How To Get Revenge On My Sister Who Stole My Husband (16 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 7

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I flinched in surprise and turned around. There, with a stern expression, stood Duke Haven.

He stared intently at my face with an odd look before speaking.

“It seems you have something to say to me. As it happens, I also have something to say to you.”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“Then, let’s spare a moment. Go wait for me on that balcony first. I’ll bring something to drink. Would wine be alright?”

“…No. I’d rather not have alcohol.”

“Then I’ll bring tea.”

When I declined the wine, the Duke gave a slight nod and disappeared into the crowd.

Following his instructions, I headed to the balcony. After a short while, Duke Haven came in. Closing the door to the ballroom and drawing the curtains, he handed me a teacup and said,

“There was only herbal tea. If you don’t like it, I can fetch something else.”

“No, it’s fine. This is more than enough.”

I took the cup and thanked him.

Leaning against the balcony railing, I watched as the Duke stood beside me, keeping about a step’s distance. After a moment of silence, he suddenly broke it, having just taken a sip of the wine he’d brought.

“What’s that wound?”

“…Excuse me?”

“The cut on your right cheek. Until just a moment ago, there was no such mark on your face.”

At his words, I reached up and gently touched my cheek.

A sharp sting shot through me. Apparently, my skin had been slightly grazed by the silver candlestick thrown by Marquis Uston earlier.

Only now did I recall this fact, and rubbed my cheek with my palm. A fresh trickle of blood appeared—it seemed the wound had reopened. I hastily wiped it away and told the Duke,

“It’s just… something happened. Nothing serious.”

“…”

The Duke looked at me with an expression that seemed somehow dissatisfied.

Then, unexpectedly, he caught my hand—still rubbing my cheek—and held it still with his own. Puzzled by his inexplicable action, I hesitated—until he pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and offered it to me.

“Rubbing it like that won’t help. Press this against it.”

“…Ah, it’s really fine.”

“No more words. Just take it.”

“…Thank you.”

Though I tried to refuse, his stubborn insistence left me no choice but to accept the handkerchief.

Only then did the Duke’s rigid expression soften slightly, as if satisfied. Another long silence stretched between us. I cautiously glanced at him and spoke.

“As you know, Your Grace, I’ve kept my promise. So…”

At that moment, the Duke abruptly turned to me and said,

“May I ask you just one thing?”

“…Yes. Of course.”

“All this time, you’ve served the Marquis faithfully—as his ‘pouch of wisdom,’ his trusted advisor. Why suddenly betray him now and reach for my hand instead?”

Instead of answering immediately, I paused, lost in thought.

I couldn’t reveal everything honestly to him, but fabricating a half-baked excuse wouldn’t work either. Duke Haven was suspicious by nature and would never trust or keep close anyone who lied to him.

After organizing my thoughts, I finally spoke.

“I want revenge.”

“…Revenge?”

“Yes. I want revenge against my uncle, Marquis Uston; my cousin, Danae; and my fiancé, Viscount Leonard Klein.”

“Can you tell me why you seek revenge against them?”

The Duke asked in his usual brusque tone.

I let out a short, hollow laugh and answered,

“I’m sorry, but I can’t go into details. I’ll only say this—they committed terrible deeds against me and my father.”

“…Your father? Could it be that the current Marquis was involved in the death of the late Marquis Uston?”

The Duke pressed me further. I remained silent.

Seeing this, the Duke closed his lips tightly, his expression hardened. Lost in deep thought, his eyes lowered and brows slightly furrowed—he looked like a figure from a painted portrait. I sipped my tea quietly, waiting for his next words.

After a while, having concluded his contemplation, the Duke turned to me and said,

“…Was it one year you mentioned?”

“…Yes.”

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“If I ever judge this agreement to be even slightly unfavorable to me, I’ll break our promise immediately. Are you alright with that?”

I gave a faint smile and replied,

“Yes, I don’t mind.”

“That confident?”

“Yes. Because I’m staking everything I have to bring them to ruin.”

The Duke stared at me for a moment, surprised.

Then, letting out a quiet chuckle, he said,

“Your resolve is impressive.”

“Well, it takes at least this much resolve to bring down such people.”

I shrugged in reply. The Duke set his cup down and extended his hand toward me as if offering a handshake.

“Then, I look forward to working with you over the next year.”

“The pleasure is mine.”

I took his offered hand and replied.

The Duke squeezed my hand firmly once. Though my hand was large for a woman, his rough palm fully enveloped it—yet it felt surprisingly warm.

* * *

After our brief handshake, Duke Haven and I silently emptied our cups.

Just as I finished my tea and was about to excuse myself, the Duke spoke to me.

“By the way, exactly how do you expect me to help? I’ve never done anything like this before, so I’m not entirely sure what’s expected.”

I shook my head slightly and answered,

“Well… I plan to figure that out gradually as we go.”

“For someone who just declared such desperate resolve, that sounds rather half-baked.”

“Precisely because it’s important, we must proceed with more caution.”

Hearing this, the Duke gave a light scoff. Maintaining my composure, I simply drew back the curtain separating the balcony from the ballroom.

Then, lightly gathering the hem of my dress with both hands, I said to him,

“It’s getting quite late, so I’ll take my leave for tonight, Your Grace. I’ll be in contact soon.”

“If you plan to visit my residence again, please send word through my butler beforehand. I prefer not to be disturbed while training or handling official duties.”

The Duke replied curtly. I gave a brief nod in acknowledgment and stepped back into the ballroom.

Handing my empty cup to a servant and turning around, someone suddenly grabbed my shoulder.

“Christine, where on earth have you been?”

Startled, I quickly turned around. It was Leonard.

Gently pushing away his hand from my shoulder, I answered,

“I was just getting some fresh air on the balcony.”

“I heard Marquis Uston reprimanded you harshly over what happened earlier. Are you alright? Nothing serious happened, I hope?”

“…Yes, I’m fine.”

Looking into Leonard’s gentle eyes, he seemed genuinely concerned for me.

Yet even as he asked if I was alright, he hadn’t noticed the wound on my right cheek. His superficial kindness filled me with genuine disgust.

‘Duke Haven noticed it right away.’

Why hadn’t I recognized the indifference hidden beneath his affectionate demeanor before?

I coldly mocked my past self—the one who, blinded by love for Leonard, had noticed nothing. At the same time, furious hatred blazed within me toward him for deceiving and using me with such cheap kindness, and I clenched my teeth tightly.

“Christine?”

Unaware of my inner turmoil, Leonard tilted his head in confusion.

His hand slowly reached toward me again. I subtly stepped back.

“It’s been a while, Viscount Leonard Blake Klein.”

At that moment, Duke Haven approached from behind me and greeted Leonard.

He regarded Leonard with polite yet condescending formality. Leonard responded with an awkward smile.

“It has indeed been a long time, Your Grace, Duke Haven.”

“It’s been three months since the New Year’s party.”

“Has it really been that long? I’ve been holed up in my townhouse, dealing only with estate business—I hadn’t even noticed how time passed.”

“Oh, so you’ve been diligently assisting your father all this time. I thought perhaps you’d been busy concocting some foolish scheme with your future father-in-law, Marquis Uston, to make a fool of me.”

“…T-that’s absurd.”

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“Really? I’m relieved to hear it. I was slightly worried you’d come up with another foolish plan and give me and my retainers headaches. Now I can sleep soundly tonight.”

The Duke smiled as he continued to mock him with biting remarks. Leonard’s clenched fist trembled faintly as he struggled to respond.

Watching Leonard’s expression grow increasingly rigid, the Duke looked down at him with disdain—then suddenly turned his head toward me and said with feigned surprise,

“Oh? Lady Christine Uston was here as well.”

“…I greet you, Duke Haven.”

Unlike his tone with Leonard, the Duke’s voice toward me was almost overly warm.

I gave him an awkward bow. In response, the Duke smiled faintly, took my fingertips, and briefly kissed the back of my hand.

“The red dress suits you wonderfully, Marchioness. You look just like a rose blooming on a spring night.”

“…You flatter me.”

“Our conversation on the balcony earlier was truly delightful. I’d be honored if you’d allow me to spend more time with you next time.”

His voice, as he whispered to me, was low and soft—as if he were sincerely trying to charm me.

Unconsciously, I felt my cheeks flush slightly. After my engagement to Leonard, this was the first time I’d received such sweet words and tender gestures from a stranger—and it felt strangely awkward.

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