Unfortunately, the man I encountered upstairs was not Lord Joseph.
However, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had seen this man somewhere before.
Where have I seen him?
Soft and gentle features with dark brown hair and green eyes, quite tall with broad shoulders.
He seems to be around my age…
“It’s been a long time. Do you remember me? I’m Leopold Hose, who has served Baron Landgritz since childhood. I recently received formal knighthood and became a viscount.”
Ah.
Only after seeing his face blushing profusely while looking at me did I recall.
This man is the remarriage partner my brother had chosen for me.
Someone of low status and rank, who wouldn’t dare covet a title even if taken in as a son-in-law. Yet still loyal to Landgritz.
In other words, a figure needed when absorbing the Daiern duchy into the Landgritz barony.
“But I didn’t expect to see the Duchess here. This place is frequented by those who practice swordsmanship…”
He used to be unable to even make eye contact with me when he was by my brother’s side.
The way he kisses my fingertips now, he certainly has the bearing of a knight.
‘It seems he’s cured his habit of stuttering. That’s why I didn’t recognize him right away.’
But it appears he’s lost his fear along with gaining his knighthood.
“That sounds as if you’re saying I’m someone who can’t practice swordsmanship. I believe half of the regular knights last year were women.”
“Th-that’s not what I meant. It’s just that I found it difficult to imagine someone as d-delicate and beautiful as the Duchess practicing swordsmanship…”
When flustered, he immediately lowers his gaze and starts stuttering.
Seeing that helpless expression reminded me of his innocent days, and I couldn’t help feeling a little sorry.
‘Did I push him too hard?’
It doesn’t seem like he’s been in the noble social circles, known as the battlefield of tongues, for very long.
I don’t remember well if he wanted to become a knight before.
Still, if he had set a goal and steadily practiced swordsmanship while correcting his attitude, I had to admit he was quite remarkable.
“I-I’m sorry, I’ve committed a great discourtesy, Duchess.”
“I understand.”
Having lost my fighting spirit, I decided to accept his apology moderately.
‘But this man being here is outside of my calculations.’
Honestly, regardless of childhood connections or whatever, I find this man uncomfortable.
Isn’t he the remarriage partner chosen by my family?
Moreover, I’m not a fool. I mean, I couldn’t have not known that he had harbored tender feelings for me since before.
If I were to have a lengthy private conversation with such a man, who knows what kind of rumors might arise.
‘Why on earth did Lord Joseph ask to meet in a place like this?’
Surely he couldn’t have known this man would be here…
Oh?
As I was inwardly complaining, I suddenly realized at that moment.
On the note where some letters were damaged, there were clearly words I couldn’t read or even infer.
And that was at the very beginning.
■’s, ■■■t.
I hadn’t thought much of it, but now that I think about it…
Caution, Leopold.
If you think of it that way, the meaning of that note wasn’t about a secret meeting, but…
‘Was it a warning?’
I felt cold sweat running down the back of my neck, but I tried hard not to show my discomfort.
Well, come to think of it, meeting Leopold Hose here isn’t that fatal for me.
It’s just a matter of not engaging in further conversation and keeping a proper distance.
“As Lord Leopold said, I’m here to look at training weapons for my son to use, not for myself.”
“Ah!”
“Anyway, it was nice to see you after so long. I have many things to do, so I’ll be going now. You should focus on your business too, my lord. Then…”
“W-wait a moment, please!”
“Loretta, let’s go over there.”
I didn’t hear that. I didn’t hear that.
Repeating that to myself inwardly, I pulled Loretta’s arm.
I intended to leave Leopold Hose’s corner as quickly as possible.
Having ignored him to this extent, if he has any sense, he won’t follow anymore.
“D-Duchess. I have something to tell you!”
But this man, perhaps unfamiliar with the etiquette of social circles, seemed to have missed my indirect rejection.
Quickening his pace to catch up behind me, he eventually…
“Do you dislike me so much that you can’t stand the sight of me?”
“…!”
He even grabbed my wrist.
“Please answer me, Duchess. I want to make a good impression on you…”
“What insolent behavior is this, Lord Leopold!”
All that effort, whatever. I had no intention of letting this rude behavior slide.
How dare he grab a noblewoman’s wrist like this without permission? Unless he wants to be slapped!
I tried to shake off his hand with my eyes narrowed. Or rather, I tried to.
“…!”
Leopold Hose’s strong grip quickly sensed my action and tightened even more.
Needless to say, there was no way I could match the strength of a man who became a knight through skill.
“M-my lady! Sir Knight, let go, or I’ll call for help!”
Loretta shrieked as she tried to come between Leopold Hose and me.
Yet he didn’t loosen his grip.
Instead, he appealed to me with an extremely aggrieved look and voice.
“It will only take a moment, Duchess. Can’t you just answer one thing? Please…”
Please or not, I had no intention of tolerating such violent behavior from anyone.
Rather, with narrowed eyes, I warned in a low voice.
“If you don’t let go of this hand immediately, I will question Lord Leopold’s chivalry under the authority of the Daiern duchy.”
“H-how can you say such a cruel thing! I just…”
“I’ll give you as much time as it takes to count to three. One…”
“Duchess! If, if you do that…”
“Two.”
“Have you heard about me from Baron Landgritz, at least…”
“Thr…”
Just before I finished counting the last number, the grip on my wrist finally loosened.
I retrieved my hand that had been held with irritated eyes, and Loretta, panic-stricken, examined the condition of my wrist.
“Oh my, the handprint is so clear…! My lady, I’m afraid it will bruise.”
“…”
My gaze was still fixed on Leopold Hose. Filled with disgust and contempt.
He seemed cowed by my fierce gaze and lowered his head completely.
Moisture ran down his reddened cheeks, and his pale blue lips trembled as if they had lost control. Anyone watching would think I was the one bullying him.
‘I was trying to be kind.’
To dare do such a thing to me.
My anger now extended not only to Leopold Hose but also to my brother, the Baron of Landgritz.
That cursed blood relative, trying to attach another piece of trash like this to me?
“D-Duchess. I, I just…”
Before he could continue his drivel, I deliberately opened my fan with a snap.
Startled by the sound, Leopold Hose closed his mouth, and in that moment, I covered my face with the opened fan.
It was a sign that I would no longer engage in conversation.
“Let’s go, Loretta.”
“Yes, my lady!”
“Duchess… Duchess!”
I turned around as if nothing had happened.
Complete disregard.
Of course, I won’t let this pass as if nothing really happened.
I am a person with a longer and more persistent grudge than one might think.
That’s when it happened.
Bang!
As an enormous sound came from behind me, an eerie sensation made every hair on my body stand on end.
Reflexively turning around, I saw countless weapons hanging on the walls and display stands shaking. Was it the effect of that unknown sound and impact from just now?
And what I saw was the metals glinting due to the interior lighting, creating giant shadows…
“…!”
“Kyaaaa!”
Pouring down towards me.
“Stepmother!”
Somehow, I thought I heard Kardiel’s voice.
And…
For a moment, I thought I saw Lord Joseph’s mysterious silver-white hair.
[This is the timeline separator]“Are you feeling better now?”
After drinking cold water, my startled heart finally calmed down.
I slowly took a deep breath and once again recalled the situation that had just occurred.
So, I nearly had a major accident. No, it would be more accurate to say I almost died.
The weapons that came crashing down towards me, though ceremonial, were even more dangerous because of that.
‘They’re displayed unsheathed to show the blade decorations.’
Yet they still sharpened the edges, pretending to be real swords.
Anyway, to conclude, I am safe.
Not just me, but even Loretta wasn’t harmed, not a single piece of clothing or strand of hair.
The reason was Lord Joseph.
Appearing like magic the moment the rain of swords poured down towards me, he drew the sword at his waist…
‘In an instant, he changed the direction of the weapons.’
My Step-brother Is Obsessed With Me (Female-dominant)
A gentle female protagonist vs pitiful in the early stage, and a sick male protagonist in the later stage
Cheng Songer transmigrated into the body of a vicious cannon fodder female supporting character with the same name as her in a female-dominant novel.
In the original story, the cannon fodder female supporting character was inhumane, committing domestic violence, gambling excessively, being lustful, and even wanting to sell her stepbrother to a brothel for money.
As luck would have it, she just happened to transmigrate at this time.
Seeing Cheng Qingzhi biting his lip, enduring the tears in his eyes, looking pitiful, her heart softened.
She stuffed the money back into the Madam’s hand and reached out to him.
“Brother, come home with me.”
