Chapter 71
Since Lady Anne Pero was already well aware of Count Arthur’s attitude and my own position of being pushed into marriage, whatever I said would sound like nothing more than excuses to her.
At that moment, Anne hurriedly shook her head and said,
“W-wait, my lord. Please, first explain to me exactly what happened.”
Only then did Hannibal realize that he had demanded an engagement without even giving her a proper explanation.
Looking awkward, he recounted everything that had happened at the banquet. The more he spoke, the darker Anne’s expression grew, and in the end she said,
“No matter how much you dislike marriage, how could you get engaged to just anyone?”
Her reaction wounded Hannibal once again. Words of excuse and persuasion hovered on his lips, but faded away again and again.
“You are Anne Pero. You’re not just anyone.”
“Yes, I am Head Maid Anne Pero, my lord.”
She furrowed her brow as if she was truly troubled and continued.
“As you know… I was caught up in unwanted rumors in the Benton ducal household, and that is why I came all the way to Tegenes. How could you do this to me?”
Seeing Anne argue her case so calmly, Hannibal almost wished she would get angry instead.
Carefully choosing his words, he said,
“I’m truly sorry for dragging you into this because of my own need. You said you wanted to live alone…”
And yet you do this to me?
Anne looked at him in protest. Hannibal averted his gaze and rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment.
He was sorry for hurting her again even though he knew her past wounds, but at the same time, he couldn’t regret the choice he had made—and that made him feel even sorrier.
“Still, it’s fortunate that Father promised that if I at least got engaged before he departed, he would go pay respects to the witch.”
“…That’s good news, at least.”
Anne admitted it was a relief that, in this way, Hannibal could still keep his promise to the witch. As her expression eased slightly, Hannibal stepped closer.
“Anne, it’s true that I blurted your name out in the moment. But even after reconsidering, there’s no one more suitable as my fiancée than you.”
“…”
“So I beg you, won’t you at least reconsider positively?”
Anne let out a hollow laugh. His words had sounded almost like a confession, and for a brief moment her heart fluttered.
But really, wasn’t he just saying I was better than the other women around?
She tried to rein herself in, but part of her couldn’t help hoping—just a little.
If he thought of me enough to want to be engaged, if it wasn’t anyone else but me who came to his mind…
Anne quickly shook her head.
Once was enough. I won’t make the mistake of letting a man into my life again.
Watching her anxiously, Hannibal wet his dry lips and added,
“I will pay the price for this engagement. Once Father fulfills his promise to the witch, we can break off the engagement anytime you wish. Until then, you may act with all the rights, authority, and property of the mistress of Clyade. And even afterward, I will continue to provide you with enough funds to live comfortably for the rest of your life.”
While searching for her, Hannibal had considered what conditions might persuade her.
She had always wanted higher wages and severance pay so she could live alone—so wouldn’t she accept if he promised financial security?
Regrettably, he had nothing else he could offer.
Anne pondered his words and asked,
“Is this proposal because I would become the discarded fiancée of Clyade?”
“No. It’s because I’m the one unilaterally demanding this engagement of Anne Pero.”
“And if I refuse?”
“…I’m truly sorry, but if you refuse, both of us will find ourselves in a very difficult situation.”
He had already told Count Arthur, after all.
Anne could only sigh deeply.
Each time she did, Hannibal’s well-shaped brows drooped lower. Nervously, he clenched and unclenched his fists, constantly watching her expression.
Meanwhile Anne stood with her arms folded, back straight, facing him unflinchingly.
No matter how she turned it over in her mind, this wasn’t something she could brush off with a simple excuse.
“My lord, I am very shaken. To be honest, I am angry.”
When she spoke coldly, holding back the softening of her heart at his guilty expression, Hannibal pleaded again.
“Anne Pero, I will pay whatever price you ask.”
Hannibal knew he had little to offer her.
If only she were mercenary enough to brighten at the mention of money, or ambitious enough to covet the title of countess—it would have been so much easier.
A bitter taste filled his mouth at the thought.
“You realize that if I agree, my chances of marriage are gone?”
Her words made Hannibal widen his eyes.
“Wasn’t your wish to live alone?”
“I said it could be. That doesn’t mean I know for sure. Perhaps someday I might live happily with someone I love.”
Anne Pero didn’t care who that person might be—but she had no intention of becoming entangled with a nobleman. Not at all.
Even imagining people whispering that she had seduced a lord after moving to Clyade made her sick. She had left Gray behind to escape scandal—what new rumors would follow if she accepted this?
Hannibal wasn’t like Gray, she knew, but her past experiences inevitably colored her view of the present.
When Anne admitted her worries, Hannibal shook his head firmly.
“This isn’t a scandal, Anne Pero. You would be the fiancée of House Clyade. Don’t compare it to the rumors about a duke’s illegitimate child. I will do everything I can to protect your name.”
Then, as if reading her heart, Hannibal asked,
“Or… is there someone you already like?”
The question made Anne’s heart skip.
There was something desperate about Hannibal’s plea.
Maybe it was her imagination, but for a moment he looked like a drenched puppy, and she almost wanted to say yes to ease his pitiful look.
“No, there isn’t.”
“Then be engaged to me.”
“This isn’t something to decide so lightly…”
“I know. I want to give you time. But… the engagement ceremony has to be held at tonight’s party.”
He added quickly,
“Father doesn’t believe I want this out of affection, so he demands proof immediately.”
At that, Anne sighed heavily again, unable to hide her dismay.
If things had reached that point, she truly had no choice.
How could a maid dare refuse her master’s request?
And if she refused, what employer would ever hire a maid known for scandalously refusing her lord after previous rumors?
In the end, Anne gazed at Hannibal and nodded.
“…Fine. Let’s do it.”
His face instantly lit up.
“Thank you, truly.”
“Haa… my lord, this time you owe me a great debt.”
Though she had made her decision, her heart was still tangled.
If only it had been a proposal born of genuine affection—if only he had simply wanted to marry her—then she would have felt less resentful.
Part of her wished her own feelings would never become true, while secretly hoping his were genuine. It was laughable, really.
Was this contradiction a misfortune or a blessing?
“From today onward, I promise never to force you into anything against your will.”
Hannibal swore solemnly, while inside he let out a breath of relief.
Honestly, he had been terrified of what he would do if she had flatly rejected him.
Anne, now calmer, asked,
“…So what happens now?”
“The priest will already be ready. Anne, you need to prepare as well. First, change into a dress.”
She was still in her maid’s uniform.
“A dress?”
Anne froze.
Where on earth would she find one?
“I only own one outing dress, my lord. You saw it when we went to buy shoes last time.”
“…The maid’s uniform in a different color?”
“Yes. That’s the only other outfit I have.”
Hannibal grimaced awkwardly at her answer.
Who would believe he truly liked her if he hadn’t even bought her a proper dress?
At that moment, the door burst open without a knock, and Victoria rushed in.
“Anne! You’re getting engaged to my brother?!”
“Well…”
“The whole manor is buzzing with the news. Is it true? Brother, were you secretly in love with Anne? Anne didn’t know at all, right?”
“Yes, I only just heard myself, and I was very surprised.”
Victoria fussed over Anne excitedly. Watching her, Hannibal suddenly thought of something.
“Ah—that’s right. Victoria, Anne can borrow one of your dresses.”
Since their figures weren’t too different, wearing his sister’s dress wouldn’t look out of place.
Victoria readily agreed, nodding happily.
“Of course! But really, Brother, you say you like her yet never even bought her a dress? How could you hide your feelings so tightly?”
Because there are no feelings to begin with.
Anne hid her thoughts behind a polite smile.
Hannibal’s proposal had nothing to do with affection—it was all about conditions and circumstances.
For Anne, it was like a sudden accident. He hadn’t expected things to spiral this way when he tried to gloss things over.
After all, who would ever imagine a maid becoming the lord’s fiancée?
* * *
Soon after, the three of them moved to Victoria’s room.
“Here, pick whichever dress you like best. Wear the prettiest one!”
Anne chose a simple, neat gown from the wardrobe. Since her arms and legs were longer than Victoria’s, she selected the dress with the longest hem.
“That one? I almost had it altered for length but left it alone. Good thing I did—it’ll suit you perfectly. Try it on.”
“Thank you, my lady.”
Anne carried the dress into the next room to change. While she dressed, Victoria rummaged through her drawers, taking out jewelry.
“Brother, hand me that jewelry box on the top shelf.”
“This one?”
“Yes.”
Working together smoothly, the siblings laid various ornaments on the table by the time Anne emerged, with spare shoes on the floor as well.
Glancing at them, Hannibal remarked casually,
“I believe there should be another pair of shoes I bought for her.”
“You mean maid’s shoes?”
Victoria raised a brow. Hannibal quickly waved his hands.
“No, I mean the party shoes.”
“Oh-ho! Anne never told me about that! So the two of you really have something going on, don’t you?”
Victoria nudged her brother’s side playfully, but he ignored her completely—
Because his eyes had been caught by Anne, just then stepping out in the dress.
