Chapter 72
Dyke’s Attack (1)
Unlike his other wounds, this one hadn’t healed even though nearly a month had passed. In the first place, he had never actually been stabbed with a dagger in his current body, so the existence of this scar itself was strange.
Kasel felt as though this bizarre wound was trying to warn him.
There would be no second chance. This time, he must properly protect Liena.
Every morning, he looked at his scarred body in the mirror and reaffirmed his vow.
“I will accomplish this, no matter what.”
Even if he couldn’t win Liena’s love, he wanted to ensure she could be happy this time.
Although he couldn’t save his master, Count Dyke, due to the timing, it was at least fortunate that he could save Noah.
And this time, he would uncover the truth behind his master’s death and finally lay his soul to rest.
But in truth, Kasel was simply happy to have met Liena again. Even spending time with her without any worries brought him joy.
Recently, he had even received a positive response from her. Thanks to that, he felt happier than ever. He had never experienced such overwhelming emotions in his life.
Yet today, Liena’s words were completely unexpected. The moment he heard her talk about her dream, Kasel felt as if he had fallen from heaven into hell in an instant.
Why did this have to happen…
“Please… no more…”
Kasel muttered in a pitiful voice.
“Please, help Ria forget that horrible event.”
There was a time when he firmly believed that God did not exist, thinking that if God did, He wouldn’t be so cruel to him.
But now, all Kasel could do was sincerely beg the God he had never believed in.
Normally, Liena and Kasel should have been heading north by now.
However, since they had stayed late attending the banquet and Kasel judged it better to remain in the capital to investigate the circumstances surrounding Count Dyke’s death, they decided to spend the winter in the capital.
After attending the banquet, Liena’s daily life changed slightly. She began receiving many letters and invitations.
Letters came not only from friends she was acquainted with, including Helen Setin, but also from people she had never spoken to before.
Today, seeing Amy carry in a huge stack of letters, Liena widened her eyes.
“That’s a lot.”
“Right? The butler and I sorted through them once before bringing them here.”
Amy dumped the letters onto the table as she replied.
“Sorted?”
“Uh… well…”
Amy avoided Liena’s gaze.
“We filtered out letters with impure intentions.”
“Impure intentions?”
“Not everyone writing to you is a noble lady or a noble wife.”
Liena understood immediately. Some men had sent letters with personal, selfish motives even though she already had a fiancé.
Men wouldn’t write letters to a woman they intended to share a future with just to discuss business. These letters must have contained nothing but “impure intentions.”
“So what did you do with those letters?”
“The butler delivered them to the Duke.”
“And then?”
Amy shrugged.
“He probably used them as kindling for the fireplace. It would be tedious to tear them up one by one.”
“I see.”
Liena imagined Kasel expressionless, tossing letters into the fireplace. It seemed rather amusing.
Later, while Liena diligently sorted through many letters with Amy’s help, the butler arrived with a slightly stern expression.
“Miss.”
“What is it?”
“You have a visitor.”
“Is it Countess Donovan or Raul Berna?”
“No.”
“Then Mrs. Setin?”
“No, it’s not either….”
The butler hesitated. He did not know exactly who it was, but it was clearly not a welcome guest.
“Then…”
Liena was about to ask again when a familiar voice came from the terrace beyond the open door.
“No, I came to see my daughter, so why are you stopping me? Do you think you’re the Duke just because you work here?”
A voice she never wanted to hear again. The voice of Countess Dyke.
“Mother’s here?”
The butler finally answered.
“Yes. Countess Dyke and her daughter, Lady Bianca Winter, have come. They said they must meet you, but I cannot let them in on my own, so I came to ask your wish first.”
“They came by carriage instead of using a magical portal. Coming only now… it must not have been easy. That perseverance is admirable.”
Magical portals were expensive, and it was unlikely that the Dyke family, presumed to be struggling financially, would have used one.
When Liena remained silent, the butler asked again,
“Shall I send them back?”
“Hmm…”
Liena rubbed her temples in thought. She wanted to drive them out immediately without even seeing their faces.
‘But even if I send them back today, Mother and Bianca won’t give up. They’ll come back again and again.’
Moreover, the mansion had many observers. The two would not leave quietly, and no matter how much she tried to control it, word might leak out.
She didn’t care if only her own honor was tarnished. But now, engaged to Kasel, her honor was his honor as well. She couldn’t let them soil his name.
Better to ask why they came and firmly refuse, then send them off with a clear message that they would never meet again.
“Please, show them to the parlor. I’ll just fix my clothes and come down.”
“Understood.”
Liena stayed seated, and after about twenty minutes, she slowly left her room. Amy, following as usual, asked,
“Miss, are you really okay?”
“What could possibly be wrong? They’re still my mother and sister. They wouldn’t harm me, would they?”
“Still… maybe you could ask them to return when the Duke is here?”
“Amy, some flaws are never to be revealed to others.”
Her mother and Bianca were that flaw.
Liena swallowed her words, but Amy seemed to understand.
When they reached the parlor, Liena asked Amy,
“Please, have everyone around step aside. I don’t want anyone else listening.”
“Understood. But if anything happens, pull the cord! I’ll come running immediately!”
“Thank you. I’ll rely on you.”
Taking a few deep breaths at the door, Liena entered.
Countess Dyke and Bianca, admiring the lavishly arranged refreshments, brightened upon seeing her.
“Oh, Ria, you’re here!”
Liena felt a shiver down her arm. ‘Ria’? Had Countess Dyke ever called her that familiarly? She didn’t recall it happening.
‘Surely they came with an ulterior motive.’
Suppressing a sigh, Liena sat across from them.
“What brings you here?”
Skipping the pleasantries, Bianca bluntly asked.
“Don’t you care to ask how I am?”
“Well, I didn’t think we were the type to exchange greetings.”
“You really…!”
Countess Dyke intervened, scolding Bianca in an uncharacteristic way.
“Bianca, calm down. By the way, why are you here alone? Where’s Duke Winkler?”
“My mother has no reason to see him.”
“And why shouldn’t she? He will soon be my husband…”
“Countess Dyke,” Liena deliberately used the title to draw a line.
“When I left your house that day, I severed ties with the Dyke family. I will soon be Liena Winkler, and I do not wish to be involved with the Dyke family in any way.”
“What do you mean…”
“So do not come here like this again. It seems you need money, but the Winkler family cannot offer financial support.”
“Are you done speaking?”
Bianca jumped up.
“How dare you say that after the way your mother raised you? Who do you think we are? That we came for money?”
“Isn’t that true?”
“Yes, since we’re on the subject, let’s be honest. How can Duke Winkler marry you without giving a dowry?”
Ah, so it was about money after all. Not surprising. Liena just chuckled.
When Liena snickered, Bianca’s eyes narrowed into triangles.
“You seem to be mistaken, Bianca. The Duke already provided a dowry.”
“What do you mean?”
“You said you owed Count Rotman, right? The Duke paid back ten times that debt to Count Rotman. Since he covered a debt that should have been paid by the Dyke family, that essentially counts as a dowry, doesn’t it?”
