TYWML 16

Chapter 16. The Mask of Johannes Beliar (3)
Date: 2024.05.16.

It was because of all that, that she had gone from cherishing Riena like her own daughter in the early days of marriage to mistreating her.

The death of a husband she no longer loved—a man who had become nothing more than a hindrance in her path—was hardly a loss.

〈Alright. So what next?〉

〈Naturally, you must assist me in proposing to Lady Riena.〉

According to Johannes, it went like this:

He had already shown interest in Riena and had proposed a marriage arrangement. But Count Dyke had coldly rejected it.

Still, he couldn’t give up on Riena, and eventually, he came to visit the Countess.

〈Not long ago, the wife of Viscount Rotman died in an accident, and now the viscount is looking for a second wife. If something were to happen to Count Dyke, and Aaron Dyke inherited the title, then propose a match between Riena Dyke and Viscount Rotman.〉

〈Pardon? But…〉

〈I’ll take care of everything after that.〉

〈Alright.〉

That day’s conversation almost ended in uncertainty, but just before Johannes left the room, the Countess asked him cautiously.

〈Does it… have to be Riena?〉

At that, Johannes raised one eyebrow as if to say, “What are you talking about?”

The Countess continued.

〈I have another daughter besides Riena. Her name is Bianca, and she’s just as beautiful.〉

She gained confidence from the interest Johannes showed, as he leaned forward slightly.

〈I’m not just saying this because she’s my daughter—Bianca is truly beautiful. Unlike Riena, who always acts so prim, Bianca is sociable and knows how to handle men. You may not be aware of this, but Riena is actually quite unruly, despite how she looks.〉

〈Hmm?〉

〈She rides horses all over the place, mingles with commoners, avoids parties… I’m worried about whether she can manage a marquis household properly someday.〉

Johannes nodded, as if telling her to go on.

〈On the other hand, Bianca has been well-educated from a young age. She has a wide social network and is fully capable of managing the household.〉

〈……〉

〈I truly believe she would be a greater asset to you and the Marquisate of Beliar than Riena.〉

Johannes, who had been seated until then, slowly stood up and approached her. Up close, his physique was surprisingly solid for someone with such a delicate-looking face.

He leaned close behind the Countess and gripped the doorknob.

〈My wife—and her worth—are both determined by me. Now that the decision is made, I don’t find your words very amusing.〉

〈……〉

〈From now on, only answer the questions I ask. That will be better for you.〉

As soon as Johannes opened the door, the Countess practically bolted out of the room.

And a month later, Count Dyke died in a horse-riding accident while inspecting the village. No one found it suspicious, but the Countess knew—it had been Johannes.

After the Count’s funeral, the Countess received a letter from an unknown sender. In elegant handwriting, it simply read:

“Fulfill your promise.”

Immediately, the Countess pushed forward with the marriage proposal between Riena and Viscount Rotman. Just as she was growing anxious, wondering if this was truly the right thing, Johannes Beliar arrived at the Count’s residence.

Only then did the Countess realize—Johannes had intended to play the role of the prince rescuing the princess in distress.

Anyone would choose Johannes over Viscount Rotman. And if all went according to plan, Riena would have reluctantly chosen Johannes too.

But suddenly, Kassel Winkler appeared and proposed.

It was one thing for Riena to accept that proposal. But why did Johannes let them go like that?

“How could you just let Riena go like that?”

“What do you mean?”

“I did everything you asked. I even moved forward with the marriage between Riena and Viscount Rotman. You said you’d take care of everything after that, didn’t you?”

“Shh.”

Johannes, setting down his teacup, placed a finger to his lips.

“There are many ears even here. Even in the Dyke residence, you can’t trust everyone. Do you want to speak louder? I don’t mind, but I’d worry about your reputation.”

Pretending to be concerned, but in truth, it was a threat—telling her to shut her mouth. The Countess, having come to understand how Johannes spoke, had much to say, but closed her mouth.

Johannes smiled softly, folding his eyes as if pleased.

“Did you really do everything I asked?”

“…What?”

“You learned Riena was trying to run away, and you still dare to look me in the eye? You should be groveling on the floor right now.”

The calm air around Johannes changed in an instant. Though he looked incapable of wielding a sword, his presence suddenly became as sharp as a knight’s.

“And Winkler? While Count Dyke was writing to the Duke, what were you doing? If you had just intercepted that letter—or told me about it—none of this would’ve happened.”

“I just—”

“You ruined everything, and you still talk back so clearly?”

A surge of killing intent poured toward the Countess. Her skin prickled, and it felt like someone was squeezing her throat.

She clawed at her neck, choking and gasping.

She couldn’t even beg for forgiveness or plead for her life. All she could do was crawl desperately across the floor and throw herself at Johannes’s feet.

“P-please… sorry… I… spare…”

Staring down at her with an expressionless face, Johannes withdrew his presence.

The suffocating pressure vanished instantly, but the Countess couldn’t get up. Still on the floor, she gasped for breath.

Her face was soaked with tears she hadn’t even realized she was shedding. She didn’t need a mirror to know her makeup was a mess.

Then Johannes pressed his polished shoe lightly against the back of her head. It didn’t hurt, but the humiliation was unbearable.

Never in her life had she groveled like this to anyone. Let alone to a man young enough to be her son.

How dare he humiliate her like this.

But the greater humiliation was that she couldn’t protest. If she said a word, he might really kill her.

And worse—he might cruelly kill Bianca, or Aaron.

Just like he had done to her late husband.

“Listen closely. The only reason you and your children are still alive is because you still have some use. If you fail me again, all three of you will join the Count in death. Understood?”

To survive, the Countess nodded furiously. Only after nodding hard enough to strain her neck did Johannes lift his foot.

“If you understand, get up and sit properly.”

He crossed his arms and watched her hurriedly rise and sit upright.

Then he spoke politely again.

“Letting Riena go with the Duke of Winkler was an unavoidable choice. In that situation, I couldn’t hold her back while opposing him.”

“Then… are you just going to stand by and watch them marry?”

The Countess barely contained her boiling jealousy.

She had been furious enough when Johannes only wanted Riena, ignoring Bianca. Now even the Duke of Winkler wanted Riena.

What kind of blessings was that wench born with?

Johannes’s green eyes gleamed coldly as he stared at the Countess.

“Of course not.”

He murmured with a pleased smile.

“I’ve never once failed to obtain something I wanted since I was a child. And Riena… she’s the one thing I’ve ever wanted the most. Do you think I’ll give up?”

“Then…?”

“No matter what it takes, I will bring Riena back to my side.”

A flash of lightning illuminated the sky outside the window. Johannes’s face, shadowed until now, was briefly lit—his expression revealing raw desire—then quickly swallowed again by darkness.

The Countess froze, recalling the face she had seen for just that fleeting moment.

“Yes. No matter what it takes,”

he whispered low, his words drowned beneath the rumble of thunder.