🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter: 64
The Cold Romantic and the Kind Calculating Woman
Anyone would feel the same way Classie did if they received a look like that from someone so noble and honest.
“……”
Classie slowly lowered the property documents and keys she had been clutching and gave an awkward smile.
“I was just… too happy.”
“It appears so.”
Classie was embarrassed and a little uneasy, and couldn’t say anything for a moment. The overflowing joy was still there, but showing it in front of Kishin suddenly felt awkward.
For a while, the two simply stared at each other.
“Excuse me. Could you not quarrel here?”
Only when the person behind them, tired of waiting, gently spoke up did Classie and Kishin hurriedly move aside.
Once they stepped outside the administrative building, Kishin lightly joked with her.
“May I see it too?”
“…What?”
“I’m curious what exactly was written there to make you that happy. May I see as well?”
He pointed at the documents Classie was holding. Startled, Classie hugged the papers to herself and reflexively stepped back.
At the same time, Kishin’s normally composed brow creased ever so slightly, a vein faintly showing near his temple.
“I’m not going to take anything. I’ll show you mine too.”
Yet, instead of getting angry or annoyed, Kishin still spoke in a gentle voice.
However affectionate and gentle his tone was, it didn’t matter. This wasn’t a question of whether he spoke kindly or not.
From the moment Classie realized her future would be far trickier than that of other noble youths, this property list had been her goal.
She wanted to hide this treasure away and look at it alone — at least until she could fully bask in the luxury of it. Even if the other person was her husband, the same rule applied.
But if she honestly revealed her true thoughts, Kishin would clearly feel hurt. So Classie couldn’t easily open her mouth.
And the longer she hesitated, the more visibly Kishin’s temple vein stood out.
He looked displeased, and Classie grew anxious. They were family now — was she being too cold to him?
“How about we just… don’t show each other?”
Feeling guilty, she timidly suggested that compromise — but it only worsened Kishin’s expression.
Finally, after much hesitation, she held out the list with a face like she was about to die. But this time, Kishin refused.
“No. It’s fine. If you don’t want to show me, I don’t want to force you.”
“Kishin… are you angry?”
Worried at last, Classie gently grabbed his arm.
She didn’t need a perfectly harmonious marriage, but of course a reasonably friendly one was better than a hostile one. The thought that she’d upset him made her uneasy.
“I am not angry. As I said, I simply do not wish to see something you don’t want to show.”
“No, I was just too excited earlier and thought wrong for a moment. Let’s show each other. You can look as much as you like.”
“No. It’s alright.”
* * *
“Young Lady, Young Master — did the marriage registration go well?”
When they returned home, Anna rushed out cheerfully to greet them.
“Mmhmm. It went well.”
Classie answered while sneaking a glance at Kishin.
Inside the carriage, she had suggested exchanging their property lists three more times. And three times, Kishin refused.
His remarkable stubbornness was a strength — and a flaw. Once he decided something, he never budged.
In the end, Classie couldn’t bring it up again, and they returned home in a completely different mood than when they left.
Kishin insisted he wasn’t angry, but anyone could see that he was. And with Anna cheerfully asking questions like this, Classie didn’t know what to say.
Anna instantly sensed the tension.
“Did you two fight?”
“No.”
Kishin answered curtly, brushed past Classie, and entered their room.
Anna tugged Classie’s sleeve and silently asked again with a look: You fought, right?
Classie gave a small nod. Yeah. We fought. I think we did.
* * *
Classie didn’t really want to talk about the conflict.
But Anna kept trailing behind her worriedly, so eventually Classie told her honestly about what happened in the office.
Anna’s mouth fell open and she couldn’t close it.
“But Lady, the young master isn’t exactly from a poor or insignificant house either! And besides that, he must have received property when he earned his title — and he’s serving in the Guard! Even if he has less than you, would it be that big a difference? Why wouldn’t you show him? It’s not like the young master is the type to steal from you! He’s famously upright!”
Hearing Anna’s scolding, Classie wilted.
“That’s not it. I didn’t refuse because I thought Kishin would steal from me.”
“Of course not. But from the outside, that’s exactly how it looks. I’m certain the young master felt that way too.”
Classie slumped even more. Truly, she never thought Kishin would covet her wealth.
She had simply wanted to savor the treasure she had worked so long to obtain — privately. Some people like to flaunt their precious things to everyone, but others want to enjoy them quietly, by themselves.
But who would ever understand such a feeling?
* * *
News that Classie had stubbornly argued with Kishin from the very start of their marriage spread all the way to Merran.
Merran saw Classie looking downcast and asked Anna what was wrong, and Anna explained everything.
Since Classie hadn’t told Anna to keep it a secret, Anna naturally assumed it was fine to tell Merran.
After Anna finished gossiping and left, Karen— who had been listening beside them—scoffed at Classie.
“Lady Classie is really narrow-minded and foolish. It’s not like he asked her to hand over the keys, just to show him the list, and she insisted on being stubborn like an idiot.”
“She’s not foolish — she’s naïve.”
“My lady, even if you marry Lord Dernick, please don’t immediately make him hate you like this.”
“What do you take me for?”
“Oh, you’re clever, of course. But Lord Dernick is rumored to have a terrible personality.”
Hearing Karen bad-mouth Dernick annoyed Merran. Karen noticed right away, gathered the dishes, and hurried out of the room.
Left alone, Merran stared out the window with a sullen expression, remembering how Kishin had let Classie’s lies slide without making a scene.
She also recalled that night’s commotion — Classie ran away mid-conversation, and even then Kishin didn’t get angry. He coaxed her gently and brought her back.
“Aunt chose the right person,” Merran muttered with mild reluctance.
Originally, Merran disliked Kishin.
First, because he married Classie.
Second, because he had insulted Merran. Multiple times.
But after watching their courtship and newlywed life up close, she realized Kishin was actually not a bad person.
‘No wonder Lord Dernick gets along with him,’ she concluded — ending on a compliment for Dernick.
After thinking for a moment, Merran stood and went out into the hall. Karen, returning to the room, blinked in surprise.
“My lady? Where are you going? Weren’t you about to wash up?”
“To see Lord Kishin.”
Karen tried to stop her.
“Now? They say he fought with Lady Classie. It’s better not to go. Lord Kishin has a temper — he might take it out on you.”
Merran laughed.
“That’s exactly why I’m going.”
“…Pardon? Why?”
“He’s friends with Lord Dernick. If Aunt and Lord Kishin start fighting already, what if it affects me and Lord Dernick? I’ll go fix things before sparks fly.”
Karen made a face that screamed, Is that really necessary? She didn’t like Merran doing Classie a favor.
But since Merran didn’t need her approval, she simply headed downstairs.
“I’ll go too, my lady.”
Curiosity winning out, Karen tossed aside her apron and followed.
Merran already knew from Anna that Kishin was in the music room on the first floor. As they walked down the hall, faint music drifted from the door.
Merran reached for the doorknob, then froze.
Karen whispered in awe,
“He looks like a stern warrior, but he’s unexpectedly good at playing music?”
Merran thought the same — but saying it aloud was a mistake. As soon as Karen spoke, the music stopped. Kishin must have heard them.
Merran shot Karen a glare, then knocked. Instead of a reply, the door opened — by Kishin himself.
A tall man suddenly opening the door cast a shadow over Merran’s head.
Karen jumped back in fright.
“What is it?” Kishin asked curtly.
It was a tone meant to make one feel unwelcome, but Merran had come prepared. She smiled even more sweetly than usual.
“Lord Kishin, I heard you’re upset because of my aunt. I came to apologize on her behalf. Are you still very angry?”
“There is no need to apologize for her.”
His reply was even colder.
Karen tugged Merran’s sleeve nervously, as if urging her to give up and leave.
Instead, Merran stepped closer. Kishin backed up two steps to avoid bumping into her.
Merran stepped inside the room, clasped her hands behind her back, and looked up at him.
“No need to feel awkward. I’m not here for her — I’m here for Lord Dernick. It’s all part of my plan.”
As she confidently raised her chin, the icy expression on Kishin’s face softened — just a little.
* * *
