Chapter 17

 

It was obvious what would happen when she said that Fleur would visit the Count's house on the countess's death anniversary.

 

Perhaps the count and his children would all work together to expel her.

 

However, the anger of the children will eventually move to the father.

 

He was a person who had another lover even at the moment when his original wife was at a loss. His children would inevitably relive the resentments of the past.

 

“Come to think of it, I didn’t bring anything to drink because I was in a hurry. It's cold. Would you like some tea?"

 

Fleur asked in a more perplexed manner.

 

The offer she just received was interesting, but she also quite liked the fact that this hard-nosed knight did not hesitate to use honorifics for her.

 

"It's okay. You seem to be very tired, and now it's also time for us to leave, so please rest.”

 

Iona politely declined her offer.

 

As expected, Fleur immediately stood up to see Iona and Leroy off.

 

Unlike when they first visited this place, the two were able to come out while listening to friendly greetings.

 

Conscious of listening ears, they didn't talk until they left the building.

 

In the meantime, the lights were slowly coming on in the street, as the evening was approaching.

 

Leroy, who silently followed Iona, suddenly asked.

 

“That's what you mean when you said that you would become the family head?”

 

“Because the relationship between the Count and Nils will deteriorate so that I can have a chance.”

 

“Isn't it too cumbersome and dangerous to do for others? If you'd rather be greedy for the position of head of household for yourself, I'd consider your offer more seriously.”

 

“Then, after much thought, you will eventually refuse. You don't want to risk giving power to the limbs of your enemies.”

 

Leroy kept his mouth shut because what Iona said was true.

 

Her offer to give away her entire fortune was obviously absurd, but otherwise, he had no reason to help her take control of the family.

 

“Then why? What is the reason for doing all this to the point of betraying your lord?”

 

In the end, Leroy brought out the doubts he had been harboring all along.

 

The other party was presenting only weak grounds so that it could not be thought that she was trying to persuade him.

 

No, the method was explained, but the motive was not revealed at all.

 

Leroy looked at Iona with a face demanding an answer.

 

After a moment of hesitation, she said.

 

“I found out too late that the person I was loyal to was not worth it. That's all.”

 

'Because she found out that she was loyal to a worthless person.'

 

Although it was vague, it was an answer that gave confidence to the assumption that the other party would have changed their minds about the prince's betrayal.

 

'Was she intending to hide her relationship with the crown prince until the end?'

 

'If so, I could understand her secretive attitude to some extent.'

 

Leroy suddenly remembered the face of the crown prince who had said he would hide the woman he loved, forever.

 

'Isn't it really foolish to love such a mean man?'

 

'It's just as foolish as to trying to destroy yourself just because you've been betrayed by a man.'

 

Even though this assumption would definitely benefit him greatly, Leroy found himself wishing she hadn't gone through it.

 

“… …Then again, you should reconsider your decision. It's better to think long before you decide who to dedicate your life to."

 

In order not to ruin her life any further, Leroy wanted her to be more careful.

 

Iona answered Leroy's advice without hesitation.

 

“Even if given the time, I would choose you.”

 

As a result, Leroy naturally felt absurd.

 

Leroy asked in fear.

 

“Even if I don’t believe in you?”

 

“Certainly, trust between spouses is important, but… …At least for the duke, I don't think I need to be so greedy.”

 

“Why?”

 

“It's because I know that no matter how much you suspect me of being the crown prince's dirty trick, you are a man who will not betray the woman who became his wife.”

 

Leroy was seized with a feeling of bewilderment. Because he had never done anything to deserve her to say that.

 

Even he hadn't decided whether to accept or reject this marriage talk.

 

No, to be more honest, his mind was clearly inclined toward the latter.

 

It was impossible to bow down first and enter the imperial family, which was no different from the family's enemy.

 

The reason Leroy decided to meet Iona was purely out of personal curiosity.

 

At the same time, however, Iona's behavior ultimately inflated his curiosity rather than quelling it.

 

Leroy stood still.

 

He felt that momentarily.

 

'In exchange for this reckless and excessive trust sent by the other person, wouldn't it be possible to pretend to believe it for a while?'

 

“A while ago, You asked how much money I could invest in testing your sincerity.”

 

"Yes."

 

“I will ask you this time. How much will it take to test your sincerity?”

 

This was a question he had ignored before. Unlike him who acted coldly, Iona answered his question with a sincere attitude.

 

“I think it will be around 100,000 gold. It's unlikely, but you won't lose anything if I fail. The Mordovs have exactly the same amount prepared as my dowry.”

 

It was an excessive amount to give simply for the purpose of testing the other person's sincerity.

 

However, if he could get his hands on Mordov County in exchange for this, there would be no other lucky gamble.

 

Iona said that there would be no loss, but it was not a particularly meaningful condition because if she failed, she could also refuse her dowry.

 

Wasn't the other person saying it simply with the intention of reassuring him?

 

Iona added, looking at him with a confident look.

 

“So to speak, this is a bet with my ransom.”

 

***

 

That evening, Iona was escorted by the Duke and safely returned to the Count's residence.

 

Contrary to everyone's assumption that he would be dissatisfied with the forced meeting, the duke showed great respect for his bride-to-be.

 

He even foretold the next time by saying that he would come to see her again before leaving.

 

At that, Count Mordov was relieved, but this result did not satisfy everyone.

 

In particular, Yvonne's room had the atmosphere of a mourning house.

 

At the news that Iona returned home with a smile on her face, Yvonne cried as if the world had collapsed.

 

“How could that bitch become a duchess? Isn't it all crazy? What the hell is happing!”

 

Yvonne, unable to overcome her anger, threw things as soon as she was caught.

 

Then a piece of porcelain ricocheted out and grazed the cheek of a nearby maid. In response to her stinging pain, the maid reflexively covered her face.

 

Yvonne, who noticed it, turned on the light in her eyes and approached her.

 

“Why are you looking at me like that? Should I even look at you now?”

 

“Oh, no. miss. no. I just, I just feel so sorry for the lady crying, so that's why...”

 

"Yes? Isn't that because you're dissatisfied with me?"

 

At Yvonne's questioning, the maid frantically shook.

 

However, Yvonne didn't stop there and thrust her face right in front of the maid.

 

“Tell me where... Where in the world could be a poor girl like me? The girl who ruined our family, far from being punished by God, looks more powerful than me. No one knows that dirty blood flows through her. huh? How rotten her insides must be.”

 

“Your words are all right. I'm angry too, but I wonder what the young lady Iona is like, and I dare not comment on that...”

 

The maid rolled her head to somehow please Yvonne, but she couldn't speak properly in fear.

 

At that, Yvonne grabbed the maid's hair as if she had been waiting.