CH 21

“You’re not like someone who had sold his daughter to me once. You must have had a sudden change of heart since I last saw you.”

Bastian tilted his head to indicate serious doubt.

“Th-that was… just a mistake I made in a tight spot.”

Having changed his mind from reprimanding the nasty burlesque, Duke Dissen hurriedly gave the answer he had prepared. Captain Klauswitz was a man of few words. It was foolish to be reckless and lose face.

“If I hadn’t been lenient, it would have been impossible to put the matter away that way.”

Bastian spoke about that gambling night without any hesitation. While Duke Dissen hesitated, embarrassed by the conversation that was so different from what he expected, the attendant who had served the tea appeared.

Finally catching his breath, Duke Dissen took advantage of the opportunity to look around.

The gestures of the attendant who came quietly like a shadow and poured the tea were as natural and skillful as flowing water. 

It was evident that the starched uniform was also made of a highly luxurious material. He was a high-ranking servant with a level that could only be found in a prestigious family with high power.

That was not the only reason why he did not match the notoriety of a lowly antique merchant’s family.

The garden was now in a state of proper neglect, but if you look closely, you can still see traces of careful management.

It was not difficult to find old trees and precious flowers. Perhaps it was the taste and discernment of the previous owner. 

It was said that it was a mansion that the antique dealer obtained in lieu of a debt from an aristocratic family who could not repay the borrowed money.

Like a dirty rat carrying a disease, these scumbags were eating away at the order of the world. The names of noble families who have created and protected this empire. Its long history and traditions were being crippled by the contagion they were spreading.

Just like Duke Dissen did.

Passing by the mansion visible among the dense trees and the stylish old fountain, Duke Dissen’s gaze returned to Bastian, who was sitting across from him. 

The imperial officer’s uniform and medals of honor for distinguished war service, and even a luxurious townhouse located in the center of the capital.

Had he not known about his origin in advance, he would not have doubted that he was a son of a prestigious family. He (Bastian) was like a rat playing a king over the ruins that had lost its owner.

“In fact, why don’t you use that teasing mouth in front of the emperor to tell him that you have won Odette at a gambling house in a back alley? If you can’t do it, I can do it for you. That way, the reputation you have gained will be drowned in the mud overnight.”

Duke Dissen expressed his hostility with more radical words. He would have preferred to use a better method, but when the grandson of an antique dealer showed his arrogance, he had no choice.

“Have it your way.”

Bastian’s voice seeped into the purple darkness of the evening as he downed a sip of tea.

“Must my reputation be damaged over something like that? It wouldn’t be a big deal if it happened.”

“Ha. The honor of a hero is just that much? After all, you can’t hide your roots, no matter how many pretenses you put up.”

Contrary to his taunt, the hands on his lap were damp with cold sweat. In order to hide the fact, Duke Dissen began to work even harder.

“And do you think you know better, talking about honor?”

Bastian retorted ruefully and brushed the ashes from his cigarette. His blue gaze was chilling. It felt as if having a cold snake wrapped around your body.

“You’re doing this because you have the emperor at your back, but no matter what anyone says, I am Odette’s father! Whatever the Emperor’s will, you’ll need my permission to get her!”

Driven into a corner, Duke Dissen’ voice began to rise higher in anger.

He heard that Bastian was already infatuated with Odette.

The conclusion of the sources he met to find out the whole story of this affair were consistent. They said it was a rumor that had already spread throughout the social world. What Duke Dissen had seen and heard was not much different. It was a scandalous and interesting story.

Duke Dissen knew very well how blind a man blinded by love could be. For at one time he himself was too. 

The accusation that he had (Duke Dissen) approached the Princess (Helen) to take advantage of her was therefore an even more frustrating aspect. 

If it were only for that reason, he would have left his wife on the day she was disqualified from being an imperial princess.

Perhaps it would have been better for the both of them if that were true, but now it was nothing more than regret.

Still, Odette, the child who was like the best jewel, was left behind, so that foolish love was not completely meaningless.

“I have the right to marry Odette off to someone else if I feel like it. Even if you are a praised hero, Odette will be much better suited to a more refined and elegant family, albeit of a little less wealth, than you, who are nothing more than a vulgar brat.”

Bastian tilted his head with a wry smile when he heard Duke Dissen’s bluff.

“Why would someone with such deep thoughtfulness leave his daughter unwed until now?”

“I was just careful! If our family’s situation had not become as difficult as it is now, Odette would have married into the most prestigious family in the empire. Perhaps she would have married a foreign royalty and become a queen. She’s a well-deserved child.”

“Ah, I see.”

“So, in order to associate with my daughter, shouldn’t you show effort and sincerity to match it?”

“Effort and sincerity. You probably mean money.”

Bastian embarrassed the Duke with his directness.

“So, I mean…”

“First of all, let me tell you the conclusion, you will not get anything in return from me.” 

Cutting him off with a cocky demeanor, Bastian gave cold notice.

“If you want to marry your daughter off to someone else you deem worthy, then yes, do so. As you said, it would be the father’s right. I will respect your decision. But right now, the Emperor won’t let go of Lady Odette, so I guess we’ll have to wait for the next turn.”

Bastian shrugged as he gave a completely unexpected reply.

“Whether it’s a hostess of a prestigious family or a foreign queen, do as the Duke wishes when the time comes. But if you want to keep that precious hope, you’d better weigh your options for the time being.”

“What?”

“Wouldn’t it be quite a hindrance to your marriage business if there were even rumors that your daughter was a lady who had already been touched by a vulgar rat? Of course, it would be just another saga for me.”

Bastian didn’t raise his voice once, continuing his dirty and vile threats. Rendering speeches, Duke Dissen simply blinked his dazed eyes.

“If you wait quietly, I will gladly return your daughter to you safely. Just like that night at the gambling house.”

“How dare you… how dare…”

Duke Dissen tried to spit out new insults, but all that came out was strangled moans. But Bastian didn’t raise an eyebrow and inhaled another mouthful of smoke.

Looking at the breathless man, he stood up calmly.

He tossed the half-burnt cigarette into the ashtray and lazily put on the hat, moving smoothly as if it were part of a dance.

“If you want a high-class conversation, I suggest you visit the Imperial Palace next time.”

Bastian bowed his head gracefully and turned around at the end of that sentence.

The sound of breaking china on the table overturned by Duke Dissen, who had come to his senses belatedly, was in strange harmony with the sound of Bastian’s receding footsteps.

Until the last moment, Bastian never looked back.

***

The nanny soon fell into a deep sleep. The sleeping pills seemed to have had a definite medicinal effect, despite the fact that she had not used up the entire dose for fear of a major accident if one were to occur.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Isabelle first took out the package she had hidden under the bed.

It was the clothes of the maids, collected one by one over several days.

She could not just sit and wait for the day to be sold to Belov.

The helplessness motivated Isabelle.

She deliberately went on a rampage, getting sleeping pills, pretending to be intoxicated on her unused pills to avoid the prying eyes of her nanny and the maids.

The time away from the watchful eye allowed Isabelle to learn a few facts. The maids’ tea time while she slept. A young maid whose turn was soon to go on vacation. The kind of hectic times when carts carrying groceries come and go.

It was a stepping stone of hope that would lead Isabelle to him.

She must meet Bastian.

Isabelle vowed and promptly changed her clothes. She did not forget to put her pillows and cushions under the blanket to look like her sleeping self.

Finally, Isabelle, her plain straw hat pressed down, took her cautious steps toward the window. Lying in a long chair, the nanny was still fast asleep.

It must have been the same with the other maids who drank the drugged tea with the nanny.

“I’m sorry. Please understand me.”

Isabelle kissed the nanny’s wrinkled cheek in apology. Emotions surged, but she fought hard to hold back her tears.

It might be her last chance, she never knew. It was time to be strong if she didn’t want to live the rest of her life in regret.

Isabelle shoved the money and jewelry she had prepared in advance deep into the servant’s old bag.

This much seemed to be enough to last for a while.

It would have been better if she could find some more valuable jewelry, but this was the best she could do now that she was not free to move around as much as she wanted.

Lastly, Isabelle put a note of apology in a drawer. She also placed the engagement ring that Prince Belov had given her near it.

It must be a very valuable piece of jewelry,mbut it seemed that at least this one was not to be touched.

She didn’t want to cast another man’s shadow over her love for Bastian.

After making all the preparations, Isabelle grabbed her bag tightly and approached the bedroom door.

It was already 11 o’clock. It was time for the back gate of the Summer Palace to be opened.