IVHMH 10

Chapter 10

Orte came to me with a very troubled expression. His face was stiff as he forced himself to meet my gaze.

“I’m sorry, my lady. We weren’t able to catch the culprit.”

He looked like he didn’t know what to do, as if he had committed some terrible crime.

I had expected from the start that we wouldn’t find out who had cut the reins.

I had no intention of lightening the burden on his mind by being honest about that. I needed to leave behind a debt like this so I could use it later if necessary.

“I see? That can’t be helped. If someone as capable as you, Orte, couldn’t find them, they must be very thorough.”

“I’m truly sorry.”

“From now on, only my coachman, Ketten, is allowed to handle my tack. If something like this happens again, I’ll deal with Ketten first, regardless of who the culprit is, so make sure to warn him properly.”

“Yes, my lady.”

After resolving the issue, I returned inside the mansion and saw my adoptive father getting ready to go out.

Both of my adoptive parents wore stern expressions.

A stranger had come by yesterday to deliver a letter, and now it seemed like something bad had happened.

“It’s nothing serious, right?”

“He only said to come, so I’ll have to go and see.”

“Can’t you at least tell me what it’s about…?”

Seeing me, Ada cut off her words and closed her mouth.

Her reaction made me suspect they were talking about something secret they didn’t want me to hear.

Their words were ordinary, but the glances they exchanged hinted at hidden meanings as they checked my reaction.

“Are you going out?”

“Something urgent came up. We’ll be back soon. Stay quiet while we’re gone.”

“Yes, take care.”

There was no point in arguing, so I replied calmly.

Ada looked anxious, clearly something had happened.

They always controlled my life but never told me anything about theirs.

We had lived as parent and child for over ten years, yet I still couldn’t understand what they were thinking.

The place Jetio visited with anxious heart was the Shiton Duke’s estate.

Guided by a servant into the drawing room, he saw that there was already another guest present besides Shiton.

“Welcome, Duke Mares.”

“Good day, Duke Shiton.”

The way the two men greeted each other was vastly different.

Shiton acted like he was dealing with a subordinate, while Jetio remained formal and respectful.

It was hard to believe this was a meeting between the heads of two powerful ducal families. To an outsider, it might even look like a lord and vassal.

“This is Sir Gustao Verato. I believe you’ve met before?”

“Yes, we’ve crossed paths a few times.”

“Pleased to meet you, Duke Mares.”

Gustao greeted him warmly.

In the noble society of the Netor Empire, there was no one who didn’t know Gustao Verato.

He was the cousin of Tirzen Verato, the future Crown Prince, and the illegitimate child of the Verato family.

Gustao’s father had been engaged, but he died suddenly in an accident just months before the wedding.

Rumors claimed that it was Gustao’s mother, Ligenne, who orchestrated the incident.

‘His father died before marrying another woman, so he inherited the wealth and name. Talk about luck.’

Jetio sneered inwardly as he looked at Gustao.

That stigma of being illegitimate would follow him for life. He held no title, but he was somewhat popular in high society.

Still, he wasn’t someone Jetio, a duke, should associate with.

“I didn’t realize you had another guest. If this isn’t urgent, I can return another time.”

“No, Duke Mares. I called both of you here on purpose. Please, have a seat.”

Jetio sat reluctantly, while Gustao looked thrilled. Judging by his behavior, he must’ve discussed something with Shiton beforehand.

“I’d like to propose a marriage alliance with Lady Mares.”

“I’m honored you would think of us. May I ask from which family the young man hails?”

“Right here—Sir Verato.”

Shiton pointed to Gustao seated next to him.

Jetio’s face twisted at once.

He had no affection for Elisha whatsoever. But that didn’t mean he was foolish enough to offer her such a disgraceful match.

Gustao might be from the Verato family, but he was still a mere bastard.

“I chose this match after careful thought. Sir Verato has gladly agreed as well, so I believe it would be best to arrange the wedding quickly.”

Jetio glanced sideways at Gustao.

The man sat with one leg arrogantly crossed, looking across at him with blatant arrogance.

Jetio wanted to scold him severely, but with Shiton clearly supporting him, he couldn’t act on his emotions and could only grit his lip.

He didn’t want this marriage, but he knew Shiton would not accept a refusal.

If he upset Shiton, he might be forced to bow his head before Gustao—a humiliation he wanted to avoid.

“You don’t like the match I’ve proposed?”

“…No, that’s not it.”

Faced with Shiton’s displeasure, Jetio quickly backed down.

After Jetio left, Gustao cozied up beside Duke Shiton with an ingratiating attitude.

“I don’t know how I’ll ever repay your grace, Duke.”

“Just live a good life after marriage. That’s all the thanks I need.”

“That can’t be all. You’re even helping with the trading business. I’m just incredibly grateful.”

Gustao bowed repeatedly in gratitude.

Though he had inherited a large fortune from his father, his current financial state wasn’t good. That was because of his mother, Ligenne, who did nothing all her life but spend money.

In desperation, he had invested in a small trading company. Now, Shiton had promised to help him expand it.

“Since we’re on the topic, you might as well have brought up the matter of succession too.”

“We’ll get to that in time. That household only has one daughter anyway.”

“Yes, the son is dead, so the daughter will inherit everything.”

Gustao stood to gain immensely from this marriage.

With Shiton’s support and the Mares family’s wealth and title, everything would soon be his.

If he could even inherit the duke’s title, then aiming for the Crown Prince’s seat might not be just a dream.

Just imagining himself pushing aside the arrogant Tirzen and becoming Crown Prince filled him with euphoric anticipation.

No matter how I thought it through, there seemed to be no way to avoid marrying Gustao on my own.

After days of worrying, I decided to write a letter to Teus. I intended to ask him to pretend to be my lover, just for a while.

I felt sorry for using him, but I had no other choice.

It would be nice if I could wait for him to finish his work and return slowly, but if he came back too late, my plan could fall apart.

Sending this letter was the best way to bring him back a bit sooner.

I kept it short—just asking him to come see me as soon as he returned, since I had something important to say.

I thought about adding more detail, but in the end, I just folded it and sealed it.

“This kind of talk should be done face-to-face, not through letters.”

I could’ve asked the butler, Orte, to send it for me, but I had no intention of doing so.

Ada inspected all incoming and outgoing letters in the house. There was a high chance the letter would disappear right here in the Mares mansion.

The fastest and surest way to get the letter into Teus’s hands was to take it directly to his family’s estate.

The butler of Count Drac’s household agreed to deliver the letter to the Khan Kingdom without hesitation.

“There’s someone leaving for the Khan Kingdom in four days. I’ll send it with them.”

“Thank you.”

The servant of House Drac treated me with impeccable courtesy.

It was partly due to good training, but also because of how Teus treated me.

“Is this a letter that requires a quick reply?”

“No. Just delivering it is enough.”

If I had said I wanted a reply, Teus might abandon his work and return early instead of finishing properly.

He was just starting to establish himself in the merchant world. I didn’t want to burden him by showing how anxious I really was.

When I returned home, I saw an unfamiliar carriage parked outside.

The Duke and Duchess of Mares hated me meeting with visitors.

While I would have to deal with those people eventually, for now, there was no need.

I quietly went upstairs to read until the guests left.

“Merbel, help me change.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Merbel quickly helped me out of my dress.

I changed into something more comfortable and sat up against the headboard of the bed.

“I’ll be reading. Bring me tea and cookies.”

“What about your meal?”

“Since we have guests, I’ll eat light.”

“I’ll bring you a simple omelet, then.”

Merbel left the room, but when she returned, she wasn’t carrying food.

“Are the kitchen maids all busy?”

“No, my lady. The Duke asked me to bring you to him.”

“Father?”

My heart began to race with anxiety.

“This has never happened before.”

I suddenly recalled the past.

This had happened once before—on the day my adoptive father ordered me to marry Gustao.

“I thought I had more time… is it already happening?”

“Pardon?”

Merbel looked at me, confused by my murmur. She seemed worried, as though my voice had betrayed my nervousness.

“It’s nothing.”

I smiled softly, masking my emotions so she wouldn’t worry.

This wasn’t a problem anyone could solve just by worrying.

When Gustao first stepped into the Mares mansion, one of the people who greeted him was Letisa.

Seeing the tall, broad-shouldered, handsome man, Letisa fell for him at first sight.

“I am Gustao Verato. I have an appointment with the Duke of Mares.”

“It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Letisa Beck. My late father was a count.”

Pushing through the maids, Letisa stepped forward and gave an unnecessarily long introduction.

“It’s an honor to meet you. Will Lady Beck be showing me the way?”

Gustao’s smile made Letisa feel lightheaded. It was soft and sweet like cotton candy.

“Yes, gladly. This way, please.”

Letisa, heart fluttering, walked alongside him.

She guided him to the drawing room and even personally arranged the cushions for his seat.

“Please wait here a moment. I’ll let the Duke know you’ve arrived.”

“Lady Beck is as kind as she is beautiful.”

Gustao’s gaze lingered on Letisa’s chest as she leaned forward.

Her deep neckline was clearly visible.

Feeling his stare, Letisa’s cheeks turned red. It felt like a ray of light had finally begun to shine into her life.