Chapter 80
The royal ball had been such a hot topic in high society that rumors and gossip spread everywhere afterward.
And at the center of it all, without question, was the love story of Duke Tirchen Berato.
Before dawn had even broken, extra editions of newspapers were already being distributed throughout the capital.
Perena, who was more interested in Tirchen’s news than anyone else, quickly got hold of it.
“Hah! Love story? What nonsense.”
Perena twisted the newspaper in both hands.
Clutching the crumpled paper, she stormed straight into Marcia’s office.
“Marcia! You said the curse you cast was perfect—what is this supposed to be?”
The moment she threw open the office door, Perena hurled the wrinkled newspaper onto Marcia’s desk.
The paper struck Marcia squarely on the hand as she scribbled notes. Her pen slipped out of her fingers and clattered to the floor.
Marcia raised her head and irritably flicked the newspaper aside.
“I told you not to interrupt me when I’m working! Did you finish what I asked?”
“Work? Do I look like I can be working right now? You robbed me of my freedom as payment for putting a curse on that man, and now you have the gall to spout nonsense?”
“The fact that he’s never once shown interest in women is proof my curse was perfect.”
“Then how do you explain this article?”
Perena snatched up the paper, spread out its crumpled pages, and slammed it in front of Marcia.
[Birth of a Legendary Couple! Duke Berato Has Fallen in Love ♥♥♥]
The bold headline even had three hearts at the end.
“Read it yourself. It says he’s in love! That cold, heartless man falling in love? If your curse worked properly, this would be impossible.”
“Foolish girl.”
Marcia placed her hand over Perena’s and leaned forward across the desk.
Though the desk separated them, their faces were so close they almost touched.
“This is a royal marriage. Of course they’d dress it up as a love story to draw public attention. He’s destined to be crown prince—whether he likes women or not, he has to marry someone.”
“You just won’t admit your curse failed! You’re the one who told me nothing in this world is eternal or perfect.”
“You’re right. Nothing in this world is eternal or perfect.”
Releasing Perena’s hand, Marcia leaned back comfortably in her chair.
“For the curse to break, three conditions must be met: he must meet his fated partner, kiss her, and win her heart.”
“You never told me that! You’ve been deceiving me all this time, making me your slave for over ten years?”
“Idiot. Even if he met his fated one, how could a man who hates women possibly kiss her? Besides, when I cast the spell, he was set on a path that never crossed with his destined partner. Unless someone came back from the dead, they’d never be entangled.”
“If you’re lying, I’ll kill you!”
Perena, who had looked ready to tear the office apart, slowly calmed down.
It had been more than ten years since she first held him in her heart.
Because her father squandered their fortune on drink and gambling, Perena had been forced to work under Marcia since the age of nine.
When Marcia’s errands became too much and she sat crying on a street corner, a boy had approached her with kindness. Jet-black hair, clear blue eyes—he was warm and gentle.
Once she learned that the boy with the sunlit smile belonged to a high noble house, Perena began to dream of a rosy future. If she married him, perhaps she could escape Marcia and live happily.
“If only he hadn’t smiled kindly at other girls too, I never would have stooped to using curses.”
She had thought his kindness was for her alone—until one day, she saw him treating another noble girl with the same gentle smile.
As the daughter of a destitute count, practically living as a slave because of her father’s debts, he was far beyond her reach.
While she sank into despair and depression, Marcia whispered a tempting suggestion.
“Do you want that young lord for yourself? There’s a way—do you want to try?”
Foolish and desperate, Perena would have sold even her soul for a chance at his heart. She didn’t give up her soul, but in exchange for Marcia’s spell, she lost her freedom.
“He’s mine. I won’t just hand him over to another woman.”
As a child, she believed freezing his heart would keep him hers forever. But now, if he was to marry someone, it had to be her.
Recently, she had learned of another spell that could win his heart, and she was waiting eagerly for the right opportunity.
Roena stopped her brother Tirchen as he was about to leave after breakfast.
“You’re not too busy, right?”
“What is it you want to talk about?”
“If you’re not busy, come with me.”
Without waiting for his reply, Roena led him into the garden.
Inside the greenhouse, she pressed a pair of pruning shears into his hand.
“Why are you giving me this?”
“Cut a flower.”
“What, do you think I’m too weak to hold the scissors properly?”
Finding his sister’s odd behavior amusing, Tirchen let out a chuckle—but quickly fell silent under her sharp glare.
“You need to pick one for Sister Ellicia.”
“Why just one? Shouldn’t I make a whole bouquet?”
“No! One is enough.”
With great seriousness, Roena insisted.
Since it was for Ellicia, Tirchen chose carefully.
Which flower would suit her best?
He imagined her smile as she accepted it. Thinking of Ellicia in her cabin, he carefully cut a single white blossom.
“Is this good enough?”
He held it out to Roena, but she shook her head.
“On your way out, stop by Duke Mares’ estate and give it to Sister Ellicia.”
“Me?”
“Of course, you.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re going to marry her!”
“What does that have to do with a flower?”
“Just do it!”
Roena shouted, stomping out of the greenhouse in a huff.
Getting her emotionless brother properly married was no easy task. If Ellicia were to lose interest in him, she’d never forgive herself for not interfering.
Ellicia stared blankly at Tirchen standing before her with a single flower.
For him to show up early in the morning with a flower was unlike him.
“You don’t like it?”
“No, I like it.”
When he raised an eyebrow slightly, Ellicia quickly took the flower from him.
“What made you bring me this?”
A single bloom—not even a bouquet! Her heart fluttered strangely.
“I thought you might like it.”
He averted his gaze slightly. Something told him he shouldn’t mention Roena’s involvement.
“Thank you.”
Ellicia had never seen this side of him before, and his thoughtfulness warmed her heart.
It almost felt like real courtship. Her cheeks flushed pink as a soft smile spread across her face.
Though pretending not to look, Tirchen stole glances at her.
Seeing her smile like that… yes, she does like flowers. Maybe I should bring them more often.
Thanks to Roena’s love of plants, his greenhouse was full of them. Now he had the perfect excuse to see Ellicia every morning.
As Ellicia tried to find the right moment to send him off, she grew flustered—he wasn’t moving an inch. Even after her thanks, he remained rooted in place.
He doesn’t look like he has anything particular to say…
Fiddling nervously with her fingers, Ellicia finally spoke.
“Would you like some tea?”
“Forget tea. Shall we take a walk?”
“Yes.”
He stepped forward, and she followed slowly behind. Walking side by side was far more comfortable than standing face-to-face.
Then Tirchen stretched one hand back toward her.
Is he asking me to take it?
Tilting her head, Ellicia slipped her hand into his.
The moment she did, his large hand closed around hers, completely engulfing it.
The warmth and softness of her hand pleased him.
“Your hand is warm.”
“…Yours too, Tirchen.”
After a brief pause, she replied shyly.
The heat that flowed through their joined hands was comforting.
Ellicia no longer found him intimidating as before. Now she knew he was capable of warmth.
Meanwhile, Gustavo had drowned himself in drink at Varus’ place. He had already gotten drunk the previous night, but the moment he woke up, he began drinking again.
He thought it might dull the pain, but instead it only stoked his anger.
He was furious that his reputation had been ruined by Letisa—but even more furious that Tirchen would marry Ellicia.
“Bring more wine.”
“You’ve had too much already. Since yesterday, you haven’t stopped drinking.”
Varus gestured for a servant to help Gustavo up from where he lay slumped on the table.
—Thud!
“Urgh!”
Needing an outlet for his rage, Gustavo punched the servant in the stomach.
The servant collapsed to the floor, clutching his belly.
—Crash!
Gustavo slammed the wine bottle against the table, shattering glass in every direction.
“Didn’t you hear me? I said bring more wine! Why won’t you listen?”
“Breaking things won’t solve anything.”
“If drinking’s the only thing that keeps me standing, then shut up and bring it!”
Shaking his head in resignation, Varus handed him another bottle. What could anyone do? When Gustavo didn’t get his way, he turned violent.
With funds running low and Gustavo in this state, Varus even began to wonder if he should pull back the money he had invested in the Zekin Trading Company.
