Chapter 21:
She had clearly gone to sleep in the second-floor guest room, yet when she opened her eyes, she found herself in the second-floor living room.
Yvonne let out a sigh at the sight that was different from when she’d gone to bed.
“It’s been years.”
After the media had quieted down, she thought her sleepwalking had disappeared as well.
But she had met Kiryan during the day, and her name had begun appearing in the news again recently. It seemed the stress had taken its toll.
A condition she thought was gone had resurfaced.
Rubbing her eyes, she sprang to her feet. With no work at the theater troupe today and feeling gloomy besides, she thought she should drop by Paradis’s house.
“Young lady. You’re up early.”
“Mm. It happened that way. More importantly, do you still have that cheese that came up from the estate a few days ago? Bring some of that for me.”
“Yes, young lady. Please wash up and have breakfast first.”
After freshening up and eating a hearty meal, Yvonne boarded a carriage laden with gifts.
Paradis was scheduled to be out today meeting investors, so he wouldn’t be home. Even so, she was heading to the Marquis of Laurent’s mansion for one reason.
“My lady!”
Paradis’s grandfather, the Marquis Laurent, adored her dearly.
“My pretty Yvonne, you’re here.”
The Marquis Laurent did not look at all like a former commander-in-chief who once dominated the battlefield; instead, he wore a warm, gentle smile.
But the cool eyes—so very much like Paradis’s—showed that his spirit had not faded in the least.
“That blockhead went out early this morning. Said he had business outside.”
“I know. Oh, this is cheese made from goat’s milk that came up from the Moore estate. This is an embroidered handkerchief I made, and this is…”
“My, my. Aren’t you the sweetest granddaughter-in-law. Bringing this old man gifts.”
“No, nothing like that. Have you been well?”
“Thanks to you, very well.”
Being without a family, Yvonne longed for one and dreamed of a warm home.
Paradis, who had also lost his parents early, understood her feelings.
And the only family he had left, the Marquis Laurent, cherished her more than anyone. He was a man too steadfast and firm to be swayed by gossip.
Scarred by years of political strife, the Marquis saw right through Yvonne’s true nature at first glance.
From the day Paradis brought her home, saying he would put the puzzle together with her, the Marquis had already marked her as his future granddaughter-in-law.
“You look thinner.”
“I gained weight, actually. You say that every time you see me. By the way, are you going somewhere?”
“I’m expecting a guest soon.”
“I should’ve contacted you in advance. I’m sorry.”
“No need. That blockhead never contacts your family before barging in either. You’re welcome here anytime, just like it’s your own home. And… have you been sleeping well? My dear, after what happened, I’ve been worried.”
He was speaking of the recent attack. Yvonne smiled awkwardly.
The Marquis looked at her with pity—she still didn’t know that the one behind her attack had been Duke Hischleger.
Sensing the heavy mood, he wrapped up the conversation with humor.
“But that’s all old news now. Who would dare lay a finger on someone who’s to become part of the Laurent family? Whatever else he may be, that blockhead is strong as an ox, so don’t fret. If anything happens, just pin it on him.”
Thanks to the Marquis’s wink, Yvonne burst into laughter, her clear voice filling the parlor.
While they were chatting, the butler came to announce that the guest had arrived.
The Marquis made a gentle suggestion.
“Hm, Yvonne. Why don’t you go wait in Paradis’s room?”
“Yes, don’t worry.”
“And check well that he hasn’t hidden any indecent magazines.”
Giggling, Yvonne got up and left the parlor.
As she climbed the stairs to the second floor where Paradis’s room was, she spotted Kiryan at the end of the corridor—and her face hardened.
The Marquis’s guest was Kiryan Hischleger.
At that moment, Kiryan turned as well, and their eyes met.
“Ah.”
Like a mouse facing a cat, she froze in fear.
Kiryan strode toward her, lifting an eyebrow.
“Well, well. We meet again in a place like this.”
“Hello, Your Grace.”
Kiryan examined her closely.
Franz had once said that he and Yvonne Moore were distant relatives. Seeing her now, Kiryan thought the resemblance was uncanny.
Franz could be Yvonne with short hair, and Yvonne could be Franz with long hair.
If they truly shared blood, it would make sense for them to resemble each other so much.
‘Poor kid.’
He pitied Franz. The person he secretly loved was a distant relative—and his best friend’s fiancée, no less.
What forbidden love this was.
“I heard you and Franz are cousins. My younger brother seems to be indebted to you.”
“Oh… It’s fine. It’s nice not to be alone in the house.”
“What do you think of Franz?”
“Franz?”
“Yes.”
“He’s a good friend.”
“Friend… a friend, huh…”
“Well… I should go. Good–”
She couldn’t finish her sentence. Kiryan dropped a bombshell.
“Franz seems to like you very much.”
“…What?”
What on earth was this man saying? Franz *was* Yvonne!
Because of her earlier lie, he had misunderstood—but Yvonne felt her face burn with embarrassment.
“W-what are you talking about!”
“Your fiancé, Laurent, doesn’t seem that serious, though.”
“If you’re trying to stir trouble, stop. It won’t work on me.”
“So you do know how to talk tough. Well then, what do you think of Franz?”
“What do I think of Franz? He’s…”
She was utterly speechless.
Asking her what she thought of herself!
Not wanting Kiryan to keep spouting nonsense, she drew a firm line with a crisp voice.
“He’s an idiot. A fool. How could I ever like someone like that!”
Gasp.
Yvonne inhaled sharply. Kiryan’s face had turned as cold as ice.
He ground his teeth at her insult toward his sibling. He very nearly grabbed Yvonne by the neck and demanded to know how she could think of Franz that way.
‘To like a woman like this—Franz, you’re still hopelessly naïve.’
His judgment of people was awful. Kiryan felt like taking Franz under his wing and toughening him up so he could learn to judge character properly.
He felt any remaining mercy toward Yvonne vanish.
But he did not act on his emotions. She was the heir of Laurent’s fiancée—and the woman Franz loved.
“Fine. I’ll tell him exactly what you said. And if I don’t receive a positive answer about the diamond mine by next week, things will get difficult. Miss Moore, I hope you make a wise decision.”
The gleam in his eyes showed he meant it.
A chill ran down Yvonne’s spine.
Smirking at her frightened expression, he headed toward the parlor.
—
In the parlor, the Marquis waited for him.
His face was completely different from the warm expression he’d shown Yvonne earlier.
Like the day he ordered Paradis to hunt down the assailants, he radiated not a single trace of warmth.
“It has been a while. Sit.”
Kiryan might be the king of the underworld, but even he could not treat Marquis Laurent lightly. The Marquis was a revered war hero and the head of a powerful noble house.
“I’m not sure whether I should thank you for inviting me… or be afraid.”
“Just a respectful greeting will do. You look well. Has something good happened?”
Well, yes. He had found Franz. But there was no reason to tell the Marquis that.
“Who knows. Perhaps I’m simply ready to receive good news.”
“I see. Whatever it is, I pray for peace. And for my peace, there is something you must do.”
*Must*, not *could*. It was a warning that bordered on threat.
Kiryan’s jaw tightened.
The Marquis, after all, possessed a power even the Emperor could not easily challenge.
“What… is that?”
“You must know my grandson recently got engaged.”
“Yes. I heard they held a small family ceremony.”
“It’s not just because she’ll be my granddaughter-in-law. Yvonne is a child I cherish deeply.”
“I see.”
“People gossip about her temperament or whatever else, but she’s actually gentle and very kind. I cannot understand why such a child suffered such a vile attack.”
“An attack?”
He feigned ignorance.
Thanks to the Marquis’s handling of matters, the attack had become classified information known only to those involved. However, the Marquis already knew who was behind it. Naturally—his information network was vast.
“Your Grace.”
“Yes.”
“There will not be a second time.”
He would overlook it once for the sake of maintaining relations with the ducal house—but never twice.
Their gazes clashed mid-air, neither yielding. The Marquis’s eyes were deep as the ocean, calm even in the face of Kiryan’s sharp stare.
Kiryan’s fists clenched. At last, he replied reluctantly.
“…I understand.”
Today’s victor was the Marquis.
In truth, Kiryan could no longer touch Yvonne anyway.
Not only because she was practically part of the Laurent family, but also because Franz was her relative.
After Kiryan left, the Marquis called in a pale-faced Yvonne.
“My dear, you don’t look well.”
“Oh…”
Rubbing her cheek, Yvonne smiled sheepishly.
“I guess it’s because I couldn’t find any indecent magazines in Paradis’s room. I was hoping to catch something to tease him with.”
“Oh dear.”
“But I did find a script he wrote when he was young.”
“Did you? No emergency funds hidden anywhere?”
“Come on. I can’t touch that.”
The Marquis watched her fondly, then took something out from his coat—an envelope and a small pouch for holding money.
When Yvonne blinked at him, he bared his white teeth amid a nest of wrinkles.
“It’s not much, but buy yourself something pretty and eat something delicious.”
“My lord…”
“And this one is an invitation to a reading event. Go with that blockhead. Don’t be too scared.”
He knew she feared standing before crowds and was being considerate.
Tears welled in Yvonne’s eyes.
“Thank you.”
“I should be the one thanking you, for getting engaged to that blockhead grandson of mine. Where would I ever find someone as sweet and kind as you?”
Just as Yvonne began to sniffle, they heard a commotion outside.
The door burst open, and Paradis appeared. Unlike his usual casual attire, today he looked impeccably dressed.
“What the—old man. Did you make her cry?”
Paradis strode over to Yvonne with a scowl. Bending down, he brushed her reddened eyes with his thumb.
“No. The Marquis said something nice.”
“What did he say to make you like this? Anyway, let’s go. We need to pop open champagne to celebrate that investment we secured.”
With that, Paradis lifted Yvonne and slung her over his shoulder.
“Kya! Put me down!”
“Hey, hey, stop squirming. Old man, we’re heading out!”
“G-goodbye, my lord!”
Even as she was carried away, Yvonne reached out to wave. The Marquis waved back, watching her fondly.
With Yvonne, he could entrust his blockhead grandson without worry.
