Sophie still looked dumbfounded, but Wilhelm’s expression hardened quietly. The family fortunes had fallen rapidly since her maternal grandfather passed away, so it was only natural that the heads of the family had inherited the family.
Nevertheless, Wilhelm’s face showed a clear sense of guilt.
I sighed slightly and made up my mind.
“Marquis Pedegreen and Elena are committing adultery. My brother is turning a blind eye to it.”
“...Miss. Is that true?”
The old butler’s face hardened in shock. At this point, he seemed to have only vague suspicions or had no idea at all.
I nodded slowly.
“Marquis Pedegreen will take over the Lopez family by marrying me. My brother doesn’t care what happens to the family as long as he does well for himself, so he will soon become the de facto head of the family.”
I said, staring at Wilhelm.
It wasn’t a guess, it was a fact. It had actually happened over the past five years.
Wilhelm’s eyes slowly widened as if my calm tone had made it more convincing.
Sophie had been pale as if she was about to faint after hearing Lucas and Elena’s story.
“I don’t want to be fooled by such deception anymore. That’s why I decided to marry His Excellency the Duke. But I’m not running away.”
I said firmly and looked back at the two of them.
“I’m definitely going to get Lopez back when everything’s over.”
The Lopez family that my maternal grandfather had built and that my mother had been proud of.
I couldn’t stand to see their legacy being destroyed like a cheap toy in their hands any longer.
“Can you help me?”
As winter approached, the wind became as sharp as a knife.
Day and night changed dozens of times. As time passed, Edward became more and more sensitive.
“This opera must be a success. That’s how we can stage our national anthem.”
He repeated that phrase almost like an obsessive-compulsive person whenever he had the chance.
“The National Foundation Day held at the palace will be attended by all sorts of distinguished guests and even foreign royalty. If we succeed there, our opera house will soar as if it had wings!”
As he said, the Lopez Opera House soared with explosive responses when it entered National Foundation Day.
It was like that in the past.
Elena also practiced passionately, which was unusual. And Lucas...
“All the seats on the first day were sold out. All the tickets were sold out!”
Two weeks before the wedding, he delivered that news with a face full of joy.
“Oh! Is that true?”
“That’s great news!”
Edward and Elena were also jumping for joy.
Lucas patted Elena’s head as if he loved her.
“It’s all thanks to our future sister-in-law. The rumors spread even outside the palace about how lovely you were when you sang.”
“Oh, really. It’s embarrassing.”
“Hehe. Our future sister-in-law is also very shy.”
At that time, I was quietly smiling and drinking tea.
It was fortunate that I had a light breakfast like today. My stomach wasn’t so upset.
Today, the two of them were acting out a nice and disgusting scene.
“Hey, brother-in-law is also cute. Stop teasing me in the morning!”
“Haha, everyone is looking forward to seeing how beautiful my sister-in-law will sing.”
The wedding was five days away.
The chance to watch this farce up close was only five days away.
“And Ari.”
Lucas suddenly spoke to me, who was just sipping tea like a stranger.
“Aren’t you going out with me today?”
For a moment, an annoyed expression almost burst out.
Going out with Lucas during this busy time. I didn’t want to waste time like that.
I tried to suppress my displeasure and said calmly.
“Going out?”
“Yeah. The wedding is just around the corner, and I haven’t even given my fiancée a decent piece of jewelry yet.”
It was obvious that he wanted to go out without calling the jeweler.
Since the tickets were sold out on the first day, he seemed to want to show off a bit.
Elena looked at me with sharp eyes.
I faced Elena and said sincerely,
“If it’s jewelry, buy Elena. I have enough.”
“What are you talking about?”
Lucas quickly retorted, perhaps because his pride was hurt by being rejected. Perhaps because he grew up being supported as the only son of a prestigious family, Lucas could not stand the sound of my words.
“Stop complaining and follow me. My fiancée is Ariana, so of course you should come with me!”
Elena’s expression crumpled at that moment.
Lucas added belatedly, perhaps realizing it.
“Oh, of course, I’ll buy some jewelry that would suit my future sister-in-law.”
“Why? As the Marquis said, I’m not even your fiancée.”
“That’s disappointing. My fiancée’s sister is my sister-in-law, and my future sister-in-law is also a family member that I have to take responsibility for.”
Elena was upset and Lucas was trying to comfort her.
No matter how lightly I had eaten breakfast, it was a sight that made me feel sick.
I put down my teacup and said lightly.
“Thank you, Marquis.”
Elena looked back at me. She looked bewildered as if she was wondering why I was thanking him.
I smiled brightly and continued.
“You care about me so much that even think of my sister like this.”
Lucas, who seemed taken aback for a moment, soon smiled affectionately.
“Of course. I’m glad you recognize that.”
“Jewelry.”
I said, getting up.
“Will you buy me something pretty?”
“...That’s obvious.”
Lucas nodded, taking a moment to think that my words were unexpected.
I wore a smile as if it were a mask.
“I’m glad.”
Thinking about it, it didn’t seem like a bad idea to take off the jewel again.
“Indeed, since your skin is so transparent, you really look good in primary colors. This bracelet with rubies in it is surprisingly not something that many ladies can pull off.”
The jeweler, who had been enthusiastically praising me, glanced at Lucas.
“Of course, since it’s so expensive, it’s not common for a gentleman to have the financial means to easily give it to his lover.”
“Hmm.”
The jeweler had been using the words “expensive” and “ruby” so many times that all eyes in the store were on the two of us.
Enjoying the attention, Lucas said loudly.
“Please give it to me. I could gift my fiancée with a jewel like this.”
“Wow, you really have great taste!”
The excited jeweler moved to prepare the goods.
Lucas looked back at me, enjoying the pouring gazes, and opened his eyes wide.
My eyes were filled with tears.
“Oh, Ari. Are you crying?”
She seemed touched that he readily gave her such an expensive ruby bracelet.
‘You have such a cute side,’
Lucas said with a chuckle.
“If you marry me and become a Marchioness, you’ll have a lot of things like this, so why are you crying over something like this? You’re like my cute fiance.”
I caught my breath slightly at the greasy voice. No matter how lightly I had eaten breakfast, my stomach had been upset just now.
‘I held back my yawns so much that tears have formed.’
I haven’t been able to sleep at all these days.
During the night, I had to prepare opera pieces and during the day, I had to secretly watch the orchestra and Rosalind practice, so I didn’t have time to sleep well.
“Oh my. The Marquis must really love his fiancée.”
“How affectionate of him.”
Lucas smiled contentedly as he listened to the voices whispering to him.
Handsome appearance. A personality known to be affectionate and kind to others.
Even the head of a prestigious Marquis family. Lucas was very satisfied with the reputation he had worked hard to cultivate.
Although the previous Marquis had made a series of mistakes, his financial situation was precarious, which was a disadvantage, but that was a secret that was not known to the public.
“The warehouse will soon be filled to overflowing.”
Lucas had high tastes because the Marquis had raised him only with the best since he was young.
Thanks to that, he immediately recognized my outstanding musical talent and decided to invest without hesitation.
The fruits of that bold investment were already showing.
Wasn't the St. Verdict Feast Day concert sold out? Even though it was only the first day.
'If I can make this concert a success and use it as a stepping stone to make it to the national foundation stage, my investment will pay off hundreds of times over.'
Lucas escorted me out of the store with that thought in mind.
My white wrist, or to be exact, the ruby bracelet wrapped around it, was extremely satisfying.
It seemed like I was chained with red jewels.
He was about to take me back to the carriage.
Heheheehing!
"Gyaaaaahhh!"
"Get out of the way!"
The excited neighing of the horse and the screams of people could be heard.
Lucas turned his head and opened his eyes wide.
A mad horse was rushing toward him, foaming at the mouth.
“Whoa!”
The out-of-control horse was terrifyingly ferocious.
If it had been hit by its hooves, its bones would have been crushed.
Lucas threw his body to the side without thinking twice.
The recoil sent my body flying forward as if I had been thrown.
“Whoa!”
With a short groan, I fell to the ground.
A sharp pain struck me, but I ignored it and tried to get up in a hurry.
Hehe!
But the horse was charging much faster.
Uncontrollable screams erupted from around her.
“Oh my! Lady!”
“What should I do?”
I gritted my teeth and moved my body.
Everything happened in an instant.
I lifted the hem of ny cumbersome dress and stood up, and the horse that had rushed right in front of me raised its huge forelegs.
Lucas sat down, frozen as if he had turned to stone, and watched the scene blankly.
It was the moment when people screamed and those who had foreseen a terrible scene tightly shut their eyes.
Thud!
With a dull thud, the horse’s huge body fell to the side.
Thud.
I slowly looked up as I heard the horse fall.
“Lady.”
He put his sword back in his waistband and held out his hand.
“Are you okay?”
Instead of taking the hand he held out, I breathed blankly.
The man’s face she looked up at overlapped with the scorching afternoon sunlight.
I half-closed my eyes, dazzled by the halo-like brilliance.
‘...Dante?’
How could this man be here?
It didn’t feel real that my body was almost trampled, and that he had saved me.
I slowly moved my lips.
“...Duke.”
Nevertheless, Wilhelm’s face showed a clear sense of guilt.
I sighed slightly and made up my mind.
“Marquis Pedegreen and Elena are committing adultery. My brother is turning a blind eye to it.”
“...Miss. Is that true?”
The old butler’s face hardened in shock. At this point, he seemed to have only vague suspicions or had no idea at all.
I nodded slowly.
“Marquis Pedegreen will take over the Lopez family by marrying me. My brother doesn’t care what happens to the family as long as he does well for himself, so he will soon become the de facto head of the family.”
I said, staring at Wilhelm.
It wasn’t a guess, it was a fact. It had actually happened over the past five years.
Wilhelm’s eyes slowly widened as if my calm tone had made it more convincing.
Sophie had been pale as if she was about to faint after hearing Lucas and Elena’s story.
“I don’t want to be fooled by such deception anymore. That’s why I decided to marry His Excellency the Duke. But I’m not running away.”
I said firmly and looked back at the two of them.
“I’m definitely going to get Lopez back when everything’s over.”
The Lopez family that my maternal grandfather had built and that my mother had been proud of.
I couldn’t stand to see their legacy being destroyed like a cheap toy in their hands any longer.
“Can you help me?”
***
As winter approached, the wind became as sharp as a knife.
Day and night changed dozens of times. As time passed, Edward became more and more sensitive.
“This opera must be a success. That’s how we can stage our national anthem.”
He repeated that phrase almost like an obsessive-compulsive person whenever he had the chance.
“The National Foundation Day held at the palace will be attended by all sorts of distinguished guests and even foreign royalty. If we succeed there, our opera house will soar as if it had wings!”
As he said, the Lopez Opera House soared with explosive responses when it entered National Foundation Day.
It was like that in the past.
Elena also practiced passionately, which was unusual. And Lucas...
“All the seats on the first day were sold out. All the tickets were sold out!”
Two weeks before the wedding, he delivered that news with a face full of joy.
“Oh! Is that true?”
“That’s great news!”
Edward and Elena were also jumping for joy.
Lucas patted Elena’s head as if he loved her.
“It’s all thanks to our future sister-in-law. The rumors spread even outside the palace about how lovely you were when you sang.”
“Oh, really. It’s embarrassing.”
“Hehe. Our future sister-in-law is also very shy.”
At that time, I was quietly smiling and drinking tea.
It was fortunate that I had a light breakfast like today. My stomach wasn’t so upset.
Today, the two of them were acting out a nice and disgusting scene.
“Hey, brother-in-law is also cute. Stop teasing me in the morning!”
“Haha, everyone is looking forward to seeing how beautiful my sister-in-law will sing.”
The wedding was five days away.
The chance to watch this farce up close was only five days away.
“And Ari.”
Lucas suddenly spoke to me, who was just sipping tea like a stranger.
“Aren’t you going out with me today?”
For a moment, an annoyed expression almost burst out.
Going out with Lucas during this busy time. I didn’t want to waste time like that.
I tried to suppress my displeasure and said calmly.
“Going out?”
“Yeah. The wedding is just around the corner, and I haven’t even given my fiancée a decent piece of jewelry yet.”
It was obvious that he wanted to go out without calling the jeweler.
Since the tickets were sold out on the first day, he seemed to want to show off a bit.
Elena looked at me with sharp eyes.
I faced Elena and said sincerely,
“If it’s jewelry, buy Elena. I have enough.”
“What are you talking about?”
Lucas quickly retorted, perhaps because his pride was hurt by being rejected. Perhaps because he grew up being supported as the only son of a prestigious family, Lucas could not stand the sound of my words.
“Stop complaining and follow me. My fiancée is Ariana, so of course you should come with me!”
Elena’s expression crumpled at that moment.
Lucas added belatedly, perhaps realizing it.
“Oh, of course, I’ll buy some jewelry that would suit my future sister-in-law.”
“Why? As the Marquis said, I’m not even your fiancée.”
“That’s disappointing. My fiancée’s sister is my sister-in-law, and my future sister-in-law is also a family member that I have to take responsibility for.”
Elena was upset and Lucas was trying to comfort her.
No matter how lightly I had eaten breakfast, it was a sight that made me feel sick.
I put down my teacup and said lightly.
“Thank you, Marquis.”
Elena looked back at me. She looked bewildered as if she was wondering why I was thanking him.
I smiled brightly and continued.
“You care about me so much that even think of my sister like this.”
Lucas, who seemed taken aback for a moment, soon smiled affectionately.
“Of course. I’m glad you recognize that.”
“Jewelry.”
I said, getting up.
“Will you buy me something pretty?”
“...That’s obvious.”
Lucas nodded, taking a moment to think that my words were unexpected.
I wore a smile as if it were a mask.
“I’m glad.”
Thinking about it, it didn’t seem like a bad idea to take off the jewel again.
***
“Indeed, since your skin is so transparent, you really look good in primary colors. This bracelet with rubies in it is surprisingly not something that many ladies can pull off.”
The jeweler, who had been enthusiastically praising me, glanced at Lucas.
“Of course, since it’s so expensive, it’s not common for a gentleman to have the financial means to easily give it to his lover.”
“Hmm.”
The jeweler had been using the words “expensive” and “ruby” so many times that all eyes in the store were on the two of us.
Enjoying the attention, Lucas said loudly.
“Please give it to me. I could gift my fiancée with a jewel like this.”
“Wow, you really have great taste!”
The excited jeweler moved to prepare the goods.
Lucas looked back at me, enjoying the pouring gazes, and opened his eyes wide.
My eyes were filled with tears.
“Oh, Ari. Are you crying?”
She seemed touched that he readily gave her such an expensive ruby bracelet.
‘You have such a cute side,’
Lucas said with a chuckle.
“If you marry me and become a Marchioness, you’ll have a lot of things like this, so why are you crying over something like this? You’re like my cute fiance.”
I caught my breath slightly at the greasy voice. No matter how lightly I had eaten breakfast, my stomach had been upset just now.
‘I held back my yawns so much that tears have formed.’
I haven’t been able to sleep at all these days.
During the night, I had to prepare opera pieces and during the day, I had to secretly watch the orchestra and Rosalind practice, so I didn’t have time to sleep well.
“Oh my. The Marquis must really love his fiancée.”
“How affectionate of him.”
Lucas smiled contentedly as he listened to the voices whispering to him.
Handsome appearance. A personality known to be affectionate and kind to others.
Even the head of a prestigious Marquis family. Lucas was very satisfied with the reputation he had worked hard to cultivate.
Although the previous Marquis had made a series of mistakes, his financial situation was precarious, which was a disadvantage, but that was a secret that was not known to the public.
“The warehouse will soon be filled to overflowing.”
Lucas had high tastes because the Marquis had raised him only with the best since he was young.
Thanks to that, he immediately recognized my outstanding musical talent and decided to invest without hesitation.
The fruits of that bold investment were already showing.
Wasn't the St. Verdict Feast Day concert sold out? Even though it was only the first day.
'If I can make this concert a success and use it as a stepping stone to make it to the national foundation stage, my investment will pay off hundreds of times over.'
Lucas escorted me out of the store with that thought in mind.
My white wrist, or to be exact, the ruby bracelet wrapped around it, was extremely satisfying.
It seemed like I was chained with red jewels.
He was about to take me back to the carriage.
Heheheehing!
"Gyaaaaahhh!"
"Get out of the way!"
The excited neighing of the horse and the screams of people could be heard.
Lucas turned his head and opened his eyes wide.
A mad horse was rushing toward him, foaming at the mouth.
“Whoa!”
The out-of-control horse was terrifyingly ferocious.
If it had been hit by its hooves, its bones would have been crushed.
Lucas threw his body to the side without thinking twice.
The recoil sent my body flying forward as if I had been thrown.
“Whoa!”
With a short groan, I fell to the ground.
A sharp pain struck me, but I ignored it and tried to get up in a hurry.
Hehe!
But the horse was charging much faster.
Uncontrollable screams erupted from around her.
“Oh my! Lady!”
“What should I do?”
I gritted my teeth and moved my body.
Everything happened in an instant.
I lifted the hem of ny cumbersome dress and stood up, and the horse that had rushed right in front of me raised its huge forelegs.
Lucas sat down, frozen as if he had turned to stone, and watched the scene blankly.
It was the moment when people screamed and those who had foreseen a terrible scene tightly shut their eyes.
Thud!
With a dull thud, the horse’s huge body fell to the side.
Thud.
I slowly looked up as I heard the horse fall.
“Lady.”
He put his sword back in his waistband and held out his hand.
“Are you okay?”
Instead of taking the hand he held out, I breathed blankly.
The man’s face she looked up at overlapped with the scorching afternoon sunlight.
I half-closed my eyes, dazzled by the halo-like brilliance.
‘...Dante?’
How could this man be here?
It didn’t feel real that my body was almost trampled, and that he had saved me.
I slowly moved my lips.
“...Duke.”
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