In the early days of their marriage, the Duchess had doted on Riena like her own daughter, but at some point, she started to mistreat her, all because of that.

It didn’t matter if her husband, whom she didn’t love and who had become a hindrance to her future, died.

“Alright. So what’s next?”

“Naturally, you have to help me propose to Lady Riena.”

According to Johannes’ explanation, it went like this.

He had already shown interest in Riena and had proposed a marriage. However, Count Dyke had mercilessly rejected the proposal.

But he couldn’t give up on Riena, and in the end, he had come to see the Duchess like this.

“Not long ago, the Countess Rothman died in an accident, and the Count is looking for a new wife. If something happens to Count Dyke and Aaron Dyke succeeds the title, propose a marriage between Riena Dyke and Count Rothman.”

“What? But…”

“After that, I will take care of everything.”

“Yes.”

The conversation that day was about to end with questions, but before leaving the room, the Duchess cautiously asked Johannes.

“Does it… have to be Riena?”

As Johannes raised one eyebrow as if to ask what she meant, the Duchess continued.

“I have another daughter besides Riena. Her name is Bianca, and she’s as pretty as Riena.”

She gained courage from Johannes’ action of slightly leaning forward as if intrigued.

“I’m not just saying this because she’s my daughter, but Bianca is truly beautiful. Unlike Riena, who only puts on airs, she has good social skills and knows how to handle men. You seem to be unaware, but Riena is quite talkative despite her appearance.”

“Hmm?”

“She often rides horses and roams around, mingles with commoners, and avoids parties. I’m worried if she can properly manage the household of a marquis family in the future.”

Johannes nodded as if telling her to continue.

“On the other hand, I have educated Bianca well since she was young, so she has a wide network and the ability to take charge of household affairs.”

“…”

“I think she would be much more helpful to you and the Belliard Marquisate than Riena.”

At that moment, Johannes, who had been sitting, rose from his seat and slowly approached her. His physique, which had come close, was surprisingly large and good, unlike his face that only seemed weak.

Johannes pressed his body close to the Duchess’ back and grabbed the doorknob.

“I decide both my wife and my wife’s usefulness. Now that the discussion is over, your words are not pleasant, Duchess.”

“…”

“From now on, only answer the questions I ask. That will be good for you too.”

As soon as he opened the door, the Duchess rushed out of the room as if running away.

And a month later, Count Dyke, who had gone to inspect the village, died in a horse-riding accident. No one could find anything strange, but the Duchess realized it was Johannes’ doing.

After Count Dyke’s funeral was over, the Duchess received a letter from an unknown sender. The letter had a short sentence written in an elegant handwriting: “Keep your promise.”

The Duchess immediately pursued the marriage between Riena and Count Rothman. Just as she was anxiously wondering if this was really okay, Johannes Belliard visited the Count’s residence.

Only then did the Duchess realize that Johannes had intended to play the role of a prince who came to rescue the princess in danger.

Anyone would choose Johannes over Count Rothman. If things had gone according to plan, Riena would have been forced to choose Johannes.

But suddenly, Cassel Winkler appeared and proposed. It was understandable that Riena accepted the proposal, but why did Johannes let the two of them go like that?

“Why did you let Riena go like that?”

“What do you mean?”

“I did everything you told me to do. I even pursued the marriage between Count Rothman and Riena. Didn’t you say you would take care of everything after that?”

“Shh.”

Johannes put down the teacup and placed his index finger on his lips.

“There are many listening ears here too. No matter how much this is the Dyke estate, we can’t trust everyone. Is it okay to raise your voice? Well, I don’t mind, but I’m worried it might harm your reputation, Duchess.”

Although he pretended to be concerned about the Duchess, it was actually a threat to keep her mouth shut. The Duchess, who now understood Johannes’ way of speaking, had a lot to say but closed her mouth for now.

Johannes smiled as if he had done well, his eyes softening.

“Did you really do everything I told you to do?”

“…What?”

“Even after finding out later that Riena was trying to run away like that, what have you done well to look me straight in the eye? You should be flat on the ground begging for forgiveness.”

In an instant, Johannes’ calm demeanor changed. The force that seemed like he couldn’t even hold a sword became as sharp as a knight’s.

“And, ha, the Duke of Winkler? While Count Dyke was sending such a letter to the Duke, what were you doing? If you had just intercepted that letter, no, if you had just told me about the letter, this wouldn’t have happened.”

“That’s…”

“After ruining everything, you dare to talk back to me?”

The unrestrained murderous intent poured out towards the Duchess. She felt a stinging sensation on her skin and a feeling as if someone was strangling her neck.

The Duchess scratched her neck with her fingertips and choked.

She couldn’t even say she was sorry or beg for her life. The only thing she could do was crawl on the floor, lie flat at Johannes’ feet, and plead.

“Ugh, sorry… Huk, spare me…”

Johannes, who had been looking down at her with an expressionless face, withdrew his force.

The pressure that had been weighing down on her body disappeared in an instant, but the Duchess couldn’t get up. She still lay flat on the ground, taking deep breaths.

Her face was damp with tears that had flowed without her knowing. She could feel her makeup was a mess even without looking in a mirror.

At that moment, Johannes pressed the Duchess’ head with his shoe-clad foot. It didn’t hurt, but the Duchess felt an indescribable humiliation.

She had never in her life had to lie flat in front of someone and beg for her life like this. She never even imagined she would do this to a young man who was young enough to be her son.

To give her such humiliation on top of that.

But what was even more humiliating was that she couldn’t make any protest to Johannes. She felt like she would really be killed by his hands if she said anything.

Moreover, her beloved Bianca and Aaron might also meet a cruel death.

Just like Count Dyke, who was once her husband.

“Listen carefully. The only reason I’m letting you and your children live is because you still have some use left. If you fail to properly handle the tasks I give you from now on, all three of you will go to the side of the dead Count. Understand?”

The Duchess desperately nodded her head to stay alive. Only after moving her head to the point of neck pain did Johannes seem satisfied and remove his foot.

“If you understand, get up and sit properly.”

He watched with his arms crossed as the Duchess hurriedly got up, straightened her back, and sat in her seat.

He spoke again in a polite tone.

“Letting Riena and the Duke of Winkler go was an inevitable choice. In that situation, I couldn’t hold onto Riena while confronting the Duke of Winkler.”

“Then are you going to just watch Riena marry the Duke of Winkler?”

The Duchess desperately suppressed the jealousy boiling inside her.

When Johannes only wanted Riena and didn’t even spare a glance at Bianca, her insides had boiled with rage, and now even the Duke of Winkler wanted Riena.

Just how much luck did Riena have!

As Johannes quietly observed the Duchess, his green eyes flashed with murderous intent.

“Of course not.”

He muttered as if he was amused.

“Since I was young, I have never lost anything I wanted. Among them, Riena is the one I have most desperately wanted since I was born. Do you think I would give up on such a thing?”

“Then…?”

“I will bring Riena back to my side, no matter what it takes.”

A dazzling lightning flashed outside the window. Johannes’ face, which had been hidden in the dark shadows, was momentarily illuminated brightly and then disappeared into the shadows again.

The Duchess stiffened her body as she recalled Johannes’ face filled with desire, which she had seen for a very brief moment.

“Yes, no matter what it takes.”

Johannes’ whispered words were drowned out by the ominously resonating thunder and went unheard.