Chapter 09
“Thank you for inviting me today, Sir Ian.”
When she called him by name instead of “Young Duke,” Ian let out a small laugh.
“So you’re finally calling me that.”
“A promise is a promise.”
Perhaps he noticed how calm her tone was.
Ian stared at her intently.
“I’m the one who should be pleased to have you here, Miss Diana.”
You don’t look pleased at all.
“If you don’t mind, we can have tea first, and then I’ll show you around the estate. I’m sure you’ll like it.”
If there were a competition for saying things you don’t mean, Ian would win first place.
***
Not long after, the butler Herman brought in tea.
Once he left, Diana spoke politely.
“Thank you for your consideration, but I’ll decline. I’m not very interested in touring the estate.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. I think it’s better if we talk about something more important.”
Ian Crawford looked as flawless as ever.
His smooth smile shone like a polished gem.
It was a perfect smile—
And yet, it felt unsettling.
“I can’t imagine what kind of topic you’re about to bring up, Miss Diana.”
“Ian, I’m not a fool. I didn’t come all this way just to pretend I heard nothing, so you can relax.”
She spoke with a clean, composed smile.
As if she had done this many times before.
At this point, Diana could barely tell whether he was a person or a machine that produced lies.
What kind of childhood creates someone like this?
“If you’re going to keep pretending, I’ll be direct. Are you having trouble running your casino?”
“…You continue to exceed my expectations.”
For someone who was supposedly surprised, he looked completely calm.
“You said you heard nothing before, so why the sudden change? May I ask why?”
“I should be asking you that. You said it wasn’t time for you to marry, yet suddenly you asked me to send you an invitation—and to call you by name. Why?”
“That’s because I’ve become interested in you.”
“In a good way or a bad way?”
“Surprisingly, I’ve learned that both can exist at the same time.”
Ian’s gaze locked onto hers.
“So, what made you change your mind?”
“I thought you didn’t like hypocrisy.”
“Hahaha, do you really think that’s the reason?”
He completely ignored her answer.
His tone was light.
“It seems the threat involving your parents worked quite well on you.”
“…”
“So, how do you plan to pay the price for overhearing something you shouldn’t have?”
His voice was still calm—
But it made her entire body tense.
***
“That assumption is wrong.”
She couldn’t show weakness now.
This wasn’t much different from a battle of dominance—show even the smallest opening, and you’d be devoured.
“I didn’t eavesdrop. I was already in that lounge first.”
“Hmm.”
“If anything, I’m the victim. And you’re the one threatening me.”
“Even if that’s true, what difference does it make?”
It was shameless—
But Ian didn’t even blink.
“As far as I’m concerned, killing you to silence you is the simplest solution. Do you agree?”
As if I would agree to that.
Diana glared at him.
“I don’t understand why you’d insist on such a disadvantageous choice.”
She placed a hand over her chest and spoke calmly.
“Ian, I am a Wellington. In one year, I’ll become one of the richest heiresses in this kingdom.”
“And how is that relevant?”
“I’m the only ‘new noble’ who has been systematically trained to manage and expand the business my father built.”
She stopped speaking indirectly.
“Running a casino isn’t easy, is it?”
“…”
“There are far more things to manage than you expected, right?”
Just like clichés exist in stories, they also exist in characters.
And one key cliché of a narrow-eyed villain—
“Are you not tired of incompetent subordinates who only bring you problems after you trust them?”
That was it.
Useless subordinates.
Ian Crawford was undoubtedly capable—
But he was still a villain.
And villains always fall because of their subordinates.
People who fail constantly, expose weaknesses, and drag their master into danger.
“I would be more helpful to you than people like that.”
“Oh?”
“I’ll help you manage the casino. Of course, there will be conditions.”
“Did you just say… conditions?”
“I can’t be the only one taking a loss.”
Ian looked like he had just heard the most ridiculous thing in his life.
Fair enough. I’m supposed to be scared and begging, not offering help like this.
But he seemed interested.
He tilted his head, signaling her to continue.
***
“I’ll help you run the casino. In return, you’ll take responsibility for acting as my fake lover.”
“…Fake lover?”
Diana clearly saw Ian barely manage not to spill his tea.
“Recently, because of you, several ‘old nobles’ have started seeing me as a thorn in their side.”
In the Emerald Kingdom, there were two types of nobles.
Old nobles, who ruled inherited lands and maintained power through lineage.
And new nobles, who built wealth through business.
Old nobles considered trade beneath them.
They quietly looked down on new nobles.
Conflict between the two was constant.
But not all old nobles were the same.
The world was changing.
Some accepted that and entered business and investment.
Diana’s family was one of them.
Her father had been a second son with little inheritance.
So he took risks, built wealth through business—
And three years ago, their family rose from baron to count.
That caused major controversy.
To the old nobles, it meant their long-protected hierarchy was beginning to crack.
And so—
The Wellington family became a target.
“They treat us as representatives of the ‘new nobles’ and openly criticize us.”
Diana frowned slightly.
This kind of division is childish…
But it was real.
And getting worse.
Old nobles tried to exclude new nobles through marriage.
And now—
Diana had met Ian three times privately.
“At this rate, my reputation will be ruined within a year.”
“I didn’t expect you to care about such things.”
“I have to. A man might face brief gossip—but for a woman, rumors last much longer and spread more easily.”
Ian had to know what people were saying.
But whether he cared—
Was another matter.
***
“So, take responsibility and act like a young duke who is deeply in love with me.”
“…”
“Act like you’re chasing after me, and I reluctantly accept you.”
Even under his intense gaze, Diana spoke boldly.
“And in the end, I’ll reject you publicly. I’ll say I don’t like a man like you.”
“That seems rather… personal, for a plan meant to preserve your dignity.”
“Isn’t that just your imagination?”
“Hahaha.”
He looked slightly irritated.
As she spoke, his posture gradually relaxed.
Until he was resting his chin on his hand.
“Interesting idea. But how about this instead? I spare your parents, and in return, I take you as my bride and use you for the rest of your life.”
“That sounds far more personal, doesn’t it?”
“You must be mistaken.”
Diana stared at him in disbelief.
There were many things she wanted to argue about—
But something more important came first.
“Fine. Then let me ask you something.”
“What is it?”
“Ian—do you really want to be engaged to me?”
“…”
“Do you truly want me as your bride? As your family?”
At that moment—
For the first time,
The false smile on Ian Crawford’s face disappeared.
