She felt pathetic. Her parents had begged so desperately, but would she ultimately fail to fulfill their request?

Meanwhile, Jürgen quietly observed Diez. Regardless of what she might be thinking, to his eyes, she clearly looked like a frightened baby bird, completely stiff.

She must know she has no talent for lying.

Why is she telling such an obvious lie?

Should he pressure her until she reveals the truth? If he were dealing with someone else, he would have certainly done so. But the one he was facing was Diez.

Jürgen knew. She was already psychologically cornered. Someone was trying to push her in the wrong direction while her judgment was clouded from experiencing a series of shocking events.

Diez would never try to tell him the truth.

It was because none other than he had completely shattered Diez’s trust.

He couldn’t interrogate Diez, but he also had absolutely no intention of pretending not to notice and letting it slide.

“You want to receive my affection.”

“……Yes.”

“Yet this morning you acted like you hated it.”

“B-Back then, I think I was just too surprised.”

“Huh.”

Jürgen let out a scoff as he stood up. As he rose, he noticed Diez flinch slightly.

He approached Diez. She cautiously looked up at Jürgen while holding her breath.

Bending slightly at the waist to meet her gaze, Jürgen gently lifted her chin. Her deep blue eyes trembled slightly.

Even though he was pretending to be deceived, she showed no sign of relief.

“Then tell me. How far can you accept me?”

Soon, an answer flowed from Diez’s lips.

“Whatever you desire, Duke.”

“What if I said I wanted to take you right here?”

“……”

“Are you confident you won’t cry?”

At that moment, something that could have been resolution or resignation flickered in Diez’s eyes.

“……Yes, Duke.”

Instead of consuming her lips, Jürgen hardened his expression.

It seemed this wasn’t a matter to be taken lightly.

Contrary to Diez’s expectations, Jürgen didn’t lay a hand on her body. He acted as if the conversation they had across the tea table had never happened. She found it difficult to discern whether she should feel relieved or anxious about him still treating her only as a partner.

The evening banquet was held without fail that day too. Perhaps because of the incident the previous day, the nobles appeared more cautious when dealing with Diez.

“Oh my, Miss Schleicher.”

“Are you feeling better? I was so worried about your well-being.”

Diez responded politely with a smile to the ladies who approached her.

“I’m fine. Thanks to the Duke’s care, I was able to recover quickly.”

“The Duke must have been very concerned too. He couldn’t just stand by watching his partner go through such an ordeal. I understand the Duke. Everyone gathered here probably would too.”

The nobles around nodded in agreement, showing their support. None of them were unaware that it was better to side with Duke Klaus than with a mere son of a marquis family.

Hadn’t the royal family already announced they wouldn’t punish the Duke?

The position of the Klaus ducal family was solid. Its authority wouldn’t be scratched by an incident like this.

“Duke, you won’t leave Miss Schleicher alone today, will you?”

“I won’t let the same thing happen twice.”

“That boy who dared to touch Duke Klaus’s woman must have had his liver jump out of his body, I tell you.”

To the words subtly probing his relationship with Diez, Jürgen only responded with a smile.

“Then Miss Schleicher and I will excuse ourselves. Have a pleasant evening.”

Jürgen, who had wrapped one arm around Diez, took her to a quiet corner. But no matter how much she observed, Jürgen still didn’t seem to have any intention of doing anything.

“Um, Duke.”

“What is it?”

“Why aren’t you staying with the people……”

“Being next to them would only be mentally exhausting.”

Is that all?

“But……”

“Stay by my side and return at an appropriate time. Don’t say anything else.”

His voice was cold and stern. It was a clearly different attitude from the morning when he had seemed willing to accept her.

Maybe he’s cutting off his feelings because I said those things.

Then what happens to my parents? If Jürgen ultimately decides to send me away……

She felt like her parents were watching from somewhere. She needed to do something, but her body wouldn’t move easily. It was difficult to pretend something she truly didn’t want was sincere.

Diez had no knowledge of how to appear attractive as a woman to another man. In the end, she just stayed by his side as Jürgen had instructed, then returned to her room.

She felt like crying from anxiety. What should I do? Everything would be decided as soon as the celebration ended. Although there were still a few days left, it seemed obvious that she wouldn’t make any progress at this rate.

She had already promised her parents.

Just imagining failing to keep that promise made her fingertips tremble.

No matter how much she racked her brain trying to understand why the Duke’s attitude had suddenly turned cold, she couldn’t figure it out. As Diez was suffering alone with worries she couldn’t share with anyone, she suddenly looked up in surprise.

Someone was knocking on the door.

Could it be Jürgen? As if mocking the thought that had briefly crossed her mind, an unfamiliar woman’s voice asked from beyond the door.

“Miss Schleicher, may I come in?”

She had received such visits from female staff before. After composing herself briefly, Diez opened the door. As expected, more snacks were placed on the trolley pushed by the staff member.

“Is it him again?”

To Diez’s question, the staff member only showed an awkward smile.

“Since they didn’t specifically identify themselves, I’m afraid I can’t give you a clear answer.”

“I want to know if they sent a note.”

“Ah, I was told that a note was placed under the plate.”

Hearing this, Diez looked down at the plate of fruit. As the staff member had said, she could see a small note tucked underneath.

Instead of letting the staff member in, Diez pulled out the note and checked its contents, then said with a hardened expression.

“I’m sorry, but I won’t be accepting this.”

“What? But……”

“I never wanted this. I would appreciate it if you would just ignore the same order even if it comes again in the future.”

Diez locked the door in front of the confused female staff member. Then she approached the telephone on the table and dialed.

After a short dial tone, a man with a familiar voice answered the phone.

— Hello.

“I’m curious why you keep sending me things.”

— ……Miss Schleicher?

“I appreciate Your Highness’s kindness. But I’d like you to stop now. Are you doing this out of pity for me? Your Highness and I aren’t even close acquaintances. If you send these things as if giving alms, I……”

Diez, who had been pouring out words without even knowing what she was saying, finally shed tears. Everything was a mess. As she sat on the bed, silently swallowing her tears, Leopold asked her once more.

— Miss Schleicher. Please calm down and tell me.

“……Sob.“

— Did something happen?

Getting angry at the prince was clearly a mistake. Especially since he hadn’t done anything wrong.

But Diez had no intention of confiding her troubles to him, and said in a locked voice.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. I seem to have been out of my mind for a moment. Please forget everything I’ve said until now. I beg you.”

— Miss Schleicher. Just a moment……

Diez put down the receiver. She felt like she was trapped in a labyrinth with no escape. The pressure and responsibility weighing down on her made it impossible to distinguish what was right or wrong.

Still, I can’t push my parents back into the abyss.

Diez had shouldered a painful life for five years, all for her family. She couldn’t let all that effort go to waste. Although Diez had already fallen into a dishonorable position, she wanted her parents at least to enjoy a more comfortable life.

Those were years she had endured solely with the knowledge that she had saved her parents. Her only consolation was that she had barely managed to help them escape the whirlpool of misfortune.

I can’t ruin everything now.

Of course, it wasn’t Diez’s fault that the family had incurred enormous debt. There was no reason for her to bear all the responsibility either.

But by the time she realized this fact, it was too late for her to escape.

The call ended before he could continue speaking. Looking down at the receiver that no longer showed any response, Leopold burst into laughter.

It seems her behavior is naturally coming to resemble Jürgen’s.

Of course, the fact that Diez had hung up first couldn’t affect his mood at all. Far from being displeased, it was quite the opposite.

There was only one person who could make Diez Schleicher so emotional.

Something must have definitely happened between them.

Convinced of this, Leopold picked up the receiver he had put down. After dialing, the ringtone continued for a few seconds.

The other party didn’t answer the phone right away. Leopold tapped the armrest of his chair while listening to the ringtone coming from the receiver.

Fortunately, he didn’t keep Leopold waiting too long.

— Yes, who is……”

“I thought you were still outside your room since you weren’t answering the phone.”

— Your Highness! What brings you to……!

The man, who seemed flustered and stumbled over his words, repeatedly apologized.