Chapter 10

Yvonne’s reputation in the capital was worse than expected. Even though they don’t know her face, the people of the capital are afraid of her, believing she would bring misfortune. In turn she lost her parents and her sister.

In reality, many orphans are abandoned when they are young so Yvonne’s story was extremely common.

However, the fact that she was the only heiress of the venerable count, and that her mother was a beautiful woman who was known for her beauty at her time and the accusation that made the capital noisy, made her special.

‘Paradis? Proposal of marriage… What does it mean?’ Yvonne received several requests for marriage proposals within a month. They covered her fortune but she wasn’t interested.

Yvonne’s wealth was of no use to Paradis. His family was already wealthy enough.

Authority? He is the heir who will soon inherit the title of Marquis.

There was only one thing that made him propose to Yvonne, ‘Kiryan Hishleger… the illegitimate child.’

The last attack on Yvonne was sent by Kiryan Hishleger.

Kiryan’s motive for wanting to kill Yvonne is unknown to Paradis, but after she becomes the fiancee of the Laurent’s heir, Kiryan will be unable to bother her anymore.

Then Paradis’ grandfather, Marquis Laurent, would learn of the incident.

He adored Yvonne, and if Kiryan did something to her, their powerful relationship with the royal family would be distorted.

“It’s a strategic engagement. It’s not marriage, it’s engagement.” Paradis said to Yvonne while thinking about their next plan.

“It’s a proposal.” Yvonne said grimly.

“An engagement is for marriage. Of course, I’m not going to go there.” he said to her in a convincing tone.

“Why all of a sudden? Is the Marquis pressing for marriage again?” Yvonne asked.

Paradis sneakily pulled Yvonne’s hand and put the ring on her hand. She asked anxiously, not knowing that there was a large diamond on her finger.

“Is there something wrong?” she asked him again.

“There’s nothing wrong but I’ve been thinking about it, this engagement, it will make you more free. I’m freed from the pressure of marriage and you don’t have to worry about any ridiculous scandal if I or anyone else comes into your house.” Paradis reasoned with her but Yvonne can’t get engaged for that reason.

He couldn’t even tell the real reason. Yvonne was a timid person, and the truth was that she was so nervous that she almost didn’t know what to do.

“Okay. The family is begging me to get married. I have to go to the interview tomorrow as well. Whenever I have spare time, and there’s a girl from a certain house who is pretty, and someone said that she has a pretty heart… Oh, I’m gonna die, you know.” Paradis even made a fainting impersonation.

“Aren’t you planning to settle down as the Marquis said?” Yvonne asked.

“Are you really saying that even though you know my personality?” Paradis did this for her, but hated that she didn’t know.

He slapped her on the forehead with her beanie.

Of course he wanted Yvonne to know nothing.

“It hurts.” Yvonne rubbed her forehead.

“Even if I don’t like it, I will inherit the family when I become older, but when the opportunity comes up, I must work hard and play in the theater. My heyday is just around the corner, so please do something for me.” he said to Yvonne, smirking at the thought.

“No.” Yvonne said firmly to Paradis.

***

“Is Franz still there?” Kiryan asked his assistant, Eric.

“Yes. However, it is said that they often go out of their way. If someone doesn’t show up for more than a week, it could mean that something is wrong. Oddly enough, no matter how much I search, there is no mention of Franz Bernicke.” Eric said.

No information is coming out. It’s as if he doesn’t exist in the world. It could be because it’s a false identity. When he appears, he needs to hear it from him directly. Kiryan listened to the next report.

“There is no reply from Miss Moore. It’s even more questionable because she hasn’t been out of the house for three days.” Eric continued.

Yvonne Moore did not reply after three days. This was disrespectful to anyone who looked up at Kiryan. He wrote a letter that he was expecting her immediate reply but her attitude of ignoring it was pretty good.

He’s been busy with business, that’s why he can’t contact her. Yvonne ignoring him makes it more interesting.

Reluctantly, Kiryan decided to visit her directly. As an uninvited guest, it is against etiquette, but in the first place, he was not a person who cared about manners.

Growing up in the world’s worst crime city, where polite people don’t exist. Right now, he’s just mimicking people, but he grew up watching things don’t go anywhere no matter how proper you can be.

“Duke. We’re here.” said the driver of his carriage.

The Moore mansion was as beautiful as it was rumored to be. He got off from a distance from the entrance and knocked directly on the gate. There are no servants inside. He continued to knock but still no luck for someone to hear.

There seemed to be no system because the owner was young, then a loud voice was heard inside.

“Listen, Franz. I need Yvonne and Yvonne needs me.” the man said.

“No. Yvonne doesn’t need you.” another voice said.

Kiryan passed through the gate and saw Paradis Laurent and Franz. They were fighting fiercely without noticing Kiryan.

“Tell me honestly. You’re trying to use Yvonne. Isn’t that just because you’re comfortable with it?” Franz hissed at Paradis as he continued to walk towards the gate.

“Franz Bernicke! How can you say such a thing!” Paradis gasped.

“Then what? Engagement with the one you love. You’ll get a lot after the engagement ceremony, but this isn’t Bonne. Withdraw the proposal immediately.” Franz continued.

“Because you don’t know, I love Yvonne enough.” Paradis said, trying to calm him down.

“Since when did you become a wolf? Do not lie.” Paradis’ confession of love made Franz fumed more.

“You really need to stop. It’s because you don’t realize it, but they love me too in Bonne. How many deep memories and deep affections there are between us.” Paradis explained.

“Gibberish!” Franz snapped back.

And until just 50 years ago, most marriages without affection were prominent. On the other hand, they are best friends. They trust and rely on each other and do not know each other.

“What’s the matter?” Paradis asked.

“This… I really don’t get you!” Franz shrieked.

“Okay. I’m sorry if you want to stand in the groom’s seat, but the seat is mine.” Paradis was sarcastic to mean that she wanted to live alone forever, as she kept talking about Yvonne like someone else, as Franz for the groom and Yvonne for the bride.

But Kiryan, who was listening, was different. He did not know that Yvonne was Franz.

‘This is going to be fun.’ Kiryan understood that Paradis and Franz had a relationship with Yvonne.

Close friends are in love with the same woman, and one of them is his brother, and the woman was the person whom he wanted to kill because she saw the part he didn’t want to be found out.

Kiryan smirked at the complicated situation and sneakily hid himself so as to not to be seen by them.

When Kiryan confirmed that Franz left Yvonne Moore’s house, he then got up from his hiding spot and surprised the Moore’s maid that he spotted at the parlor.

She was one of those who knew Yvonne was Franz and supported and cheered for Yvonne’s secret.

The virtue of Yvonne having another identity no one knows about. It was because Yvonne as Franz was able to lead a free and lively life away from criticism from the people of the capital.

“Where did Miss Moore go?” Kiryan asked Beth as if it’s normal to just come out of nowhere in somebody’s mansion.

“She’ll go down to the local monastery to pray, and she won’t return till tomorrow. I’ll give it to her if you leave a separate note.” Beth offered.

“Alright. Give it to Miss Moore again and at this time tomorrow I will come.” Kiryan demanded.

“Understood, Duke Hishleger.” was the only answer Beth was able to utter.

After leaving the Moore mansion, Kiryan went straight to see Franz.

Yvonne didn’t care wherever Paradis Laurent went. She had been drinking alone since broad daylight.

“Ah. Damn it. Here’s another bottle!” she continued to chug down a bottle of wine on his seat.

“You were more of a drinker than you looked.” Kiryan took a seat across from Yvonne.

The bottle was full of wine. Yvonne, who is drunk and has darkened eyes, is confused. She just looked at Kiryan.

Kiryan was in front of her. Not believing what Yvonne was seeing, she rubbed her eyes and let out a deep sigh.

“Whoa. Guess I’m having a hard time if I can see Kiryan Hishleger in front of me now.” Yvonne muttered, already drunk.

“Is getting tangled up with me a problem?” Kiryan smirked.

“No. Kiryan Hishleger is– ah! Kiryan Hishleger speaks!” Yvonne was so surprised she tumbled over the back of his chair.

Fortunately, Kiryan’s hands were quick and she didn’t hit the back of her head on the floor. They have just avoided the disaster.

A strong hand gripped her wrist by chance and it was as if she was holding Kiryan’s arm tightly, but she was still unable to come to her senses.

Kiryan’s golden gaze seemed to pierce her. The color of his eyes are full of fondness for her. The sound of his heart rang in her ears. She hiccups in surprise at Kiryan’s appearance, but Kiryan is surprised that the hiccups she heard was too familiar and it comes from Franz.

“Oh no… I am now…” Yvonne muttered.

Yvonne Moore. The girl that isn’t worth caring too much about as a person. Kiryan remembers the name Yvonne and her face while looking at Franz.

This is so messed up. However, Kiryan is heartbroken by the slander of the woman he hates. And his illusion of her was completed without knowing Yvonne very well.

“Okay. If you’re offended, I apologize.” Kiryan said while helping her get her balance.

As the rumors in the capital say, he’s not that bad even if he is a Duke of Hishleger household.

“Found you, Franz Bernicke!” a man shouted across the room.

“Huh?” The sound of calling someone full of emotion made their heads turn towards the voice on that particular day, it’s from one of the thugs who finally found her.

A weapon was held in his hand and the thick hand holding the weapon was a weapon by its very existence.

Yvonne, disguised as Franz, and is already drunk, feels her day is ruined. She quickly took control and looked around her arms. She carried a pepper spray with her just in case. ‘Driving me crazy.’ she thought. There was a hole in her pocket and the spray is nowhere to be found.

“You’re like this damn mouse.” one of the men said to Franz.

“Hey, why are you all here? It’s your boss’ fault first. No matter what you say, I’m not gonna back down.” Yvonne declared.

She’s wary of thugs approaching her. She picked up the bottle of wine that was lying around. They didn’t seem to want to let Franz go.

In fact, as Franz, she had this kind of commotion once or twice. Paradis was always at the center of events and thoughts, and Yvonne as Franz was so much that her personality seemed to have changed. In other words, she was prepared that something like this might happen without Paradis at any time.

“Hey. Don’t come close.” She broke the bottle on the table. At the sound of a sharp burst, Kiryan raised one eyebrow to see this. A sharp cross-section was exposed over the elongated snout. She smiled as she lifted up the broken bottle.

“Otherwise, you will die.”