Chapter 40

 

"As you said, it's a marriage where the subject is not even known, so there's nothing more insulting than pushing a royal dog into a duke's household."

 

“… …”

 

“It's an opportunity that came because  I'm someone like me, so it's only natural that a young lady like you who grew up without any hardships shouldn't be nominated, right?”

 

Yvonne seemed confused, unable to answer.

 

It was because she had never thought of it that way.

 

Iona muttered as if mocking Yvonne.

 

“How can you make a fuss about becoming a duchess when you don’t even understand this… … .”

 

Yvonne's face flushed red.

 

She gritted her teeth and pushed Iona back.

 

"Did you think I wouldn't realize you're trying to deceive me?!"

 

However, the body of a trained knight could not be so easily disturbed.

 

Yvonne pushed Iona, causing her to collapse.

 

Iona watched as Yvonne groaned while falling.

 

It had only been a short time since she had gone back to the past, but she had already gotten used to looking down on Yvonne like this.

 

Iona sat down on one knee, as if considering the other person, and whispered to her..

 

“If you want to tell the Duke that I am an illegitimate child, you can.”

 

Iona lowered her gaze and pressed her fingertips over Yvonne's chest.

 

“But remember this one thing. If that happens, I will kill you. As you said, it's an off-topic opportunity, so I'm a bit desperate.”

 

“… …”

 

“If you don’t believe it, try it for real.”

 

After that, Iona patted Yvonne's cheek with the back of her hand.

 

Yvonne's cheeks flared at the insult.

 

Yvonne wanted to grab Iona's hair right away, but if the opponent even counterattacked, she was at a disadvantage.

 

The horror she felt when Nils's teeth were broken was still lingering inside of Yvonne.

 

“Let's go, Marsha.”

 

Iona, who was examining Yvonne's face with dry eyes, immediately stood up. She then stepped back to the parlor as if nothing had happened.

 

Soon silence came with the sound of the door closing.

 

Yvonne's body that was left behind trembled.

 

She bit her fingertips and muttered in a hoarse voice.

 

“I'll never let it go… …never… … .”

 

***

 

The courtesy gambling meeting was held exactly four days after that. There must have been a reason for Joseph's urgent invitation.

 

Leroy must have received the same message from Joseph, so Iona asked for an escort before sending someone.

 

She knew it would look good to appear with him, but she had strong reasons to turn it down.

 

“If the duke comes, Yvonne will quarrel with me again.”

 

Recalling the commotion from the previous time, Leroy clearly understood Iona's explanation.

 

For the time being, Iona intended to make sure that Leroy and Yvonne would not run into each other directly, even if it was a bit cumbersome.

 

It wasn't that she was particularly afraid of an argument with Yvonne, but her unpredictable personality bothered her to be at ease.

 

She even warned her not to touch her anymore, so she thought it would be better not to stimulate her any further.

 

'I'll be bothered by a more exhausting fight on my side.'

 

In any case, Yvonne was not a very important player in controlling the Modrov family.

 

Thinking so, Iona looked carefully through the window at the approaching Viscount Alushi.

 

Another guest's carriage had already been parked in front of the building, and from the decorated pattern, Leroy seemed to be the owner.

 

They had adjusted their arrival time in advance, but she didn't know that she would run into him just like this.

 

It seemed that the other party also recognized the carriage Iona rode in.

 

Instead of going inside first, Leroy waited for her at the front door and opened the door just in time.

 

Iona, who held his outstretched hand, said as she strode outside.

 

“Duke, I received the gift you sent me with gratitude. however… … .”

 

“I don’t need excessive thanks, so I’ll just listen to that much.”

 

As if he knew exactly what she was going say next, he calmly interrupted Iona. Then he raised his hand and summoned a servant waiting nearby.

 

Of course, Iona couldn't brawl more about the gift in front of other people. This was because they were going to play a very atmospheric couple here.

 

“You are very talented in this.”

 

When Iona scolded as if she was dumbfounded, Leroy just smiled silently.

 

Iona had no choice but to keep her mouth shut, thinking that she should aim for a time when they were alone.

 

Guided by a servant, the two entered the mansion and soon stopped in front of a door.

 

The servant knocked politely.

 

“Duke Leroy and Dame Iona Modrov have come to visit.”

 

As expected, Nils' group of friends welcomed Iona and Leroy's visit.

 

Whether they had made an effort for the new guests or if it was always like this, the atmosphere inside was more wholesome than Iona had anticipated.

 

Some of them were playing ninepins in teams, while others were playing chess or cards.

 

After an unpleasant greeting with Nils's friends, Iona looked inside and asked.

 

“Are there any dice games?”

 

"Dice games…?”

 

At Iona's question, Joseph rolled his eyes as if embarrassed.

 

Not surprisingly, dice games were the most popular means of gambling.

 

Although they had invited Iona because she had shown an interest in the games, they didn't think she would want to play a game where money was involved and missed a chance to deny it naturally.

 

It was true that it was safer to say they didn't play those kinds of games, but they didn't want to miss an opportunity to get closer to their guests.

 

The man who introduced himself as Frieda stepped forward on behalf of the hesitant Joseph.

 

"Haha. Dame Iona, could it be a game of dice or something else? Come on! I didn’t know that Dame Iona was someone who knew how to enjoy her life.”

 

“Because there’s nothing better than spending time with people.”

 

“Come to think of it, there is no other place as crowded as your workplace. Anyhow, the people who work in the imperial family are all the same. Haha."

 

Apparently, he misunderstood that Iona often enjoyed gambling within the Knights.

 

It wasn't true, but Iona didn't bother denying it. She had to look as pitiful as they do for the other person's mouth to open easily.

 

Soon Iona was seated at a round table with the people.

 

There were four people, she, Leroy, Frieda, and Joseph.

 

Joseph quickly followed and occupied his seat, as if he had tried to withdraw.

 

A small wooden cup and five dice were quickly placed in front of each one.

 

Frieda said patronizingly.

 

“Let’s start with Dame Iona.”

 

Iona didn't answer and immediately put the dice in the cup and shook it.

 

Others did the same, and when the right amount of time had elapsed, they overturned the cup on the table.

 

The time to check the number of dice for her share had passed.

 

Covering the cup over the dice, Iona said nonchalantly.

 

“I bet on three.”

 

This meant that out of the 20 dice everyone had, at least one had a 3.

 

The next turn had to call a higher number than the previous person, so the number increased as the turn passed.

 

“Four two.”

 

“… … 3 Seven outlines.”

 

Frieda's bold betting drew everyone's attention to him.

 

Next, it was Leroy's turn. After thinking for a while, Leroy said.

 

“I’ll bet on six twenty.”

 

At the absurd sound, his eyes moved to Leroy this time.

 

He was claiming that all the dice they had now rolled 6s.

 

Of course, it was a lie.

 

Iona, who was next, said as if it was absurd.

 

"Lie."

 

Everyone put away their cups and showed their dice. There was no change.

 

Leroy obediently pushed the gold coin he had taken out toward Iona.

 

“It was a waste.”

 

“It’s okay if you don’t lose like this.”

 

A cute scuffle went back and forth between Iona and Leroy.

 

Only then did Joseph and Frieda understand the situation and burst out laughing.

 

“No, Duke! Anyway, isn't this too much?"

 

“That’s right. The game doesn't make sense until you two do that. If this continues, only Dame Iona will have a bunch of gold coins lying around!”

 

“That's good. No matter what I tried, it didn’t go well, so I was having a hard time.”

 

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