(Part 3) – A Dangerous Game
It was an absurd proposition.
The House of Teje was the oldest and most distinguished lineage in the empire, dating back to the founding of the nation itself. Its influence permeated every level of society, not because of one man, but because of the extensive web of branch families and noble relations orbiting the duke.
And Count Lian was one of those orbiting satellites.
He had never stopped believing in the importance of securing his own slice of power. Like many others, his wealth and prestige clung to the coattails of the Duke of Teje. While the duke was far from generous, he tolerated minor transgressions so long as they didn’t cause serious problems—turning a blind eye when relatives slipped into business ventures under the duke’s name, or borrowed his status to boost their standing among other nobles.
In such a structure, the position of duchess wasn’t merely symbolic—it was crucial. It served as the crown jewel that lent legitimacy to every privilege the collateral families enjoyed.
‘How dare he elevate a penniless girl to Duchess of Teje? It’s outrageous.’
Truth be told, Count Lian had disliked her from the beginning.
At first, he had assumed she was just another ornamental daughter—immature, naive, and completely out of her depth. After all, she was the only child of the fallen Count Ohara. But Evangeline… was clever. Too clever.
Where others saw a beautiful, delicate flower, Count Lian saw something else entirely.
‘My instincts are never wrong.’
In her serene, thoughtful eyes, he glimpsed a personality as formidable as the duke’s own. She gave freely, yes, but she drew boundaries just as firmly. Despite having lived at the ducal estate for only two years, she carried herself like the former Duchess, and that irritated him beyond reason.
But now, the situation had changed.
The money that once kept her untouchable had dried up. The previous Duchess—the only one who had openly supported her—was dead. And Count Lian, though annoyed and humiliated, was not so foolish as to challenge Duke Decarno Theseus directly.
That would be suicide.
No one dared poke the beast. Everyone knew what happened to those who crossed that terrifying man. Still, Count Lian wasn’t about to let the woman who had devoured both opportunity and favor go unchecked.
And so, he chose a safer, far simpler route.
He would borrow someone else’s hand.
“…To what do I owe the pleasure, Count?”
“Your Highness, the Princess.”
Even the powerful Duke of Teje had his limitations—there were still people beyond his control. Princess Bellona was one such person.
“You said you’d never come back. This is quite the surprise.”
“I never said I wouldn’t come… just that I couldn’t. It’s shameful, really.”
“Oh? You do realize that?”
“Of course. But what could I do? At the time, was anyone more suited to be Duchess of Teje than Your Highness?”
Snort.
Her dismissive laugh didn’t quite mask the satisfaction in her eyes.
Count Lian smiled inwardly. He’d hit the mark.
Princess Bellona, the Emperor’s only sister, had long held feelings for the Duke of Teje. On the surface, she appeared refined and demure, but beneath that graceful exterior simmered the passion of molten fire. When she desired something—or someone—she pursued it with a terrifying tenacity. Everyone at court remembered the countless events she had chased the Duke to, the tears she shed before the Emperor when rebuffed.
But unfortunately for her, her brother, the newly crowned Emperor, was as rational and unyielding as the Duke himself. He knew how crucial Duke Theseus’s support was for consolidating his fragile reign. Forcing the Duke into a marriage would have caused irreparable damage. So, when Decarno Theseus became engaged to Evangeline, the Emperor not only gave his blessing—he attended the celebration in person and toasted the bride-to-be.
He paid no mind to his sister’s silent devastation.
That night, Princess Bellona had cried herself sick. And in an act of pure, reckless spite, she got engaged—just three days later—to the visiting Prince of Lichten. The Emperor, stunned, nonetheless gave his blessing and a generous dowry, perhaps relieved to ship her off before she caused more problems.
She returned three months later.
As a furious, resentful divorcee—with a fire now laced with bitterness.
“…Honestly, Count, do you think that’s why we had to go through all that?”
“…Ah, then the rumor was true?”
Bellona’s green eyes sparkled with innocent curiosity—too innocent for someone who had already scoured every newspaper in Roark. When it came to the Duke of Teje, she remained hopelessly naïve.
“Oh, my dear. What a terrible ordeal for His Grace.”
“How kind of you, Your Highness.”
“When I think about the pain in someone’s heart… I simply can’t help but resent the world for it.”
Tears welled in her eyes as she dabbed at them with a delicate handkerchief. She had already grasped what Count Lian was suggesting.
“…But, Count, you didn’t come just to reminisce, did you?”
“No, of course not. I came because I believe Your Highness is the only one who can fill the emptiness in the Duke’s heart.”
“Oh my! How scandalous!”
She covered her mouth in mock embarrassment—but the gleam in her eyes betrayed her anticipation.
“But, wouldn’t it be… difficult to remove Miss Ohara? It might not reflect well on Your Highness.”
“Exactly. That’s the problem. If she were forced out because of public opinion… sigh.”
Count Lian’s theatrical sigh was perfectly timed. He didn’t miss the way the Princess flinched at the mere mention of the Duke’s wedding. Now, it was time to strike.
“That’s why I propose… what if the one to break the engagement isn’t the Duke—but Miss Ohara herself?”
“…What do you mean?”
“Well, if she steps down of her own accord, it would protect His Grace’s reputation. No one could accuse him of wrongdoing. And Your Highness could simply be there, to offer comfort in his time of need.”
“But would she really back down? Everyone knows how shamelessly she pursued him from the start…”
Bellona frowned, unable to insult Evangeline too openly due to her own position. But in her heart, she blamed the woman for everything—for stealing her rightful place.
If that scheming woman hadn’t used every dirty trick in the book, the Duke would’ve been mine. I’m the most noble woman in the empire.
“She won’t give up easily,” Bellona muttered. “She clings to noble titles like a lifeline.”
“But isn’t she also rather… proud?”
“…Excuse me?”
Count Lian leaned in, his voice low and suggestive.
“Sometimes pride can be… a useful weapon. If her pride is wounded—deeply enough—she may very well walk away in a storm of indignation.”
◇ ◆ ◇
Bellona was not a woman who wasted time.
The moment she learned the Duke was away, she ordered the royal carriage to the Teje estate. Within a day, she had secured a meeting with her rival.
“Oh dear. Your face really has taken a blow, my lady.”
“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness.”
Evangeline bowed politely. She didn’t need a mirror to know how disheveled she looked. Summoned without notice, she hadn’t had time to prepare herself for the dazzling luxury of the princess’s tea room.
“Did I call too suddenly? I really should’ve planned ahead.”
“Not at all, Your Highness.”
“Well, I didn’t think you’d have any plans. You don’t exactly go out much, do you?”
Bellona smiled, sipping her tea. Her words were casual, but the intent was clear—remind her of her place. Her isolation.
But Evangeline remained composed. Aside from being slightly underdressed, there wasn’t the faintest hint of distress on her face. No sign of the rumors or shame clinging to her. She was poised, unreadable.
Pretending she’s fine, is she?
That irritating elegance made Bellona’s nerves bristle. How delightful it would’ve been to see her crumble—to catch even a flicker of insecurity in her gaze. But Evangeline’s eyes were calm. Still. Like a frozen lake beneath moonlight.
“Well, I suppose it’s lucky the Duke wasn’t in. I could hardly have visited if he were here.”
“…Yes. I suppose so.”
