Chapter 10
“What do you think you’re doing?!”
He was a vassal of Rian—someone coveted by all the nobles of the Empire. Though of average height and slightly slender build, the sharp gleam in his eyes alone made it seem as if he could kill.
There was no time to wonder why he was in her house.
“How dare you block my way? Move. Someone like you has no place here.”
Cedric shoved him aside and lunged at Illyana again. But the vassal stepped forward, shielding her.
“I’m sorry, but that decision is not yours to make, Young Marquis.”
“…?”
“My name is Erga. I serve Duke Rian Gothri. I’ve come here on his behalf to meet the young lady.”
At that moment, Cedric’s face twisted beyond recognition. No matter how much influence the Empress held, he couldn’t ignore Rian’s vassal.
“I’m afraid we don’t have time to see you out. Please take your leave.”
With a polite bow, Erga flung the door open wide. Still, Cedric’s pride wouldn’t let him retreat easily.
“I’ll make you bow that arrogant head of yours soon enough. And when you beg for your life, it’ll be too late.”
“Are you issuing a duel?”
“What?”
“If so, I’ll relay it to my lord. I am his representative, after all.”
What kind of lunatic is this?
Cedric had no desire to get on bad terms with Rian. In the end, he clenched his fists and left the mansion.
The moment he was gone, Erga quickly shut the door. By then, Illyana’s face had turned deathly pale.
“Are you alright—Miss!”
Swaying, Illyana collapsed onto the floor.
A few hours later, the news reached Jeffrey and Rian. One of them was furious. The other simply said:
“It’d be better to just kill him now.”
That morning, Rian had suddenly ordered that the dress be personally delivered. At the time, Erga had assumed his master had fallen for the young lady’s beauty.
But after witnessing what happened at the mansion, he realized just how dire her situation was.
He had been surprised at first—but his master’s reaction was far worse. Rian stared ahead as if Cedric were standing right in front of him, barely suppressing his anger.
Since when did he care so much about someone else’s affairs?
“How do you plan to kill him?”
“Are you asking how I’ll kill him, or when?”
“Either way, you can’t.”
“And we’re just supposed to sit back and watch that lunatic become Emperor?”
“I didn’t realize you cared so much about the Empire, my lord.”
Rian tilted his head slightly, resting his chin on his hand as he looked at Erga.
“I thought you were smart, but sometimes you seem rather foolish.”
“…Pardon?”
“I don’t care whether the Empire falls or not.”
“Then… is this about the young lady?”
Rian let out a quiet chuckle and rose from his chair. Walking over, he leaned against the desk with his arms crossed.
“I’m not as naive as my father. I don’t intend to die like that either. But if someone like that becomes Emperor, I won’t be able to live comfortably. And what’s so great about honor anyway? Just look at me.”
…
Rian’s father had died simply because he was a member of the imperial family—to preserve the honor of being the noble emperor’s brother.
But Illyana was different. She didn’t need honor or money.
She just needed to live. That was all.
“I wonder if she knows— the more she hides her will to live, the more it shows.”
A normal noble lady would never break off her engagement with Cedric. She wouldn’t skip a banquet knowing the rumors it would cause. Would she have even thought of stepping into the public square?
“She’s just an ordinary girl desperate for love.”
“I’m disappointed, Erga. Your judgment of people is lacking.”
Clicking his tongue, Rian shook his head, tapping his arm thoughtfully.
“Find out more about Illyana.”
“There’s nothing unusual. She was born in the south and later came to the capital.”
“There must be something more. I heard her maternal grandfather, Duke William Blair, has territory near the Targa border.”
“I’ll look into it. What about the banquet?”
“I’ll go.”
“You haven’t received her answer.”
“That’s the problem…”
Rian sighed softly, his brows furrowing.
“Was her reaction that bad?”
“Yes. Why did you send flowers in the first place?”
“I just followed the list you gave me.”
“I told you what women like. I didn’t say it was for her.”
“If she doesn’t come, it’s all your fault.”
Erga swallowed the retort rising to his throat.
Regardless of the gift, the young lady likely wouldn’t have responded anyway. A woman who had just sent a letter of broken engagement attending a banquet with another man—it was unheard of.
At least, for someone with common sense.
‘I should find the letters those young ladies sent my lord before.’
Rian was always cold and distant, disliked socializing, didn’t drink much, gamble, or chase women. Even those drawn to his status often spoke poorly of him behind his back.
Still, a few young ladies were captivated by his sharp intellect and striking appearance.
Objectively, he was quite handsome—very much so.
But if they truly knew him, they would never have sent those letters.
It wasn’t that he couldn’t socialize.
He simply didn’t want to.
“Don’t worry about the partner. I’ll handle it. You should think about how to explain the flowers.”
“You think she won’t come?”
“Didn’t you think the same?”
“I said if. She’ll come.”
“Confidence is good, but don’t be too certain.”
Knock knock.
The butler appeared.
“Lady Illyana Critia requests an audience.”
Erga’s mouth fell open. Rian simply shrugged.
“I’ll escort her to the drawing room.”
“No. Bring her to the study.”
“Yes, sir.”
Even after the butler left, Erga stood frozen.
This study had belonged to the former duke. No one but him and the butler were allowed inside.
And now… he was letting her in?
He glanced at Rian, who calmly fastened his collar and sat on the sofa.
“Are you staying?”
Rian looked up at him.
“You can stare all you want, but do it quietly from the back.”
“When was I staring—”
“If you keep talking…”
“I’ll leave.”
Reluctantly, Erga exited. As he stepped into the hallway, a long shadow fell over him.
“You’ve arrived.”
Illyana stood there, dressed in a simple brown gown with almost no adornments. Her expression was calm, but her tightly pressed lips revealed her stubbornness.
If his lord had been born a woman, perhaps he would look just like that.
Pushing aside the thought, Erga stepped aside.
“He’s waiting for you.”
He opened the door wide. After a brief bow, he disappeared.
“I didn’t know you disliked roses. I apologize again.”
Rian spoke first.
Nobles weren’t accustomed to apologizing—yet he did so easily.
“And thank you for accepting my proposal.”
Gratitude was even rarer.
Yet he spoke like an ordinary person.
“This tea is from Targa. It has a subtle floral scent—best enjoyed warm.”
He was even considerate.
‘They say the duke kills without hesitation on the battlefield…’
That was the rumor Illyana remembered.
There were others too—claims that he disliked women, even avoided them because he preferred men. Many who once considered marriage with him had withdrawn because of it.
‘Was I mistaken? Or were the rumors wrong?’
“Thank you for the generous gift.”
“That’s all?”
The words nearly escaped her lips.
As Illyana lowered her gaze, she noticed the worn edge of her sleeve.
She always mended her clothes. With the sudden cold, this was the only outfit she had left.
In contrast, Rian was completely different.
Shelves filled with rare books, luxurious carpets, and a crisp shirt made of the finest fabric.
Even the elegant gold handle in his hand highlighted the gap between them.
The idea of repaying him felt almost laughable.
He could save anyone, anytime.
But Illyana had no such choices.
And now that Cedric knew about Rian, the two of them were already tied together.
So she had to speak—before he changed his mind.
But first, she needed to know why.
Why her?
And why this banquet mattered so much to him.
Her long lashes slowly lifted.
“Why me?”
