Chapter 34
“Just one thing. Why did you borrow such dirty money?”
“…….”
“When you desperately needed it, didn’t you ever think it was dirty?”
It wasn’t wrong. Charlize—I truly hated that woman.
But did I really have the right to hate her?
In the end, the decision to borrow that dirty money had been entirely my own.
Askin pressed hard over his closed eyes.
“In return, since the amount has changed, we will propose one additional condition from our side.”
Charlize’s slender voice faded into the distance, and Ian Child’s polite voice came through.
“Please break off your engagement with the Altsveit Duke’s Daughter without fail.”
Askin ground his teeth without realizing it.
The Child Family must have some ulterior motive. There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world.
……Even though they knew he was borrowing the money to break off the engagement, why were they suddenly demanding it as a mandatory condition?
Askin slowly opened his eyes.
His beautiful face tilted languidly. A cold expression surfaced.
“……Have you found a new toy or something?”
What were the odds that woman and Ian Child had planned this in advance to deceive him?
Was Ian Child going to be Charlize’s new fiancé?
No, no. There was no reason for that.
Askin jolted to his feet, shocked at himself for entertaining such an absurd thought.
* * *
Chirp, chirp, chirp.
I woke up extremely late.
And the moment I opened my eyes, I came face-to-face with the maids fidgeting anxiously.
“What’s wrong, why are you all like this?”
“D-Duchess……!”
Susan stepped forward as their representative, her face crumpled in worry.
“F-From 8 a.m., by the Duke’s orders, the k-knights have been waiting in front of the door……!”
“Ahh. Is that so?”
I turned my head indifferently.
The maids all looked shocked, but to me, whatever.
‘It’s something I expected.’
Didn’t Jet say it? That it would get back to Grandfather, and wasn’t I worried?
It was probably because they’d found out I’d sent for the doctor and the magician on my own last night.
I’d seen it coming.
If anything, it might be better to go now and take the scolding sooner rather than later—better to get beaten first.
Even as I thought that, I yawned leisurely.
‘I’ve always had a bit of a rebellious streak.’
My thoughts toward Grandfather had completely shifted as of yesterday.
To the already poor impression, the ‘grandfather who at least loved his granddaughter dearly’ image had now revealed the truth lurking beneath that affection.
It even felt infuriating.
Since my mindset had changed anyway, and I was feeling defiant, maybe I should just hold out like this.
Instead of even changing clothes in my room, I threw on a robe and nibbled on the desserts prepared there as a late breakfast.
My legs stretched out on the sofa, swinging idly.
I pretended to casually unfold the newspaper.
The maids watching me grew even more at a loss, but as my behavior continued, they seemed to steel themselves and began attending to me diligently.
“D-Duchess……! C-Cookies aren’t enough for a meal. Please try the sandwich too.”
“You must feel parched, right? You need to have a drink too.”
“……Huh? Oh.”
I blinked as I was suddenly handed a cup to sip from.
I was fully committed to killing time like this when a knock came from outside.
Not just any knock—it was a rough, pounding sound.
‘Hmm, so it’s finally here.’
Even at that harsh noise, I stayed relaxed, chin propped on my hand, merely glancing toward the door.
Grandfather must have been chewing out the knights, and they’d finally lost patience and started banging like that.
Were they about to kick the door down and drag me out now?
What a dilemma. Endure the Duke’s immediate wrath or the villainess’s aftermath?
‘Obvious choices, though.’
Who owned this mansion? It was plain as day.
The door flew open, and someone strode in.
I turned my head, listening indifferently to the footsteps—then my eyes widened.
‘The tyrant?’
There stood my tyrant brother right in front of me.
“What’s with that sour look?”
“……Brother?”
“Who else would be your brother?”
Roxidian tugged irritably at his collar while standing there awkwardly, looking uncomfortable.
“You’re not even greeting me?”
“……What brings you here so suddenly?”
Even when I blinked again, it was still Roxidian.
Shifting my gaze, I saw my guard knights hovering near the door.
They all wore perplexed or awkward expressions as they looked at me.
‘Even they didn’t expect the tyrant to show up here.’
Looking at Grandfather’s knights, I felt a petty thrill of satisfaction.
Yeah, squirm, squirm. The only one among them with a calm expression was Jet.
I tore my gaze away and looked at my tyrant brother.
“So, what brings you here?”
“Hah, do I need a reason to visit?”
“……Then?”
When I tilted my head, Roxidian’s face twisted in displeasure.
He looked openly annoyed.
Why? What? What had gotten under his skin this time?
“Fine. His boundless mercy, the Emperor, will personally grace you.”
What was he even saying? Now it was my turn to frown.
In any case, if he hadn’t shown up, I’d have been dragged off by the knights without a doubt.
Grateful and glad for the timing, I decided to let it slide.
“Anyway, come with me.”
“……Suddenly?”
“Yeah.”
But was this tyrant brother’s energy level something I could keep up with?
“The designer said the dress is ready and to bring you over.”
“……A mere designer ordering the Emperor around?”
Not that you didn’t barge in here just because you wanted to come.
I swallowed the latter part and stared at him in disbelief.
The tyrant wore an expression that screamed, ‘What? Wanna die?’
Staring at that sour face, I couldn’t help but see Yun Ji-hoon overlapping with it.
“Ah, whatever. You need to try it on. He’s whining about it? Get up already.”
“Where to? The Imperial Capital, by any chance?”
“Where else?”
The tyrant urged me on with an irritated, ticking expression.
“You’re not going?”
“I’m not going…… to not go?”
I stood up.
At a speed that wouldn’t seem suspicious to the tyrant.
Inside, my heart was already samba dancing.
Perfect timing—I didn’t want to see Grandfather’s face anyway.
As if I’d ever been lounging around, I called the maids and got ready quickly.
Of course, I didn’t forget to shoo the tyrant out under the pretense of changing clothes.
The tyrant grumbled like, ‘What? Daring to kick out the Emperor?’ but surprisingly obeyed and left.
Thanks to the maids, I finished preparing to go out faster than ever before.
Once ready, I opened the door to find the tyrant leaning crookedly against the opposite wall.
‘Oh, as expected of the male lead. He looks perfect no matter what.’
I smiled brightly.
Irritation from the unfamiliar wait was plainly visible on my brother’s face.
Oh, even though we weren’t real siblings, why did it feel so good, just like those days when Yun Ji-hoon’s misfortune was my happiness?
Was it because of Charlize’s lingering memories inside me?
“Why’d you take so long? You messing with me?”
“This is incredibly fast prep time.”
“Daring to make me wait.”
I held back a laugh inside.
In just a little while, a woman would appear who’d make him wait endlessly—and gladly.
The female lead, who’d turn him into a complete prisoner of love.
Recalling the book’s contents, I shook my head inwardly.
By the way, for an emperor, why was this guy wandering around alone without a single guard or aide?
No matter how great he was, wasn’t this too careless?
“Why do you go around alone, Brother?”
“I have them. Just left them behind ‘cause they’re a hassle.”
“Where?”
Roxidian curtly replied that they were at the carriage.
Wait, so he really did barge in alone after all? I tsked and shrugged.
Whatever. He’d handle it himself.
Besides, recalling Noah appearing by ripping through shadows, I didn’t need to worry much.
“Let’s hurry up and go. I’m curious about the dress.”
“Hah. Who’s the boss here?”
The tyrant clicked his tongue but followed alongside me.
We’d barely taken three more steps when it happened.
Around the corner, someone was just turning toward us.
A familiar face—Grandfather.
Grandfather spotted us too and stopped in his tracks.
He seemed to frown specifically at the tyrant, but only for a moment.
“……The Sun of the Empire, King of Beasts roaring beneath the golden light. I pay my respects to His Imperial Majesty the Emperor.”
The tyrant merely eyed Grandfather crookedly, offering no reply.
The mischievous, playful expression he’d worn toward me vanished, replaced by a face as cold and sharp as winter frost.
No, that was just his default—fierce and savage.
Soon, a crooked smile tugged at Roxidian’s lips.
It was anything but friendly.
“So even the sacred beast of the Imperial Family gets called such things. Duke. My, you really should restrain your mockery.”
And the voice calling his own grandfather was laced with cold hostility and cynicism.
Grandfather seemed accustomed to such an attitude.
“Mockery? Would I dare such words or deeds before the revered Your Majesty?”
“Is that so? Then shall I say something too? Balding tanuki on the verge of losing all your hair. Oh, of course, I don’t mean you, Duke.”
“…….”
“……Pfft.”
Before Grandfather’s gaze could settle on me, I quickly schooled my expression.