I silently roll the name he said in my mouth. Seyerd Hillan, Seyerd Hillan, Seyerd… Hillan? The surname attached to the familiar name Seyerd feels both familiar and strange.

“Duke Hillan.”

Only after hearing that title spoken by Count Vansfeldt did Kisa realize it was the name of the country’s most prestigious family.

No, did Father just call Seyerd Duke Hillan? That Duke Hillan?

Looking at him with a face full of confusion, Seyerd gestured to the sofa with his shoulder.

“Shall we sit down and talk first, Lady Vansfeldt?”

The count objected to that suggestion.

“There’s no need. That child will return to where she belongs right away.”

The glaring eyes ordered Kisa to leave. But Seyerd slightly blocked between the two, as if shielding from that gaze.

“That’s a bit strange. How can we proceed with the conversation without the person in question present?”

“The person in question…”

“Since I proposed to Lady Vansfeldt, I naturally want to confirm her intentions. I’ve heard enough of your opinion, Father.”

The count pressed his lips tightly. After a moment of silence, he finally relented.

“Kisa, sit down.”

Kisa followed her father’s instruction, not yet grasping the unfolding situation. Seyerd is Duke Hillan? And a proposal? What’s all this about?

As Kisa sat down next to the count, Seyerd, seated opposite, smiled amiably and said another cup of tea would be needed.

The count told the secretary still at the doorway to bring tea. It was the first time Kisa had seen her father so readily comply with someone else’s request.

While the maid who soon appeared prepared Kisa’s tea, Kisa closely observed Seyerd. There were two major differences from when she saw him in the library.

First, while he wore comfortable and simple attire before, now he was in formal dress that might be considered a bit old-fashioned.

But rather than looking rustic, it suited him very well. She had thought he had an old-fashioned charm from the first time she saw him, and his attire now harmonized wonderfully with that.

Second, his bangs, which had been naturally styled before, were now neatly arranged, highlighting his clear forehead. Also, compared to before when he looked like a newly enrolled college student, he now appeared quite mature.

Since the current Duke Hillan was said to be twins with the previous one, he now looked his actual age.

‘…So Seyerd really was Duke Hillan.’

Now she could see it. He looked exactly like his twin brother, as rumored. While the atmosphere surrounding him was worlds apart from the man who had remained expressionless even by his fiancée princess’s side, their appearances were very similar.

Why had she only realized this fact now, like a fool? It was amazing how different someone could appear just based on behavior, attire, and expression.

In fact, even now, it was hard to believe that Seyerd, smiling warmly at Kisa, was born on the same day as that man who was as dry as a desert.

“I feel a bit shy when you look at me so intently.”

Kisa realized a beat late that Seyerd’s sudden remark was directed at her.

“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be impolite.”

As Kisa hurriedly apologized, he waved his hand.

“No, no. I wasn’t trying to scold you. It’s an honor to be looked at by such a beauty. Count Vansfeldt must be pleased too. Having such a proud daughter.”

The count expressed slight agreement to Seyerd’s banter.

“Yes, well, I suppose so.”

Something felt off. Had he always used such a frivolous tone? The Seyerd Kisa knew was fresh but not light.

“So, about that.”

However, contrary to Kisa’s belief, Seyerd crossed his long legs and then leaned on the armrest, resting his chin. It was a somewhat unruly posture.

“Lady Vansfeldt, or rather, since we’ve introduced ourselves, I’d like to call you Miss Kisa now. It feels more familiar this way.”

Introduced ourselves. Strictly speaking, they hadn’t. Seyerd had revealed who he was, but Kisa hadn’t.

“Is that alright? Good, Miss Kisa is…”

The man who changed the form of address before Kisa could give permission gave her an expectant look.

“What do you think of me? Are you inclined to accept my proposal?”

“Pardon? A proposal?”

Right. She had momentarily forgotten, being so surprised that Seyerd was Duke Hillan, but he had clearly said earlier that he had proposed to her.

When thinking of his proposal, the first thing that came to mind was the suggestion of a contract marriage he had made in the royal library’s garden, but judging by the situation, that didn’t seem to be what he meant now. Currently, Seyerd was pretending to have met Kisa for the first time, mindful of the count’s presence.

“Well, that is, I…”

“I didn’t tell my daughter.”

The count intervened as Kisa was at a loss for words. Seyerd put on an exaggeratedly surprised expression.

“You didn’t even tell her? That’s too much. I even went to the trouble of sending a formal proposal.”

This was the first time Kisa had heard about a formal proposal. She looked at the count with eyes demanding an explanation, but he didn’t even glance at her.

“There was a problem with that proposal in the first place, Duke.”

“Is that so? I followed all the proper forms though.”

“It’s not a matter of form. Usually, a proposal is sent after there has been some exchange between the two parties, but to just send a proposal out of the blue-”

“Ah, then we can do that now. That exchange between the two parties.”

The count’s brow furrowed as his words were cut off, but Seyerd paid no mind and shifted his gaze to Kisa.

“Miss Kisa. A few days ago, the moment I saw you at the opera house, I fell in love at first sight. So, will you marry me?”

Kisa instinctively drew in a breath. She knew well it wasn’t sincere, but his expression and voice as he proposed were so sweet.

She tried hard to gather her thoughts. It seemed he was going with the setting that he had first seen Kisa at the opera house. The outline of the script he had written was starting to become visible.

‘I thought he had given up that day, but I guess not.’

It seems the contract marriage proposal Seyerd had made in the library garden was still valid. Looking back, it doesn’t seem like the words to withdraw the proposal had actually come out of his mouth at the time.

Her hands gripping her skirt tightened. This was a chance. A golden opportunity to break off the engagement with Daniel. And a miraculous chance that might never come again.

Just then, the count also mentioned that issue.

“Duke Hillan, as I’ve told you several times, my daughter already has a fiancé.”

“In a world where even marriages are broken, there’s nothing that says an engagement can’t be broken.”

“…That’s quite an extreme statement. Matters related to marriage are to be decided within the family.”

“I’m not trying to force anything. Even at this moment, am I not asking for Miss Kisa’s opinion?”

“There’s no need to ask. Kisa-”

“I accept.”

Both men’s gazes turned to her. Kisa tried to speak as clearly as possible. To convey her own will, not anyone else’s.

“Duke Hillan, I accept your proposal.”

The count’s face instantly contorted, while in contrast, Seyerd drew a beautiful smile.

“Kisa! What nonsense are you spouting?”

“I said I’ll marry the Duke, Father.”

“What about Daniel?”

“Of course, we’ll have to break off the engagement. What else can be done when I’m to marry someone else?”

“You… are you in your right mind?”

Since the count was treating her as if she had lost her mind, Kisa decided to act as if she really had.

“I’m sorry. But I really want to marry this man. I must marry him no matter what.”

“Why?”

“Because I just fell in love at first sight.”

While the count was at a loss for words at this absurd reason, Kisa glanced at the seat opposite. She hoped Seyerd would play along appropriately.

‘Huh?’

But he just blinked silently. On his utterly composed face, a clear hint of bewilderment could be glimpsed.

Had she said something that strange? As Kisa was about to ponder this, Seyerd suddenly stood up from his seat. Then he quickly approached and grasped both of Kisa’s hands.

“It’s an honor, Miss Kisa. I swear. You will never regret the choice you made today.”

No matter how many times she saw it, his acting was so convincing it wouldn’t lose to a stage actor.

“You go out now.”

Finally coming to his senses, Count Vansfeldt drove Kisa out of the office. As much as she wanted to stay, it felt awkward to stubbornly insist when the heads of households had things to discuss.

Since Seyerd didn’t hold her back either, Kisa obediently withdrew.

But that’s not to say she wasn’t curious about their conversation. She was dying to know how the count would react. It would be troublesome if he insisted until the end that breaking the engagement wasn’t possible.

In fact, she could understand the count’s negative reaction to Seyerd’s proposal. While simply comparing families, Lowens was no match for Hillan, but the interests entangled in engagements were even more complex than that.

First, they had to be mindful of the king, who had intended to marry his youngest daughter to the late former Duke Hillan, and Lowens had been connected with Vansfeldt for quite a long time.

Moreover, for the count, who had a cautious personality, he would naturally be wary of the new Duke Hillan whom he didn’t know well. It seemed that whether Seyerd could persuade him was the key issue.

‘I hope things work out well.’

Even though she wanted to eavesdrop on the conversation inside the office out of worry, the count’s secretary was watching with sharp eyes, so she had no choice but to return to her room.

Of course, it was nearly impossible to calm her mind there either. Kisa endlessly paced around the room, spending time that felt longer than usual.

How much time had passed? After knocking exactly three times, the count opened the door and said with a somewhat tired-looking face.

“Kisa, Duke Hillan would like to have a brief chat with you before he leaves.”

Seyerd could be seen behind him. It seems their conversation had finally ended.