brought up his name while Clara was lost in thought.

Clara was slightly surprised, as her mother had never spoken about Lucius before. After the death of the Baron and Baroness, her mother had avoided any mention of the Baron’s family.

“He must have hated our family for driving his parents to their deaths, yet he was always kind to you. He’d frown whenever he saw us, but he always smiled brightly at you.”

“…”

“He probably came to take responsibility for you this time too.”

“That’s…”

There wasn’t a single lie in her mother’s words.

Everything she said was true.

Just as his letter had stated, Lucius would likely handle this situation. He would take full responsibility. But for some reason, the thought didn’t sit well with Clara.

“Do you think there’s love in that?”

“Belle.”

“I don’t regret what I did. I wanted his body if I couldn’t have his heart. But his sense of responsibility… it just feels like he sees me as a burden.”

“In the noble society, not all marriages are built on love. If you like Lucius and he wants to take responsibility for you, isn’t that enough?”

“Why is that enough?”

“Belle, I mean…”

“How can it be happiness to live a lifetime together without love? I’d spend every day in torment, constantly questioning his feelings.”

The resolute sparkle in Clara’s eyes as she expressed her thoughts reminded the Countess of the young Baroness.

‘Lyn! I can’t live my life as a doll forever. I have to follow my heart.’

The Baroness had once said those very words to her.

A life spent together without affection would be nothing short of hell.

“I don’t want that.”

Clara echoed the Baroness’s words. The Countess inhaled sharply.

She had always wanted her daughter to grow up differently from herself. To raise her to be like the friend she had admired.

“Whatever you choose, I’m on your side.”  

“Thank you, Mother.” 

Clara truly felt gratitude toward her mother. Despite knowing the rumors and even the truth behind them, her mother didn’t scold her.  

Instead, she said she was on her side.  

Clara clenched her skirt tightly.  

She didn’t care what her father did. Clara resolved to follow her heart.  

And the first thing she needed to do was this:  

Send a letter to Liz, saying she wouldn’t be able to meet her for a while and warning her not to let the Earl into their estate in under any circumstances.  

“Mother, could you help me with something?”  

“Hmm?”  

“I think I need to inform the Barony about this situation.”  

Even with her red, swollen cheek, Clara smiled brightly, and the Countess could only smile along with her.  

Yes, whatever Clara wanted, she would support her.  

***

Thanks to Clara informing the Barony beforehand, they completely refused any visits from the Earl, who stormed into the mansion, fuming.  

Although he occasionally glared in Clara’s direction, he had no concrete evidence, so he could only stew in his anger.  

Clara simply wished for this moment to pass. Though the rumors were loud now, such gossip would soon be buried in the social circles.  

Of course, she knew labels like “bold” or “reckless” would stick to her name, but she had to endure it.  

‘It’s a bit unfair, but I’ll have to bear it.’  

Strictly speaking, Lucius was the bold one. If he had ended things in one encounter, it wouldn’t have escalated to this point.  

“Ha…”  

Fine, she’d let it slide because she enjoyed it.  

Now that the engagement was naturally off the table, she wouldn’t have to deal with any more trouble.  

She needed to think calmly. No matter how she looked at it, she needed to control her impulsive tendencies.  

If she thought about it, none of this was Lucius’s fault. It was her fault for giving him the herb, entering his bedroom, and sleeping with him.  

Who throws themselves into bed just because their proposal was rejected?  

It was a good way to end a long, unrequited love, but still.  

“Ugh, whatever. Let’s just get through this situation first. Things should quiet down in about two weeks.”  

However, not everything went according to Clara’s plans.