“Young master, it has arrived from the Hersher mansion.”

“That didn’t take long.”

Given it had to be done secretly, he thought it would take a bit more time.

Even for Aria, it would be difficult to openly ask for the family head’s seal.

However, she sent the result less than two days after receiving the note from Bawin.

Bawin smiled as he opened the mail Aria had sent.

Inside the mail was the note he had given her, with a bright red seal stamped on the very last paragraph like a drop of blood.

“Does Duke Hersher know about this as well?”

“If he knew, he wouldn’t have stamped this note. If it were the Duke, he would have torn up the note on the spot and tried to smooth things over himself.”

He was certain that Duke Hersher would never stamp such a thing.

After all, this was a kind of loan with the house as collateral. If the borrowed amount is not repaid within a certain period, the collateral must be handed over intact.

“While the princess is of high status, I wonder if she has the ability to repay this amount.”

“You never intended to get it back in the first place.”

It was true that the amount of money she requested was quite substantial.

Though it could cause considerable loss to the finances of the Rokin viscounty, Bawin didn’t mind. Because it wasn’t money he gave with the intention of getting it back.

“If I can see Duke Hersher’s face turn pale, that alone would be enough.”

At Bawin’s nonchalant attitude, his retainer sighed and said.

“But it’s not like we won’t take any hit at all.”

To prepare that much money right away, a significant portion of the saved deposits had to be withdrawn.

The Rokin family was also in the banking business, and it was almost the first time they had given out this much money to one person.

If they couldn’t get it back, it would clearly be a big blow.

Contrary to his retainer’s concerns, Bawin was relaxed.

“I’ve invested in a good place, so you don’t need to worry so much.”

“As far as I know, there’s only one place you’ve invested in recently, sir. Were you serious about that?”

He had thought that obtaining the business rights was just to look good to the imperial family.

But now that he’s saying this, the retainer was at a loss for words.

To place expectations on something with such slim chances of success.

“And recovering the money is entirely possible.”

“How is that possible?”

In fact, if it was to obtain the business rights, Bawin should have rejected Aria’s proposal.

Among those who knew the inside story, no one didn’t know where Aria’s money would flow to.

If that enormous sum of money were to go into Grit’s pocket, Grit might stop selling the business rights.

Of course, if he had even a little common sense, he would have been busy selling all the business rights that had no potential whatsoever to recover the losses incurred so far.

However, in Bawin’s eyes, Grit wasn’t that kind of person.

It wasn’t simply that person’s tendency, but rather the eye that had accumulated experience from doing business for a long time was certain.

He would undoubtedly use the money he received from Aria entirely to restart the business.

Reading such a situation, Bawin made a decision. When Grit receives money from Aria, he would immediately take that money back.

“I should demand immediate repayment of the funds lent under the baron’s name. The contract clearly states that we can demand full repayment when we want.”

For now, the Odoi ducal family had just put out the urgent fire.

But due to high interest, they would have to face another huge crisis.

Bawin intended to use this.

“What if the Duke refuses to pay?”

“Then we’ll take it to court.”

The empire’s emperor and empress, and even the crown prince.

They all favored Clea.

And now Bawin was moving for her sake.

It was already obvious whose side the judge would take.

“And send this to the crown prince’s palace.”

“Wouldn’t it be better for us to keep it?”

“He must be bored anyway, so isn’t it good to send it as a consolation?”

“I’m not sure if he’s bored, but…”

The person who spread the rumor that Clea was injured and bedridden was none other than Bawin.

There was no room for problems as he only conveyed the facts as they were.

‘Rather, it seems like that side might want it too.’

* * *

“Did she really manage to raise the funds?”

“Yes, yes. That’s right, young master.”

“Damn it!”

Lloyd couldn’t believe it. He never thought Aria would really be able to create the funds.

Even at that time, he lightly dismissed it as just her bluffing because she didn’t want to lose to him.

He thought she would ultimately fail to raise it, and in the end, she would seek his help as before.

But the result was different.

Steve, who came on behalf of Grit, was looking at Lloyd with a very frightened attitude.

“What did the Duke say?”

“Well, actually.”

Steve was uncomfortable answering.

He was afraid of what might happen if he relayed exactly what Grit had said to Lloyd, who seemed very displeased about Aria’s matter.

“Don’t beat around the bush, Steve.”

After hesitating as much as possible, he opened his mouth at Lloyd’s continued words.

“He said that since the princess gave the money as promised, he would consider the deal with you as if it never happened… Ugh!”

Lloyd kicked Steve in the stomach before he could even finish speaking.

Steve couldn’t even respond to the sudden incident.

“Am I a joke to you?”

“Young master, what do you mean?”

In the past, the relationship between the two wasn’t hostile.

They spoke informally to each other and showed friendly attitudes.

But now, that image was completely gone.

“Why do people from your family keep breaking promises with me like this? First it was Clea, and now even the Duke is doing it.”

“Not at all. Our family has never broken a promise with you, young master!”

Steve hastily explained.

This promise was premised on Aria not being able to get the money from the beginning.

Lloyd thought Aria wouldn’t have the ability to resolve the situation. So he planned to request marriage with her in return for solving it.

It was a deal that the ducal family pushed forward because they could receive money from the Percy family and restore trust.

But an unexpected situation occurred.

Aria brought the money.

Since she brought the money, naturally, there was no reason for the ducal family to move according to Lloyd’s wishes.

They had also written a note in the process of threatening Aria. Saying they would keep quiet on the condition of receiving money.

This was content that Lloyd had also agreed to. Yet now he was raising his voice.

“Even if the Duke had a change of heart, you shouldn’t betray me. Right?”

“Y-young master.”

Lloyd’s eyes shone very fiercely.

Steve wanted to run away if he could, even if it meant showing a cowardly appearance.

“Don’t tell me you think my words aren’t worth listening to either?”

He didn’t have much left.

At first, there were many people around him. So until then, Lloyd wished for Clea to disappear.

He believed that if only she disappeared, he would become even happier in his already happy days.

Because if Aria took the place where that lump had disappeared, it seemed like his life would become perfect.

But he didn’t become happy. Even though Clea disappeared as he wished.

‘No, rather I became unhappy. Terribly so.’

Lloyd didn’t want to admit it.

A being like a blemish on his life.

The one he thought was only an obstacle to his relationship with Aria.

Clea Odoi.

That the time before the engagement with her broke off was the most peaceful.

That’s why he was so desperate for a relationship with Aria.

It felt like if he could snatch Aria away from Admund, he could at least escape this miserable feeling.

However, as time passed, Lloyd became anxious.

‘What if I’m not happy even after getting Aria?’

The more he saw himself contrasting with the past, the more he felt a sense of disconnect and fear.

The thought arose that he might feel only emptiness even if he finally succeeded in keeping Aria by his side.

Lloyd punched the wall, denying the past events.

‘I was unhappy in those days. So unhappy that I never want to recall it again!’

He had thought he was unhappy.

From the very fact of being engaged to Clea, he felt oppressed, and his family seemed to love only Clea, not him.

Every time Lloyd felt he was inferior to her, his dissatisfaction grew.

He was the young master and future duke, while she was nothing but a princess.

‘So now you should be unhappy without me. You should be, but…’

Lloyd was irritated seeing her looking happy by Admund’s side, unlike in the old days.

At the same time, Lloyd was also aware.

That the image of Clea trying every means to stay by his side during their academy days had completely disappeared.

She began to shine like a diamond emerging from muddy water and regaining its luster.

Every time he saw Clea starting to shine like a diamond, Lloyd’s heart flowed strangely.

Perhaps his choice had indeed been wrong, and from the beginning, the person who suited him was none other than Clea.

“Steve.”

“Yes, young master.”

Lloyd contemplated for a moment.

If he says these words, his self-esteem will surely be completely shattered.

But now, his curiosity outweighed his self-esteem.

“Were you close with your younger sister?”