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Chapter 41
“I heard things were resolved well.”
“…Yes, well. More or less.”
“I also heard you dismissed all your aides recently.”
“I couldn’t leave my uncle’s lackeys behind.”
No, but how does he know our family’s internal affairs so well? Feeling a bit suspicious, I glanced at him sideways.
Sensing my gaze, Dian tactfully offered an explanation.
“Because of the recent auction incident, I once investigated the Renesty family. My mother also told me about it.”
Ah, right. That made sense. It wasn’t some petty underground auction—high-ranking nobles were involved. Of course Xavier’s family, the Renestys, would have been investigated too. When I nodded in understanding, Dian continued.
“If you ever need manpower, tell me anytime. I’ll support you as much as I can.”
“No, it’s okay. You don’t need to worry about me unnecessarily.”
Our family wasn’t collapsing immediately. We were short on manpower, yes, but it wasn’t a situation where we needed to risk lives to fix it either.
And honestly, being offered help so suddenly felt burdensome, so I declined as politely as possible.
I can’t just keep receiving.
Of course, help would be nice—but I didn’t want to rely on others for things I could handle myself. If I accepted too easily, I might end up depending on it.
When I firmly refused, Dian, showing a hint of regret, cleared his throat.
“My mother wants to arrange a meeting soon.”
“The Marchioness?”
“Yes. She says there’s something she’d like to discuss with you regarding this matter.”
Is she trying to wrap things up properly?
Honestly, I’d been wanting to meet Lady Odilon myself. Last time, I hadn’t been in good condition. This time, I thought it would be better to visit properly, bring a gift, and greet her looking healthy.
“I’m available anytime, so please schedule it for whenever is convenient.”
Dian nodded in agreement. I bit my lower lip slightly and glanced around.
When are we going to part ways?
It felt like we’d been walking for over thirty minutes. I thought he’d suggest splitting up by now, but he didn’t seem to have any intention of leaving—as if he planned to finish the entire walk with us.
There’s not much left to say.
We’d already covered all business-related topics. And it wasn’t exactly appropriate—personally or socially—for private conversation.
It’s weird to chat cozily with your ex-fiancé anyway.
After a brief hesitation, I decided I’d have to create an opportunity myself.
“Lord Odilon.”
“Dian.”
“…Pardon?”
“You used to call me by my name before.”
…So we were closer than I thought?
In noble society, calling someone by their given name was reserved for family, lovers, or very close friends. Everyone else had to be addressed by their surname.
Yet even after becoming ex-fiancés, we were close enough for first-name use?
I really can’t get a read on this.
So far, I’d been cautious and nothing had gone wrong—but I felt I needed to be even more careful from now on.
“I think I should address you properly now.”
“…Because of the broken engagement?”
“Probably. Others might find it strange if they hear…”
“If you don’t mind—”
I mind. Very much.
If I went around calling my ex-fiancé by his given name in public, what would people think? I’d only just managed to escape gossip—I didn’t want to become the topic of rumors again.
Besides, Lady Odilon might not appreciate it.
“We should be careful outside too. You never know who might be listening.”
“……”
Dian frowned slightly. I couldn’t tell if it was dissatisfaction toward me, but it was clear he didn’t like the situation.
Better to draw a clear line now than allow misunderstandings later.
It’s better for him too.
Just as I was about to add one more sentence, I felt a faint pressure. I turned toward Mathias. He had gently pulled me closer to his side, eyes narrowed.
Seeing his obvious wariness toward Dian, I quietly squeezed the hand he was holding.
“We have somewhere we need to stop by, so we’ll be heading back now.”
“Just the two of you?”
Suspicion flickered across Dian’s face.
But I nodded confidently.
“We decided to take it easy today.”
That wasn’t a lie. Today’s outing really was part of resting.
I quickly bowed my head.
“Then I’ll see you next time.”
Making my intention to leave clear, I turned swiftly.
That was when—
“Wait—!”
Just as Dian’s hand was about to touch my arm—
“Don’t touch her.”
Mathias grabbed his hand firmly and muttered coldly. Dian, his wrist suddenly restrained, looked startled at first, then soon furrowed his brow.
Standing between the two of them, I swallowed the sigh I hadn’t been able to release.
In dramas, I used to envy female leads caught between two men.
But experiencing something similar myself…
I genuinely wanted to turn into dust and disappear.
A little while later.
Dian looked at the now-empty space beside him, clenching and unclenching his hand.
The presence that had felt so full just moments ago had shattered like sand blown away by the wind in the blink of an eye.
I hadn’t even intended to approach her in the first place.
As Aria had said, their relationship wasn’t exactly appropriate for private familiarity.
They’d once been engaged—and had broken it off. And it was his own mother who had suggested ending it.
At the time, he’d only thought of her as a friend. He had no other feelings, so while it was somewhat disappointing, he’d accepted the decision.
Yet the moment he saw her again just now—especially when he noticed another man by her side—his body moved before he could think.
It was almost instinct.
And not just this time. Ever since they’d met again, something about her had changed.
The subtle distance. The way she treated him like a stranger.
He didn’t know why, but it was clear her feelings had shifted after the broken engagement.
And beyond Aria, there was someone else bothering him.
The man standing openly beside her—the same one he’d seen in the alley last time.
Who is he, really?
Too intimate to be just a guard. And even as friends, men and women don’t usually walk around holding hands like that. If they hadn’t concealed their appearances, it wouldn’t have been strange at all for rumors to spread.
And that grip strength—strong enough to stop him.
Dian, who had never once been physically overpowered in his life, had honestly been shocked.
When he grabbed for Aria, that man hadn’t merely restrained him—he’d looked like he intended to break his wrist.
Even after they left, the lingering discomfort wouldn’t fade.
I need to look into this.
He didn’t know why someone like that was by her side.
But one thing was certain.
He wasn’t ordinary
