Chapter 16
Vanerinne stared down at the gossip paper the maid had brought her, her expression cold. Normally, she would never bother reading such cheap tabloids meant for commoners, but today was an exception.
[Breaking News! Serulian Luc, Marriage Imminent!]
The headline took up the entire front page of the Newcastle Times. Even the paper’s name wasn’t unfamiliar — it all pointed to the same person.
Vanerinne’s eyes gleamed with a frosty light.
Edel Azian.
To Vanerinne, Edel Azian was like a ruined painting — something she’d crumpled and thrown into the trash, not wanting anyone to see, only for it to reappear one day, spread open again.
A wretched connection. I should’ve erased her completely when I had the chance.
Because there hadn’t been any decisive evidence back then, she hadn’t been able to finish it — but she’d never imagined the woman would come back as an obstacle.
The Duke of Luc and Serulian hadn’t openly opposed her before, which had made her careless. That had been her mistake. They hadn’t pursued any marriage arrangements for years — and now suddenly the family seal was on an engagement document?
To decide a marriage without a single word to me…
It was an outright insult to the duchess, but the Duke of Luc was not the sort of man who cared whether his young wife fumed over such slights.
…Still, I should issue a warning.
If she didn’t, they would surely continue to do whatever they pleased.
Vanerinne rose from her seat. The Baroness of Sage, one of her subordinates, fussed indignantly in her stead.
“Isn’t it simply outrageous? The dignity of House Luc, and they print a newspaper article before even asking for your consent!”
“Clever move, actually.”
Vanerinne truly meant it. With the engagement already made public through an official article, any cancellation would only draw public scorn — and the blame would fall on her unless Edel Azian were ruined with a scandal.
Unless I pin some filthy rumor on Edel Azian, the backlash will come for me instead.
Even the inclusion of marriage in the succession conditions for the heir could easily blow up in her face.
Charles needs to show he has the talent to become a knight soon.
But Charles was only five years old — far too young to display his abilities, even if he were a prodigy.
I thought the duke didn’t care whether it was Charles or Serulian who inherited the house. I was too complacent.
Her mouth tasted bitter. She was the type who set traps for others — being the one ensnared was intolerable.
The baroness read her mood carefully, then hurried to open the door for her with sugary words.
“No matter how hard they try, they’ll never surpass young master Charles. Just imagining their faces when they’re cast out empty-handed makes me laugh.”
“…Of course. Everyone will pay the price they deserve.”
At Vanerinne’s quiet murmur, the baroness flinched and nodded awkwardly, her smile stiff.
“O-of course, my lady.”
Vanerinne smiled genuinely at the sight of the baroness bowing so obsequiously. She liked people like that — those who knew their place and never dared to climb higher.
Her angelic smile made the nervous baroness look all the more pale and uneasy.
With her chin elegantly lifted, Vanerinne glided forward.
“I must see His Grace.”
“He has just entered through the front hall, my lady.”
“How convenient.”
She would greet him and naturally bring up Serulian’s engagement.
Just as she reached the grand staircase, a man entered — tall, red curls falling messily over his eyes, his expression distant and unreadable.
He exuded an intimidating aura that made others hesitate to approach. It was none other than the Duke of Luc.
“You’ve returned, Your Grace.”
Even as his young, beautiful wife smiled radiantly in greeting, the duke didn’t so much as glance at her. He turned his head aside sharply. Vanerinne, still smiling sweetly, stepped closer to him gracefully.
“Are you busy? If not, would you join me for some tea? It’s been so long.”
“That would be inconvenient.”
“…You’re busy?”
“Not particularly. I simply don’t wish to drink tea.”
“…”
Vanerinne kept her painted-on smile. She’d experienced this coldness countless times, yet she could never grow used to it.
Still, she had things to say today. She tried again, gently.
“There’s something important I need to discuss with you.”
Just as she was about to link her arm through his, the duke abruptly swatted her hand away.
“…!”
Vanerinne’s eyes widened. The movement had been instinctive — like he was protecting something precious. The duke froze, momentarily awkward.
And then she saw it — a pale pink envelope in his hand. A letter unmistakably chosen by a woman.
Vanerinne forced a smile, trying to suppress the irritation twisting in her chest.
“I must have startled you. That letter…?”
“I’ll be going.”
The duke turned on his heel, his departure as cold as a gust of winter wind. Vanerinne wasn’t even hurt anymore.
Yes. That’s the kind of man you are.
Equally indifferent and discourteous to everyone.
He probably approved Serulian’s marriage simply because the boy asked for it.
How alike the two were — no blood between them, yet their emotionless faces were eerily similar.
Let’s see how long you can both keep up that icy facade.
While she smiled angelically, her thoughts turned sharp.
Then the duke paused mid-stride and spoke to the butler in his usual emotionless tone.
“Serulian and his fiancée will be joining us for dinner this evening. Prepare accordingly.”
“…Pardon?”
The butler blinked in confusion. Serulian’s fiancée? Since when had there been an engagement?
But the duke was not one to explain himself.
“Make sure nothing is lacking.”
“Y-yes, Your Grace!”
He said only that, then started walking again.
Watching him go, Vanerinne raised her voice.
“Wait, Your Grace!”
The duke turned only his head to look back at her. Vanerinne’s voice trembled.
“Did you say Serulian’s fiancée is coming for dinner?”
His eyes flicked over her face, cold and detached.
“That’s nothing you need concern yourself with.”
“….”
His utter indifference made it impossible to stop him. Vanerinne’s shoulders trembled faintly.
The baroness, who had been silently watching, called to her in a quivering voice.
“Y-your Grace, the Duchess…”
Vanerinne dabbed her eyes with her sleeve and spoke in a fragile tone.
“His Grace… always so sudden. Does he still resent me so?”
Her long hair spilled down as she shed crystalline tears — like a tragic painting come to life. The servants around her, moved by the sight, rushed to console her.
“No, my lady, of course not.”
“Please don’t cry. His Grace only speaks bluntly, but deep down he’s surely grateful to you.”
Vanerinne smiled through glistening tears.
“Oh, yes, of course. Even if he says nothing about the marriage…”
“Our poor lady…”
While everyone fretted, the baroness clasped her hands together. Knowing Vanerinne’s true nature, her heart pounded with unease.
Contrary to my initial worries, Kalima turned out to be remarkably skilled. I prided myself on being adept at disguises from my experience as an undercover reporter, yet the way Kalima styled my hair and applied light makeup made me look completely different — like someone I’d never met before in the mirror.
When she added the fist-sized yellow sapphire Serulian had brought, even I was stunned by my reflection. Grinning, I gushed at Kalima.
“Wow, you’re amazing! Like a magician!”
Kalima rubbed her nose and chuckled.
“Well, before I became a knight, I had to attend social events, you know.”
My eyes widened.
“You’re a knight?”
“Was. I quit. Now I’m a mercenary.”
“Why’d you quit? That’s a great job.”
Female knights were rare — it must’ve been a brutal path.
Kalima grinned mischievously.
“Because the promotion system was garbage.”
Her blunt cynicism made my eyes rounder. She must’ve had a lot bottled up — she kept talking even without me asking.
“Even getting backup duty on a lower extermination mission is hard. But those thick-headed idiots refused to promote me. I wanted to throw them to the monsters myself. Ugh, it was awful.”
“Kalima.”
Serulian’s sharp tone cut through her complaints. Kalima scratched her head sheepishly.
“Oops, maybe too much information for a lady?”
Provocative? Hardly. My eyes sparkled.
“No way! That’s so cool!”
A female knight — one skilled enough to handle monster subjugation! She was like a unicorn, rare and dazzling, and here she was blushing in front of me.
I won’t miss this chance!
I grabbed her arm eagerly.
“Tell me all about it! Your most memorable missions, your teammates, everything! Please!”
If she talked enough, surely she’d mention the monsters — two birds with one stone. My excitement made Kalima frown slightly.
“Most of my stories are pretty gory.”
“That’s fine!”
I nodded quickly. Kalima smirked playfully.
“What about stories of the Captain?”
Captain? Serulian Luc?
What was there to wonder about him? I shrugged.
“Not interested. I’m sure he’s great, though.”
Kalima burst into loud laughter and gave Serulian a teasing look.
“You’re marrying quite the interesting woman, Captain.”
“…”
Serulian said nothing.
I turned back to the mirror, adjusting the dress — the low neckline and flowing sleeves felt unfamiliar.
“How do I look? Is it okay?”
“…”
But Serulian didn’t answer. I tapped his shoulder lightly.
“This is where you’re supposed to say I look nice.”
“I’m not the type to lie.”
His blunt honesty made me laugh.
“Hopeless. Since I’m not used to this, you’ll have to be a good escort, okay?”
“Of course.”
His calm, assured reply was enough to make me smile in satisfaction. Then Serulian lowered his head, his breath brushing my ear as he whispered, low and deep—
“And today… you’re beautiful.”
“…!”
My face flamed red. I covered my ears with both hands.
And this time, I saw it clearly — the faint smile flickering across Serulian’s lips.
He really did smile!
Why was he smiling like that? Puffing my cheeks in mock annoyance, I grumbled — unaware that I was smiling, too.
