Chapter 39

“…You must have been desperate to enter the imperial palace. To stoop to dirty backroom deals.”

Greddy stared blankly at the art book that was turning to ashes in real time.

The viscount was right.

If Emperor Mateo had been here and ordered him to jump into the flames, Greddy would’ve barked like a dog and plunged in without hesitation.

“You still don’t seem to grasp the situation. How unfortunate, dear son-in-law.”

Viscount Hoffman slowly shook his head and sneered.

Greddy looked down at him with a calm gaze before raising his right hand. At that small motion, Maurice promptly rushed to his side without delay.

“A dog raising another dog. How fascinating.”

Maurice’s brow twitched slightly. But Greddy’s expression remained calmer than ever.

“Occupy the marquis’ estate. Immediately.”

“Understood.”

“You go yourself, Maurice.”

At Greddy’s command, Maurice stiffened and nodded before stepping back. His movements were swift and sharp.

“Wh-what are you doing?!”

Just moments ago, Viscount Hoffman had been looking down on Greddy. Now, he grabbed Greddy’s collar in a panic. Greddy looked down at the crumpled fabric being gripped in the viscount’s hand. A crease formed between his brows at the mess.

“You seemed to have more to say earlier. Is that it?”

“Your Grace!”

“If you dared to challenge a grand duke of this nation, you should’ve expected this much in return.”

Greddy’s voice was low but carried clearly through the heavy rain into Hoffman’s ears—just like that first day at the marquis’ funeral.

“A dog? Did you call me that?”

Greddy tilted his head back and burst into laughter, raising his arms into the rain as if exalting in it.

The bizarre sight left Viscount Hoffman speechless, his mouth agape.

“……”

Seeing the stupefied look on the viscount’s face, Greddy stifled his laugh and suddenly hardened his expression.

“So, did I bark in front of you, Viscount? Listen. The emperor’s dog can sometimes bite even without an order.”

“……”

“Because the master graciously forgives a foolish dog’s mistakes.”

“This is outrageous!”

“Of course, it didn’t come for free. To get Eliana, I had to press my forehead to the seal thrown by His Majesty.”

Viscount Hoffman’s body trembled.

Despite rushing out upon hearing the news, the viscount’s attire was immaculate. From a deep green cravat to a long, narrow-lapeled vest he didn’t even need to wear—he looked far too dressed up for someone relaxing at home.

Hoffman had boldly taken over the marquis’ estate after the marquis died, pushing Eliana aside.

In the capital’s noble district, owning a home wasn’t simply about having money. It was a tradition passed down from the founding emperor—an honor inherited by noble families for generations.

And the marquis’ estate was one of those prestigious places. For a man like Viscount Hoffman, who dreamed of becoming part of the capital’s nobility, it was something he couldn’t afford to lose.

“I didn’t realize you enjoyed creating such a spectacle.”

Though he tried to hide his unease, it was clear he had already lost the upper hand.

He figured it would be better to try changing Greddy’s mind than rushing to the estate. But his legs were trembling. He didn’t even seem to realize it.

“Me? Come now, I’m just a scary dog obeying his master.”

Greddy casually blocked Hoffman’s path, as the viscount looked ready to cast aside his pride and run straight to the marquis’ house. His face twisted.

“I always intended to hand the marquis’ property over to Your Grace.”

“If only you’d been a bit quicker.”

Hoffman rubbed his hands nervously, clearly panicked.

“You know how many matters I had to deal with.”

Though he tried to sound indignant, Greddy gave no reaction. His eyes remained fixed on the blazing fire before them.

Meanwhile, Viscount Hoffman was seething with rage beneath the surface.

If it hadn’t been for Greddy, Eliana would have already become the emperor’s mistress. Hoffman would’ve been summoned to the imperial palace.

He might’ve even had a room in the palace by now.

Thinking that far, Hoffman clenched his fists.

Back when they met at the hotel café, he never imagined he would be toyed with by Duke Kreyber in this way.

‘So even a half-blood tiger is still a tiger cub, huh?’

He narrowed his eyes and stole a glance at Greddy.

“My second daughter is in the estate. She’s still young and delicate. She’ll be terribly frightened by this situation.”

At his plea, Greddy slowly turned his head.

“…Daughter?”

“Eliana’s younger sister. She’s a sickly child, recently brought to the capital for treatment after staying in the countryside.”

The reproachful tone in Hoffman’s voice remained.

‘Daughter?’

Greddy’s gaze narrowed.

He frowned slightly at the tender expression on Hoffman’s face—one that didn’t match a man who sold off his daughter for wealth and power.

“So this daughter is… more special to you, is she?”

“Pardon?”

“I’m saying your expression changes when you talk about her.”

“She couldn’t even nurse properly as a baby. Of course I feel more affection for her.”

Hoffman raised his head. He thought showing concern for his second daughter might sway Greddy.

But Greddy’s cold gaze made him lower his eyes again.

“Did you do something wrong? Why avoid my gaze?”

Greddy asked with a sly smirk, his face almost predatory—chin lifted, eyes lowered, looking down like one would at filth.

“It’s nothing.”

“Seeing your reaction only makes me more curious about the treasure hidden in that house.”

Bringing up his daughter might have been a mistake. Realizing that, the viscount hastily tried to change the subject.

“A treasure? That’s absurd. She’s just a clueless young girl.”

His nervous hands rubbed together, and he forced a smile. Greddy, who had just begun opening his umbrella, let out a sigh.

“I said ‘treasure.’ But I wasn’t necessarily referring to your daughter.”

Viscount Hoffman’s already pale face went even whiter. He couldn’t understand why Greddy was so fixated on the second daughter—pressing the issue the more he tried to hide her.

“There must be some misunderstanding, Your Grace.”

“So the second daughter is a treasure. Then what’s the first?”

Hoffman fell silent at the ominous shift in Greddy’s tone.

Greddy, meanwhile, was clearly displeased by how Hoffman treated his second daughter compared to Eliana.

What annoyed him more was that he couldn’t even explain the reason for that displeasure.

“……”

“A merchant who sells his daughters, calling one of them a treasure… Is that why you’ve kept her so hidden?”

“Your Grace!”

At the viscount’s cry, Greddy opened his umbrella. The raindrops that had collected on it scattered everywhere. By the time Hoffman was brushing the water off his collar, Greddy was already gone.

“Hurry.”

Greddy knocked on the side of his carriage twice. Despite the slippery rain-soaked streets, the carriage sped through the capital.

“Daughter, huh?”

Inside the carriage, Greddy let out a bitter laugh. Hoffman’s expression when mentioning the second daughter wouldn’t leave his mind.

“Your Grace, we’ve arrived.”

At the coachman’s words, Greddy flung open the door.

“Your Grace!”

He waved off the offered umbrella and strode forward.

“What’s that?”

Sensing someone’s gaze, he looked up toward the second-floor window with a frown.

It was a man he had seen once before. A man rumored to be his wife’s lover, now staring down at him from the second floor.

Greddy clenched his jaw without realizing it and quickened his pace.

He had momentarily forgotten that man while thinking of the viscount’s second daughter.

‘A father-in-law who houses his daughter’s lover…’

“What’s the matter?”

He was just about to speak when the marquis’ steward stepped forward, blocking the entrance.

“This is His Grace, the Grand Duke. Step aside.”

Rodin, standing across from the steward, locked eyes with Greddy.

The tension between the two made the steward falter and move aside.

Seeing Rodin acting like the master of the house, Greddy scoffed.

This estate rightfully belonged to Eliana. As her husband, Greddy had every claim to it. Yet the servants, including the steward, seemed to follow Rodin’s word over his.

“What now?”

“I’ve been waiting, Your Grace.”

Despite Greddy’s coldness, Rodin lowered his eyes and led him to the viscount’s study.