Chapter 70

“About Victor, Victor de Valentin. He was the same. Do you remember the day we first met at the hotel in Asilique?”

Richard recalled the days when he traveled to the Asilique Kingdom with Victor. Marian Belvard had approached the two men sitting in the hotel restaurant, and she had sociably joined them for drinks.

“…Ah. Did you sleep together that day?”

“Yes. He was completely drunk and barged into my room. Of course, I let him in right away.”

Marian smiled at the memory of her night with Victor. Richard shook his head at her peculiar tastes and asked,

“So, did you sleep with Lionel too that time? Was the copper mine deal agreed on then?”

“No. I tried to that day, but failed. His Grace pushed me away without hesitation. Instead, we talked endlessly about the mine.”

Richard snorted at Lionel’s behavior. So, even back then, he had already been deeply infatuated with Clarette Sollier.

“You’re quite odd. Even after being rejected, you still did business with the Valentin family.”

“If you’re a businessperson, that’s only natural, Earl. Acting emotionally just leads to loss, doesn’t it?”

Richard was momentarily irked by Marian’s words, but he replied without showing it.

“So you agreed to trade not just the mine, but other things too? You said you were exchanging Valentin Duchy’s timber and goods.”

“That’s right. He needed Asilique pine resin, so we agreed to trade it for timber. It’s a deal that benefits me.”

But Lionel wouldn’t lose out either. According to Richard’s review, that resin was an essential material for the Duchy’s business.

“…I should have given you some advice. You could have sold that resin for a higher price.”

Richard muttered bitterly, and Marian burst out laughing.

“Oh, Earl, why? I’m satisfied with this much profit. Besides, you’re His Grace’s cousin, so how could I trust your advice? Of course, you’d speak in his favor…”

As Marian chattered on, she paused when she saw Richard’s expression. His violet eyes carried a strangely dark light.

Marian, flustered, tilted her head.

“Um, did I… misunderstand something?”

Richard didn’t answer and turned away from her. Marian, watching his back that resembled Victor’s, spoke cautiously.

“Earl Crowley, you’re not actually supporting His Grace, but…”

“Marian Belvard.”

Richard called her name quietly, cutting her off. When Marian paused, he continued in a cold tone.

“It’s just that the resin deal ended up a bit disadvantageous for you. Of course I’m on the Valentin family’s side. Lionel can be headstrong at times, but he basically listens to me. So don’t go making judgments about our affairs. It’s unpleasant.”

His brusque tone made Marian a bit embarrassed. After all, the two men were related, so her speculation seemed unfounded. She awkwardly replied,

“Ah, of course, right? But even if His Grace is headstrong, you don’t need to worry. Duke Valentin is a born businessman. Not just his looks—he’s got that calm attitude and he’s quite smart.”

Recalling the sweet moment right after entering the hotel room with the Duke, Marian sighed in regret. She murmured, disappointed that she hadn’t even managed a proper kiss with him.

“He really is a man who has it all. Even if he’s an illegitimate child, blood from the Duchy is different… Ah!”

Suddenly, Marian screamed as her throat was choked. But her cry didn’t last long enough to summon help.

Richard’s strong hand was covering her mouth completely.

“Hey, Marian.”

Richard, pinning Marian down, pressed her neck mercilessly as he whispered,

“I told you to stop talking, didn’t I? I said it’s unpleasant.”

“Ugh, mmph…”

Marian’s nails scratched Richard’s hand, leaving marks. But he kept choking her, only letting go when she was about to pass out.

Leaving Marian coughing and in tears on the bed, Richard calmly got up and dressed. He ignored her pained groans behind him and left the suite immediately.

‘I can’t stand this.’

Lionel, Lionel, Lionel. All the way out of the hotel, only his cousin’s irritating name echoed in Richard’s mind.

The name of the illegitimate child who had taken everything from the Valentin family.

‘There’s no way Lionel can pay off all that debt. He’s a one-year Duke at best…’

After leaving the hotel and getting into his carriage, Richard was deep in thought all the way back to the Earldom. He was no longer satisfied with just thinking.

If he didn’t act, it meant nothing.

“You’re back, Sir. You’ve returned earlier than expected…”

When Richard entered the mansion, the butler greeted him warmly. But Richard, showing his displeasure, ordered harshly.

“I need to invite a guest. Check the schedule and pick the earliest possible date.”

“Yes, Sir. Whom shall I invite?”

“The best portrait artist in Genoa—Thiago Salto. Summon him.”

As he climbed the stairs, Richard added in a cold voice,

“Tell him it’s about Clarette Sollier. He’ll definitely accept.”

* * *

Summer had come to the Valentin ducal residence, bringing vibrant life.

The flowers in the garden, waiting for the hot sunlight, bloomed early. In the small forest behind the mansion, connected to the garden, sunlit leaves sparkled from time to time.

In these fresh and clear days, Lionel received an unexpected invitation.

“Earl Crowley’s hunting tournament.”

The unusually stylish invitation marked the recipient, Duke Valentin, as a special guest. Of course, as a Duke and cousin to the host Richard, he deserved special treatment.

But Lionel looked at the invitation with a reluctant face. The butler, Oliver, asked anxiously,

“Is something wrong, Sir? Is there anything troubling you?”

“Hm, a hunting tournament. Is it alright if I decline?”

“Excuse me? Are you planning to schedule something else that day?”

“No, not yet. It’s three weeks away.”

“Then it would be best to attend. Earl Crowley is your closest relation, and declining without a clear reason would be a serious offense and cause gossip…”

“Ah, I know, of course. I don’t want to be criticized for that. But…”

Lionel folded the invitation with a grimace and muttered,

“Isn’t this a tournament set up for Richard to win? Isn’t it bad if someone else wins?”

“Not necessarily. When the Earl was younger, winners came from other families. It’s only since he started participating that he’s always won.”

“So, there hasn’t been a Valentin winner for a while.”

“Yes, that’s right. As you know, Victor…”

“Of course. My brother always hated anything to do with blood.”

Lionel recalled Victor’s look of contempt. On the day Lionel beat Richard as a child, Victor had looked at his half-brother’s bloodied hands with utter disgust.

“It’s possible for another family to win… Then maybe a Valentin should win this time?”

Lionel mused seriously, and Oliver asked curiously,

“Why not? Everyone knows your riding and marksmanship are excellent. If you don’t attend, worse rumors may spread.”

“Such as?”

“That you avoided a direct confrontation with Earl Crowley, perhaps.”

In the end, attending was the only choice. Lionel looked down at the invitation with a troubled expression.

“So I have to go. It’s a tournament where either I or Richard must win or lose.”