Chapter 36
36
“Litton Bank has agreed to honor all checks issued by Winter Bank.”
Viscount Manus spoke with a look of immense pride.
“They asked me to tell you to stop these wicked pranks at once.”
“…….”
Viego Winzer read through the letter sent by the Marquis of Litton.
It was true. That stubborn Marquis of Litton had finally raised the white flag.
And in just two days.
“Lady Danae mentioned with a smile that she expected it to take three days, but he couldn’t hold out as long as she thought.”
“She said that?”
“Yes. It seems that while draining Litton Bank’s gold reserves in a short period was her primary method, she already had second and third backup plans prepared in case that failed.”
Viscount Manus’s eyes sparkled. Furthermore…
“Our young lady was truly magnificent.”
“What?”
“I was genuinely impressed by her shamelessness—discarding all pretense of dignity—and her aggressive, beast-like intuition!”
Viego ignored the confusing sentence that sounded like a mix of an insult and a compliment. However…
“Our young lady?”
He furrowed his brows and shot a sharp look at the Viscount.
“Who gave you permission to address her so familiarly?”
“Ah—my apologies!”
Viscount Manus hurriedly bowed his head. He had made a mistake. He had momentarily forgotten the prickly temperament of the Family Head.
Fortunately, Viego pushed a document forward without further criticism.
“Deliver this contract to the Marquis of Litton. And tell Danae to…….”
It was then. Knock, knock. A sound came from the door.
“Young Master Noah is here to see you.”
Noah?
“Send him in. And Viscount Manus, you may leave.”
A moment later, Noah entered with a face full of tension.
“Are you aware of this, brother?”
“Aware of what?”
“Danae Winzer. That woman has a lover.”
“…….”
“It’s her secretary. You know that guy, right? The one with the flashy face.”
“…….”
“Not only that, she was looking quite intently at a love letter sent by my friend, Justin Lancaster. Even though she is still engaged to the Crown Prince. Her low-class behavior is tarnishing the dignity of the family.”
“Ah.”
Viego Winzer nodded as if he finally understood.
“It was you.”
“Pardon?”
“The mark on her cheek.”
Noah fell silent.
A mark on her cheek?
Whose? Surely not that woman’s?
‘Did she get a mark on her cheek?’
He hadn’t known. Come to think of it, when he threw the newspaper at her face, she did seem to be in a bit of pain, but…….
“How vulgar.”
Noah snapped back to reality at Viego Winzer’s words.
“To try and solve matters with violence. Where did you learn such barbaric ways?”
Noah stared blankly at Viego. He tried to judge the situation carefully, but there was no need.
It was clear his brother was mocking him right now.
“Violence is a barbaric way?”
Was that really something coming out of Viego Winzer’s mouth? Noah retorted crookedly.
“I didn’t expect to hear such things from you, brother.”
Just because he wore a suit, donned white gloves, and carried a gentleman’s cane didn’t mean his past had vanished.
“I am a military cadet, brother. You might have forgotten your days as a soldier because you spend more time holding a pen than a sword these days.”
“Hardly. I remember everything.”
Viego twisted his lips into a mocking smile once more.
“It’s just that even during my time as a soldier, I never laid a hand on a woman.”
“…….”
“To think a ruffian like you is the top of the Military Academy. It seems the standards for cadets have hit rock bottom lately.”
Viego lifted his documents as if he had no further desire to talk.
“Get out, Noah Winzer.”
“It’s so ridiculous.”
Miona grumbled while eating dessert.
“The way I see it, this is all Sister Dana’s plan.”
“All her plan?”
“Yeah. She interfered in the banking business right after she ruined your business. Don’t you think that’s strange?”
Alice bit her lip at Miona’s words. In truth, she had been feeling uneasy about that part as well.
“She’s doing it on purpose to make you look bad by comparison.”
“…….”
“She’s clearly targeting you with these stunts.”
Actually, Alice had been thinking the same thing all along.
She just hadn’t been able to say it out loud…….
‘So Miona thinks so too.’
A sigh escaped her as she grew depressed. Why did her sister hate her so much?
Then, Miona glanced at Alice’s expression and spoke.
“Hey, Alice.”
“Yes?”
“How old is Lord Karl?”
“Papa?”
“Yeah.”
“Why so suddenly?”
“Just… because it’s hard to tell. Looking at his appearance, he seems to be around our age. His skin is so smooth and nice, and he looks so young.”
What’s wrong with her? Alice rolled her eyes.
Since Papa is ten years older than Mama…….
“Papa is thirty-five.”
“Wow. He’s young.”
“Yeah…… I suppose.”
“Then at fifteen, he had you—ah, sorry. Never mind.”
Alice gave a faint smile at Miona’s words.
“It’s okay. It doesn’t matter. I heard it was an arranged marriage. I heard people got married at that age back then.”
“I see.”
“Yeah. But why ask all of a sudden?”
“No reason, sorry. I shouldn’t have brought it up…….”
Miona must be missing a father’s affection.
That’s why she’s looking for her own father’s image in someone else’s.
‘Poor thing.’
Alice smiled kindly at her pitiable lady-in-waiting.
After sharing that meaningless conversation with Miona, Alice went to find Laios.
“Your Highness.”
“Yes, Alice.”
Laios was buried in paperwork, looking busy.
Alice’s face fell. She had wanted to be held in his arms and comforted…….
“Are you very busy?”
“A little. Go play by yourself for a bit.”
Laios said that and tossed her a stuffed dog.
“Here.”
“…….”
For a moment, she was speechless.
Who did he think she was, a child?
‘First Papa, and now His Highness. Why is everyone giving me things like this?’
While they give Sister Dana all sorts of jewels and dresses.
Even Laios had showered Sister Dana with all kinds of rare gifts throughout their courtship.
A necklace said to have been worn by a foreign queen.
Precious dresses made of silk brought from the East.
Tiaras, rings, earrings, all sorts of gems!
‘But what is this? Giving me a doll.’
Both Papa and His Highness were being truly unfair. However, Alice kept her lips tightly shut.
A good girl does not complain.
A good girl is happy with even a small gift.
Being obsessed with jewels is what shallow people do—that was what Alice had been taught her whole life.
‘Right. I’m not interested in those things. It’s just…… I felt a bit hurt because it seemed so thoughtless.’
Alice slunk closer to Laios.
“Your Highness, did you know?”
“Know what?”
“Sister has been receiving love letters lately.”
“Is that so?”
Scratch, scratch. Laios replied nonchalantly as he scribbled with his fountain pen. Alice found herself feeling momentarily relieved.
‘He really has no interest at all.’
Thank goodness. Just as she was smiling inwardly…
“Who?”
“……Pardon?”
“Who sent them?”
Laios signed the bottom of the document with a smooth stroke and asked softly.
“I asked who sent the love letters.”
That night. Dana strolled through the night garden while reading the letter of protest from the Marquis of Litton.
‘The Marquis of Litton is absolutely furious.’
It was full of complaints—calling it highway robbery, a breach of etiquette, saying he would remember this, that he thought she was a saint but she was actually a villainess, and so on.
The letter was packed with all sorts of grievances.
‘Fine. This should have firmly established my presence, at least.’
Since she resolved it in just two days, Viego should be pleased as well.
Dana gave a small smirk and walked slowly.
It was then.
“What’s so funny?”
A smooth voice reached her ears.
“Did you receive another love letter?”
Right from beside her.
As if possessed, Dana turned her head slowly, very slowly. This voice was…….
“Hello, Dana.”
In front of the garden fountain.
A man was perched on the edge of the fountain where the moonlight shattered against the water.
“It’s been a while. How have you been?”
Lumie Winzer.
He was Danae’s cousin.
