The Marquis squeezed his darkened eye sockets shut. He hadn’t been able to sleep properly for some time and his eyes were dry. It wasn’t that his workload had increased – what had increased was the number of things that needed to be resolved. He let out a deep sigh and raised his head at the sound of approaching footsteps.

“Good day, Father.”

Ciela entered the study cautiously, carrying a tray of tea and desserts. The Marquis frowned at the sight.

“What brings you here?”

He hadn’t liked her at first, but now he didn’t even want to see her face. After all, she was no different from the source of all the trouble his wife and Lilia had caused.

‘If she had just said earlier that she was in a relationship with the Duke, this mess wouldn’t have happened.’

By keeping her mouth shut, the negative rumours about Lilia had grown and tarnished the family’s reputation. The Marquis Arcel crumpled the document he was holding, thinking of the losses he had incurred in trying to deal with the fallout.

“If you’re here for no good reason, leave.”

Swinging his large, pan-like hands dismissively, he turned his attention away from her. Scratch, scratch. He moved his quill over the document, concentrating on his work.

Ciela, undeterred by his cold demeanour, approached him and placed the tray on a corner of the desk.

“I brought you some tea and a light snack, you’ve been looking tired lately.”

The scent of black tea wafted into his nose.

“Please, take a little break while you work.”

“…Hah.” 

The Marquis put down his quill and lifted his eyes from the document. Pressing the bridge of his nose as if to ease his fatigue, he studied Ciela carefully, his guard still up.

‘What is she up to?’

This was the girl who had shown no signs until the truth about her relationship with Duke Icarus had been revealed. She had explained that she had missed the opportunity to speak up during the party, but he hadn’t quite believed her. What if it had been on purpose?

‘If that’s the case, perhaps it’s for the best.’

The Marquis, deciding to use this moment as an opportunity to gauge their true intentions, rose from his massive chair.

“Since you’ve gone to all this trouble, let’s enjoy it together.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Ciela’s face instantly lit up like a flower in full bloom. Her cheeks flushed red, as if she was genuinely excited to be sharing tea time with him.

“Take a seat on the sofa.”

“Yes!”

The two of them sat opposite each other on the sofa that had been set up in a corner of the study.

“I’m so glad to be having tea with you, Father. I’m glad I remembered to bring something for myself too, just in case.”

Ciela fidgeted with the handle of her teacup, rubbing it lightly with her thumb.

“The first time I suggested it to Mother, she turned me down, so I was afraid I’d be turned down again this time. But I’m glad.”

“You must have been upset.”

“No, not really. I understand how Mother feels.”

The Marquis offered a half-hearted consolation, feigning attention as he listened. When he had drunk about half his tea, he set the cup down on the table.

“But, Ciela. Do you think Lilia was the only one who was disappointed by this?”

The Marquis, who had pretended to play along, suddenly changed his tone. Without so much as blinking, he watched her reaction closely.

“You are right. How could you not be disappointed in someone like me? Honestly… I could have made my relationship with Calix public at any time.”

“Hmm?”

The unexpected confession made the Marquis twitch his nose.

“But I didn’t want to. Because I hated Lilia.”

Ciela leaned forward, lowering her head as if to bury her face in her lap.

“When I heard what Turbin said at Lilia’s birthday party, a wave of betrayal washed over me. No matter how hard I tried to forgive her and believe her words, I just couldn’t. It’s the same now. I hate Lilia so much.”

As she rambled incoherently, her body trembled visibly. The Marquis remained silent, carefully assessing the truth behind her words.

‘She doesn’t seem to be lying.’

There was no way anyone could come up with such an answer on the spot in a situation like this. Besides, objectively speaking, Ciela’s misguided actions weren’t entirely incomprehensible.

However…

‘How dare she?’

The veins on Marquis Arcel’s forehead bulged visibly, turning crimson with anger. Knowing the truth only made her presence more repulsive. He was about to order her to leave when she spoke again.

“What must I do to earn Mother and Father’s forgiveness?”

The Marquis’ lips parted slightly, then stopped. The suspicion that had filled his eyes gave way to another emotion – an excitement that came with the discovery of a new opportunity.

‘What’s done is done.’

Lilia and Calix’s failed relationship and Ciela’s misdeeds were all events that had already happened. He had to think rationally. Allowing his emotions to cloud his judgement would be like releasing the goose that laid the golden eggs.

‘If she really acted out of hatred for Lilia and is still starving for parental affection…’

Then it wouldn’t be difficult to turn the situation to the family’s advantage. The Marquis’ throat tightened as he swallowed. He clenched his fingers tightly.

“The past can be forgotten, depending on how you behave in the future.”

Leaning forward towards the table, the Marquis continued.

“Ahem. How are things between you and Duke Icarus?”

“Calix? We get on well.”

“Really? Then you must have had a lot to talk about as a couple. I imagine he mentioned business matters from time to time.”

“Well, there were a lot of things I didn’t understand…” 

Ciela hesitated before continuing, her lips parting carefully.

“But I do remember him mentioning where it might be good to invest.”

The words had barely left her mouth when the Marquis’ lips curled into a wide, almost predatory grin. An unmistakable greed seeped into his expression, impossible to hide.

“I have a simple request. I’d like to know what you and Duke Icarus are talking about.”

Ciela hesitated, her discomfort evident as she fiddled nervously with her handkerchief. Seeing this, the Marquis lowered his voice and rose from his seat.

“If you don’t want to, I suppose there’s nothing to be done.”

“No, it’s not that! I can tell you everything!”

“Ha ha. Good, good. Let’s continue our conversation over tea. It’s gone cold already.”

Leaning back on the sofa, the Marquis softened his expression into a gentle smile. Ciela wiped her eyes with her handkerchief before lifting her head.

“Yes, Father.”

Noticing the greed glinting in his face, Ciela replied calmly, her voice measured. She discreetly hid the still-dry handkerchief in her hand. They talked for a long time until the moment approached for her meeting with Calix, prompting her to get up. As she reached the door of the study, Ciela stopped and looked back at the Marquis.

“I would like to dine with Duke Icarus soon.”

“I will arrange it.”

The Marquis personally escorted her to the door leading to the corridor, his expression one of satisfaction, as if he were replaying the details of their conversation in his mind. As she watched him smile contentedly, Ciela mirrored his expression.

‘Please, laugh to your heart’s content.’

She was well aware that the Marquis’s smile was nothing more than a facade.

He only pretended to believe her words. As soon as she turned her back, he would undoubtedly verify the information. So she deliberately slipped in details that would benefit him, ensuring that the belief in her usefulness would take root.

‘For now.’

If this smile becomes real, your breath will be choked.

Ciela swallowed the rest of her thoughts and checked the time with a sideways glance.

‘It’s about time.’

She reached for the Marquis’s lapel.

“Oh, now that I think about it, Calix mentioned something else. It was about…”

The Marquis leaned forward, concentrating intently on her words. As she babbled on, meaninglessly, his attention shifted to the approaching footsteps behind him.

“Dear!” 

The Marchioness appeared, striding towards them and grabbing the Marquis by the arm.

“Do you realise how much Lilia is suffering right now?”

Seeing him act like a father to Ciela made the Marchioness’ anger boil over. Without so much as a glance at Ciela, she dragged her husband into the study.

The door slammed shut and the sound of their argument echoed from inside.

“Don’t you even think about Lilia?”

“And that’s why I’m doing everything I can to fix this! Besides, for the sake of the family…”

“You know how much Lilia loves Calix.”

“Keep your voice down! What if she’s still there?”

“You should be the one to keep quiet!”

The deafening shouting that threatened to burst through the door began to die down. If you listened carefully, you could still hear the sounds of their argument, but Ciela didn’t linger. She turned and walked away. 

* * * 

A few days after her visit to the study, Ciela invited Calix and Marquis Arcel to dinner. A well-known restaurant was hired for the occasion, and the Marquis wore a smile throughout the meal.

“This has been a truly enlightening conversation, Duke.”

“I too have enjoyed the opportunity to speak with you again.”

The Marquis shook Calix’s hand. As expected from the Empire’s most senior noble, their conversation had been filled with valuable insights. While the information Ciela had shared was useful, hearing it directly from the Duke was far more valuable.

“I’ll spend some time with Calix before I head back.”

“Very well.”

The Marquis shifted his gaze from the Duke to Ciela. Though he still couldn’t look upon her with complete favour, especially in light of Lilia’s ongoing struggles, the words she’d shared so far had proven useful.

‘But she still has a long way to go to repay what it took to raise her.’

Thinking of the trouble Ciela had caused in the past, the Marquis clicked his tongue inwardly, though he maintained a gentle smile outwardly. Compared to the damage she had caused, there was much more he could get out of her now, especially since she was basking in Calix’s affection.

‘Maybe next time I’ll subtly bring up the subject of marriage.’

As he considered his next move, the Marquis frowned, remembering his wife’s incessant nagging, which he’d heard far too often. It was clear that Lilia had fallen out of Calix’s favour, but to suggest that Ciela become engaged to someone else? That would be like cutting open the goose that laid the golden eggs.

“I’ll go first.”

As Marquis Arcel climbed into the carriage and drove away, Ciela’s pleasant smile faded.

‘Today’s events will only make him see me as even more useful.’

For the sake of the family, the Marquis wouldn’t back down in his conflict with his wife. Both Lilia and the prosperity of the family were precious to him.

‘It’s a bit of a hassle to make sure he doesn’t give up on me, but…’

When the time came to reap the rewards, all the effort wasn’t too bad. All that remained was…

‘I have already sold the marchioness of Arcel’s collection to another noblewoman who is an avid collector.’

Apart from the expected dramatic increase in value, everything was settled.

‘Today’s presentation of a staged date should suffice.’

They had met quite a few people on their way to the restaurant, which should suffice for appearances. What was next on the list? As Ciela mentally sorted through her schedule, a yawn escaped her and she covered her mouth. Feeling someone’s eyes on her, she spoke.

“I guess forcing myself to smile has made me a bit tired.”

“You haven’t eaten properly either, so that’s probably why. How about a proper meal now?”

Although her body had recovered enough to cope with a normal meal, she had deliberately limited herself to sipping soup so as not to reveal to the Marquis that her condition had improved.

“That’s all right. I’m already full.”

Ciela shook her head. 

Even though she was sick of the soup, it had left her feeling full. Eating more would only make it worse. 

“Anyway, I think it’s good that we’re parting ways here today. You must be busy, so thank you for always taking the time to see me.” 

A faint wrinkle appeared on his forehead. 

“I’m not busy.”