Kisa took a deep breath in front of the firmly closed door. She always felt this way whenever she had to face her father. It was similar to the feeling of being graded on every aspect of life, a single, enormous assignment.
She recalled his expression when he saw her as a child, her clothes soiled from playing in the garden.
The undisguised contempt etched itself deeply into Kisa’s memory, still causing her to shrink even now. Sweat gathered in her clenched fist.
“But…”
She had to confront him. The Count needed to know about her recent experiences with Daniel. This was her chance, with the Count currently staying at the townhouse.
To gather her courage, Kisa thought of the man she had met in the library. The man who had reassured her that she wasn’t particularly stupid.
Thanks to him, she had been able to sleep peacefully that night, the first time since discovering Daniel’s secret.
“Father, it’s me.”
With a renewed sense of calm, Kisa knocked. A moment later, permission to enter was granted.
“Good morning.”
“Unfortunately, it’s not good for me.”
The middle-aged man sitting at his desk in his study didn’t even look up as he responded to his daughter’s greeting. His extremely dry tone caused Kisa’s bravely straightened shoulders to slump.
“I heard from the servants. You came home late on the night of the concert, didn’t you?”
It wasn’t surprising. Everyone in this mansion was, essentially, his eyes and ears. The Count wasn’t a doting father, but he wasn’t entirely unconcerned about his daughter either.
“I’m sorry. I lost track of time reading.”
In such situations, a sincere apology was the easiest way to navigate the situation. However, the interrogation continued.
“Why were you on Ipeach Street a few days ago?”
He knew about that too. She had only delayed telling him because of his busy schedule. Kisa swallowed hard and spoke.
“Actually, I have something to tell you about that. It’s about Daniel.”
At her subdued tone, Count Vansfelt met Kisa’s gaze for the first time. Her body trembled as she met his cold, colorless eyes.
She had to do this. She steeled her resolve once more.
Count Vansfelt, who shared a similar eye shape with his daughter, furrowed his brow after hearing her story.
“If what you say is true, this is a matter I can’t ignore. I’ll call Daniel in and talk to him.”
Relief washed over her at not being dismissed. Therefore, the following warning didn’t bother her much.
“I’ll overlook this once, considering the circumstances, but don’t act recklessly again. A lady of your age should behave properly.”
“Yes, Father. I will remember that.”
Kisa quickly replied and left the Count’s study.
In the near future, he would summon Daniel and question him. Even if Daniel denied his relationship with the other woman, it wouldn’t matter.
Knowing the Count’s nature, he would thoroughly investigate before taking action.
Judging by appearances, it didn’t seem like the two were particularly hiding their close relationship. Their circle was large, and Kisa herself had only learned about their unsavory relationship through others.
What would Daniel say to the Count? Would he make excuses? Would he confess? He certainly wouldn’t be as brazen as he was with Kisa.
The thought of his smooth face caused a pang in her chest. She had genuinely liked him.
But… or rather, because of that, she couldn’t be with Daniel, who looked down on her and pledged eternity to another woman.
‘Will we break off the engagement?’
Her conversation with Melissa came to mind. She didn’t like the idea of being labeled with a broken engagement and becoming the subject of gossip, but what she disliked even more was not breaking off the engagement.
Count Vansfelt’s concerns were not his daughter’s happiness, but his reputation and self-interest. If Daniel pretended to repent and falsely swore never to see that woman again, there was a high chance the Count would turn a blind eye.
What would she do then? She had considered it, but no clear solution came to mind. For now, she could only wait for the confrontation between the Count and Daniel.
****
Two days passed in Kisa’s anxious wait. She heard that Daniel had visited the Vansfelt mansion when she returned from an unavoidable outing.
“Oh, Miss. Young Master Daniel Lowens has arrived. He’s talking with the Count; you should go quickly.”
Leaving the nanny, who was smiling happily, unaware of the situation between the two, Kisa headed towards the Count’s study.
But as she approached her destination, she ran into Daniel as he was leaving the room.
“Well, well, if it isn’t…”
The man, largely unchanged from the last time she saw him, approached Kisa with long strides, as if showing off his long legs.
“The gossiping Miss Vansfelt.”
He looked like he had been eating, sleeping, and living well these past few days. Kisa resented that she hadn’t been able to do the same.
“Don’t be sarcastic.”
“Oh, are you going to run to your father again to tattle?”
“Father should know what you’ve been doing.”
“What have I been doing? I’m innocent.”
His confident face gave her a bad feeling. It didn’t seem like a bluff. What kind of conversation had taken place between Daniel and the Count?
“You look curious about what happened in there. Shall I tell you?”
“No. I’ll ask my father myself.”
“Yes, of course. Miss. Why don’t you go in quickly?”
The man, whose every word seemed barbed unless perfectly polite, gestured towards the study and smoothly passed Kisa.
Kisa quickly knocked.
“Father.”
In her haste, she entered before he could give permission, causing a frown to appear on the Count’s brow.
“What is this inappropriate behavior?”
“…I’m sorry. But how did the conversation go? What did Daniel say?”
The Count turned his eyes to the documents on his desk.
“You don’t need to worry about it.”
“What?”
“You don’t need to worry about the problem you told me about before.”
“I don’t need to worry? I don’t understand what you mean.”
The Count sighed.
“Well, I understand you’re sensitive because you like Daniel. But even if some impurities get involved, nothing will change between you and Daniel, so stop making a fuss.”
Nothing will change. Without realizing it, she slammed her hands on the Count’s desk, making a loud thud.
“Father! Did Daniel plead his innocence? You mustn’t believe him! I saw it with my own eyes! Daniel pledging his knightly vows to another woman!”
It was the first time she had ever spoken to her father in such a strong tone.
However, the response was cold.
“So?”
“…What?”
“So what does that matter?”
It felt like someone had hit her head with a hammer.
“I don’t believe you’re so naive as to think every couple lives in blissful love. Marriage is a union of families.”
He tapped his temples a couple of times with his fingers.
“I just confirmed with Daniel that he has no intention of breaking the union between the Vansfelts and the Lowens. He’s always been ambitious. I was worried he might have gotten some strange ideas while studying abroad, but it was unfounded.”
“Father…”
“Trust my judgment, Kisa. Daniel isn’t the kind of man who would ruin everything over just one woman. His brothers are eyeing the heir’s position, so would he abandon you and choose a commoner widow?”
“But Daniel clearly said he would protect that woman for life. He will continue his relationship with her even after marriage.”
“It’ll just be a mistress. What’s the big deal? Daniel’s wife is you. My daughter, Kisa Vansfelt, only you.”
“Are you telling me to marry a man who values someone more than me? Daniel even insulted me, calling me stupid, in front of that woman!”
“Oh really?”
It seemed to be the first time the Count had heard this, and his well-groomed eyebrows furrowed, but Kisa couldn’t get the words she wanted out.
“That was uncalled for of Daniel. Even if he’s infatuated with his mistress, he should still uphold his wife’s dignity. I’ll speak to him later.”
“It’s not about dignity. Do you think I’ll be happy marrying a man who despises me like that?”
That was the conclusion she had reached after days of agonizing. Hazel Turdy’s existence was one thing, but knowing Daniel’s true feelings, Kisa couldn’t marry him.
“I’ll talk to him.”
“If a few words from you make Daniel change his attitude instantly, I’ll feel even more miserable. I want to be respected for who I am.”
Surprised by his daughter’s unusual behavior, unlike her usual obedient self, the Count looked bewildered. And the bewilderment quickly turned to annoyance.
“Then what am I supposed to do? Are you telling me to break off the engagement with Daniel now?”
Kisa took a moment to breathe. The time had finally come to clearly express her wishes to her intimidating father.
Hearing her father’s sharp voice, her heart pounded and her mouth went dry.
Yet, at this moment, the presence of two men in her mind freed her from her father’s pressure.
Daniel, who looked down on Kisa for blindly following her father’s words, and Seyard, who had told her she wasn’t stupid.
Ironically empowered by the conflicting feelings evoked by these two men, Kisa spoke.
“Yes, please break off the engagement, Father. I don’t want to marry Daniel.”
The Count paused before asking.
“Are you serious?”
“Completely serious.”
“You, who used to chase after Daniel? If this is just a ploy to get his attention, don’t bother. His feelings for that woman will eventually fade.”
“It’s not a bluff. I genuinely want to break off the engagement.”
“Then it’s even less worth listening to. Stop talking nonsense and leave.”
“Father, please! Officially break off the engagement with the Lowens family…”
“I said leave!”
At his harsh shout, Kisa instinctively took a few steps back, her hands trembling.
