“As your daughter says, it might be easier for the parties involved to talk directly.”

With Nigel also giving the Viscount a meaningful look, the Viscount had to leave the reception room with an anxious face. Tap. After the door closed, Rosia sat up straight and looked directly at Nigel.

“Did you come because you saw the article?”

“Yes.”

Nigel answered nonchalantly. Rosia took one breath, then two, and calmly asked her question.

“What exactly are your true intentions, Your Highness?”

“……”

“Love at first sight, wanting to court me, proposing marriage, just wanting one night. These are all things I heard from Your Highness in just a matter of days.”

Nigel made no response. He just stared at Rosia impassively with one eyebrow furrowed. Rosia barely managed to lift her teacup with bloodless hands. That faint warmth helped to somewhat calm her trembling heart.

“Please tell me truthfully whether you really want to marry me, or if there’s another reason.”

Rosia thought Nigel had spread that article. There was no other reason he would come to pressure her again right after the article spread. Rosia was trying hard not to be angry at Nigel. Only reminding herself of their vast difference in status kept her calm. Nigel, seemingly oblivious to Rosia’s feelings, answered casually.

“What other reason would a man have for wanting a woman?”

“What does that mean?”

“Objectively, you’re beautiful. You’ve received proper education and you’re new to social circles. That means you’re fresh. Although your family has debt, that amount is nothing to me. Rather, everyone would understand if I married you for that reason. It’s a common occurrence.”

“……”

“Moreover, I’m under pressure from Her Majesty the Queen, whom I respect, to get married, so the timing just happened to be perfect.”

Rosia closed her mouth for a moment. So Nigel had practically confessed that he approached Rosia to use her. Since she had already been suspicious of Nigel’s intentions, there was no reason to be deeply hurt. It was only painful that he didn’t even offer a proper apology for insulting her. However, Rosia maintained her composure and asked calmly.

“Have you never considered anyone else?”

“I detest greedy women. Most were like that.”

“Do I not seem greedy?”

“If you were, you would have accepted my proposal from the start.”

This shameless Grand Duke stared at Rosia with a composed expression. Rosia gathered all the patience she could muster.

“I’m sorry, but my decision hasn’t changed.”

“Even after seeing that article?”

Nigel spat out irritably, apparently in disbelief. Rosia was well aware of her situation. No man would readily marry a woman with unsavory rumors circulating about her. Rosia considered this fortunate.

The Luther couple wouldn’t give up until Rosia married. Rosia didn’t want to be married off like merchandise as they wished. Moreover, the dowry wouldn’t be a small amount, and she needed to avoid creating a situation where they’d have to take on more debt to pay off existing debt.

Although she was initially shocked by the absurd article, facing Nigel now made her calm quickly. It was because she didn’t think that newspaper article would only flow in a bad direction for the current Rosia.

Could there be a better opportunity for a woman who doesn’t want an arranged marriage? So she had to seize it and not let go. Having firmly decided, Rosia lowered her gaze and muttered.

“I’m not suitable for Your Highness.”

“Is it because of the dowry?”

Nigel stared at Rosia with sharp eyes. Rosia hesitated momentarily at his words that hit the mark, but smiled as if nothing was wrong.

“It’s because I cannot love Your Highness.”

Nigel frowned. He sat elegantly with his legs crossed and tilted his head slightly. His beautiful golden eyes looked down before turning back to Rosia.

“Is love even possible for nobles? We’re not children.”

Rosia said nothing. Nigel’s words weren’t wrong. Rosia also didn’t believe in eternal love, but in her current circumstances, there was no better excuse than love. She hoped Nigel would see her as just a foolish young lady hung up on love. Then she wouldn’t have to give various other reasons unnecessarily. When Rosia just stared silently, Nigel spoke with furrowed brows as if frustrated.

“It won’t be a good choice for you.”

“It’s my choice, so I’ll take responsibility for it, Your Highness.”

Until meeting Nigel, she had felt suffocated and at a loss. But after sitting face to face and talking with Nigel, it became much clearer. That she must avoid getting married with this man no matter what.

Nigel was a beautiful person, but he carried an equally potent poison. Rosia feared that poison would seep into her and hurt her precious people. While people were busy suspecting the relationship between Nigel and her, Rosia would find other options. She believed so naively.

＊＊＊

In truth, Nigel had no intention whatsoever of proposing to Rosia Berthe again. He had planned to compensate her adequately and settle things. But seeing that calm and unbothered face made his insides twist. Surely she must have been angry, but Rosia treated Nigel like a stranger she was meeting for the first time. He wanted to break that composed face.

Just as he was becoming triumphant thinking he had drawn out the reaction he desired, Rosia firmly refused. Of course, Nigel also had no sincere plans to marry Rosia Berthe. If she had accepted, he had planned to drag things out and then break off the engagement.

Now there wasn’t even a need for that anymore.

Nigel’s mood was worse than in the morning when he returned to the palace. Just what did Rosia Berthe want? Nigel glanced at the full-length mirror standing against the wall. He couldn’t understand no matter how he looked at it. He had heard that first impressions are determined by appearance, but apparently not for Rosia Berthe.

Yes, preferences about appearance are entirely subjective. But where else could there be as definite a marriage prospect as Nigel? Nigel ground his teeth as he recalled Rosia’s face slowly shaking her head. His pride had been hurt several times already since meeting her.

“Your Highness, did the conversation go well?”

Count Owen, who had been watching Nigel’s mood carefully throughout the return journey, carefully asked. Nigel, who was loosely pulling off his tie, turned sharply to look at him. Just as Owen’s expression became awkward at that chilly gaze, Nigel’s lips parted.

“Am I that unappealing?”

“……Pardon?”

Count Owen was bewildered as if he had heard something he shouldn’t have. Nigel asked again, unconcerned.

“I asked if I’m really that undesirable as a marriage partner.”

“H-how could that be? Your Highness is the ruler of the principality and famous for your beautiful appearance……”

“Enough. That’s fine. Leave.”

Nigel waved his hand dismissively at Count Owen, who was rambling on as if possessed by something.

Count Owen finally came to his senses and hurriedly left Nigel’s room. Nigel roughly threw his outer coat over a chair. At that moment, Count Owen knocked on the door again and said.

“Ah, Your Highness. What should we do with the gifts we’ve prepared?”

They were gifts he prepared to apologize to Rosia. They had become useless as this meeting ended poorly. Nigel answered with a slight sigh.

“Throw them away.”

“But……”

Count Owen’s ambiguous voice was heard, but Nigel pretended not to hear and turned his head toward the window. The rain had stopped, and clear sunlight peeked through gaps in the disappearing dark clouds. It was weather that completely didn’t match Nigel’s gloomy and unpleasant mood. Someone knocked on the door again. Nigel spoke irritably, thinking Count Owen was being unusually tactless today.

“I said throw them away……”

However, the person who entered the room was not Count Owen but Davion. Davion approached and spoke calmly, showing no surprise at the sudden irritation.

“I saw the article, Nigel.”

His annoying tone was clearly evident. Nigel frowned and looked at Davion. Davion continued cheerfully.

“How pitiful of her to get entangled with you.”

“Thanks for the compliment.”

Nigel replied curtly. He painted over his face, which had been colored with irritation until just moments ago, with indifference. Davion tapped the desk surface with his fingertips. It was quite an excited gesture.

“Are you going to marry her? A man should take responsibility. It’s the right timing since you’re of marriageable age.”

“I’ll handle my own affairs.”

“I’m saying this because I’m worried as family. Mother is just poor at expressing herself, but she’s very concerned.”

Nigel swallowed. It seemed he was trying to criticize Nigel again, using mother as a shield. Nigel pulled the curtains closed. As the sunlight that had been streaming into the room disappeared, his shadow fell darkly on the floor. Davion sat leaning against the desk with his arms crossed. He stared at Nigel with interested eyes.

“You weren’t rejected by Lady Berthe, were you?”

“……”

“I heard your aide talking about gifts.”

Nigel knew all too well Davion’s personality of wanting to hear things directly from Nigel’s mouth even though he already knew everything. However, Nigel maintained an expression of complete ignorance.

“Well. Your Highness the Crown Prince must have misheard.”

“Hmm.”

Davion’s fox-like eyes grew even narrower. It was clearly an expression that suggested he was up to something. Before he could speak again, Nigel added.

“I have work to do, so you can’t just stay there, Davion.”

Nigel tapped the desk where Davion was perched with an audible sound. It meant he should move quickly. Davion slightly parted his lips as if to say something more, but then simply smiled and quietly left the room. Left alone, irritation rose on Nigel’s face but soon disappeared.