In fact, the Count also knew very well Daniel’s personality and tendencies, having known him for a long time.

And if he was convinced that someone had lured Daniel into a trap, it wouldn’t be too difficult to deduce who it was.

Someone who had recently been in conflict with Daniel and had both the ability and boldness to orchestrate something like this.

The man known to the world as Seyerd Hilan. The opponent Daniel had tried his hardest to bring down until their last meeting.

‘He has already made his move……’

He had used Count Steacy, who had secretly allied with him, to instead bring Daniel to ruin.

He didn’t think Seyerd would stay still, but to think he would go this far.

Still, it was beyond imagination that Daniel, with the background of being the Lowens heir, would be taken down so quickly like this.

‘What a fiasco.’

Given the nature of the crime, not just any crime but that of leaking secrets, it was highly likely that even basic visitations would be impossible.

Not only Count Vanspelt, but even Daniel’s father, the Marquis of Lowens, would find it difficult to see him.

No, in order to avoid suspicion of being in cahoots, it would be best not to even attempt to see him.

With luck, it would be life imprisonment, otherwise, the death penalty.

Kisa swallowed a despairing sigh as she recalled the phrases she had seen in the newspaper.

Knowing that he had been falsely accused, given who the opponent was, she didn’t feel much sympathy and was simply disappointed.

‘When you didn’t want to see him, he would persistently seek me out and harass me, but now when needed, you’re of no help at all, Daniel Lowens.’

The guy who was intoxicated with his own excellence and looked down on others.

It was that very arrogance that blinded Daniel.

The fact that he was plunging into deep and dark shadows, the fact that there was a traitor by his side, and the fact that the person he went to in the end was not on his side……

He wouldn’t have known at all. Until the horrific reality appeared before his eyes.

‘What a fool.’

After being attacked by thugs under Seyerd’s orders and then being imprisoned in a villa by the Marquis of Lowens, that was his last chance.

“You don’t still have lingering feelings, do you?”

The Count’s sudden question pulled Kisa out of her thoughts.

The man, with narrowed eyes, stared at the teacup on the low table and spoke.

“Now that you pity Daniel, do you want to save him or start over with him?”

“…… You’re not asking seriously, are you?”

When Kisa retorted to the absurd words, the Count shrugged his shoulders.

“Then that’s a relief. We don’t need to waste any more time on unpleasant topics.”

His tone sounded quite cold.

“I only mentioned it because you should also know about Daniel’s current situation, as you’re not strangers. It’s unfortunate for him, but don’t pay too much attention to it.”

“Father.”

“Daniel must have made his own resolve to do something like that.”

“Wait a moment, Father.”

The gazes of the father and daughter met in the air.

“Now you know, right? How dangerous that person is.”

The Count seemed to want to skip over it without mentioning it, but Kisa couldn’t do that.

At the very least, not mentioning his name was her best effort not to upset her father’s mood.

“Even Daniel, who was supposed to be the Lowens heir, ended up like that.”

“Well, Daniel had a personality that made enemies everywhere without being of much use.”

“Just because we’re Vanspelts doesn’t mean we’ll never be an eyesore to that person.”

“You’re worrying about things that haven’t even happened yet.”

“I’m not confident. How can you guarantee that you’ll get along well with that person for the rest of your life?”

Kisa, her shoulders trembling slightly, lowered her already small voice even more.

“I have no idea what that person is thinking. He cherishes me now, but I can’t even fathom how long that affection will last.”

Even as she spoke, Kisa vividly felt that this alone would not persuade her father.

Although there was no one here to support her argument like Daniel, Kisa had to reveal some of the immense truth she knew in order to convince the Count.

“Don’t be surprised to hear this, Father. Actually, in the past, that person……”

Kisa, who was about to say that he had driven his brother to his death, had to shut her mouth the next moment.

“Enough. Stop it.”

Count Vanspelt raised his hand, indicating a strong refusal.

“No matter what you say, my mind won’t change and what has already begun cannot be undone.”

“B-But Father……”

“Seeing you keep spouting nonsense, you must be very tired, so please leave.”

Even Count Vanspelt, who was speaking, didn’t believe the excuse.

What fatigue could Kisa have accumulated when she had only been resting at home these past few days?

This was a firm expression of his will to dismiss whatever Kisa said as nonsense.

“You should just think about the upcoming wedding and recuperate quietly at home.”

It also contained his determination to make this marriage happen no matter what.

Even if it went directly against the wishes of his daughter, the person involved.

“……”

Kisa sat blankly staring at her father for a while, then weakly rose from her seat.

Then, without even leaving a proper farewell, she left Count Vanspelt’s study.

Having grown up under him all her life, she understood her father’s temperament very well.

Once the Count acted like this, no plea or logic would get through to him.

‘…… It was impossible after all.’

For the Count, his daughter’s happiness was not worth considering at all, and even the misfortune of his close friend, the Marquis of Lowens, and his son Daniel could not threaten him to give up an opportunity that would bring great benefit to the family.

She knew her father was that kind of person. Knowing that, she had held out hope, grasping at straws, thinking maybe, just maybe.

But for some reason, Kisa returned to her room feeling a stinging pain in her chest.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, since she didn’t depend much emotionally on her father, she quickly regained her rational thinking.

‘At least it was fortunate that I stopped talking before getting into deep conversations with Father.’

Most likely, Count Vanspelt would think the reason Kisa changed her mind about the marriage was simply due to discord with Seyerd.

Who would ever arrive at the shocking truth that the great Duke Hilan murdered his own brother and then pretended to be his dead brother?

Kisa herself would have had a hard time finding out in her lifetime if he hadn’t subtly led her to it.

‘At most, he’ll speculate that after meeting frequently, discord arose between us and his sensitive daughter was hurt by Seyerd’s words spoken in anger.’

To the Count, Kisa was just that kind of existence.

A daughter who grew up beautifully like a flower in a greenhouse, unable to have a firm will due to her endless fragility.

Honestly, it was a somewhat unfair assessment, but for now, it was advantageous for him to think that way.

Otherwise, he would have pried to find out why his daughter had a change of heart.

‘And if he judged it to be a serious matter, he would have had the servants watch my every move to keep me from doing anything rash.’

That would be troublesome in many ways. Now that she failed to gain the Count’s cooperation, Kisa had to escape Seyerd’s grasp on her own.

Now, the biggest problem starts from here.

What tricks should she use to avoid him?

‘After the wedding is too late.’

The moment she gets married, Kisa becomes Hilan’s person and completely enters his territory.

It would take several times more effort to shake off his influence than before marriage.

‘There is a marriage contract we wrote together, but it’s practically useless.’

Not only was it not formally notarized, but above all, marriage was considered sacred both by custom and religion, so it was difficult to cancel it with just a pre-marital contract.

In the first place, Kisa also believed in Seyerd’s character rather than the legal effect of the contract, and that someone as great as the Duke of Hilan would have no reason to keep her, who was nothing special.

At that time, she had no idea that Seyerd had such an abnormal obsession with her.

She couldn’t even imagine the size of a fingernail that he would let Kisa go obediently 2 years after getting married based on some mere contract.

‘If I can’t cancel the engagement or get divorced……’

There was only one way left.

Escape. Secretly leave everything behind and go to a place where no one knows.

That was the only means to break free from that man who loved her so much.

Kisa’s heart pounded wildly.

Could she really do it?

If she went out into the world hiding her identity, she would have to survive on her own without the protection of family and status.

She would have to work like a commoner and provide for her own meals and lodging, all with her own strength.

‘Is it possible for me?’

Actually, this wasn’t a matter of whether it was possible or not if she truly wanted to run away from Seyerd, it was something she had to do.

However, knowing her own limitations too well, she couldn’t help but hesitate.

‘I can cover the transportation costs and temporary housing expenses with the money I’ve saved up. But how long can I live on that?’

Can I find a suitable job before the money runs out?

It will also cost quite a bit to create a new identity, so how will I come up with that?

No, before that, where should I go? Where can I run away to in order to avoid the search by Count Vanspelt and Seyerd?

All sorts of daunting questions arose one after another, occupying Kisa’s mind.

But then the next day, something strange happened.

An unexpected person extended a helping hand.

“Would you accept this?”

The woman who faced Kisa in front of the main gate of the Vanspelt residence handed her a heavy sack.

“This is the reward money minus what I’ll use. I want to give you the rest.”

It was Hazel Turdy, Daniel’s woman whom Kisa thought she would never see again.