Worried that his brother might actually be forcing a marriage by kidnapping, Teren couldn’t hide his anxious expression as he spoke. “T-Then, perhaps you should reconsider. I don’t think Grandfather knows yet.”
“Oh, I’ve already sent him a letter. He’ll find out soon enough.”
There was quite a catch to the word ‘soon.’
Their grandfather, the former duke, Garno, was currently wandering across the Eastern Continent. Even though he regularly sent letters nagging his grandson to get married, it would still take at least a month for any letter to reach him during his travels.
“Then… What about Mother?”
“Count Teren, can you introduce your fiancée to Mother right away?”
Count Teren squeezed his eyes shut and opened them again. Of course, he couldn’t. Any young lady would faint the moment she faced their mother. And for good reason—because their mother, Yuliana Kalinos, was… Strong, bold, sharp, and sensitive—truly a lawless force in high society.
“I’ll introduce her to the senate first and then inform Mother.”
“But still… even if you don’t go to Mother, getting the senate’s approval won’t be easy.”
At Count Teren’s words, Duke Kalinos recalled a conversation with his highly reliable employee, Giselle.
“That’s already been approved.”
“Whaaaat?”
“The lady went to the senate and settled it herself.”
“W-W-What did you say?”
That fragile Lady? No way. This must be fake! It’s definitely bride kidnapping!
“Now that the main business is finished, I’ll take my leave. I have research on troll mucus piling up.”
Having declared the marriage, there was no reason for Duke Kalinos to stay any longer. Only Teren remained, wide-eyed and frozen like a mummy.
Mo-Mother! He had to find his mother immediately.
* * *
Meanwhile, the garden at Kalinos estate was lively.
“Madam Yuliana, have you been well?”
“Not bad.”
The noble ladies gently waved their butterfly fans, smiling warmly.
Today was the day of Yuliana Kalinos’s regular small social salon.
“My Cordelia really caused quite a stir at the academy recently.” Duchess Inferna, covering her mouth with her fan in a show of modesty, spoke. “She got hurt trying to tame a fantasy beast, and the whole house was turned upside down.”
“Oh my, is she all right now?”
“She’s fine. It was part of showing off her abilities… Still, she couldn’t handle it and even fainted, it seems.”
“Oh dear… That’s so worrying. I hope the rumors don’t spread badly and affect her marriage prospects…”
Hearing their conversation, Yuliana propped her chin on her hand and spoke softly. “She should focus on her abilities. It’s normal to get a little hurt or even faint sometimes.”
Duchess Inferna, who was close enough to Yuliana to confide in, pouted as if sulking. “If people find out that Cordelia, who’s of marriageable age, behaved so unladylike, it might jeopardize her enragement…”
“What does that matter? The important thing is that she awakened her powers.”
The unspoken rule of society was to value demure women above all else. But no one here dared to openly contradict Yuliana. The other noble ladies smiled awkwardly and raised their teacups.
“…Shall we call it a day, then?”
“Let’s.”
With that, the salon conversation wrapped up, and Yuliana saw the ladies off before remaining alone.
I need to get the duke married as soon as possible.
Most people either trembled at the sight of her or faint upon hearing her words—petty reactions one after another. Because of that, a ridiculous rumor was spreading through society that ‘Yuliana was trying to kill the ladies.’
There’s no suitable candidate. Just as she clicked her tongue and crossed her legs gracefully, her youngest son, Count Teren, burst in rudely, shouting.
“Have you heard? The senate has approved Brother’s marriage proposal!”
At the sudden news, Yuliana’s eyes narrowed sharply. “Who’s getting married? Duke Kalinos?”
“Yes. Senator Hennessy cast the approving vote. Following that, Brother said he would soon visit you with his future bride…”
“I’m curious about what exactly happened. Do you know the lady’s name?”
“That, Giselle Florette…”
Frowning, she snapped her fingers, and the head maid, Caitlyn, appeared immediately.
“You called, Madam?”
Yuliana ordered Caitlyn to gather all information about Giselle Florette. Within just an hour, every detail about Giselle was in her hands. The report fluttered impatiently before being sharply folded.
“She’s weak, foolish, and utterly incompetent.”
It was the worst.
“W-Well, that much is… um… We haven’t met her in person yet.”
“We’ll have to set a date soon.”
It sounded exactly like setting a date to kill Giselle.
“That… W-When do you plan to set the date?”
“Tomorrow would be best.”
Count Teren squeezed his eyes shut. May she rest in peace.
4. Perfect Plan to Earn the Incentive
“Wow, that’s faster than I expected.”
I smiled as I looked at the invitation from Duke Kalinos. But he stared at me with a serious face and asked, “My mother seems quite angry. Will you be alright?”
Of course, she’d be angry.
“Yes. I’m ready. So, will I be meeting both the late duke and duchess?”
“My father… no. It seems you’ll only meet my mother.” His expression twisted oddly when he mentioned his father.
Come to think of it, I’ve never heard anything about Duke Kalinos’s father. Strange. He doesn’t seem to be dead, though. But I brushed it off lightly. After all, this was the salt and spice of a messy family drama—the dry sweet potato that makes the refreshing cider even better. Because the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law conflict was about to explode!
“Understood. Let’s start by meeting my mother-in-law first!”
“I like your confidence.”
“But before we enter the mansion, I have one request. We have to be the sweetest couple in the world. I mean, we have to act like it.”
Duke Kalinos listened quietly to my words and answered firmly without hesitation. “Romantic practice? That’s easy.”
…Somehow, I didn’t quite trust him.
I nodded vigorously and replied. “Then, before that, I should drop some rumors to make Madam Yuliana dislike me even more.”
“Rumors?”
“Yes, I’ll start spreading some rumors little by little beforehand. Oh! If I cause a big enough scene, is there any chance of an extra incentive?”
I knew very well how many ladies in high society Yuliana had made cry. But I’m no pushover when it comes to causing a scene!
“…Probably.”
“Then, I’ll go home first!”
Time to set the stage.
I smiled slyly and bowed my head.
* * *
“Are you the accountant? I heard the family’s been running businesses under a borrowed name for the past five years.” Count Florette wore an uncomfortable expression.
Restaurants, jewelry stores, boutiques— While he was away, Mariposa seemed to have quietly run quite a few businesses under a borrowed name.
The mustached accountant gave an awkward smile and answered. “Y-Yes, that’s correct.”
“But you don’t know how much profit was made after expenses?”
“Yes. I only recorded the income without deducting expenses. Most people do it this way because full bookkeeping is a hassle.”
“Is this the only accounting record you have?”
The ledger was inconvenient to read because the exact income amounts weren’t listed, and it was written in Roman numerals without decimal points.
“Yes. I’ve been doing this job for just over two years, and all the ledgers during that time were recorded this way.”
Count Florette sighed as he kept repeating the complicated calculations in front of the accountant, who was of little help. Investigating all these businesses under borrowed names takes way too much time and effort. He couldn’t focus on anything else.
Just when his expression twisted into a frown,
“C-Count. I have something to tell you!”
“What’s all this commotion? If it’s not important, leave.”
“La-Lady Giselle is in the wine cellar, and there’s a big problem.”
Count Florette smiled fondly and replied, “She liked wine, huh? Give her as much as she wants. My friend used to enjoy wine a lot too.”
“W-Well, it’s not just that. She’s completely drunk, hitting a maid’s cheek and smashing the oak barrels—she’s causing a ruckus!”
…A ruckus?
