| 5

“Is it true?”

Nix, who was moving the last cargo that had arrived by ship with the workers, turned his head at the voice that flew from behind him, panting. Tom’s face, with the setting sun at his back, looked particularly red. It wasn’t just because of the sunset. The terrible smell of alcohol was stinging his nose.

Nix wiped away his sweat and straightened his back. Tom urged him with an anxious face.

“Is it true that the miss is getting engaged to that so-called bone-dog duke!”

“If you’re referring to Duke Diconmeyer of Freemont, then yes. The news is later than I expected.”

Tom’s mouth fell open as if he couldn’t believe Nix’s calm answer.

“I’ve been drinking all night with those damned sailors lately, no, how could they decide on an engagement so easily….. The miss is also at fault, making a proposal so suddenly without knowing what kind of man he is……”

“Even though he’s a nobleman from another country, he’s of high status, so you should watch your language.”

As Nix glanced around, Tom grimaced, breathing heavily. Smiling slightly, Nix teased him.

“Why, do you suddenly regret not accepting the miss’s proposal?”

“How dare you say such a cursed thing! I swear to heaven I’ve never had such thoughts about that miss!”

At Tom’s seemingly sincere anger, Nix quietly closed his mouth. As Tom crossed his arms over his chest, his firm muscles bulged.

“That miss is different from other noble ladies.”

“As if I don’t know……”

“Though she seems clever and worldly-wise, she has an innocent, childlike side. What if she gets involved with some flashy but rotten man because the situation is urgent, and something terrible happens later? What if he approached her deliberately targeting her fortune, huh? Or if he approached her with bad intentions, captivated by the miss’s beauty!”

Though Tom seemed to complain about Lucienne every day, Nix knew well that he watched over her with a protective heart.

Seeing his expression, like a father sending off his daughter to marriage despite not having one, Nix couldn’t help but smile, trying to maintain a calm face as he shrugged his shoulders.

“First of all, he’s a nobleman who owns the largest territory in Freemont, and since the miss proposed first, it’s unlikely that he approached her for her fortune. And as for the miss’s beauty, there’s no man who wouldn’t be captivated, so it’s hard to call that a bad intention.”

“Come on, such idle talk. The miss may be smart, but she hasn’t experienced beastly men. How many women have ruined their lives after falling for men with just decent appearances?”

“You seem to know the miss well, yet you don’t. Do you really think Miss Lucienne would grab just anyone and propose out of desperation?”

Tom paused as he was roughly exhaling.

“Are you saying that’s not the case?”

“I don’t claim to know the miss’s inner thoughts, but I mean that her choice isn’t a bad one.”

“The bone-dog duke?”

At his persistent hostility, Nix chuckled softly and lowered his voice.

“He made the greatest contributions during the Freemont civil war and is said to be close to the king of the duchy. One could say he holds the greatest power in Freemont outside the royal family. Moreover, his appearance is said to remind people of Parki, who seduced everyone with his looks and dragged them into the abyss of evil. There was even a maid who came looking for good medicine because her mistress fell ill after seeing him. Would you believe that?”

Tom snorted and lifted his chin.

“What good is a man with a pretty face? And speaking of Miss Lucienne, what’s Parki to her? She herself is the embodiment of beauty. What flaw could she possibly have?”

Seeing that the conversation would drift into praise of Lucienne’s beauty if left alone, Nix shook his head and cut him off.

“The reason the miss is rushing into marriage is because of the rumors with Count Balshwin. But what noble family in Edmus would want to take the hand of the Bickman family, overshadowed by the count? Unless they’re unfamiliar with the situation here.”

Tom rolled his eyes from side to side, then snapped his fingers with an “Ah.”

“So that’s why she proposed to a nobleman from Freemont……”

“Plus, he’s a duke. That means he’s not someone who would fear Count Balshwin. Where else could you find someone more qualified to be the miss’s shield?”

At last, a smile spread across Tom’s face, which had been like an angry bull. He pounded his chest as if he himself had been praised.

“Indeed! What an amazing miss she is. Always thinking several steps ahead.”

“So we should actually think about it the other way around. Why would a duke from the duchy, who lacks for nothing, accept the miss’s proposal?”

At Nix’s serious tone, Tom opened his eyes wide.

“Well, he must have accepted immediately upon seeing the miss, who looks like she just stepped out of the myths.”

It was unreasonable to expect any other answer from Tom. The myths that people associated with Lucienne was probably quite different from what Tom had in mind. Nodding his head, Nix just laughed it off.

“Well, if that’s the case, then it’s fortunate.”

“A duke should be able to prevent Balshwin from acting recklessly. In that case, I should prepare an engagement gift right away. Coral from Mükeln would be perfect for this occasion.”

Nix’s eyes sparkled at Tom’s words as he stroked his chin.

“Could you get some?”

“Why do you think I’ve been drinking myself into a stupor with those guys and calling them brothers? Thanks to that, I found out the price Folluk is offering, so getting the goods isn’t a problem, but I want to find a way to get onto the island while I’m at it. Sailors tend to trust each other after risking their lives together on the same waves, so it’s not impossible, but……”

As Tom trailed off, seemingly lost in thought, Nix gave him an expectant look, prompting him to continue. Tom waved his hand with a slight smile.

“Anyway, I’ll take care of things on my end, so tell the miss to focus on her engagement. Also, let her know that the coral Folluk collected will definitely end up in our warehouse this time, as his pockets have become tight after his last venture fell through.”

“That’s fortunate indeed. People who deal in precious metals particularly value trust. If word gets out that we’re supplying the coral instead of Folluk, even those who regularly used Folluk’s merchant group might change their minds for a while.”

“All thanks to me. Hahahah.”

As Tom burst into hearty laughter, he suddenly let out a massive burp, causing Nix to grimace and step back. After smacking his lips and scratching the back of his neck, Tom heaved a deep sigh and muttered to himself:

“……To think that miss is getting engaged.”

His expression seemed out of place with his strong jawline and bulging muscles. Seeing that bitter yet affectionate look, Nix was about to reach out to pat Tom’s shoulder but had to quickly withdraw. Pretending not to hear another thick burp that escaped.

* * *

“Is it true? That Lucienne Bickman proposed to a duke from Freemont?”

“This fellow is quite late with the news. Haven’t you heard that the duke has already accepted her proposal?”

“They say that’s just a rumor spread by the Bickman family. Honestly, why would a duke agree to get engaged to a miss from such an ominous family? Besides, isn’t Lucienne the one who Balshwin……”

People’s voices naturally lowered at the mention of Balshwin. It was a natural reaction stemming from deeply ingrained fear. The silence was broken by the voice of someone quite drunk.

“What are you all gossiping about now, news from when my child was still nursing? Didn’t you know they attended Viscountess Rangler’s tea party together a few days ago? I heard the duke escorted the Bickman lady with utmost care. In fact, he said he fell for her at first sight but couldn’t speak up because he didn’t know the customs of Edmus.”

“Is that true?”

“Well, the miss is an uncommon beauty. Even that Balshwin……”

Once again, voices trailed off as if on cue.

Chester, who had been standing near the tavern listening to people’s conversations, turned away with a long sigh. There was a dinner party hosted by Duchess Pichet tonight. He would be late if he didn’t hurry.

Whenever he was curious about what rumors were circulating, he would wander around places where people gathered like this. Since everyone around him tended to be cautious with their words, walking the streets was the best way to hear unfiltered stories. Though, admittedly, the news wasn’t welcome.

He liked Lucienne.

At first it was curiosity, and then her beautiful appearance caught his eye. But if that had been all, he wouldn’t have clung to her for over a year.

Lucienne was special.

She had more dignity and wit than any noble lady. Clever intelligence flowed through her gray eyes, and all her movements were elegant yet bold. While he found other women boring after just ten minutes, he could spend all day with Lucienne without feeling that way. He always wanted to stay longer.

However, it wasn’t difficult to notice that her feelings differed from his. Lucienne often seemed lost in thought when with him, and no matter what he gave her, she maintained polite courtesy without showing genuine joy.

At first, he simply thought that because she saw all sorts of rare items through the Nix merchant group, his gifts didn’t satisfy her. But as time passed, he came to the bitter realization that this wasn’t the case.

Lucienne had no romantic interest in him. Not even slightly.

It was quite a blow to his pride. Chester had been accustomed since childhood to the gazes of women who looked at him, and he had never been rejected when he expressed interest first. Even older maids would gladly listen to whatever he said.