127.

Click.

The parlor door swung open, and the Lepherian Viscount and Viscountess, seated on the sofa, quickly rose upon spotting Lucian entering.

“We greet the Duke of Kalleid.”

“No need for formalities. Please, be seated.”

Lucian gestured for them to sit. “So, what brings you both to the Duke of Kalleid’s residence?”

The Viscount and his wife immediately bowed their heads.

“We heard that our unfortunate daughter is under Your Grace’s care,” the Viscount began.

“Elze has a rather, well… difficult personality. If she’s caused any trouble, we’re truly sorry…”

The ease with which they disparaged Elze was startling. She was their daughter, after all, yet they seemed almost eager to belittle her. Lucian raised an eyebrow but decided it was best to clear any misunderstandings they held about Elze first.

“No, Lady Lepherian is not that kind of person.”

“We have eyes and ears, Your Grace.”

Replied the Viscountess, her expression one of quiet sorrow.

“Rumor has it that our Elze has been… caught between you and the Marquess of Offenheir…”

“That’s just baseless gossip.”

Lucian cut her off firmly.

“I’m merely protecting Lady Lepherian because I want to.”

The Viscountess clasped her hands to her chest, eyes glinting.

“My, how kind of you, Your Grace,” she murmured.

“When she was with the Marquess, he was so terribly cold toward us…”

Lucian’s blue eyes flickered.

“Is that so?”

“Yes. The Marquess has a certain… distant manner, doesn’t he?”

The Viscountess continued.

“We’re so relieved she’s under the care of someone trustworthy, like you.”

The Viscount quickly nodded in agreement, clearly pleased. Lucian felt a small sense of pride welling up; he was, in some strange way, being acknowledged by Elze’s parents. The comparison to Offenheir was especially satisfying.

“So… might we be able to see our Elze?” the Viscount asked with a hopeful tone. “It’s been over five years since we last saw her. We’d just like to know she’s well and maybe… ask a favor…”

“A favor?”

The Viscount’s face flushed as he shifted nervously, his eyes darting away.

“Go on, feel free to speak.”

“Well, it’s just… our family has faced some difficulties recently. Since Elze is our eldest, we wondered if perhaps she might… be able to help us a little.”

Lucian’s gaze sharpened as he recalled Elze’s strong reaction when he’d last broached the subject of her parents.

[Lady Lepherian. So you truly don’t intend to meet your parents?]

[No.]

Elze had shaken her head firmly.

[I don’t even want to see those people. I find it repulsive to breathe the same air as them.]

[But Lady Lepherian…]

[I said no.]

It had been one of the rare times she’d shown such intense rejection, enough to make even Lucian step back.

“Well… it’s not as though she would help us. We’re just grasping at straws, really,” the Viscount mumbled, looking downcast. “The truth is, Elze’s always resented me. I’m her stepmother, after all.”

The Viscountess dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief, letting her tears fall delicately.

“I’ve tried so hard to get close to her, but she’s always kept her distance…”

“Oh, darling, please, let’s not burden His Grace with this,” the Viscount gently patted her shoulder.

Lucian watched them with a conflicted expression. He knew a bit about Elze’s family history—enough, at least, to understand her feelings. The Lepherian family was notorious even among the nobility. The current Viscount had married Elze’s mother, the only heir to the family title, yet he hadn’t severed ties with his mistress and even fathered an illegitimate son in secret. When Elze’s mother passed away, he married his mistress, who became Elze’s stepmother, and Elze had eventually fled to become the lover of the Marquess of Offenheir.

In his mind, Lucian understood why Elze would despise her parents so intensely. Yet…

“…”

Watching them grieve before him stirred something within Lucian, bringing memories of his own late parents to the surface.

‘They’re still her family.’

He thought. Once they’re gone, she’d never see them again. If Lady Lepherian went through her life estranged from her parents, would she regret it later?

“So, how much assistance do you need?”

“Pardon? Oh, no, Your Grace, we couldn’t possibly…”

The Viscount stammered, waving his hands, though a glint of greed betrayed him.

“Please, speak freely. After all, you are the family of someone dear to me.”

Whatever they requested, it would hardly be a strain on Kalleid’s resources. Lucian shrugged casually.

“I’d like to help if I can.”

“Well… if you could spare fifty thousand derks…”

“Fifty thousand? Very well.”

Lucian nodded. “And do you have accommodations arranged for tonight?”

“Oh, no, Your Grace! We’re more than grateful for your generosity; we couldn’t impose…”

“Even so, it would be improper to send Lady Lepherian’s parents away.”

Lucian replied with a faint smile.

“I’ll have the guest rooms prepared for you. Rest here tonight, and you may return to the Lepherian estate tomorrow.”

“Thank you so much!”

The Viscount and his wife bowed deeply.

“A maid will show you to your rooms. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” With a polite nod, Lucian left the room.

‘Who would’ve thought I’d end up helping Lady Lepherian’s parents,’ he mused, feeling oddly satisfied.

* * *

Unable to contain my frustration, I made my way to the garden. The crisp winter air filled my lungs, helping to ease some of the tension within me.

Moments ago, Lucian’s words kept replaying in my mind.

[They’re still your family, Lady.]

Lucian’s blue eyes were filled with concern as he looked at me.

[Family ties aren’t something you can sever just because you wish to.]

I could understand where he was coming from. Lucian had grown up in a picture-perfect family. The harmony of the previous Duke and Duchess of Kalleid stood out in a society where noble families were often embroiled in power struggles. He’d had a strict yet caring father and a gentle, elegant mother—a family straight out of a storybook. As the sole heir, Lucian had been showered with love.

From his perspective, it was only natural to assume I would feel some affection toward my parents as well.

But…

[She said she doesn’t want it.]

Why did Dante’s sharp words suddenly echo in my mind?

This wasn’t the first time the Lepherian Viscount and Viscountess had sought out one of the men in my life. When Dante and I had first become lovers, they’d tried the same tactics on him, attempting to extract money.

[Why should I?]

Dante had cut them off with a crooked smirk.

[She doesn’t want it, so I see no reason to help you.]

[But, my lord—!]

[If you’re so desperate for help, perhaps you should start by persuading her, not me.]

With Dante’s notorious reputation, they hadn’t dared persist. They’d left empty-handed, unable to get anything out of him.

‘They’re endlessly consistent in trying to use their daughter…’ Having failed to gain anything from my dowry, they had no qualms about seeking out the men in my life, hoping to squeeze out even the smallest sum. And Lucian wasn’t even my lover.

‘It’s revolting.’

I clenched my teeth, frustrated by how often I compared Dante and Lucian in my mind. Yet, each time I faced Lucian’s oppressive behavior, I couldn’t help but think that Dante, despite his flaws, had been the lesser evil.

Just then…

“Elze?”

Startled, I turned around to see the middle-aged couple smiling at me—a smile that turned my stomach. My despised father and stepmother.

‘What are they doing here?’

My mind went blank. I had pleaded with Lucian multiple times, begging him not to let them into Kalleid’s residence under any circumstances.

So why…?