Chapter 53
“What should we do about this?”
As Liet and Evan took their seats at the table in the dining hall, the marquis glanced over the spread and spoke.
“I thought Lady Liet would be coming alone, so only two servings were prepared. If we want another portion, it’ll take some time.”
“That’s fine.”
Despite the subtle jab, Evan smiled as if it didn’t bother him in the least. Seeing that, Liet thought again that Evan was anything but ordinary.
When she glanced around, she saw elaborate floral decorations and scented candles burning sweetly here and there. Anyone could tell what the intent behind this setup was. Liet frowned, stifling the nausea that welled up.
She glanced sideways at Evan.
By now, he must have noticed too. Why the marquis had called her here tonight.
“Well then, I’ll eat gratefully.”
As the dishes were served, Liet picked up her fork and knife.
Since the marquis was the only one who thought tonight was a significant occasion, first-class cuisine was laid out one after another. But facing the wrinkled old dog in front of her, she had no appetite.
She lifted spoonfuls of steaming crab soup slowly, meanwhile scrutinizing the cutlery. She studied the spoon, fork, and knife carefully, but to her eyes they all looked the same.
Hmm…
After a moment’s thought, she lifted her head toward the marquis.
“Marquis.”
“Yes, Lady Liet?”
He answered while wiping the corner of his mouth.
“The tableware here—are they produced at the factory in your territory?”
“That’s correct.”
“I thought so. They seemed far too high quality otherwise.”
Pleased by the compliment, the marquis elaborated:
“The tableware manufactured in Callian lands is all top-grade. Not only do we supply the imperial household, we also export them abroad.”
“How impressive.”
With a hollow exclamation, Liet smoothly slipped in her real question:
“Does the imperial family use silver tableware as well?”
“Yes. Since His Majesty’s safety is paramount, we take extra care when producing goods for the palace.”
In the imperial household, all tableware was silver. Silver could detect poison. Not every toxin, of course, but it reacted to arsenic, discoloring and giving warning.
That made silverware invaluable in the palace.
“Recently, we were researching lighter designs, but Duke Meren misunderstood, and things fell apart.”
How shameless—bringing up her father first, right to her face. Her insides boiled with rage, but the time wasn’t right. If she lost her timing, like her father sometimes did, everything could collapse.
“Still, you’re such a wise daughter, saving your father.”
“…Ahaha.”
“I also heard about your remarkable performance at the noble academy. You’ll graduate top of your class this year, won’t you?”
As he said this, his eyes flicked briefly toward Evan.
“An achievement worth congratulating, but also a pity.”
“A pity?”
“That the top graduate this year is a woman like Lady Liet. Seems there weren’t any decent talents this year.”
As though Liet being first place was only because the men were lacking. The insult couldn’t have been more blatant.
“Marquis.”
Her grip tightened on the knife.
“They aren’t lacking. I’m exceptional.”
She’d endured for so long, but her temper slipped for a moment. Beside her, Evan chuckled out loud.
The marquis faltered at the sudden shift in her demeanor.
“If I spoke wrongly, I apologize, Lady Liet. I only meant it was unfortunate there weren’t more outstanding candidates.”
What nonsense. He meant every word.
Still, she decided to let it go. For now. She forced a smile and replied with a simple yes.
After a silence, the marquis spoke again.
“Sir Evan.”
“Yes.”
For the first time, he addressed Evan directly.
“I hear you’ve received a recommendation to the noble council.”
“Yes, I was fortunate.”
“Duke Kreutt’s reputation is formidable. It must weigh heavily on you as his son.”
“I still have a long way to go before I can catch up to Father.”
Evan replied with a polite smile. The marquis, however, felt his irritation rise.
This brat.
His composure was unbearable. He must sense he was being looked down on here, yet he refused to budge.
The marquis knew plenty about Evan Kreutt. The son of the famous duke, yes—but also a young man of striking looks, formidable swordsmanship, and a brilliant mind.
Such a man being close with his future wife was hardly pleasant.
Still, there was one thing reassuring.
I heard they weren’t that kind of relationship.
Everyone knew the Meren and Kreutt houses were close. Rumors even whispered the two only children might be married.
But lately, gossip said they fought constantly when together.
And yet, he followed her here… they must be closer than it seems.
Either way, it irked him.
“Why chase after such a great father? He’s not even your real father, after all.”
The marquis smirked slyly, probing. Among nobles, who didn’t know the Kreutt family’s private history?
Ironically, Duke Kreutt’s reputation had only grown after that scandal. But many, like the marquis, still viewed it as a blemish.
“Marquis.”
But the one who answered wasn’t Evan. It was Liet, her expression unusually dark.
“I don’t believe it matters whether one is a true-born child or not. What matters is the heart shared between them.”
Her fiery red eyes burned into him.
“You wouldn’t be harboring such narrow-minded thoughts yourself, would you, Marquis?”
“…Of course not. I was merely curious about how Sir Evan regards his father.”
His attempt to wound Evan had backfired. The pleasant dinner atmosphere he’d hoped for was already in ruins.
He shot Evan a glance.
Everything went awry because that brat came along.
Since the meal was nearly over, better to move on to the main subject before the mood worsened further.
That brazen boy clearly wouldn’t leave, so he’d have to take Liet elsewhere.
Clearing his throat, the marquis turned to her.
“Lady Liet.”
“Yes?”
“As I said earlier, I’d like a bit of private time to speak with you.”
“Very well.”
Having secured her agreement, he smiled greasily and offered his arm.
“Then, let’s go to my room.”
Before leaving, Liet turned back and winked at Evan, as if entrusting something to him. Evan’s face looked stiff.
He’s nervous.
That boy who almost never lost his cool.
At least it was fortunate the villa was so empty. Guards were only stationed outside, and inside she’d seen no more than five maids. Moving about unnoticed shouldn’t be difficult.
The key was how long she could stall.
Steeling her resolve, Liet followed the marquis.
Click.
The door shut, leaving only the two of them in silence.
“This is my chamber. Whenever I feel unwell or dizzy, I rest here.”
It was eerily quiet.
The villa was in the mountains, but this room was quieter still. On the second floor, his was the only room, with no servants ever walking the corridor.
And looking closely—there weren’t even any windows. No breeze, no sounds from outside.
A secret chamber, really?
If a murder happened here, no one would ever know, Liet thought.
“There are quite a few unusual things here.”
Though uneasy, she pretended calm and made conversation. Priceless-looking ornaments and paintings filled the room. Most eye-catching was a large sunflower painting on the wall.
As she moved toward it, the marquis rushed to block her path.
“Lady Liet. I’ll give you a proper tour another time.”
His smile was awkward.
Strange.
His reaction near the painting was unmistakably unnatural.
But before she could press it, he changed the subject.
“Have you thought over my proposal?”
“Oh… you mean marriage?”
“Yes. To wed immediately after your debut.”
In Korea, this would have landed him in prison.
But unfortunately, in this world, early marriages were common, even between people with absurd age gaps. As long as she was nearing adulthood, there was nothing legally wrong with such a proposal.
“Hm…”
She only glanced at him, and the old dog grew restless. She longed to kick him where it hurt.
But if she didn’t find the forged documents here, she’d need an excuse to visit his main estate later. Better not to break things off entirely yet.
She also had to buy Evan time.
Liet reminded herself of the mission.
“I have many thoughts. I wouldn’t mind, but my father’s opposition is so fierce…”
The marquis clicked his tongue.
“Utterly foolish to the very end.”
“…Excuse me?”
Her face hardened.
“Duke Meren. The man never knows his place.”
To insult her father right to her face—Liet’s voice dropped.
“…Your words go too far.”
“You only see the father at home. I see him outside.”
“…”
“All that remains is the title of duke, and still he clings to his pride—”
Thwack!
Liet’s fist smashed into his face before she realized it. She had borne much, but at the insult to her father, she struck without thought.
Well… no going back now.
The marquis clutched his stinging cheek, staring at her.
“L-Lady Liet.”
The seal was broken.
“You should watch what comes out of your mouth.”
Plan B? Forget it.
She’d just tear the place apart herself. Reason had flown far, far away.
“Can you take responsibility for this?”
“You’ll be the one held responsible. How dare you insult House Meren?”
Insulting her father was insulting the entire house.
“Hah.”
The marquis laughed coldly. Then his mask of civility dropped. His savage eyes bore down on her.
“I thought the daughter might be different, but no. Just as stupid—like father, like daughter.”
He slowly stepped closer, closing the distance.
“You should have remembered—here, it’s only you and me.”
Liet slipped her hand into her sleeve, gripping the dagger hidden there.
