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Chapter: 4
Lisa Guyana
“Don’t put the best grade on the market. Bring it all here.”
“Yes.”
“Your Grace, Lady Gaiana has arrived.”
The Grand Duke’s eyebrows knitted tightly.
The most unwelcome guest in this vast Grand Ducal residence—Riza Gaiana. He wanted to throw her out immediately, but circumstances forced him to restrain himself.
If only that issue were resolved, he would toss her into a carriage, nail the door shut so she couldn’t escape, and send her straight to the Gaiana estate by ship. What a pity it wasn’t that simple.
“Oh, our dear niece. You were inside after all.”
Without even announcing her visit, she barged in so brazenly.
The Grand Duke avoided the hand that reached for his cheek, suppressing his disgust.
“What brings you here?”
Despite his curt tone, a smile bloomed across Riza’s face that refused to fade.
“Oh, it’s spring, so I’ve brought news perfectly suited for this bright season. Listen carefully.”
If only that were your permanent fate.
Luflion found his aunt extremely bothersome.
She should have been grateful for a quiet villa with a garden, yet she wandered through the main house as she pleased, complaining when the staff tried to prevent her from entering.
When he asked her the name of her estate in disbelief, she couldn’t even utter a sound.
Yet as time passed, she acted as if she had forgotten that mistake. Even though there were obvious reasons she shouldn’t wander around the Grand Ducal residence.
He stopped the butler from closing the door to rush her out.
“Leave it open.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“…And what is this news?”
Annoyed beyond measure, he asked first.
Without even moistening her lips, Riza blurted out something frightening:
“Grand Duke, as a member of the Kran family, I can’t stand it any longer. I’ll make the arrangements. End it with him, and let’s give him a fresh start.”
“……”
Riza Gaiana had married out of the family long ago, receiving considerable property at the time. Thus, she was now an outsider with no ties to the Kran family and should not have dared to call the Grand Duchess “him.”
Of course, no one should have said that.
Yet, feeling entitled as his aunt, she had crossed a line.
Still, Luflion did not get angry.
Instead of shouting, he glared coldly at the audacious aunt.
Riza continued to speak obliviously:
“It’s fine, Your Grace. Would I ever encourage my nephew to make a mistake? There are plenty of decent and beautiful ladies. Since the island lacks suitable companions for you, why not sail immediately to…”
Suppressing his displeasure, he summed it up in one sentence:
“Are you mocking me?”
Riza jumped in shock.
They had no marital intimacy and barely met except during meals. After observing her for half a year, it was clear: this was an unusual situation. Married for only three years, yet the distance between them was so cold? A failed marriage, in other words!
Riza assumed it was her duty as an elder in the family to intervene, but the Duke’s reaction was strange. If her nephew had already chosen a bride, she had spoken too hastily.
She decided to retreat for the moment.
“Oh… no, that’s impossible. How could I not know that the highest authority in our family rests with my nephew?”
“To openly say such things in front of the servants, I cannot believe my ears.”
Riza tensed at his cold tone.
See? He must have already set his plan. I wasn’t wrong, but what I said shouldn’t have been heard by the butler. If I connect him with the bride, they’ll need a matchmaker, and wouldn’t it be perfect if they use me? A golden opportunity to take credit for life.
She glanced at the innocent butler and smiled.
“Sorry. I’ll be more careful next time.”
“I cannot tolerate anyone speaking so freely in my house.”
The Duke hoped Riza would at least blush at this, but his aunt was brazen and didn’t even realize he was talking about her.
“Of course. Has our family ever been discourteous? In words or deeds?”
This was her chance.
Riza feared that the Duke, softened by her presence, might treat the woman he had chosen as nothing more than a mistress, leaving Ail aside.
Though the marriage was effectively over, she could not afford to relax. Now was the perfect moment to disrupt their bond.
“….”
The taciturn Duke closed his mouth again, and she gleefully continued criticizing Ail.
“Good heavens! The Grand Duchess suddenly visited Serena without prior notice. When I pointed it out, she hesitated and fled. Tsk tsk. Even after three years, the more a person stays, the more they regress—there’s nothing more to say.”
“No prior notice?”
Luflion’s question was sharp and brief.
What Riza had said would have jeopardized her, but she was too absorbed in criticizing Ail to notice.
“Exactly! I was surprised and pointed it out, and she panicked and ran…”
“If you criticize others, you should first lead by example.”
Riza wasn’t fazed by the Duke’s rebuke.
“Eh? Ah…! Haha. I was so eager that I forgot. I meant well, so please understand.”
“I do not consider my office a place for anyone to barge in.”
No apology?
Unable to contain himself, Luflion spoke, and Riza immediately assumed a submissive tone while probing him.
“Sorry, nephew. I always think of the family, and I’ll be careful in the future. Hmm… so, about that… is there a ship to the mainland? Regular lines are inconvenient, you see, haha. Please make arrangements.”
Excellent.
The Duke saw this as a perfect opportunity.
Riza surely believed he was discarding Ail to bring in a new bride.
…It wasn’t unreasonable to think that.
Here, she lived as if Ail were not Kran Ail, but Ail Milton.
He had never forgotten the shy smile on her face on their wedding day. Anyone could see that she had been happy to marry him then.
Thinking that beautiful expression would belong to him was overwhelming. Though he didn’t show it, he wanted to wrap her in his arms and whisper sweet words into her ear.
Do you know who I am? You may not remember, but we met by fate long ago. I will restore every memory you have forgotten…!
Yet he could not.
His marriage to her was, in truth, his selfish desire.
The marriage should have been finalized after thoroughly resolving the plots surrounding the Kran Grand Ducal residence and Plana Island. But that required time. What if she married another man in the meantime?
The thought was unbearable.
Coincidentally, he heard the Miltons wished to marry their daughter to a fool on the island—for mere money!
He knew he was selfish but swiftly claimed her, maintaining silence until now.
Forgive me.
The reason he postponed their first night together was simple:
He intended to announce Serena as his heir on her eighth birthday, no matter what.
If he slept with Ail beforehand and she became pregnant, it would be extremely problematic. Of course, he would care for the child, but it was a separate issue.
He longed to hold her but restrained himself, enduring an excruciatingly long period of patience, feeling guilty for his silence but unable to act.
If only it weren’t for the fatal secret in his heart…
I’m truly sorry, Ail. Wait a little longer. When the time comes, I’ll sweep away all the gloom from your face. Even if you hate me and strike me, I am prepared to accept it.
The dark, miserable life had an end in sight. Once everything was settled, Ail’s face would bloom like spring flowers.
From the heirlooms she rightfully deserved to the happiness of spending a day together.
All the centuries-old jewels accumulated by the family should rightfully belong to Ail. They were hidden only to prevent greedy Riza from losing control.
A timid Ail might claim them, only for Riza to force her to hand them over.
Before that, the troublesome aunt needed to be dealt with.
It was no secret that Riza ran amok in the Grand Ducal residence. She strutted around as if it were her own house, boasting about the lavish treatment she received when visiting the Gaiana estate.
For the Duke, this was beneficial. As long as Riza acted freely here, no one would suspect his secrets.
…I’ve used my aunt to hide my secret, and she’s enjoyed her time. No debt exists between us. Ships to the mainland or the Gaiana estate? I can provide as many as needed.
He had a perfect excuse.
“Ah!”
“Did something occur to you?”
“I was planning to send a ship to Salmon Province. This year’s salmon farming went well, but updates have been delayed. I intended to take some officials and knights. Is there any region you wish to visit?”
What?
Riza could hardly believe her ears.
In other words, the Duke was openly giving her authority—to personally select the lucky woman who would become his third bride!
Why refuse? She had to act immediately.
Riza smiled brightly:
“Oh! Of course. I’ll need to review the families with eligible daughters who might speak to the Kran family. I remember them, but for such an important matter, relying on memory isn’t enough.”
“I’m unsure of your purpose, aunt, but since the trip may be lengthy, I’ll provide ample carriages and expenses for Salmon Province.”
For once, the Duke generously allowed her to call him “aunt,” instead of addressing her formally and treating her as a stranger.
