Chapter 17

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: Chapter 17

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter 17

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She knew exactly what would happen when she announced her visit to the count's residence on the anniversary of the countess's death.

The count and his children would probably band together to chase her out.

But in the end, the children's anger would shift toward their father.

He was the count who had kept a mistress even while his lawful wife lay on her deathbed. His children would have no choice but to dredge up their old resentments.

"Come to think of it, I've been so flustered I haven't even offered you any tea. It's getting cold out—would you like some before you go?"

Fleur asked in a much softer tone.

The proposal she'd just received was intriguing enough, but she also quite liked the fact that this stiff knight was going out of his way to use formal speech and observe proper etiquette with her.

"No, thank you. You must be exhausted, so we'll take our leave and let you rest."

Of course, Iona politely declined her offer.

As expected, Fleur immediately rose to see Iona and Duke Leroy off.

The two were able to leave amid warm farewells, unlike when they had first arrived.

Mindful of listening ears, they exchanged no words until they were clear of the building.

By then, evening was drawing near, and lights were beginning to flicker on along the streets.

Duke Leroy, who had been silently following Iona, suddenly spoke up.

"Were you serious about becoming the family head?"

"Only if I can worsen the relations between the count and Nils will an opportunity open up for me."

"That's too cumbersome and dangerous a fight to pick for someone else's sake. If you said you had ambitions for the position yourself, I'd consider your proposal more seriously."

"In that case, you'd mull it over and ultimately refuse. You wouldn't want to hand power to an enemy pawn on a gamble."

Since her words rang true, Duke Leroy fell silent.

Her offer to surrender her entire fortune was absurd, of course—but without that, there was no reason for him to help her seize control of her family.

"Then why? What's your reason for going to all this trouble, even betraying your lord?"

In the end, Duke Leroy voiced the question that had been gnawing at him.

She had presented such flimsy grounds that no one could think she was seriously trying to persuade him.

No, she had explained her methods but revealed nothing about her motives.

Duke Leroy looked at Iona with an expression that demanded an answer.

After a brief hesitation, she replied.

"I realized too late that the one I swore loyalty to wasn't worth it. That's all."

Because she had learned her loyalty had been wasted on an unworthy person.

Vague as it was, her response gave him firm conviction in his assumption that she had turned against the crown prince due to his betrayal.

Was she planning to keep her connection to the crown prince hidden to the end?

If so, her secretive demeanor made sense, too.

Duke Leroy suddenly recalled the crown prince's face as he vowed to keep his beloved hidden away forever.

How foolish to love a vile man like that.

And equally foolish to destroy herself over being betrayed by the likes of him.

If his assumption held, he stood to gain immensely—yet Duke Leroy found himself wishing she had never gone through such a thing.

"...In that case, you really should reconsider your decision. The person you devote your life to deserves careful thought."

She needed to be more cautious if she didn't want to ruin her life any further.

Iona answered Duke Leroy's advice without the slightest hesitation.

"Even if I had all the time in the world, I'd still choose you."

Naturally, Duke Leroy was dumbfounded.

He pressed her as if to scare her.

"Even if I don't trust you?"

"Trust between spouses is certainly vital... but at least in your case, Your Grace, I don't need to worry about such things."

"Why not?"

"No matter how much you suspect me of being the crown prince's filthy spy, I know you're the kind of man who wouldn't betray his wife."

Duke Leroy was utterly flustered. He had never done anything to earn such an assessment from her.

He hadn't even decided whether to accept or reject the marriage proposal.

Or, to be more honest, his heart was leaning decisively toward refusal.

He couldn't bow his head first to the imperial family, who were no better than enemies to his house.

The only reason he had agreed to meet Iona was personal curiosity.

Yet her actions had done anything but satisfy it—they had only inflamed it further.

Duke Leroy stopped in his tracks.

A thought flashed through his mind.

Could he not at least pretend to trust her for a moment, in exchange for this reckless excess of faith she offered?

"Earlier, you asked how much I was willing to invest to test your sincerity."

"Yes."

"Now it's my turn to ask. How much would it take to test yours?"

He had ignored the question before, but unlike his callousness then, Iona responded earnestly.

"Around 100,000 gold, I suppose. Though it won't happen, even if it fails, Your Grace won't take a loss. The Modroff family is preparing exactly that amount as my dowry."

It was far too much to wager just to test her sincerity.

But if it secured the Modroff count family in exchange, it would be a stroke of unparalleled luck.

She claimed there was no risk of loss, but if it failed, he could simply refuse the dowry as well—making the condition rather meaningless.

Or perhaps she hadn't said it merely to reassure him.

Iona gazed at him with confident eyes and added,

"In other words, this is a bet with my own worth on the line."

That evening, Iona returned safely to the count's residence under the duke's escort.

Contrary to everyone's assumptions that he would resent the forced meeting, the duke showed utmost respect to his prospective bride.

He even hinted at another visit before departing.

Count Modroff breathed a sigh of relief, but the outcome didn't satisfy everyone.

Especially in Ivonne Modroff's room, the atmosphere was like a house in mourning.

Upon hearing that Iona had returned with a smile, Ivonne wailed as if the world had ended.

"How can that bitch become the duchess? Is everyone insane? What the hell is this?!"

Unable to contain her rage, Ivonne hurled whatever she could grab.

A shard of porcelain flew off and grazed the cheek of a nearby maid. The maid reflexively clutched her face at the stinging pain.

Spotting this, Ivonne advanced on her with fire in her eyes.

"And what's with that look on your face? Do I have to watch your expressions now, too?"

"N-no, miss. It's nothing. I just... I feel so bad seeing you cry like this..."

"Right? You're not dissatisfied with me, are you?"

The maid nodded frantically under Ivonne's interrogation.

But Ivonne didn't stop there and thrust her face right up to the maid's.

"Go on, say it. Who else is as pitiful as me? That wench who ruined our family is not only escaping heavenly punishment but getting a better life than me. No one even knows dirty blood runs through her veins. Huh? Can you imagine how rotten I must feel inside?"

"You're absolutely right, miss. I'm furious too, so I can't even fathom how you must feel..."

The maid desperately tried to placate Ivonne, but fear kept her from speaking properly.

Seizing the moment, Ivonne grabbed the maid by the hair.