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~Chapter 15~
Of course, “education” was a complete lie.
Killian only needed an excuse to keep Aisha under watch. After all, even though she’d been exposed as the publisher of Sunday Exposé, she had dared to release yet another issue. That made it even more necessary.
“Pardon? But…”
“As you know, Lady Aisha has some unusual traits.”
Wow. He’s mocking me openly now.
She expected him to be upset, but she didn’t think he’d go this far.
What an infuriating man.
Aisha glared at him like he should quit it already, but Killian ignored her and went on.
“I want my fiancée to possess grace and refinement that is second to none.”
“……”
“Which is… not exactly the image Lady Aisha has right now.”
“Tch.”
Unable to hold back her annoyance, Aisha muttered.
“If it’s the Winters mansion… who’s going to educate me there? Everyone’s dead.”
The room instantly froze.
Leoric, who had just arrived, looked horrified. Then, like a man who suddenly remembered urgent business, he turned and quickly left. Truly, such touching sibling loyalty.
“Uh… anyway… what I meant was… it’s just a little sudden.”
Realizing too late that she’d gone too far, Aisha tried to cover it up.
“And also, well… people are watching… Isn’t it a bit strange to live together before the engagement ceremony?”
“Count Ashton, earlier you called Sunday Exposé a vulgar magazine.”
“Yes?”
“If you wish, I can give you the identity of the publisher and writer who offended you.”
“Living together first really is the modern way!”
That damned man. Grinding her teeth, Aisha resigned herself.
“Now that I think about it, it’s not sudden at all! We’re engaged anyway, aren’t we? Ha ha.”
“Yes, Aisha! Pack your bags immediately!”
Rohan beamed like this was the happiest day of his life. No doubt he was excited to brag, “The Duke of Winters himself came to take my daughter to live with him before the engagement—it must mean he truly loves her!”
“How wonderful,” Killian said, twisting his mouth into a mocking smile as he looked at Aisha.
“Then, go pack. My dear Lady Aisha.”
In the end, Aisha had no choice but to pack and leave the Ashton estate.
On the way to the Winters Duchy.
Inside the carriage, silence hung heavy.
Bastard.
Aisha’s eyes blazed as she glared at Killian seated across from her.
Really? Dragging me off like this?
This was an unexpected turn. She couldn’t predict a thing—what would happen in that cursed mansion, or who she might meet there.
And I don’t even have a single ally in the Winters Duchy. He wouldn’t even let me bring my maids. He’s planning to monitor me completely.
“You look like you want to put a hole in my face.”
Killian finally spoke in a low voice, turning to her after a long silence.
“If you have complaints, say them. Though a proper person wouldn’t have anything to say.”
“Y-You…!”
“I saw it. Sunday Exposé: Killian Winters Special No. 5.”
Damn it.
Arrogance was a luxury only the innocent could afford.
“No matter what you think, a noble lady with a conscience shouldn’t complain about being treated like this.”
“……”
“Your father praised you endlessly. He said you were upright and warm-hearted. You don’t plan to prove him wrong, do you?”
“Eighty percent of what my father says is nonsense anyway…”
“What was that?”
“Ah, nothing.”
Aisha forced a strained smile.
Fine. I’ll endure it.
Even Aisha knew pushing him further now wouldn’t help her.
And she was nervous, too. In the original story, the reason Killian killed her was precisely because she was his fiancée.
Hilda Everett, the heroine, hadn’t appeared yet, but still…
“Um… so, about our engagement.”
“What about it.”
“It’s only for appearances, right? I mean, after I do my job as a shield, and society quiets down, then you’ll break it off…”
“Did you think I was going to keep you?”
Wow. Look at his face. He looked utterly disgusted.
“I’ll be clear, Aisha Ashton.”
“…Yes?”
“You’re not my type.”
“……”
“And it’s not like I want some pink-haired, emerald-eyed beauty, like you babbled about. No.”
Killian’s sharp eyes pierced her.
“To be clearer—I don’t want to be entangled with someone like you.”
Hey.
Like I want to be entangled with you either.
“Right now, I’m forced to use you, but this is the most insane thing I’ve ever done in my life. I have zero interest in you—none, romantically or otherwise. So don’t misunderstand. Even I can’t stand listening to such—”
“Yes!”
Killian’s words were cut short by Aisha’s sudden shout.
“Oh thank goodness! I’m so glad I’m not your type! Because you’re not mine either!”
“…What?”
“My ideal type is kind, warm, considerate! The complete opposite of you, Duke Killian!”
Killian stared at her in disbelief.
What was this?
This boldness.
This audacity.
She was the one at fault, yet she spoke like he was saying nonsense.
“Good to know! I was worried, but now I can relax! Really, when else would I get to be the Duke’s fiancée? Damn it—well, anyway.”
“Did you just curse at me?”
“You must’ve misheard. After all, you’ve been to war so many times, it wouldn’t be strange if your hearing got bad.”
…Was that true?
No, it wasn’t.
Either way, the woman in front of him was strange. Too strange. No sane person would ever make a magazine about Killian Winters.
This crazy woman is tied to Rune? Maybe Rune is declining after all.
He was lost in thought when—
The carriage slowed and stopped.
So I’ve really come back here.
She recognized it from last time, but never thought she’d return this way. Grinding her teeth, Aisha glared at the Winters Duchy mansion outside the window. She didn’t notice Killian staring at her like she was the strangest creature in the world.
Though it was late, every servant of the Winters Duchy came out to greet them.
Killian accepted their bows with ease. Aisha, however, felt all their gazes like knives.
She knew exactly what they were thinking.
“That woman will be the Duchess?”
“Why would the Duke choose her?”
“With all his popularity in society, why her of all people?”
But Aisha showed nothing.
She knew the most important thing right now—
Thick skin.
She wore it like armor, walking proudly through their stares.
“Aisha Ashton, your bedroom is that way.”
As they reached the hall, Killian jerked his chin.
“Don’t do anything stupid. Your room is right next to mine.”
Ha.
She didn’t even have the strength to be angry anymore.
“For now, rest.”
Killian didn’t care what she thought.
“Because starting tomorrow… you’ll face a truly terrible day.”
Without a glance back, he walked away.
Left alone in the corridor, Aisha glared at his back and made a vow.
Fine. If I can’t leave, if I’ll be watched constantly…
Then the day I walk out of this mansion, I’ll publish Sunday Exposé: Killian Winters Special Issue No. 1.
Killian thought only of keeping her under control.
But he didn’t realize something.
If he could watch Aisha closely—
Then Aisha could observe him just as closely.
While I’m here, I’ll gather as much dirt as I can. Just wait, Killian Winters.
And so, the first night of her vengeful stay at the Winters Duchy came to an end.
