Chapter 16
“Alright.”
Unlike the Duke, who wore a relaxed smile, Arken stared back and forth between Karin and the Duke with his mouth half open, as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
It wasn’t an expression one got to see very often.
Hold on. That’s at least Epic rarity.
Not wanting to miss the opportunity, Karin quickly stored the image in the film reel of her mind.
The title: “Dumbfounded Ver. 2.”
At this rate, she felt she could make an entire album.
“Are you all in your right minds?”
Arken asked sharply.
The Duke answered leisurely without changing his expression.
“What seems to be the problem?”
“A mine or an estate isn’t some child’s toy. And surely you know how important the land beneath the northern mountain range is to our duchy. The exports from that region alone probably account for a fifth of our annual budget.”
Oh?
So that’s how it was.
Karin realized something.
If this goes well, I might not just flatten the Duke’s pride—I could bankrupt the First Duchy entirely.
According to <Absent-Minded… omitted> the First Duchy collected less tax revenue from its territory than the Second Duchy.
The First Duchy’s land was vast, but most of it consisted of useless rocky mountains and wastelands. Unlike the Second Duchy, it didn’t own multiple mines either.
Furthermore, Duke Lucas didn’t own merchant guilds like other nobles, nor did he engage in various businesses.
Karin had often wondered how he managed to run such a huge territory.
Apparently, he made a living by selling specialty products from beneath the northern mountain range.
And now he had wagered that crucial land on a bet he was bound to lose.
The First Duchy’s descent into poverty was now only a matter of time.
Soon enough, she would get to see the Duke regret everything as a penniless wreck.
Karin silently vowed that when the day came, she would show off her newly fattened purse and laugh wickedly in front of him.
“There’s no need to worry. Do you really believe the Lady can persuade Marta?”
The Duke remained completely calm, utterly unaware of the disaster awaiting him.
“Marta is a woman as cold and immovable as an iceberg on the snowfields.”
For once, he was right.
Marta was not an easy opponent.
Even Karin readily admitted that.
It was true that she knew Marta better than most people, but if she approached her unprepared, defeat was guaranteed.
“…And she’s fundamentally incompatible with the Lady.”
The Duke’s crimson eyes were filled with confidence.
Anyone seeing him would think he’d already won the bet.
“Even so, this is absurd. As the person responsible for managing the duchy’s finances, I cannot agree to this.”
Arken spoke firmly once again.
“Even if the Lady manages to persuade Marta, there’s no guarantee that Marta’s words will carry weight in the council.”
The Duke placed a hand on Arken’s shoulder as if soothing him.
Then he turned to Karin.
“That will be included in the wager as well, correct?”
He meant whether the King choosing to listen to Marta would also be part of the bet.
“Of course.”
There was no reason to refuse.
The probability of the King listening to Marta was far higher than the probability of Karin successfully persuading her.
You’re not just digging your own grave—you’re hammering nails into the coffin lid yourself.
Karin rubbed her palms together with a meaningful smile.
“What if the aide accompanies you when you go to persuade Lady Marta?”
Suddenly, Iris cut into the conversation.
Karin’s face immediately brightened.
“That’s a great idea!”
“Why should I do that?”
Arken protested at once.
Considering how much he already hated the wager, there was no reason for him to tag along.
Karin hesitated.
“Well…”
She had agreed instantly because the idea of going with Arken excited her.
But now that she was being asked to explain why, she had no answer.
“Well, since there’s a wager involved, there should be at least one witness representing the Duke’s side.”
Iris had apparently thought everything through.
Tilting her head, she spoke as though it were obvious.
Karin eagerly seized upon her explanation.
“Exactly! There absolutely needs to be a witness.”
“Indeed. The young lady is right. Having a witness from our side would be fair.”
Unfortunately for Arken, the Duke agreed with Iris.
His accompanying Karin to meet Marta was now all but decided.
“Your Grace, as I’ve said before, I cannot approve of this wager. The territory beneath the northern mountain range is—”
“I’ll send Arkenas to the Lady’s estate tomorrow.”
The Duke completely ignored Arken’s objection.
“……”
At this point, there was no turning things around.
Arken looked back and forth between the Duke and Karin before staring blankly into space.
He raised a gloved hand to his forehead.
The shadow on his face conveyed a deep weariness with life itself.
Karin felt a little guilty, but…
If she wanted even a little more time with him, there was no other choice.
She had to become friends with him as quickly as possible.
“Well then, Your Grace, I’ll be counting on you. And you too, Mr. Aide. Goodbye.”
Iris waved cheerfully.
The Duke smiled in satisfaction before turning away.
Arken followed after him reluctantly.
His teeth were clenched in irritation, but to Karin, even that tightly pressed mouth looked adorable.
Iris continued waving until the Duke disappeared from sight.
Then she suddenly grabbed Karin’s hand and yanked hard.
Caught completely off guard, Karin nearly fell backward.
“Iris! What was that for?”
Iris’s eyes sparkled like the heroine of a romance comic.
Why is she acting like this all of a sudden?
The memory of that rainy-day nightmare resurfaced, and unease slowly crawled up from Karin’s feet.
But the words that came out of Iris’s mouth were entirely unexpected.
“I know who you like now.”
Huh?
That’s all?
Karin relaxed immediately.
“Really? Who do you think it is?”
She replied casually.
Whatever Iris guessed couldn’t possibly be right.
This was the same girl who had suddenly wanted to play Twenty Questions during that awkward situation before.
Lowering her guard, Karin nearly choked when she heard the next words.
“It’s the aide, isn’t it?”
How did she know?
Startled, Karin took a step back.
More than surprise, her pride was wounded.
Of all people, she’d been found out by Iris.
By Iris!
Could someone else have taken over Iris’s body?
But judging from the innocent smile on her face, it was definitely Iris.
“The last time, you only looked at him. And today too.”
“……”
“And whenever you look at him, it’s obvious you’re so happy you don’t know what to do with yourself.”
It was true.
She had absolutely no defense against that statement.
Had she really been that obvious…?
Iris gently patted her back.
“I’ll help you from now on.”
Instantly, goosebumps ran down Karin’s spine.
She waved her hands frantically.
“N-No! That’s okay!”
“Why?”
Iris tilted her head in confusion.
Because you’re a completely unpredictable loose cannon, that’s why!
If Iris got involved, even something going smoothly might end up launched into outer space.
Entrusting her love life to Iris?
Absolutely not.
No way.
Karin hurriedly tried to stop her.
Only after extracting a promise that Iris would not interfere did she finally relax.
“But was I really that obvious?”
“Yep.”
Iris answered without hesitation.
Karin’s mood immediately sank.
If even Iris had noticed…
Then why…
Why is the person himself so clueless? Ugh, life…
She had even directly confessed to him.
Apparently, being intelligent and being perceptive about romance were completely unrelated skills.
At this rate, Duke Lucas might be next to figure it out… Huh?
Then Karin suddenly realized something.
Based on today’s events, Duke Lucas clearly didn’t know that she had confessed to Arken.
If he had known, he never would have let it slide.
The king of sarcasm would have mocked her endlessly.
Which meant Arken had never told the Duke what happened during their first meeting.
Why hadn’t he?
Because they weren’t close enough for him to share such things?
Or because he was embarrassed about being confessed to?
Or because he thought the confession was a joke?
It didn’t really matter.
Part of her relief came from wanting to avoid the Duke’s teasing.
But more importantly, she wanted the events at the mansion—their first meeting—to remain a memory shared only between the two of them.
It would be nice if Arken had kept silent for the same reason.
…Though judging from the displeased look on his face when Iris brought it up, that probably wasn’t the case.
Still, one thing was certain.
Compared to before, they had grown much closer.
The conversation they’d shared in the dressing room was proof.
If he hadn’t trusted her, he never would have revealed such dark personal matters.
This is how people gradually become closer, right?
A hopeful future unfolded before her eyes.
First, become friends with Arken.
Then uncover his secret and use every advantage available—her authority as a duchy’s daughter, her wealth, and her knowledge of the original story—to prevent his death.
And finally, work hard to win his heart and make him hers—
“Wow, look at that, Karin! Let’s go get sandwiches!”
Iris suddenly yanked her hand again.
The bright future instantly rolled itself up and vanished.
“W-Wait!”
Karin was dragged away helplessly behind Iris.
For someone so small, where did she even get that kind of strength?
As promised, Arken arrived to see Karin the next day, earlier than expected.
“Let’s go right now!”
Karin had already gotten up, eaten breakfast, and finished getting ready before sitting quietly and waiting for him.
The moment she heard he had arrived, she rushed down the stairs.
The sight of him standing there looked like a painting.
Karin stared in a daze.
Sunlight streamed through the window, breaking across his hair in dazzling golden fragments.
An elegant earring swayed gently, drawing attention to itself.
His crisp white shirt and the blue frock coat draped over it fit perfectly, accentuating his tall and slender figure.
His face radiated intellectual beauty.
His cool eyes and sharp jawline were works of art in themselves, while his irises shone with a clear blue reminiscent of an autumn sky.
His round glasses and pale skin suggested a highly educated upbringing.
Surely there had been nights during his Academy days when he stayed awake studying until dawn.
The image of him buried in books at the library with dark circles under his eyes made her shoulders tremble with excitement.
Suppressing the urge to hug him immediately, Karin waved cheerfully.
“You came earlier than I expected!”
“I didn’t come early because I wanted to.”
Without even looking at her, he casually adjusted his glasses.
Well, she hadn’t expected a warm greeting anyway.
Still smiling, Karin gazed up at him and playfully slapped his back.
“Come on, don’t make it awkward.”
Arken immediately flinched and stepped forward.
The look in his eyes made it abundantly clear that he did not appreciate being touched.
“Why are you so startled?”
“Do not touch me.”
His tone was as cold as thin ice covering a winter lake.
He was obviously still upset about the wager between her and the Duke.
Yep. Definitely the type to hold grudges.
Grumbling to herself, Karin brushed past him and climbed into the carriage.
Arken took the seat opposite her.
Soon the wheels began rattling as the carriage rolled forward.
Outside, lively birdsong filled the air.
Inside, however, the carriage was as silent as a tomb.
Ugh. I hate gloomy atmospheres.
Karin deliberately put on an upbeat voice.
