Chapter 31
Arius’s voice wasn’t loud. It was low, firm, and resonant.
Even so, people focused on him—and on me.
It was annoying.
The last thing I had seen was him fussing over the pass or something, so there was a reason for what he said, but…
“If you bring a servant with you, it will be fine. I have a very large servant.”
“That won’t be enough.”
“You are so considerate. Truly, Duke Romero, you are a man of great refinement.”
Everything was set!
My frustration boiled inside me, but I couldn’t show it. So I forced a light smile and spoke gently:
“However, if your kindness prevents me from seeing the Sephardi estate, I’m afraid I can only blame you, Duke.”
I said it playfully, but Arius knew I was being sarcastic.
Yet he remained resolute.
“Then I shall accompany you.”
“You must participate in the tea time. The venerable Cantevia…”
“Princess Cecilia, I have not sent a reply yet, but for this reason, I may not be able to attend tomorrow.”
“Oh, no, Lord Romero—”
Cecilia seemed flustered, and her fork clanged against the plate noisily.
“I understand your noble intentions, but that may appear as excessive kindness toward the young lady. Too much kindness repeated can lead to unpleasant rumors.”
“Your Highness is correct. Duke, the reputation of Miss Sephardi might also be affected.”
It was Pedro who synced perfectly with Cecilia.
Words tangled back and forth. The debate dragged on, exhausting everyone.
Cecilia, perhaps sensing the suffocating atmosphere, raised her voice.
“Since things have come to this, Maribel, why don’t you reconsider attending tea time? You could tour the estate later with Pedro.”
Cecilia spoke kindly, lifting her chin.
“You don’t necessarily have to go tomorrow. This huge estate isn’t going anywhere immediately. That fan will surely return safely to its owner.”
“That may be true…”
Of course, I didn’t absolutely have to go to the estate tomorrow.
But I needed to meet the angry artisan outside the estate as soon as possible.
I could no longer forcefully extract the gemstones.
And I didn’t know when I’d have another chance to go outside!
Seeing me dodge the question ambiguously, Cecilia turned to seek other help.
“What does Gabriella think?”
Why did Gabriella need to think about my affairs?
I was irritated at being interrupted, and Cecilia seemed overly confident that Gabriella, as my friend, would naturally help her.
“Well…”
Gabriella leaned slightly against her chair.
For a moment, an uncharacteristic blank expression crossed her face as if she were weighing something.
What?
Before I could even feel uneasy, Gabriella smiled, her eyes soft like cotton candy.
“I’m not sure. Maribel’s refusal might also be her obligation to the royal family, I think.”
“No, it’s not like that’s any sort of obligation—”
“Why don’t we let our father decide on such an important matter?”
It was the soft, wise answer of a daughter.
Not exactly favorable for me.
Mateo, always eager to involve Maribel with Pedro, would inevitably insist that I attend tea time.
I was about to manage my expression against the rising irritation.
“Hmm.”
Contrary to my expectations, Mateo squinted slightly and alternated his gaze between Pedro and Arius.
Somehow… I saw my father from my previous world in him.
A politician who had always been extremely calculating.
Even the reason he adopted me wasn’t out of responsibility—it was to have a potential bomb visible and within reach.
The character modeled after such a person swirled a wine glass with his hand, letting out a brief sigh.
“Once a promise is made to the royal family, it must be kept no matter what. This is troublesome. But I cannot treat my daughter’s safety lightly either.”
Mateo, who had been acting pompous, hesitated briefly and looked at Arius.
“Duke Romero. Can I ask you to escort my daughter?”
“Duke!”
“Pedro, as you know, this seems the best option. Given the situation, and though I don’t know about Eskia, Sephardi will never break a promise with Bernau.”
Pedro’s face turned bright red.
He opened his mouth as if to protest, but he lacked a reason to confront Mateo, who was cunningly twisting the topic of promises.
Moreover, Mateo looked like a benevolent father and turned to Arius.
“Duke Romero, since the friendship between Sephardi and Romero is strong, I believe there will be no blemish on my daughter’s honor.”
“You have nothing to worry about regarding that.”
“Maribel, you understand what I’m saying, right?”
I couldn’t go alone.
That alone erased any reason for me to go to the estate.
I wanted to negotiate an engagement with Arius only after clearing up the previous fraudulent deeds I had done, so that my hand was clean.
But right now, I could do only one thing.
“I will follow my father’s wishes. Please take care of me, Duke Romero.”
The situation was ruined, but I forced a polite smile and nodded.
“Good. After the meal, Maribel, come see me for a moment.”
“Yes, I will.”
I sliced some meat and stuffed it into my mouth.
I felt like I couldn’t digest it.
“Duke Romero…”
Mateo, who had called me to an empty sitting room, sipped crimson after-dinner wine.
As I fiddled with the after-dinner wine given to me, the man I had to call “Father,” with his dark inner thoughts, lingered for a while and let out a little laugh, as if amused.
“You seem to have feelings, Maribel.”
“Pardon?”
“We went out together before. When you bought that fan.”
He meant well, but the intent was dark.
“That was my request. You know that, Father.”
“Did something happen between the two of you?”
His probing gaze was sharp.
I couldn’t say nothing had happened, and I had once openly confessed my feelings.
I also made a strange mistake with the fan.
But all of that was Maribel Sephardi’s doing.
It would be ridiculous for Father to assume Arius Romero had feelings, so I answered firmly:
“Father, I swear on Sephardi’s honor. Nothing inappropriate happened.”
“Romero is wealthier than Eskia. And Pedro…”
What started as a conversation directed at me ended up as his monologue.
He sipped the crimson wine in his hand.
“He has some shortcomings. Whether in Bernau or Eskia…”
Shortcomings. I mulled over the words.
However he obtained that information, the Duke of Sephardi seemed to know Pedro was the emperor’s illegitimate child.
I tilted my head and feigned innocence.
“What shortcomings?”
Mateo, lost in thought, seemed to forget I was there.
His dull, unfocused gaze briefly touched me and then blurred.
“This is none of your concern. Don’t speak unnecessarily.”
“…Understood.”
I had nothing more to say and took a sip of the after-dinner wine.
The strong drink, meant to aid digestion, left a bitter taste as it slid down my throat.
“For Sephardi, Arius Romero is better. Being a general, he can help more if a big problem arises. Yes. That’s right.”
“Father…”
“That man doesn’t have anyone in the household to watch out for.”
How far would he think alone?
Biting my lip in frustration at having to maintain a submissive daughter’s face, Mateo gestured toward me.
“Maribel, my daughter. You said you would do your best for Sephardi’s glory. Remember?”
“Of course, Father.”
“Then accept Duke Romero’s proposal.”
I had intended to, but hearing Mateo say it so bluntly made me feel disgusted.
To think I had to obey the calculations of a man who constantly measured how to ‘sell’ his daughter for the highest price…
I took a step back and acted like a proper daughter.
“Father, Duke Romero and I are really nothing to each other. We only met a few days ago.”
“That man came to me and asked.”
Did he finally mention the Moro pass? I had decided not to bring it up.
When I fixed my expression, Mateo gave a faintly sinister smile.
