Chapter 4 (Part 2)

“By the way, Yuli invited me to dinner tonight, Father.”

“Oh, I should have invited you first.”

“It’s alright, Father.”

Every time Anthus called Matthias ‘Father,’ Louis pressed his temples to ward off the headache that was forming. He desperately wanted to see Selenia.

“If Yuli allows me to drink, I would love to share a drink with you again tonight, Father. I am delighted to have found a drinking companion who matches me well, regardless of age or rank.”

Anthus kept charming Matthias, making him dizzy with his relentless flattery. Even an ancient dragon couldn’t be as sly as this.

“Does Lia know that the Duke calls you ‘Father’?”

“Yes, she knows.”

Realizing that arguing with the confident Anthus was pointless, Louis sighed deeply.

“I have something to discuss with the Duke, so Louis, you may leave now.”

After Louis closed the office door behind him, Anthus’s eyes, which had been softly curved, gradually turned sharp.

“Could you explain the matter regarding Young Lord Beonar that you mentioned last time?”

“I have acquired some good bonds recently.”

“Bonds?”

“Yes, bonds from someone you know well, Father.”

“I think I can guess whose bonds those are, Duke.”

Anthus sat on the sofa, picked up a cookie from the table, and continued speaking while munching on it.

“So, I am considering what to do with these bonds.”

“Do you have a plan in mind, Duke?”

“Yes.”

Anthus stood up and quietly whispered to Matthias. As Matthias listened, his expression hardened.

When Anthus finished whispering, Matthias’s expression relaxed, and he smiled warmly.

“If I had known earlier… I would have helped you… hahaha.”

“Let’s do it together next time, Father.”

“Understood, son-in-law.”

Recognized as a son-in-law, Anthus opened a magical space and took out two envelopes, handing them to Matthias.

“These are the engagement and marriage contracts. I have already stamped them with the Rockbellion seal. Keep them, and if Yuli expresses a desire for either marriage or engagement with me, stamp them with the Loengrin seal and get approval from His Majesty the Emperor.”

“What if I were to use these contracts as I please?”

“That’s fine. I can be used by the father of the woman I love. However…”

“However?”

“If, by any chance, using me causes Yuli any distress or suffering, no matter if you are her father, the price will be very high. I cannot allow myself to be used at the expense of the woman I love.”

After Anthus left, Matthias sat in his office with a faint smile.

<If you want to hurt Lia, tell her I’m playing around with another woman. Keeping a mistress isn’t even a flaw in noble society, so why meddle?>

<I will break off the engagement. But the compensation for the broken engagement must come from the Loengrin family.>

Matthias had to endure Beonar’s mocking words.

Revenge against them remained only in his imagination. A dog that cannot bite cannot be a hunting dog. A father who cannot wipe away his child’s tears is just a powerless hunting dog.

“Rosaline… you would have stopped me from seeking revenge… but.”

Matthias looked sadly at the framed picture on his desk.

“I can’t forgive. Do they not know what it’s like to see a wounded child? Did they insult me without knowing? One shouldn’t make enemies. But I don’t want to hide and run away in fear, Rosaline. I can’t throw away this chance for revenge!”

At the end of the terrible pain caused by guilt, a crossroads appeared where he could take revenge. He had to choose whether to take revenge or not. Though revenge brings more suffering, Matthias chose immediate revenge.

The always kind and gentle Matthias was not present in that place.

* * *

Selenia visited the Loengrin residence.

“Sellie!”

“Louis.”

Louis was very happy about Selenia’s visit. He was eager to tell her about what had happened with Anthus.

Ignoring Butler Leijin’s warning not to run, Louis ran straight to Selenia. Familiar with Louis’s approach, Selenia caressed his cheek as he came close.

“Don’t run in the hallway. Louis, what happened?”

“Let’s go to my room and talk. Or rather, please listen to me.”

“I’ll stop by Lia’s room first.”

“Can’t you come with me first?”

“The reason I came to the Earl’s residence today is because of my promise to Lia.”

Louis was very disappointed but had no choice but to escort Selenia to Yuliana’s room.

“Would you like to come in with me, Louis?”

“No. After you finish talking, come straight to my room.”

Usually, Louis would jump for joy at the invitation to join, but he was stepping back this time. Selenia found his behavior very unusual.

“Alright. I’ll be there soon, Louis.”

Louis stepped back, then approached Selenia again to lightly kiss her cheek. Blushing, he stepped back again and disappeared. Selenia laughed softly, familiar with his behavior.

Knock, knock.

“Lia, I’m coming in.”

Selenia opened the door and found Yuliana glaring at a handkerchief with a needle in her hand.

“What’s with the handkerchief all of a sudden?”

“I was embroidering it to give to the Duke, but embroidery isn’t easy.”

“What? Do you know what it means to give a handkerchief?”

Yuliana’s face turned red. Selenia asked with a motherly smile.

“You’ve decided to accept the Duke’s confession.”

“Yes… and…”

Seeing Yuliana hesitate slightly, Selenia laughed and spoke.

“We’ve also decided to enter the ball together as partners. But I need to respond to the Duke’s confession before then… I don’t know when the right time to confess is.”

“The timing for a confession comes naturally.”

“Naturally?”

“Yes, it happened with me and Louis too. While walking, our eyes met, and I stole a kiss from Louis. Then Louis, with a red face, confessed to me, saying, ‘I like you, Selenia!’”

“But you rejected my brother’s confession then.”

“The older girls told me not to accept right away. Later, I found out how much Louis had suffered and apologized, confessing sincerely.”

“I see.”

“The timing for a confession will naturally come from within… When you feel it’s the right moment, just confess. It will work out well, trust me as someone with experience.”

“Thank you, Sellie.”

“Don’t mention it… Lia, I have something to ask.”

“Go ahead.”

“Did something happen with Louis?”

“Hmm? Why?”

“When I asked Louis to come to your room together, he refused.”

“Oh…”

Yuliana’s expression darkened.

“What happened?”

“I… actually got angry at Brother Louis. I even kicked him out of my room.”

“What?”

Selenia thought about Louis’s awkward and unfamiliar backward steps at Yuliana’s statement.

“You’re not someone who gets angry easily… What did Louis do wrong?”

“He badmouthed the Duke to me.”

“Louis badmouthed him? That’s understandable.”

Even though they are family, there are lines that should not be crossed, and Louis had crossed one of those lines.

“I’ll have a stern talk with Louis.”

“I think I need to reconcile with Brother… This is the first time we’ve fought like this.”

The fight with Louis was frustrating not only for him but also for Yuliana, as it was their first sibling dispute.

“There was a time when my sister Selezia…”

“Yeah. Your sister.”

“This is a secret… but Selezia once said that Louis was too indecisive. I got so angry at that and had a loud argument with her.”

“With Sister Selezia?”

“We reconciled later. But she still sometimes badmouths Louis, saying her fiancé is better. Our Louis is like a deer that you want to protect… but my sister doesn’t understand his charm.”

Selenia’s words made Yuliana laugh heartily.

“No matter how much you fight and hate each other, you will be fine because you’re family. Your confession and reconciliation will happen naturally, so don’t worry too much.”

“Thank you, Sellie.”

“Can I have dinner at the Earl’s residence today? I was originally going to eat out with Louis, but I think it would be better to stay here today.”

“Of course. But the Duke is also joining us for dinner, is that alright?”

“Of course. Then I’ll go see Louis.”

As dinner time approached, Selenia went to Louis’s room and dragged him out. Anthus, who was already in the dining room, was smiling at Yuliana as if she were the most precious treasure in the world.

“Do you like Lia that much, Duke Rockbellion?”

Selenia asked Anthus with a curious face as she sat in the chair Louis pulled out for her.

“Yes. I like her very much.”

Anthus answered without a moment’s hesitation. Selenia was satisfied with his firm response and smiled.

Anthus refilled Yuliana’s water glass when it was empty, handed her a napkin to wipe her mouth, and attentively took care of her. Matthias watched with a pleased smile. Everyone was smiling except for Louis.

“Hoho. The Duke and Lia look really good together. Right, Louis?”

At Selenia’s sudden question, Louis answered with a serious face, having made a big decision.

“Lia is too good for him.”

“Young Lord Louis, that’s a given. Of course, Yuli is too good for me. She is more than I deserve.”

Louis was slightly surprised and rolled his eyes at Anthus’s response, expecting him to be upset by his words but instead finding him agreeing.

“Do you know why I come to the Earl’s residence so often?”

Everyone focused on Anthus’s words.

“I’ve heard that many families desire Yuli. I couldn’t just stand by.”

Anthus turned his head with a bitter expression, looking at Yuliana with a voice full of melancholy.

“I rejected all the marriage proposals and love letters. I only write to the Duke. Today, I also sent a reply only to the Duke.”

“Yes, I was very happy to receive your reply.”

Anthus’s expression softened, and his red eyes looked at Yuliana with overflowing sweetness.