CHAPTER 78………………………
Broken Engagement
The marquis leaned back in his chair, his expression stern. He ran a hand over his forehead, trying to hide his discomfort, as if he had never imagined he would be rejected.
“Summer is coming soon.”
The marquis spoke in a voice that seemed to be restraining something, letting out a short sigh.
He seemed to be trying to be discreet, but with a table between them, there was no way the dowager wouldn’t notice his presence.
The dowager, fanning herself, nodded.
“I can’t even imagine how hot it will get this year, or how much rain will fall.”
Indeed, for noblewomen who had to layer dresses over long, cumbersome undergarments, the empire’s summer was always harsh and grueling.
“Now that the war is over, everyone is said to be going south for vacation this summer.”
A fleeting look of discomfort crossed the dowager’s face.
Only God knew the hardships her son had endured during that war.
From the emperor down to commoners, people’s memories of the war’s troubles had already faded.
Her own son was still suffering from insomnia every night, yet everyone else was busy planning their summer retreats.
They had no idea who had made their peaceful daily lives possible.
What made it even more frustrating was that the southern region, popular as a vacation spot, had just recently been at war with the neighboring kingdom.
“They say the south is beautiful. The cuisine influenced by the kingdom is also delicious. Surely there’s a reason the kingdom had its eye on that land all along?”
“Indeed. The duke must have worked hard to protect that land… yes.”
The marquis trailed off, realizing the dowager’s intention too late. Even in empty praise, he clearly didn’t want to flatter the duke.
And yet he still wants to marry my granddaughter…
To rush a marriage while barely hiding disdain for the duke—what could be more ironic?
What made it even more amusing was that her own son felt the same way.
At this point, the dowager began to feel doubt about marrying Hildegart simply because she was Siena’s daughter.
To be honest, one reason the dowager had pushed for this marriage was that there was no one in the current social scene as beautiful, clever, and socially prominent as Hildegart.
But Joseph was unwilling, and the marquis, Hildegart’s actual guardian, was acting as he was.
Could this marriage really be alright as things stood?
“Do you know the port city of Malaga in the south?”
“…….”
The marquis glanced at the dowager, who had hidden her expression behind her fanning.
He had heard she was pleased with Hildegart, but that didn’t seem to be the case. The eyes revealed beneath her lowered lashes were sharp.
Though she had initially seemed positive about this marriage, he felt fortunate she was sitting at the table.
“I have a suitable villa there. There’s a small private pier with a dock and a yacht. I’ve heard the shade of the palm trees along the beach is very cool.”
“I didn’t know the marquis had such romantic tastes.”
The marquis stiffened at her teasing remark, implying he was only interested in money.
In truth, as the dowager had guessed, the villa had come to the marquis unexpectedly; he had no particular interest in real estate outside of commercial properties.
“The previous owner borrowed money and couldn’t repay it, so the bank sold it cheaply. I just happened to buy it. I’ve heard the value has since doubled. Anyway…”
The marquis applied his lips to his anxious mouth and continued.
“If you send Anje, I will give you the villa.”
“Excuse me?”
The dowager’s eyes widened at the marquis’ offer.
Most of all, she was curious why he wanted Anje so badly.
Perhaps she was overthinking, but Anje was pretty, yes, but not of the kind that could enchant someone.
Though the marquis was rumored to be a miser overly concerned with profit, no one had ever called him a womanizer.
So, did he truly intend to use Anje’s abilities, as he claimed? Even so, giving away an entire villa seemed excessive.
The more I want it, the less I’ll give…
Even if she had been inclined to send Anje, the dowager had no intention of doing so.
And even if the marquis suggested swapping Hildegart for Anje…
“Hildegart is my blood. If you think of lending a subordinate in exchange for taking her…”
“No matter how you think about it, that’s impossible.”
“Excuse me?”
At the cheerful refusal, the marquis briefly wondered if he had misheard.
“Madam, perhaps my ears are failing me.”
Anje was only a secretary to him, whatever meaning she held. Her social status was also uncertain.
Through investigation, the marquis had learned that the Beaufort baronial family, which Anje was said to belong to, did not actually exist.
Still, he could not discover who Anje’s parents were.
Even so, black hair and eyes are not that common.
He had once despised his own black hair and eyes as marks of low birth, but having risen to a coveted position, he realized the empire’s lighter hair and eyes were nothing special.
Just look at Hildegart.
Her blonde hair and violet eyes, reminiscent of his wife’s youth, had raised his hopes. He had wished for her to be a special child to match her beauty.
But all that remained now was disappointment.
Though she had excelled at the academy, it had been nearly impossible without the help of students employed at the academy by the marquis, who assisted in anticipating test questions and writing papers.
And what of her dazzling debut as a debutante?
The marquis had spared no expense for Hildegart to become a symbol of the academy and the marquisate: dresses made of silk imported from distant lands, fans made of exotic bird feathers, shoes and jewelry decorated with crystals—gifts too precious to enumerate—all for merely having the most “imperial” appearance.
Meanwhile, the child who might truly be his granddaughter was struggling elsewhere.
Certainly, it wasn’t entirely his fault, but now he wanted to set things right.
I’ll use Hildegart to extract internal secrets and business intelligence from the duke’s family, and leave Anje my remaining wealth.
Though Hildegart’s dowry was not insignificant, it was negligible compared to the marquis’ fortune.
Finally, the plan was perfect. If only he could bring Anje…
“We’re not sending Anje anywhere.”
A deep frown appeared on the marquis’ forehead. The atmosphere turned tense instantly.
“You’d better reconsider what you just said, madam. I won’t plead twice.”
“Oh my!”
The dowager opened her eyes wide and smiled innocently.
Though still beautiful, her rounded eyes and slightly open mouth revealed a mischievous expression.
“Scary, isn’t it, Your Excellency? But you must first recall who I am and where you are. Saide doesn’t need to say more. I’ve paid some attention, indeed.”
Her gaze shifted to the dowry list.
“We won’t be swayed by so little.”
With that, the dowager held the list at eye level and slowly tore it apart.
“You’ve underestimated us.”
The marquis looked on in shock as his ambitious plans were shredded before him.
He had thought that amount of money would suffice.
“People are not objects to be bought or sold. Marquis. We won’t sell Anje, and we won’t buy Hildegart.”
