MVH 05

-5-

It was a very subtle change, but Edwin, who had observed Lucious closely for a long time, knew how rare it was to see him like this. He also understood that the reason Lucious was showing such behavior was because it was related to Tiana.

There were many rumors surrounding Lucious, but Edwin and those in the Duke’s household knew that he wasn’t as terrifying as the rumors made him out to be.

Of course, Lucious exuded a presence unlike that of ordinary people, making him difficult to approach. The persona he presented in public matched more than half of what the rumors claimed.

He was not someone who paid personal attention to individuals. He was strict about separating the public and private spheres, and to others, he appeared rather cold. Edwin, who had known him since he was a prince, understood his personality better than anyone else.

And the only person to whom Lucious revealed his emotions—was Tiana.

The engagement between the two had initially been arranged due to familial interests, but also in part because of Lucious and Tiana’s relationship.

Though one might have gotten used to it by now, Edwin still found it hard to adapt to the occasional emotional expressions Lucious showed when it came to Tiana.

But since Lucious was someone who struggled to express himself outwardly, even these small glimpses revealed the depth of his feelings—and Edwin accepted it quietly.

Lucious, now seemingly back to his usual composed self, spoke.

“I was concerned about what to do if she had suffered a serious injury. But since that’s not the case, there shouldn’t be any issues.”

“…Are you suggesting we proceed with the wedding as planned?”

“Yes. If there are no significant issues, let’s proceed on the previously set date.”

Edwin looked at him quietly. Despite Lucious and Tiana’s relationship, this engagement had been decided by a formal ‘contract’ between their families. Edwin had expected more criticism.

An unfortunate incident had occurred after the engagement was announced. Regardless of how the incident had unfolded, the responsibility lay with the Duke’s household.

An engagement between noble houses was essentially a blood-bound contract. Once agreed upon, it was an obligation and courtesy for both parties to ensure the safety of the bride and groom until the wedding day.

Though Tiana losing her memory was due to an uncontrollable accident, it was still a failure to fulfill their responsibility. Lucious didn’t seem likely to cancel the engagement, but Edwin couldn’t let it go so easily.

‘There’s also that other matter…’

Though it was still only a suspicion, Edwin had something he needed to confirm—something to resolve before Tiana’s wedding. The engagement was important, but this was even more urgent. So he forced himself to speak.

“…I’m terribly sorry, but I believe the wedding must be postponed.”

Lucious paused just as he reached for his teacup.

“…Is it because the young lady lost her memory? She’s only lost her ‘memory.’ There’s nothing else wrong, is there? I don’t see a reason to postpone it.”

“As Your Highness said, Tiana’s body is perfectly fine. But that’s exactly why it’s a problem.”

“What do you mean?”

“Even without injuries, she’s not fully capable of living normally yet. It’s only been three weeks since the accident. There may still be lingering aftereffects. We don’t know when her memory will return, and sending her away to live in an unfamiliar place is far too unstable.”

“…Unstable.”

“If we go through with the wedding before she’s recovered, we can’t predict what might happen. If later problems arise and blame is assigned, it would disgrace our family as well.”

“……”

“We’re already grateful that you’re willing to overlook the incident and proceed with the engagement, but for that very reason, I wish to fulfill our responsibilities even more.”

It had only been three weeks since Tiana’s accident. Fortunately, she’d come away with only memory loss and no physical injuries—it was practically a miracle considering she’d fallen from a horse.

Many people had lost their lives from similar riding accidents. Had things gone differently, Tiana might have suffered much worse.

Even if she appeared fine, trauma’s aftereffects could linger for a long time. No one could predict when her condition might worsen. Even with two months remaining, there was a risk something could go wrong on or after the wedding day. Her memory was still unstable.

There were plenty of reasons to postpone the ceremony. Even the Grand Duke’s side could suffer losses.

Edwin also had personal feelings invested in this engagement. Though pressured by the noble faction leader, he bore a sense of duty toward the engagement—and guilt toward Tiana.

But right now, both “he” and “Tiana” needed time. Time to regain stability and process everything.

The wedding had to be postponed until Tiana was secure and Edwin could confirm his suspicions.

Clenching his fist tightly, Edwin thought under the weight of Lucious’s cold gaze.

Tiana was his precious daughter—someone he couldn’t bear to lose. Yet here he was, preparing to make her a political pawn for the sake of his house and the Duke. How contradictory and selfish.

Still, he was at least fortunate that Lucious’s feelings for Tiana were genuine. Despite what had happened in the past, his actions toward her could not have been feigned. The fact that Lucious was proceeding with the engagement without complaint proved that.

If Lucious truly cared for Tiana, he would consider Edwin’s proposal, even if it meant relying on his feelings.

After a long silence, Lucious blinked his long lashes and finally spoke.

“…Indeed, Duke, your point is valid.”

“……”

“But Duke—you must remember who arranged this engagement.”

“…!”

“That person does not like to wait. The move you just made may back you into a corner. I don’t understand why you insist on taking a more complicated path when there’s an easier one available.”

The tea on the table had long gone cold. Edwin, his throat dry from Lucious’s gaze, couldn’t even think of drinking it.

The person Lucious was referring to—the true orchestrator of this engagement—was none other than his maternal grandfather, Marquis Calvino, the head of the noble faction.

Although they were both part of the noble faction, Edwin, a moderate, had long been at odds with the hardliner Calvino since Crown Prince Rayel’s days.

The Marquis was a classic power-seeker who would stop at nothing to get results.

He constantly clashed with Edwin, who valued process over outcome. Their strained relationship trickled down to the lesser nobles as well.

Had Edwin not played mediator, conflict would’ve broken out already.

In the midst of this ongoing factional tension, Marquis Calvino sought to secure full control and shed his label as a “half-leader.” His method? This very engagement.

After closely monitoring Edwin—who maneuvered between Emperor Rayel and Lucious—the Marquis had made his move, cutting Edwin off before he could act.

By establishing the engagement, it looked like Edwin, who was nominally part of the noble faction, had joined forces with the Grand Duke’s house.

With the engagement already public knowledge, the Marquis had mostly achieved his goal. Aware of this, Edwin couldn’t easily refuse.

If he did, Emperor Rayel would face pressure from the Marquis. With the throne still weak, Rayel couldn’t stand up to the Marquis alone. So Edwin had chosen to act as a shield.

‘…I didn’t expect this to happen to Tiana again.’

Edwin had never imagined another accident—let alone another memory loss.

He understood why Lucious couldn’t accept the delay. If they postponed the wedding, Marquis Calvino would not stay silent. His pressure was inevitable.

‘Even so…’

Could such pressure matter when his daughter was at risk? For Edwin, Tiana’s safety came first.

It would also be disastrous if her condition worsened after the wedding. Even to avoid that, she needed time to recover.

As silence stretched between them, Lucious looked at the somber Edwin and finally spoke.

“…I understand, Duke Celeste.”

“……”

“I will first inform my grandfather about the young lady’s accident. Since only vague rumors are circulating, it’s best to clarify the facts. I’ll also pass along your opinion.”

Edwin quickly lifted his head. As Lucious rose from his seat, he addressed the tense duke.

“This engagement must go through without any problems. So I cannot ignore your concerns. I can already guess how he will react—but I’ll at least relay your words.”

“…!”

“From there, the matter is yours to handle.”

“…Of course, Your Highness.”

Edwin had fully expected a refusal. But now, Lucious had agreed to delay the wedding—and even offered to relay the message to the Marquis?

The sudden change left Edwin startled, but it was a gift he couldn’t have hoped for.

“I wish the young lady a swift recovery. I’ll be in touch again soon.”

Lucious turned to leave, and Edwin quickly rose to follow. But as he tried to escort him from the drawing room, Lucious shook his head.

Refusing even Alfred the butler’s farewell, Lucious exited alone. Edwin stared blankly at the closing door, then slumped into his chair and let out a long sigh.

As the storm passed, Alfred cautiously asked:

“Are you all right, Duke? Is it really okay to let the Grand Duke leave like this…?”

“It’s fine. I’ll take full responsibility. You felt it too, didn’t you? That we can’t let Tiana go like this.”

“But as His Highness said… Marquis Calvino won’t sit still.”

“I know. But we have to try. I can’t squander the opportunity His Highness just gave us.”

Whatever Lucious’s motives were, he had given Edwin a justifiable reason to negotiate with the Marquis. That alone was a major gain.

Staring at the untouched, cold tea, Edwin rested his clasped hands on his knees.

“How has Tiana been lately?”

“From what I’ve seen recently… she’s noticeably different from before.”

“From before she lost her memory?”

“Yes.”

Alfred received the fresh tea from a maid and placed it in front of Edwin. Staring at the fragrant, steaming red tea, Edwin murmured:

“And what about compared to Tiana from two years ago?”

“Well…”

“Is she very different from the girl back then?”

“…In many ways, she seems the same.”

“…I see. So… that’s how it is.”

Taking a slow sip of the freshly brewed tea, Edwin closed his eyes. Alfred didn’t need to hear the rest of his sentence to understand.

‘The young lady… may have returned to her original self.’

Two accidents had struck Lady Tiana. The first, two years ago, had brought misfortune to their house—but this one might be different.

Perhaps this time… a miracle had happened.

A miracle that brought back the original Tiana.