Noah’s POV
“Liten Bank has agreed to recognize all checks issued by Windsor Bank.” Viscount Manus spoke proudly. “They said to stop these wicked pranks now.”
“…”
Viego Windsor read the letter sent by Marquis Liten. Indeed, the stubborn Marquis Liten had finally raised the white flag in just two days.
“Lady Danae said she thought it would take at least three days, but they couldn’t hold out as long as she thought,” Viscount Manus recounted.
“That girl?”
“Yes. The first plan was to deplete Liten Bank’s gold coins in a short time, and she seemed to have second and third plans ready in case that didn’t work.” Viscount Manus’s eyes sparkled. “Moreover, our lady is truly amazing.”
“What?”
“The shamelessness and aggressiveness of Lady Danae, like a wild beast, truly impressed me!”
Viego ignored the confusing sentence that was neither criticism nor praise. But,
“Our lady?” He frowned sharply at the viscount. “Who allowed you to call her so friendly like that?”
“Ah– I apologize!” Viscount Manus quickly bowed his head. It was a slip of the tongue, forgetting the temperamental nature of the houselord. Fortunately, Viego handed over the contract without further remark.
“Deliver this contract to Marquis Liten. And to Danae…”
Just then, a knock on the door was heard.
“Young Master Noah is here to see you.”
Noah?
“Let him in. And Viscount Manus, you may leave now.”
Soon after, I entered with a tense face.
“Do you know that, Brother?”
“What?”
“Danae Windsor. That woman, she has a lover.”
“…”
“Her secretary. That guy, remember? The one with a pretty face.”
“…”
“Not just that, she seemed very interested in a love letter sent by my friend, Justin Lancaster. Despite being engaged to His Highness the Crown Prince. Her lowly behavior is tarnishing the family’s dignity.”
“Ah.” Viego Windsor nodded as if he finally understood. “It was you.”
“Pardon?”
“The scar on the cheek.”
I shut my mouth.
The scar on the cheek? Whose? Surely not that woman’s?
Was her cheek wounded?
I didn’t know. Now that I thought about it, it seemed like she was a bit pained when I threw the newspaper at her face…
“How vulgar.”
Viego’s remark snapped me back to reality.
“Resorting to violence to solve problems. Where did you learn such barbaric methods?”
I stared at Viego. I was about to judge cautiously, but there was no need. It was clear that my brother was mocking me.
“Violence? Barbaric methods?”
Was that really something Viego Windsor would say? I retorted sarcastically.
“I didn’t expect to hear that from you.”
Just because you’re wearing a suit, white gloves, and carrying a gentleman’s cane doesn’t erase your past.
“I am a cadet, Brother. You might have forgotten your military days because you’ve been holding a pen for so long.”
“That’s not true. I remember everything.” Viego twisted his lips into a mocking smile again. “But I’ve never hit a woman, even in my military days.”
“…”
“You, a brute, becoming the top cadet. It seems the standards have really fallen.”
Viego picked up the documents, indicating he had no further interest in talking. “Get out, Noah Windsor.”
* * *
Allice’s POV
“It’s really funny,” Miona grumbled while eating dessert. From what I saw, this is all Dana’s plan.”
“It’s all Sister Dana’s plan?”
“Yes. She interfered in your business right after ruining it. Don’t you find it strange?”
At Miona’s words, I bit my lip. I too had been uneasy about this.
“She’s doing it to be compared to you.”
“…”
“It’s clear she’s doing this with you in mind.”
I had always thought the same. But I just hadn’t dared to say it out loud…
So, Miona thought the same.
I felt depressed. Why does Sister Dana hate me so much?
Then, Miona glanced at me and said, “By the way, Allice.”
“Yes?”
“How old is Lord Carl?”
“My dad?”
“Yes.”
“Why do you ask that all of a sudden?”
“Just curious. He looks like he’s our age, right? His skin is so smooth and young.”
Why is she asking that? I rolled my eyes.
Dad is then years older than mom, so…
“My dad is thirty-five.”
“Wow. He’s young.”
“Uh-huh… yeah.”
“So he had you at fifteen— Ah, sorry. I didn’t mean that.”
At Miona’s words, I smiled faintly. “It’s okay. So what? I heard it was a political marriage. People married at that age back then.”
“I see.”
“Yes. But why do you ask all of a sudden?”
“Sorry, just a random thought…”
Miona must be missing her father. That’s why she’s seeing her father in someone else’s dad.
Poor thing. I kindly smiled at my pitiable maid.
After that pointless conversation with Miona, I went to see Raios.
“Your Highness.”
“Yes, Allice.”
Raios was busy, buried in paperwork. I felt disappointed. I wanted to be comforted in his arms…
“Are you very busy?”
“A bit. Play by yourself for a while.” Raios said so, then gave me a stuffed dog. “Here.”
“…”
I was taken aback. Is he treating me like a child?
Dad did it, and so did His Highness. Why did they both give me these things? Dad gave Sister Dana all sorts of jewelry and dresses. Raios also had brought various rare gifts to Sister while they were dating. Like necklaces worn by a foreign queen, precious dresses made of silk from the East, tiaras, rings, earrings, and all kinds of jewels!
And what is this? A toy for me? Both dad and His Highness were too much.
But I bit my lip. Good girls don’t complain. Good girls are happy with small gifts. Coveting jewels is something only materialistic people do. I had been taught like that all my life.
Right. I’m not interested in those things. I’m just a bit disappointed because it seemed insincere.
I stealthily approached Raios. “Your Highness, do you know?”
“Know what?”
“Sister Dana has been receiving love letters lately.”
“Really?” Raios answered nonchalantly while flicking his fountain pen.
I felt relieved for a moment. He really doesn’t care. Thank god.
Just as I smiled inwardly,
“Who?”
“…Yes?”
“Who sent them?”
Raios asked softly, smoothly signing the bottom of the document.
“Who sent the letters?”
* * *
Dana’s POV
That night, I read a letter of protest from Marquis Liten while walking in the night garden.
Marquis Liten is furious.
The letter was filled with complaints about being a highway robber, lacking manners, promising to remember this incident, accusing me of being a villainess rather than a saintess, and so on.
That’s enough. I’ve surely made my presence felt. Resolved in just two days; Viego would be pleased.
I smiled slyly and walked slowly. Then,
“What’s so funny?”
A gentle voice sounded.
“Did you receive another love letter?”
It was coming right beside me.
I slowly, very slowly, turned my head. This voice…
“Hi, Dana.”
In front of the garden’s fountain, a man sat on the fountain, bathed in moonlight.
“It’s been a while. How have you been?”
Rumie Windsor.
He’s Danae’s cousin brother.
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