CHAPTER 81……………………
I got into the carriage after leaving the ducal estate, my head spinning from the barrage of revelations, and opened the window.
A cool autumn breeze, sweeping away the last traces of summer warmth, flowed in.
Breathing in the wind, I felt a little clearer.
So it wasn’t the old man who blocked my succession, but Father… and now he’s asking if I want to become the heir of the Dinero family?
Was that even a question?
At that moment, I almost blurted out, “Of course! Should I start calling you Grandfather now?” but barely managed to restrain myself.
I’d vaguely suspected for a long time that the old man had marked me as a successor candidate.
The signs were obvious—like how he, who despised charity work above all, had saddled me with all those luxurious tutors at the ducal estate. Only an idiot would have missed the hint.
So much for my motto ‘contentment in poverty’—from now on, it’s luxury and indulgence.
The Duke of Penelope, suspected of murdering Count and Countess Jacqueline, had also tried to kill the Duke of Dinero.
In other words, someone like me could be crushed like a minnow.
I’d been far too complacent.
It wasn’t the time to treat the Jacquelines’ deaths like someone else’s business.
And in the middle of all this, this proposal of succession was nothing short of a lifeline for me.
Then why hadn’t I immediately said yes?
“Eheheh… who knew I’d see a day like this.”
At the very least, I had to pretend to deliberate—otherwise, that old man wouldn’t feel the proper sense of urgency.
This was what they call a reversal of power.
When I recalled the past three years of torment under his usurious interest rates, I could still jolt awake in the middle of the night.
Smiling wickedly, I savored the joy.
Hm?
When we arrived at the mansion and I stepped down from the carriage, I noticed an unfamiliar carriage parked in front.
“What’s this carriage?”
Had we ever owned such a splendid one?
On its glossy black body was an engraved golden crest, bearing a white wolf.
It was a coat of arms I’d never seen before.
Judging by the quality alone, it’s clearly the kind of carriage a wealthy noble would own.
I glanced at the carriage I had just ridden in.
The shabby vehicle I’d switched to while paying off thirty million gold in debt looked like scrap metal in comparison.
Parked beside this masterpiece, it might as well have been a heap of junk.
As I stared at the carriage in envy, its door suddenly swung open.
“Huh—?”
So someone was inside. Which meant they must have seen me gawking like a fool.
Embarrassment rushed in, making my face flush hot.
And then, someone stepped toward me.
Step. Step.
“It’s been a while.”
The moment those low words landed above my head, I froze.
That voice… I’ve heard it before.
I reflexively lifted my head to confirm—and froze again.
The man, with the setting sun at his back, exuded an oddly wild aura.
A high-bridged nose, sharp jawline, lips sealed in elegance.
He was so breathtakingly handsome, like a figure out of a painting, that I felt my breath catch.
“…Professor.”
He gave a soft “ah” of recognition, then smiled slowly.
His green eyes curved beautifully.
“Not a professor anymore, am I?”
It was Lennox.
Clink.
The quiet parlor was filled with the sound of teacups being set down on the table.
Lisa, her face full of interest, poured tea.
“If you’re done pouring, could you leave us?”
“…Hmph.”
Pouting as if disappointed, Lisa left the parlor.
Was Lisa also a fan of Lennox?
Lately in the capital, Lennox’s popularity had soared to unimaginable heights.
I glanced briefly at Lisa’s regretful retreat, then turned to Lennox, seated across from me.
With one leg crossed, he exuded both elegance and arrogance.
Mm, I can see why he has so many fans.
He wasn’t just the flawless hero who had ended a nearly decade-long war in victory—he was also devastatingly handsome.
I could say with certainty there wasn’t a soul in the capital who disliked him.
Still, to me, his now-grown-up appearance—stripped of the boyishness I once knew—felt strangely unfamiliar.
But why has he come here?
Could it be… he remembered?
The thought alone chilled me. My mouth went dry, and I tried to wet it with tea. But the hot liquid did nothing for the thirst.
“Have you been well?”
Startled, I snapped out of my thoughts and focused on his words.
“Uh, yeah— I mean, yes. And you, Marquis…?”
Only belatedly did I recall the title he had recently risen to, fumbling to adjust my speech. Years of old habits weren’t easy to shed.
Not to mention, his sudden visit had caught me off guard.
At my awkward reply, Lennox gave a soft laugh.
“Please, speak comfortably.”
“…Alright. And you?”
He smiled faintly.
“I’ve been well, thanks to you.”
Thanks to me?
He must have said it without meaning anything in particular, but it carried a strange weight.
“If you’re here to see Melin, you may need to wait a bit—she’s out. She’ll probably return soon.”
I was eager to escape the awkwardness of this atmosphere.
“No, I don’t have business with her.”
His answer was so flat and direct, it almost stung. I forced an awkward smile.
“Then… what brings you here?”
I spoke aloud as if to myself, gaze drifting to nowhere.
“You came without any notice…”
“I thought we both had things to say.”
“…What? I—I don’t.”
Flustered, I looked straight at him.
His green eyes, locked on me, didn’t waver in the slightest.
As if he were certain that I did have something to say.
Could it be… he really remembers?
My heart pounded.
If he was here to confront me for deceiving him, what on earth could I say?
All that came to mind were pathetic excuses.
“Lies.”
He smiled languidly—sensually, almost cruelly.
His words made me involuntarily draw a breath.
No way—had he truly remembered?
“Didn’t you look at me back then, with so much left unsaid?”
“…Back then?”
I couldn’t tell what moment he was referring to.
Had we even met before today?
I fumbled through my memories.
Wait.
When I returned to the capital—had it not been a mistake, thinking he’d seen me? Was it real?
So he didn’t come because he remembered… just because of a look we shared?
The thought was absurd, but the tension drained from me.
Finally, I could meet his eyes properly.
Now I noticed the ring on his hand—something I hadn’t been able to make out during the march.
The ring was frayed, worn to the point of losing its shape, as if it could break at any moment.
“That’s… the ring I gave you?”
At my words, Lennox looked down at it.
“Yes.”
Magical artifacts lose durability as they’re used.
Judging by its battered form, the ring’s power had clearly been spent.
“…Surprised it hasn’t broken yet.”
“Thanks to it, I survived.”
I had no reply.
My head spun.
That meant he had faced a moment so dangerous that only that artifact had saved his life.
But why… why did he cut off our sponsorship contract and disappear into such danger?
Even now, I couldn’t understand.
A thousand questions crowded my mouth, but they all felt intrusive now. I stayed silent.
After all, I was no longer his sponsor. I had no right to pry.
“You should probably throw it away. It’s too worn out.”
But what came out of my mouth was the opposite of what I felt.
“I don’t discard what’s mine so easily.”
His gaze darkened as he looked at the ring. The quiet force in his words made me sip my tea instead of replying.
“A week from now—the banquet. Will you be going?”
“…I suppose so.”
The sudden question caught me off guard.
I had been leaning toward attending, but hadn’t thought deeply about it yet.
He studied me for a moment, then asked:
“Who will you be going with?”
“…I’m still deciding.”
With everything about the old man, I hadn’t thought much about it.
Who should I really go with?
Just then, Alfeo’s words resurfaced in my mind:
“If you don’t have a partner, I’ll go with you. It’s your first debutante, after all.”
Though grateful, I hadn’t wanted to go with him.
Having known Alfeo for years, I knew he wasn’t the type to act kindly without reason. His motives were usually curiosity or amusement—both of which often drove me crazy.
And two people already out of favor with the Imperial family, appearing together as partners?
The thought alone gives me a headache.
It was obvious such a pairing would harm us both.
At my reply, Lennox’s eyes curved like crescent moons.
“Good. That means I still have a chance.”
