Chapter 23

As a response to that, Verndia stopped laughing, and instead tapped the handle of the chair, thinking about something. His gaze was directly towards the floor.

“… Do you still have no feelings for me?”

The tone was lightly thrown in a passing manner, but the air inside the carriage became heavy instantly.

Psychke replaced her supposed answer by avoiding his eyes.

‘I think the same thing about breaking up the marriage.’

He wanted to keep an eye on her since he found out her identity.

However, rather than watching, she looks like she would break up their marriage as soon as she has time.

His head throbbed. Verndia put a stiffened expression and brushed the banges above his forehead.

‘If only he hadn’t written that contract.’

He couldn’t believe how everything seemed to end easily using verbal, and even wrote a contract for her. It was his first time feeling dissatisfied about his judgement.

Those who regret the past cannot be undone. He frowned through his nervousness and asked calmly.

“What is the fundamental reason for taking the ring off?”

“… I don’t know why are you asking such a thing.”

“Let’s call it a personal interest.”

Interest? How ridiculous.

She looked at him, seeing through his obvious lie. Why is he asking such things in an area where there’s no people?

The shy Verndia coughed in vain.

“I have a job to do relating to auction house, so if I can help, I want to help you.”

“It’s not something the Duke can help me with. You took care of me when I fainted, so you don’t have to worry about it.”

He couldn’t say anything because of her bored tone.

While Verndia was internally ill, the chariot arrived at the house Duke of Silkisia.

“Thank you for taking care of me. I shall take my leave.”

Verndia stopped Psychke, who was about to leave without hesitation. She told him that she’s fine going alone, but he got off first and escorted her.

“Ah, hey!”

Is he a horseman?

Lenox, who was putting his horse into the stable, shouted and pretended to know her. He ran towards her with a whip for horse, and blinded his eyes just by looking at her.

“Are you crazy? Have you gone insane?”

The mad Lenox didn’t even see the Duke and kept his informal words.

He shook Psychke’s shoulder with a rough hand gesture.

“Who wants to stay overnight in a man’s house again?”

“Let go of me.”

“Do you know how angry father was? Why, you became nervous after seeing Lillian? Do you like chasing after men for fear of being abandoned by your family?”

“I said let go!”

She was already dizzy because she has yet to fully recover and became even dizzier when Lenox shook her back and forth. She suppressed her nauseousness and tried to lower Lenox’s arm.

However, she had someone who moved faster than her.

“I really don’t know why my father did that to a thing like you. If you were just thrown on the streets as useless you are…. Aaaaaah!!”

“It sounds like you’re talking too harshly.”

Verndia, who crumpled his face fiercely, grabbed Lenox’s wrist.

So far, Verndia only saw Yzhar educating Psychke from going out.

It was the first time Verndia had seen Lenox nagging Psychke.

And he wondered what all these crazy people are.

Verndia didn’t give much strength to his grasp. Lenox grabbed his wrist and was in so much pain that his face turned red.

“Please, let go, let go! Aaackk!”

“Let it go, Duke!”

Shocked Psychke exclaimed at him. Not because ahe was worried about Lenox, but because she was afraid that the Duke of Silkisia or Yzhar would jump out at Lenox’s weeping scream.

Not knowing what happened to Aiden, there was nothing good about hurting anyone.

Verndia didn’t budge despite Lenox’s struggles, and he threw what he was holding as if he was dirty trash.

Then he supported Psychke, who was staggering with his arms.

Lenox grabbed the neck of his swollen, red, hand and cried out for his neck to burst.

“I will tell my father!”

“I should be the one telling you this. Did the Duke of Silkisia educate you to treat s sick person like this?

“Sick, you mean? Who is sick?”

Lenox snickered, as if saying ‘Don’t make me laugh.’

“I think that she has done that to you only once or twice, but I’m sorry to say but she’s someone who desperately asks for attention of us. And someone who fools everyone around—”

“You mean, a doctor can fake an sickness?”

“What are you calling the doctor for? I am sure she had faked her sickness?”

“Are you going to rest in a place like this, Princess?”

Lenox couldn’t reply back as he was left behind and Verndia asked Psychke with a frown.

Psychke was about to reply, but Lenox interrupted while wheezing.

“It would be better for the Duke to come to his senses as well!”

“Are you ordering me now?”

“It’s not an order, it’s a reminder. She says that whenever she wanted attention. How many times have I seen that?”

“I am neither the head of the household nor the heir, but I don’t think the interest of the second son would be that much worthwhile.”

“……!”

Lenox’s ears burned red with embarrassment and anger.

Verndia laughed at the second son.

“You are overly self-conscious, Duke.”

“What kind of fuss is this?”

A low voice cut through the overheated air.

Lenox, who turned his head in the direction of the sound, called out to him in a whimper.

“Older brother!”

“Aren’t you the Duke of Lestir?”

Even in the warm spring weather in a wrinkle-free dress, Yzhar slowly approached them with his clothes buttoned up to his neck.

As usual, he was creating an atmosphere that choked others.

The man who came close only stared at Psychke and Verndia with his cold, black eyes. He didn’t even give a glance to his brother, who was happy to see him.

But Lenox sprinted away as if he had met the savior and hid behind him. It was a bonus that he whined that he had put his wrist out.

“Kuegh.”

(TN: Lenox is a crybaby goodness!)

An act not commensurate with his age and stature caused Verndia to burst into laughter.

It seemed that it had scratched Yzhar’s heart.

“I didn’t know that the Duke was such a rogue.”

(TN: If Verndia is a rogue, then you must be trash.)

“A rogue, thank you for the compliment. That’s much better than being the crazy dog of the north.”

“… It would had been better if you returned home directly after you finished your work.”

He spoke coldly and grabbed Psychke’s hand.

“Let’s go. Father is waiting for you.”

“How about Aiden?”

If he asked her how he knew about Aiden, she’d say that it was only because of her gut.

Psychke understood what it implies.

If she follows him inside, she will never have the chance to go out ever again. Even if she had chances to go out, she’d be surrounded by guards.

“Come in and talk.”

“No, talk here.”

She had to run away. If he was in a good state, he wouldn’t know their plan, it was difficult to even hold the sword now. That was the reason why she only now sensed the presence of the enlisted men in the mansion.

But she had to figure out what happened to Aiden, and what he did after she ran away.

He didn’t talk much, nor was he friendly to her.

It was thanks to him that she was able to go to the auction house, and he had to pay for it.

“Get in.”

There’d be eyes seeing them.

Saying that, Yzhar glanced at Verndia.

He meant that he didn’t want anyone else to know about the family, but Psychke vehemently shook her hand away.

“I said talk here.”

“… ”

“I won’t go in until you tell me.”

“……When are you going to leave, Duke?”

“Ahh, I was going to watch. It looks fun.”

With his amethyst-like eyes twinkling, Verndia smiled.

Yzahr expressed his displeasure at the fact that he had no intention of going until the conversation was over.

“It’s Silkisia’s business, so you’d better not listen, Duke.”

“It’s also the job of a lovely fiancé.”

“She is the Princess of Silkisia even before she became the Duke’s fiancée.”

“You’re getting annoying, so don’t turn around and tell me. Are you saying that I am not listening to you?”

Verndia sneered.

“Princess, who is Aiden?”

“He’s an enlisted soldier who escorted me yesterday.”

“Enlisted, enlisted soldier.”

He patted his chin and pretended to think.

“For a soldier’s work to be just as important enough to be labeled as a family affair, is that it… princess?”

“It can’t be.”

“Then, how can a private business become a family business? It seems that Silkisia was not a family that cared for the private soldiers to that extent.”

Unable to even refute because it was true, Yzhar distorted his brow.

“Or maybe he’s ignoring me, the princess’s fiancée, to the point where I can’t hear such trivial things together.”

As a duke, Verndia bit the bullseye with a natural and calm expression.

“If that’s the case, it wouldn’t be good for the Duke either.”

Yzar, who had barely suppressed his anger, woke up to reality. He was warning him not to intervene any further if he wanted to receive support from the Knights Templar.

“It’d no good to you if you keep being like this, Duke.”

Verndia only acted skillfully, but did not back down.

He actually heard about how to deal with higher-level monsters through Psychke, so the support of the Imperial Knights was not disappointing.

“Haa ….”

Had it not been for the Duke of Lestir, she would have been dragged in by force. He couldn’t even imagine what kind of rumors he would spread in the social world.

He had no choice but to be composed under such circumstances.

The black eyes of the man who let out a long breath turned towards Psychke.

“So, you’re going to be kicked out.”

“……!”

He’s been told he might be kicked out.

Which is today.

It must also be because of her.

Shocked, Psychke momentarily lost her balance. The body, which had never been good, rapidly deteriorated, and the body that had been warm at least slightly began to turn cold like ice.

However, Yzhar didn’t show any change in his facial expression.

“No matter how talented you are, there is no need for an enlisted soldier who doesn’t listen to his master.”

“Stop struggling. Father is waiting for you.”

When he finished speaking, he turned his back. Lenox waved his fist as if to go in and listen to Yzhar.

Psychke clenched her teeth.

“No.”

The sounds of stepping on the neatly manicured stone road leading to the mansion’s gate stopped.