Chapter 29. The Shameless Woman

Her harsh words didn’t stop there. She gently grasped Aster’s shoulder and whispered in his ear.

“Why? Did Camilla say that Blanche killed her mother? So you hate us?”

“……”

“Poor thing. You look like you’re about to get dumped by your fiancée. Like a dog chasing a chicken, all pitiful.”

Isabelle stepped back with a sneer. She knew exactly where to stab to hurt Aster the most.

Aster remained silent, clenching his fist. He was used to this, so it didn’t hurt as much as it used to. He swallowed his anger and asked,

“Was it you?”

Did you kill Duchess Francis?

Isabel giggled at Aster’s question. He wanted to rip that smiling mouth of hers apart right then and there.

“You already knew deep down when you came to see me, didn’t you? Torturing yourself with hope to ease your paltry guilt.”

“…….”

“Yes. That woman died because of you too. If you had died instead, that poor child Camilla wouldn’t have lost her mother.”

Isabel spoke, cupping her cheeks as if she were deeply regretful, sobbing.

“I’m very sorry too. Francis wasn’t supposed to be involved in my plan. I suffered quite a loss because of that.”

Aster let out a hollow laugh at her words, which implied that her loss was more lamentable than a person’s death.

She was still the same shameless, self-centered woman. No wonder she had no qualms about taking someone else’s place as if it were her own.

“Yes. Francis wouldn’t want to be related to us by marriage. Even if it can’t be proven now, we remain mortal enemies. He wouldn’t want to come to this house with all its hidden corners.”

Isabel was delighted at the thought that Aster and Camilla might not be on good terms. If Aster felt guilty enough to break off the engagement, it would be a great relief.

But contrary to her expectations, Aster had long since regained his composure.

He had come merely to confirm the truth. Even if it was a painful truth, he needed to look at it to heal completely.

Aster steadied himself and opened his mouth.

“I won’t break off the engagement.”

“What?”

“Thanks to you, everything is clear now.”

Aster gave a relaxed smile and bowed politely. Isabelle looked bewildered at his action, which signaled the end of their conversation.

“You barged in as you pleased and now you’re leaving like this?”

“Good night, Mother. Please, don’t change.”

For the things I’m about to do to shine brightly.

Aster hid his last words and quietly withdrew. Isabelle glared at Aster, who had barged in, said his piece, and left.

“What is he thinking?”

Anyway, all evidence of that day’s incident had been erased with the cooperation of the Duke. Even if they dug up the case from ten years ago now, nothing would come out.

Isabel shook her head and lay down on the bed, feeling immensely satisfied as if she had avenged herself for the harsh treatment she received from Aster last time.

Meanwhile, Aster’s face was very serious as he returned to his room. Having confirmed Isabelle’s involvement in the death of Duchess Francis, he had no more hesitation.

He took out his communication stone and contacted someone. After a moment, a neutral yet beautiful voice was heard.

— It seems you’ve made up your mind, seeing as you contacted me.

The voice sounded as if it knew the purpose of the call immediately. It was straight to the point, as if she was expecting Aster’s call. Aster spoke.

“I accept the proposal you mentioned earlier. Aunt.”

A melodious laugh came from the communication stone at the word ‘Aunt.’ It was a voice too beautiful to belong to an aunt, yet it couldn’t be considered entirely young either.

— It’s unusual to hear you call me Aunt. Does that mean I should come as your aunt?

“You already know.”

Aster answered politely and chuckled along. The mysterious woman spoke cheerfully, as if amused by his reaction.

— Yes. You’ve made a wise decision. I’ll come to Ahivith as soon as I’m ready, so take care of yourself until then.

“See you later then.”

— Your politeness makes me feel ticklish. Sleep well.

With that, the communication ended. Aster fiddled with the communication stone for a while. Whether bringing her to Ahivith was the right thing to do would be revealed in time.

‘Even if it’s a loveless marriage?’

A loveless marriage.

It might be foolish to dedicate his life to a woman who didn’t know how much those words hurt him. Yet Aster intended to accept Camilla’s proposal.

Because her mother’s death was closely tied to his revenge. As long as their goals aligned, she would stay by his side.

‘I wish I could be satisfied just being by her side.’

But the closer he was to her, the more he would want. Aster planned to proceed with his future actions step by step.

Creating reasons to stay by her side for a long, long time. Finally, Aster began to move.

* * *

Since that day, there had been no contact from Aster. Judging by the urgent telegram he received before leaving, something must have happened.

On the other hand, she thought he might be avoiding her because of her proposal for a contract marriage. It was a rather sudden proposal, so he would need time to think.

Moreover, it was a proposal that sounded like nonsense to others. Maybe he was reconsidering and planning to back out.

‘Was I too hasty?’

For a moment, she regretted revealing her true feelings, influenced by the atmosphere of that day, but what was done was done. Camilla waited calmly for Aster. After all, she would see him on the day of the debutante ball.

Time passed, and it was the day of the debutante ball. As promised, Aster came to Francis Castle to escort her.

Despite her resolution to wait calmly, she was quite nervous.

“It’s been a while.”

At her inadvertently blunt words, Aster smiled broadly and said,

“I missed you.”

“For someone who missed me, you didn’t contact me much.”

“Did you miss me?”

Aster asked teasingly with a graceful smile. His usual demeanor. She felt an inexplicable comfort in that and replied coyly.

“Well, I couldn’t see someone I used to see all the time.”

“Seems like I made you anxious for no reason.”

“Not anxious, exactly.”

Not wanting to reveal her unnecessary nervousness, she averted her gaze. Seeing this, Aster gently took her hand.

“When that happens, just say you miss me. No matter where I am, I’ll come straight to your side.”

With those words, Aster kissed the back of her hand. It started reverently, like a knight pledging loyalty to a lady, but the gaze that followed was searingly intense.

Though his actions were hard to read, she didn’t find them displeasing. He looked up at her and whispered softly.

“You’re beautiful today.”

His eyes wrinkled in a smile, and she swallowed her breath. Aster looked much more handsome than usual today. The suit she had chosen to her taste suited him perfectly.

“You look quite good yourself.”

Not wanting to speak plainly, I offered a passing compliment. Aster, who burst into a light laugh, led me into the carriage.

The carriage headed towards the imperial palace. The thought of soon facing the grand debutante ball made me breathless. I was taking deep breaths to calm my nerves when Aster stared at me intently. It seemed like he had something to say.

“I’m sorry for not contacting you. There was an issue I needed to resolve before giving my answer.”

I thought he was going to let it slide, but his apology made me feel a bit better. Judging by his expression, it seemed he had made up his mind, so I probed him.

“So, have you decided on your answer?”

“Yes.”

“Then what is your answer?”

My anxiousness led to a series of hasty questions, but Aster remained composed. With a kind smile, he deferred his answer.

“……I’ll tell you after we handle the important matter at hand. Today is an important day for you.”

It seemed he didn’t want me to worry about anything else before such a significant event. His thoughtful consideration helped ease my tension a bit.

“……Alright, then.”

Having answered slowly, I had nothing more to say. I went over the documents detailing the key figures I would meet today once again.

The only sound in the carriage was the rustling of paper. Aster, seeming not to want to disturb me, looked out at the scenery.

That, too, was so like Aster, allowing me to focus on the debutante ball comfortably.

Just as I was finishing rereading the documents.

“We’ve arrived!”

With the coachman’s call, we finally reached the imperial palace.

* * *