Chapter translated by Loulou.
Emperor Ignivan glanced at the Duke with eyes that seemed to ask if everything was settled, and Kaiyen nodded slightly in response.
“…Viscount Heinz,” Kaiyen called, his handsome twisting into a smirk.
He slowly opened his mouth, causing everyone present to hold their breath. His gaze looking down at the Viscount was unwavering and thorough, leaving no room for defiance.
Kaiyen intended to ensure that Viscount Heinz wouldn’t dare to cross Windell and that he would never approach Etisha again. He was planning on ending things thoroughly here.
“Do you see this?” Kaiyen asked, taking a hexagonal nameplate out of his pocket.
Etisha’s name was inscribed on the front part of the plate, while a symbol representing the title of Marquis was clearly depicted on the back.
“This belongs to Lady Etisha, no… … It belongs to Marquise Etisha,” Kaiyen declared as he proudly placed the nameplate in Etisha’s hands.
“I believe that you understand now. Etisha is no longer Heinz. So, the Heinz family will never be treated as Windell’s in-laws.”
“… … .”
“And Viscount, please, don’t ever dream of profiting from my marriage with Etisha again.”
“… … .”
“Don’t you dare to even think of threatening her.”
Viscount Heinz could only turn red without a word of retort.
‘To think Etisha would become a Marquise with her own domain. To be granted a new noble surname by the Emperor…’
It’s absurd and unbelievable, but there was no room for rebuttal, just the bitterness of reality.… … .
Viscount Heinz shot a fierce glare at Duke Kaiyen, but he knew he couldn’t challenge him. Plus standing next to the Duke was the equally intimidating Emperor Ignivan.
But unable to contain his frustration, he turned his head towards Etisha.
His intention was to confront Etisha, the weakest one among the group.
“You, Etisha. How could you… ….”
Viscount Heinz pointed his finger at Etisha.
“How could you turn your back on your own father? “What kind of scheme have you been plotting with the Duke and His Majesty?” He harshly criticized her, trying to defend himself.
“No, it’s not true. I am innocent. I don’t know what my daughter said to the Duke, but it’s all a misunderstanding. The only crime our family has committed is disciplining our daughter strictly!”
“… … .”
“Yes, I admit I disciplined her. Perhaps, I was too harsh, but it was all out of a parent’s desire to raise her well. I only wanted the best for Etisha”
“…..”
“Yet, instead of being grateful for the care and upbringing she received, she has turned her back on her parents in such a cruel manner. It is truly deplorable and unfair, Your Grace! Your Majesty!”
Kaiyen stifled a laugh.
Etisha had never spoken ill of the Heinz family or shared any details about the abuse and hardships she endured. She simply expressed her desire to separate herself from the household and leave without divulging the exact mistreatment she had suffered.
It was a final act of loyalty from her towards the Heinz family. For the sake of her parents and sister, she wanted to cover up their flaws…
However, Viscount Heinz still seemed to have not come to his senses and was only making useless excuses, not even explaining himself to the person directly involved, Etisha, but rather, to the Duke and the Emperor.
“I can’t bear to watch this.”
Kaiyen said, wanting to dismiss Viscount Heinz, but at that moment, Etisha tightened her grip on his arm.
She gently held onto his arm as she looked straight at her father.
“Father.”
Etisha’s emotions were tangled and complex.
There had been a time when she had wanted to have a good relationship with her father. She had wished to be cherished by him as much as Larienne was.
‘I wanted you to smile at me, praise me… hug me.’
Yes, there had been moments when she desired his affection.
“Do you know why I suddenly want to go north? When I was young, seven years ago when I was 13, you said something to me.”
“… … .”
“You didn’t want to see my face, so you told me to leave and never come back. Whether it was dying by the hands of bandits or being kidnapped, it didn’t matter to you, you just wanted me to go away and be with Mother. And while I was still a child, you threw me out of the carriage like I was nothing, do you remember?”
The memory of rolling down the gravel field and breaking her arm was something Etisha could never forget.
If the coachman hadn’t stopped the carriage and picked her up, who knows what might have happened.
“That’s nothing. You caused so much trouble that’s why. Besides, we had you treated anyway. Thanks to the magic of our family’s chief physician, not a single scar remained.”
“No. I would have preferred to have a scar from that time. Even if it left an enormous scar, I should have left home back then.”
“You… ….”
“Though it’s a few years late, I am going to leave now, Father.”
“… … .”
“So please, don’t look for me anymore. This is the last word from your daughter, Etisha Heinz.”
“… … .”
“Because finally, I’m no longer a part of your family.”
After those words, Etisha let go of the Kaiyen’s arm.
And understanding her intentions, the Duke concluded with words that he hadn’t been able to say until now.
“Viscount Heinz. It seems you abused Lady Etisha more than I thought. There have even been instances where you pushed her out of the carriage.”
“Oh, Duke, that was…”
“Miss Etisha has never told me about her family history, so I didn’t know much about it. But based on her statements now, I have serious doubts about your qualifications as a Lord. If you treat your own daughter like this, I wonder how you treat the people living in your territory. It seems you engage in exploitation and tyranny.”
“That makes sense. I will keep a close eye on Lord Heinz from now on,” Emperor Ignivan interjected from the side.
It was all over now.
“E-Etisha…” The Viscount tried to plead but Kaiyen ushered him out.
“Viscount, cease your antics and step back.”
“Ugh…”
“Just a word of advice, it’s best for you to not entertain any more futile thoughts.”
The Viscount frantically looked around but no matter where he looked, there was no escape hole.
Duke Kaiyen, Emperor Ignivan, even Etisha, were all united against him.
So, after hesitating for a moment, he retreated.
And as he did, the nobles’ laughter echoed behind him.
“Hehe, Viscount Heinz, that little man, it’s just like him… I actually thought he’d become Windell’s in-law.”
“I was suspicious from the moment he started talking about love and dowry.”
“Seeing him like that, he won’t be able to show his face outside for a while. How embarrassing.”
All the nobles who had been making a fuss and congratulating him on his daughter’s marriage just a moment ago suddenly changed their stance, and started mocking him.
‘These people….. they will see.’ Viscount Heinz swore as he left the party, hiding his red face.
There was nothing he could do right now.
‘Don’t think this is the end, Etisha. Even if you hide behind the Duke, you will always be my daughter!’
His eyes persistently watched Etisha.
They didn’t let go, and stared at her until the door finally closed.
However, Etisha completely ignored him.
Since her connection with the Heinz family had been severed, there was no reason for her to fear the Viscount.
* * *
After the Viscount left, the party hall regained its vitality.
Those seeking audience with the Emperor lined up, and Emperor Ignivan greeted the nobles with a smiling face.
“Um… Duke,” Etisha called out to Duke Kaiyen, who had been by her side from start to finish.
“Yes, Lady Etisha.”
“Is it true that I’ve become a lord? That I’ve become a Marquise?”
“…It is true. It was necessary to completely separate you from the Heinz family.”
“So, I really am a lord?”
“It’s temporary. Don’t worry about it.”
“But how…”
“This afternoon, when I transferred the land ownership to you along with the mansion. That land is in fact a fief directly under His Majesty’s jurisdiction.”
“…..”
“Because it is a simple transfer, both the ownership and title will soon disappear, but it won’t matter because you will have already left for the North by then.”
“Then, the mansion…?”
“No. The mansion was indeed a gift to you. It won’t be taken away.”
Etisha blinked in astonishment.
How many moves had Kaiyen calculated and executed in just one day?
‘He gave me the mansion as a gift, along with the land, knowing that since it’s a fief, this would automatically elevate my status to that of a Lord. Becoming a Lord entails receiving a new surname, effectively severing my ties with the Heinz family.’
Etisha couldn’t help but be amazed as she realized the extent of Kaiyen’s capabilities.
‘Impressive…. Since he is this capable, he must rule the large northern region alone.’
‘What does the North ruled by the Duke look like?’
For the first, Etisha felt curious about the North. It was no longer just a place to escape to.
“So… Lady Etisha.”
“Yes?”
“It seems you’re not going to mention it this time.”
“…?”
Etisha tilted her head to the side, looking at Kaiyen.
His expression remained as calm and inscrutable as ever, making it difficult for her to discern his intentions.
After staring at his face for a while, she let out a small ‘Ah’ out, realizing what he meant.
“Thank you, Duke,” she then said.
“……”
“Thank you so much for your help.”
And this time Kaiyen did not dismiss her words.
He also didn’t mention that he helped her not for necessarily for her sake, but to protect the Windell name.
“I’m glad I could be of help. I was worried that I might have done something stupid.”
“It can’t be. Your Grace is someone I am truly grateful to. You are my benefactor.”
“… … .”
“I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to repay this kindness….”
A gentle smile formed at the corner of Etisha’s lips.
Even though she hadn’t drunk any wine today, her cheeks already seemed flushed.
“By the way, why is the Duke so kind to me?” Etisha questioned.
She may not know about other things, but today was certainly different.
He handed over the territory he owned to her, allowing her to receive a title and a new surname. Even if only temporary, this was something that went beyond a simple favor.
“I only agreed to be your fake duchess… I don’t understand the reason for treating me so well.”
As she spoke, Kaiyen simply stared at Etisha, his handsome lips curling slightly. His gaze towards her seemed oddly profound.
“That is…”
“…..”
“That is because I…”
“Is it because the Duke is a good person after all…?” she cut him off.
“Excuse me?”
“I know. I’ve heard the rumors going around about the Duke. They say you’re a merciless monster on the battlefield… But, in reality, you’re a very considerate person.”
“…..”
“To treat me so well like this…”
Kaiyen was speechless.
This was the first time he had ever received praise for being considerate.
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