IRTRHP 09

Episode 9. The Deal Sealed

Ahem.

The meeting resumed, but as silence stretched on, one of the elders cleared his throat. Lloyd straightened from where he had been lounging on the armrest and turned his gaze toward the man.

He was a close associate of Alan, the head elder — the same man who had clicked his tongue in disapproval when Aileen had left earlier.

Lloyd’s smile vanished. His expression turned half languid, half bored.

“Leaving without a word — I wonder if she’s ever been properly taught manners.”

“We didn’t lock her in a cage. Is it really such a crime for someone to step out of a room? From the way she spoke, I’d say she’s quite well educated.”

Lloyd’s calm retort — paired with the glint in his eye that seemed to say Would you like to be locked up instead? — shut the man right up. Another attendant tried next.

“Even so, to walk freely through another’s estate—”

“My estate,” Lloyd cut him off. “And since I said it’s fine, who exactly dares say otherwise?”

Would you like to be the one I throw out of my house?

When the man fell silent and sat down, all eyes turned, as if drawn by gravity, to one person — Lloyd’s uncle, Calix.

The only reason his nephew was defending that Beta woman was obvious.

“So, you mean to marry her?”

“That was the plan from the start,” Lloyd replied, clicking his tongue as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

The marriage was set — not with Ethan of House Claudia, but with Aileen.

“Let’s proceed with the wedding quickly.”

Lloyd repeated to everyone what he had said to Aileen earlier. The same domineering personality that had allowed him to steer the council at will surfaced once again.

“Your Grace,”

The speaker this time was Alan, who had been quietly observing until now.

“The Duke’s marriage is not a trivial matter. Nothing is more important than that.”

Alan’s tone carried weight. Lloyd stroked his chin and met Alan’s gaze steadily.

This was the man who had meddled in his every decision — the man who had once tried to use him when he’d just become Duke. Lloyd wasn’t about to yield to him now.

“Isn’t there something just as important as marriage?”

“Something as important…?”

“She says she wants to bear a child.”

The emphasis in his words made the entire room still. The same thought ran through everyone’s mind.

Ah, so the woman is desperate.
She must want him badly enough to bring up a child first.

“Well? What do you think?”

Lloyd’s provocative smile drilled straight into Alan. The elder exhaled quietly, sensing the trap.

“You were the one who insisted most strongly on my marrying, weren’t you? Surely you understand the importance of an heir better than anyone.”

Lloyd made it clear — this situation was Alan’s doing.

Alan hesitated for a moment. There were only two outcomes now: either everything unraveled and the marriage was canceled, or they accepted Lloyd’s chosen bride.

Finally, Alan lifted his wrinkled eyes.

“Then the Duchess must produce an heir.”

“If it’s just marriage you want, what’s the problem?”

Lloyd grinned, sharp enough to show his canines.

Aileen waited anxiously, unable to calm her heart. She had done everything she could — hidden her brother, proposed a deal, emptied her pockets and soul until she had nothing left.

Offering the possibility of a child — though impossible — was her last card. Who would wager something like that sincerely? If it could happen, she’d never have said it.

“He said we’d marry, but… I’m still nervous.”

Ruffling her hair, she sank into a chair. Even though he’d agreed to hurry the marriage, she couldn’t relax.

It was because of the Duke’s expression — too light, too unconcerned. Even when he left, he hadn’t looked the least bit serious.

She couldn’t imagine him being forceful at the council, pushing through opposition with the same commanding tone he’d used on his retainers. The thought made her sigh again and again.

“Brother… am I doing the right thing?”

If her brother were here, he would pat her shoulder and reassure her. Though it had only been a few hours since they’d parted, Aileen already missed Ethan terribly — her eyes welled up.

It might have seemed excessive, but she had lost him for years — until recently, when fate gave her only a brief moment to see him again.

“If I’d known, I would’ve hugged him once before leaving.”

She missed her parents too. As her anxiety turned to longing, there came a knock. The door opened, and armored knights entered, followed by maids in uniform.

Aileen swallowed hard. They surrounded her as if to escort — or arrest — her.

So it failed? Are they going to drag me out like this?

Had the Duke misunderstood her desperate plea as stubborn refusal to leave?

Her thoughts tangled in panic — until the leading knight dropped to one knee.

“We are here to serve the Duchess.”

Then everyone around her knelt. The knights placed a hand over their hearts; the maids bowed low.

The solemnity of their gesture left Aileen frozen in shock.

“…The Duchess?”

“By His Grace’s command, we pledge our lives to protect you, my lady.”

“We will serve you with utmost devotion.”

Their voices reinforced her new title — Duchess.

Duchess…?

It took a moment for her dazed mind to process it.

She had been granted the status of the Duke’s wife. It meant her proposal had been accepted — and that the council had approved the marriage.

Thank goodness…

She closed her eyes in relief. More than joy at becoming Duchess, it was comfort in knowing that her brother would now live.

The next day, Aileen was told the Duke was waiting in the dining room.

Rubbing her tired eyes, she followed the maid who led her there. But when the maid glanced back, Aileen quickly dropped her hand, pretending composure.

The grand estate still felt suffocatingly foreign. Every move she made seemed like it would spark gossip. And after a sleepless night, acting calm was no easy task.

It still doesn’t feel real.

After the knights and maids had addressed her as Duchess, she had been treated with extravagant care.

Even the bedding had been replaced with brand new sheets, and the flower vases changed. She was attended to constantly — from her bath to bedtime, at least two or three maids hovering around her.

I’m a count’s daughter, not some commoner…

It was laughable that she felt awkward being served, but she truly did. Her family’s house was small, with only one maid and a few rotating guards.

Here, everything was excessive. When she lay down at night, she couldn’t help thinking, So this is what it feels like not to move a finger.

“This way, my lady.”

Aileen followed the maid’s polite gesture — but hesitated.

She’s not coming in?

Then she felt a gaze. Looking up, she saw Lloyd resting his chin on his hand, eyes fixed on her.

Under his morning stare, Aileen forced an awkward smile and bowed.

“Good morning.”

“You have the leisure to look at others when I’m right here?”

She hadn’t expected a reply, let alone a complaint.

“I didn’t mean to.”

“Then look at me. You should at least face your future husband.”

He straightened, tilting his head slightly.

“When you look at me, what comes to mind?”

“You’re… handsome.”

“True. Faces like mine aren’t common.”

Everyone knew the Duke of Rihast was absurdly good-looking — sharp brows, deep eyes, a perfectly proportioned nose.

But Aileen had no intention of feeding his ego.

“I mean, yes — everything’s where it should be. Two eyes, one nose, one mouth… all in the right places.”

“About that marriage contract—”

“Too handsome, in fact! I was shocked yesterday when we met. Your face practically glowed!”

Cutting him off before he could bring up the contract again, Aileen quickly changed the subject.

It worked — his expression shifted into one of satisfaction.

“Good attitude. It means you’re not stubborn — easy to reason with, easy to negotiate.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“It wasn’t one. I meant you lack principles.”

“…”

A clean hit.