Chapter 6 – Changes in Relationship (Part 8)

Though the king might overlook it due to the disgrace brought to the Dveshi family, the Loden family wouldn’t stand idly by. Even if he was a discarded son, being killed by Duke Dveshi would deeply wound their pride.

“I intended to take his life through a duel, but Duke Loden interfered, so I failed.”

Hearing he wasn’t dead, Sophia breathed a sigh of relief internally.

“It didn’t escalate into a big fight, did it?”

“I held back.”

“You held back?”

Expecting him to go and grab him by the collar immediately, Sophia was surprised by his response.

Is it because of me?

She wondered if the ‘marriage’ the King wanted had somewhat lessened the accumulated animosity between them. But then, from the Duke’s mouth came another unexpected answer.

“Duke Loden had already locked him in the dungeon and whipped him, so he was in a weakened state. Challenging such a feeble guy to a duel would have made me look ridiculous, so I just left.”

“Ah…”

It seemed Duke Loden, who wasn’t fond of Clive, wouldn’t leave a disobedient son unchecked. So, he had found and punished him before Duke Dveshi discovered him.

“Instead, I plan to protest to His Majesty soon, using the second son’s escape from the wedding with a child and the third son’s secret meetings with another lady.”

Duke Dveshi seemed intent on highlighting the Loden sons’ infidelities.

Though his words weren’t surprising, hearing about secret meetings made Sophia’s heart sink.

“Is it true about the secret meetings? Killian said he had nothing to do with her.”

Sophia wanted to believe Killian’s words that he didn’t like Lady Aeri. So, she immediately refuted the duke’s words.

“Before he left for the expedition, Lady Aeri frequently visited the knights.”

“That’s not a secret meeting. If they were really having secret meetings, she would have come in secret, avoiding people’s eyes.”

“Why are you defending him?”

When Sophia contradicted him, Duke Dveshi’s eyes narrowed.

“Th-that’s not it. It’s just that if it’s not true, we might face backlash instead.”

Feeling like her true feelings were exposed, Sophia hastily made excuses. She feared that if Duke Dveshi realized her growing feelings for Killian, he wouldn’t remain silent.

“Sophia, are you really believing that guy’s words?”

But even with her evasive words, Duke Dveshi’s eyes turned bloodshot, and his once gentle gaze became sharp.

“Yes, I believe him. He even drove out Lady Aeri, who visited the mansion several times for my sake!”

Feeling there was no need to hide anymore, Sophia spoke her mind.

“Huh. I didn’t expect you to trust him so much. He had long been infatuated with Lady Aeri, yet you keep denying it! There’s even a witness who saw them together, and denying it won’t change the facts!”

“You say there’s a witness? Did they see the two of them kissing affectionately?”

“They said they saw the two of them on an affectionate date. If you really can’t believe it, should I bring the witness before you? If that’s what it takes for you to believe me, I will.”

“…”

Hearing there was a witness, Sophia couldn’t respond.

However, still unable to fully trust her father’s words, Sophia mulled over what he had said earlier and suddenly noticed something strange about it.

An affectionate date? Who on earth?

As she spent more time with Killian, Sophia had come to understand a bit about him. He was a man who appeared as cold as ice on the outside.

Even though his expression had softened recently, to someone who didn’t know him, he would still seem like someone who maintained a proper distance.

So, there was no way Killian would go on a date that appeared affectionate to others.

“How can a man as aloof as him have an affectionate date? Father, you know well that the word doesn’t suit Killian when you think of his demeanor.”

“…”

Perhaps realizing that her words weren’t wrong, Duke Dveshi was silent for a moment. Resting his chin on his hand, he pondered briefly before speaking after a short silence.

“You’re right. Your words aren’t wrong. I was thinking of finding more evidence myself. So, if you find any proof that he and Lady Aeri are secretly meeting, gather it. Don’t forget, our plan is your divorce.”

“Yes.”

Not wanting to argue with him any further, Sophia answered briefly, ending the conversation with Duke Dveshi.

Having said all he wanted, the Duke rose from his seat. The Duchess, who also stood up, gave Sophia a hug.

“I’ll come to visit again, so make sure you eat well and don’t skip meals.”

“Yes, I will.”

Sophia saw the Duke and Duchess off with a bright smile. The Duchess gave her a warm smile, but the Duke maintained a stern expression until he boarded the carriage. As soon as he got on, he spoke as if he had been waiting.

“This is serious.”

“What is serious?”

The Duchess’s eyes reflected confusion as if she didn’t understand.

“The thing I feared most has happened. You didn’t notice it, did you?”

“What happened?”

“Sophie lied.”

Duke Dveshi had already sensed that Sophia was lying through her uneasy eyes and slightly trembling voice.

“What lie?”

“I think Sophia likes him.”

Though he didn’t want to admit it, Duke Dveshi could sense that Sophia’s feelings had changed.

“What? What do you mean…?”

The Duke, filled with anger, interrupted the Duchess and continued speaking.

“I didn’t rule out the possibility, but I thought the chances were low, so I left it alone. I should have considered the worst-case scenario when the groom changed to that Captain of the Knights, but I didn’t.”

He had hoped it wouldn’t be the case, but his ominous premonition was correct.

He knew the Captain of the Knights was popular with young ladies, but who would have thought this would happen!

If she had married Clive initially, this wouldn’t have been a problem. Sophia would never have liked a playboy like him. But things got complicated when she ended up marrying Killian, and the plan was ruined…

“Why is it the worst-case scenario?”

“The Loden family is secretly pushing for a marriage with Lady Aeri!”

Duke Dveshi had been keeping an eye on Duke Loden’s movements and discovered that they were negotiating with Earl Aeri to arrange a new marriage for Killian.

“Oh my goodness!”

The Duchess, shocked, covered her mouth with both hands.

“Sophie wouldn’t want a divorce, would she? Do you wish for Sophie to suffer through an unrequited love alone?”

“Of course not. I feel so sorry for Sophie.”

The Duchess, on the verge of tears, pulled out a handkerchief from her bosom. Her elegant gesture of wiping her tears seemed pitiful.

“That’s why we have to step in and somehow arrange a divorce before Sophie gets hurt.”

The Duchess paused her actions of wiping her tears.

“But, do you think Sophie would want a divorce?”

“Sophie’s thoughts aren’t what’s important. What’s important is that she could get hurt.”

“Still, shouldn’t we have asked Sophie first?”

“No. Once personal feelings get involved, it becomes difficult to discern right from wrong. So, it’s right for us to help.”

“Even so, I feel like we should tell her…”

“…”

With the Duchess’s last words, silence fell between them. Though no words were exchanged, their eyes were filled with worry for Sophia.

* * *

In the morning, it was the Duke and Duchess Dveshi, and after lunch, as if waiting, Duke Loden and Marcus came to see Sophia. Since they came without notice, she had to greet them with a flustered expression.

“You’ve come.”

It would have been better if the Duchess of Loden, whom she had talked to a few times, had come, but the two most uncomfortable people in the world entered the mansion with stern faces, making Sophia nervous.

“No need to serve tea. Instead, send everyone else out.”

When she led them to the drawing room, Duke Loden looked disapprovingly at Victor and Emily, who stood by Sophia’s side.

“I’ll have them leave.”

At Sophia’s signal, they bowed politely and cautiously closed the door as they left the drawing room.With only Sophia, Duke Loden, and Marcus remaining, Duke Loden spoke.

“Do you know why I’m here?”

To tell me to divorce Killian, I suppose?

“Yes, I understand.”

Since it was her first time conversing with him, the drawing room was filled with an awkward atmosphere. Sophia felt intimidated by Marcus’s gaze, which seemed to want to kill her.

“I know Duke Dveshi came this morning. He probably brought up the divorce, didn’t he?”

Before Sophia could respond, Duke Loden continued speaking as if he didn’t need to hear her answer.

“I feel the same way. I want you and Killian to divorce. You wouldn’t want to maintain family ties with us either, would you? So, I hope you’ll leave Killian’s side first.”

“…”

Sophia couldn’t respond to the request for her to leave his side.

“I’m well aware that Duke Dveshi is creating an excuse for the divorce. I also want Killian to marry Lady Aeri, not you.”

Hearing Lady Aeri’s name made her heart feel heavy. Killian had said there was nothing between them, but the constant mention of her being between them bothered her.

“I know this puts us at a disadvantage. But I’m bringing it up to show that I want to make a concession. So I’d like you to convey this to Duke Dveshi.”

He handed a contract to Sophia, and she slowly read through it.

It stated that they would never cause a dispute with the Dveshi family in the future, and if they did, they would surrender their key lands to the Imperial Family.

The Loden family’s main industry was related to the wine industry, and the land mentioned in the contract was where the vineyards were located. Essentially, it was a pledge to return a third of their wealth to the royal family.

Sophia now understood why he had asked Victor and Emily to leave. Duke Loden didn’t want the contents of this disadvantageous contract to reach anyone else’s ears.

It was also clear that he was handing the contract to Sophia because he didn’t want to speak directly with Duke Dveshi.

“I want you to persuade Duke Dveshi to offer similar terms. Then His Majesty will approve your divorce from Killian.”

With Duke Loden’s signature already on it and a space for Duke Dveshi’s signature, it was clear he was serious.

Duke Loden’s plan was far more realistic than Duke Dveshi’s plan to demand a divorce using Clive and Killian’s infidelities as an excuse.

So, there was a high probability that Duke Dveshi would accept it. It was better not to fight than to maintain family ties with a hostile family.

Knowing this, but considering the possibility of refusal, Sophia asked.

“What if my father refuses your proposal?”

“Judging by his past actions, he won’t refuse. I find it suspicious that you’re asking such a question. Could it be that you don’t want to divorce Killian?”

For the first time, Duke Loden’s previously emotionless eyes scrutinized Sophia. Just feeling his gaze made her skin crawl.

Though caught off guard, Sophia tried to maintain a calm demeanor, not showing her surprise.

“Are you sure my father will agree? Right now, our Dveshi family is in a favorable position. Does my father have any reason to accept your proposal even at a loss?”

“Oh, really? Do you think we’ll just sit by and do nothing?”

“That remains to be seen.”

Sophia’s provocation caused Duke Loden’s face to twitch slightly.

“We’ll see how things unfold. This is the last time I’m offering a concession. So, tell him to make a wise decision. And as you can see, the contents of the contract are confidential, so be careful not to let it spread!”

Duke Loden stood up, indicating he had finished speaking, and Marcus followed suit.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Duke Loden strode forward with his long legs. Marcus, who was about to follow him, suddenly stopped and turned around.

“If you have feelings for Killian and that’s why you’re spouting such nonsense, you should give up hope. You might not know this, but Killian has liked Lady Aeri for a long time. Understand? So, I want my brother to marry the woman he loves! Got it?”

“Has he really liked Lady Aeri for a long time?”

“Yes. Do you think I’m lying?”

“Oh, no.”

“If you don’t believe me, you can ask Lady Aeri herself!”

Marcus’s eyes were filled with certainty. Seeing that look, Sophia found her heart wavering despite wanting to believe in Killian.

What’s really going on here?

When Duke Dveshi repeatedly mentioned that Killian and Lady Aeri were having secret meetings, she didn’t believe it. But hearing Marcus speak with such conviction felt different. Suddenly, she felt a pain in her chest as if a spear had pierced it.

She wanted to trust Killian’s words, but why did she feel so miserable?