Chapter 37
“Life Pawned Away”
Since the Grand Duchy of Lingester had gone through a period of turmoil and returned to normalcy, there had been no wars. A country without war was peaceful, and from that time on, the grand ducal castle was always wide open to its people.
Balls and parties were held often, and unlike the arena where travelers and Borman citizens mingled freely, the grand duchy’s gatherings were attended mostly by the nobles of this land.
If one wanted to enjoy themselves more freely, they would go to the arena.
But Borman citizens—especially those from the capital, Voltier—would seek comfort and unity by coming to the grand ducal castle on days like this.
Irina felt far more comfortable than the first time she had visited the ducal castle.
It was because, from the moment she entered escorted by Howard, she could see Lady Telon smiling brightly in the distance, welcoming her.
She also checked to see if Bevin was here—it had been a while—but she couldn’t spot the familiar pink hair, unsure if she hadn’t come or just hadn’t arrived yet.
“So many people gathered.”
“They do love parties. There are few who dislike merriment.”
“I see. Truly, whether it’s people or countries, money is essential, isn’t it?”
Eating and enjoying life—nothing beats that.
Howard laughed lightly at Irina’s rather honest comment.
She was speaking while securely held by his supportive arm around her waist, when someone poked her from behind.
“Hm?”
She turned quickly and saw Bevin, who had styled her wavy pink hair beautifully, smiling brightly.
“Bevin!”
Bevin blushed and nodded her head vigorously.
“We meet again! Thank goodness, I thought you weren’t coming.”
Her husband, Gerta, stood beside her—Irina had heard he had been scolded quite harshly after the incident at the arena.
“My greetings to Your Graces. Have you been well?”
He bowed properly, but guilt still lingered heavily in his expression.
Even the way he looked at Howard carried guilt and fear.
Howard nodded slightly.
Irina nudged his side before greeting him.
“Good to see you, Sir Gerta. Have you been well?”
“Yes. And I hope the Duchess has been well also. I’m truly grateful for your care at the arena that day.”
“Let’s leave that behind us. No serious harm was done, after all.”
Irina winked at him playfully, and Gerta scratched the back of his head.
The soft music playing changed to something a little livelier.
Some nobles began to sway their shoulders in rhythm as they sipped their wine.
Irina also drank one of the sweet wines and nodded in satisfaction.
She finished her last sip and looked around for a server to get another glass.
A server approached, having noticed her searching.
“Would you like another glass, madam?”
“Thank you. Oh?”
Just as Irina received a fresh glass, it disappeared from her hand.
“That’s already your third.”
Howard had taken it away before she could drink.
He tilted the glass and finished it himself, as if to show her.
“You haven’t been sleeping well.”
“That’s why I was drinking!”
“Surely not. I would rather not watch you suffer another headache tomorrow.”
He set the glass down, scolding her.
He had gotten sweeter lately—but at times like this, he turned into a nag.
Irina pouted.
The music changed again.
This time, it was a perfect piece for dancing with a partner.
Couples eagerly began taking each other’s hands.
Irina found their natural elegance pleasant to watch.
Then a hand extended toward her as well.
“My lady. Will you dance with me?”
It was Howard.
Even though he’d just scolded her…
“Ugh.”
Still, Irina quietly placed her hand into his.
Howard’s hand slipped around her waist, steady and firm.
They began to move slowly to the music.
“Do you remember my debutante ball?”
“I do. You wore a red dress. Dark colors suit you just as well.”
Irina narrowed her eyes.
“You’re complimenting me on purpose, aren’t you? After suddenly showing up like that. Roan was so annoyed that day. After you disappeared again later, he called you a terrible man. Does your shoulder still hurt?”
“No trace remains.”
“Good. Roan really hated you.”
Irina giggled as she recalled the past.
Back then, she was supposed to dance with her friend Roan at her debutante.
He had volunteered to escort her—
if Howard hadn’t appeared out of nowhere that day.
“I swore I wouldn’t speak to you again when I saw you later.”
Spin—
Irina turned half a circle.
“Did he confess to you?”
“Confess? Ah, Roan?”
Irina stepped slightly away from Howard, then moved closer again.
“What do you think?”
Howard shook his head at her teasing tone.
“It doesn’t matter.”
“It doesn’t matter?”
“You’re with me now.”
His arm tightened around her, bending her waist like a bow.
His lips hovered just above her collarbone—then he straightened her again.
“Even though I might get a chance to return to Arendor?”
Irina grew bolder.
To the sound of the cello, she lifted her leg slightly, wrapping lightly around his.
Then—
She slid her leg down slowly, rising off the floor in a small lift before spinning gracefully in his arms.
His grip never wavered—not even a hint of instability.
She wasn’t testing him—
she just liked when he showed his possessiveness, because she had her own.
Maybe… just a little more wouldn’t hurt.
“I’ll stay by your side.”
“What if I go alone?”
Irina stuck her tongue out playfully.
“As if I’d let that happen. Impossible.”
Their faces came dangerously close—too close, like they might kiss.
Irina leaned back, startled, but Howard pulled her back in.
Now they were truly on the edge.
“Not here. I won’t allow it.”
“Ah.”
Heat faded from Howard’s eyes, and he let out a soft, defeated laugh.
His Adam’s apple bobbed, and then he returned to normal as if nothing happened.
Right then, the music ended.
A lighter, faster piece began to play.
“The music’s over.”
Someone approached.
“It seems time flows differently for you, Your Grace.”
A mustached man appeared, brimming with hostility.
His eyebrows were so long Irina thought they might connect with his mustache if they grew any more.
“Marquis Decant.”
“Ha! I’m surprised you acknowledged me at all. Though I can’t say I enjoy it.”
He was clearly here to provoke Howard.
Irina recognized him—
Marquis Decant, the man who most opposed Howard becoming Duke of Lingester.
Had Howard not existed, he would’ve been the most likely successor.
She expected someone younger, but he looked around the same age as the Grand Duke.
Howard subtly moved to shield Irina from him.
“Since this is an official gathering, I’ll do this properly. Marquis Decant.”
The marquis’s mustache twitched like a worm.
“You insolent… flaunting a single title—”
“Your words go too far.”
Irina, who had no intention of speaking before, interrupted.
Who was he calling lowborn?
“Oh? And who might you be—ah. That duchess.”
He spoke before Irina could respond.
“I heard your marriage was rushed for the sake of the title. A lowborn noble from debt, sold off to pay it. Truly, desperate times indeed.”
He sneered.
“And yet you still can’t handle even that, seeing you clinging like this. What do you think, Decant? You, who don’t even have the means to pay your debts?”
Howard countered smoothly.
Marquis Decant sought the ducal—and even grand ducal—title not for honor, but for money.
Everything he touched lost value. And Howard knew he had just made another disastrous investment, one that would soon crumble—though Decant didn’t yet know it.
Howard was about to say more, but Irina glanced toward the entrance and pinched his side.
“Marquis, your words are far too harsh. Calling me a lowborn noble sold off for debt—does the Grand Duchy’s dignity really stand at such a level? I was told Lingester was founded by outsiders, and that from the beginning, it welcomed foreigners. Shouldn’t character matter more than origin? I am from the kingdom of Arendor. As far as I know, Arendor and the Grand Duchy are on good terms—yet your words suggest otherwise.”
This land once had native people—just like Arendor.
Lingester’s history was far shorter, built through cooperation rather than conquest.
“So you ran away from that land, didn’t you?”
“Ran away? No—we chose to come here seeking a new start, even at risk to ourselves. It seems that troubles you, Marquis.”
He scoffed.
“Of course it does. A lowborn stray crawling in here pretending to belong—how could that be pleasant to see?”
“Marquis Decant. Your tongue has always been a problem. Was it truly so hard to restrain it?”
A calm yet sharp voice cut in.
Grand Duke Arensha had arrived.
Decant, so busy sneering, hadn’t even noticed the other nobles bowing to her.
“Y-Your Highness!”
His face turned ashen with panic.
“I did not expect you today.”
“You had hoped I wouldn’t attend, clearly. If I had not, how much further would you have disgraced your house?”
“T-That is…”
Irina had seen her enter earlier and had deliberately provoked Decant further.
“Duchess. Allow me to apologize on his behalf.”
Irina, still linked arm-in-arm with Howard, placed her hand over her heart politely.
“There is no need, Your Highness. It seems the marquis simply considers us inadequate.”
“The inadequate one here is Marquis Decant. Marquis—if you have a tongue, use it. Will you remain here?”
