CHAPTER 103…..
The Trap
Inside the carriage of the Duke of Farnese.
Feidan was looking at today’s newspaper, where a large article featuring him had been published alongside his photograph.
[The Duke of Farnese, who has written a success story in every business he touches, now ventures into the clothing industry]
It was a kind of promotional article he had submitted to the newspaper.
“If Leticia sees this article, she’ll be tense.”
He folded the newspaper with a satisfied smile just as the carriage came to a halt.
The place he alighted at was not the boutique under renovation, but a temporarily rented workshop of designers.
As he entered the workshop, the designers greeted him in unison.
“Welcome, Your Grace.”
“I got held up with some business. Please, everyone, take a seat.”
The meeting began immediately.
The designers, wary of Feidan’s presence, cautiously started giving their opinions.
“It’s summer and it’s hot, so instead of the long, flowing design like the existing dresses, how about shortening the length a little for better airflow? And rather than tight sleeves, make them looser…”
Feidan, however, interrupted, tapping on the table.
“No, no. Why open the sleeves? If the skin is exposed to sunlight, it’ll get tanned. Skin should remain as fair as jade, it cannot be tanned.”
“But then it might be too hot. The fabric will stick…”
Feidan’s brows furrowed sharply.
It reminded him of Leticia, who always argued against his opinions.
“The dress just needs to be pretty. Why worry about such things? Just—make it beautiful, no matter what. Understood?”
In the end, the meeting concluded with Feidan imposing his will, and the designers accepting it without objection.
Feeling relieved, Feidan left the workshop.
At that moment, his aide Lockhard approached with news.
“Your Grace, a letter has arrived.”
“A letter?”
Feidan took the letter from Lockhard.
“This is…”
Frowning, he stared at the familiar seal stamped on the envelope.
The next day, an unexpected visitor arrived at the Duke of Farnese’s residence.
“It’s been a long time, Your Grace! How have you been?”
It was Leticia’s father, Marquis Chloel.
Feidan couldn’t help but let out a brief, wry laugh at the audacity of the Marquis coming to see him.
But it was short-lived.
Soon, Feidan’s cold gaze hardened, and he grit his teeth.
“’How have you been?’ Are you joking? You must know about what happened with Leticia.”
Marquis Chloel, sweating nervously, bowed repeatedly.
“My news was delayed because I was traveling in the Eastern Continent. If I had been in the Empire, I would have made sure Leticia wouldn’t get out of hand…”
“Enough. What is it that brought you here?”
“As a father, I cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that an innocent person is suffering because of my daughter’s wrongdoing.”
“And?”
Hurriedly, Marquis Chloel opened a box of fabrics he had brought.
Feidan eyed it with suspicion.
“I saw the article saying Your Grace is starting a clothing business. I thought this might be of use to you.”
“……”
“This is the finest fabric from the Eastern Continent. Soft, like butterfly wings. Here, touch it.”
Chloel grabbed Feidan’s hand.
Feidan frowned but, caught off guard, allowed himself to touch the fabric.
“Wouldn’t this be perfect for making a dress?”
“So you came here to give this to me?”
Marquis Chloel hesitated, his expression awkward.
“Well… considering what Leticia did to Your Grace, I would naturally want to. But I spent all my fortune buying this. I-I can offer it to you as cheaply as possible!”
In other words, he had come to sell the fabric to Feidan.
Feidan was flabbergasted.
The father of a wayward daughter, selling something to the son-in-law betrayed by his daughter?
“Ha! Has the Marquis decided to quit being a noble and become a door-to-door salesman? The father and daughter both think I’m a fool. Get out of here immediately!”
Furious, Feidan stood abruptly, unwilling to hear more.
For a moment, the Marquis seemed taken aback, then hastily blocked Feidan’s path and grabbed his pant leg.
He began to speak frantically.
“Y-Your Grace! Please calm down and think! Recently, Eastern Continental goods have become fashionable across the continent. Clothes made from Eastern Continental fabrics will surely become a huge trend!”
“If it’s so good, why not sell it to your daughter? Why bring it to me?”
“No, no! I didn’t sell it to her because it’s good!”
“You brought it to me because it’s good?”
Blundering out whatever came to mind, the Marquis quickly adjusted his story as Feidan showed a flicker of interest.
“Would you sell something good to that shameless girl? She sullied her family’s honor by clinging to a strange man.”
“……”
“I know that Your Grace’s position became difficult because of her. If you allow me, I can help restore your dignity.”
Feidan looked at the Marquis with half-lidded eyes.
Judging by his desperation, it seemed he was not lying about taking Feidan’s side.
‘Of course. This man would sell his daughter for money if needed.’
The fabric also didn’t seem bad.
Its subtle translucence could easily spark curiosity in many men.
Moreover, Eastern Continental designs and goods were currently trending across the entire continent.
‘Just a dress would be too ordinary; this uniqueness could be a highlight.’
Quickly deciding to use the Marquis to his advantage, Feidan lifted a corner of his mouth and spoke.
“Fine. I’ll accept your proposal.”
“E-excellent choice! You won’t regret it!”
“Of course I won’t.”
Feidan muttered under his breath, eyes glinting with a hint of madness as he looked at Marquis Chloel.
“I must make him keep his word.”
Hugh’s day began with his younger siblings sending him off to work.
“Have a good day, big brother!”
“Bring cookies back, okay, brother?”
“Alright. Vincent, listen to Eloy, and Eloy, don’t bother your brother.”
After patting his siblings’ heads evenly, Hugh left home and headed to Mariposa.
Although arrangements had been made for Leticia to send a carriage so he could go comfortably, he chose to walk.
It helped wake him up and feel refreshed.
Arriving at the square in long strides, Hugh bought a newspaper from a boy selling them.
So far, it was an ordinary, peaceful day—until he read the front-page article.
“Oh, no…”
Hugh immediately ran toward Mariposa.
Luckily, his fierce appearance made people part like the sea, allowing him to reach quickly.
“Boss! Big trouble!”
Hugh placed the newspaper in front of Leticia, who was discussing ideas with Amon.
The article featured unwelcome names.
[Marquis Chloel joins hands with his estranged son-in-law, Duke of Farnese!]
Under this headline, it read things like:
“I oppose the divorce of Miss Chloel and Duke of Farnese,” “I will correct my daughter’s mistakes,” “The Duke of Farnese is an honorable man; it pains me that rumors distort the truth,” etc.
It appeared to be an interview with Marquis Chloel.
‘She just barely shook off the villainess image, and now she’ll be labeled unfilial…’
Hugh didn’t know the full story of Leticia’s family.
But to a child, parents are everything; they are the world itself.
There must be a reason why a child who is kind to others resents their parents.
Therefore, Hugh was on Leticia’s side.
He carefully observed her expression, expecting her to be displeased.
“Um… shall we issue a rebuttal, Boss?”
However, her reaction was unexpected.
“Pfft… hahaha!”
Leticia burst into laughter upon seeing the article.
And she seemed genuinely delighted.
