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Viscount Perridan, now past fifty, had hair gone completely white and wore modest clothes.
Yet his lean, well-maintained frame and sharp voice made it clear—he was a calculating man.
“The Whitehouse girl never even debuted in society and ended up making a laughingstock of her house.”
There was a sneer hidden in Viscount Perridan’s voice.
“Having such a lady is a disgrace to the nobility of Leongrad.”
“Does the count really need to go through with that marriage?”
“If they marry, the prestigious House of Whitehouse can avoid controversy about legitimacy. Marriage is a strategic move for the family.”
“Well, that’s true, but still…”
As Edith fanned herself with a prim expression, a strong scent of perfume wafted out.
Then a gentleman turned to the viscount.
“Come to think of it, isn’t Lady Edith Perridan at the perfect age for marriage now? I hear proposals are pouring in?”
“Hoho, well, that’s not entirely false…”
Viscount Perridan nodded, then suddenly froze when his eyes fell on Edith’s necklace.
His gaze fixated on the extravagant diamond around her neck.
“Edith…?”
He quickly pulled his daughter aside.
After confirming no one was within earshot, he demanded in a low voice:
“Edith! When did you buy this necklace?”
“Oh, Father, it’s just one necklace. Don’t overreact.”
“Look at the size of that diamond! Just one necklace?”
“Hohoho, isn’t it lovely?”
“I clearly told you to cut back on spending!”
But despite the scolding, Edith only smiled, clearly proud of her necklace.
The diamonds sparkled delightfully under the bright lights.
“Don’t worry, Father. The Perridan family is now in charge of all interior businesses in Leongrad, right? The money will just roll in.”
“You still need to manage expenses wisely, even if money is coming in.”
“What are you so worried about? Henry Whitehouse is dead. We have no competition anymore. It’s all ours now.”
“Shh, lower your voice.”
The viscount scanned the surroundings once again.
Edith rolled her shoulders, clearly annoyed.
“And I’ll be getting married soon anyway. This kind of investment is necessary.”
“Have you made up your mind?”
“Yes. Just as you said—I want to become a duchess.”
Edith didn’t care about a man’s appearance.
So what if her husband had burn scars?
It wouldn’t stop him from fathering an heir.
And according to her father, an ugly husband was less likely to bring home illegitimate children.
‘What matters most in a husband is wealth.’
Edith needed a man who could support her extravagant lifestyle.
And no one surpassed the Bloodstone Duchy in that regard.
“Right. There are some nasty rumors about Duke Bloodstone, so you’ll probably have an easier time getting close.”
Viscount Perridan was pleased with his daughter’s decision.
He wanted to marry her off before rumors of his financial troubles spread.
“But I rarely get the chance to meet him. I’m confident I can make him fall for me if I do.”
“He doesn’t even attend social events. Won’t accept invitations either.”
The viscount had even offered to renovate the Cliffside Castle just to arrange a meeting, but was rejected every time.
Just then—
“The Duke of Calix Bloodstone has arrived!”
*”What?!”
“The Duke of Bloodstone?”
Edith and Viscount Perridan were startled, though unable to hide their delight.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
“Oh my! What brings the Duke of Bloodstone to a social event all of a sudden?”
“Did you hear? He also acquired Viscount Brian’s villa!”
“Is he out looking for his next target to destroy?”
Calix appeared at the entrance, radiating intense pressure.
“There he is!”
The murmuring faded instantly.
Calix stepped into the hall without a word.
His sleek black shoes clicked sharply across the floor.
From a distance, Edith Perridan licked her lips with a peculiar look in her eyes.
“That man…”
Compared to the others, Calix was tall, broad-shouldered, and intimidating.
He had the charisma of a knight who once trampled enemies in war as a mercenary.
Though his black silk formalwear was simple, it shimmered like royal garments.
His wavy black hair framed his mask and eyes, adding an air of mystery.
Red irises surrounded by long lashes gleamed like a predator eyeing its prey.
But for now, he seemed like a beast uninterested in the hunt—not yet hungry.
His gaze was indifferent, even bored.
Young noblewomen stepped aside, frightened.
The black mask alone provoked a primal fear.
Yet the strong jawline, straight nose, and soft lips peeking out made him irresistibly attractive.
‘He’s a prize worth hunting!’
Edith’s eyes sparkled with confidence.
A man who would bring her wealth—and the duchess title.
It was her first time seeing him up close, and his physical presence was overwhelming.
‘So what if he has scars? I’ll just make him wear a mask all day. Fufufu.’
People began to bustle around.
“Welcome, Lord Bloodstone!”
“Delighted to see you, Your Grace!”
Even after years away from society, no one dared ignore him.
Though rumors surrounded him, he was still the most powerful man in the kingdom.
With a word, he could elevate or destroy a noble family.
No one wanted to risk becoming his enemy.
“The palace feels brighter just with your presence, Your Grace!”
They offered sugary greetings, but couldn’t hide the fear and disdain in their eyes.
Calix said nothing, only nodding occasionally.
His crimson eyes scanned the room slowly.
‘What am I even doing here?’
A reclusive noble lady, dressed modestly, attending a ball.
A “wallflower,” soon to be mocked by all.
‘It’s just petty gossip.’
And yet, here he was—placing bulk orders at a dress shop.
He hadn’t even overseen the demolition of Viscount Brian’s villa personally.
‘A contract relationship… That was impulsive.’
No—
The contract itself had been a sound move. He didn’t want marriage.
But attending a ball wasn’t necessary.
Marianne Whitehouse was a known recluse.
People would’ve assumed both of them simply disliked social events.
He could have spread a few rumors and later informed the king.
‘An audience with the king would’ve been the end of it.’
Still, he couldn’t allow even the smallest loss in his investments.
Once committed, he only played games he could win.
‘If she makes a successful debut tonight, it will benefit the business.’
And he was genuinely curious how she’d handle things going forward.
That curiosity alone was enough for now.
“Oh, look there…!”
The crowd fell silent again.
The host of the ball—Count Weatherwood—was approaching Calix.
They had been rivals since childhood and were currently estranged.
“Bloodstone.”
Nox Weatherwood wore white pants and a crimson jacket.
His golden hair and blue eyes held a flicker of familiarity.
“Weatherwood…”
Calix’s face remained stony.
“It’s been a while.”
Nox approached casually, like greeting an old friend.
Only Nox acted this way around Calix.
“…So it has.”
Calix’s tone was stiff, but Nox kept smiling.
It was the kind of confident, effortless smile praised in social circles.
He even tilted his chin subtly, as if to appear taller.
Though they were nearly the same height, that 1cm difference really bothered Nox.
“What brings you here? I thought you’d completely abandoned society.”
“…Who knows.”
“It’s the social season, but I doubt you came just for fun…”
“……”
“Or maybe you came to admire how splendid my mansion is?”
The handsome blond tried to read the expression behind Calix’s black mask.
But Calix, as always, showed nothing but cold indifference.
“No answer? Or are you just jealous that I’m the kingdom’s most eligible bachelor?”
Even knowing Calix had no interest in conversation, Nox refused to walk away.
“Didn’t know one needed a reason to attend a social event.”
”
Oh! Of course not. Dancing with noble ladies is an honor for any gentleman. But you’re not one to care for such honors, are you?”
“……”
Calix refused to play along.
His gaze shifted toward the entrance.
‘She should be here by now.’
