Chapter 40

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: Chapter 40

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"As you said, this is a marriage that doesn't know its place—so there's nothing more insulting than shoving a dog of the imperial family into the ducal household."

"……."

"It's only because I'm someone like me that I got this chance. It's only natural that a noble lady like you, raised without any hardship, couldn't even make the candidate list."

Ivonne couldn't muster a single reply, her face clouded with confusion.

She had only ever belittled it as an ill-matched marriage, never once considering it in such a light.

Iona murmured mockingly at Ivonne.

"How could someone who can't even understand something like this dream of becoming the duchess...?"

Ivonne's face flushed bright red.

Grinding her teeth, she shoved Iona backward.

"You think I don't see through your attempt to trick me?!"

But the body of a trained knight wouldn't be shaken so easily.

Ivonne ended up stumbling back from the recoil of her own push.

Iona simply turned her head to savor the sight of Ivonne groaning on the floor.

It hadn't been long since she'd returned to the past, but looking down at Ivonne like this already felt familiar.

Iona knelt down on one knee as if showing consideration for her opponent. Matching her eye level, she whispered,

"If you want to go tell the Duke that I'm a bastard child, be my guest."

Iona lowered her gaze and pressed down firmly on Ivonne's chest with her fingertip.

"But remember just one thing. If you do, I'll kill you. As you said, this is a chance that doesn't suit my station, so I'm a bit desperate."

"……."

"If you don't believe me, go ahead and try it for real."

With that, Iona tapped Ivonne's cheek lightly with the back of her hand.

Humiliation burned Ivonne's cheeks red.

Ivonne wanted nothing more than to grab Iona by the hair right then and there, but if her opponent counterattacked, she'd be the one at a disadvantage.

The terror she'd felt when Nils's tooth had broken was still lingering inside her.

"Let's go, Marsha."

Iona, who had been scanning Ivonne's face with cold eyes, soon stood up. She then strode back toward the drawing room as if nothing had happened.

Soon, the sound of the door closing brought silence.

Ivonne's body trembled violently in its wake.

She bit down hard on her fingertip and muttered in a cracked voice,

"I won't let you get away with this... Absolutely..."

The usual betting gambling gathering took place exactly four days later. Josephine's urgent invitation had its reasons.

Duke Leroy must have received the same message from her, as he requested to escort Iona before she could even send anyone.

Iona knew it would look good for them to arrive together, but she had a solid reason to refuse.

"If the Duke shows up, Ivonne will try to pick a fight with me again."

Recalling the previous commotion, Leroy readily accepted Iona's explanation.

For the time being, Iona planned to ensure Leroy and Ivonne didn't cross paths directly, even if it was a bit inconvenient.

It wasn't that she feared clashing with Ivonne, but the unpredictability of her opponent's temperament made her wary of letting her guard down.

She had already warned her not to provoke her further, so it would be best if she didn't stir things up anymore from her side either.

'Dragging this into more pointless fights would just tire me out.'

In any case, Ivonne wasn't a particularly important piece in taking control of the Modroff family.

With that thought, Iona peered intently out the window at Viscount Alusi's approaching carriage.

Another guest's carriage was already parked in front of the building, its ornate crest suggesting it belonged to Leroy.

She had coordinated arrival times in advance, but she hadn't expected them to meet so precisely like this.

The occupant of Iona's carriage had clearly spotted hers as well.

Instead of entering first, Leroy waited at the entrance and opened the door for her right on time.

Grasping his offered hand, Iona stepped down briskly and said,

"Duke, I appreciate the gift you sent. However..."

"No need for excessive thanks—let's leave it at that."

As if he knew exactly what she was about to say next, he calmly cut her off. Then he beckoned over a servant waiting nearby.

Of course, she couldn't bicker further about the gift in front of others. Here, they were supposed to play the part of a very affectionate couple.

"You work fast."

When Iona chided him in exasperation, Leroy simply smiled without a word.

Deciding she'd have to wait for a moment alone with him, Iona reluctantly closed her mouth.

Following the servant's guidance into the mansion, the two soon stopped before a door.

The servant knocked politely and announced,

"Duke Leroy Han and Knight Iona Modroff have arrived."

As expected, Nils's group of friends welcomed Iona and Leroy warmly.

Whether it was for the new guests or just how it always was, the atmosphere inside was more wholesome than expected.

Some had formed teams to play ninepins, while others were engaged in chess or card games on the side.

After exchanging less-than-enthusiastic greetings with Nils's friends, Iona scanned the room and asked,

"No dice games?"

"Ah, uh... Dice games?"

At Iona's question, Josephine rolled her eyes in bewilderment.

And understandably so—dice games were the most common form of gambling.

She had invited Iona because of her interest in games, but she hadn't imagined she'd want a real stakes table, missing the chance to naturally deny it.

It was safer to say they didn't do that sort of thing, but she didn't want to miss the opportunity to get closer to her either.

Stepping forward in Josephine's place was the man who had introduced himself as Frida.

"Haha. Lady Iona, as if we couldn't do dice or anything else. Come on over! I had no idea you were someone who knew how to enjoy life."

"There's nothing better for passing time with people."

"Now that you mention it, nowhere must be as lively as your workplace. Of course, even those working at the palace are just people like us. Haha."

He seemed to have mistakenly thought Iona often gambled within the knight order.

It wasn't true, but Iona didn't bother correcting him. She needed to seem as pitiful as them for their mouths to loosen easily.

Soon, Iona gathered with the others around a round table.

There were four in total: herself, Leroy, Frida, and Josephine.

Josephine, who had seemed ready to back out at any moment, quickly followed and claimed her seat.

Small wooden cups and five dice were promptly placed before each of them.

Frida said with a generous air,

"Lady Iona, you start."

Iona didn't reply and simply put the dice in her cup, shaking it.

The others did the same, and after a suitable time had passed, they all slammed their cups down on the table.

Time passed as each checked their own dice.

Covering the dice again with her cup, Iona said indifferently,

"One three."

Meaning at least one three among the twenty dice they all held.

The next player had to call a higher number than the previous, so the bids grew bolder with each turn.

"Two fours."

"...Seven threes."

All eyes turned to Frida at his bold bet.

Leroy's turn came next. After a moment's thought, he said,

"Twenty sixes."

At the absurd claim, the gazes shifted to Leroy this time.

He was asserting that every single die they held had come up six.

Obviously a lie.

On Iona's next turn, she said in disbelief,

"Liar."

Everyone lifted their cups to reveal their dice. No surprises.

Leroy smoothly pushed his stack of gold coins toward Iona.

"Close one."

"You didn't have to lose so gracefully."

A cute back-and-forth ensued between Iona and Leroy.

Finally grasping the situation, Josephine and Frida burst into hearty laughter.

"Come on, Duke! Even so, that's too much."

"Exactly. If you two keep that up, the game won't make sense. Before long, Lady Iona's side will be piled high with gold coins!"

"Sounds good to me. I've been dying over how she won't accept any gifts I try to give."