I briefly recalled what had happened to me over the past ten minutes.

When I went in to receive the wedding date, suddenly there was opposition.

“What’s going on all of a sudden……”

There’s no way they changed their mind so quickly.

They must have heard something from someone else.

“I need to find out.”

I didn’t have the luxury of waiting for Mom to explain.

I immediately went to find the butler.

“Butler. Was there anyone who visited the mansion today besides His Highness the Grand Duke?”

The butler nodded.

“As always, there were many. Would you like to see the guest book?”

“Yes. Please.”

The butler gladly showed me the guest book.

-Blandice Hertian

-Milino Trading Company

-Howl Baior

-Melson Borman

.

.

.

Besides the Grand Duke, from merchants to sponsored painters. There were easily twenty people.

“Why did Mr. Melson leave without seeing me?”

Among them, Mr. Melson’s name was one I hadn’t seen in a while.

“The baron said he had to go to an herb shop in the capital and asked to deliver some medicine on his way out.”

The butler handed me the medicine bottle he had been keeping, saying it worked out well. I received the bottle full of new pills and asked again.

“Then did anyone meet with Father or Mother?”

“You can assume almost everyone did. After all, most matters require the Count’s approval.”

Over ten people.

The one that seemed most likely was the Milino Trading Company.

Since they travel to various kingdoms, they have excellent information networks, so it wouldn’t be unreasonable for them to pass on a rumor or two. They might have picked up something about Hertian and told Father. For Father to change his mind in such a short time, it must have been incredible information.

“I understand for now.”

“Yes, young lady. You don’t look well. Did something happen?”

I shook my head at the worried inquiry.

“It’s nothing. Sleep well, Butler.”

“May you have happy dreams too, Miss Anette.”

The butler’s face was tired, probably from dealing with sudden guests. I didn’t have time to stay and complain to him. For now, I had no choice but to look into it myself.

[This is the timeline separator]

In the deep dawn.

It was late at night after Mother had left, sighing as she watched me sleep soundly.

Click, I opened the bottom drawer in Father’s study.

‘It’s all for Father’s sake.’

I wasn’t one to back down just because Father opposed. At this point, I needed to check for myself what this evidence was supposed to be.

Father had one habit.

The habit of keeping the most important documents in the bottom drawer.

“As expected.”

As soon as I opened it, I saw a crumpled envelope. It was crushed so badly that I could gauge how angry Father had been.

I crouched under the desk and took out the envelope to open it. I was even looking forward to what it might contain. And when I saw the contents, my face flushed red.

“You believed this kind of story?”

It was a medical record filled with unbelievable diseases.

What’s this about the Grand Duke doing what?

There was a reason Father couldn’t tell me. He probably couldn’t tell his daughter such an obscene story.

I continued examining the record and lamented briefly.

“I knew Father was gullible, but was he gullible enough to believe this?”

I was so dumbfounded I couldn’t even laugh. To misunderstand Hertian based on this ridiculous record. Moreover, the name doesn’t even match. No, Father would have believed it. When something happens, he doesn’t properly see the situation before and after.

“But a medical record……”

Even if this is real, it’s a problem. It means the Grand Duke’s health condition is being carelessly spread around.

And no ordinary merchant or noble would know this information. That means the person likely to know the medical details is.

‘Mr. Melson.’

With Mr. Melson’s words and this record, it was believable for Father. But it was hard to understand the teacher’s intention in saying this record belonged to the Grand Duke.

“If Father’s ears are that thin, I’ll have to return the favor in the same way.”

[This is the timeline separator]

The next morning dawned.

As Father and I finished our silent breakfast in the dining room, I spoke first.

“Father. I’ve waited long enough. Please tell me now.”

Pretending I hadn’t seen the medical record in the study, I urged Father to answer.

“You’re so impatient.”

Father scolded me as he wiped his mouth. Father’s complexion was dark, as if he hadn’t slept properly all night either.

“Did you hear anything while the Grand Duke and I were together yesterday?”

“Yes. I heard something.”

Emerald eyes identical to mine stared at me.

“What kind of story?”

Father took a sip of coffee brought by the servant and said,

“I heard that His Highness the Grand Duke has complicated relationships with women. I can’t give my only daughter to such a Casanova, can I?”

I see.

I was wondering why such diseases were written in the medical record, but they spread false rumors by tying it to women.

“Who spread such baseless rumors?”

“It’s not a baseless rumor. I saw the evidence myself.”

“What evidence?”

“I can’t tell you that much. Not only his relationships with women, but there are other ahem, problems too. So give up now.”

Hearing Father’s words, it became clear that this was maliciously spread rumors.

If Father was simply worried about heirs after seeing the medical record, I might understand. But to involve women here?

That was proof that it was nothing but false rumors spread by someone who didn’t know the Grand Duke at all.

“I think you’re misunderstanding something, Father. His Highness is innocent.”

“Are you doubting your father’s words and defending a Grand Duke you’ve only just met?”

Well, that’s because I’ve read the original work.

In it, Hertian is someone who doesn’t have an ounce of sexual desire!

Words I couldn’t say out loud swirled in my mouth.

Seeing me unable to answer readily, Father shook his head, saying I must be infatuated.

“The rumors will spread soon enough. It’s better not to marry than to regret it later.”

It’s indeed difficult to persuade Father through conversation.

I finally stood up.

“Then I’ll find out myself. Whether His Highness really has other women besides me. If this is true. It might be good to ask him to get tested, since he might have contracted a sexually transmitted disease if his relationships are so complicated.”

“Anette! Even if it’s not true, there’s nothing good about marrying the Grand Duke. He’s a Grand Duke after all. He’s in a position where he could have a string of mistresses without anyone batting an eye.”

Father looked at me with a stern face. It was an expression that left no room for further discussion.

“That applies to anyone, doesn’t it? Even commoners can’t be certain they won’t cheat. If I give up out of fear of that, I’ll never be able to marry anyone, will I?”

“You can just leave such men. But he’s a Grand Duke. You can’t leave as you please. As your father, I already shudder thinking of the hurt you, with your weak body, would endure.”

A faint sigh escaped.

‘I knew Father would react like this.’

I knew it was because of Father’s great concern for me, but it still wasn’t an issue I could compromise on.

I silently took out what I had prepared. It was what I had prepared all night after leaving Father’s study this dawn.

“What is this?”

“Articles related to His Highness the Grand Duke.”

“Why did you gather such things?”

Father’s reaction was indifferent.

“Even minor nobles have scandals once or twice, but His Highness the Grand Duke has never had even one.”

“He must have suppressed them, being a Grand Duke.”

“Could even a Grand Duke suppress scandals that even His Majesty the Emperor can’t avoid?”

I calmly spread out the newspapers, but it was insufficient to gain Father’s interest. Well, it didn’t matter. My real purpose wasn’t to persuade Father here anyway.

“I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”

Father put his foot down completely and showed me one of the marriage proposals on the table beside him.

It was one sent by someone other than Hertian.

“I’ve set up an appointment with the young lord of the Bayern family at noon today, so don’t be late. Love that comes easily is easily forgotten too.”

“Father!”

A loud voice escaped at Father’s extraordinary proactiveness.

“I’ve already sent a letter to the Grand Duke saying we’ll cancel the marriage. He’s probably received it and acquiesced by now.”

“What? You sent something to His Highness?”

Why are you suddenly being so proactive?

How many hours have passed since the marriage proposal was exchanged?

I ended up with a dumbfounded expression.

“And if you don’t go to today’s appointment, I’ll impose a ban on going out. Remember that.”

A strong hammer had been driven in. I barely managed to hold back the anger that was about to burst out.

If I fought with Father here, I would lose. If I got banned from going out, everything would be over.

I took a few deep breaths to regain my composure. I drooped my shoulders as if there was no choice and spoke in a weak voice.

“Since you say so, Father… I have no choice. Alright. I’ll go.”

If I can’t avoid it anyway, I might as well comply.

That way, Father might listen to me a little too.

See? Just one word about going, and his face immediately brightens.

“Really?”

“But I’m just going to meet him.”

“Of course. Just meet him, just meet.”

I nodded as if I had no choice and gathered the newspapers I had brought. Except for one.

“Then I’ll be going.”

“Alright. Take care. I’ll tell them to dress you up prettily.”

The remaining newspaper was for Father. Whether Father would continue to oppose the marriage even after reading this would be a matter to be seen after coming back from the date.

[This is the timeline separator]

Dressed up lavishly by Betty’s skillful hands, I got on the carriage leisurely.

As we left the long path of the count’s estate, the lively capital came into view.

In the center of the vast square, sculptor Fabian’s statue was shining, reflecting the breaking sunlight and showing off its luster.

The vibrant scenery viewed through the carriage window made me feel like my stuffy chest was clearing up.

The carriage soon stopped at Olivia Street, the street of nobles.

“We’ve arrived, young lady.”

As I got out of the carriage, I handed the letter I was holding to the coachman who asked when he should return.

“What is this?”

“Coachman. Before returning to the mansion, please deliver this letter urgently to Grand Duke Blandice.”

The reason I came out for this date that Father arbitrarily set today was to meet Hertian. There’s a possibility he might have changed his mind after receiving the letter. I handed two additional gold coins I had prepared in advance to the coachman and urged,

“Please deliver it as quickly as possible. I’m counting on you.”

The coachman, whose eyes widened at the sight of the gold coins, hid the letter deep in his bosom and departed hurriedly. I watched the departing carriage and grabbed my hat brim that almost flew away in the wind.

“Lady Leanberia.”

And as I turned around, a bouquet full of blooming flowers caught my eye.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, my lady.”

Behind it appeared a man with a smile brighter than the flowers.

“Young Lord Edward?”

“Yes. I am Edward Beirne, my lady.”