28.

“Lavinia.”

After Ateira left, Leofric called for her.

“Yes?”

Lavinia approached him with a light smile.

Coming up behind him as he sat on the sofa, she draped her arms gently around his neck—a subtly seductive gesture. Leofric let her linger for a brief moment before lightly pulling her hands away.

Lavinia clicked her tongue so softly that he couldn’t hear it. Even after all the noblewomen I taught him how to handle gracefully, he’s still so blunt with me.

“There’s something I need you to confirm.”

“What could it be? If my lover asks, I must do whatever he wishes. Is it about the princess again?”

She asked playfully.

“Did something pique your curiosity beyond what you learned in the garden?”

Her visit hadn’t been just a social call.

Part of her purpose was to make sure Ateira knew he had a mistress—to subtly assure her that she wouldn’t need to play the role of a real wife.

And, of course, she was there to observe Ateira.

That was why Lavinia had been moving all around the baron’s estate, making sure to “coincidentally” run into the princess as often as possible.

“The princess doesn’t seem interested in you at all, Captain. Are you sure this marriage will be fine?”

“Spare me the nonsense and just tell me what you found.”

“She seemed a little surprised that a mistress would suddenly approach her, but that was it. Even if you had ten mistresses, I don’t think she’d care. Honestly, it’s a little shocking how little she pays attention to your face. Even people with no interest usually get a little curious.”

“…….”

“She seems rather reserved. And for a princess, she doesn’t insist on flaunting her status. A lot of noblewomen would at least pretend to slap a lowly mistress who spoke out of turn. But she didn’t react at all.”

“Good work.”

Nothing particularly useful. But that was fine.

Just letting Ateira see Lavinia had been enough. As long as she understood that he had no romantic expectations of her, it might make her more willing to accept the contract.

“If the princess is looking for someone, who could it be?”

“…That’s difficult to say.”

Lavinia tilted her head, golden hair rippling as she did.

“Who would she be searching for right now? I have no idea. Do you think she had a lover?”

“Besides her fiancé?”

“It could be her fiancé. Or it could be someone else. The two don’t have to be the same person.”

“…….”

It wasn’t impossible.

Her betrothed could have been her secret lover—or perhaps not.

Leofric didn’t particularly want to dig into the past of a woman he was only marrying for convenience. But for some reason, the thought of her former fiancé made him feel… irritated. He brushed it off as simple annoyance at having to involve himself in personal matters.

“…Look into it. Whether it was a lover or just her fiancé.”

“My, my, Sir Leofric. You almost sound like a jealous groom snooping into his bride’s past.”

“Stop playing around.”

His curt response made Lavinia chuckle. She patted his shoulder lightly, a casual touch that he didn’t bother to avoid. Physical contact without seduction didn’t seem to bother him.

Lavinia shook her head. No wonder so many noble ladies glare at me. Even if they wanted to seduce him, it’d be like trying to charm a stone wall.

“If I find whoever she’s looking for, the negotiations will go much smoother.”

“Our dear Captain… This must be your first time learning just how much effort it takes to court a woman.”

“…Enough. Just get to work, Lavinia.”

“Yes, yes.”

Hiding a smile behind her half-opened fan, Lavinia gracefully took her leave.

* * *

Count Zellered was waiting for Ateira.

He was anxious, wondering what she might have said in a place beyond his watchful eyes and ears.

She had already slipped from his control once before, making him even more wary of her.

She wouldn’t have dared to do anything reckless… not while worrying about her brother. But still…

What if—by some slim chance—she had told Leofric that he had ordered his assassination?

Or even if she hadn’t said it outright, what if that cunning bastard had figured it out because of this foolish woman?

This was the same man who, during the war, had somehow uncovered that Zellered had been intercepting secret letters. That wasn’t even something Zellered had meticulously planned—it had just been an opportunistic decision. And yet, Leofric had known.

The way he had looked at him back then… Those cold, steel-gray eyes, as if he already had proof. As if he were just waiting for an excuse to strike.

If, by even the smallest chance, Ateira had let something slip… then his life was in danger too.

But I didn’t actually order it myself. Why should I be held responsible?

Zellered reassured himself with that thought.

After all, he had only passed on the order—he hadn’t made the decision himself. Whatever happened, it wasn’t his fault.

“What did you talk about?”

His gaze was fixed on Ateira’s lips, tense and restless.

But she simply sat there, silent, looking almost bored by him.

“What did he say?”

“…….”

Ateira hesitated for a moment. The idea of telling him that Leofric had proposed to her made her stomach churn.

She didn’t want to give him information so easily.

More than anything, she wanted to get something about Dermin in return.

“I have a question of my own. How is Dermin?”

“He’s fine. Just as before.”

Zellered answered carelessly. Ateira let out a small sigh.

He doesn’t even know where Dermin is. He’s just a lackey. If his superiors don’t feed him information, he’s completely in the dark.

“So? What did you talk about?”

He pressed impatiently. His tone was sharp, and Ateira met his gaze steadily.

“Princess, it would be troublesome if you became uncooperative.”

There it was again—using Dermin’s safety to threaten her.

Maybe she should have asked Leofric to find her brother.

No… That might only put him in more danger.

“…He proposed to me.”

Ateira finally spoke, staring out the window. Saying it aloud made it feel even more surreal. A faint smile curved at her lips.

“What?”

Zellered’s mouth hung open in shock. He knew the marriage talks were moving forward, but why would Leofric propose?

“He seemed intent on following through with the arrangement.”

“…….”

“He said that if we were going to do this, then it should be done properly.”

She lowered her gaze slightly, twisting the truth just a little.

“He said he wouldn’t go through with the marriage before, but now he’s changed his mind?”

“Perhaps his loyalty won out in the end. Wouldn’t you know him better, Count? He’s from your kingdom.”

Her tone carried a subtle mockery.

Shouldn’t you, a fellow Thornfeld noble, know him better than I do?

Zellered’s lips pressed into a thin line.

“And? What did you say?”

“…….”

Ateira stayed silent.

The answer was obvious.

She couldn’t refuse.

Even if she had told Leofric no, nothing would have changed.

And if she outright rejected him, how would she get close enough to kill him?

“I accepted.”

It wasn’t exactly a lie.

She had asked for time to think, but she had no intention of telling Zellered about Leofric’s contract proposal.

This marriage wouldn’t last.

She would either kill Leofric and escape or die trying.

Asking for more time was just a way to make sure their next meeting happened on her terms.

“…You’re not actually planning to go through with this marriage and leave with him, are you?”

“…….”

She had wavered.

If Leofric could truly find Dermin, if he could return her last remaining family to her—

Even if he was her enemy, even if he was her family’s greatest betrayer—

If he could bring her brother back, she might be willing to accept any deal.

But she didn’t even know where Dermin was. She didn’t even know whose hands he was in.

She was running out of time.

“If you don’t kill Leofric and just leave with him… do you really think Prince Dermin will survive?”

“I never intended to.”

She let out a breath and answered flatly.

Zellered’s expression twisted as he clenched his teeth.

He couldn’t trust this woman.

What if she’s decided to abandon her brother? What if she’s thinking of saving herself instead?

Leofric could offer her good terms. If he did, would she turn against them?

“…Do you even know what kind of man he is?”

“…?”

“If you really marry Leofric Helton, that’ll be something worth watching. The late Emperor would be devastated.”

Zellered sneered, grinding his teeth together.

“Do you know who killed your emperor?”

Ateira’s breath caught in her throat.

Zellered’s lips curled cruelly.

“It was Leofric Helton, you foolish girl.”

Her face went deathly pale.