Despite the situation, he was anxious that the difficulttoachieve engagement might fall apart. At his appearance, Riley came up to the room, crumpling the newspaper in her hand.

“…… I had the same thought for a moment.”

She was worried about Gibnen, but she was also frightened that the engagement might fall apart.

Her changed treatment was solely given because of the marriage with ‘Gibnen Lianster.’ She felt disgusted at herself for having the same materialistic thoughts as Ryan.

‘…… It’s because of me.’

Riley closed her eyes tightly.

He only helped, nothing more. He was just caught up in this by chance. If it weren’t for him, she would now be a cold corpse beneath the tower.

A benefactor has become garbage engulfed in filthy rumors overnight.

Of course…… it’s true that she is engaged to Count Ermaints, but still……

‘I was too greedy.’

Gibnen certainly gave her two options.

Marriage and guardianship.

Although Gibnen seemed to prefer the former, she should have chosen the latter. Then she wouldn’t have been swept up in these filthy rumors, and he wouldn’t have suffered this way.

Riley took out a paper.

‘If I call off the engagement now…….’

It wouldn’t be a big problem. It doesn’t matter if it becomes a guardianship relationship.

Although the procedure was complicated, it wouldn’t be difficult for him.

Riley hesitated as she pressed hard on the quill, trying to write a letter to Gibnen to be delivered.

‘…… No.’

She didn’t want to. She didn’t want to call off the engagement with him.

Even if it’s selfish, what’s disliked is disliked.

‘The one who proposed the marriage first was that man, not me…….’

If the situation is difficult, they will call off the engagement first. Since they haven’t even expressed the intention to call off the engagement immediately, is there a need to do this out of a guilty conscience?

Riley clenched her fist and bowed her head.

She didn’t want to lose everything she had now. She couldn’t help but be selfish and materialistic. Could she lose everything she’d been given since she promised to marry that man, and go back to the way things were before? Could she adapt?

If he tries to become a guardian instead of a husband, her aunt might try to sell her off to any household. After all, a soninlaw and a guardian are entirely different things. From her aunt’s perspective, there’s nothing to gain in that choice.

She’d probably face strong opposition if Gibnen tried to become a guardian.

Riley spat out a bitter laugh.

‘…… I really feel like garbage.’

In the midst of all this, her selfish concern for herself first made her feel nauseous and unbearable.

She knew she wasn’t a good person, but she couldn’t just ignore someone else’s difficult situation and look away without feeling anything.

Riley suppressed her selfloathing and guilt as best as she could.

And in the end, she didn’t pick up the quill again.

(This is a time separator.)
The reason why a mere rumor could spread all over the region in an instant was due to the connections built up over a long period of time.

Especially, the Earl of Ermaintz, who was infamous for being entangled in all sorts of rumors due to his perverted nature, had no choice but to maintain a close relationship with those working in the press.

The connections he had cultivated by pouring money had shown their power today.

“You’ve worked hard. I’ll settle the accounts by this evening.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Hahaha, now I feel a bit relieved.”

“But is it all right……?”

“What is?”

“The fact that your divorce was exposed as well, it might damage your reputation.”

“Shall only the thief who stole someone else’s woman do it?”

Actually, whether it’s a thief who steals another man’s woman or a shameless person who tries to marry a girl young enough to be his child, they’re pretty much the same.

The reporter pushed back his words and lifted the corners of his mouth.

“Then, I’ll continue to rely on you, sir.”

“Well, you’ve really worked hard.”

“I’ll take my leave now.”

“Hold on, let me ask one more thing.”

“Yes, please speak.”

“Is there really talk of that guy marrying that woman?”

“No, there’s no such thing. That part was just exaggerated for sensational reporting.”

Adding false information to the facts to inflate them was one of the commonly used methods to defame an opponent.

“I see, understood.”

So, what is that scoundrel lacking to take the daughter of a pitiful viscount?

“……I must be getting old. I’m having all sorts of useless thoughts.”

The scandal report was also clearly one of the women he was just keeping around to enjoy for a while, just like the other women who were hanging around him.

Then, that woman must be out of Gibnen’s hands.

“How did Horizon respond?”

“They’re consistently nonresponsive.”

“Didn’t they make a statement?”

“No.”

“They don’t see it as worth responding to.”

“It seems to just be dismissed as a rumor.”

Well, it was okay to be dismissed as a rumor. His reputation was tarnished anyway.

And the real goal is something else.