Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: How Much Do You Know?
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“Is it because Rubel is in the North that you’re turning your eyes to the East, or do you have some personal interest in that damn bastard?”
Lady Lena wanted to answer the Southern Duke’s blunt question just as bluntly. ‘Both.’ But she couldn’t bring herself to say it, worried he might actually clutch his neck and collapse, so she just gave a soft smile instead.
The Southern Duke’s face grew even more menacing as he shouted.
“I’ve told you countless times, but I’ll say it again—don’t have anything to do with the Eastern Duke! Not you, my own proxy! Don’t be so foolish as to be dazzled by his appearance! I don’t want to think you’re that lacking!”
The Southern Duke slammed the table with each syllable, emphasizing his words. In response to his fierce rejection, Lena smiled even more sweetly.
‘This is driving me crazy.’
Smiling was the only option she had.
The Southern Duke’s aversion to Lin was more severe than she’d imagined. He was even childishly dividing the world into “my side” and “your side,” ready to brand anyone who said even a slightly positive word about the Eastern Duke as an enemy.
Lena was struggling to hide her awkwardness and choose her words when a saving grace arrived.
“Pardon the interruption. Lady Lena, it’s time for you to go.”
A calm middle-aged man’s voice cut through the Southern Duke’s agitation. It was the Duke’s secretary, who had been watching from the side, skillfully intervening.
“Cardinal Clavis has invited you to the greenhouse garden.”
“Ah, yes. Time’s already gotten this late.”
The secretary deliberately mentioned the next schedule to cool things down, and Lena quickly nodded as she prepared to stand.
“Since you’ve never been to the greenhouse garden, allow me to escort you.”
The secretary politely took the lead, providing exactly the help she needed, so Lena didn’t refuse. Meanwhile, the Southern Duke eyed Lena with suspicion until the very end, even as she bid him farewell and left. Once out in the corridor and free from the interrogation, Lena let out a long sigh. Noticing this, the watching secretary soothed her.
“That must have been awkward for you. His Highness has so much pent-up frustration.”
“It shows. Was there really something that happened?”
“If it’s about the Eastern Duke’s insolence, there are plenty of famous anecdotes.”
Because the Emperor summoned the dukes every Founding Day, they met annually whether they liked it or not. Each time, the Eastern Duke would arrogantly and persistently pick fights, provoking the other dukes. Even the icy Iura had once grabbed the then-boyish Eastern Duke by the collar, which said it all about how insufferably he behaved.
But the Southern Duke’s hatred for Lin wasn’t just because of his insolent attitude.
“This isn’t something I should mention lightly, but the truth is, His Highness once sent a marriage proposal to the Eastern Duke.”
“A marriage proposal?”
“Yes. Right when the Eastern Duke had just come of age, just before you arrived as a mercenary, my lady.”
Lena’s eyes widened at the unexpected revelation. A marriage proposal? From that prideful Southern Duke to the Eastern Duke?
“It wasn’t from his own family. As you know, he has no daughters or granddaughters.”
“Then whose...?”
“It was some lady from the South. She was staying at the imperial palace and fell for the Eastern Duke, begging her father, who in turn begged His Highness.”
“Is that something you’d just agree to because of begging?”
“At the time, things were that desperate.”
This was before the Executor mercenary appeared. Wraiths were pouring in endlessly, Northern aid was growing more distant by the day, and they were being pushed to the brink hour by hour. Amid that, a noble’s request to send a marriage proposal to the Eastern Duke put the Southern Duke in a dilemma.
First and foremost, he hated the idea. Sending a proposal in his own name to that scoundrel bruised his pride. And the filthy rumors surrounding the man made him reluctant to send a Southern daughter his way.
But on the other hand, he was tempted. If the Eastern Duke became the South’s son-in-law, he wouldn’t just sit back and watch like he was now. Plus, the rumors around the Eastern Duke had quieted down recently, and since the woman was the one pursuing him first, it wasn’t like he’d be forcing it. He still despised the Eastern Duke, but he coveted his power. Word had come that the young pup was surprisingly managing his territory well. In the end, the Southern Duke feigned reluctance and sent the proposal east.
The Eastern Duke’s reply came without a moment’s hesitation.
—I have no interest in Southern women. If you need help, ask more politely.
That was the entirety of the response from the East. It wasn’t just provocation—it was an insult that surpassed all bounds, the most humiliating rejection of the Southern Duke’s long life.
“That’s why he trembles at the mere mention of the Eastern Duke.”
“...I can see why.”
Lena finally conceded at the secretary’s explanation. The Southern Duke had suffered a massive blow to his pride from that incident. He loathed himself for even briefly considering the Eastern Duke and came to hate Lin even more fiercely to erase the memory.
“But that’s all in the past, and His Highness’s overreaction now isn’t about the Eastern Duke—it’s because of you, my lady.”
“Me?”
“Forgive my impertinence, but His Highness wanted to take you in as a son.”
“...Not a daughter?”
“At the time, he thought you were a man.”
Lena gave an ambiguous smile at the secretary’s out-of-left-field remark.
“But after learning your circumstances, he gave up. He didn’t show it, but he was quite troubled when he heard you were Marquis Rubel’s daughter.”
If it were just a matter of gender, he could have taken her in as a daughter instead. But the existence of a perfectly healthy father like Marquis Rubel was an entirely different issue.
“Someone like Marquis Rubel isn’t some nameless noble—it would complicate things. So in the end, he gave up on bringing you into his household.”
The secretary said it lightly with a smile, as if it were no more than abandoning plans to raise a dog or cat. But it was all new information to Lena.
“Is it okay to tell me all this?”
“What’s the point of hiding it now?”
Though Lena worried, he was uncharacteristically frank for a secretary. In truth, he was grasping at straws. The Southern Duke relied on Lena entirely, like an aging parent leaning on their child. The fact that he hadn’t punished her for her several instances of acting on her own proved it.
Lena had entered the palace at the Southern Duke’s invitation, yet she’d gone off to meet the marquis on her own, stirred up the ball in her uniform, and made all the decisions for the first expedition on a whim. Anyone else would have been punished and expelled long ago. But Lena hadn’t even asked for permission or understanding from the Southern Duke, and he’d only demanded belated explanations without giving her any repercussions. This alone made it clear where the South’s power was concentrated.
“That’s why he’s so worried. That you might go to the East.”
Having served the Southern Duke for so long and caring for the South just as much, the secretary poured everything out to Lena. It was a plea of, “If you decide it, we can’t stop you, so please consider it carefully.” As he spoke, he watched her expression. The usually composed Lena wore a strange look—one with something uncomfortable, a mix of complicated feelings she was trying to smile through.
“I know the feeling of being abandoned.”
Lena whispered in that very expression.
“So I won’t betray you first. Rest assured.”
“If you say so...”
The secretary fretted that she might be upset, so Lena swallowed the bitter smile she’d been holding and smiled brightly again. By then, they had arrived at the greenhouse garden outside the Lake Palace. No longer needed as a guide, the secretary bowed and turned to leave. Now alone for a moment, Lena quietly mulled over what she’d just heard.
‘I never imagined he thought that way.’
To take her in as a child. She couldn’t have pictured it. If that had happened, would she have ended up appearing before her biological father—who’d sold his daughter to become marquis—as the Southern Duke’s adopted daughter? It was a childish fantasy, but a little thrilling. Along with it came images of the Southern Duke as her adoptive father, Lin as her fiancé, and Uni, no different from a little sister, all sitting around one table. Playing family like that would be fun. Lin and the Southern Duke would grow awkward in their ambiguous new relationship and end up clashing, while Uni watched and embarrassed the adults with a few words. All Lena would have to do was laugh in the middle. The scene played vividly in her mind, tickling her heart. She wanted to indulge in the sweetness a bit longer, but Lena let out a long breath to calm her fluttering feelings. Then she stepped into the shimmering mirage of the greenhouse garden.
At the end of the path lined with blooming flowers stood a man. Was it fortunate? Seeing him instantly cooled her heart without effort.
Clavis was waiting for Lena at the tea table. But his attire was different from usual. His long hair was tied back in one, and instead of his cardinal’s vestments, he wore a splendid suit. It was as if they’d pulled the Clavis of his Western Duke days from the past—like the very image of him six years ago, when he’d pushed her into the rift. Seeing him like that, Lena was momentarily stunned. No one with a conscience would dare. But Clavis had executed a devilish idea and smiled brazenly. Beautifully, nobly—like an angel from a holy painting.
. . .
“You really came.”
Clavis, resting his chin on both hands, narrowed his eyes in a gentle smile.
“I was worried you wouldn’t.”
“I had no choice. Whose invitation is it?”
“You’re so obedient and good.”
Lena stood by the table, responding with just enough courtesy. Clavis smiled deeply, pleased even by that, but he didn’t stand to escort her.
“If you’d dressed even prettier, I would’ve pulled out your chair.”
Instead, he muttered in a voice thick with regret, like he was sulking at a lover who’d shown up looking unkempt.
“I can pull out my own chair.”
She wondered if he’d lost his mind, but Lena played along calmly. Then she deliberately dragged the chair with a loud scrape and sat lightly. At the rough sound, Clavis burst into laughter. A glance showed his expression screaming that her actions were cutely maddening. Objectively, a beautiful man laughing brightly was a sight to behold. But Lena’s face lost all trace of amusement. As her gaze turned icy, Clavis smiled back even more seductively.
“Relax your face. You smiled nicely on the first day.”
“That’s because I didn’t know it’d be like this.”
“Like what?”
Lena didn’t answer. So Clavis leaned over the table and asked again.
“Hm? You didn’t know what would be like this?”
“Your perversion.”
“Pfft—hahaha!”
At Lena’s reply, Clavis erupted in full laughter. He guffawed loudly for a while, then wiped his teary eyes and groaned.
“First time in my life hearing that.”
“You should be grateful. Means you’ve been surrounded by polite people.”
“No, grovelers. Not like our sweet Lady Lena.”
Who’s your Lady Lena? Lena eyed the overly affectionate Clavis, regretting coming out. Truthfully, she hadn’t wanted to come unless forced. Not out of dislike, but because it felt pointless. Still, she’d accepted the invitation figuring it’d be better to meet once and end his persistent nagging even if she refused.
“You didn’t call me here just to say stuff like this, did you?”
“Hm, there’s plenty of important talk too, but I wanted to say this as well.”
Lena wanted to get to the point, but Clavis kept up his cheekiness to the end.
“Don’t you have anything you want to say to me, Lady Lena?”
“The one who called me out probably does.”
“Cold. That’s why I like you more—it hurts.”
“Then I’ll assume you have nothing more to say and...”
At the nonstop nonsense, Lena finally stood. Almost simultaneously, Clavis reached out and grabbed her wrist. Lena didn’t startle, just stared steadily at him.
“Why don’t you have anything to say?”
Clavis looked up at her coquettishly.
“What did I do to you?”
Even his lowered voice dripped with sweetness.
“Isn’t that weird? You should demand answers, ask why I did it. Right? Hm?”
But his eyes, curved into crescent moons with a contrived smile, gleamed coldly, devoid of emotion.
“So why do you look like everything’s over? Nothing’s resolved between us. You don’t hate me, aren’t curious, don’t care.”
Clavis pulled at Lena’s captured wrist. Then he murmured against her small fingernail with a kiss.
“It’s really weird.”
The next moment, the thin smile in Clavis’s eyes shifted.
“Lena Rubel.”
Clavis changed the soft timbre of his voice into one of interrogation.
“How much have you found out?”