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Chapter 28
“I met him once. He was very young, very beautiful, and full of blessings. He was an amazing person—just as worthy as Cardinal Yosef.”
“Can I know his name?”
“His Excellency Enoch.”
“That’s not a baptismal name?”
At Orte’s words, Yohan nodded.
“Yes. It’s a very rare case.”
Usually, priests use a baptismal name.
When they are trainees, they use their real name, but after becoming official priests, they live with a new name.
But a priest—especially a Cardinal—using a non-baptismal name was the first time in history.
“You’ll be able to meet him when he comes in a few weeks.”
Because the future had suddenly changed, Orte fell into thought for a moment, then nodded a bit late.
“Yes… I’m looking forward to it.”
After that, they exchanged a few more light words.
From the conversation, Orte learned that Yones had become the commander instead of the vice-commander.
Yohan said he had to leave soon and got into the carriage.
After seeing him off, Orte returned to her room, still deep in thought.
‘Why did a new person suddenly appear?’
Knock knock.
“Come in.”
Sef hurried inside.
“Miss, the head maid received a message from the Duke. You have to meet a guest, so she told us to prepare you.”
Unlike the anxious Sef, Orte answered calmly.
“Tell the head maid I won’t prepare.”
“What? Miss, but—”
“Tell her. And don’t let anyone in. I don’t want to be disturbed.”
At Orte’s firm words, Sef did not argue anymore.
After serving her for 4 years, she knew that once Orte decided something, she never changed it.
Orte didn’t want to dress up for Casey.
No—more precisely, she didn’t want to do anything for Casey.
Soon, Orte focused on her book again.
***
The Duke of Weekend, after sending a messenger, turned around.
“Are you done with your business?”
“Yes. Let’s go.”
The Duke replied to Casey and got into the carriage with him.
Even this morning, when he went to the imperial palace, he never expected he would return with the Third Prince.
And even more—
For Orte’s engagement with him.
After meeting the Emperor, the Third Prince appeared before the Duke and made a proposal.
“I can guarantee that no harm will come to the Duke of Weekend’s family.”
“Are you saying you will betray the Crown Prince?”
“Of course not. This is to keep the Fourth Prince in check.”
The Duke of Weekend could not refuse.
Even if he didn’t want it, the Emperor would eventually connect Orte and the Third Prince.
And recently, the Empress—mother of the Fourth Prince—was searching for a noble girl to support her son.
If Orte caught their attention, that would be the worst outcome.
So when Casey approached him, the Duke had no real choice—
But now, at least, he could gain something from it.
“Even if it is a proposal, it must suit the Duke’s wishes, right?”
Casey spoke politely, lowering himself.
But the Duke felt that Casey already knew he had no choice.
Casey was not someone to underestimate.
The mansion was not far from the palace, so they arrived quickly.
There wasn’t much time to prepare properly, but it couldn’t be helped.
After sending Casey to the reception room, the Duke immediately called the head maid.
“Where is Orte?”
He realized it had been a long time since he said her name.
“Th-that is… the Miss refused to prepare…”
The Duke frowned.
“Then what have you been doing all this time?”
“I’m sorry, Duke!”
The head maid dropped to her knees.
The Duke walked quickly toward Orte’s room.
It had been years since he personally went there.
“D-Duke…”
Sef, who was standing nervously outside the door, turned pale and bowed deeply.
The Duke opened the door roughly.
“What brings you to such a shabby place?”
Orte spoke without looking away from her book.
“Did you not hear what I said?”
“I heard.”
“Then why did you refuse to prepare?”
“Is it rude to greet a guest dressed like this?”
Orte closed her book.
“Sef.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Sef quietly came in and placed a shawl over Orte’s shoulders.
The Duke was surprised.
He thought she wouldn’t even meet the guest—but she walked out of the room.
“…Follow me.”
The Duke led the way to the reception room.
He opened the door.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Your Highness.”
“Not at all. Your mansion is very beautiful. It’s enjoyable to look around.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Orte, come sit here.”
Orte lowered her head slightly and sat across from Casey.
“Orte, this is—”
“Duke, introductions can wait.”
“…Then let’s get to the point.”
The Duke looked at Orte.
“Orte. You are already over 17. It is a suitable age for engagement. So His Majesty has personally chosen your fiancé.”
Orte lifted her head and looked at Casey.
“It is His Highness, the Third Prince.”
Their eyes met.
Casey smiled as if he had been waiting.
With golden hair and red eyes, he easily caught attention.
Over the past 4 years, Casey had visited the mansion often with the Crown Prince—
But he had never met Orte.
This was the first time in 4 years.
Orte clenched her hands tightly.
That face.
That voice.
That expression.
The slight smile that looked calm but inviting.
Everything that had deceived her… and destroyed her.
She had prepared herself.
But seeing him in person was even worse.
“Disgusting.”
Orte muttered quietly.
Casey’s eyebrow twitched.
Then Orte raised her voice.
“Duke. I have no intention of getting engaged or married.”
“What?”
“Especially not with the Third Prince.”
This life would be different.
Because she had changed.
“I don’t love him.”
“I haven’t loved you for a long time.”
***
Casey got into the carriage brought by his subordinate.
When he arrived at his office, his subordinate stood there, looking pale, holding documents.
“Your Highness, I really missed you.”
Casey handled all of the Crown Prince’s work.
But today, because he had business at the Duke’s mansion, his subordinate had to handle it.
“So, did the engagement go well?”
He asked with confidence, believing it went according to plan.
“…No.”
“What?”
“Lady Orte refused.”
Even if a parent and child had a good relationship, it was rare to accept a sudden engagement immediately.
Casey knew that.
So he used his greatest asset.
Not his weak bloodline.
Not his role in handling the Crown Prince’s duties.
But—
His face.
He resembled his mother, who had been a dancer, and was very handsome.
Usually, he didn’t stand out on purpose.
But today, he intended to use it.
He was confident Orte would fall for him.
Because she was just a 17-year-old noble lady who hadn’t even debuted in society.
Like other girls, she would dream of marrying a handsome prince.
“Lady Orte refused? Did your face not work on her?”
It couldn’t be explained so simply.
“Me…”
The moment their eyes met—
He knew.
The strange feeling he had 4 years ago became certain.
“She hates me.”
“What?”
“And quite a lot.”
