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CHAPTER 10
“You’re finally getting married. As your father, I am overjoyed… and a little sad. To send off the daughter I raised with such care to the North…”
The surrounding nobles quietly stepped aside, clearing a path. It was as though they were setting the stage for Viscount Heinz, who walked toward his daughter and future son-in-law with teary eyes.
“Yes, my dear daughter. Come, let me give you a hug. Come into your father’s arms.”
“…”
Etisha couldn’t believe what she was seeing—Viscount Heinz approaching her with open arms.
‘Father?’
To her, her father had always been a stern and frightening figure. He had never smiled at her, not even once. His affections had always been reserved for her older sister, Larienne.
‘Why is he acting like this to me…?’
Etisha froze in place. The Duke of Cayenne, who was escorting her, also stopped.
‘I thought he’d be furious.’
Etisha had expected her father to cause a scene just like Larienne had. She thought he’d try to drag her back to the Heinz estate.
But instead, here he was—appearing to celebrate her marriage.
‘Is he… congratulating me?’
Etisha gave a faint, cold smile.
‘No way. I’m not falling for it. He never loved me.’
There was no way a love that hadn’t existed for 20 years would suddenly appear now.
She saw through his act immediately.
And now that she had resolved to leave the Heinz family, Etisha wasn’t foolish enough to be swayed by a smile.
“…Father, you seem very pleased.”
She murmured as she pushed away his approaching arms.
The viscount, who was about to forcibly hug her, withdrew his hands when he noticed the stares from those around them.
“Haha, Etisha! What are you saying? Of course I’m happy to see my daughter getting married.”
“Is it because I’m marrying Duke Cayenne, or because I’m finally leaving the house?”
“…What?”
“Didn’t you always tell me to get out and die? That you wished I were never born?”
“…”
Viscount Heinz’s face briefly twisted with anger—but again, he smoothed it over, conscious of the audience.
“You little… Etisha! Is that how you talk to your father? Haha, why are you always giving your old man such a hard time?”
“…”
“Let’s not fight. Come, as a sign of reconciliation, give your father a hug. Just a small one.”
“…”
Etisha didn’t move despite his continued insistence.
And then—his expression changed.
“…So. You’re still going to defy your father. Is that it?”
He dropped the cheerful pretense, leaned in, and threatened her in a low whisper:
“Etisha. Are you fine with the whole world finding out about your incurable illness?”
“…!”
Etisha’s eyes widened.
She hadn’t expected him to use her illness against her.
“You know what could happen if that becomes public, don’t you? At worst, the marriage could be called off. And you’d disgrace Duke Cayenne too.”
“Father…”
“But I wouldn’t want that either. I need this marriage with House Wintel to secure my standing. So stop resisting and listen to me.”
“…”
“Now, act like a dutiful daughter and hug me.”
Etisha hesitated.
‘What should I do…?’
Tomorrow was the final day of the Founding Festival. Once it ended, she would be leaving for the North.
Just one more day.
‘I can endure one day. Just go along with it this once.’
Etisha reluctantly began to reach toward him.
But just then—
Duke Cayenne stepped forward.
And this time, he firmly caught Heinz’s arm, stopping him.
“That’s enough, Viscount Heinz.”
“W-What…!”
With just a flick of his hand, Cayenne pushed the viscount away. Despite the light touch, Heinz staggered back, unable to keep his balance.
“I-I… Duke Cayenne…”
“How disgraceful. What do you think you’re doing?”
“A-Ahaha… My apologies. I was so overwhelmed seeing my daughter, I forgot to greet you properly…”
Heinz quickly switched tones.
His plan had been to make a show of their father-daughter bond in front of everyone—but with Cayenne stepping in, he couldn’t push further.
“Please, Duke, for the sake of my daughter, forgive my rudeness.”
Duke Cayenne looked down at him with a cold, razor-sharp gaze.
That gleaming, greedy expression… disgusting.
Cayenne had seen many like him before—obsequious to the powerful, cruel to the weak. And he knew exactly how to deal with them.
“Lady Etisha.”
After a pause, he turned to Etisha.
“You said you wanted to cut ties with the Heinz family. Does that resolve still stand?”
Etisha slowly nodded.
“Yes. It hasn’t changed.”
“Good. In that case, I can fulfill that wish right now.”
“Huh? What do you mean…?”
Cayenne reached into his coat.
He grasped the hexagonal crest kept in his inner pocket.
Just as he was about to take it out, still unaware of what was happening, Heinz leaned in and muttered nonsense.
“Duke, I meant to speak with you privately about the dowry…”
“Dowry?”
Cayenne repeated, glaring down at him.
“If you mean a dowry for the marriage, that’s not something you need to worry about.”
“E-Excuse me?”
“There is no contribution expected from House Heinz for this marriage.”
The surrounding nobles stirred in surprise.
‘No dowry? Wait… was the viscount telling the truth all along?! This changes everything… I need to get close to him immediately!’
Eyes turned toward Heinz with renewed interest.
With Wintel as his in-law, Heinz might soon rise beyond his current rank.
“…Duke Cayenne?”
But the viscount himself was panicking.
“Ahaha… yes, yes, I recall now. You did say no dowry would be necessary…”
His laugh turned awkward as he scrambled to keep up with the situation.
‘Did he find out I was lying? No, it’s too soon… impossible… then what’s happening?’
He couldn’t figure it out.
‘No matter. If the duke says he won’t take money, then all the better for me!’
A fortune had walked right into his lap.
‘I can’t let this slip away!’
He licked his lips and bowed.
“Well then… if that’s settled, let’s pick a date for the wedding as soon as possib—”
Cayenne cut him off coldly.
“Viscount. You still don’t understand.”
“…?”
“I said House Heinz will not contribute anything to this marriage. That includes any involvement at all.”
“Wait, what do you mean? Etisha is my daughter!”
“I said she will renounce the Heinz name. I didn’t say she’s not your daughter.”
“Then… who gave her permission to abandon the Heinz family name?!”
“…”
“How dare you—!”
Heinz’s voice shook with rage.
But just then, a deep voice rang out from the distance:
“Dare? Yes, I dared.”
A man wearing a crimson cloak strode onto the scene, trumpets blaring behind him.
“His Majesty, Emperor Lassis Ignivan, has arrived!”
The emperor, Ignivan—his golden hair and eyes like the sun—made even the nobles bow their heads in reverence.
Viscount Heinz, still confused, belatedly lowered his head.
“You’re all making such a fuss already. Are you drunk?”
The emperor casually approached and draped an arm over Cayenne’s shoulder.
“Cayenne, how dare I be the last to hear of your marriage?”
His tone was light and teasing, more familiar than formal.
Cayenne replied in a low voice only he and Etisha could hear.
“Your Majesty. Please, do what we discussed.”
“Tch. Always bossing me around.”
“Be quiet.”
“Ugh, this guy…”
Though quiet, Etisha standing beside them heard everything clearly.
‘They must be very close… but what did His Majesty mean by “do what we discussed”…?’
Etisha watched nervously.
Viscount Heinz blinked, confused, and stepped forward to greet the emperor.
“Your Majesty, it is an honor. I am Veron of House Heinz—”
Before he could finish, Emperor Ignivan interrupted:
“Ah yes, Viscount Heinz. My apologies for stealing your daughter away from your house.”
“…Pardon? Your Majesty, what do you mean ‘stealing’?”
“Oh dear. So you really knew nothing?”
“Know what…?”
“Seems Cayenne hasn’t told you. He’s granted part of his territory in the capital to Etisha Heinz.”
Granted territory?
That meant Etisha had become a landowner—a lord.
“That… can’t be…”
And with landownership came a noble title.
Since the territory wasn’t inherited from her family, Etisha would also be granted a new surname.
“Etisha Heinz is now the lord of her own domain. She will soon receive the title of baroness, and of course, a new family name.”
“……!”
“She’s no longer part of House Heinz.”
