A Real Bastard
Lady's mood: 👹 → 🫤
No way... The lady's decisiveness is just, wow....
Is it really okay to go that far? Honestly, no clue.
She must be super stressed, so maybe make her something chocolate today.
Chocolate cookies... too basic. Anything else?
...No way she's hunting for makgeolli, right.
Anyone who's ever tossed a stone into clear pond water knows it all too well. The moment the intruder breaches the surface and hits bottom, the thick layer of silt explodes upward. The mirror-like water that once reflected a beautiful landscape instantly hides its face, belching mud over and over.
That was the Netr Duke Mansion right now. Some massive boulder had crashed into the little pond, churning up muddy water in everyone's hearts.
"Is this how you serve tea here too? So damn slow?"
He was sprawled in the parlor, legs crossed like he owned the place, practically lying back against the sofa's armrest. Everyone watching wore the same mix of emotions: disbelief, absurdity, irritation.
The duke gazed down at the crown prince with a wry smile. Just got here.
Not even a heads-up that he was coming. And he's complaining about tea? What the hell.
Forcing his lips into a smile, the duke spoke. "Your Highness, what brings you all the way here?"
"What's with the attitude? Did I show up somewhere I'm not welcome?"
Cain raised one eyebrow mockingly. The duke held back no longer.
"Mind your manners, Your Highness."
"Ha...!"
"This is no place for you to act so casually."
Daring to lecture him on etiquette. Cain shot the duke an incredulous look, then leaned back and tilted his head.
"Aide."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Explain."
"Yes."
The aide impassively regarded the duke and duchess, then carefully drew a letter from his robes.
"Please accept this first."
"What's this?"
"A marriage proposal."
"...What?"
The duke couldn't hide his shock. Already?
He hadn't expected it so soon. Especially since negotiations on the families' conditions were still ongoing.
"Isn't this awfully sudden? I recall talks between our houses were still in progress."
"Everything's in there. Please read it yourself."
The duke took a paper knife, carefully slit the envelope, and read.
This union is not merely a meeting of two houses, but the dawn of a great new chapter in the empire's history. The Duke of Netr shall heed the imperial summons with joy.
His brow furrowed at the final lines. All the flowery language boiled down to one thing: Forget the prior talks. Forget the conditions. Just accept it.
Why the sudden push? Things had been smoothing out fine not long ago.
The duke closed his eyes, opened them, and turned a grave gaze to the crown prince.
"...Just one question."
"What?"
"Why our daughter, of all people?"
If his daughter wanted it. And if this man could make her happy. The duke and duchess would accept even this absurd proposal.
But.
"Obviously, because of your house's power."
Those words killed any such hope stone-dead.
"Weren't you negotiating with an eye on the imperial family's authority too, Duke?"
"......."
No. He only wanted Lucresia to thrive unafraid in the imperial court.
"Of course, the young lady's beauty played a part. She's more than fit to be my consort."
"......."
Cain's rude remarks hung in the air, blanketing the parlor in tense silence. The duke and duchess exchanged looks. Their reflected intentions matched perfectly. They nodded and faced Cain.
"...We cannot accept this marriage propos—"
Then.
-Outta my way!
"...?"
A commotion erupted outside the parlor door. Everyone turned as—
-W-wait, milady!
BAM!
"M-milady!"
Panting hard, Lucresia kicked the door open and stormed in. Her parents clutched their foreheads at her return to form; the crown prince gaped in stunned disbelief.
"Grrrrr."
A growl from somewhere. The duchess's eyes snapped to her daughter.
"Ah... aaaah...."
Seeing her girl reduced to dog noises, she staggered, hand still on her brow.
"I... I wanted to raise her like a proper princess...."
"Arrrrrgh."
Lucresia ground her teeth viciously, posture like she'd swallowed a pit bull whole—combat-ready. Target: obviously the crown prince.
Her eyes bored into him, then spotted the marriage proposal in her father's hand.
"Dad!"
Her voice was pure boiled-train-whistle rage.
"Wh-what?!"
"Gimme that!"
"Wh-whoa...."
The paper flew from the duke's hand like a toy snatched by a cat, straight to Lucresia. She scanned it frantically, eyes darting left-right.
Finished, she lowered her arm and rolled her eyes at Cain, whites showing.
Cain, watching it all, let out a hollow laugh.
"...Ha! Figures. What a real bastard."
Bastard. Unbelievable filth from the man who'd one day rule the empire. The duke and duchess's faces hardened with hostility.
"Crown Prince! Watch your tongue!"
"Me? Take a look at your daughter's eyes and say that again."
The duke glanced at Lucresia.
"Arrrrrgh."
"......."
Back to Cain.
"...In any case, please leave."
Even casting conscience aside, he couldn't abandon his daughter.
"Ha...! Like father, like daughter."
Laughing bitterly, Cain rose from the sofa. The motion was picturesque, handsome as a painting.
Rio thought: Damn, he really is gorgeous. That's some narrative consistency right there.
The face that had her chasing him like a puppy in her past life made sense.
Doesn't matter. She's glaring daggers now.
Lucresia's face was a goblin-possessed nightmare. Especially since that "bastard" line—she'd gone full dog-mode.
Four legs next.
As Rio pondered developing dog chow in earnest, Lucresia softened her glare and strode up to Cain.
She smiled sweetly.
"......."
"...What."
"You called him a bastard, right?"
She shoved the proposal in his face.
And then—
Rip—!
Shred—!
Smack—!
"......."
Paper scraps fluttered before his eyes. Cain gawked at the whirlwind of confetti.
Was this real? Who dared defy the imperial family like this?
He flapped his mouth, then muttered like an ant crawling.
"...Crazy bitch...."
Lucresia smiled wider. But her eyes burned winter-cold and wildfire-hot.
"Get out."
The mad bitch reborn.
The crown prince fled like a man escaping a rabid dog. Staring blankly at his carriage's retreating rear, I turned to the lady.
"Milady."
"What."
"You sure this is okay?"
I was honestly worried. Imperial family or not, wasn't this too reckless? My commoner heart was shrinking.
But she shrugged it off.
"Yeah, fine. They can't do shit anyway."
Really? Well, if she says so.
Her beast-like instincts never failed. No point doubting; better for peace of mind.
"Kuhhhng-cha! Time to head baaack—"
Suddenly flexing like a bodybuilder, she cracked her knuckles, stretched vigorously, and turned toward her room.
If not for the eerie voice from behind, she'd have made it.
"Lucresia Netr."
"—Kyaeeeng...?"
"Come here and face your mother for a sec?"
"Ah...."
Huh. Right—she always folded instantly for the duchess.
The one person who could rein in her wild filly, even briefly.
Every servant's prayers in the past life aimed at her.
Whenever she caused chaos, we'd all cry out for the duchess.
Though the lady bounced back quick after scoldings.
But this life's different, right?
She'd stood up for her parents this time. Hopefully a light reprimand.
I called after the lady, head bowed, trailing the duchess.
"Milady! How about chocolate dessert?"
"Choco!"
"Lucresia."
"...Fine."
Duchess, I get it—you wanted to raise her like a princess.
I get it.
But the soul inside's early 30s already....
Probably hopeless.