Standing in front of the tightly closed door, Kisa took a deep breath. It had always been like this when she had to face her father since childhood. It felt similar to having one’s entire life graded as a single, large assignment.

She recalled his face as he looked at his young only daughter, clothes thoroughly dirtied from romping through the garden.

The clearly visible contempt had left a deep impression in Kisa’s memory, still making her shrink even now. Sweat gathered in her clenched fist.

“But……”

She had to confront him. The Count also needed to know about the recent incident with Daniel. Now that the Count was staying at the townhouse was the opportunity.

To muster courage, Kisa recalled the man she had met in the library the other day. The person who had let her know that she wasn’t particularly stupid.

Thanks to that, she was able to sleep with a slightly easier mind that night. It was the first time since learning Daniel’s secret.

“Father, it’s me.”

Knock knock, as Kisa, feeling somewhat better, knocked on the door, permission to enter was soon granted.

“Good morning.”

“I’m afraid it’s not very good for me.”

The middle-aged man sitting at the desk in the study replied without even raising his head to his daughter’s greeting. Her shoulders, which she had tried to keep straight, hunched at the utterly dry voice.

“I heard from the servants. You came home late on the day of the concert?”

It wasn’t particularly surprising. It would not be wrong to think that everyone in this mansion was his eyes and ears. The Count wasn’t a doting father, but he wasn’t completely uninterested in his daughter either.

“I’m sorry. I lost track of time while reading a book.”

In these situations, simply apologizing was the easiest way to get through. However, the interrogation continued.

“A few days ago, why did you go to Peach Street?”

So he knew about that too. It was just that his recent schedule had been busy, so she had been postponing talking about it. Kisa swallowed dryly and opened her mouth.

“Actually, I have something to tell you related to that. It’s about Daniel.”

At the subdued tone, Count Vanspelt met Kisa’s gaze for the first time. Her body trembled involuntarily as she faced the bleak, colorless eyes.

I have to confront this. She steeled herself once again.

After hearing the story, Count Vanspelt frowned his brows, which bore some resemblance to his daughter’s.

“If what you say is true, it’s not an issue we can just sit back and watch. I’ll call Daniel in and talk to him myself.”

Relief washed over her at not being dismissed by him. So she didn’t pay much attention to the warning that followed.

“I’ll let it slide this time considering the special circumstances, but don’t act on your own like this again. The more grown a young lady is, the more proper her conduct should be.”

“Yes, Father. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Kisa quickly replied and then slipped out of the Count’s study.

In the near future, he would call Daniel in and question him about the whole story. It would be useless even if Daniel denied his relationship with that woman.

Given the Count’s personality, he would first investigate thoroughly and only take action once he was certain.

Judging from her observations, the two didn’t seem to have particularly hidden their intimate relationship. Not only were there many members in the group they belonged to, but Kisa herself had become aware of that nauseating relationship through someone else’s words.

What would Daniel say in front of the Count? Would he make excuses? Would he flatly deny it? At least he wouldn’t be able to act as brazenly as he had with Kisa.

Recalling that smooth face made a corner of her heart ache. She had truly liked him.

But… No, rather because of that, she couldn’t be with Daniel who looked down on her while pledging eternity to another woman.

‘Will we end up breaking off the engagement?’

The conversation she had with Melissa came to mind. It wasn’t pleasant to have the label of a broken engagement and be the talk of people, but what she disliked even more was not being able to break it off.

Count Vanspelt’s concern was not his daughter’s happiness, but face and practical benefits. If Daniel were to pretend to be repentant and make a false vow to never meet that woman again, there was a high possibility he would turn a blind eye.

What should I do then? Though she pondered, no clear solution came to mind immediately. For now, all she could do was wait for the Count and Daniel to meet.

And so, two days passed in Kisa’s anxious waiting. She heard the news that Daniel had visited the Vanspelt mansion when she returned from an outing for an unavoidable appointment.

“Oh my, young miss. Young master Daniel has come. He’s in conversation with the Count, so hurry and go see.”

Leaving behind the nanny who smiled contentedly, still unaware of what had happened between the two, Kisa headed towards the Count’s study.

However, as she neared her destination, she ran into Daniel coming out of the room.

“Well, who do we have here.”

The man, not much changed since she last saw him, approached Kisa with a leisurely gait that seemed to boast his long legs.

“If it isn’t the tattletale young miss of the Vanspelt house.”

It was a face that had clearly eaten well, slept well, and lived well over the past few days. It was resentful that while Daniel had been doing so, she had not.

“Don’t mock me.”

“Why, are you going to run off to daddy and tattle again?”

“Shouldn’t Father know what kind of things you’re doing?”

“What have I done? I have nothing to hide.”

Seeing that confident face, an ominous premonition flashed through her mind. It didn’t seem like mere bravado. What kind of conversation had taken place between Daniel and the Count?

“You look curious about what was said in that room. Shall I tell you?”

“No need. I’ll ask Father directly.”

“Yes, yes, by all means, young miss. Go right on in and see.”

The man, who seemed to get a thorn in his tongue if he didn’t spit out every single word sarcastically, gestured towards the study with his chin before leisurely brushing past Kisa.

Knock knock, Kisa hastily knocked on the door.

“Father.”

In her haste, she entered before being told to come in, causing a wrinkle to form between the Count’s brows.

“What are you doing, acting so rudely?”

“…I’m sorry. But how did the conversation go? What did Daniel say?”

The Count turned his eyes to the documents on his desk.

“You don’t need to worry about it.”

“Pardon?”

“I said you no longer need to worry about the issue you mentioned to me before.”

“What do you mean I don’t need to worry? I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“I’ve taken care of it.”

“How did you take care of it?”

A sigh escaped his lips.

“Yes, well, I understand you’re reacting so sensitively because you like Daniel. But there will be no change in your relationship with Daniel no matter what impurity might intrude, so stop making such a fuss.”

No change. At those words, she unconsciously slammed both arms on the Count’s desk with a thud.

“Father! Did Daniel claim he was innocent? You mustn’t believe him. I saw it clearly with my own eyes. I saw Daniel making a knight’s vow to another woman!”

It was the first time in her life she had spoken to her father in such a forceful tone.

However, the response that came back was only cold.

“So?”

“…Pardon?”

“So what if he did?”

Count Vanspelt took off his glasses and leaned back in his chair.

“What’s the big deal about having a woman or two?”

It felt like someone had hit her on the head with a hammer.

“Surely you’re not naive enough to believe that all married couples in the world are madly in love with each other. Marriage is ultimately the joining of two families.”

He tapped his temple a couple times with his finger.

“I just now confirmed with Daniel that he has no intention of breaking the union between Vanspelt and Lowens. Come to think of it, that lad has always been ambitious. I was worried he might have drunk some strange water while studying abroad, but it seems that was needless concern.”

“Father……”

“Trust my judgment, Kisa. Daniel is not the kind of man who would ruin things over a mere woman. Even now, his siblings are eyeing the successor position – do you think he would put you on the back burner and take the hand of a commoner widow?”

“But Daniel clearly said he would protect that woman for life. He’ll continue his relationship with her even after marriage.”

“At most she’ll end up as a mistress, what’s the big deal? You are Daniel’s only wife. My daughter, Kisa Vanspelt, you alone.”

“Are you telling me to marry a man who values someone else more than me? Daniel even insulted me as dull-witted in front of that woman.”

“Is that so?”

As this seemed to be news even to the Count, his well-shaped eyebrows curved, but the words Kisa wanted to hear did not come.

“Well, that was quite excessive of Daniel. No matter how infatuated he is with his mistress, he should still uphold his wife’s dignity. I’ll admonish him about it later.”

“This isn’t about dignity. Do you think I’ll be happy marrying a man who looks down on me so much?”

That was the conclusion she had come to after days of agonizing. The existence of the woman named Hazel was one thing, but knowing Daniel’s true feelings, Kisa could not become his wife.

“I said I’ll admonish him.”

“If Daniel suddenly changes his attitude because of a few words from you, I’ll feel even more miserable. I want to be respected for who I am.”

The Count showed a bewildered expression at this strange behavior from his daughter who had never contradicted his words. And soon the bewilderment turned to irritation.

“Then what do you want me to do? Are you saying I should call off the marriage promise with Daniel at this point?”

“……”

Kisa took a moment to catch her breath. The time had finally come when she had to clearly express her will in front of her fearsome father.

In truth, hearing her father’s sharp voice made her heart pound and her mouth go dry.

But at this moment, the presence of two men that came to mind allowed Kisa to break free from the Count’s pressure.

Daniel, who had looked down on Kisa for always obediently following her father’s words, and Seyad, who had let her know she wasn’t dull-witted.

Paradoxically drawing strength from the words of these two men who evoked conflicting emotions, Kisa opened her mouth.

“Yes, please break off the engagement, Father. I don’t want to marry Daniel.”

The Count paused for a moment before asking.

“Are you saying this sincerely?”

“With the utmost sincerity.”

“You, who used to follow Daniel around so much when you were young? If you’re just saying this to try and get his attention, forget it. Even without doing anything, his feelings for that woman will cool off eventually.”

“This isn’t a threat. I sincerely wish for the engagement to be broken off.”

“If that’s the case, then it’s even less worth listening to. Stop talking nonsense and withdraw.”

“Father, please! Formally break off the engagement with the Lowens family-”

“I said withdraw!”

At the sharp roar, Kisa reflexively stepped back several paces. Her hands began to tremble.