TMDFC 12

Chapter 12

The reporters arrived a little earlier than the appointed time. Calvin guided them to the reception room. The reporters, who had set up a camera in front of the long sofa by the sunlit window, busied themselves checking something among each other. Calvin brought tea, but they seemed too occupied to pay attention to it.

The Duke and Duchess, who had become the talk of society, appeared exactly on time. The reporters stood to greet them. Aster Lilywood, the war hero whose name frequently appeared in newspapers, was already a celebrity the reporters knew well.

But they had never seen him like this.

The man who always wore a frown and looked as though he might draw his sword at any moment was now politely escorting his wife. The reporters’ eyes widened. His expression was still blank, but his gaze no longer looked capable of killing someone.

Moreover, his neatly tied hair and dark formal attire suited him remarkably well. It was hard to imagine he was the same sharp-edged “mad killer” who appeared at official events in disheveled clothes with his golden hair left loose.

Who on earth had changed him this much?

Naturally, the reporters’ gazes turned to Lauren standing beside him.

Small gasps escaped them.

Her carefully pinned black hair shone softly, and the dress she wore to match the Duke’s attire was not extravagant, but calm and elegant. The beautiful Duchess met the reporters’ eyes and smiled gently, her pale violet eyes curving.

The reporters hurriedly handed Aster business cards bearing their newspaper names. While Aster stared at them indifferently, Lauren reached out and collected them instead. Then she checked each reporter’s name while looking at their faces.

“You must have had a difficult trip coming all the way here. I imagine you have many questions. Please, sit.”

Tea was served again on the low table.

The reporters cautiously picked up their cups while watching each other. Aster leaned back against the sofa as usual, looking at them with faintly furrowed brows, while Lauren took a sip of tea before setting down her cup.

“I don’t particularly like wasting time, so let’s get straight to the point. I assume you’ve all seen the article published by Gossip Bridge. I would like to correct that article.”

“You mean you’ll be issuing a correction through our newspapers?”

One reporter raised a hand to ask.

Lauren curled the corner of her lips slightly.

“Oh? I thought someone from our side had already informed you.”

“Ahem, I was merely confirming.”

There was no way Letty—the highly capable aide of Duke Lilywood—had failed to explain things properly.

Did they think Lauren looked easy to dismiss because she was leading the conversation?

Aster’s eyes narrowed toward the reporters.

Lauren had told him to remain quiet, but if things went wrong, perhaps intimidation would be necessary. Someone with a bad reputation like him was better suited for that anyway.

Though for now, he intended to behave as Lauren requested.

How long he could tolerate it was another matter.

“Then shall I begin with introducing myself?”

The reporters opened their notebooks.

Lauren met each of the three reporters’ eyes and smiled.

Normally, she worried she might appear too approachable, so she had practiced copying Aster’s smile—a smile where one corner of the mouth lifted slightly higher than the other. She’d thought it looked decent while practicing in front of a mirror, though she wasn’t sure now.

“My name before marriage was Lauren Siaz. I am the daughter of Baron Emel Siaz, administrator of the Imperial Capital.”

“The cold-blooded administrator…”

Someone muttered quietly.

Lauren smiled in satisfaction.

Her father had become famous because bribes never worked on him. Neither money nor threats backed by power had any effect, earning him the reputation of being cold-hearted.

Yet among ordinary citizens and commoners, he was known as someone who protected people from injustice.

The Emperor valued Emel Siaz greatly and appointed him to important positions.

Lauren had always been proud of such a father.

Thus, even the title cold-blooded administrator pleased her.

“Oh my, I’m glad someone remembers my father.”

“It would be difficult to forget him. Losing Baron Siaz was a great loss for the Empire.”

The reporter bowed politely before asking another question.

“May I ask how you met Duke Lilywood?”

Lauren had expected that question and prepared beforehand.

Following the story she and Aster had arranged, she explained that she had once treated him after he was injured during a bandit suppression campaign in the southern territories.

Since she never participated in high society, she hadn’t known who he was at the time. Later, she learned his identity when Aster’s aide came looking for him.

How had they continued meeting?

How had she felt whenever Aster went to war?

The questions continued endlessly.

Some she expected; others she didn’t.

Even so, Lauren lied smoothly without batting an eyelash.

Listening to her unwavering voice while she sat with her arms folded, Aster found himself impressed.

What a bold woman.

The way she distributed information and built believable stories was exceptional.

He truly had done well assigning her to fill the gaps.

Not only administration—she’d probably excel in information warfare too.

Aster sincerely felt relieved Lauren was on his side.

“Why did you skip the wedding ceremony?”

“Because my parents passed away recently.”

“Ah… my apologies.”

Lauren lowered her gaze.

Her thick eyelashes trembled.

Without realizing it, Aster placed his hand over hers and patted gently.

The reporter who asked bowed apologetically, but the other reporters’ pens moved furiously.

Well… this wasn’t intentional, but it worked out nicely.

Lauren tightened her grip around his hand in return.

At this rate, perhaps they coordinated rather well.

“When things were difficult and lonely, Aster—ah, excuse me. The Duke became someone I could rely on greatly.”

She deliberately slipped his name in casually.

Aster frowned and laughed.

In reality, it was a bitter smile at Lauren’s boldness, but judging from how the scratching of pens accelerated, the reporters interpreted it differently.

There would probably be articles saying even the “mad killer” Duke had a human side.

He could already predict it.

“Regarding the newspaper and source that published false information—you said you intend to sue them. Have you identified who they are?”

“Of course.”

Lauren laughed lightly as though it were obvious.

Then she took another sip of tea.

The silence she intentionally created made the reporters visibly anxious.

Her pacing was perfect.

“There was someone who spoke carelessly in front of me simply because I hadn’t held a wedding ceremony. I think that alone is enough for the person involved to realize who they are. If they come apologize personally within a week after the article is published, I may forgive them.”

Something like that happened?

Aster had no knowledge of such an incident occurring in his own estate.

This wasn’t something he could ignore.

Even if Lauren forgave them, he couldn’t.

Irritation surged within him.

Leaning against the sofa, Aster crossed one leg over the other.

Lauren’s pale violet eyes rolled toward him.

Apparently she was warning him.

Honestly, sitting quietly like this already went against his nature.

Lauren expected far too much from him.

“Thank you for allowing this interview, Duchess. We’ll discuss matters internally and write the article based on what you’ve said.”

Lauren nodded.

When they mentioned taking photographs as a final step, one reporter stood and began adjusting the camera.

Watching curiously, Lauren suddenly remembered something important.

She needed to say it before forgetting.

“When the article is finished, send it to the Duke’s estate. We need to publish articles with other newspapers as well.”

“We thought you were giving our newspaper an exclusive.”

“Oh? I believe I told you from the beginning. Didn’t you agree knowing that?”

“Well… we couldn’t afford to miss the story…”

The lead reporter openly frowned in dissatisfaction.

How bold, acting like that in front of the ‘mad killer’.

Aster smirked, lifting one corner of his mouth.

Then he raised his crossed foot and kicked the table.

Bang!

The tea cups crashed to the floor and shattered.

Sharp gasps filled the room.

Lauren’s voice calling his name in reprimand reached his ears too.

His mood was already foul, and Lauren wouldn’t even let him vent.

People like this only listen after being shown consequences.

Aster grumbled inwardly.

“We paid quite a bit for your cooperation and for publishing quickly. Are you short on money?”

His cold voice struck the reporters.

He called it cooperation, but his attitude said otherwise.

There wasn’t even a sword in his hand, yet his gaze alone felt murderous.

The nickname mad killer truly wasn’t undeserved.

The shattered object now was merely a teacup.

Next time, it might be their heads.

Feeling genuine fear for his life from those narrowed green eyes, the lead reporter hurriedly shook his head.

“N-No, not at all. We’ll handle it exactly as requested.”

“I hope the resulting article satisfies me.”

The atmosphere in the reception room froze.

A vicious smile formed beneath Aster’s raised chin.

The reporter preparing the camera trembled as he announced everything was ready.

Lauren quietly shook her head.

If he frightened them like that, even simple matters wouldn’t proceed smoothly.

She had specifically told him to stay quiet, yet in the end Aster caused trouble anyway.

Though honestly…

It felt a little satisfying.

No matter how much Lauren tried to guide and control the atmosphere, something always failed to go smoothly.

Perhaps it was because she was a woman.

Lauren swallowed a sigh.

No matter how much Aster supported her, she was still ultimately held back by that fact.

“Lauren.”

Aster called her name in a low voice.

Perhaps it had been obvious her energy had dropped.

Lauren smiled at him.

She wanted to say she was fine.

She wondered if he understood.

The reporter stood behind the camera.

Straightening his posture, Aster looked toward the lens.

Lauren took a deep breath, relaxing her stiff expression and lifting the corners of her lips.

“Lean.”

Aster whispered.

For a moment, her mind stopped.

She couldn’t understand what he meant.

Lauren turned to look at him.

Aster’s deep green eyes were fixed on her.

“Aster?”

“Lean on me.”

It wasn’t a difficult request, but she didn’t understand why he was saying such a thing.

Ah… perhaps he was trying to act like a loving husband.

If so, she could do that.

Lauren carefully rested her head on Aster’s shoulder.

Would this make them look like an affectionate couple?

For some reason, smiling felt easier than before.

Behind the camera, the reporter began counting down before taking the picture.

Three seconds before the shutter clicked—

Something soft touched the top of her head.

Only after the photograph was taken did Lauren realize:

Aster had leaned on her too.