“The one you seek revenge against is Count Lowell. However, what I’m planning… would be no different from plotting treason.”
Although I knew Declan’s presence would be of great help to me, I didn’t want him to be put in danger because of me for any reason.
Hadn’t I promised myself that in this life, at least, I wouldn’t let his life be ruined because of me? For Sienna, keeping that promise took precedence over the will.
Even if it seemed foolish, there was no other choice.
However, Declan didn’t seem particularly pleased with Sienna’s answer.
“While it may be considered going against the Emperor’s wishes, we’re merely correcting something that was wrong from the start. It’s hard to call it treason when it’s a trap the Emperor himself set.”
Though he kindly corrected her, Sienna remained firm. Declan pressed on more forcefully.
“Rest assured. If the disadvantages outweighed the benefits as much as you say, I wouldn’t have shown interest either. I’m not benevolent enough to participate in a fight that’s clearly going to be lost.”
His final remark seemed to have struck a nerve, as Sienna’s gaze grew sharper.
“So, you’re saying you’ll help me find the will? Because that would be more effective in screwing….I mean, getting back at the Duke?”
As Sienna asked while choosing between similar vocabulary, Declan simply nodded.
“How can I trust you?”
When Sienna asked with raised eyebrows, Declan also slightly raised his eyebrow. Even as she glared at him fiercely, her pupils trembled slightly.
“About that time… won’t you apologize for that crude harassment?”
At her hesitant question, Declan looked at her with narrowed eyes, not quite understanding her meaning.
Seeing her face gradually turning red, he let out a faint smile. He had belatedly realized that the ‘crude harassment’ she mentioned referred to what had happened in the prince’s bedroom not long ago.
“As it was inexcusable, I’ll apologize.”
Though he wasn’t particularly sorry or regretful, he bowed his head readily anyway. Regardless of his true feelings, pleasing her was the priority right now.
Sienna’s attitude softened slightly at his straightforward apology.
“By the way, I don’t make contracts without collateral.”
“Please feel free to state what you want.”
Sienna quietly rolled her eyes. She had a thoughtful expression, as if searching for an appropriate weapon to hold firmly before going into battle.
“If you betray me…”
She who had been searching for suitable leverage, declared sharply.
“I’ll kill you.”
Declan’s eyes widened slightly at the sudden threat. Sienna gripped the fork in her hand so tightly that her knuckles turned red, as if it were a weapon.
“By any means necessary.”
She knew it wasn’t threatening at all, as threats go. How could she possibly end the life of a man who had spent his entire life on the battlefield? Nevertheless, she couldn’t trust a mere verbal promise.
Since she was staking her life on this endeavor, Declan too should stake something of equal value for it to be fair.
At her declaration, which seemed to be some sort of grave statement, Declan stared at her with a dumbfounded expression before breaking into a small laugh. Though Sienna’s eyes flashed sharply, once started, the laughter wouldn’t easily stop.
He had wondered what she would ask for, but in the end, what she wanted was his life.
He covered his mouth with his fist to stop the escaping laughter, but couldn’t hide his shaking shoulders.
There was nothing to give or take in the first place. He had already given it up once for her anyway. Finally stopping his laughter, he said with traces of amusement still lingering on his face.
“As you wish.”
Her eyes widened slightly at his amused voice.
He spoke with an inappropriately bright smile.
“If such a day truly comes, I’ll die for you without regret.”
****
After the Grand Duke returned to Monferrato, Duke Lowell regained his vigor as if a troublesome tooth had been pulled. Without delay, he decided to return to the Duke’s residence.
“Parting like this fills me with regret, My Lady.”
“Yes, Marquis Richelieu. I too…”
Dahlia’s mechanical greeting was suddenly cut off by the warm sensation of someone grasping her hand. Her eyes rolled down to look at the thick hand of the man holding hers.
Whether it was sweat or something else, the touch enveloping her hand felt damp and unpleasant.
Dahlia’s lips trembled slightly. Though her captured hand instinctively flinched, the Marquis paid no mind and kissed her hand.
“I look forward to our next meeting. It would be wonderful if we could meet before this year ends.”
“Since Dahlia will be participating in the hunting festival, it won’t be too long.”
The Duke cut in as the Marquis whispered affectionately.
“Did I mention? This child has quite good horseback riding skills. Last year at the hunting festival, even Their Majesties personally praised her.”
“It seems the Young Lady has many talents. I shall eagerly await the hunting festival.”
The Marquis looked at her with uncomfortably lingering eyes. Dahlia subtly averted her gaze.
She barely managed a bow as greeting before practically fleeing to her carriage.
“…It’s creepy.”
As soon as the carriage door closed, Dahlia shuddered and vigorously rubbed the hand he had kissed against her dress. Yet the unpleasant sensation wouldn’t disappear.
Though she had never dreamed of a fairy tale marriage, this kind of marriage where she felt like she was being sold off couldn’t possibly be welcome.
Moreover, her disgust toward the Duke, whose true intentions were so blatantly visible, grew day by day. How could she not know his desire to get rid of her from the Duke’s residence as soon as possible!
‘Just bearing the Lowell name is shameful enough for him.’
Dahlia bit her lip hard.
Even her half-brother, the Emperor, seemed to want Dahlia to make a suitable marriage soon these days. Since the ambitious marriage plans for that Princess had fallen through overnight, he appeared to be looking for an excuse to redirect the attention that had been focused there.
He probably intended to use Dahlia’s marriage to strengthen his unstable position while he was at it. It was frustrating that among the three sisters, only Marianne, the oldest, was excluded.
‘I suppose the beloved sister is an exception.’
A deep look of disillusionment crossed Dahlia’s face.
Was there any guarantee that her future husband wouldn’t look down on her like the Duke did?
The social circles were full of people who bowed to her face but called her a vulgar woman behind her back. Would that man be any different?
No, he’d probably think of her as an easy woman to take advantage of.
She had no family to speak of except the Duke, who showed not a shred of interest in her, and even then, as he was clearly her uncle, there was no inheritance she could receive from him. Even using the Lowell family name would have been impossible without the former Emperor’s word.
If this marriage goes through, Dahlia’s connection with the Duke will end completely. It would be like becoming strangers again.
While that fact itself was quite welcome to Dahlia, the thought of having to live the rest of her life watching her husband’s moods instead of the Duke’s already made her feel suffocated.
Dahlia bit her lips repeatedly while touching the area near her upper abdomen where the ring was. She could feel its hard surface beneath the fabric.
She swallowed hard.
‘Perhaps I don’t need to think too deeply about this.’
This was something that should have been inherited by that Princess. If so, returning it to its rightful owner would be the right thing to do.
Suddenly, the Grand Duke’s voice from their recent encounter echoed faintly in Dahlia’s ears.
[If you ever need help with anything, feel free to ask.]
Dahlia firmly gripped the ring under her clothes.
There was only one way after all.
****
What she thought would be just a one-time uncomfortable meal continued on afterward.
The Grand Duke kept inviting Sienna to meals. Some days it was on the terrace in the back garden, other days it was in the indoor garden like the first day. Since refusing would be impolite as a guest, Sienna reluctantly accepted his invitations.
It would have been better if he finished his meal first and left, but Declan only rose from his seat after seeing her plate empty.
Without any other conversation passing between them, he just stared intently at her eating, making it hard to tell whether the food was going into her mouth or nose.
After several such mornings, Sienna, unable to bear it anymore, finally spoke up with difficulty.
“You must be busy, it’s fine if you go ahead. You don’t need to keep me company every time.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
He replied coldly without even meeting her eyes. Sienna just gripped her fork tightly. How could she not worry about it?
“…Then would you like some more food at least?”
The violet eyes that had been constantly downcast finally turned toward her.
Sienna took that as a sort of answer and looked at the food placed in front of them. The cutlet hadn’t been touched and remained in a relatively decent state.
Though he usually didn’t like such greasy foods, she didn’t want to consider his food preferences in this situation. Sienna moved the dish with the cutlet in front of him. Declan’s gaze fell sharply on the dish she had personally handed over.
