When Arnolt first heard news about Elodie Montouar,

“Finally, is that guy showing interest in a woman?”

Surprisingly, he thought quite positively.

Of course, compared to Ertman Duke, Montouar was a considerably weaker family among the noble families.

But the fact that Balter, who had never shown interest in anyone, had taken someone as his duchess for the first time—and that it was a woman—wasn’t that a hopeful sign from Arnolt’s perspective?

“A weak alliance is a slight flaw… but forming a pair with a noble family isn’t bad either.”

He could see it as quite positive when it came to the family.

The most significant issue had always been Balter; if both the bride’s family and Balter were happy, he was willing to applaud with both hands and feet.

However, Arnolt knew very well that hastily harboring false hopes from such news could lead to a significant setback.

– Send someone to the temple in secret to find out. Who this woman is and how she is living, everything!

He moved quite meticulously, and as a result, he found out some unexpected information.

The news was that Balter would marry not Montouar’s daughter, but a certain princess!

“……I was curious where the news of my marriage to the 4th princess had leaked from. So, it leaked from there.”

“What’s the big deal? We’re of the same family, aren’t we?”

“Because we’re of the same family, that’s why I’m saying it leaked. If it had been another family, I would have found out who the rat was first.”

Balter clicked his tongue, saying that all his careful avoidance of letting the news reach Arnolt’s ears had been in vain.

His tone was cynical, but there was no denial in his words.

After all, it was Balter who had taken Elodie back in after she had nowhere to go after being kicked out from Ertman.

.

.

.

After a small disturbance with Odette at the Ertman Duke’s residence, Elodie was quickly abandoned by Grimouar.

Grimouar never intended to have a long relationship with Elodie, so it was natural.

Lady Grimouar released Elodie immediately after receiving a message from Ertman saying, ‘Elodie doesn’t have to be your chaperon.’

There was money at hand, so there was no reason to worry about finding a place immediately, but this reality gave Elodie a significant shock.

She had been living lavishly at Ertman’s Duke residence, and suddenly, she was on the streets.

Naturally, she was shocked.

And it was in this gap that Balter reconnected with Elodie.

“Yo, your grace? You didn’t abandon me after all! Take me back to Ertman…”

“Quiet. Lie down first and mind your manners, Miss Elodie.”

Elodie, who was about to rush to Balter, was blocked by Russel.

Russel, who had already been looking at Elodie coldly, now had eyes as cold as if he were looking at an inanimate object.

“Surely, you don’t think you’re on equal terms with His Grace?”

“……!”

Elodie, too, had been a noble young lady who had grown up with no less privilege in her own territory.

At their first meeting, Balter had dealt directly with Elodie, maintaining the proper courtesies.

After all, Balter had no reason to look down on Elodie.

But now, the situation had changed.

Elodie longed for all that Balter had, and even had wronged him.

Elodie wasn’t foolish enough to still be stubborn under these circumstances.

“…I apologize, Your Grace. Please forgive my rudeness.”

And so, Balter continued the conversation as Russel carefully loosened his tight grip on Elodie.
“Formalities aside. I have no intention of groveling excessively to the esteemed scion of the Ga family. But if a situation like last time arises again, things will be different.”

“……! That won’t happen again! I swear!”

“Judging by your quick tongue, it seems you don’t want to return to your hometown so desperately. Well, if you leave like this, it’s almost as if you won’t be able to set foot in the capital again. And it’s not like you have ample extra money either.”

The speaker, who had incited the waste of the once plentiful extra money, had a particularly sarcastic tone.

“I’ll arrange for you to stay at the Ertman Duke’s mansion. Of course, I intend to provide you with the support I initially promised in Montuar, and I’ll get you another chaperone. But this time, there’s a condition.”

The condition Walter put forth was clear.

“Seduce Louis Clovis into marriage.”

“That, that is……”

“Why, not to your liking? Louis Clovis, a viscount, would be a more than sufficient match for you. In terms of status, wealth, and even looks, the viscount isn’t lacking. Furthermore, he prefers freedom, so he won’t restrain his partner either……”

Walter counted off point by point on his fingers, then coldly ridiculed Elodie, who was kneeling at his feet.

“That’s right, birds of a feather should flock together.”

It was a reference to the rumors Elodie had constantly fueled in her hometown.

Elodie felt a chill as she realized her entire past had been unearthed.

“Let me be clear on one thing. My demand is to get them married, not necessarily for you to marry him. If you wish, go ahead.”