Merche was a candidate for the successor to the head of the Lupinus family. There were no other candidates besides her. So she had essentially already secured the position of successor to the head of the family.

Although Merche was not the biological child of the Lupinus family head, but rather from a branch lineage, what mattered was that she alone had been chosen by the family head and raised in the Lupinus mansion. That alone was reason enough for Merche to inherit the position of the next Lupinus family head.

…However, it seems the heavens were not planning to extend a helping hand to Merche so easily.

It was just two months before the official announcement ceremony for the Lupinus family head successor. As usual, Merche visited the secret underground auction house to obtain necessary items. While passing through a narrow alley, she witnessed someone trapped in an iron cage.

Piercing purple eyes that flashed intensely through the darkness. A man who, even bloodied and slumped down, could not hide his overwhelming presence – a man whose gaze alone seemed capable of slicing Merche to pieces.

“It’s a bit troublesome if you stop in your tracks and stare like that. You must like what you see, little noble lady.”

The vulgar tone that nobles would find repulsive didn’t even register in her ears. Merche just stood there, staring at the man as if blind. She had no choice. Because this man…

‘Merche, quite some time has passed since you came here.’

…bore an uncanny resemblance to the Lupinus family head who had spoken those words to her just this morning.

‘Merche.’

“But what to do, I’m not for sale.”

The voice of the family head calling her name overlapped with the voice of the man in the cage, echoing like an auditory hallucination. The eyes of the family head gazing at her melted into the man’s eyes. The man, who even had a similar build and height, looked up at Merche askance.

“…What is your name?”

Though she tried to contain her emotions, her voice cracked slightly at the end. Whether aware of this agitation or not, the man rested his chin on his hand with a gesture utterly devoid of sincerity. His fingertips danced along his jawline as if following a melody, then suddenly dropped.

“It’s not something a precious young lady like you would need to know. Just call me whatever you like.”

“Do you not have a name?”

The corners of the man’s lips stretched pleasantly. Unable to contain his amusement, he finally let out a laugh, his broad back shaking with the sound.

“Oh my. I didn’t mean to erase a perfectly good name. How cruel.”

With those words, the man lay down flat on his back. It was a posture that conveyed a firm resolve not to engage in any further conversation.

Left with no choice, Merche could only silently gaze at his reclined form. A torso incomparably larger and thicker than her own. A waist neither too thick nor too thin. Long, slender legs. As she swept her gaze over him without thinking, she realized how starkly his physique contrasted with her own.

“You don’t seem to have any sense of propriety, do you?”

The leg he had crossed while lying down swung lazily before suddenly stopping. Startled by the abrupt silence, Merche also stopped her scrutiny and held her breath.

“By this point, you should know to scram on your own. What are you staring at, sizing me up like a piece of meat?”

“…I apologize if I made you uncomfortable.”

“I’m asking just in case, but are you deliberately protesting because I didn’t tell you my name?”

“No. I swear that was not my intention at all.”

Merche’s eyes grew hazy as she denied it. Her head had been strangely foggy since earlier. Why? What was the problem?

The moment she first saw this man. The shock and dismay she felt in that instant, along with the faint sense of frustration mixed in, kept replaying endlessly. She wondered if this might be a dream, but she wasn’t foolish enough to mistake reality for a dream.

This couldn’t be an illusion. It couldn’t be denied either. Though she didn’t know what circumstances had tangled together to create this current scene, Merche was certain of one thing.

‘This man is of Lupinus blood.’

Clang-!

Just as that certainty engulfed all her thoughts like a tidal wave, the man, who had stood up at some point, grabbed the iron bars, making a harsh sound. He tilted his chin, commanding her to come closer.

But strangely, their gazes didn’t quite meet. Merche instantly noticed how his cloudy purple eyes awkwardly groped at empty air.

“…”

Merche, who had halted her steps, slowly began walking again. The iron bars and the man, which had been at a distance, came close enough for their breaths to mingle.

“Do you know why I’m locked up here?”

As if he had no intention of hearing an answer in the first place, the man continued speaking immediately after asking.

“A few days ago, I beat some guys nearly to death. Ah, I wonder if they’re really dead by now? They might still be alive… Anyway.”

The man’s hand reached out through the iron bars. His bony fingers touched Merche without any hindrance, soon moving towards her golden hair that was smoothly groomed. His fingertips wandered between the fine strands, fiddling with them, then grasped the ends just tightly enough not to hurt.

“Those guys kept bothering me annoyingly. Their appearance was quite irritating. Since I really hate it when someone pesters me annoyingly, well. That’s what happened.”

“…I understand your meaning. Please let go, and I will leave without any further rudeness.”

“Oh, you will? You should have done that from the start. At least you’re not completely stupid, that’s a relief. Well then, now, as promised, get lost.”

The man’s threat was blatant and clear. Though he had been caressing her hair rather gently, fear arose that those hands might strangle her at any moment. Merche apologized once more and turned to leave, turning her back on the man.

On her way to the stairs leading to the surface, she encountered the manager loitering in the hallway. He was the one who had briefly allowed her time to speak with the man in the cage. As soon as he saw her, he rushed over, quickly looking her up and down as if checking her well-being, then immediately smiled warmly as if nothing had happened.

“Well, did you have a good conversation?”

“Yes. Thanks to you, I was able to converse sufficiently. However, there is one more thing I’d like to request.”

“Oh my. Of course. Please, ask anything.”

“How much would it cost to take that man away?”

“Pardon?”

The manager’s eyes widened as he quickly waved his hands.

“Ah, no. That one is not available for purchase. He’s a slave that can’t be bought. Well, ahem. How should I put this… The truth is, his behavior is so bad…”

“Would 1 million geon be enough?”

“E-excuse me? How much did you say?”

“If that’s not sufficient, I will pay more. So please allow me to take that man over there.”

After fidgeting helplessly, unable to decide what to do, the manager called for his superior. After skilled haggling and some questionable dealings, the calculation was finally settled at four times the initial amount.

Saying it was truly a good deal, the high-ranking manager turned to leave with a face that anyone could see was thoroughly pleased, when Merche stopped him.

“What is his name?”

“Hm? Ah, my name is Dain, customer.”

“No, I’m not asking for yours. I’m asking for that man’s name.”

“The slave’s name?”

Rolling his eyes transparently enough to reveal his inner thoughts – why bother with such a thing? – the manager answered in an reluctant tone.

“It’s Rude.”

“…Rude. So that’s his name.”

It was an exceedingly common name. Especially among slaves, about one or two out of ten would have that name. However, Merche repeated and whispered this common name over and over.

Rude. Rude Lupinus.

It wasn’t particularly difficult to attach the familiar family name after his given name. The sound of it wasn’t especially awkward or out of place, which made her head foggy once again.

Fourteen long years of endurance as ‘the presumptuous branch member who caught undeserved luck’. What was the meaning of this chance encounter given at the end of that patience?

…Ah. Perhaps it meant not to covet a position that doesn’t suit her, a mere branch member?

Merche laughed softly, feeling empty. It can’t be helped if fate wants to pull her down. She couldn’t just pretend not to have seen it, could she?

Such a choice didn’t even exist for Merche. That’s why Merche made her decision.

She must take this man to the Lupinus family. If her current position was truly his rightful place, then the place he should rightfully return to must also be Lupinus.

On December 4th, 772 of the Iker calendar, the successor to the head of the Lupinus family was announced at the Lupinus mansion.

Surprisingly, the one wearing the extremely luxurious purple patterned clothing that only the family head and successor could wear was not ‘Merche Ashtad’, who had been receiving successor training at the Lupinus mansion for over a decade.

The one confirmed as the successor to the family head was a man. A man with a tall stature and an inherently large build. Moreover, a man with features identical to those of the family head, Genovefa Lupinus.

“I hereby announce my son, Rude Lupinus, as the next head of the family!”

Genovefa declared, patting the shoulder of the man, Rude, standing beside him. The news that the Lupinus family head had belatedly recovered his biological son, who was thought to have died, was known to everyone in the kingdom. Due to the intriguing nature of the story, Rude’s fame was already considerable.

As soon as Genovefa’s declaration ended, all those attending the announcement ceremony applauded in unison. Even ‘that’ Merche, who had almost become the successor to the family head but failed due to Rude’s appearance, joined in. Everyone furtively observed Merche’s expression, as if hoping she would despair.

But contrary to expectations, Merche was calm. She merely looked up at Rude with a monotonous gaze, even wearing a faint smile. It was strange. The person who should be drowning in a sense of defeat was smiling like that…

‘Doesn’t it seem like the successor is staring at that branch woman?’

‘You’re right. He’s looking at her as if he wants to devour her.’

People whispered. Something was definitely odd. Was there something going on between Rude Lupinus, who became the next family head today, and Merche Ashtad? Rude, who should rightfully be rejoicing, was somehow glaring intently at Merche alone.

Some speculated that he hated Merche for having occupied his position until now. Others were convinced that Merche must have attempted to harm Rude.

However, a select few individuals skilled at perceiving and understanding others’ emotions saw something closer to the truth.