Chapter 16
To Meet Expectations
“Oh, you’ve arrived, Your Grace!”
Marco Donso bowed deeply toward the door. A massive silhouette, backlit by the light, strode into the room.
Your Grace?
Everyone in the factory turned their attention in one direction.
Violeta was no different—but for a completely different reason. Her heart dropped.
No way. It can’t be.
As the shadow slowly receded, the figure became clearer.
“From today onward, the rightful owner of this place is Duke Leopold Otero. Everyone, greet him.”
Marco’s voice rang out as he introduced the man.
Violeta, frozen like a statue, stared blankly at the approaching figure. He seemed to recognize her too, tilting his head slightly—with a faint smile.
Why is that man here…?
The Duke was dressed in a pitch-black suit that matched his hair. His coat, revealing a solid chestline, shimmered as it followed his form. His broad shoulders, wide as the sea, and his long legs were impeccably structured, as if measured with a ruler.
He carried an overwhelming presence—superior, intimidating, a man who had never once bowed to anyone.
He was, quite simply, striking. Even Violeta, who usually thought of him as unbearably arrogant, was momentarily stunned. He didn’t belong in a place like this; he looked almost unreal.
“What are you doing? Go in.”
Marco Donso whispered in her ear, gently pushing her forward. He was telling her not to get in the way and sit in an empty seat.
Only then did Violeta snap back to her senses and quickly avert her gaze from the Duke.
She wasn’t someone who got swayed by appearances. Yet she had been staring at him like she was spellbound—and the thought that he might have noticed made her face burn with embarrassment.
She quickly made her way to sit beside Rina. The poorly made wooden chair creaked. Unable to look ahead, she fixed her gaze on the rusted weaving machine in front of her.
“Here.”
From her left, Rina handed her a rough mob cap.
“Oh… thank you.”
Startled by the sudden gesture, Violeta carefully accepted it. The thin muslin fabric rustled in her hands. It was worn in places but relatively well maintained.
She quietly tied her hair up messily and tucked it under the cap. In moments, she blended in with the workers around her.
Without looking forward, Rina muttered:
“Keep a spare one with you. People get fired suddenly all the time—and then someone new always comes in. Like you.”
When Violeta glanced over, Rina met her eyes with a dull expression. She was clearly the one in charge of training new workers.
“Just don’t cause trouble.”
Rina narrowed her eyes and quickly scanned Violeta’s unblemished hands.
“With hands like that, what exactly do you think you’re going to do?”
Her mocking tone made Violeta unconsciously clench her hands and hide them. She felt uncomfortably small.
“Alright, applause!”
Marco’s voice rang out.
The workers’ applause spread briefly before fading.
It seemed the Duke had finished his perfunctory greeting.
But Violeta hadn’t heard a single word of it. Ever since she saw him here, her mind had been buzzing.
So the “higher-up” Marco mentioned… was him.
That meant—rather than demanding repayment, he had given a debtor a job and wages.
She couldn’t understand his intentions.
Wasn’t it just days ago that he had argued with her over that damned proposal meant to settle the debt?
Even by the standards of ruthless moneylenders, this made no sense.
“Hey, Violeta! Come to the office!”
Marco shouted as he climbed the stairs behind Leopold.
Violeta, who had been avoiding the Duke’s gaze, snapped her head up.
Then she met his eyes—he was leaning on the stair railing, staring directly at her.
His lips curved faintly.
It was unsettling.
“What are you doing? Get up here!”
At Marco’s urging, Violeta had no choice but to stand. Murmurs and attention began to gather.
Rina, watching from the side, let out a small sigh. Her expression suggested Violeta was slow and clumsy—and that things would only get worse from here.
Everything was already going wrong from the start.
Office
Only Violeta and Leopold remained in the office.
“Are you… making fun of me?”
The words she had been swallowing finally slipped out as soon as she stepped inside.
There was no other explanation for this situation.
“How disappointing.”
Leopold sat on the opposite sofa, legs crossed, looking genuinely let down. He rested his face on his hand and looked at her sideways.
“I was happy to see you.”
His relaxed demeanor filled the room.
Violeta was speechless.
What is this man’s agenda?
When she shot him a wary glare, he only twisted his lips more, amused. His gaze drifted to her mob cap.
“Looks good on you. Shows determination. I like it.”
It was obvious mockery.
Violeta’s mood soured instantly.
What is he trying to do?
She didn’t understand, but she felt like she had been tricked. She wanted to stand up and leave—but reality didn’t allow it.
She had already signed the contract. He was her employer. She needed money. And there weren’t many places that would hire her.
So she couldn’t just lash out at him however she wanted.
Still, she needed answers.
“I’m here to work. To repay the debt I owe you. I signed a contract for the amount you offered.”
“I know.”
His silver eyes lowered lazily—dangerously so. He chuckled.
“You think I’d cheat you out of money?”
“Then why—”
“I’m precise. So precise it’s a problem.”
Leopold straightened up and leaned forward.
The dusty air of the office was suddenly filled with his fresh scent.
Violeta stiffened but didn’t back away. She met his gaze head-on.
Perhaps it was stubbornness born from having nowhere left to retreat.
And just as unyielding, Leopold said coldly:
“You’re misunderstanding something. I’m working too. Which means you just need to work on your side. Employer and employee. Creditor and debtor. A clean arrangement.”
Was that really all there was?
Violeta couldn’t shake the feeling that something else lay beneath it.
“Even so… working only three days for that amount—”
“Want to know why?”
He cut her off.
She answered with silence.
After a pause, he said:
“Shouldn’t you be grateful first?”
“I am grateful. But this isn’t just a simple relationship.”
“If it’s not just gratitude… then at least have an affair with me.”
“Your Grace…!”
For a moment, his joking tone dropped into something cold.
“No reason. Believe it or not is up to you. If you can’t trust me, go home.”
Then just like that, he smiled again as if nothing had happened.
Violeta swallowed hard.
“Then why did you call me here at all? You could’ve just let me work.”
“Violeta.”
His tone turned almost gentle.
“How could I be so cold?”
He even wrinkled his nose slightly. It was hard to believe this was the same man who had spoken so sharply moments ago.
“You should be grateful.”
Violeta was at a loss.
Then Leopold straightened, signaling the end of the conversation.
“Go on. If you work hard, you’ll repay your debt faster.”
She hesitated, but eventually stood and headed for the door.
The Duke followed, opening it for her.
Just as she reached the doorway, he stopped.
“By the way, Lady.”
He reached out.
“I prefer it undone.”
His fingers brushed the loose strands of silver hair slipping from under her mob cap. The touch was light, almost delicate.
Violeta froze, unable to move.
Then he withdrew his hand.
“That’s all.”
His eyes curved into a smile—beautiful enough to be infuriating.
“Anyway… I expect you to meet expectations.”
The door opened. A cool breeze slipped through the crack.
It felt like dust on the wind—but somewhere within it, the scent of spring seemed to linger.
