“Andrew?”

Damian, along with many others, frowned in confusion at the unexpected name.

“Yes, Andrew—”

Just as I was about to respond, the ballroom doors behind me creaked open, and everyone’s eyes turned toward the entrance.

It didn’t take long for their eyes to widen as much as they had earlier.

“Isn’t that Count Andrew Mondely?”

“I thought he was dead.”

The murmurs filled the ballroom again.

“Louise! Alec!”

Andrew walked toward us quickly.

Standing beside us, he immediately fixed his gaze on Damian, as if daring him to look away.

“It’s been a while, Damian. What, six months?”

“What? Weren’t you dead?”

“I nearly was. If it hadn’t been for Louise and Alec, I’d be a goner.”

The crowd gasped audibly, some covering their mouths or clutching their chests.

“What on earth happened?”

“I never thought I’d see Count Andrew again.”

The murmuring voices were starting to make my ears hurt.

Damian, his face more creased than before, questioned sharply.

“What? They saved you?”

“Yes. I never made it near Wiltsbrook Castle. I lost all my comrades crossing the snowfields, barely surviving on my own. To make things worse, I was captured by wild men and forced to live as a slave for months.”

Good heavens.

Gasps echoed throughout the room.

Everyone seemed to hang on Andrew’s every word, eager to hear the rest of his story.

Andrew had always been well-liked in society and had no real enemies.

Even with Marcel and Damian, he had never been on bad terms, though he never sought their company.

His reputation was such that even those who doubted me and Alec couldn’t easily dismiss Andrew’s account.

“Wild men?”

“Oh, haven’t you heard of them? They’re a vicious tribe living in the North. Whether women or children, they’re all fiercely strong. Even if you try to escape, their animal-like senses will track you down in no time. I thought death would be a mercy. Do you have any idea how much I suffered? But then…”

Andrew’s voice faltered as tears welled in his eyes.

The people, who had been listening intently, clenched their hands together and looked at him with pity.

Andrew took a deep breath and continued.

“But then Alec and Louise appeared! They saved me from those terrifying savages! And you’re saying they didn’t go to the North? That’s absurd!”

Andrew’s sharp retort reverberated throughout the hall.

No one dared make a sound, and Damian and Marcel’s expressions darkened even further.

Sensing the tension in the air, Brooks stepped forward with an awkward smile.

“So, that’s what happened in the North. I never could have imagined. You’ve all been through so much. It’s truly remarkable to see not only Louise and Alec but also Count Andrew back here. What a relief.”

“Thank you, Marquis.”

Andrew responded, still glaring at Damian, while Brooks turned to look at me and Alec.

“To think you made it all the way to Wiltsbrook Castle—truly incredible. The Emperor will be relieved to hear that the North is in capable hands. You two have done a great service.”

“…It’s nothing, really.”

I gave Brooks an awkward smile.

The murmurs of the crowd began to rise once again.

“Amazing.”

“I never expected them to come back after accomplishing such a feat!”

Praise and admiration filled my ears from all directions.

With Andrew and Brooks’ acknowledgment, it was now impossible for anyone to doubt what Alec and I had achieved.

I wondered how Alec felt about all of this.

It was the first time the two of us had ever received such admiration from so many people.

I glanced up at him, but he seemed indifferent, as though none of it mattered.

Was he just pretending not to care? Or was he truly feeling awkward about the attention?

Honestly, I was trying not to show my own unease as well.

In reality, I felt uncomfortable and worried about the whole situation.

More than anything, I didn’t want to draw the Emperor’s attention.

Still holding onto Alec’s arm, I tightened my grip on his sleeve and spoke.

“It was the Emperor’s command, after all. I thought the only way to prove our loyalty was to succeed by any means necessary. Right, Alec?”

When I looked up at him, he nodded once in agreement.

Brooks gave us a small smile.

“As expected of you two. You truly deserve the title of Baron and Baroness of Wiltsbrook. I’m sure the Emperor’s expectations for you will only grow when he hears this joyous news.”

“We’ve only just cleaned up the castle. Since it’s a gift from His Majesty, we’ll need to put a lot of effort into restoring it properly.”

“Of course. First thing tomorrow, I’ll inform His Majesty. I’ll make sure he knows of your success.”

“Thank you, Marquis Brooks.”

I gave a slight smile, and both Brooks and Andrew returned it with smiles of their own.

The atmosphere in the hall became lively once again.

Smiling, I glanced around the room before stealing a look at Marcel. His face had darkened even more than before.

He probably never imagined we would actually return.

That’s why he bet his lands and textile factory on it.

I could only imagine how furious and sickened he must feel right now.

Just looking at that rotting expression of his made it clear what state he was in.

As soon as I looked away from Marcel, Andrew tilted his head toward him.

“Oh, by the way, I heard something fascinating as soon as I arrived in the capital.”

“…?”

People quickly turned their attention back to Andrew’s voice.

“Marcel, I heard that you bet your lands and textile factory on the idea that Alec wouldn’t return. Is that true?”

“…!”

Before anyone could even catch their breath, the mood in the ballroom turned serious again.

Damien’s eyes widened, and Brooks, looking shocked, turned toward Marcel and exclaimed.

“That’s right! I almost forgot. What were you thinking, making such a bet?”

At that moment, Andrew and Brooks felt like reinforcements sent from heaven.

After all, it would have slightly tarnished our reputation if Alec or I had brought up the matter first.

We were planning to remain dignified, acting as if we had no interest in something like a textile factory, waiting to swoop in at the crucial moment.

That factory would be extremely useful to us, especially now when we needed more funds.

‘I want that textile factory.’

And the fact that it belonged to Marcel only made me want it more.

Before Marcel could say anything, Andrew spoke again.

“Well, there’s no need to confirm it, given how many people heard about it. What a pity, Marcel.”

Tsk, tsk.

Andrew clicked his tongue with exaggerated sympathy.

Would Marcel admit to this so easily?

Given how much Marcel valued his outward appearance, it was hard to imagine him denying his own words and groveling.

Marcel let out a scoff and stood up from his seat.

“Yes. I made that bet.”

So, he’s not denying it.

“Who could’ve guessed that idiot would actually make it back from some place like Wiltsbrook Castle?”

As he said this, Marcel stepped forward and then stopped.

“I figured he’d die faster than anyone else.”

I felt the sudden urge to slap Marcel across his rude mouth.

But instead, I forced a light sigh and smiled.

“If you’d at least spoken with some class, we might have pretended we didn’t hear the bet.”

Marcel’s lips twisted unpleasantly.

I smiled a little more smoothly.

“What would be left for you if we took your lands and factory? Or are you seriously planning to hand them over to us?”

“…”

For a moment, Marcel seemed speechless.

Andrew hurriedly intervened.

“Hey, Marcel. You should apologize to these two and claim it was a mistake. Surely, you don’t intend to give them your lands and factory, do you?”

Andrew seemed genuinely concerned for Marcel, but this was a tactic.

Marcel was a man whose pride and vanity were everything.

Even if it meant his downfall, he would choose the option that preserved his ego.

Especially when provoked in front of so many people, he was likely to throw everything away in a fit of rage.

At that moment, Brooks, sensing the tension, also spoke up with concern.

“Yes, Marcel. You should apologize. Surely Alec and Louise aren’t actually going to demand your factory and lands, right?”

“…”

Unintentionally, Brooks had also been saying things in our favor from the beginning.

Hearing that, Marcel would never apologize. Instead, he would likely flaunt his arrogance even more.

Damien, sensing the danger, watched Marcel intently with a grave expression.

Most of the people in the ballroom were now holding their breath, anxiously observing the unfolding situation.

‘If he would just sincerely apologize for the offensive remark, I might even let it go.’

Despite all the times Marcel had disrespected Alec, not once had he ever apologized.

I wanted to see Marcel bow his head to Alec just once before I died.

It wouldn’t completely resolve the resentment and anger in my heart, but it would bring a bit of satisfaction.

I sighed softly and turned my gaze toward Marcel.

“Marquis Marcel? We’re not interested in what’s yours. Why would we covet something that doesn’t belong to us? But I would appreciate it if you could apologize for the remark you just made about my husband.”

“…!”

TL NOTE: More advanced chapter of this story is already up to the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories