Chapter 3

The Duke mulled over Neria’s words, his brow creasing slightly.

“What do you mean by that?”

‘What do you think? I’m insulting you!’

“I’ve heard there have been quite a few meetings like this, and rather than showing such obvious dislike for the situation, it would be better to refuse from the start. That’s the regret I feel.”

Duke Aaron showed a brief look of surprise at Neria’s bold words, having thought she was quiet. He stared at Neria for several seconds, then twisted his lips and replied cheerfully.

“An extremely valid point, Lady Warwick. But perhaps because you’re still young, your insight isn’t quite complete. Haven’t you considered that I’m here because I couldn’t refuse?”

“I did. So I thought about it again. People say someone like you is called a mama’s boy, Your Grace. I’m sure you’ve never heard the term? Since today is full of boring and unpleasant things, if you learn at least one new thing here, it’ll be useful for you.”

As soon as she finished, Neria regretted it. Even she thought calling him a mama’s boy was a bit much.

But she gathered her courage again. She lifted her violet eyes, which were often praised as bright (at least by the maids). She raised her chin bravely and stiffened her neck. Though she couldn’t show it, her fists on her knees were like those of a courageous warrior before battle.

“What kind of help, I wonder, does that provide? Could you finish your incomplete insight?”

Aaron lightly bit his lower lip, then spoke in short bursts. His jaw tensed, and the muscles under his chin briefly appeared and disappeared.

“Self-reflection, obviously.”

“…….”

His blue eyes flashed as if amused by this woman. Until now, no woman had ever spoken so bluntly to Aaron, the Duke of the North and a royal. For a moment, he wondered if it was a new plan to get his attention, but he changed his mind.

Neria was staring holes into Aaron’s forehead, looking as if she wanted to flick him on the head right then and there. He decided he’d have to reconsider his assessment that she was ordinary.

‘Still, she’s rustic as ever.’

That curiosity lasted only a moment before annoyance swept in. Aaron spoke in a smooth voice.

“There is a saying by an old philosopher: ‘Know yourself.’ I didn’t know Earl Warwick’s daughter was interested in philosophy. ……I’ve heard a few things about Earl Warwick. This is unexpected.”

Aaron paused for a moment and sipped the tea before him. The dainty teacup looked tiny in his large hand.

Despite his refined face, which looked as if he’d never suffered, his hands were covered in scars and calluses.

It seemed no exaggeration that he led the border knight order in the North, fighting off raiding tribes. The Duke’s manner of drinking tea was so elegant that Neria nearly lost herself watching.

Clack.

Aaron set down the teacup and, after a short sigh, spoke.

“I don’t know exactly what made you so angry, Lady Warwick…… Ha, the conversation just keeps going in circles. This isn’t the kind of wordplay I meant.”

“Oh, because the aide named Dagon is waiting for you to finish up and come out within thirty minutes, right, Your Grace? Yes, say everything you want to say.”

“…….”

“How did I know? You’re not asking because you don’t understand the persistence of noble ladies put up on the marriage market, are you?”

Aaron’s eyes narrowed. He was trying to gauge where and how much she’d overheard—not to apologize.

“Apologize.”

Outwardly, he seemed calm, but in fact, he had been growing more and more irritated by Neria’s boldness, and now he was thoroughly annoyed.

Aaron was a proud man, surrounded by the Queen Mother’s favoritism, the envy of many, and the honor of being the protector of the North, even though he was kept in check by his royal brother, the King.

To someone like him, there was no apology for a lady from the Earl Warwick’s house, whose reputation wasn’t great and who had only managed to be here thanks to the Queen Mother’s permission. There would clearly be no further connection with her in the future.

Her way with words was briefly interesting, but not particularly impressive. Aaron smiled leisurely, a habit before unleashing his sharp tongue.

“To someone who overhears as she pleases and gets hurt as she pleases?”

“What did you say?”

Neria, overcome with emotion, jerked upright. Her arm bumped the table, making the teacup wobble dangerously, nearly spilling.

“Ah!”

Startled, she fumbled, while Aaron, still seated, looked down at her and said,

“I haven’t learned a single strength of you yet, Lady Warwick, but I’ve certainly learned a flaw: excessively emotional. Yes, is there anything else you want to say?”

His words, as if he was toying with her, made Neria flare up.

“You won’t even apologize… You’ll pay for treating me this way!”

“If that’s all you have to say, thank you. At least it’s short.”

“Ugh…!”

Her violet eyes glared at him with resentment. Aaron flinched for a moment, but quickly put on an indifferent expression and stood up first, as if to show her.

“Well then, have a good afternoon.”

From Aaron’s cold demeanor, it was clear he was resolved not to share anything with her—an adamant wall. In the end, Neria felt thoroughly dismissed. And in reality, she was.

Left behind, Neria watched Aaron leave the glass conservatory. A man who seemed close to him tried to speak, but the Duke brushed him off and strode ahead.

Then, with a look of disdain, he glanced back at the Neidof Hotel’s conservatory and shook his head.

Neria’s face turned red with shame. Her fists clenched tight on her lap.

The noise from the surrounding tables all sounded like whispers about her.

‘Just because he’s a Duke, does he get to humiliate people like this? There are limits to ignoring someone!’

What’s more, she knew she’d get an earful from her father once she returned home, further chipping away at her self-esteem. A whole day of being criticized by others—she felt so upset she doubted she’d sleep well tonight.

After hesitating, Neria suddenly stood up, grabbed her skirt, and ran out through the exit. Instead of waiting for the server, she kicked the door open herself, stepped out onto the street, and looked around.

“Your Grace!”

Aaron, who was just about to board his carriage, turned to Neria with a puzzled look.

“Lady Warwick?”

His surprised expression quickly faded to indifference.

Passersby stopped to watch, and even people inside the conservatory recognized Duke Aaron. As the crowd murmured, Aaron glanced around and clicked his tongue in annoyance.

“Do you have more to say? You’re just as persistent as I expected.”

“You didn’t have to say it like that!”

Neria clutched her skirt tightly. She felt ridiculous for dressing up for today.

“If I may offer some advice, Your Grace, you should change that attitude. Because you hurt others.”

At that, Aaron suddenly smiled. For a moment, Neria thought he might soften and apologize. But he didn’t.

“No, Lady Warwick. If my words hurt you, it’s because you’re weak.”

“So you’re saying everyone should just get stronger so they don’t get hurt by others’ words?”

Aaron shrugged his shoulders with an infuriating look. Neria glared at him fiercely and shouted,

“Then taste some of my harsh mockery!”

“Before that. If there’s one thing you don’t know, Lady Warwick.”

“……?”

Aaron took only a few long steps to stand before her. Facing him, the difference in their stature was clear. He bent down and whispered softly,

“This country is a class society, and insulting royalty is a greater crime than insulting nobility.”

“…….”

Aaron cast a glance at the dazed Neria and turned away without hesitation. Without looking back, he got into the carriage. Bang, the door slammed shut as if to completely snub her.

Watching the carriage speed away, Neria cried out inside,

‘You humiliated me……!’

***

With a heavy heart, Neria returned to the mansion, dodging a flying leather glove with a quick tilt of her head. An impressive evasion.

‘That almost hit me.’

With a blank look, Neria glanced at her father’s leather glove that had just missed her, then looked up.

“Neria Warwick!”

Apparently, Earl Warwick had been waiting for her, standing in the entrance hall, huffing and puffing.

“You…!”

Facing her furious father, Neria suddenly felt very tired.

She wanted to hurry upstairs and secretly relieve her miserable mood with a risqué book.

Tonight, she planned to fall asleep imagining a man even more handsome than Aaron kissing her chest—not getting scolded in this chaotic household.

Unaware of her perverted plans, Earl Warwick kept shouting.

“You fool, missing such an opportunity! A noble girl should be modest and obedient, but you raised your voice at an intersection—aren’t you afraid of the rumors that will spread?!”

‘How did he even know that?’

Neria suppressed a frustrated sigh. Maybe it was because he’d bought the capital’s noble genealogy and entered society, but Earl Warwick was obsessed with appearances, even in pointless matters.

‘At least I didn’t curse out loud.’

Honestly, Neria deserved praise today. In her father’s mind, the ideal daughter of a noble house was always smiling sweetly with a gentle voice.

“Ne-ri-a!”

With no response, Earl Warwick yelled at her.

She wasn’t scared at all, but if she wanted to end this boring time quickly, she had to pretend to reflect.

Neria quickly tried to think of something sad to set the mood. 

‘What could make me cry?’

‘The distant yet close friend who used to belittle me and boost her own ego by saying, “Oh my, you’re still not married? It’s not even hard, so it must be your fault,” and who divorced after two years—a sad story?’

“Neria Warwick! Are you laughing right now?!”

‘Or the touching tale of a white heart-shaped ball searching for its owner for over a month?’

As soon as she got into the mood, tears burst out. This was it.

“Ahh! Yes, I’m a fool!”

Exaggerated actions are key to method acting. Neria smacked her forehead and burst into tears.

Earl Warwick, dumbfounded, gestured to the butler to stop her.

He was less worried about his daughter’s emotional wounds than about blemishing the goods he needed to sell in the market.

“My Lady, please don’t be too upset…….”

“Butler!”

The butler, who tried to stop her, showed more human concern than her own blood relatives.

“Aaahhh!”

Crying pitifully, Neria ran up the stairs as Earl Warwick shouted,

“No going out for a while, Neria Warwick! If any salon invitations come, I’ll burn them all!”

‘Hmph. That’s actually a win for me!’

Neria thought as she climbed three steps at a time. Tomorrow was supposed to be for bridal lessons, but she’d much rather laze around in her room than attend those.