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Chapter 24
The Ducal Estate of Ainderth, with its sharp spires piercing the sky, exuded intimidation even from afar.
The carriage, having passed through the grand gate, sped across the vast grounds before finally halting in front of the main building.
The head butler, who had been waiting, opened the carriage door.
“Welcome, Sir Erich.”
“You’re still the head butler, I see? Ten years have passed, yet you haven’t aged a day. I recognized you immediately.”
Unlike Erich’s friendly greeting, the gray-haired butler remained expressionless.
Erich paid no mind and turned back toward the carriage, extending his hand.
“Please, step down.”
A hand clad in black lace gloves, worn over white silk gloves, was gently placed on his.
With her chin held high, back straight, and steps unwavering, the lady descended from the carriage, escorted by the captain of the White Silver Knights.
Anyone could tell at a glance that she was of noble blood.
Naturally, the lady was Rosaline.
“Welcome to Ainderth.”
Dozens of servants bowed in unison, a display of strict discipline.
The butler, his tone flat and formal, spoke:
“The Duke will be down shortly. Allow me to escort you to the drawing room in the meantime.”
Without a word, Rosaline walked with dignified grace.
Inside, the mansion’s interior was no less imposing. Priceless masterworks, gold-threaded tapestries, and exotic treasures from foreign lands filled the halls.
But the true centerpiece awaited them in the drawing room.
“This is a large Aurora gemstone discovered in the Ainderth family’s mines.”
On the central table, a gemstone the size of a fist was displayed, its iridescent light flooding the entire room.
“…How beautiful.”
The breathtaking sight drew admiration without effort.
“If you require anything, these attendants will see to it. Please make yourself at home.”
Leaving behind a few maids and footmen, the butler departed.
Erich clicked his tongue as though dismissing their presence.
“It seems His Grace is delayed. The appointed time I notified him of yesterday has already passed.”
“As the head of a house representing the Empire, surely he must be busy.”
“Well, he does seem quite busy digging up rocks.”
Erich deliberately cast a mocking glance at the gemstone, then, to the attendants’ horror, he picked it up.
“Do you know, Princess? The larger the Aurora, the higher its price climbs. With one this size, even the Empire itself might covet it.”
He tossed it into the air and caught it again, making the servants fidget anxiously.
Unable to bear watching, Rosaline interjected:
“You’ll drop it if you’re not careful.”
Her refined tone made her sound like a lady scolding a mischievous child.
Erich, however, paid no attention.
“For the safety of such a precious treasure, His Grace should hurry down.”
Just then, a heavy voice came from behind.
“Even after ten years, your rotten mischief remains unchanged.”
“My, I hadn’t realized Your Grace’s steps were so swift.”
Erich rose and smiled at the man who had spoken.
“This stone must indeed be valuable, isn’t it, Duke?”
“Foolish brat.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
Though his smile was radiant, Erich’s gray eyes were cold as steel.
And there was another pair of equally cold gray eyes in the room.
Walter Ainderth, Duke of Ainderth.
His faded platinum hair, features, and bearing—everything resembled what Erich himself might look like twenty years from now.
‘So Cassis really does take after a different bloodline.’
Where Walter had faded platinum hair and an arrogant air, Cassis had jet-black hair and a taciturn presence—completely opposite.
The Duke clicked his tongue.
“Ten years since you abandoned your house, and when you finally send a letter, I thought perhaps you had grown wiser.”
His gaze shifted from Erich to Rosaline, who sat composedly.
“And you say you have someone to introduce?”
Though his tone already hinted displeasure, Erich calmly replied:
“Yes. Isn’t it about time we decided on the future Duchess?”
“The future Duchess?”
The Duke’s brow furrowed.
Rosaline’s plan echoed in her mind:
“I’ll pretend to be the princess of a fallen kingdom.”
“Why a princess?”
“Because only that would suit the marriage candidate of the young Duke.”
“…And you want me to play matchmaker?”
Inwardly amused, Erich smiled broadly—this scam of a marriage proposal suited him perfectly.
Thus began the charade: introducing Rosaline as the young Duke’s fiancée.
Erich began smoothly:
“People won’t stop pestering me about how the position of Ainderth’s future Duchess remains vacant. The young Duke has been of age for quite some time—surely it’s time for an engagement?”
For noble heirs, it was common to have betrothals even before coming of age. All the more so for a great house.
But Cassis had neither betrothal nor rumored sweetheart.
“As it happens, I’ve come across a suitable lady whom I thought worthy of introduction.”
The Duke gave him a withering stare.
“‘Suitable’ is not a word befitting Ainderth.”
His arrogant tone dismissed the matter as beneath notice.
But as the greatest noble house in the Empire, such hauteur was hardly surprising.
Even the Emperor himself was said to tread carefully around the Duke of Ainderth.
To catch his eye, mere status would never suffice.
That was precisely why Rosaline had chosen to disguise herself as Princess Lusch Tristan of Tenebé.
The tension in the room felt close to snapping.
Rosaline inhaled calmly, steadying her chest.
“Do you demand the best?”
Her voice was serene, like the still waters of a forest lake, cutting through the stifling air.
“Even now, I fail to see whether a house without a history of rulership can match my stature.”
Even the faint trace of displeasure in her tone carried elegance.
‘I did join a theater club in my past life. Acting like this is nothing.’
Deception truly was her calling.
‘Though, considering I was a detective before, perhaps I chose the wrong career…’
Rosaline played her role with unwavering confidence, and Erich matched her performance.
“Times have changed, Your Highness.”
The Duke took the bait.
“Your Highness?”
Erich smoothly proceeded with the introduction:
“Allow me to introduce you formally. Your Highness, this is Duke Walter Ainderth, head of the Empire’s greatest noble house.”
Then he gestured toward Rosaline.
“And this lady is Her Highness Lusch Tristan Tenebé, Princess of Tenebé.”
