WPVMVA Chapter 43

The Duke of Rodian roughly snatched the letter from the butler’s hands, tore open the envelope with irritation, and scanned its contents. Slowly, his anger subsided, and a curious smile crept across his lips.

[There is a good way to bring divine retribution once again upon the man who is both Your Grace’s enemy and now my master.
I will explain in detail when we meet, so I humbly ask for your time.
—With respect, to Duke Rodian. From Count Cyril Olburn.]

He carefully folded the letter again and placed it on the desk. Then, turning to the butler, he gave his orders.

“Send a reply immediately. Arrange a meeting with him as soon as possible.”

“Yes, Master.”

The butler bowed deeply in response. Just as he was about to exit the study, he paused as if remembering something and turned back to his master.

“Oh, by the way, why did you call for me earlier? Was there something you needed?”

The Duke furrowed his brow, as if just now recalling it, and then spoke with a sinister expression.

“Those fools who were thrown out of the Enchanto duchy came to find me. Apparently, that woman caught them.”

“Is that so.”

“So make sure they never open their mouths again. Get rid of all of them. …There are plenty of ‘informants’ where they came from anyway.”

“Understood.”

The butler answered with a calm expression, as though it were a familiar task.

Everything was proceeding smoothly.

Late in the afternoon, Daniela was sitting comfortably in the main estate’s study, which now felt like her own space. She sipped tea while reading through Lysander’s play script.

Lysander’s script might not have compared to the worst of modern soap operas, but it was stimulating and entertaining enough.

‘Actually, by the standards of this novel’s setting, this is incredibly provocative.’

Daniela thought to herself as she analyzed the script. Just then, someone knocked half-heartedly at the door, and Acid entered without waiting for a response.

Hearing someone enter, Daniela looked up, then greeted him.

“Oh, Your Highness?”

“You’re always reading something these days. What is it this time?”

Acid stared intently at the script in her hand, surprised. She wasn’t known to be fond of reading, so this was unexpected. At the same time, seeing her so absorbed made him want to watch her silently—but also, for some reason, annoyed him enough to want to interrupt.

He even sometimes suspected she might just be pretending to read, secretly going through letters from Adrian.

Oblivious to his thoughts, Daniela held up the script proudly.

“A play script.”

“…A script?”

“Yes. I told you before, didn’t I? That I was thinking of starting a business. This is a secret, but I’m planning to form an opera troupe. This is the script for their debut performance.”

Acid briefly scanned it and let out a deflated chuckle.

“…A noble lady falls in love with a commoner knight, gives up her status, and flees abroad? If the old nobles or ministers in the royal court found out, they’d faint.”

“That’s why I’m keeping my involvement in the troupe a complete secret.”

“But since you’ve already told me, it’s not really a ‘complete’ secret anymore, is it?”

“I’m making an exception for you, Your Highness.”

‘If I didn’t tell the duke and he found out later, he’d interrogate me suspiciously anyway.’

Daniela said this aloud while thinking it quietly to herself.

‘Especially for me, huh.’

Acid blinked at her words, repeating them in his mind.

‘Especially’—for some reason, that word didn’t bother him. It even felt good. Like she could say things to him that she couldn’t to Adrian.

That odd sense of superiority and pride caught him off guard. Daniela tilted her head slightly at the sight of his subtly smiling face.

After a brief and strange silence, she changed the subject.

“But what brings you here at this hour? Did you have something to tell me?”

At her question, Acid frowned slightly.

‘She’s acting like it’s strange for her husband to visit unless there’s a reason.’

That irked him for no good reason. Especially because he did have a reason for coming today. Before bringing it up, he responded with a slightly sarcastic tone.

“Does a husband need a grand reason to visit his wife?”

“Well, no, but… usually you only visit when there’s a reason. So I thought it might be the same this time.”

Daniela replied awkwardly. Acid gave a short sigh and a wry smile.

“…I’d like to deny it, but you’re right. I do have something to tell you.”

‘Knew it.’

Daniela smirked internally and asked, “What is it?”

“In two days, there’ll be a formal dinner at Duke Lambert’s townhouse. He invited me—and you.”

“…Duke Lambert?”

“Do you remember the Foreign Minister who came to summon me by order of His Majesty during your aunt’s party? That’s him.”

At his explanation, Daniela let out a soft sound of recognition, then sighed.

“…They call it a ‘formal dinner,’ but it’s really just another party, isn’t it? Another one already… don’t they ever get tired of them?”

She pouted slightly, clearly annoyed. Dressing up in a new gown every day, making small talk with nobles she didn’t really like—it was all starting to get old.

‘This princess act is only fun for so long.’

She would rather spend her time focusing on business or planning her future.

Acid unexpectedly chuckled. Given her recent illness and her responsibilities visiting society households, it was understandable that she was worn out.

He found her open frustration somehow endearing… and immediately scowled at himself.

‘Endearing? What the hell?’

He frowned sharply.

‘What on earth is cute about that impudent little woman? I must be losing my mind.’

Scolding himself internally, he tried to speak coolly.

“It’s a formal dinner, so there won’t be dancing or anything like your aunt’s party.”

“…Well, that’s something.”

“The social season will be over in about two, maybe two and a half months. After that, we’ll head north. We won’t be coming back to the capital for a while. So hang in there, even if you hate it.”

‘Two and a half months…’

Daniela repeated his words thoughtlessly.

“Will we… still be together then?”

“…!”

Acid involuntarily caught his breath.

Yes, their agreement had been for three months. Within that time, she would give him all the evidence left behind by the Duke of Enchanto, and then they would part ways.

Remembering that fact hit him harder than expected. A sudden, inexplicable sense of panic washed over him.

‘Does she want to get away from me that badly?’

Would she go back to Adrian afterward?

He swallowed the question that rose to his throat, too afraid of hearing her answer.

Then, almost growling, he said:

“…Don’t be ridiculous.”

“…Pardon?”

“I’m not letting you go until I’ve gotten everything I want. No matter what our contract says. Got it?”

With that warning, he stormed out of the drawing room like he was fleeing.

His heart churned with something hot and bubbling—rage. He was afraid he might take it out on her if he stayed. He needed to swing his sword or he might explode.

“…What was that?”

Daniela stared blankly at the door he had left through, then frowned in frustration.

‘I get it already! Who said I was leaving?’

His words sounded like he’d throw her away the moment he got what he wanted—maybe even before the contract ended.

That thought stirred a strange mix of hurt and anger inside her.

‘I’ll find every last letter the Duke of Enchanto left behind before the deadline.’

She would make sure she left him before he could abandon her.

Daniela made the vow in pure defiance.

A few days later, Daniela stood outside her bedroom with her maids. She wore a light sky-blue dress with long hem and sleeves that revealed her wrists, a crown of white roses, and a sheer white cloak.

The day before, she had brought all the documents from the Enchanto duke’s study to the main mansion. She’d stayed up late reviewing them and was still exhausted. Daniela let out a long yawn behind her hand.

Soon after, Ashid came to escort her. Dressed in a high-collared navy uniform with a black cloak, he looked as breathtaking as ever.