Chapter 1.4

For a split second, she saw the Grand Duke check her attire and slightly furrow his brow in displeasure, so it was certain his gaze was directed at Erika, not Eva. 

Was he going to say something insulting again if we met? No, there’s no reason for him to bother. 

There was no way Grand Duke Hartwig would go out of his way to approach her and say harsh things, but since she’d confirmed his disapproving gaze, Erika suddenly felt as if she couldn’t breathe. 

Feeling she wouldn’t be able to breathe comfortably if she stayed, Erika slipped away to the terrace while the Dunmoa couple’s attention was on Eva, who was greeting Grand Duke Hartwig. 

“Haah. Now I can finally breathe.” 

Taking a deep breath and steadying her breathing, Erika finally looked around. She needed to check if Charlotte had come to the banquet. 

At that moment, she saw Baron Dunmoa coming out to the terrace to look for her. Erika quickly moved her steps toward the garden. 

When she reached the garden, where colorful, pretty flowers were in bloom, the gentle night breeze carried a fragrant scent. 

As she inhaled the floral fragrance, her gaze once again swept the area. She hoped she could finally meet Charlotte this time, but still, there was no sign of her. 

Did she not come today either? 

Just as her hope was about to turn to disappointment again, an unexpected person approached Erika. 

“I’d like to have a word with you. Is that all right?” 

“…Pardon?” 

The one who spoke to her was Grand Duke Hartwig. 

Erika hadn’t expected him to speak to her at all, so her body stiffened. His imposing presence and unfriendly gaze were unchanged, making it difficult even to face him. 

She couldn’t nod, nor could she shake her head, and Erika fidgeted anxiously.

 Grand Duke Hartwig came closer and whispered quietly to her.

 “I apologize for what happened last time.” 

“…What?” 

Startled again, Erika raised her head, and at that moment, her eyes met the Grand Duke’s. His gaze still looked so arrogant, it was hard to believe he was apologizing. 

Because she felt no sincerity, Erika thought she must have misheard. But as she heard another apology, she realized she hadn’t. 

“I was rude. So I hope you’ll forget what happened last time.” 

Why was he suddenly apologizing to me? Was he worried I might spread rumors? 

Was it just my imagination, or did the man who had exuded such a strong predator’s aura suddenly seem different? 

“I-I’ll forget it.” 

Even as she replied, Erika’s mind was filled with all sorts of thoughts. Then she realized there might be a reason for his behavior. 

Ah, maybe he just wanted to keep me quiet because he hates his business being spread around. 

Since Erika had never told anyone about what happened with him, she added a comment to let him know she could keep her mouth shut. 

“I won’t spread any rumors, so you don’t have to worry.” 

“I never thought you would.” 

“Well, that’s a relief.” 

After Erika’s answer, an awkward silence fell between them. 

Why isn’t he leaving? There’s nothing more to say… 

If his business was finished, Grand Duke Hartwig was the type to leave without looking back. But now, he showed no sign of going. 

“…If you’ve said everything you wanted, may I go now?” 

Watching for the Grand Duke’s reaction, Erika asked first. It was proper etiquette to wait for the person of higher status to leave first, but if he didn’t look like he was going to, she’d have to ask permission to leave. 

But Grand Duke Hartwig stopped Erika, who was about to leave after saying goodbye. 

“No. Wait a moment.” 

Did he still have something to say to me? I really didn’t want to talk anymore… 

Surprised but hiding it, Erika asked in a calm voice. 

“What is it?” 

“That is… hmm.” 

“If you have something to say, please don’t beat around the bush.”

He seemed a bit flustered, which was different from last time, but his gaze as he looked her over was still sharp, making Erika nervous. 

Surely he wasn’t going to say something even worse after apologizing? 

As anxiety washed over her, Erika’s face grew darker. She could barely even force a smile now. 

“Yes. Well, the thing is…” 

Just as Grand Duke Hartwig kept hesitating, opening and closing his mouth, a man who seemed to be his subordinate hurried over with a flustered expression. 

“Your Grace, are you here? His Majesty the Emperor is looking for you.” 

“Ah, yes, I must go. Yes, I must.” 

As if the conversation with her had been uncomfortable, Grand Duke Hartwig’s face suddenly brightened. 

“Well, let’s talk next time.” 

“Y-yes.” 

He left room for another conversation, but Erika didn’t think there would be any reason for them to talk again, so she replied out of courtesy. As soon as she answered, the Grand Duke hurried off without looking back.

What was that? Did he really have something he wanted to say to me? 

With a puzzled expression, Erika kept watching until Grand Duke Hartwig disappeared from sight. 

Was it because he was such a proud man that, even after apologizing, he still felt awkward? 

Trying to figure out the reason for Grand Duke Hartwig’s suspicious behavior, Erika shook her head. Whatever she thought, it didn’t seem like it would be good for her. 

Just don’t think about it… 

Erika pushed all thoughts of Grand Duke Hartwig out of her mind and headed back to the banquet hall.

She needed to check if Charlotte had come in the meantime, so she couldn’t stay alone in the garden forever. 

Just as she reached the banquet hall, a middle-aged man with a protruding belly and dark brown hair caught her eye. Erika’s violet eyes widened as she looked at the man with narrowed eyes, thinking he seemed familiar. 

Count Orkney? 

He was clearly Charlotte’s husband, whom she’d seen at the wedding. That protruding belly made her certain. 

Thinking Charlotte must have come with him, Erika looked around him with excitement, but no matter how hard she searched, she couldn’t see her. 

Disappointment gradually spread across Erika’s face, but at the same time, a bold courage welled up inside her to speak to Count Orkney first. 

As the illegitimate child of House Dunmoa, it was against etiquette for her to approach a count first, but if it meant she could see Charlotte, she felt she could do anything. 

Erika summoned her courage and approached Count Orkney. After opening and closing her lips several times, she finally spoke with a determined expression. 

“Did you not come with Charlotte?” 

“W-what business is it of yours? She belongs to House Orkney now, so mind your own business!”

She didn’t expect a kind answer, but his angry attitude left her feeling unpleasant. At the same time, she felt an indescribable emotion.

He wasn’t angry because Erika had been rude.

His anxious, trembling pupils, lips pressed tightly together as if angry, the veins bulging at his temples….

No matter how she looked at it, the Count’s overly sensitive reaction seemed more like someone getting angry to hide a mistake than someone truly wronged.

It was suspicious.

Seeing Count Orkney like that, Erika thought there must have been a reason why Charlotte had avoided meeting her, always using the excuse of being busy.

Especially, the way Count Orkney hurried into the banquet hall as if to avoid conversation only made Erika’s suspicions grow.

What could be going on? 

She felt she had to meet Charlotte and hear her side of the story….

She followed Count Orkney into the banquet hall and watched his actions closely.

Even though his wife hadn’t come with him, Count Orkney was flirting with the maids. Just seeing that much told her all she needed to know about Charlotte’s married life.

Feeling sorry for Charlotte, who had married such a worthless man, Erika felt a new surge of courage.

The banquet was still in full swing and showed no sign of ending, so now was the perfect chance to meet Charlotte, who would be alone at the Count’s residence.

However, if she borrowed the Dunmoa family’s carriage, it would surely be discovered, so she needed to borrow someone else’s carriage—someone who could easily enter the House of Count Orkney.

Erika looked among the people in the garden for a man she could use. Just then, she spotted a young nobleman, completely drunk.

He was so intoxicated that even if he sobered up the next day, he probably wouldn’t remember anything from the night before.

Erika approached the man and carefully asked,

“Are you acquainted with Count Orkney?”

“Huh? Yeah, I’m close with him.”

So drunk his tongue was twisted, the man grinned as he answered. Even then, he was drooling as he stared at Erika’s chest.

Perfect. I’ll use this man!

With a satisfied smile, Erika pushed her chest forward toward the man. Having never seduced a man before, that was the best she could do.