ATPE 10

Chapter 10

After the Preparations

Meanwhile, in the northern part of the river—

The Ildiboa district, where noble townhouses were gathered.

Among the many magnificent mansions, the most grand of all—

The Admancanon Ducal Estate.

Normally, it was so quiet it felt empty.

But today was different.

Crash—!

A flower vase decorating one side of the Duchess’s bedroom shattered into pieces.

The floor was instantly a mess of flowers, broken porcelain, and water.

A maid rushed in after hearing the noise—

Then quickly went to get cleaning tools.

In the middle of the chaos stood Dalia Admancanon, grinding her teeth.

In her hand—

A crumpled newspaper.

“That wretched thing… even tearing it apart wouldn’t be enough…”

Her anger had nowhere to go—

So she snapped at the maids.

“Do you have eyes or not?! Can’t you see what I’m doing?! Instead of cleaning, help me get ready!”

“S-Sorry, madam!”

The maids rushed to assist her.

Watching them nervously, Dalia calmed down slightly.

“Where is the Duke right now?”

“We heard he was summoned by His Majesty and went to the palace early this morning.”

Dalia closed her eyes.

There was no doubt—

Rascalo had been called because of what happened at the banquet.

He might be getting told to take responsibility and marry.

‘He might even be told to formally propose today.’

Anxious, she began biting her nails.

Her worries were not baseless.

The royal family had always quietly protected the Bahishat family.

Fourteen years ago—

Even when Count Bahishat nearly caused defeat in war—

He wasn’t severely punished.

Even earlier—

A mere knight, Sir Kalos, had been paired with the former queen’s maid.

Dalia knew—

Marrying into a family secretly supported by the king wasn’t a bad choice.

But—

She still could not accept Serenia Bahishat as her daughter-in-law.

It wasn’t because Serenia was the daughter of the man who killed her husband.

The real problem—

Was her background.

Long ago, when the Admancanon family was still a count family—

A noble lady named Muriel took in an orphan girl.

That girl became—

Helen Bahishat.

The former queen’s maid.
And Sir Kalos’s wife.

Which meant—

Serenia Bahishat was the daughter of a former servant of this house.

Dalia muttered coldly,

“I will never let someone like that sit as the lady of this house.”

After finishing her preparations, the maids stepped back.

She looked at herself in the mirror—

A perfect noblewoman.

Then she turned sharply.

“What are you all doing? Clean this mess!”

Ignoring the busy maids, she went to her study and called her secretary.

“Use any method. Make sure that girl never enters this house.”

She placed a heavy pouch on the table.

The secretary understood immediately.

“Is it alright if she gets hurt?”

“Just make sure it doesn’t come back to us—like what happened with her father.”

Despite the strict condition, the secretary smiled.

“Understood, madam.”

Meanwhile — At Neriad Hotel

Ain had reserved the entire luxurious restaurant on the top floor.

Serenia was overwhelmed.

‘A place that can serve hundreds… just for the two of us?’

She forced herself to stay calm and asked,

“Then… what should I do now?”

Raised under a strict father, she had never even read romance novels.

She knew nothing about dating.

But—

Since they decided to create evidence—

She was ready to do her best.

The waiter placed appetizers and left.

Ain smiled at her enthusiasm.

Then—

He picked up his fork.

He stabbed a piece of melon wrapped in ham.

And held it toward her.

“Here. Say ah.”

Serenia stared at it in disbelief.

“What are you doing?”

“Of course, acting like a loving couple.”

He moved the fork slightly.

“We need to be this affectionate for people to believe us.”

…That made sense.

She couldn’t argue.

Now she faced a serious dilemma—

Her dignity—

Or six million crobat.

While she hesitated, Ain complained dramatically,

“Ah… my arm is getting tired.”

She glared at him—

Then reluctantly opened her mouth.

Ain immediately fed her the melon.

Her face turned red instantly.

He watched her with amusement.

Serenia chewed sadly.

The sweet melon and salty ham tasted perfect.

‘…It would’ve been better if it tasted bad.’

She felt like she sold her dignity for food.

Meanwhile—

Ain kept feeding her like a mother bird.

Eventually, she gave up resisting.

While eating—

She realized something.

He wasn’t eating at all.

She looked between him and herself.

‘…Am I supposed to feed him too?’

It didn’t feel right—

But the guilt pushed her.

Awkwardly, she picked up a piece of melon—

And held it toward him.

Ain froze.

Clang.

He dropped his fork.

He stared at her blankly.

“…Ah?”

“…Yes?”

She snapped,

“You should say ‘ah’ too!”

“…What?”

Before he could react—

She shoved the melon into his mouth.

Ain was completely shocked.

He covered his mouth, eyes wide.

She frowned.

“Why are you acting like I did something wrong?”

“…It’s just…”

He quickly chewed and swallowed.

Then calmly said something strange.

“Actually… I’m on a diet right now.”

“…What?”

“Thank you for feeding me, but I’m fine now.”

“…What?”

“A glass of cold water is enough for me.”

Serenia was stunned.

She had heard of noble ladies surviving on water to lose weight—

But a man like that?

Never in her life.