Chapter 140
“Delay the engagement… what do you mean by that?”
Liena’s expression stiffened at Mikhail’s unexpected suggestion.
“I mean exactly that.”
“If we delay it, for how long? A week? Two weeks?”
“Sorry. I can’t answer that yet. I just want to postpone it for now and think things through carefully afterward.”
“Think things through? About what?”
“I’m really sorry. But I feel like I made such an important decision about our engagement too hastily.”
“So… you don’t love me anymore?”
“How did it come to that? I just want us to get engaged with our parents’ blessings, that’s all.”
Seeing Liena’s sad gaze, Mikhail panicked and tried to comfort her.
“Your mother is opposed, and even your father isn’t entirely pleased.”
“But His Majesty the Emperor doesn’t seem to mind.”
“That’s only because he wants a huge dowry from your family. Didn’t he even discuss it with the Duke recently?”
Mikhail hesitated for a moment, then asked carefully.
“Liena, are you okay with this? The dowry Cassius will offer must be enormous.”
He recalled what Idel had said in the greenhouse—that Liena hadn’t sacrificed anything for him.
Mikhail couldn’t refute that sincerely.
Even he couldn’t think of anything that could really be considered a sacrifice from Liena.
‘But… but…’
If Liena could just say now that the dowry didn’t matter, that she didn’t care about her family because she wanted to be with him…
Mikhail could wholeheartedly persuade his mother to allow the engagement.
He could completely erase the lingering doubts he had about Liena.
After all, they had been lovers for over ten years, having met long ago and grown their love together.
“Really? Is that all it was?”
A second that felt like a year to Mikhail passed before Liena finally spoke.
“What? I was wondering why you suddenly act like this. Of course I’m fine with it!”
At her simple reassurance, Mikhail was flooded with joy. Liena, as always…
“Don’t worry! Once the Emperor likes me, the dowry will be easily recovered!”
“…What?”
“You’re so cute and thoughtful, worrying about my wealth too.”
Liena chuckled, wagging her finger playfully.
“But you don’t need to worry! Just watch—I’ll charm the Emperor and make sure we get a generous share.”
Her words didn’t stop there.
“I, Liena Cassius, never make a deal where I lose out.”
“A deal…?”
A dizzying shock ran through Mikhail.
It sounded like, to Liena, their engagement was nothing more than a business transaction.
“Huh? What’s wrong? Your face doesn’t look well.”
Liena looked up at him with her innocent, unaware expression.
Considering the circumstances, it wasn’t surprising that she had misunderstood the intent behind Mikhail’s question.
Before speaking with Idel, all he felt regarding the dowry was guilt.
In the past, he might have thought Liena’s calculating ways were just clever and cute.
But not anymore. He could never go back to that innocent, unquestioning state. Never.
“How….”
Mikhail went on, voicing other doubts that had been troubling him.
“How can you be so sure? That Father will like you.”
“Oh, really! I told you, sincerity always wins. He’ll definitely like me, so don’t worry.”
Liena spoke confidently, her face as sweet as he had always loved.
At that moment, the gap that had been swelling in his chest grew even larger.
“So now that your worries are settled, we’ll go ahead with the engagement?”
“No, I think it’s better to postpone it indefinitely.”
“What? Why now? What’s the problem this time?”
“Mother would be sad. I’m sorry.”
Unable to fully express her feelings, Mikhail only left a brief apology and tried to move away.
“Wait! If we postpone, what happens to us?”
Liena grabbed his arm as he tried to pass her.
“There’s less than a week until the engagement! The venue is booked, and the invitations have already been sent.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You’re the one who announced the engagement on your own! And now you say we should cancel?”
“I’m sorry. I really have no excuse for that.”
“That’s unfair! Why are you being so selfish?”
“…I could accept it if you acted selfishly, but apparently, you can’t.”
A trace of self-deprecation flickered in Mikhail’s eyes.
“I think it’s better if we take some time to think.”
“Time…?”
“Take a moment to consider if you’re truly okay promising eternity to such a selfish man.”
“Mikhail!”
“I have some business, so I’ll be away from the palace for a while. We’ll see each other later.”
“Wait, Mikhail!”
Despite Liena’s desperate calls, Mikhail didn’t look back.
He had, in fact, postponed their engagement.
Mikhail’s icy attitude—unlike anything Liena had ever seen—made her regret her own words and actions.
She hadn’t even intended to call him selfish, but recent stressful matters had left her nerves frayed.
“Idel Luciviu is nothing but a shameless trader, really. Selling top-grade mana stones for dirt cheap to disrupt the market.”
Cardinal Morton, who had been negotiating with Liena on behalf of the temple, spoke haughtily.
He had immediately rejected Liena’s proposal to lower the price of mana stones, arguing that holy representatives couldn’t engage in mundane price competition.
“So, they’re fine, right?”
Liena gritted her teeth.
The temple, which had monopolized top-tier mana stones for profit, clearly thought it better to wait for Idel’s discounted period to end than to lower their own prices.
But the Baby Rabbit Guild had to buy stones at high prices due to the contract, and Liena’s frustration boiled over.
To compete with other guilds that bought Idel’s cheaper stones, the Baby Rabbit Guild had to lower artifact prices, resulting in daily losses despite constant sales.
And now a new guild, the Matima Guild, had emerged, adding to Liena’s irritation.
Founded by former Iver Guild employees, they sold some of Kaise’s inventions that had ended their contract with Liena.
“Kaise… and the only one to side with him is Cecile Iver?”
When had the two become so close?
Of course, in the past, Iver Guild had handled Kaise’s inventions, so Cecile had ample opportunity to communicate with him.
But the relationship had always been centered around Liena. For them to secretly grow closer…
Liena’s sense of betrayal deepened.
“Enough! I’m not doing it!”
Muttering to herself, Liena, who had been scribbling a letter, finally threw down her pen.
The ink from the broken pen spilled, staining the carpet black.
“Liena, what’s wrong?”
Isaac, working in the study, approached her.
“Uncle! I… I’m so exhausted. There’s already so much to worry about, and now Mikhail is causing trouble too.”
“Don’t feel like writing the letter?”
Liena had been drafting a long letter to apologize to Mikhail.
“I don’t know why I should apologize. My words were harsh, but Mikhail was the one at fault first.”
The news of their postponed engagement had caused a stir in high society.
From rumors that the Emperor and Empress were strongly opposed to speculation that their relationship was unstable.
At first, Liena had intended to humble herself before Mikhail, but every story she heard eroded her willingness to apologize.
Moreover, Mikhail had not replied to a letter she sent three days ago, and he refused to see her when she tried to visit.
“Oh, my dear niece… that’s unfortunate.”
Isaac gently smoothed Liena’s hair as she buried her face in the desk.
This small kindness helped her calm her mind.
Having a caring uncle nearby in such times was more comforting than she could express.
He had taken charge of the Baby Rabbit Guild while Liena, distracted by recent troubles with Mikhail, couldn’t focus.
“…I guess family is the only one I can trust.”
Other relatives who had arrived in the capital also wholeheartedly invested large sums into the guild.
“Uncle, I should go back home.”
Liena slowly got to her feet.
With the engagement postponed and Mikhail absent, there was no reason to remain at the palace.
She decided it was better to return to Cassius and take back control of her father and two brothers’ hearts.
Liena packed her things and headed for the Cassius townhouse.
“Ah, Miss!”
“You’re back!”
Her sudden arrival surprised the staff, who rushed out.
Some were unfamiliar faces, but Liena, glad to be home, didn’t mind and assumed they were newly hired.
“Yes, I’m staying home now. Where’s Father?”
“A guest has arrived, so he’s in the reception room.”
“I must go greet him immediately.”
The fact that a guest had arrived didn’t stop Liena.
Her return would bring the Duke great joy.
“Father! I’m home…”
But when she entered the reception room, Liena froze.
“Hello, Liena.”
Idel greeted her with a bright smile.
“Liena.”
Across from Idel, the Duke stared at Liena with a meaningful gaze.
Finally, his gaze shifted to the seat beside Idel.
There sat a familiar yet unfamiliar person.
“Teacher Angela….”
Liena called the name hollowly.
