~Chapter 38~
And she found herself resenting the author of the original novel she once loved.
‘Author-nim! Realism is fine, but did you really have to include men like this in the story? It’s seriously nauseating!’
A man who couldn’t take “no” for an answer was the absolute worst.
Whether he knew how Riden felt or not, Baron Florence hadn’t changed at all between her past life and now—same obliviousness, just in a different skin.
He continued his self-introduction, completely undeterred.
“Good day, Lady McKerry. I am Baron Meet Florence.”
“…Florence?”
Riden repeated, as if hypnotized.
“Yes, Baron Florence.”
Wait—was this the same Florence she had encountered at the Laria tailor?
Seeing her recognition, the Baron smiled, satisfied.
‘She’s impressed by my title? So what if you’re a count’s daughter? Big deal.’
To Florence, her being a count’s daughter was nothing impressive. Just a woman whose father held a title—whereas she didn’t even have one.
Florence and his family had come from a new world. In this one, marrying a count’s daughter meant he’d become a count and she would become his property.
Still in a daze, Riden muttered with a distant look in her eyes.
“What a remarkable family.”
“Haha, no need for such praise. I just wanted to greet you since you’ve been glancing at me so warmly.”
‘Ughh.’
Riden grimaced deeply.
Yes, Florence was absolutely the same type as her ex-brother-in-law from her previous life—Byungmin.
Just like how Byungmin thought a new female employee saying hello was a sign she’d fallen for him at first sight—then barged into Dain’s house raving about it all weekend.
‘Don’t flatter yourself, idiot! I was just curious how my dessert was doing!’
But no matter how hard you tried to shatter that delusion, it wouldn’t break.
Riden knew this.
Trying to correct that misunderstanding would only waste her breath.
Better to just get rid of him.
She was about to call the McKerry family’s knight waiting with the carriage when—
“Where are you going—”
As she rose from her seat, Florence suddenly reached out to grab her.
But Glen immediately stepped in between them, shielding Riden.
“You cannot touch my lady without permission.”
Florence gave him a look that said “Who the hell are you?”
Glen answered clearly.
“Glen Mannering, head butler of the McKerry family.”
“A butler? So, a commoner?”
Florence, full of condescension, jabbed his finger repeatedly into Glen’s shoulder.
Even as his shoulder was pushed back with each jab, Glen stood firm.
“Whether I’m a commoner doesn’t matter. What matters is that no one is allowed to lay hands on my lady.”
“Move aside, you filthy commoner. I’m a noble. Want me to make sure you never walk again?”
Glen didn’t flinch.
So Florence, now enraged, spat bitterly:
“Isn’t your lady debuting this year? To find a titled man, right? Don’t you know her heart better than anyone?”
“I would appreciate it if you refrained from insulting my lady.”
“Insult? Please. It’s only natural for a fine man and a beautiful woman to get together. Don’t you agree, milady?”
‘We’ve got a lunatic here!’
By now, the entire Hagens café was abuzz.
Outside, the McKerry family knight, sensing something was wrong, stepped down from the carriage and began scanning the area. Riden wildly gestured to him.
Amid the commotion, the sound of someone descending the stairs echoed through the café.
Everyone’s gaze turned to the man walking gracefully down from the second floor.
He instantly commanded the attention of the room.
“Milady!”
It was Merrick.
“Count?! What are you doing here?”
‘Ugh!’
Riden averted her eyes from his dazzling blond hair and even more radiant smile.
If only he weren’t the older brother of the male lead from her past life, she could’ve married into his family by now!
His stunning looks hadn’t changed one bit.
Even the other noble ladies forgot to look away, staring openly.
“I heard some commotion from downstairs and came to check. Glad I did.”
Like flowing water, Merrick moved gracefully toward Riden, undisturbed by the frozen crowd.
He leaned in and whispered.
“Do you remember saying you’d ask for my help if a legal issue ever arose?”
She nodded, stunned.
“Would you like to make that request now?”
This time, she nodded frantically.
Merrick gave a subtle nod, and a manager scurried over to whisper in his ear.
After listening, Merrick muttered quietly.
“Sexual harassment and assault, I see.”
Florence backed away in panic.
“W-What?! Sexual harassment?! Assault?! I didn’t do anything like that!”
Even a blockhead like him could sense the shift in the air.
With every word and action from Merrick, the crowd nodded in agreement, eyes shining with admiration.
After the manager’s long whisper, Merrick turned to Florence.
“Baron Florence, was it? You committed sexual harassment.”
“No, I didn’t! I didn’t even touch her!”
But arrows of scorn were already flying from every corner of the café.
“How dare you speak so rudely to the eldest son of the Kenwolf duchy! Watch your mouth!”
Florence’s face turned pale.
First they said he was a count, now a duke’s heir? He couldn’t keep up.
Inside, he was fuming.
He had been reasonably satisfied with his looks in this life—far better than his pot-bellied, balding self in the previous one.
That newfound confidence was now shattered by the godlike man standing before him.
‘Why can’t you go for someone even harder to get?! Why my girl?!’
“I-I said I didn’t do it…”
Still scared, his tone turned meek.
Merrick scolded him coldly.
“You deny it even with so many witnesses and evidence? How disgraceful.”
‘Witnesses? Evidence?! I didn’t even touch her!’
But Merrick continued without pause.
“Despite being told no, you sat at the lady’s table. That counts as harassment of her table and chair.”
“That’s absurd!”
Florence cried out, appalled.
Merrick widened his eyes as if shocked at Florence’s ignorance.
“Members of the Kenwolf duchy—and those they cherish—have wider protected boundaries. Did you not know?”
Florence stood speechless.
“Then learn it now.”
Even as he muttered “ridiculous” under his breath, Merrick ignored him and went on.
“And placing your dirty bread bag on the table without permission—thus letting it touch her hand—is also harassment.”
Florence spun around, yelling to the others.
“D-Do you all hear this?! Does that even make sense?!”
But he was alone in his disbelief.
Merrick calmly replied:
“It makes sense to me.”
Voices echoed around the room.
“Well, yeah. Makes sense.”
“It’s the Kenwolf duchy, after all.”
Then Merrick continued his list of charges.
“You hurt the lady’s feelings—therefore, emotional injury to someone precious to the duchy. You hurt my feelings—emotional injury to a duchy member. And soon, the duchess will hear and be upset—that’s another offense. And her butler… wait.”
Merrick looked around.
“Norman, you saw the butler get assaulted, yes? How many weeks of recovery?”
The duke’s personal physician, Norman, answered courteously.
“Fifty-two weeks.”
“Very well. Assault on the lady’s butler, recovery time: 52 weeks.”
Florence shouted.
“B-But I only poked him a few times with my finger!”
“Clearly, your brain is weak. I’ll explain gently: 1 week of physical assault, 51 weeks of mental trauma.”
“N-No way…”
Was he the only sane person here?
Everyone else just nodded at Merrick’s every word like dolls.
“Take him to the guards.”
Suddenly, knights appeared from nowhere and dragged Baron Florence away by both arms.
Riden watched him thrash and struggle as he was hauled off.
It was satisfying… but also strangely pitiful.
‘Honestly, he only grossed me out with his ridiculous delusions. He didn’t deserve that much punishment… hmm.’
‘Still… the Kenwolf duchy really is terrifying.’
Merrick then turned toward Glen.
“Glen Mannering?”
52 weeks 😂😂😂