IATVWAMOLS 74

74. There Are Two Ways to Make Someone Angry

After the love potion fiasco, I was led away from the Vermond estate by Ikart’s hand.

“Honestly, what a nightmare of a man.”

Ikart muttered a single curse under his breath and practically bolted into the carriage.

Even as we left the estate, Count Vermond’s eyes followed Ikart, brimming with lingering obsession.

“I suppose I need to find an antidote.”

The potion’s effects would naturally wear off in about two weeks, but who knew what the love-crazed Count Vermond might do in the meantime?

That night, I instructed Cayenne to obtain the antidote.

[And what will you do if I get the antidote?]

…He left that infuriating message and departed.

Time, as always, passed steadily, and by the next morning, the duke’s estate was bustling with guests.

Most were seeking Ikart, but a few came specifically to see me.

“Princess, I’ve missed you!”

In the bright morning sunlight, Seraphine leapt from her carriage and ran toward me.

Her simple sky-blue dress and long, flowing hair made her look utterly adorable as she hurried forward.

“You saw me yesterday, didn’t you?”

“‘Yesterday, too?’ We need to see each other more often since we couldn’t meet for so long!”

She pouted, puffing her cheeks in mock frustration.

‘Yesterday, her expression was dark and stormy…’

Today, she seemed completely at ease, joking as if nothing had happened. It looked like the issue with Count Vermond had been resolved, leaving her relieved.

“I’m glad to see you looking cheerful today.”

“Yes, the problem I was worried about was resolved safely. Though it unfolded in a way I didn’t expect at all.”

She probably never imagined that Count Vermond would fall for my brother and tear up the promissory note in a fit of infatuation.

“Actually, what makes me even happier is being able to come see you, Princess.”

Seraphine let out a shy laugh.

She was delighted to know that I hadn’t ignored her on purpose and that I simply avoided calling her to the estate to prevent encountering Count Vermond.

“I’ll come see you often from now on. Is that okay?”

“As often as you like.”

I, personally, am extremely introverted and feel that seeing someone twice a year is enough, but seeing her so genuinely happy made it impossible to tell her otherwise.

At her request to see my room, I guided her there instead of the reception room.

“Oh my, what’s this?”

“Ah, this is…”

Once again, a snack delivery awaited outside my door.

“Actually, some unknown servant has been bringing me treats for a few days now.”

“Really? Why? Who is it?”

“I’m not exactly sure, but I suspect it might be one of the servants working in the kitchen.”

“Then why desserts specifically? Does the Princess like sweet treats?”

Seraphine bombarded me with questions.

“Well… most people like sweet snacks, don’t they?”

“Hmmm, I see.”

But she didn’t seem satisfied with my answer, her gaze growing insistent. I quickly changed the subject.

“Anyway, there’s no need to prepare extra refreshments. Let’s just share these. Come in and talk.”

“Yes.”

Seraphine followed me willingly, though still slightly reluctant.

“Wow… it’s so beautiful! This room suits you perfectly, Princess.”

As soon as we entered my room, Seraphine exclaimed like a child in awe.

“I’m glad you like it.”

“It’s more than just liking it. I’d even want to live here with you! Are there no tenants?”

“Ha, what a joke.”

I laughed it off, but Seraphine frowned.

“…That was a joke, right?”

“…Yes.”

As I spent time with her, the hallways were busy with guests and bustling servants. Outside the window, carriages came and went incessantly.

Finally, Seraphine’s curiosity got the better of her.

“Is something special happening today? Guests keep coming and going all day.”

“Probably because my brother is returning to the Academy soon. Friends are visiting, and some technicians have come to repair the carriage.”

“I see.”

‘I thought it was just a power struggle with Perwin.’

Apparently, the carriage issue was serious enough that several repairmen visited the estate recently. Even then, things were far from resolved, and the return schedule might be delayed.

‘Philip seemed very worried.’

Eager for the day of his return to the Academy, he sighed as the repair period stretched on.

Seraphine looked out the window, tilting her head.

“But so many carriages are coming and going.”

“Now what is it this time?”

Ikart could no longer tolerate it as Philip visited every ten minutes.

“If it’s Count Vermond again, don’t even speak. Return all the gifts and letters. Tell him never to send anything like this again.”

He growled lowly, a thick wave of disgust radiating from him.

Since leaving the estate the previous day, Count Vermond had persistently sent letters and gifts. Wedding proposals and love letters arrived alternately, overwhelming the postal service.

Golden statuettes, necklaces studded with emeralds and diamonds, immortal masterpieces by famous painters…

Even as a wealthy man, Vermond’s relentless onslaught of gifts was almost bankrupting him.

Ikart had had enough of this near-terror-level campaign.

“But, Young Duke, we can’t process the gifts as fast as the mail arrives,” Philip said, frowning.

‘Why is this place never peaceful even when he leaves?’ I longed for the dull days at the Academy instead.

“Then tell Count Vermond directly. Everything he sends will go straight into the trash. If any servants arrive at the estate, reprimand them and send them away.”

“Yes, understood.”

Ikart issued the warning, but life rarely goes as planned. Blocking the mail prompted Vermond to appear in person.

“Please, accept my heart! My angel, please!”

“Go away.”

Count Vermond clung to Ikart’s leg, crying and sniffling. He had even prepared to camp outdoors at the estate.

“Philip, get him out immediately.”

The man who had been a difficult business partner yesterday had transformed overnight into a pathetic stalker.

Ikart’s irritation reached its limit, and he turned on his heel without hesitation.

“My angel, where are you going? Don’t abandon me!”

As Vermond desperately tried to cling on, guards blocked him.

“Sniff… sob.”

Tears fell like raindrops from his face.

‘What a so-called love of the century.’

Philip, observing from a few steps away, shook his head.

“Count, you should leave before seeing any more humiliation. I say this for your own dignity. If you persist, I will not tolerate it any longer.”

“How can you be so cold? My heart feels like it’s being torn… The pain of heartbreak never gets easier.”

“….”

“What, what must I do to make you understand my feelings?”

Some people truly are impossible.

Philip clicked his tongue, watching Vermond’s snot-and-tear-streaked face.

He spoke formally, as if processing a complaint:

“Anyone would be disgusted by such stubbornness. The most important thing is the Young Duke’s wishes. He doesn’t like men. He prefers women—”

Philip paused mid-sentence.

‘Wait.’

It’s clear Ikart doesn’t like men, but can we be sure he likes women? Even though Philip had grown up with him, he had never seen Ikart interact privately with a woman. Recently, he had destroyed all marriage proposals.

Perhaps he was simply too abstinent, avoiding women entirely.

‘Could it be…’

No, no. Even if there were a problem with his masculinity, it wasn’t Philip’s concern. He shook his head, banishing the thought.

“Ahem, forget what I just said. The important thing is that the Young Duke values loyalty.”

Philip decided to focus on Ikart’s clear character rather than his uncertain preferences.

“You already breached that trust in business dealings. An apology should come first, shouldn’t it?”

“Apology… yes. Understood.”

Surprisingly, Count Vermond nodded obediently.

“Tell my angel that I deeply regret betraying trust and will comply with whatever terms he desires. I will even provide protective magical tools.”

“R-Really?”

“Yes, but there’s just one condition.”

Vermond spoke firmly.

“I will accompany him to the Academy as well.”