Chapter 23 - 23

Soon I could see the person who had gotten off clearly.

It was a man with reddish-brown hair. A handsome man with a gentle impression, believable as a scholar somewhere, and notable for his long eyes.

His very pale emerald-colored eyes turned towards me.

Only as he approached did I realize. Beneath his long eyes, which could be described as fox-like, there was a distinct beauty mark.

Perhaps that's why his crinkled eyes looking at me seemed particularly alluring.

"Wow, it's truly an honor to meet the empire's greatest beauty here. Or should I say, it's been a while?"

His languid, gentle voice captivated my ears. I didn't respond, only raised an eyebrow.

'What is it, he's too handsome...'

The most handsome man I've seen since coming here is undoubtedly my fiance.

Similar to him would be the tyrant brother. Next would be the sub-male lead, Noah.

Anyway, it means that all the exceptionally handsome men were either characters from the book or connected to Charlize.

But a man this handsome who seems to know Charlize well? And that color combination wasn't among the male leads in the novel.

His eyes were an unusually pale, transparent color, either mint or emerald.

"What is it, why are you acting friendly?"

"Oh dear. That's right."

At my slight provocation, the man smiled.

"Is this our first meeting today?"

Without any sign of displeasure, he extended his hand. I didn't take it.

Again without any sign of displeasure, he withdrew his hand, placed it on his chest, and bowed politely.

Flawless etiquette.

"I am Ian Child, the eldest son of the Child family. Nice to meet you, Countess Altsbeit."

Ian, the first name is unfamiliar, but... the surname was familiar.

'What is it, isn't this the family Grandfather wanted me to get engaged to after breaking up with Askin?'

I made a mental note of the name.

And I memorized this excessively handsome face too.

It's definitely not in Charlize's memory, but given his looks and this attitude, Charlize must have hit on him! There's something!

'Right, he's also part of Charlize's karma...'

I was inwardly tense, but outwardly I didn't show it and proudly turned my back.

Time to maintain a defensive stance. I instinctively raised my guard and boarded the carriage.

Today's conversation with my fiance was enough.

Only after getting on the carriage did I see that the man named Ian was still politely bowing his head until my carriage moved away.

For a very long time.

* * *

Ian slowly raised his head.

A gentle smile remained on his face like a mask.

Still smiling, he rubbed his lips with his white-gloved hand.

'Hmm, what was that reaction?'

In fact, this was the first time he had seen Charlize up close.

Because he had been busy traveling between other countries for work.

However, due to his loose-lipped, rumor-loving younger sibling, he was very well aware of the widespread rumors about the wicked Countess.

Charlize Altsbeit's beauty was truly astounding.

People said: Her beauty makes you declare a thousand years of love the moment you see her.

And that she possesses the cruelty to tear that love to shreds.

'What is it.'

Rather, Charlize resembled a luscious fruit hanging from the very tip of a branch.

Doesn't a fruit hanging precariously tempt people more?

He heard that many were drawn to her beautiful looks or tried to use her, only to return with severe wounds.

But...

"...The expression 'poisoned apple' suits her perfectly."

Ian muttered, looking at the spot where Charlize had disappeared.

"Young Viscount."

"Oh, right."

Ian turned his head at his aide's call.

Didn't he come here today for an important reason?

"Let's go."

Soon after, he was able to meet the owner of this shabby castle, the Duke of Lemut.

Askin Lemut.

Although he had lost the wealth and honor accumulated by his ancestors and was holding out in this shabby castle, he was a man who could never be ignored.

"I am Ian Child. I am here in place of my aging father."

"...I thought Earl Child was coming?"

Ian smiled brightly.

"If my father had come in person, he would surely have caught Altsbeit's eye before any plan could be made, Your Excellency."

"Seems you're not stupid."

Thus, Ian knew that the Duke of Lemut had briefly tested the Child family and himself.

But he wasn't particularly offended.

"Your Excellency, have you made up your mind now?"

At the question implying 'Have you decided to join hands with us?', Askin showed no expression. That was it.

The Child family had reached out to Askin Lemut, offering to lend him the money to repay his debt in exchange for his cooperation.

However, this money did not come with a forced engagement like Altsbeit's, nor was it a contract with interest that could never be repaid even over a lifetime.

The condition was only to repay the principal. Lending a huge sum without even taking interest.

It was an exceptionally favorable condition, surprising even Askin.

"Let me ask one thing. Why is the Child family willing to suffer such a huge loss and reach out?"

Ian felt that this man was a pearl buried in the mud, no, a pearl found only once in a thousand years.

Although unfortunately buried in the mud now, he was someone destined to shine upon the world.

"My father and I dare to think that Your Excellency's abilities are too precious to waste. You could see it as noblesse oblige, using one's wealth to make the world a better place and striving for justice."

Ian extended his palm. In Ian's view, Askin Lemut was a very solid man.

"I know you've been treated more unfairly than the money you borrowed, and are struggling under debt. Please don't stake your life on such things, and use your abilities for a better purpose."

A polite smile appeared on his face.

Feigning harmlessness was his specialty.

"Besides, the Child family has built one of the top five trading companies. As users of the 'Yellow Road' that Your Excellency developed, we owe you a long-standing debt."

The Yellow Road.

It was named as such because it was a road built on a yellow wasteland.

Originally, the western part of the Empire was a vast wasteland teeming with countless monsters. The person who subjugated these monsters and created a safe road for trading companies to travel was none other than Askin Lemut.

And he accomplished this when he was just twenty years old.

Askin did not answer Ian's words.

Ian felt curiosity mixed with wonder.

'Father said he had almost agreed, but seeing him today, that doesn't seem to be the case. Did something happen in the meantime to change his mind?'

Askin was as good as confirmed to accept Child's offer, and they only needed his answer today. But he didn't seem so today.

Ian spoke to the hesitating Askin.

"We would like to help, but unfortunately, our family is not exactly wealthy either. I hope you understand."

"How long do I have to give my answer?"

"Please give us your final answer within a week. If the deadline passes, we will consider the contract void."

Ian finished speaking and stood up.

Suddenly, he became curious.

What was the reason that made this man, who had shown firm resolve, hesitate?

It was personal curiosity. His occasional flare of curiosity was his bad habit.

He had a feeling that if he found out the reason, his interest would grow uncontrollably, along with the anxiety that this would be a big problem.

"Ah, come to think of it. I heard an interesting story upon my arrival today."

He could still stop this curiosity.

Trying not to be curious, Ian brought up another topic.

"I hear the Countess Altsbeit recently helped the flood victims in this territory?"

Askin's eyebrow twitched. Ian was a bit surprised.

Had he touched a nerve?

"I heard the residents voluntarily gathered local specialties and waited for the Countess today to express their gratitude. Your residents know how to appreciate kindness."

He had asked, curiosity piqued when he saw the pile of goods while entering, even stopping his carriage.

It was amazing that the Countess Altsbeit had voluntarily given to the residents...

More surprising was Askin's reaction upon hearing this story.

'Why is he so surprised?'

Askin's expression was as if he hadn't known. Ian tilted his head.

Charlize and Askin. He heard rumors that the two were in a one-sided hatred relationship, with Askin hating her.

But that mischievous curiosity kept raising its head.

"Then, Your Excellency, I look forward to your positive answer."

Ian bowed politely.