TCBUP 17

Episode 17. An Unexpected Proposal

Demian seemed quite surprised.

Surprised that I knew Nox, that I was his student, and even more so that I was unexpectedly well-versed in investment.

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Trust issues. It’s an unfamiliar investment structure to begin with. If you knew I was the one who created it, would you have still invested, Your Grace?”

“……”

“I didn’t want to be the reason you hesitated.”

He said nothing.

As always, his indifferent expression and deep eyes gave no hint of what he was thinking.

The atmosphere grew heavy, and an awkward silence settled in.

Just then, the butler entered with a silver tray full of letters—thank goodness.

While Demian sifted through the letters, I glanced over the tray to check if there was one bearing the imperial seal.

“This one?”

Demian lifted an invitation sealed with wax.

He opened it immediately, checked the contents, and let out a brief scoff.

“It’s the right one. The address matches that building.”

“Could I have that invitation…?”

“It’s tied to the imperial family—apparently.”

His fingers, still holding the invitation, twitched as if hesitating over a decision.

Then he met my gaze and fell silent again for a while.

“To be honest, I don’t want to get involved in imperial affairs.”

Was he rejecting it?

Well, it wasn’t entirely unexpected.

I nodded slightly and straightened my posture again.

“I see. Understood.”

That left only one option: sneak into Count Hargreaves’ estate and steal the invitation if he received one.

If I got Mary’s help, it wouldn’t be entirely impossible.

I gave up and rose to my feet.

“Thank you for your time. Then I’ll be on my—”

“I’ll go with you.”

Surprised by his sudden offer, I froze half-standing.

“Why?”

“I want to see it for myself. As a beneficiary, I’m entitled to at least that much, don’t you think?”

“But wouldn’t it be problematic if someone sees us together?”

“That’s a useless worry. I’ll just say I was checking on the fund’s performance. It’s merely business.”

Of course, I had come to him, bearing discomfort, precisely for that reason—but I hadn’t expected him to accompany me.

While I hesitated, Demian continued nonchalantly.

“They’ve given a window for the visit. I’ll adjust my schedule and let you know. As soon as possible.”

“……”

He had already made up his mind, and no matter how much I objected, he wouldn’t listen.

Just like how he insisted on refilling a teacup even when I refused.

Having known him for so long, I gave up trying to persuade him.

Since it’s come to this, I could only use him for what I needed.

“Then I’ll see you then.”

This time, as I fully stood up, Demian volunteered to escort me out.

Despite visiting the duke’s residence dozens of times, this was a first.

I couldn’t refuse the owner of the mansion offering to see me off, so I reluctantly followed him.

Just as we reached the front entrance, Demian stepped outside with me.

“Siena.”

When I turned around, he looked like he wanted to say something but hesitated.

“I heard something strange recently.”

“What is it?”

“That you left the Hargreaves estate.”

I thought I had already shown him the worst of myself—but apparently, there was more to reveal.

How could I even begin to explain?

That I was kicked out because I was no longer useful—no longer worthy of a political marriage after being rejected?

But I couldn’t bring myself to say that in front of the very man who had started it all.

“So it’s true.”

Seeing my lips move without sound, he seemed to catch on. He rubbed his forehead with a sigh.

“Sending away an unmarried daughter… What was Count Hargreaves thinking…”

His murmuring face looked… peculiar.

He seemed regretful. Guilty. Maybe even flustered.

“It’s not something you need to worry about, Your Grace. It’s simply internal family business.”

“Siena.”

“I wanted it too.”

“You wanted to leave? What are you even doing now? Is the count at least providing for you? No—more importantly, where are you staying? Is it safe?”

Demian had never asked me so many questions at once before.

I looked at him in surprise.

Could he be… worried?

No way.

“I’m doing well.”

Still, he looked unconvinced, his brow furrowing as he stared at me intently.

Receiving his gaze, I smiled calmly.

“Unbelievably well.”

He closed his mouth tightly.

His jet-black eyes trembled slightly—perhaps from guilt.

And on his chest, in the center of a silver lock-shaped brooch, a red four-leaf clover glimmered as if calling out to me.

‘Should I check it?’

But what did it matter if his affection level had gone up?

He was no longer a man who had anything to do with me.

I reached out to press the lock icon—but stopped myself. Instead, I knelt slightly to offer a formal farewell.

Like a noble lady addressing a higher-ranking noble.

“All done. What do you think?”

Staring at the mirror, I blinked at my reflection in surprise.

I had dressed up for the first time in a long while—and looked unfamiliar to myself.

A deep bougainvillea-colored dress adorned with fine black lace suited me quite well.

My light pink hair, usually tied back simply, was now braided thickly and tied with matching lace.

“Oh. Yeah. It looks great.”

Unlike the old Siena, I now looked elegant and graceful.

This was probably Demian’s taste. I hated to admit it, but I liked it too.

I’d sold all my dresses, so I was worrying about what to wear—when the duke’s butler arrived early to pick me up.

Once at the duke’s mansion, maids had swarmed me—changing my clothes, doing my hair, even adorning me with expensive jewelry.

Though overwhelmed at first, I felt somewhat relieved to find I didn’t fall short compared to the noble ladies I had glimpsed earlier.

“Where is the duke?”

“Still in his office.”

Once the maid finished, I headed straight for Demian’s study.

After a deep breath, I knocked—and his indifferent voice responded.

As I opened the door, I saw him immersed in paperwork, writing busily.

The atmosphere was heavy, and I instinctively stepped lightly to avoid making noise.

“Your Grace.”

Only then did he look up.

“It suits you.”

“Yes. I didn’t expect you to prepare this much. Thank you for your consideration.”

“That previous outfit was inappropriate.”

He hadn’t shown himself once since I arrived—so when did he see that?

Feeling embarrassed, my eyes wandered and landed on the pen in his hand.

When was it…? I had dragged him to a vintage shop once and bought it for him because it suited him.

“You still have that pen? I thought you would’ve thrown it out.”

“Why would I?”

“Well, we broke up. Isn’t that what people usually do?”

“…Did I throw it out?”

His reply came not as an answer, but a question.

I was momentarily speechless.

When I left the count’s estate, I thought everything with Demian was over—so I cleared everything out.

I threw away the dried flowers I had kept just because he gave them to me, and the short notes I had stored deep in my drawer.

I sold all the dresses he had forced me to buy.

And I returned the family heirloom engagement ring to him.

“I didn’t throw them out. I… sorted things out. I returned the engagement ring, too.”

Demian’s gaze shifted to my hand.

Naturally, my fourth finger was bare.

He wasn’t wearing his ring either—so why did I feel guilty?

I pretended to fix my hair and turned away.

“I just came to let you know I’m ready. I’ll go down first. Join me when you’re done.”

I waited at the entrance, pacing slightly as I waited for Demian to come down.

He’d seemed busy, so I assumed it would take a while—but he came down sooner than expected.

Wearing a slightly glossy black slim-fit tuxedo, he had paired it with a white tie instead of black.

‘Since it’s an imperial invitation, he’s dressing formally. If the duke’s residence hadn’t provided a dress, I might’ve been turned away before even entering.’

Demian walked over, nonchalantly adjusting his cufflinks.

It wasn’t anything special, yet I couldn’t take my eyes off him.

Such an infuriatingly handsome man.

If ever there was proof of what “natural nobility” meant, it was Demian.

His upright posture without a hint of disorder, the graceful stride from his long legs, the calm expression on his elegant face—

The reason why noblewomen in the social scene never stopped praising him was obvious.

He was nobility personified.

“Take this.”