Failed to Train the Beast Male Lead

This time, as if absolutely not tolerating any repeat behavior, the bulky and rugged-looking Norman stood guard in front of the curtain.

Margaret straightened her back. More effective than a verbal warning. Margaret gripped the hem of her dress and slightly bowed her head, trying not to show displeasure.

“Though we’re in the same estate, it truly has been a long time.”

“I’ve made you wait too long.”

Mrs. Wells brought out tea.

There were remarkably few servants for the castle’s size.

While servants from the annex at least came during the day, the evening castle was deathly still.

“I recall you always had many people around you in the capital, but not here it seems.”

“Having too many hands and feet would only be a nuisance, wouldn’t you agree?”

Even so, the number was small.

Margaret could hardly fail to notice that fact. Though the Duke knew Margaret found it suspicious, he gave no sign.

After all, even if she harbored doubts, there was nothing she could do about it immediately.

And soon, she would be too preoccupied to have room for such thoughts. By the time Margaret had a chance to catch her breath, their relationship would be strictly official, without her having any right to ask.

Margaret wet her dry mouth with tea.

“You previously spoke of breaking the engagement, but I have no such intention.”

“Young lady, we will be breaking the engagement.”

The Duke responded to Margaret’s words in a resolute tone. His unhesitating reply made her heart lurch.

Thump.

Realizing no amount of humility would change the Duke’s stance, Margaret roughly set down her teacup.

“What is the problem?”

“The problem lies with me.”

“That’s a lie.”

“…”

“Is it because I’m inadequate? Did you come to regret it now? Is meeting today a final consideration?”

Despite vowing to remain composed, her voice rose in the end.

“I came here today to apologize.”

“…Apologize?”

“For overlooking the fact that Noah’s existence could cause misunderstanding and failing to speak of it.”

Margaret’s eyes widened at the Duke’s polite apology.

“Then…allow me to apologize for my misunderstanding as well.”

The Duke carefully chose his words. It was his fault for not being more attentive. Not knowing the circumstances, she must have suffered more. He also felt guilty for his colder treatment due to the impending break of engagement.

Since it was merely a union between houses, he had simplistically thought it would be fine as long as they broke it off cleanly without much fuss.

He knew Margaret harbored affection for him, but considered it irrelevant.

However, after meeting Carol, the Duke could no longer think so simplistically.

So even at some cost to himself, he wanted an amicable resolution.

That’s why he came out. Margaret may not realize how much resolve it took for the Duke to face her alone, but it was his attempt at courtesy.

“However, Young lady is under a misconception. Why do you think I became engaged to you?”

“Because for pursuing business matters, anyone would do, I suppose.”

“Don’t think so little of yourself.”

“Then are you saying there was another reason?”

Could there be another reason? It seemed like just a joke, but Margaret decided to listen further to what the Duke had to say.

“Aren’t you excellent at carrying out tasks?”

“…Are you mocking me?”

Margaret’s face stiffened. From Elisha preventing her from attending the Duke’s banquet in the capital to the theft incident, memories flashed through her mind.

“From a business perspective, I’m saying you’re impressive.”

“But that’s not my duty.”

“What if I assign it to you?”

“…What?”

“If you postpone the annulment and take charge of my business instead of me, no one could say anything about you returning to the capital. Me assigning you my business means I trust you that much.”

The Duke had been considering this for a long time. He couldn’t just blindly trust and assign everything to her alone. It was a business of that large a scale.

However, with someone’s help, she could certainly handle it too. The foundation was laid, so she just had to proceed according to the guidelines.

“But still…”

“I will also ensure that the agreement with the Chessworth family does not bring harm to the Young lady.”

“…”

Margaret fell silent. This was a far better outcome than she had expected to just return.

Margaret brushed her bewildered face with her hand.

“It’s so sudden.”

“Don’t overthink it. When you return to the capital, someone familiar with the north will help the Young lady in my stead.”

“…You’ve already decided.”

“If the Young lady allows it, that is.”

She wanted the Duke. Having the Duke meant his beautiful appearance, immense power, outstanding business acumen – it seemed like all of that would become hers, making her happy.

Margaret wanted to feel compensated through him for the harm caused by Elisha.

‘But even without the Duke, if I can prove my own capabilities…’

She was used to being called greedy. And if the business failed, she could pretend to nullify the engagement without care.

‘I’ve already shown such an unsightly side anyway.’

Margaret answered, placing her hand on her cheek.

“It’s never good to dwell too long on decisions.”

“An excellent choice you’ve made.”

Margaret rose from her seat, her body trembling. She couldn’t believe she had made such a choice, as major decisions had always been her father’s domain.

She worried if she had made an impulsive choice, but she didn’t want to take back her words.

“I should go.”

Margaret rose as if she had nothing more to say. Before leaving, she blurted out a feeling she had long cherished.

“…I liked you.”

“…..”

She felt resentful that he didn’t respond to her clumsy confession. But this was right. If he couldn’t answer her feelings, any words of consolation would only hurt.

“I had come down prepared to even nurse you if injured.”

But in the end, you didn’t show your face.

The curtain seemed like a clear line drawn between the two of them.

They were bound by their families, an unloving engagement. But Margaret sincerely liked Edward Winternox.

Margaret spoke to the Duke in an overly boastful voice.

“Even if you ask to call off the engagement later, I won’t back down.”

“I’ll look forward to that day.”

“…I’ve been very rude.”

Thud.

Only after the door closed did the tears stream down. Margaret quickly wiped them away with the back of her hand.

For some reason, she felt refreshed.

As the door closed completely, the Duke let out a sigh of relief.

“Whew. Tiring.”

“Shall I open the window?”

“Yes. And have a Founding Day gift sent to her.”

“Shall I have an appropriate one sent?”

“Yes. Send it to her family, not her directly.”

The gift’s meaning was simply to signal that the engagement still stood.

“Yes.”

Mrs. Wells, quietly standing by the wall, answered.

“Please do so.”

It was fortunate that Margaret took it better than expected. He was a bit concerned about extending the engagement period, but didn’t care much.

‘Teacher Carol likely won’t care at all if I extend the engagement further anyway.’

The one he wanted attention from would have no romantic interest in him.

He knew there was no helping the monster he was not being liked.

But tonight, that fact stung more than usual.

“It’s a bit hot.”

Even the chilling breeze couldn’t cool the Duke’s strange heat that night.

****

The Founding Day dawned. As the Empire’s biggest commemorative day, the northern lands were lively too.

Kevin and Dylan had grown accustomed to waking early, but today, being a holiday, they woke later than usual. Still, today was busier than other days. The two hurriedly finished their outdoor preparations.

Right before leaving, Kevin and Dylan slightly opened Carol’s door and looked at her sound asleep on the bed.

“Sis asleep?”

“Yeah. She likely won’t wake even if someone carries her for a while.”

The two looked at each other.

“Let’s hurry back.”

Imagining Carol’s stunned face when she woke, the two felt excited.

Completely unaware of their thoughts, Carol was lost in dreamland.

Click.

The door closed. The two ran off with gleeful faces.