Chapter 40
“Heh heh! It’s dangerous, but do you think we’re ordinary acquaintances? If it’s for you, I can give it without hesitation.”
The Marquis, puffing himself up with self-importance as he accepted, made the corner of Shirei’s mouth twitch upwards slightly.
“However… just make sure not to let a word slip. I don’t want rumors spreading that the lord of this land, who will also become your father-in-law, is involved in something absurd.”
“Yes. I’ll skip the thanks. I suppose this is better than having the marriage itself called off, from your perspective too, Father-in-law.”
Shirei’s remark implied that he didn’t want unnecessary gestures of gratitude.
The Marquis faltered at Shirei’s upright, composed attitude. Though all sorts of insults ran through his mind, he couldn’t be angry at Shirei, who had resolved his precarious financial situation. If he angered him and Shirei changed his mind, it would be disastrous.
“Indeed. Heh heh. I’m grateful once again that you’ve quietly waited without complaint.”
‘And yet he won’t even say thanks? What a rude scoundrel. This is why commoners can’t be trusted.’
Though he was participating in this messy backroom deal, the Marquis felt his pride bruised by having to bow his demeanor.
‘We’ll see.’
With no other options for the moment, he exaggeratedly laughed.
“I wonder if the girl hit puberty late. She’s been so doted on that she seems to have been let loose too freely. Still, if we bring her back and properly educate her, she should be usable as a wife.”
Shirei just smiled and nodded at the Marquis’s shameless, unpolished lies.
“So, shall we hear Lord Simos’ report?”
“Uh, uh… but son-in-law, I’d rather hear this privately. Though you’ve agreed to take charge, this concerns my daughter before the wedding, and it’s information my subordinates gathered…”
‘This old man is trying some underhanded trick, curious for more.’
“If she really resembles you, I’ll hand her over immediately… hmm?”
Shirei, however, smiled and silently refused.
He didn’t even bother to rise or step aside, instead leaning comfortably back on the sofa as if the Marquis’s words weren’t worth answering. The Marquis, feeling humiliated, forced a smile.
‘This bastard is ignoring me.’
“…Well, I suppose you’re part of the family now. Simos, give the report.”
With the Marquis’s permission, Simos, who had been watching the two carefully, began the report.
“Miss Dalia has been located in Ahmad. It seems… I apologize, but she was involved with a wealthy foreign nobleman and was spending lavishly in the city, having many dresses made with his money.”
“…What?”
“Then, she experienced a kidnapping incident at the hands of a tailor’s husband, likely due to financial hardship. However, thanks to the wealthy noble she was living with, she was rescued unharmed, and has reportedly hired porters to move safely to the capital with that nobleman.”
“…”
“This is a drawing from one of our informants, who was employed as a porter at that mansion and is believed to have seen the woman who matches Miss Dalia.”
The paper Simos handed over resembled Dalia remarkably closely.
The Marquis’ hands trembled as he received it, his expression a mix of disbelief and astonishment at the flood of unbelievable news. For Shirei, however, it was already familiar information, so he remained indifferent.
‘That kidnapping was my doing too, yet they don’t even know. Slow and foolish.’
Compared to Shirei’s information network, which could mobilize massive sums, the Marquis’ informants were painfully slow in tracking Dalia.
By now, Shirei even knew the name of the noble Dalia had attached herself to: “Khalid.” This information had been relayed to Crown Prince Jeremy, who, upon receiving the report, stopped urging Shirei.
However, for some reason, Jeremy’s desire for Dalia burned even stronger, and he wanted to acquire a woman with a similar appearance. Furthermore, he indicated that they should consider another plan once she arrived in the capital.
Shirei could tell that delaying would not make him give up.
‘Persistent in strange ways. This pervert… hard to deal with.’
Shirei, having to placate the Crown Prince while offering women resembling Dalia and maintain connections with the Marquis for the future, found the situation irritating.
Shirei rose casually, showing no surprise, but the Marquis hurriedly grabbed him.
“You’ve heard everything, and now you’re leaving? You’ve finally found Dalia!”
“Yes, Father-in-law. I’ve heard it all.”
“I… about the man, I apologize. But it must be some misunderstanding.”
The Marquis, uncertain what Shirei was thinking as he stared at him, went pale.
After all, the news that his fiancée had been with another man would be enough to enrage any fiancé. If left unchecked, Shirei could withdraw his support and claim compensation.
‘What to do…’
The flustered Marquis tried to spout weak excuses.
“I’ve educated her properly, so she’s certainly still a virgin!”
“…I will hear news of Dalia, my fiancée in the capital, soon. Whatever she went through while running away, I will not cancel our engagement.”
“That means…”
“Yes. Her becoming my wife will not change, so please bring her back safely, Father-in-law.”
“Oh? Yes, of course.”
‘This guy… forgiving a woman who strayed so easily?’
The Marquis was bewildered at Shirei’s calm reaction to news that his fiancée was with another man.
“But, you really forgive my daughter?”
“Yes, it’s fine. I will understand that she enjoyed her last freedom before marriage in her own extraordinary way.”
To Shirei, Dalia was simply a strategic pawn. The woman had captured the Crown Prince’s interest, so for Shirei’s career, he needed to acquire and deliver her.
The Marquis, unaware of Shirei’s intentions, was stunned by his generosity and quickly nodded.
“Indeed. You are truly broad-minded.”
Shirei rose from the sofa and greeted the Marquis and his wife.
“Well, I’ve heard enough. I’ll return to my work now. Please handle things well, Father-in-law.”
“Understood. You can trust me entirely!”
‘Dalia… she’s cunning. She escaped once, but it won’t be easy twice.’
Shirei departed, and the Marquis, watching his retreating figure, frowned fiercely.
“How insolent, that commoner. Daring to control me.”
Ignoring his own fault and Shirei’s generous financial support, the Marquis ground his teeth in anger.
“Wait… she’s with a wealthy nobleman? Dalia is my daughter, isn’t she? The marriage hasn’t even happened…”
Legally, her status hadn’t changed, so he still had authority over her more than Shirei did.
“…Indeed, dear.”
The Marquis’ wife quietly replied, seemingly absent, confirming they shared the same thoughts.
The Marquis gave a sly smile.
“If that clueless noble spreading money around Ahmad has as much wealth as Shirei, and on top of that holds a higher rank than Shirei…”
No matter Shirei’s power and wealth, his commoner birth remained a mark.
“If the report is true, this is an opportunity.”
If Dalia’s noble met those criteria, he could maintain his status, and if he was a big spender, he could provide the funds Shirei had promised.
“Simos, so, where did Dalia and that noble head in the capital?”
Though pretending to be generous, the Marquis realized Shirei likely sent subordinates to the capital to secure her.
Seeing a new source of wealth, the Marquis grew eager.
“Immediately, send people to the capital. We must be faster than Shirei.”
Beside him, the Marquis’ wife was excited.
“Who would’ve thought the ungrateful Dalia could turn out such a treasure?”
“Indeed. She rejected the husband we picked for her, yet…”
Though slightly displeased, the Marquis couple felt optimistic about the outcome.
“But, dear, what about the money received from Shirei?”
“The new son-in-law will pay it back. If he refuses, we refuse him.”
“But if he doesn’t have the money… or refuses?”
“To covet my precious daughter without sufficient compensation? Then I won’t hand her over.”
The evaluation of his daughter suddenly changed.
The Marquis’ wife, watching his brazen excitement, momentarily glanced in horror, then smiled broadly, speaking the words the Marquis wanted to hear.
“Indeed, dear. You’re right. We can’t just hand over our precious daughter carelessly.”
“Heh heh! Exactly. Now, let’s see… I hear there’s a proper card game in the territory tonight.”
The Marquis, seeing a chance to spend money, immediately planned another extravagant scheme.
‘Shirei hasn’t been able to gamble freely lately, and hasn’t been with a new woman in a long time.’
The Marquis hurriedly prepared to leave, thinking of finding potential women to be mistresses.
He had long since resumed treating his wife coldly after initially doting on her following the birth of their son.
The wife, understanding her husband’s intentions, followed with a smiling face, seeing him off.
The carriage departed quickly under the Marquis’ insistence. Once she saw it disappear, she hummed happily, entering the estate. Looking down at her child in the arms of a maid, she smiled contentedly.
“You have nothing to worry about, future Marquis. I’ll take care of these worthless people, you just need to grow up healthy.”
Though she did not suffer greatly, Dalia retained a lingering trauma from that day.
Khalid, seeing her startled at unfamiliar sounds, never took his eyes off her.
“Why?”
“Am I disturbing you?”
“No, not really.”
Carrying work into her bedroom, Khalid spoke immediately when Dalia hesitated.
“Then I’ll work here.”
“I’m going to sleep now…”
“Okay. I’ll be quiet.”
He pulled a chair beside her bed, staying in her line of sight while reviewing documents.
Since then, he stayed unobtrusively within her range, careful not to interfere.
“Why are you… like air…?”
Dalia murmured, half-asleep, that he could be more noticeable.
Hearing this, Khalid lifted his head.
“Can I move beside you?”
“Yes…”
As soon as she gave permission, he laid down next to her bed without hesitation.
‘Not exactly asking to sleep together…’
Dalia was taken aback by Khalid’s sudden move, but he slowly began patting her shoulder.
‘…Not bad.’
Though initially startled, her eyes soon closed again. His careful touch continued long after she fell asleep.
When she woke, Dalia gently removed his arm from her body.
Her scratches from the abduction had mostly healed, leaving only faint marks. The recovery was astonishingly fast.
‘Is it because I’ve been eating well? No… I think Khalid did something.’
He continually avoided talking about mysterious powers.
‘He didn’t seem interested in hearing my explanations either.’
Dalia stretched her stiff body, shaking off the sleepiness.
‘I gave Aron a vague explanation, but he didn’t seem to believe it.’
