91. Calm Threats

He sighed briefly and leaned back in his chair, but his gaze remained icy.

Facing Deon, I could read the narrow furrow between his brows.

A frivolous woman. One who indulges in vanity and wastefulness, constantly plotting ways to escape him.

His cold eyes seemed to accuse me of all these things.

“Alright. If you say so, then it must be true… Bring it.”

Instead of interrogating me further, he gestured to the attendant behind him.

The man, who had been holding a long black box, approached the table.

Soon, the long box was placed on the table. The attendant positioned it in front of me and made it easy to open.

It was a sophisticated package. The ribbon was tied in a way that would easily come undone with a pull, but I hesitated to do so. I couldn’t bring myself to put my hand on the box. Deon gave me a look that urged me to open it.

“You’ll find what you want inside.”

What I want? The only thing that came to mind was money to help the servants.

But it was unlikely that money was inside this long box.

With a wary glance, I pulled the ribbon. The silk blue ribbon unraveled smoothly.

I lifted the lid of the box.

Inside was something I had once desperately wanted, but now I fervently wished it wasn’t there.

A neatly folded dress. It was a plain black dress, but small jewels adorned the bodice, making it sparkle beautifully.

“Luckily, your excuse was a dress.”

Now, as he said, I had no more excuses. I hesitated to speak, fumbling for words as he stood up.

“It’s late. We need to leave now to reach the palace in time.”

If we’re late, he can just find a new partner. There were plenty of women who wanted to be by his side.

“Did you ask Miss Isella for her consent? No fiancée would tolerate her partner attending with another woman.”

I was desperate to avoid going to the royal palace with him. There would be countless nobles, grand music, and glittering jewels, all praising his grandeur.

And among them would be Isella. I did not want to face her.

“Besides, the invitations have already been sent out. If I go, I won’t even be an official attendee.”

“That’s not something you need to worry about.”

He replied calmly.

“I don’t need Miss Snowa’s permission.”

“Why?”

“Because you won’t be attending as my partner. You’ll be there as my guest.”

His words made my heart drop.

“So there’s no need for you to dance.”

I didn’t hear his next words.

“You mean… you just want me to be there as a guest?”

He didn’t respond. His serene demeanor, usually a trait I found admirable, now only fueled my anger. I felt a wave of nausea.

“Your Highness.”

I ground my teeth. Curses slipped through my tightly clenched jaw.

“Do you take me for a fool?”

I closed the lid of the box containing the dress and lowered my voice to address him.

“Have you become so immersed in your performance? Did you really believe that because I treated you warmly and you played the role of a loving partner, it made it real?”

His hand, which was adjusting his tie, paused.

“Do you truly think… I was your former lover?”

Do you think I have no pride? When I go to the capital, who knows what people will say. His invitation held not a single ounce of consideration for me.

Even if it reveals my flaws, I still feel the humiliation.

My body trembled. I barely managed to steady my shaking hands by clasping them together.

“You are trash. Do you know that?”

Harsh words slipped out from between my lips. It was a vulgar accusation, but I had no other words.

“Do you realize this is disrespectful to both me and Lady Isella? And I am not your mistress, nor your plaything.”

I was not his lover. The gentle touch I once thought was mine never belonged to me.

Every word I uttered stabbed at my own heart. It felt as if I was driving a dagger into my own belly.

I knew these words would wound me more deeply than they would him, yet I couldn’t stop.

“I clearly told you in the North that I would decide my place. Why are you trying to control me?”

I wanted to scream at him to leave the mansion immediately, but it wasn’t mine. Even this rundown house belonged to him.

I took a deep breath and continued.

“Even if you gave me money when you brought me here, I am not your possession. I still have the right to decide my place.”

I bit my lip and finally let out the words I had been holding back.

As the harsh words spilled out, I saw a flicker of emotion in his eyes. He stood still, as if he had forgotten to breathe. But that was all.

“Have you finished speaking?”

He asked calmly.

“Now that you’ve let it all out, let’s get going.”

He resumed tying his tie with steady hands. If his jacket and pants hadn’t been wrinkle-free, it would have been hard to believe he had been waiting so long.

He calmly adjusted his clothes and then extended his hand to me.

I was the one who had harshly rebuked him, yet I seemed to be the angrier one.

He was waiting for me to calm down and then intended to take me to the carriage.

I stared at his hand. It was white and smooth, despite having wielded a sword in battles. I brushed his hand aside and stood up.

If I didn’t go willingly, he would force me.

“Let me ask you one thing. Is there a particular reason I must attend this banquet?”

The rumors had already spread. Was he planning to announce his union with the Snowa family and officially disband his mistress to solidify his authority? If the purpose was to humiliate me, it would be easier to know in advance.

“If I go to the capital, will I stay in the prince’s domain and leave this mansion?”

“No.”

For once, he responded quickly, not avoiding my question.

“It has nothing to do with the banquet.”

He continued to look at me steadily.

“You’ll stay here until everything is over.”

“What situation are you talking about?”

“You don’t need to know.”

A bitter laugh escaped my lips. Even here, he sought to exclude me from whatever plans he had.

He wanted me to wear a dress he chose, attend a party he wanted, and stand there like a borrowed decoration until it was time for me to leave. For how long?

At that moment, the front gate of the mansion swung open.

“The carriage is ready outside.”

The boy, looking nervous, hurried in and spoke to Deon before rushing back to open the gates wide. The night wind swept in, swirling my dress around me.

A large royal carriage stood imposingly outside. Its grandeur and magnificence were intimidating.

I hadn’t even agreed to get in yet.

The boy opened the carriage door. It seemed like a calculated move to eliminate any hesitation.

They must have thought that by sending the carriage, I would reluctantly comply. But I wasn’t going to give in so easily.

I clutched the hem of my dress.

“I told you, I’m not going.”

I made my stance clear by holding onto the dress.

I stood straight, determined not to move even a single step.

At that moment, I wasn’t afraid of the fierce glare he directed at me. I felt confident that I wouldn’t tremble even if he drew a sword.

He looked at me slowly and then spoke.

“It would be better for you to come. Unless you want to kill yourself.”

Unless I wanted to kill myself? I couldn’t understand what he meant.

Did he think threatening my life would work?

“Do I have anything left to be responsible for?”

What kind of game was this? Suren was here, and there was no one in the mansion who was on my side.

Despite my sharp words, he remained calm.

Deon leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. He spoke slowly, as if he had an irresistible offer.

“Your bird hasn’t been eating.”

I jerked my head up.

“What?”

I replayed his words in my mind, dumbfounded, until I suddenly realized the gravity of his statement.

I had shown my surprise too easily. If I wanted to stand firm, I shouldn’t have shown any reaction, no matter what he said.

Fortunately, his face didn’t show a triumphant expression. He merely looked down at me, waiting for a response.

“Why?”

I tried to keep my voice steady, despite my trembling lips.

“I’m not sure. Maybe because its owner isn’t there. It’s been sickly, not eating. The palace does feel quite desolate.”

“Really?”

As I tried to hide my agitation, he repeated himself.

“It’s starving.”

“That’s no longer my concern.”

“Is that so?”

As I remained silent, he leaned closer.

“Is it really none of your concern?”

His face drew nearer.

His face was cast in shadow. I hadn’t noticed from a distance, but up close, he looked weary.

It was late. Even someone as resilient as him would be tired from waiting and trying to persuade me.

A lot had happened in the capital in a short time. He might not have realized, but I could tell from his haggard appearance that he was exhausted.

As he approached suddenly, I took a step back.

“Leonie, are you going to abandon your bird?”

Deon, scrutinizing my expressionless face, clicked his tongue.

“Poor thing. Abandoned by its owner.”

He chuckled. Who abandoned whom, really?

Judging by his demeanor, it was clear that the bird had not been well cared for. It must have been neglected, just like the blood servants in the North.

Whether they roamed outside or were drained of blood inside, he never cared, focused only on his own affairs. He wasn’t skilled at taking care of others.

Though he was a duke exiled to the fringes, he was of royal blood and didn’t need to worry about appearances. He must have only learned about the bird’s condition when the maids made a fuss.

Even though it had been some time since I left the prince’s domain, I could easily picture the situation involving the bird.

It left a bitter taste in my mouth.

I knew the fate of everything a mistress left behind.

Burned, erased, or hidden. The servants would have taken great pains to keep them out of the princess’s sight. If noble half-bloods were treated poorly, pets certainly wouldn’t fare any better.

“It cries mournfully, searching for its owner every night.”