Chapter 3
Silence fell between them. The suitor had a confused expression. Understandably so—her smile had been elegant like a noblewoman’s, but the words she’d spoken were utterly vulgar. His mind had short-circuited for a moment.
It took him a while to finally force a stiff smile and speak.
“…Haha, I like it too. Things like pheasant hunting. It is the hunting season, after all.”
Cecilia’s brow twitched slightly.
Whenever she said something like that before, the previous suitors had always turned red and stormed off.
Maybe it was because he was from the diplomatic delegation of the Western Continent Kingdom, where being boisterous was considered a virtue—he wasn’t so easy to drive away.
In fact, the suitor seemed even more fired up, possibly intrigued by Cecilia’s rudeness.
“I heard you never miss a shot. It seems you’re just as good at piercing a man’s heart as you are with a bow.”
Cecilia sneered at the ridiculous flattery.
She considered hurling a string of curses at him but managed to restrain herself, her father’s face flashing through her mind. If a man left after seeing her true self, fine. But chasing him off with deliberate insults would be breaking her promise.
“Looks like the arrow flew to the wrong place. I hope you get proper treatment.”
“No, not at all. It landed perfectly in my heart. Honestly, from the moment you walked in, I felt it was fate.”
“Sorry, I don’t believe in fate. The thrill is in carving out your own future.”
“That progressive spirit of yours—also quite attractive. And I must say, you’re even more….”
He trailed off, his eyes slyly tracing down her neck and chest.
As Cecilia’s expression turned icy in response to his lecherous gaze, he quickly cleared his throat and looked away.
“But after we’re married, I’d prefer if you gave up hunting. How about picking up a more ladylike hobby, like cooking or embroidery? I like modest women. And you’re so beautiful, that image would suit you better.”
“Oh, so you’re suggesting I take bride training?”
“Exactly! You catch on fast. And I’ve also heard you associate freely with mercenaries—that’s something you might want to reconsider.”
“Why?”
“A single lady being around strange men doesn’t look good. I do have doubts about your chastity… but I suppose that can be confirmed later. More importantly, being friendly with such lowborn types as mercenaries will only damage your reputation further. You’re a lady; you should mind how others perceive you.”
“…….”
“I’m just being honest—I can’t lie. I hope you’re not offended.”
He smiled brightly. Cecilia smiled back. From a distance, it might’ve looked like a pleasant exchange.
Then Cecilia spoke.
“Oh my. We do have something in common.”
He laughed heartily, about to respond, but Cecilia’s next words came first.
“My ideal type is a modest man, too.”
“…….”
“And it’d be perfect if he were handsome. But Lord Alpirow, well….”
Cecilia openly looked him up and down. His small eyes didn’t suit his large face, his nose was sunken, his face covered in freckles, and a blue shadow of stubble stained his upper lip and chin. Overall, he gave off a petty, prissy impression.
Cecilia let out a short laugh.
“Oh, but.”
He seemed frozen, at a loss for words. Cecilia gave him a radiant smile as she drove in the final nail.
“As long as he’s not wearing a wig, it’s fine.”
“…What did you just say?”
“Especially those fake-looking wigs—people who wear them and act like they’re something special? I just can’t stand them.”
For a moment, the suitor stared wide-eyed in disbelief. Then his face began to turn red.
“How dare you! Are you insulting me?!”
Bang!
He slammed the table loudly in fury.
Cecilia covered her mouth with a hand and widened her eyes innocently.
“Oh dear. I’m just being honest—I can’t lie. I hope you’re not offended?”
He couldn’t say a word. He just trembled with rage.
Truthfully, she hadn’t planned to go this far.
But he’d insulted her and her family first.
Talking about chastity before marriage… calling mercenaries lowborn trash.
If he looked down on mercenaries that much, he clearly thought very little of her family, which had started as a mercenary group.
Ignoring him, Cecilia pulled a pocket watch from her bag to check the time.
They had been sitting for over thirty minutes.
That should be enough. She stood up.
“I don’t think we’re a good match, Lord Alpirow. I’ll take my leave now. I wish you the best in finding your destined partner.”
Cecilia turned and walked toward the entrance.
Outside, a chilly wind swept through the quiet street.
Since the meeting ended earlier than expected, her carriage hadn’t arrived yet.
She thought about waiting, but the air was too cold. A shiver ran through her shoulders.
‘It’s too cold to wait out here. I should go inside somewhere.’
As she looked around, wondering how to explain this to her father, someone suddenly grabbed her arm.
Startled, she turned around—to see Alpirow, the suitor she’d just rejected.
His face still contorted in anger, he was breathing heavily. Before she could say a word, he shoved her into a nearby alley.
Her heels nearly caused her to stumble, but she regained balance just in time, scowling in annoyance.
“What is this, Lord Alpirow? Do you have more to say?”
He shoved her shoulder and loomed over her menacingly.
“You filthy whore! Apologize right now!”
“…….”
“You dare call me ugly?! No one’s ever said that to me in my life! I complimented you, and now you think you’re better than me?!”
Oh… so it wasn’t about the wig.
Well, the wig was obvious, so he couldn’t deny it anyway.
Cecilia stared at his pathetic tantrum with a cold gaze and sighed.
“Your self-love is incredible. Must be a very happy life. But I think you’re ugly.”
Her blunt statement made him flinch.
“Not just a little—very ugly. And by the way, Lord Alpirow, this has been bothering me… You’ve got nose hair sticking out. You should trim that before your next date. And above all, do something about that wig.”
Cecilia shook off his arm. He wasn’t much bigger than her and was quite thin, so he didn’t feel particularly threatening.
He stood frozen in shock, then began to tremble with humiliation, pointing a finger at her.
“My father begged you to meet me, and you don’t even appreciate it? How dare you—how dare you talk to me like that?!”
He had seemed calm earlier—was this his true self?
Cecilia’s face twisted in pure disgust.
His behavior was so pitiful, she couldn’t even hide her expression.
“Yeah, well. My father begged me to come too. Let’s just call it even, since we were both rude. Don’t embarrass yourself any further and go home.”
She waved him away like swatting a fly. But he didn’t move.
Instead, he narrowed his eyes, his mouth curling into a sneer.
“Let’s see how long you can keep that smug attitude.”
“…What did you say?”
Cecilia’s brows furrowed.
“You’re just a soon-to-be-ruined noble. Once the imperial decree comes down, your family will be finished. Who’s going to want a fallen noble?”
For the first time, Cecilia faltered.
Ruined noble? What is he talking about?
As she hesitated, Alpirow pounced, full of spite.
“From your face, I guess you didn’t know. That explains your arrogance. Let’s see how the haughty young lady with nothing but her title changes once she loses everything!”
Cecilia’s eyes narrowed. She slowly turned her head to glance outside the alley.
The street was deserted. Even if someone screamed, no one would come. Normally, she’d find that eerie—but today, it was a welcome sight.
As Alpirow hurled filthy insults, spittle flying, her gaze grew icy.
“Hey.”
“What? Agh!”
She kicked him in the shin without hesitation.
Her patent leather shoes looked cute and dainty, but their rounded tips were hard and solid.
As proof, Alpirow dropped to the ground, clutching his shin and rolling around.
She hadn’t even kicked that hard—what a baby.
Cecilia approached the writhing man and bent down.
“You’re quite the storyteller. I’d love to hear more.”
“Y-you! You think you’ll get away with this?!”
“What’s the problem? One word from me, and my mercenaries could make you disappear without a trace.”
She rested her chin on her hand and grinned wickedly. Yes, she was a Niberius. And from the look on his face, he realized she wasn’t bluffing.
“W-what are you going to do to me…?”
“Just answer my questions and I’ll let you leave with all your limbs. So don’t worry.”
Her smile vanished. In the shadows, her violet eyes glinted coldly.
“So—what exactly did you mean about my family?”
