Episode 6
Lenox had died once.
Because of that woman—Vera Bellonsa.
Grit
Just remembering it made his teeth grind.
“I’ve known for a while that you love me, Duke.
But I’m sorry—I can’t return your feelings.”
“What?”
“Even if you look at me like that, my heart won’t change!”
When he heard that, Lenox thought,
“This woman is completely insane.”
She misunderstood, thought he liked her, rejected him on her own, and in the end…
she led him to his death.
But after dying, Lenox opened his eyes again.
He realized, confused, that he had gone back in time.
“Was that all just a dream…?”
It wasn’t.
Time kept passing, and everything repeated exactly like before.
He even picked up a child during the Western subjugation again, just like last time.
When he tried to adopt the child, the emperor strongly opposed him.
There was a banquet celebrating the victory—just like before.
Conversations with people were the same, word for word.
Eventually, Lenox was sure.
He had returned to the past.
“This must be a divine sign…”
A sign to destroy the people who betrayed him before they could grow.
Especially Vera Bellonsa.
He decided to completely crush her and her entire family this time.
But then… something unexpected happened.
“Estelle. My name is Estelle Bellonsa.”
That woman appeared before him.
“Did the future change because I arrived in the capital earlier this time?”
The woman who ran away after seeing him talk to Estelle…
She was the one Lenox had married in his previous life.
In a future that was repeating exactly the same—only Estelle was different.
“I didn’t expect her to know about mandrake…”
Lenox knew about mandrake too.
He had once desperately tried to find it to save his only family—his sister.
It was the only cure for her. He was ready to pay any price.
But in the end, he never got it.
“That cursed priest snatched it away at the last second…”
One of the worst memories of his past life.
Now, something he couldn’t get no matter how much money he offered was coming to him willingly?
“Well… she’s smarter than Vera, at least.”
But Lenox didn’t like Estelle either—just because she was Vera’s relative.
She came to him, asking to escape an arranged marriage to an old man.
But who knows? Maybe she was fantasizing about love like Vera did.
“Don’t you know post-marriage romance? It could happen after a contract marriage!”
That’s exactly what Vera used to say.
“Ha. What a joke.”
Even thinking about Vera gave him a headache.
So why did he accept Estelle?
Simple.
“If I marry her, I cut off the Bellonsa family’s money supply.”
The Bellonsas were living off Estelle’s wealth.
Marrying her meant their cash flow was gone.
Also, keeping her close meant he could discover their secrets.
Perfect.
His red eyes, full of hatred, reflected in his clean, bloodless sword.
Shiiing
He sheathed it.
“Come to think of it… why don’t I remember ever meeting Estelle before?”
She was Vera’s sister, so surely he would’ve seen her once?
“Oh, right. She died.”
“In an accident?” He didn’t know. Didn’t care either.
All he needed was to fulfill the contract.
Lenox casually erased her from his mind and threw away his bloodied handkerchief.
The next morning.
“Estelle Bellonsa!!”
The Count of Bellonsa screamed through the mansion.
“What did you do?!”
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
“What? You don’t know? Matthias was found passed out in a carriage!”
Only now had the count learned what happened to Matthias last night.
“No one saw him at the party! You did this, didn’t you?!”
“Ask Matthias when he wakes up. You wouldn’t believe me anyway.”
“Answer me! What did you do to my son?!”
Matthias wasn’t dead. He just fainted.
Estelle thought,
‘He fainted when he saw the dark energy… I didn’t even touch him.’
Explaining would take too long, so she stayed quiet.
Knock knock
“My lord, a guest is here.”
“A guest? Without notice? Tell them to come back later!”
“That’s not possible.”
“Is it the emperor or something?!”
“It’s the Duke of Winterlen. He’s here to propose to Lady Estelle.”
“What?!”
The count was stunned.
“Estelle, you’d better go. The duke isn’t known for patience.”
“Of course. We can’t keep the duke waiting.”
Estelle calmly put on a shawl and followed the butler.
The count trailed after her, confused.
But the butler didn’t lead them to the parlor.
At the front door, a tall dark figure stood waiting.
The count snapped at the butler.
“Why didn’t you take the duke inside?!”
“He said he preferred to wait here.”
“O-oh… I see…”
The count shrank like a coward. Clearly, Matthias got his personality from him.
“Estelle Bellonsa.”
Ignoring the count, Lenox stepped toward Estelle.
“Marry me.”
His voice was blunt, but his handsome face made it seem romantic.
He offered her a velvet box.
Inside was a sparkling diamond necklace.
And that wasn’t all.
“I didn’t know what you’d like, so I brought everything I could find. You can take it all.”
The door opened. Servants brought in mountains of flowers and jewels.
Estelle noticed something strange.
There was no ring.
Lots of gifts—but no real sincerity.
Just as she was about to reply…
“W-wait! Estelle is in talks with Count Blim for marriage!”
The count interrupted, panicking.
“Breaking off the engagement would cost a huge fee, so—”
“I’ll pay it,” Lenox replied coldly.
“But it’s a huge sum…”
“Are you suggesting I can’t afford it?”
“N-no! Not at all!”
“Then let’s hear Estelle’s answer.”
It was all a performance.
Estelle already knew what she would say.
“I accept your proposal.”
“What?!”
“Let’s leave for Winterlen right away.”
“Huh?”
The count stared at both of them in shock.
“W-wait! You mean she’s leaving now?!”
“Yes. Problem?”
“Well, of course there’s—”
“There’s not.”
Estelle cut him off calmly.
“I have nothing to pack. I’m ready to go.”
The count tried to yell but sensed something was off.
‘Wait… did these two plan this already?’
He couldn’t dare argue with Lenox, so he quickly changed tone.
“Duke, even though she’s not my real daughter, I raised her with care. Please let me speak with her before she leaves.”
He begged like a worm.
Lenox looked down at him with disgust and then turned to Estelle.
“You’re asking the wrong person. What do you want to do?”
“I’d like to say goodbye. It won’t take long.”
“Fine. I’ll wait outside. Call me if you need anything.”
Then, without another word, Lenox left.
As soon as he was gone, the count grabbed Estelle’s shoulder hard.
“What’s going on?!”
It hurt. But Estelle smiled sweetly, hiding her anger.
“Don’t worry, Count. I’ll bring back more money than the Blim family ever could.”
“Is this a joke?! The Duke can’t even be killed by dark magic!”
He whispered urgently.
“You don’t have to kill someone to get money. He promised me a huge sum upon divorce.”
“What?!”
“You can check if you want. It’s true—he’s been secretly looking for a temporary wife.”
“How do you know that… No—wait. When is this ‘divorce’ supposed to happen?”
“About a year from now.”
“A whole year?!”
The count turned pale.
“It’s just one year.”
“No, no—this can’t be happening…”
When Estelle had tried to poison herself, the doctors told the count she didn’t have long to live.
He never told her the truth—because if she knew, she wouldn’t marry.
And then… she wouldn’t bring back money.
That was the only reason.
