~Chapter 3~
Aveline was still inside Duke Ribes’ carriage, feeling tense and awkward.
“Coming into my carriage while crying is a pretty fresh strategy. What’s your next plan? Are you trying to seduce me?”
“…What?”
Aveline was so shocked that she forgot to cry. Even though he was incredibly handsome, every time he spoke, he just looked like a good-looking guy talking nonsense.
He really was strange and crazy, just like the rumors.
“No, I wasn’t thinking anything like that.”
“Aha.”
When Aveline denied it, Duke Ribes smiled as if he knew everything. Even then, he looked like a son born from the gods, but to Aveline, it was just annoying.
“Forget seduction, maybe I should just pounce on you instead?”
“Excuse me?”
What kind of person talks like this?
Aveline regretted getting into a random carriage.
‘How can I have such bad luck twice in one day…’
She remembered reading about crazy handsome men like this in novels, but dealing with one in real life was totally different.
‘In the stories, these types of guys always end up being the heroine’s doormat later. But that’s just fiction…’
Aveline was sure she was not the kind of heroine who could endure this.
“Duke, your words are getting worse.”
“Aha.”
He just laughed like he already knew everything.
‘Why is he smiling like that?’
Aveline just wanted to find a chance to get out of the carriage.
“Now that I’ve figured out your strategy, you’re denying it?”
He flashed her a charming smile.
“Sigh…”
Aveline tried to calm herself down.
‘Stay calm. He’s Father’s enemy, the Duke Ribes… Just focus on getting out of this carriage.’
Suddenly, she smelled a sweet scent of soap.
“Ah!”
Duke Ribes’s face suddenly came very close.
‘He looks even better up close…’
No matter how crazy he acted, she had to admit he was one of the three most handsome men in the empire.
He dropped another “bomb” with his words.
“Such a deep sigh! You must be really upset that you couldn’t seduce me.”
“Ah, I can’t take this anymore!”
Without meaning to, Aveline blurted out her true feelings and covered her mouth in shock. Even if he was crazy, he was still the emperor’s nephew. She should have been more careful!
But instead of being angry, the duke’s beautiful blue eyes sparkled.
“Don’t hold back. Now I’m really curious about what you’ll do next.”
“Go ahead and do whatever you want, my lady.”
Aveline had reached her limit.
“You crazy—! Oops!”
She quickly covered her mouth.
Oh no. Even if he’s crazy, no one likes being called that.
The duke’s face turned cold.
“…Crazy?”
He stared at her and spoke slowly. Aveline closed her eyes, thinking,
‘It’s over.’
She was having the worst day ever.
She didn’t want to get involved with another powerful person after the disaster with the baron.
As Aveline took a deep breath and hurried to explain,
“This is interesting.”
“…What?”
Instead of getting angry, the duke leaned his chin on his hand and looked thoughtful.
“I’ve never had anyone curse at me to my face before. This is definitely a new experience.”
“No, that’s not what I meant…”
Why is he taking this so seriously?
He probably thought she was trying to seduce him with insults.
At least he wasn’t mad, so Aveline was secretly relieved.
Then he suddenly asked,
“So, who was it?”
“Huh?”
“Who made you cry?”
He looked serious. Without thinking, Aveline answered,
“Baron Bertha…”
“Ah, Bertha.”
He nodded as if he understood right away.
Even someone as self-centered as the duke knew about Baron Bertha’s bad reputation. That really said something.
“Is he still inside?”
“Probably.”
She had hit him pretty hard, and he was drunk, so he probably wasn’t going anywhere soon.
As soon as Aveline nodded, the duke opened the carriage door and stepped outside. In the sunlight, he looked even taller and more handsome.
People passing by stared at him. Even Aveline, still inside the carriage, could feel their attention. But the duke didn’t care at all.
“Why are you getting out of the carriage?”
“I’m going to take care of him.”
“Me?”
The duke looked at her like she was saying something silly.
“Of course, I mean Baron Bertha.”
“…But why?”
Aveline was surprised. There was no reason for Duke Ribes, leader of the noble faction, to help someone from an imperialist family.
“I’ve never heard anyone curse at me to my face before, so I should repay you.”
“But I called you crazy…”
She even clarified, just in case he didn’t understand.
But the duke’s face just lit up with a bright smile.
“Exactly.”
Why does he look happy to be called crazy?
It was hard to understand how his mind worked.
He looked at her for a moment, then asked,
“Did you actually like the baron?”
“That’s a harsh thing to say.”
He seemed pleased with her answer and smiled brightly.
‘Ah. He’s dazzling.’
Before, he just looked like a handsome troublemaker, but now, under the sunlight, he looked like a lost angel from heaven.
“I just asked because he’s so infamous. Now, please wait here.”
Aveline watched as the duke turned away, but then something struck her as odd.
“Wait here?”
“Where else would you wait?”
He tilted his head like he truly didn’t understand.
Aveline decided it was useless to argue.
“It won’t take long. When I come back, let’s see if you can finish seducing me.”
What?
The duke seemed to enjoy Aveline’s stunned expression, chuckled, and walked into the building.
“What…?”
Aveline was left alone, completely confused.
No one had ever stepped up for her like this before, not even her father or her twin brother, Ares. Ares would never step up unless it made him look good.
“No, get it together.”
Aveline shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts.
No matter how good he looked, Duke Ribes was still a strange and dangerous person.
‘Who repays an insult with a favor? Only revenge would make sense.’
She remembered hearing her father warn Ares that Duke Ribes might one day betray the emperor.
‘Maybe this is my chance.’
If she went home now, her father would definitely be disappointed. She didn’t want to lose his trust so quickly.
She also remembered hearing her father and Ares talking about some important documents from Duke Ribes.
If she couldn’t have a successful meeting with the baron, maybe she could redeem herself by finding those documents.
Nervous, Aveline started searching the carriage.
At that moment, Duke Ribes—whose real name was Theron—had no idea Aveline was searching his carriage. He stood over Baron Bertha, who was lying on the floor.
Theron’s eyes were now cold and emotionless, very different from when he was talking to Aveline.
“Looks like someone already punched you.”
Baron Bertha’s lips were bleeding, but Theron didn’t care. He pressed down on the baron’s wrist with his polished shoe.
“Ugh…!”
Baron Bertha groaned in pain.
“Duke Ribes, what are you doing, suddenly barging in here?!”
Theron crouched down in front of the baron and gave a cold smile.
His face was so beautiful, it seemed out of place in the situation.
Even Baron Bertha, despite his pain, was almost mesmerized by Theron’s looks—at least for a moment.
But then the statue-like face spoke, and reality snapped back in.
