Chapter 27:
Why don’t you answer me? Have you ever made an unreasonable demand of that child?
Kiriyan stepped closer to her, waving the check. His large frame cast a shadow as he approached.
His eyes glimmered against the backlight streaming through the window.
Yvonne’s face paled under the suffocating intimidation.
“Uh… it’s a misunderstanding!”
Yvonne shouted, her face almost tearful.
Pale and pitifully frightened, she trembled, her lips quivering as tears welled up in her eyes.
“Then… why do you have this?”
“W-well…”
She needed an excuse, but fear froze her, and no words came to mind.
Her mouth moved silently before she hung her head in defeat.
‘Stupid Yvonne. Cowardly Yvonne.’
The courage she had summoned just an hour ago felt utterly meaningless now. She despised this version of herself; it made her feel miserable.
Still, Yvonne fought to hold back her tears. She bit her lips, clenched her fists, and forced herself not to cry.
“It’s not like that. Whatever you imagine…”
It was Kiriyan’s turn to be taken aback. Though he didn’t show it outwardly, he swallowed hard in surprise.
He had been furious when he discovered the check he had given Franz inside the wallet stolen by those delinquent boys.
He suspected Yvonne because he wondered if they had extorted Franz simply because he was kind and gentle.
Thinking about poor Franz losing his money made his chest tighten and strengthened his resolve to protect him.
…That was, until Selena Balts appeared.
‘What was her name again? Yvonne Moore?’
‘When I was put in danger by those delinquents, that person saved me.’
‘I want to know their address. Tell me! I won’t take a single step out of this office until you do!’
He couldn’t imagine someone cruel enough to extort Franz helping another person.
Besides, Yvonne Moore was timid. Even if she had pretended to be bold to help someone, she wouldn’t have the courage to stand up for money.
Kiriyan let out a small sigh.
He had only threatened her lightly as a warning, but Yvonne Moore had become more frightened than he expected.
No matter how fierce he appeared, there was no way Franz could have been robbed by this girl.
If anything, a lovestruck Franz might have willingly handed over money…
“Yvonne Moore!”
It wasn’t Kiriyan who shouted this time.
Outside came the clamor of footsteps and Bets trying to stop an unwelcome guest.
Moments later, the door swung open, revealing a lady in elegant attire.
“Yvonne Moore! Are you even reading my letters…?”
The lady hesitated briefly at the sight of an unfamiliar man but soon scoffed, mocking her tone.
“Not only did you claim the heir of the Marquis of Lorrain, but you’re having an affair too? How vulgar.”
“Aunt, it’s your imagination… Anyway, since she’s here on business, please refrain from rude comments. She… this is my aunt, Cather—”
“Hmph, business, you say?”
Her eyes wide at the word “business,” Yvonne’s aunt interrupted, making Yvonne blush as red as a carrot.
Her anxious gaze darted toward Kiriyan, clearly seeking his reaction.
Meanwhile, Yvonne’s aunt covered her mouth, letting out a soft laugh.
“Oh my, I’m sorry. May I ask what kind of business it is?”
“I can’t tell anyone outside the matter.”
“It must be very important then.”
“You don’t need to know, Aunt!”
The sharpness of Yvonne’s voice was hard to believe, considering her trembling, tearful face. Though her expression seemed fragile, her tone was resolute.
Kiriyan folded his arms and looked at her as if to say, “See?”
“Aunt, uncle, I clearly said that if you entered my house like this… it would count as trespassing.”
“Oh dear, dear. Legally, you can’t sue someone twice for the same offense.”
“Do you want to be dragged out?”
“Do you have someone to drag me out?”
He noticed Yvonne trembling as she clenched her fists. Red to her neck, she shook, grabbing her aunt and trying to push her away.
“I-I’m leaving.”
“Let go! I didn’t come here because I wanted to.”
“Then why are you here?”
Kiriyan couldn’t shake the feeling that this elegant lady claiming to be Yvonne’s aunt seemed familiar.
She had an unremarkable appearance, a sharp way of speaking, but her overall impression was kind.
While Kiriyan frowned, trying to place her, the aunt pulled Yvonne into the next room.
“I suppose I’ll have to lend her money.”
Though the relocation was likely to keep their conversation private, Kiriyan could still hear everything.
“No! I can’t!”
“Why not?”
“You already lent me money before! And you said it was the last time!”
“Then why did you lend it to me at all?”
“Because you lied, Aunt! You said the orphanage would fall without the money!”
Ah.
Kiriyan finally realized the lady’s identity. She was Catherine Turner, known as the Saint of Tenan for a lifetime of charitable service.
He had watched from afar when the Emperor awarded her a medal as a model for other nobles.
‘Catherine Turner… was really like that?’
Kiriyan crossed his arms, raising his eyebrows.
“Child! That’s a lie. It’s true the money you gave was more than necessary, but thanks to it, the orphanage didn’t fall.”
“So you took five times more than I needed? Go! Otherwise, I’ll sue to reclaim all the money you borrowed last time!”
“You wicked girl! Heartless too! Fine. Let’s see you try. That way, everyone will know your cruel heart.”
Already burdened by her reputation as greedy Yvonne, Catherine’s words struck her deeply.
Eventually, she broke down, wiping her tears, and Catherine scolded her furiously.
“I’ll report you for trespassing! I’ll sue you—who would believe you? People trust me, unlike you, because I’m the kind Mrs. Turner!”
“Get out! Leave my house! As my aunt said, I’m greedy and can’t give a single penny! And if you come here again…”
“You wretched girl!”
Yvonne’s warning was cut off when Catherine shoved her backward.
She hit a decoration, which fell with a heavy clatter.
Hearing the crash, Kiriyan gritted his teeth and stormed into the next room.
Though the lord of a crime-ridden city, normally numb to violence, he could not stand harm done to the weak.
When he opened the door, Yvonne was clutching her waist where she had hit the hard ornament.
“Are you okay?”
She tried to stifle her sobs, but even her sniffles betrayed her.
Kiriyan bent down, wrapping his arms around her shoulders to help her up.
“The Saint of Tenan is actually an extortionist taking money from her niece. Quite the headline material.”
Catherine flinched briefly at Kiriyan recognizing her, then glared. She tried to coax him with a sweet tone despite her sharp gaze.
“You don’t seem to understand. I wasn’t trying to extort money, I was trying to educate the child.”
Kiriyan frowned, about to step back, when Yvonne suddenly screamed.
“Kyaaa! Besss!”
The sudden cry startled both Kiriyan and Catherine.
Bess burst through the door, and Yvonne sobbed uncontrollably.
“Bess… call the police! And a doctor… my side hurts so much… maybe a rib’s broken!”
“I-I… I…”
“Bess, hurry!”
Catherine, realizing something was going wrong, fled in panic.
Once she left, Yvonne sank to the floor, burying her face in her knees.
Her drooping shoulders looked pitiful, and her trembling body betrayed her sobs.
But soon, she wiped her tear-streaked face and rose, cheeks red with embarrassment and pride.
Her clenched lips revealed just how ashamed and humiliated she felt.
‘This is…’
Kiriyan recalled that day.
The day he had invited Franz to his home, he had shown Franz the sight of a mother fighting desperately.
“You saw something you shouldn’t have.”
“Are your ribs… okay?”
“Actually, they’re fine. I just said it.”
“I see.”
“Please keep it a secret that my aunt is like that. She’s still family… Above all, if this gets out, her family’s livelihood would be ruined. And thank you for worrying.”
Kiriyan felt sick to his stomach.
In this mortifying moment, she didn’t run.
Instead, she met his gaze, thanking him, despite fear and embarrassment.
She was strong. Timid, with no particular talents, yet so firm and admirable.
Even as he blinked several times, he couldn’t look away from her.
Something caught in his throat, and he had to clear it.
“…A gentleman…”
His voice trembled foolishly.
Kiriyan felt tension he hadn’t even felt when facing the Emperor.
He stammered his excuse, half-shaking.
“I’ve heard that a gentleman shouldn’t ignore a lady in distress. I want to be a gentleman, if possible.”
He had never been a gentleman before.
And the woman in front of him made him one. By offering thanks in a way he could not refuse.
