Chapter 34 - 34

"Let me ask you one thing. Why did you borrow such dirty money?"

"..."

"Did it not seem dirty when you were desperate?"

Those words were not wrong. Even if he truly hated that woman, Charlize.

But was he truly qualified to hate her?

In the end, it was his own decision to borrow that dirty money.

Askin pressed his hand over his eyes.

"Since the amount has changed, I will propose one more condition on my side."

Charlize's thin voice faded, and Ian Child's courteous voice came through.

"Please, you must break off the engagement with the Countess Altsbeit."

Askin unconsciously ground his teeth.

What was the Child family's ulterior motive? There's no free lunch in the world.

...Knowing he was borrowing money to break the engagement, why did they suddenly demand the condition that he must absolutely break it off?

Askin slowly opened his eyes.

His handsome face tilted slowly. A cold expression appeared.

"...Have you found a new toy?"

What is the probability that woman and Ian Child plotted together to deceive him?

Could Charlize's new fiance be Ian Child?

No, no. There was no reason for that.

Slightly shocked that he was having such a ridiculous thought, Askin sprang up from his seat.

* * *

Chirp chirp chirp.

I woke up very late.

And when I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw were the maids fidgeting restlessly.

"What is it? Why are you like that?"

"C-Countess...!"

Susan, as representative, made a tearful face and spoke.

"Since 8 AM, by the Duke's order, the knights have been waiting in front of the door...!"

"Oh. Is that so?"

I turned my head nonchalantly.

The maids all looked shocked, but me, well.

'It's not like I wasn't expecting it.'

Didn't Jet say it? He asked if it would be alright because it would reach Grandfather's ears.

Grandfather probably found out about me arbitrarily sending the doctor and mage last night.

It was something I expected.

Rather, it might be better to go right now because it's better to get the scolding over with first.

I thought that, but I yawned leisurely.

'I've always had a rebellious streak.'

My feelings towards Grandfather had changed completely starting yesterday.

It wasn't just a change from the already bad perception of 'a grandfather who at least loves his granddaughter dearly' to realizing the truth hidden beneath that affection.

It even felt annoying.

Now that my mind has changed and I'm feeling rebellious, I thought about just holding out like this.

Instead of changing clothes in the room, I just wore a robe, and nibbled on desserts prepared in the room as a late first meal.

I stretched my legs out on the sofa, swinging them back and forth.

I pretended to leisurely read a newspaper.

The maids watching me became even more flustered, but when my behavior continued, perhaps they made a decision and started attending to me diligently.

"C-Countess...! C-Cookies aren't enough for a meal. Please try a sandwich too."

"You might choke! You should have a drink too."

"...Uh? Uh."

I blinked, accepting the glasses they pushed towards me, but.

As I was deliberately killing time like that, a knock was heard outside.

It wasn't just a knock; it was incredibly rough.

'Hmm, the inevitable has come.'

Even with that rough sound, I leisurely rested my chin on my hand and faced the door.

Grandfather probably scolded the knights, and the knights who couldn't stand it anymore are knocking like that.

Will they now roughly kick the door open and drag me away?

They must be conflicted. Whether to face the Duke's immediate anger or the aftermath of the villainess.

'It's an obvious choice, though.'

Isn't it obvious who the owner of this residence is?

The door opened, and someone strode in.

Pretending not to care, I was listening to the footsteps when I turned my head and my eyes widened.

'Tyrant?'

My tyrant brother was standing right in front of me.

"What's with that sullen face?"

"...Brother?"

"Who else could it be? I'm your brother."

Roxidian stood slanted, pulling at his collar. As if uncomfortable.

"Not going to greet me?"

"...What brings you here all of a sudden?"

Even when I opened my eyes again, it was Roxidian.

Moving my gaze, I saw my escort knights lingering near the door.

They all looked taken aback or troubled as they looked at me.

'Seems like his coming here was unexpected on their side too.'

Looking at Grandfather's knights, I felt rather pleased.

Yes, be conflicted, go ahead. Among the knights, the only one with a calm expression was Jet.

I averted my gaze and looked at my tyrant brother.

"So, what business do you have here?"

"Heh, do I need a reason to see you?"

"...Then?"

As I tilted my head, Roxidian twisted his expression.

It was a displeased look.

Why, what now. What, what's bothering you again?

"Enough. The magnanimous Emperor will come see you personally."

What is he talking about? This time it was my turn to frown.

Anyway, if I had stayed, I would have been in a position to be forcibly escorted by the knights.

Since I was grateful and happy for that, I decided to let it slide for now.

"Anyway, you, come with me for a bit."

"...Suddenly?"

"Yeah."

But maybe it was impossible for me to keep up with this tyrant brother's mood?

"The designer said the dress is finished and told me to bring you."

"...A mere designer told the Emperor to come and go?"

It would make more sense if you just wanted to come and barged in yourself.

I swallowed my retort and looked at the tyrant with an incredulous expression.

The tyrant had an expression that could be interpreted as 'What, why? Want to die?'

Looking at that sullen face, why does Yoon Ji-hoon overlap with him?

"Ah, anyway. You have to try it on, right? She'll whine. Just get up."

"Where are we going? Surely not the Imperial Palace?"

"Where else would we go?"

The tyrant urged me with a snappy expression.

"Aren't you coming?"

"As if I wouldn't..."

I got up from my seat.

At a pace slow enough that the tyrant wouldn't find it strange.

My heart was already dancing the samba.

I didn't want to see Grandfather's face anyway, so this works out perfectly, doesn't it?

As if I hadn't been lazing around just moments ago, I called the maids and quickly got ready.

Of course, I didn't forget to kick the tyrant out while I changed clothes.

The tyrant grumbled 'What, you dare kick the Emperor out?' but surprisingly went out quietly.

Thanks to the maids, I was able to prepare to go out faster than ever.

After getting ready, I opened the door and the tyrant was leaning against the wall opposite the door.

'Oh, as expected of a male protagonist. Just his appearance is a painting, a painting.'

I smiled brightly.

His face clearly showed the irritation from an unfamiliar experience of waiting.

Oh, we're not even real siblings, but why am I so happy, like back in the days when Yoon Ji-hoon's misfortune was my happiness?

Is it because of Charlize's memories remaining inside me?

"Why are you coming out now? Are you messing with me?"

"I prepared really fast, you know."

"Making me wait."

I inwardly suppressed my laughter.

Soon, a woman will appear who will make you wait very eagerly, you know?

The female lead will make you a complete prisoner of love.

Recalling the contents of the book, I inwardly shook my head.

By the way, this guy is the Emperor, but why does he come alone without any escort or aide?

I know he's a remarkable person himself, but isn't he being too careless?

"Why do you come alone, Brother?"

"I have them. I just left them behind because I couldn't be bothered."

"Where?"

Roxidian answered briefly, "In the carriage."

So, you did barge in alone after all, right? I clicked my tongue and shrugged.

Whatever. He'll manage himself.

Besides, recalling Noah tearing through the shadows, I thought I didn't need to worry too much.

"Let's just go quickly. I'm curious about the dress."

"Heh. Who's in charge here."

The tyrant clicked his tongue but followed beside me.

Just about when we had walked three more steps.

I saw someone turn the corner and come this way.

A familiar face, Grandfather.

Grandfather also saw us and stopped in his tracks.

Seemed like he frowned towards the tyrant, but it was brief.

"...I greet His Majesty the Emperor, the Sun of the Empire, the King of Beasts crying under the golden light."

The tyrant just looked at Grandfather askew and gave no answer.

The playful, teasing expression he had for me was gone, replaced by a face as cold and sharp as winter frost.

No, actually that brother's basic face is quite sharp and fierce.

Soon, a crooked smile hung on Roxidian's lips.

It was not a friendly smile at all.

"This is the first time I'm hearing the sacred beast of the Imperial Family being called such a thing. Duke. My, you should stop your mockery."

Moreover, his voice was cold with hostility and sarcasm, not befitting someone addressing his own maternal grandfather.

Grandfather also seemed used to this attitude.

"Mockery? How could I dare to use such language before His Majesty whom I respect?"

"Really? Then let me babble too. A raccoon destined for baldness whose hair will soon fall out. Ah, of course, I don't mean you, Duke."

"..."

"...Puhup."

Before Grandfather's gaze settled on me, I quickly composed my expression.