~Chapter 24~

“What did you just say?”

Larvihan stared at Lovelace. The smile that had lingered on his lips was gone.

“I said… delay the marriage.”

A short silence followed. His eyes darkened.

“Count Lovelace Harmelda.”

He called her name, clearly and firmly.

“Are you trying to play with me?”

The air around him shifted. His hand on her chin was still warm, but Lovelace felt a chill run through her body.

“N-no way. How could I dare?”

I know exactly what kind of man you are. Do you think I’d pick a fight with you? That would be like a foolish pup charging at a tiger.

“Then make another request. Not nonsense about delaying marriage. Or… we could just enjoy a hot romance before the wedding.”

He gestured toward the bed.

Lovelace tilted her head. His attitude was like a loan shark threatening her to pay back debt.

But I never owed him anything!

Who told him to be careless and lose his attribute orb? Normally he’s quick—why didn’t he snatch it before I swallowed it?

And I didn’t even say I wouldn’t marry him. I just said delay it. So why pressure me like this? I’m already exhausted doing things I’ve never done before.

Her eyes sharpened.

“Listen, Larvihan. Your power is inside me. Whether to return it or not is my decision. Once it entered my body, it became mine. And marriage should come from true love—not from force.”

“True love?”

“Yes, true love. You don’t even love me, do you? A marriage where you’ll just take my power and leave—what difference does it make if it’s a little later?”

Bold words, spoken while nestled in his arms.

What does she think I am?

After all he had done, this was her conclusion. Larvihan clicked his tongue inwardly. He could reclaim his power from her anytime.

And yet, he was holding back.

So why don’t I feel angry, but amused instead?

He didn’t understand. If it was love she wanted—well, he could act it out.

He didn’t know what love was, but…

“Love you.”

Lovelace’s lips parted slightly. Her pale, pretty face twisted slowly.

“Didn’t anyone ever teach you lying is bad? Didn’t you learn that as a child?”

“My parents died young, so I wasn’t taught properly at home. But I do know lying is bad. I also know sometimes lies can turn the situation around.”

Lovelace remembered his family background and whispered softly:

“…Sorry.”

“Pft.”

A laugh slipped from Larvihan’s lips. With Lovelace, it was impossible to keep things serious. She was like a stone in a hearth—quick to heat up, quick to cool down.

“And it’s not a lie.”

“What? What do you mean?”

“The words: I love you.”

Her heart dropped. He looked straight into her eyes, smiling like a painting.

“That’s a lie.”

“I can make it real. I can love you harder than anyone else.”

In other words—he could fake love if that’s what she wanted.

He pulled her closer by the waist. Lovelace stomped on his foot.

“Lying is bad!”

I’ll make sure to teach Paolo well.

I’ll never let him grow up to be such a shameless man.

She shoved Larvihan away and rang the bell furiously.

Larvihan ended up having breakfast with her. His flawless table manners made the meal look like a performance.

“At least tell me the reason.”

Lovelace had been staring at him the whole time. When he suddenly spoke, she choked on her food in surprise.

“Here, water.”

As she coughed, he slid a cup toward her. She drank between coughs until she calmed down.

“What reason?”

“The reason you want to delay the marriage.”

That was always his way—pressuring her relentlessly, but then listening to her in the end.

Her frustration from earlier in the bedroom eased a little.

“I found out that if I marry, my family name changes. My title disappears too, right?”

“Were you greedy for the title? Being a duke’s wife isn’t a small thing. In society, that’s second only to Arwen.”

“That’s not it.”

Meeting Paolo had changed her perspective. Though not her real brother, he was a child who had lost his parents and sister, trembling alone in the forest.

And he believed without doubt that she was his sister. He even burned with determination to protect her.

“I want to marry after Paolo grows enough to properly take care of the territory.”

“Too late.”

Larvihan cut her off without hesitation.

“Paolo’s smart. He’ll learn quickly.”

“He’s only seven. Unless he’s a prodigy, he won’t be able to run the territory until at least fifteen. And even then, only with proper vassals to help him. I doubt it.”

Lovelace pressed her lips shut.

“I’ve finished eating, so I’ll go now. Forget this idea of delaying marriage and focus on the estate. Ask for help if it’s too hard.”

He stood and left the dining hall, unwilling to continue the conversation.

Lovelace stared blankly at the closing door, until fire suddenly lit in her eyes.

“How many times do I have to say it? If I don’t want it, it won’t happen, you stubborn ox!”

The maid pouring water beside her flinched so hard the stream shook wildly.

Viscount Nerk and Baron James puffed angrily on their cigars.

“How is that girl even alive?”

Nerk shouted roughly. Baron James crushed his cigar into the ashtray and raised his voice.

“What does a little brat know? Just because she inherited the title, does she think she’s the lord? Does she think running a territory is child’s play?”

Both men trembled with rage as they recalled Lovelace’s attitude.

“She must think she can handle everything alone. But what does she know? She’s just a woman.”

“We’ll have to teach her properly, James. When is our meeting?”

“The day after tomorrow.”

“Then let’s invite her. We’ll make it a very… entertaining party.”

Nerk laughed darkly.

“Bell Boys’n Club?”

Lovelace shook the invitation Judith handed her. Reports were already piled high like a mountain, but Judith insisted she read this one carefully.

“Yes. The Bell Boys’n Club—it’s like a men’s social gathering.”

“And?”

“It’s actually where most of the important vassals and local talents gather.”

“You’re saying I should go?”

“All former Counts of Harmelda were members. And it seems there isn’t a strict rule that only men can join.”

Lovelace leaned her chin on her hand, humming thoughtfully.

“Nerk sent this?”

Suspicious.

Of all people, Nerk had shown the strongest opposition to her. He had resisted fiercely when she held him accountable for his crimes and confiscated part of his knights and wealth.

And now he invited her to a social club?

“If you’re uncomfortable, you don’t have to go.”

But this didn’t feel like an invitation—it felt like a declaration of war.

Ignoring Judith’s cautious words, Lovelace answered:

“Why wouldn’t I go? Of course I will.”

She placed the invitation down and stared at it for a long time.

“You don’t avoid a fight that walks right up to you.”

She pinned the invitation onto the corkboard on the wall.

“Time to buy some weapons.”

And she pressed the tack deep into it.

“So, you’ve come to me first. That’s unusual.”

Arwen greeted Larvihan warmly. Larvihan ignored her pleasantries and threw a thick stack of papers onto her desk.

“What’s this?”

“A bill for legal reform. With supporting materials, interpretations from scholars, and signed agreements from nobles. All it needs is the Emperor’s approval.”

Around others, Larvihan spoke politely. But when alone with her, his words were blunt.

“Seems you left your manners at home.”

Arwen snapped, but didn’t push further. She flipped through the documents.

Changing a law was no simple task. It usually required endless debate over validity, reviews by legal scholars, and finally persuading the stubborn noble council one by one.

That was why Arwen often avoided the hassle and issued imperial decrees instead.

And yet Larvihan had already prepared everything? A process that usually took at least two months?

“When did you prepare this?”

“Three days. Too short? If that’s the problem, I’ll come back in a week.”

Truly an extraordinary man. How could she not admire him? And because of that—how could she not destroy him?

If I can’t have him, I’ll erase him.

Arwen hid her regret.

“What kind of law is it?”

“A law allowing women to keep their family name and noble title even after marriage.”

Arwen’s head snapped up.