#71

Herman blinked at the abrupt words. For someone who initially avoided even looking at her, complaining about the smell, he now seemed constantly on edge whenever she was out of sight.

The change struck Herman as amusing, and he couldn’t help but chuckle to himself. The head of the household still refused to acknowledge it, but it was clear from his actions that Cersia had firmly found a place in his heart.

It was a classic scene—a doting father-in-law whose every step naturally led him to look for his daughter-in-law. Herman’s expression softened as he eagerly reported, almost boasting.

“She just woke up. And as soon as she did, she demanded another bowl for breakfast. ‘One more!’ she insisted.”

“Good to hear her appetite’s strong,” Zakari grinned, as if he’d struck gold. His steps naturally turned towards Cersia’s bedroom.

As Herman followed, there was something more he seemed hesitant to say. Zakari hadn’t yet noticed this hesitation, and just as he arrived in front of the bedroom door—

“What brings you here?”

Zerakiel had just arrived, clearly having heard the news. His stance made it obvious he wasn’t thrilled by the unexpected company, and Zakari, crossing his arms, answered with mild irritation.

“I’m not here to see you, but to see my daughter-in-law.”

“Likewise, I’m here to see my wife.”

“Then, since we’re both here for the same reason, why not go in together?”

Zakari offered this suggestion readily, but Zerakiel muttered with a meaningful edge to his tone.

“I don’t think now is the time for you to be leisurely walking around.”

“What do you mean?”

“Apparently, Herman hasn’t informed you yet.”

Zakari looked questioningly at Herman, who fumbled for words, finally admitting.

“I meant to tell you, but…”

“What is it?”

“This morning, Lady Rachel filed for custody.”

“…What?”

“She intends to take both Lord Zerakiel and Lady Cersia.”

Crash.

Zakari felt as though lightning had struck him. His gaze darted between Herman and Zerakiel, his mind reeling.

To file a suit out of nowhere like this…

It wasn’t typical of Rachel, who usually solved issues with action rather than scheming. And while he could care less if that irritating son of his was taken away, the real problem lay in the fact that he hadn’t been included.

If she was taking anyone, it should be everyone!

Zakari’s face twisted with rejection as he bellowed.

“What kind of nonsense is this!”

Zerakiel chuckled.

“Well, perhaps you should have behaved better all along, don’t you think?”

“…….”

“I heard Mother left before the banquet even ended.”

And she’d left with that sly fox.

The mention of “fox” made a vein throb on Zakari’s forehead.

‘So it was that bastard, pushing her to file a suit.’

Of course—he’d given a villain’s little warning and then disappeared.

That fox Erhardin Rodin was the same as he’d ever been, pulling cheap, predictable tricks.

Zakari’s lips curled into a sly smile.

Erhardin, the second son of the Rodin family, was always one for sneaky schemes. To put it nicely, he was clever; put bluntly, he was calculating and devious.

The complete opposite of impulsive Rachel.

Even in the past, Rachel had been less than thrilled about her engagement to Erhardin. Zakari had seen his chance, seizing the opportunity to win her over.

Zakari fondly remembered the sweet moments of their early days.

—

It was just after Rachel’s engagement to Erhardin had been announced. Zakari and Rachel met frequently under the guise of business, though in truth, Zakari had engineered every encounter by requesting deals with her trading company.

Unaware of his schemes, Rachel brushed off talk of the engagement when he casually brought it up.

“I hear you’re engaged.”

“Yeah, something like that.” R

achel scratched her cheek, sounding indifferent. But Zakari, his temper bubbling, laid out all the dirt he’d dug up on Erhardin.

“Don’t go through with it. He’s not marrying you because he loves you.”

Rachel gave him a puzzled look, so he went on.

“The Rodin family only wants your dowry. I’ve heard the head of the family has a massive gambling debt. It’s obvious—they’re selling their son to cover it. And besides, do you know he already has a mistress?”

“I know.”

“What?”

“A flower deer showed up this morning, claiming she was Erhardin’s lover.”

“…You know all that, and you’re still going to marry him?”

Zakari’s expression turned to shock. He couldn’t fathom why Rachel, knowing what she did, would proceed with the wedding.

From what he knew, Rachel would’ve stormed into the Rodin estate and split Erhardin in half at the first hint of infidelity.

But her next words made him smirk.

Rachel’s eyes flashed fiercely.

“Are you kidding me? I’d rather die alone than marry that shiny facade of a fox.”

“Then why aren’t you doing anything?”

“Doing nothing? I’m trying to figure out the best way to make him regret it! If you’re not here to help, then beat it and stop annoying me.” She ground her teeth, her irritation at being shoved into such a sham marriage boiling over.

Zakari lowered his voice, stroking his lips. “Would you like me to help?”

“What?”

“I know just the way to catch a fox.”

He flashed a charming smile, leaning toward her, and Rachel’s eyes wavered as she took in his handsome features.

“If you’re just going to prattle….”

At that moment, Zakari reached out and tousled her hair, stepping closer to peer down at her.

“It’s simple. Spend the day with me. That slippery fox will get so scared he’ll break off the engagement himself.”

“Spend the day… together?”

“That coward has a fit at the mention of the Jabis name.”

“Still, why would I… with you….”

Zakari slowly unbuttoned the top of his shirt. Rachel’s gaze drifted down, and he chuckled, a blush spreading across his face.

“You’re always asking to touch my chest, aren’t you?”

“That was just a joke….”

“Today, I’ll let you.”

“!”

“So, what’s your decision? Still want me to leave?”

With a bat of his eyelashes, he practically teased her, and Rachel’s hand slowly moved toward his chest.

That day, Rachel stayed with Zakari, too blinded by thoughts of revenge to realize she’d been completely ensnared by a lion.

And of course, Zakari knew how easily charmed she was.

* * *

Meanwhile, Zerakiel eyed his father’s amused expression with distaste.

That smile was unsettling today, almost giving him chills.

“Why are you smiling like that?”

“Ahem.”

Zakari cleared his throat, feigning innocence. He’d gotten carried away, reminiscing in front of his son.

“Well, I should go. If they’ve made the first move, I should respond in kind.”

“I hope you can resolve it peacefully.”

“Not likely,” Zakari chuckled, striding back down the hall with his usual swagger.

But that day, Zakari didn’t even catch a glimpse of Rachel’s hair before being turned away.

It was the first time she’d ever rejected him.

* * *

In the following days, the household was abuzz with tension.

Zakari should have been more at ease now that his “madness” had lifted.

Yet, he looked more haggard than ever.

I watched as he picked at his food, hardly eating a thing. After a while, I called out to him.

“Father?”

Zakari glanced at me with hollow eyes, the dark circles under them looking a good three centimeters deeper than usual.

He looked like he was about to keel over. My worry deepened as I spoke to him.