It’s impossible to win when you can’t communicate.

At the dinner with the Duke’s family, Arasila secured victory by interpreting everything as she pleased or responding in a way that left others speechless, no matter what anyone said.

She mainly used two methods:

“The more you oppose, the more our love burns.”

She would answer like that when they implied opposition to the marriage directly or indirectly.

“So you’re saying you won’t see me after the wedding? I’ll do as you wish.”

She would answer like this with a sullen face when they reluctantly tried to find fault with her.

Having completely failed to gain the upper hand against Arasila, the Duke’s family eventually left the dining hall with disgusted looks.

“I came prepared, how was it?”

Arasila’s eyes sparkled as she greeted Demian, who had come to see them off.

In fact, just before entering the dining hall, she had eavesdropped on the Duke’s family’s conversation through the slightly open door.

When she heard them talk about marrying Iris and Oscar, she felt a chill down her spine and anger welled up.

How dare they, without any conscience, to our sister!

As a result, she approached the dinner more aggressively than she had originally intended.

“Well done. It seems the lady has an excellent talent for rendering people speechless.”

Demian praised sincerely. It was the first time he had seen the Duke’s family at a loss for words so often.

Since childhood, he had always dealt with their unreasonable demands alone, but now having even one person on his side made a clear difference.

This must be what it feels like to have support. It was especially so because the person by his side was the extraordinary Arasila Hugo.

‘Is this why people live in groups?’

As he gazed down at Arasila’s face, clearly elated despite pretending otherwise at his praise, he thought.

Though he still preferred living alone, having one person in the same space might not be so bad.

“I’ve never been beaten in words in my life. If I may offer advice, sometimes to win a war of words, you need to let go of reason.”

“Indeed, the lady was speaking like an unbridled foal earlier.”

“That’s the most insulting comparison I’ve ever heard. Do you want to get trampled by a foal?”

As Arasila narrowed her eyes, a carriage arrived behind her. Demian opened the door and bowed politely.

“I’ll pass. Please return safely.”

“Yes, have an unpleasant evening.”

Arasila took Audrey’s hand and boarded the carriage, slamming the door shut.

Demian watched as the carriage departed, its flag bearing the Hugo family crest fluttering. He slowly turned around.

As he climbed the marble stairs, he stopped upon seeing someone appear at the top.

“Demian, do you think you can steal what belongs to Oscar by doing this?”

The Duchess looked down at her stepson with a cold expression. Demian let out a snicker.

“You laugh? Don’t be so smug, Demian Vandermir. You’re still a loser no matter what!”

“Perhaps for now, Duchess.”

Demian climbed the stairs at a leisurely pace and stood before the Duchess.

“But if I keep trying, won’t I be able to become a winner like you someday, Duchess? By stealing what belongs to others.”

“You, you…!”

The Duchess’s face flushed red.

Originally, she had been a close friend of the late Duchess. But not only did she betray her friend and steal her husband, she even went so far as to have a child and take her place after her friend’s death.

Knowing full well that Demian was pointing out exactly this, the Duchess glared at him with an insulted look.

‘Why did he have to resemble him of all people…!’

While her beloved son didn’t resemble her beloved at all, the detestable Demian was the spitting image of the Duke.

To make matters worse, his eyes, like molten gold, reminded her of the former Duchess, infuriating her even more.

“Well then, I have matters to attend to.”

Demian nodded lightly and continued up the stairs past her. The Duchess clenched her fists as she glared at his broad back.

‘Demian Vandermir, do you think I’ll let you marry so easily?’

Damn them both, I won’t let either of them off the hook. Her fists trembled as she gritted her teeth.

The Vandermir ducal family tried every method to persuade the Hugo marquis family.

They offered gold and jewels, proposed good business deals, and extended sweet temptations to grant whatever they desired.

But the Hugo family didn’t budge. Rather, following Arasila’s request, they went as far as to personally inform the Emperor of the marriage.

When news of the marriage came not from an individual’s mouth but from the family’s, the Emperor was delighted and summoned the heads of both houses.

“Ho ho, so the marriage between the two families is finally coming to fruition. And a love marriage at that, truly joyous news. Congratulations, Duke and Marquis. Your respective second son and daughter have found a good match.”

The Emperor stroked his snow-white beard with a pleased smile.

He had been close friends with the late Duke Vandermir.

This was why the current Duke couldn’t thwart the arranged marriage. Because none other than the Emperor was upholding the late Duke’s last wishes.

“I shall personally attend the wedding. Congratulations once again.”

With this, Demian and Arasila’s marriage was made official, and preparations had to be made without delay.

As they were leaving after receiving the Emperor’s blessings, Duke Vandermir grabbed Marquis Hugo and said,

“Marquis, I oppose this marriage. To be precise, I oppose my second son. How about our firstborn, Oscar, instead?”

The Duke tried to persuade the Marquis very urgently and desperately. However, the Marquis gently pushed away the Duke’s hand and shook his head.

“Your second son is more suitable for my second daughter.”

Through just one dinner with Demian, he had realized. That Demian was the only man who could marry while matching Arasila’s values.

“Then why not marry your eldest daughter to my eldest son! Demian caused so much trouble since childhood that his mother, after enduring for so long, even sent him abroad to study. Are you really sure it’s alright to marry him to your daughter?”

“Oh my, I said it’s fine.”

“That’s why I’m asking why it’s fine—!”

The Duke shouted angrily at the Marquis, who wasn’t listening to him with his good-natured face.

He couldn’t let Demian marry like this, but whether it was the daughter or the father, no one in the Hugo family seemed to understand.

“Marquis, think carefully. As you know, marriage isn’t just about looks.”

“But my wife married me just for my looks.”

Marquis Hugo, who had a rare love marriage in aristocratic society, didn’t miss the chance to boast with a grin.

That smile was so similar to his daughter’s that it reminded the Duke of Arasila, making his blood pressure rise.

“Your daughter might be different! Come on, Marquis, can’t you persuade your daughter to…”

“Duke, you don’t seem to understand because you haven’t raised a daughter.”

The Marquis said with a serious face as he put his hand on the Duke’s shoulder.

“They say daughters are usually easier to raise than sons, but when that daughter becomes stubborn, no one can break her.”

“You’re saying a child dares to refuse to obey their father?”

“It’s not so much that, but rather at twenty-one, whether son or daughter, it’s time for them to live independently.”

He chuckled and lightly patted the Duke’s shoulder.

“Anyway, if it’s going to be an arranged marriage, isn’t this better than forcing unwilling children?”

“But…”

“His Majesty has given permission, so let’s not argue anymore. I’ll be going ahead.”

The Duke gritted his teeth as he watched the Marquis walk away with a bright smile.

In the end, having failed to persuade even the Marquis, he was left with just one option.

To somehow make Arasila Hugo give up on this marriage.

The wedding date for Arasila Hugo and Demian Vandermir was set quickly.

The first reason was to prevent the ducal family from interfering, and the second was that both wanted to marry as soon as possible so they could divorce quickly.

“Arasila, isn’t getting married in a month too soon, no matter how you look at it?”

Iris asked as she watched her sister prepare to go out, sitting on the bed. Her voice was thick with concern and worry.

“Well, what does it matter? His Majesty specially provided the Grand Temple as the venue. Why do it slowly when we can do it quickly?”

There really was no reason to do it slowly. The Emperor had provided the venue, and everything else could be prepared with money.

Fortunately, both sides had enough money to push the wedding forward at high speed without any lack.

“Still, a month is too fast.”

“Sister, our father changed his mind and accepted my marriage in just one day. A month is plenty.”

Although she understood her sister’s reluctance to let her go, Arasila didn’t change her firm attitude.

This was all the more so because it was the way to save her sister.

“Sorry, I have to go now. I’m supposed to meet the Duchess today.”

“Alright, Arasila.”

As she straightened her sister’s slightly tilted hat, Iris took Arasila’s hands and advised,

“If the Duchess says anything to you, don’t retort to everything. Let some things slide if you can bear it. Agree to everything unless it’s an unreasonable demand. That’s how you can prevent them from pestering you.”

This was Iris’s advice after hearing from their parents that the ducal family was opposing the marriage.

Although she still felt regretful and disappointed about Arasila’s marriage, she wanted to help since it was what her sister wanted.

“You said you wanted to get married quickly. So be patient when you need to be, and don’t give them any openings. Understand?”

“Yes, sister. Thank you. I’ll be back.”

After a light hug with Iris, Arasila left the house and headed to a quiet coffeehouse.

She was supposed to meet the Duchess here today to discuss the wedding.

Although she arrived on time for the appointment, Arasila sat down at the empty table.

‘Well, I was also 3 minutes late when meeting Lord Vandermir.’

And so she waited.

The Duchess appeared 30 minutes after the appointed time.

“Hello, Duchess.”

“Nice to see you, Lady.”

She sat down across from Arasila without any apology, shamelessly. Arasila was about to say something but remembered her sister’s advice and held back.

She could let this much slide.

“The reason I asked to see you today is because I have something to give you, Lady.”

“For me?”

At the Duchess’s signal, a maid handed over an envelope of documents. Arasila silently accepted it.

It was very heavy and thick, with many papers inside.

“Read it right now.”

“Yes.”

What the Duchess had given her were documents detailing the dowry and wedding gifts.

All sorts of jewels, expensive dresses, and even a new mansion in the capital…

Arasila was momentarily speechless at the scale and amounts that made her jaw drop.

‘At this point, they’re not a ducal family but a gang of extortionists, aren’t they?’