“Let me ask you one thing. Why did you borrow such dirty money?”
“…….”
“When you were desperate, didn’t you think it was dirty then?”
He wasn’t wrong. Although he truly hated that woman, Charlize.
Did he even have the right to truly hate her?
In the end, the decision to borrow that money was entirely his own.
Askin covered his eyes and pressed down hard on them.
“Since the amount has changed, I will present one additional condition on my end.”
Charlize’s thin voice faded, replaced by the polite tone of Ian Child.
“Please, you must break off your engagement with the Duchess-To-Be of Alzbeit.”
Askin gritted his teeth, his jaw tightening before he even realized it.
What were the Child Family scheming now? Nothing in this world came for free.
Even knowing he was borrowing the money for the express purpose of breaking the engagement, why demand it as a mandatory condition now?
Askin opened his eyes slowly.
His beautiful face tilted, a cold expression settling over his features.
“……Did you find a new toy, perhaps?”
What were the odds that Charlize and Ian Child had conspired in advance to deceive him? Was Ian Child meant to be her new fiancé?
No, that made no sense. There was no reason for it.
Stunned by his own absurd imagination, Askin jumped up from his seat.
* * *
Chirp, chirp, chirp.
I woke up quite late.
When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw were my restless maids.
“What is it? Why are you all like this?”
“Du, Duchess-To-Be……!”
Susan spoke on behalf of the others, looking as if she were about to cry.
“Since 8:00 AM, by the Duke’s order, knights have been waiting in front of the door……!”
“Ah. Is that so?”
I turned my head, indifferent.
The maids looked startled, but me? I was unbothered.
‘It’s what I expected, anyway.’
Didn’t Zett warn me? He knew it would reach my grandfather’s ears and asked if I would be alright.
Clearly, he had found out that I summoned the doctor and the mage on my own last night. It was expected.
If anything, it might be better to go right now; it’s better to get the inevitable punishment over with.
Even as I thought that, I let out a leisurely yawn.
‘I’ve always had a contrary streak, anyway.’
As of yesterday, my thoughts regarding my grandfather had completely changed.
My perception of him had never been warm, but now, the image of the “grandfather who loves his granddaughter dearly” had shattered, replaced by the realization of the truth hidden beneath that affection.
I even felt bitter about it.
With my mind shifted and turned cynical, I felt like holding out just a little longer.
Instead of changing my clothes, I stayed in my robe, chewing on the desserts provided as a late first meal.
I stretched my legs out on the sofa, swinging them back and forth. I pretended to leisurely unfold a newspaper.
The maids watching me became even more distressed, but as my stubborn behavior continued, they eventually sighed and began to serve me diligently.
“Du, Duchess-To-Be……! Co, cookies aren’t enough for a meal. Please, have a sandwich as well.”
“Your throat must be dry, right? You should have something to drink.”
“……Huh? Oh.”
I blinked, taking what they offered.
Just as I was determined to kill time, a knock sounded from outside.
It wasn’t just any knock; it was an incredibly aggressive sound.
‘Hmm, has the time come?’
Even at that rough noise, I simply rested my chin on my hand and looked toward the door, not moving an inch.
My grandfather must have been pushing the knights, and they, unable to endure his temper any longer, were now pounding on my door.
Were they going to kick it open and drag me away?
That would be a conflict. Whether to face the Duke’s immediate wrath or endure the aftermath of acting the part of the villainess.
‘Though, the choice is obvious.’
Isn’t it clear who the true owner of this mansion is?
The door swung open, and someone strode inside.
I’d been tracking the footsteps, feigning indifference, but the moment I turned, my eyes widened.
*The tyrant?*
My tyrant of a brother stood before me.
“What? What’s with that sour expression?”
“……Brother?”
“Who else would it be?”
Loxidian stood lopsided, tugging at his collar again and again, as if the fabric were choking him.
“Aren’t you going to say hello?”
“……What brings you here so suddenly?”
I blinked, but the image remained. It was definitely Loxidian.
I shifted my gaze to the doorway, where my escort knights hovered, looking utterly bewildered.
*The fact that the tyrant is here—even they didn’t expect it.*
For some reason, seeing the knights from my grandfather’s faction in such a state gave me a thrill. Go on, look troubled. Zett was the only one among them with a calm expression.
I looked back at my brother.
“So, why are you here?”
“Hah. Do I need a reason to see you?”
“……Then?”
I tilted my head, and Loxidian’s expression crumpled. It was the look of a man deeply dissatisfied with something.
What is it now? What has bothered you this time?
“Forget it. The magnanimous Emperor will graciously overlook it.”
What on earth is he talking about? This time, it was my turn to frown.
Regardless, I was in a position where I’d have been dragged off by the knights if I stayed, so I decided to play along. I felt a flicker of gratitude.
“Forget that. Come with me.”
“……Suddenly?”
“Yeah.”
But could I ever keep pace with this tyrant’s erratic rhythm?
“The designer said the dress is finished. She told me to bring you.”
“……A mere designer told the Emperor to come and go?”
He’d clearly just barged in, wanting to fetch me himself. I swallowed the retort, staring at him with an incredulous look.
The tyrant shot back a glare that screamed, *What? Do you want to die?*
Looking at that sour expression, why did I see Yoon Ji-Hoon overlapping with him?
“Ah, anyway. You have to try it on. They’re whining and crying, right? Just get up.”
“Where are you planning to take me? Don’t tell me, the Imperial Palace?”
“Then where else would I go?”
The tyrant urged me on, his expression snapping.
“Are you coming or not?”
“Not coming…… how could I?”
I stood up from my seat, careful not to move fast enough to rouse his suspicion.
Inside, my heart was doing a samba. I had no desire to face my grandfather’s face anyway; this was a perfect escape.
Acting as if I hadn’t been lounging about just moments ago, I called for the maids and hurried my preparations.
Naturally, I didn’t forget to kick the tyrant out, using the excuse of changing clothes. He looked annoyed—as if to say, *How dare you kick out the Emperor?*—but for some reason, he walked out without a word.
Thanks to the maids, I was ready in record time.
When I opened the door, the tyrant was leaning lopsidedly against the wall across the hall.
*Oh, as expected of the male lead. Just standing there, he’s a picture.*
I offered a bright smile. On my brother’s face, the annoyance of an unfamiliar wait was plain to see.
Why was it so joyful? It felt just like the old days, when Yoon Ji-Hoon’s misfortune was my happiness. Was it because of the lingering memories of Charlize?
“Why are you coming out now? Are you playing with me?”
“I prepared incredibly fast, if you ask me.”
“How dare you keep me waiting.”
I held back a laugh.
In a little while, won’t a woman appear who will make you wait very, very diligently?
She is the female lead, after all. And she is going to make you a complete prisoner of love.
Reflecting on the contents of the book, I shook my head internally.
Anyway, why does a man of his standing—an Emperor—wander about without a single escort or adjutant?
No matter how formidable he is, isn’t this reckless?
“Why are you alone, Brother?”
“I have them. I left them behind because they were bothersome.”
“Where?”
Loxidian’s reply was brief: “In the carriage.”
So, he had barged in alone after all. I clicked my tongue—*hmph*—and shrugged.
Who cares? He can handle himself.
Besides, knowing Noah would tear through the shadows to appear at a moment’s notice, I felt little need to worry.
“Let’s go. I’m curious about the dress.”
“Heh. Who is the master here?”
The tyrant clicked his tongue, yet he followed right by my side.
We had taken only three steps when someone rounded the corner and walked toward us.
A familiar face. It was Grandfather.
He spotted us and came to a halt.
To be precise, he seemed to be squinting at the tyrant, though it lasted only a heartbeat.
“……The Sun of the Empire, the King of Beasts howling beneath the golden light. I greet Your Majesty the Emperor.”
The tyrant merely glanced at Grandfather, offering no reply.
Gone was the mischievous, playful expression he had worn for me; his face was now as cold and sharp as winter frost.
Then again, that man’s default expression was sharp and fierce to begin with.
Soon, a crooked smirk curled onto Loxidian’s lips.
It was by no means a friendly smile.
“I’ve lived to hear the Imperial Sacred Beast addressed like this. Duke, you really ought to curb your mockery.”
His voice was laced with cold hostility and cynicism—hardly the way one would address their own maternal grandfather.
Grandfather, for his part, seemed accustomed to this attitude.
“Mockery? How could I possibly use such language in the presence of the esteemed Majesty?”
“Is that so? Then shall I spout some, too? A balding raccoon-to-be whose hair will soon fall out. Ah, of course, I am not referring to you, Duke.”
“…….”
“……Pfft.”
Before Grandfather’s gaze could settle on me, I quickly masked my expression.