CHAPTER 45…………………………………..
Isaac Elverin usually maintained a pleasant smile. He behaved differently at home, but at least outwardly, that was the case.
The reason he had cast aside that ever-present mask now was because all his plans had fallen apart.
Ellie had trembled in front of the imperial grandson.
And worse, the moment he tried to raise his hand against her in anger had been witnessed by the Duke of Valerio and the Crown Prince.
“Why did you have to break down crying there?!”
“Eek!”
Isaac grabbed his daughter by the shoulders as she stared fearfully at the shards of the broken vase. He ground the scattered roses beneath his feet, seething.
“If you had just smiled nicely, that would’ve been enough. But you couldn’t even do that one thing and caused all this trouble?!”
“F-Father…”
“You must marry the imperial grandson! Why do you think I’ve fed you, clothed you, and raised you all this time?!”
She was only four years old.
Isaac’s daughter was just four, and even the imperial grandson—who was older than her—was only seven.
Yet Isaac was desperate to tie them together.
“The Emperor wants to arrange an engagement for his grandson. We have to seize this chance before that old fox changes his mind!”
The House of Valerio, the Emperor’s closest allies, stood firmly at his side.
Because of that, the Elverin family had never been able to taste real power.
In terms of lineage, they were no less than Valerio, yet they were constantly held back.
At a recent council meeting, Isaac had even failed to increase taxes in his territory because of the Duke of Valerio’s opposition.
The duke had cited fairness and price stability—plausible reasons.
But Isaac knew the truth: it was to crush Elverin’s rise before it could begin.
The reason the Elverin family had remained marquises for generations was because Valerio stood in their way.
To surpass them, they had to join hands with the imperial family.
That was why Isaac had been constantly searching for a chance to infiltrate the imperial court.
But the imperial family never gave him an opening.
Just as Isaac was growing weary—
He learned that the Emperor was looking for a match for his grandson.
And by chance, the imperial grandson was close in age to his daughter.
It was the perfect opportunity.
Isaac immediately took his daughter to the imperial palace and arranged a tea meeting with the Crown Prince and the imperial grandson.
It had been hard enough to persuade the Crown Prince, who clearly disliked him.
And yet—
His foolish daughter couldn’t even properly lift a teacup, trembling so badly that she spilled tea all over her dress.
Seeing that had made Isaac’s blood boil.
Unable to bear it, he had muttered a few harsh words when the Crown Prince and grandson weren’t looking—
And she had run off.
When he finally found her, she was chatting and laughing with none other than Valerio’s heir.
It made his insides burn with rage.
“The one you’re supposed to charm is the imperial grandson, not someone from Valerio! How many times have I told you?!”
“I-I’m sorry!”
Ellie frantically begged for forgiveness as her father shook her. She rubbed her small hands together anxiously.
“I’m sorry… I’m sorry…”
“Stop mumbling and speak properly.”
Isaac released her and spoke coldly.
He couldn’t tolerate even the slightest clumsiness in speech from a child who was only four.
Elverin had to be perfect—had to be better than Valerio.
That obsession weighed heavily on him.
“Go back to your room and reflect. You’re forbidden from going out for a month. Don’t even think about leaving your room.”
“Father, I’m sorry! Father!”
Ellie clung to him, her face turning pale, but Isaac coldly shoved her away and gave an order to the servants.
“Take her away.”
“Father!”
Just as the servants were about to drag the small girl away—
“Marquis!”
The door to Isaac’s office burst open, and the butler rushed in, his face pale as he reported something.
“So it’s come.”
Isaac muttered under his breath after hearing the report. He glared sharply at his trembling daughter.
“The internal investigation team has arrived.”
He ground his teeth, then ordered the servants to clean up the broken vase before approaching Ellie.
“Ellie, you must behave properly.”
He grabbed her small chin. Under his fierce gaze, her tiny body trembled.
“The investigators will ask you questions. No matter what they ask—you must say everything is fine. Do you understand?”
“…Yes.”
“I can’t hear you. What?”
“Yes!”
Satisfied with her answer, Isaac let go of her roughly and gestured to the maids.
“Fix her up.”
“Yes, Marquis.”
The maids quickly adjusted Ellie’s appearance.
The ribbon at the end of her hair was neatly retied, and the crumpled lace of her skirt was smoothed out.
In moments, the girl who had just been in disarray was transformed into a proper noble young lady.
As soon as they were done, Isaac extended his hand. When Ellie hesitantly took it, he gave her a gentle smile.
“Behave well. If you do, I’ll reduce your punishment to one week.”
Though Isaac smiled, his eyes were filled with menace.
Ellie had no other choice.
“…Yes, Father.”
She didn’t know what an internal investigation was—but she had to say everything was fine.
Otherwise, she might not be allowed out of her room for over a month.
As she walked toward the reception room holding her father’s hand, Ellie repeated those words over and over in her mind—
Determined to do exactly as he told her this time.
Chester stared sharply at Isaac, who wore a pleasant smile.
It was completely different from how he had acted in the imperial palace’s rose garden.
“I apologize for the lack of proper hospitality, Duke. Had I known you were coming, I would have prepared in advance.”
‘Why is he so relaxed?’
Chester narrowed his eyes at Isaac’s calm demeanor.
Despite the sudden arrival of the investigation team, he showed no surprise—acting as though he were simply hosting ordinary guests.
The only moment Isaac’s expression had changed was when he noticed Chester among the investigators.
Internal investigation teams were usually composed of those affiliated with the imperial family.
As a high-ranking noble, Isaac could manipulate them as he pleased.
That was why Chester had made time, despite his busy schedule, to accompany the team.
“Hospitality doesn’t matter. We’re here to investigate, not to be entertained.”
Chester glanced at the small girl standing beside Isaac.
She stood quietly, as though letting go of her father would mean disaster.
Far too quiet for a child her age.
As Chester’s sharp gaze fell on her, Isaac subtly shifted, blocking the view.
“Is there a problem?”
At Isaac’s question, Chester looked away slightly, though the man’s composure bothered him.
“We arrived without notice, as is protocol. Yet you seem as though you already knew we were coming.”
“That can’t be.”
Isaac replied with a smile, though the corner of his mouth twitched.
Not giving him time to spin further words, Chester spoke again.
“I’d like to speak with your daughter. Would you step aside?”
“Step aside? Are you speaking to me?”
“……”
Instead of answering, Chester simply stared at him.
Under that piercing gaze, Isaac’s lips twisted.
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