Chapter 15. The Mask of Johannes Beliar (2)
Original Korean Publication Date: 2024.05.15
“Bianca!”
Countess Dyke shouted fiercely. Bianca, who had been casually linking arms with her, flinched and stepped aside in surprise.
“Why are you suddenly yelling like that?”
“Why are you being so selfish and unruly today? Did I raise you like this?”
“Why are you saying that all of a sudden…”
“There’s nothing more to say. Go upstairs and get some sleep. Stop getting on my nerves.”
Bianca pouted in dissatisfaction but didn’t argue further and climbed the stairs.
Letting out a deep sigh, Countess Dyke returned to her room to calm herself down.
She kept telling herself it would be fine, as if hypnotizing herself. But her heart continued to pound violently without showing any sign of calming down.
About 30 minutes later, the head maid cautiously entered.
“My lady.”
“What is it?”
“Lord Beliar has asked to see you. I suggested he wait until morning since it’s quite late, but he insisted that it must be now…”
“Where is Lord Beliar now?”
“I’ve led him to the parlor for the time being.”
“Alright. Prepare some tea and make sure not even an ant dares to approach the parlor. I’ll serve the tea myself, so once you bring it in, return to your room. Understood?”
Though she looked a bit puzzled, the head maid bowed obediently.
“Yes, my lady.”
Countess Dyke watched her leave, then steadied her breathing once more and exited her room.
Countess Dyke sat across from Johannes Beliar, who silently sipped his tea. He looked just as elegant and angelic as people always said.
But the countess knew how black-hearted he truly was.
It had been Johannes who first approached her with an absurd proposal.
“I hear things aren’t going so well between you and the Count these days.”
A few months ago, he had said that with a perfectly innocent smile.
The Countess, who had secretly been looking forward to meeting Johannes, was taken aback by the unexpected subject.
“Um… Lord Beliar, why have you called me here?”
“I already asked, haven’t I? About your relationship with the Count.”
She didn’t know how he found out, but it was true — the relationship between Count and Countess Dyke had been strained for the past six months.
The Count constantly criticized her for her extravagance, and she retorted, saying his neglect of the family forced her to spend.
The situation escalated when the Count discovered she had incurred a large debt.
He told her to resolve it herself — that since she had done it behind his back, he bore no responsibility to repay it.
In truth, the Count had used this as a last resort, hoping she’d realize her mistake and reform. If she showed remorse, he planned to repay the debt in the family’s name.
But instead of repenting, she shamelessly continued her lavish lifestyle. The Count, disgusted by her attitude, finally gave up.
The Countess lamented the fact that she couldn’t freely use the family’s wealth. She believed once her son Aaron Dyke inherited the title, they wouldn’t struggle financially anymore.
Still, these matters were private — within the family. And she had enough sense not to speak of them to outsiders.
“I don’t know why you’d ask about something so personal, Lord Beliar, but no — the Count and I are still on good terms.”
“Strange. That’s not what I’ve heard.”
“…Pardon?”
“I heard you’ve incurred a significant debt without the Count’s knowledge.”
“…!”
“And that it’s caused deep conflict between you and him.”
“H-How do you know about that…?”
Johannes offered a kind smile to the flustered countess.
“It doesn’t matter how I know. What does matter is why I’ve brought it up.”
“…”
“I’m here to help you.”
“…Help me? How?”
“I’ll pay your debt and help you gain control over the Dyke family’s finances.”
“…!”
The Countess hesitated. She had no real connection to Johannes Beliar. They had only exchanged greetings a few times at parties in the capital — never shared a private conversation, never danced.
The same was true for her daughter Bianca.
There was absolutely no link between the Dyke family and the Beliar Marquisate.
So why was Johannes making such an offer out of nowhere?
Even if he wanted ties to the Dyke family, there was no realistic benefit to House Beliar.
Could it be…?
She had one suspicion. What else would a man of marriageable age be interested in? Johannes had no fiancée or known lover.
Could he be interested in Bianca?
It was certainly possible. Bianca was, by all standards, a striking beauty who drew many men’s attention.
If that’s the case, then I’ve landed a big fish.
Johannes was the heir to the Beliar Marquisate and had an outstanding public image as a refined gentleman. Suitors were surely flooding his family even now.
The Countess asked in an eager tone.
“That’s quite a generous offer. May I ask why you’re doing this? As you know, there’s hardly any connection between our families.”
She pressed further, watching him smile mysteriously.
“Could it be that you’re interested in my daughter…?”
“Yes.”
When Johannes affirmed it without hesitation, she nearly squealed in delight. But his next words sent her mood plummeting.
“I’m interested in Lady Riena Dyke.”
“…Riena?”
“Yes. Is that a problem? She is your daughter too, isn’t she?”
“Y-Yes, Riena is my daughter… I do care for her, of course…”
Johannes gave a short laugh, clearly amused by her disappointed face.
“So, will you accept my proposal?”
The Countess, now no longer blinded by her earlier excitement, assessed the holes in his offer with a cooler head.
“Before that, I want to ask something. In exchange for paying my debt, what do you want? And how will you help me gain control over the Dyke finances?”
“Are you sure you can handle the answer if I tell you?”
“Excuse me?”
“Once you know, you’ll be in the same boat as me.”
He grinned, lazily crossing his legs.
She felt a chill. Whatever he wanted from her, she sensed it would be more than she could handle.
Still, she was too scared to walk away. Just recently, her creditors had begun threatening her — even using her beloved children as leverage.
Her very life was now in danger. Perhaps it would be safer to side with Johannes.
“Then promise me just one thing. My children and I — the three of us — will be safe. Please guarantee our lives.”
“So the Count and Lady Riena aren’t part of your family, I see.”
“…”
“Very well. I’ll honor that.”
“Then tell me.”
Seeing the Countess’s resolute face, Johannes let out a delighted laugh.
The sound was clear and refreshing, like water flowing through a summer valley — so at odds with the gravity of the moment.
“I’m going to ensure your son, Aaron Dyke, inherits the title. Within three months.”
“But my husband is still alive — how could…”
Johannes didn’t answer. He merely smiled. A chill ran down her spine.
“Surely not…”
“Shh. There are ears listening.”
“But how could you…!”
“I don’t believe you’ll turn down my offer.”
“…”
The Countess hesitated.
It had never been a marriage of love. The Count had needed a wife to care for his daughter, Riena, who lost her mother young. The Countess, widowed and without support, needed a place to stay with her own daughter.
The Count, who had adored his late wife, never gave affection to his new bride. He treated her with courtesy, but without love.
And she, once moved by his kindness, had long since given up hope — replaced now by only bitterness and resentment.
Wow. What a reveal