IWAYTL 10

Chapter 10

After hearing Elina’s proposal, Kaian fell into deep thought.

Seven years had passed since his father practically abandoned his duties as head of the family.

Unable to endure it any longer, Kaian had taken the position of acting head with the help of loyal retainers.

For the past three years, he had slowly rebuilt the family—

but after losing trust for seven years, the Ovilion family still lacked connections.

“…Is that true?”

At the unexpected name, his eyes widened slightly.

Elina’s clear voice followed his low question.

“Yes. He said he wanted to meet you at my birthday banquet.”

Count Penrose was not someone who moved easily.

His family, built through commerce, valued trust above all else.

He was also the first to cut ties with the Ovilion family when its head lost his sanity.

Even after becoming acting head, Kaian had tried to contact him several times—

but failed every time.

Yet now—

he gained this opportunity at a banquet he didn’t even want to attend.

Of course, the reason was obvious.

Without Elina—

this connection would have taken years.

“If you’re busy, I can send a letter declining.”

“No. I’ll make time.”

Kaian tapped the table with his finger—

then made a clear decision.

Elina Estria was useful.

Even though she was the kind of woman he despised—

he couldn’t throw away his family’s future for personal feelings.

“Then I’ll inform you once the date is set.”

Elina smiled brightly.

A soft spring breeze brushed through her pink hair.

Kaian looked at her coldly.

Beautiful—and without loyalty.

She was exactly the type of woman he hated most.

But it didn’t matter.

He only needed to achieve his goal.

To him—

she was someone who enjoyed controlling others.

He would just play along—

and take what he needed.

Soon enough—

she would get bored and move on.

He just had to endure until then.

* * *

Just as Elina finished getting ready in the morning—

she received a letter from Count Penrose.

The message was simple:

He invited her and Kaian to visit his estate on Wednesday at 3 PM.

So he’s in a hurry too.

That was only two days away.

It seemed like a compromise between proper manners and urgency.

It was true—

Count Penrose had asked to meet Kaian.

But Elina knew his real goal—

It wasn’t Kaian. It was the Estria family.

Their relationship wasn’t bad—

but not especially close either.

So why now?

Because a new competitor had appeared.

Richard Edrick.

Once a small merchant of common birth—

he had quickly risen to become a baron,

with Verdin secretly supporting him.

That family becoming stronger would be a problem.

The Edrick family was connected to her as well.

While investigating her false accusation of attempting to assassinate the Crown Prince—

she discovered how often Verdin met them.

In the future she knew—

they would become the largest trading group in the empire.

And there were many strange things.

Verdin once coughed blood at a dinner—

yet recovered completely in just one week.

I was foolish.

Back then—

she was just relieved he survived.

Only later—

when he confessed that she was the one who poisoned him—

did everything make sense.

A small merchant group had become the largest in less than five years.

That was not natural.

And the Edrick family was known for obtaining rare herbs—

including ones that could cause temporary poisoning.

I was lucky.

Through this—

she could restrain the Edrick family—

and create a connection with Kaian.

In the future she remembered—

the Ovilion family would grow strong.

They would be useful.

On the first day she realized she had returned to the past,

Elina had ordered Masha to secretly investigate certain servants.

Masha had been confused—

but she was excellent at her work.

The results should come soon.

Everything was going according to plan—

but Verdin’s silence bothered her.

He wasn’t the kind of man to stay quiet after being told he was “boring.”

She expected some reaction—

even through the Emperor.

But there was nothing.

Focus on what matters now.

Shaking off her worries, Elina began writing a letter to Kaian.

It was time to secure the connection she had made.

* * *

An awkward silence filled the room.

Elina and Kaian sat facing each other on a velvet sofa in the center of the drawing room.

Elegant tapestries and artworks decorated the walls.

Only the sound of a maid refilling cold tea broke the silence.

Kaian looked just as refined and handsome as he did at the banquet.

The problem—

was his cold attitude hadn’t changed at all.

“He’s later than expected.”

Elina finally spoke.

This situation was Count Penrose’s fault.

He suddenly left, saying urgent business came up—

promising to return within one or two hours.

At first, she thought it was a blessing—

a chance to be alone with Kaian.

But—

no matter what she asked,

Kaian only gave short, polite answers.

The silence only grew worse.

“Yes. He must be busy.”

“It’s already been over an hour and a half.”

“Yes.”

Kaian glanced at the clock—

and gave only a single word.

His gaze drifted away again.

Elina frowned.

“Yes”? That’s it? Isn’t that too much?

Worse—

he never looked at her unless she spoke first.

Finally, she decided to bring it up.

“I’m sorry about what happened at the banquet. It was too sudden, right?”

She didn’t want to mention it—

but she needed something to keep his attention.

Luckily—

it worked.

His eyes showed slight curiosity.

“No. You don’t need to apologize.”

His tone was polite—

but clearly meant to end the topic.

“No, I should. There’s a proper order to these things.”

His eyes paused.

“What order?”

“I don’t want a political marriage. So we should start with dating. Even I think proposing right away was too sudden.”

Elina spoke boldly.

Kaian’s expression turned cold again.

Their eyes met—

blue and pink.

“Why me?”

“Because I like you.”

She answered honestly.

At least—

this part wasn’t a lie.

She didn’t dislike Kaian.

He was a man who had quietly loved her for years.

It was natural to feel drawn to someone like that.

If she truly disliked him—

she would never consider marriage, no matter her goals.

A cold smile formed on Kaian’s lips.

“You… like me?”

“Yes. I know it’s hard to believe—”

He cut her off.

“No. I believe you. You loved His Highness Verdin not long ago.”

“….”

“So who will you like next?”

His mocking tone hit her like a blow.

Her mind went blank.

She expected rejection—

but not this.

Kaian had always been cold—

but never this harsh.

Her hand tightened around her dress.

“…What did you say?”

She forced the words out—

but was interrupted.

“Apologies for being late!”

Count Penrose rushed in, breathless.

Sweat ran down his face.

Seeing the silence, he grew cautious.

Elina barely regained her composure.

She introduced Kaian—

then stepped away to give them privacy.

She made an excuse about wanting to look around the estate.

The sunset over the Penrose mansion was beautiful—

but even the glowing fountain couldn’t wash away her shock.

* * *

“Useless fool. That was your only value…! Get out of my sight at once!”

Osius Pernia shouted angrily.

Verdin listened silently—

then bowed politely.

Ignoring the insults,

he turned and walked away calmly.

His golden eyes were now dark and cold.