Casa’s expression of disbelief was blatantly obvious.
The Count cleared his throat as if to suggest he should stop, but it was unlikely that Casa would care.
Instead, he turned his head sharply, conveying with fierce determination that he would not associate with him.
‘He’s held back a lot.’
Rose thought it was fortunate that Casa hadn’t grabbed Count Brill by the collar and thrown him out of the carriage.
The Count’s expression soured, perhaps embarrassed and ashamed, but he had no choice but to swallow his anger.
He was a top-class mercenary, known as the ‘Red Fox’ for his ghostly swordsmanship, someone who couldn’t be suppressed by rank alone.
It was wise not to provoke Casa, who was known for holding grudges.
After that, the Count subtly tried to extract information from Rose, who was suspected to be a relative of the Duke.
But she deftly evaded him like a sly snake, rendering his efforts useless.
Isabel, who had been watching this closely, repeated her name to herself.
‘Rose von Isaac, is it?’
Isabel was not pleased to see her father being toyed with by the daughter of a mere Baron.
Her eyes, accustomed to always being in a superior position, flickered coldly.
‘A relative of the Duke? Even if that’s true, the fact that I’ve never heard her name in social circles means she wasn’t even worth using as a tool for a political marriage, right?’
Isabel was used to weighing people’s utility when dealing with them.
The thorough profit-and-loss approach of Count Brill’s education greatly influenced her personality.
To Isabel, Rose was nothing more than a parasite clinging to the name of Duke Aytan.
‘But this carriage… was it prepared by the Duke’s family?’
The simple design was not to her taste, but the interior decorations were things she had never seen even in the capital of Terran.
For the first time, Isabel found herself intrigued by the man known as Duke Aytan.
‘Not bad.’
Initially, the ominous rumors about the Duke’s family were unsettling.
No matter how great the family, if women were said to go mad and die there, what use was wealth and glory if it meant a short life?
However, the gradually spreading news began to fan Count Brill’s ambitions, and he eventually urged his daughter to come here.
Isabel was somewhat reluctant, but she thought it wouldn’t be bad to at least see his face.
If she could establish connections with the Sword Master Duke, her status in social circles would rise even further.
To Isabel, who viewed people only in terms of profit and realistic relationships, Rose, who relied on the prestige of a non-family member, was laughable.
‘I won’t hesitate to use any means necessary if needed. Be careful. If you get trampled by a horse’s hoof and become useless, even the remaining value will disappear.’
Though she appeared elegant like a noble lady, Isabel’s heart was twisted in the shadow cast by Count Brill.
Having lived too long in such a way to distinguish right from wrong, winning and losing was most important to her.
Isabel’s lips, hidden under her fan, twisted into a sneer.
‘Even family is weighed for profit, and a relative?’
She could only laugh at Rose’s naivety.
Just then, the voice of a young coachman was heard from outside.
“Lady Rose! We’ve arrived at the Duke’s residence.”
Looking outside, she saw the castle reflecting white in the sunlight.
It was Isabel’s first time seeing the Duke’s castle, but she wasn’t particularly impressed.
It had a certain old-fashioned charm, but compared to the imperial city, it didn’t seem very special.
Then she noticed that Rose’s gaze was as calm as her own.
‘…A woman who is irritating in every way.’
“Isabel.”
Count Brill, who had already disembarked, was extending his hand from outside the stopped carriage.
Taking her father’s hand, clad in white gloves, she stepped down, and the cold wind pierced her skin.
‘What dreadful weather. I just can’t get used to it. Why would anyone live in a place like this?’
Isabel’s blue eyes narrowed as she brushed back her wind-tousled hair.
‘Is that the man?’
Though the distance made it hard to see clearly, she could make out a man standing on the steps with the white castle walls behind him.
He was just standing there, yet she couldn’t take her eyes off him.
She had never felt this way before.
In the entirely white surroundings, it seemed as if only the man in black existed.
No one had to tell her; she just knew the moment she saw him.
‘That man is… Duke Aytan.’
Isabel was so focused on him that she didn’t even notice the butler standing beside the Duke.
The man was perfect in every way.
‘He’s worth having.’
As he began to descend the steps slowly, Isabel’s smile deepened.
She watched him approach, step by step, unable to blink.
Like a porcelain doll she had once wanted so badly as a child, the Duke was just as captivating.
Suppressing her rising emotions, she shyly lifted her skirt as the Duke approached her.
“Isabel von Brill, meeting Duke Aytan…”
Whoosh.
Isabel was momentarily stunned as she saw the black hem of his coat pass by her.
‘Did he… just pass me by?’
Her vision reddened with humiliation and shame as she saw the Duke’s back.
At the same time, a deep, resonant voice that made her dizzy came from the Duke’s lips.
“You’ve come.”
“You called, so I had to come.”
For a brief moment, Rose’s smiling face, still seated in the carriage, met Isabel’s gaze.
As the Duke ignored her and the woman’s face, who had been meddling, flashed through her mind, everything suddenly made sense.
They weren’t just relatives or mere acquaintances.
They were a man and a woman.
And undoubtedly in a close relationship.
Isabel’s eyes flared with anger.
‘How dare you toy with me?’
But there was nothing Isabel could do.
Watching this, Rose confirmed that the right moment had finally come and smiled.
‘Shall I seal the deal now?’
Her slender hand reached out and wrapped around the Duke’s neck outside the carriage.
It was an intimate and blatant display of affection.
However, despite Rose’s enthusiastic act, the Duke’s face remained impassive.
Growing desperate, Rose quickly whispered in his ear.
“Duke, the act is falling apart. Count Brill and his daughter will be suspicious. Aren’t you being too clumsy to use me as a shield?”
“Is that so?”
“Please respond more actively.”
“Very well.”
Simultaneously, the Duke pulled her into an embrace and kissed her neck.
Everyone froze, and only Casa’s voice was heard.
“Wow.”
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