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Chapter 20
“Twenty-carat yellow diamond—mined from the Anbeju Mine, cut by the master craftsman Pegrit, and once the most treasured jewel of Empress Eraes two hundred years ago.”
“……”
“A twenty-room Grangerie Castle located in the southern resort region, along with a privately owned beach spanning two thousand pyeong.”
“……”
“Twenty chests filled entirely with gold.”
“……”
“Choose one.”
As I listened to the Grand Duke’s voice, only one thought crossed my mind.
Does the Grand Duke really like the number twenty?
Or did he deliberately match everything to twenty?
Either way, each gift was dazzling enough to make anyone’s head spin.
No—calling them “gifts” almost felt too modest. The sheer wealth was unreal.
So this was the reward for protecting the memories of the late Grand Duchess?
Wow… hostile romance really is terrifying.
Someone once said that adding a bit of salt makes sweetness even sweeter.
Now I understood. When you mix unwavering devotion with mutual hatred, it becomes a love so powerful that even if you offered someone the whole world, they wouldn’t trade it.
And right now, I could feel that kind of love in the form of an overwhelming pile of riches.
If I chose the yellow diamond and resold it at an auction house, it would fetch an absurd price.
Owning a castle with a private beach? That was something ordinary people could only dream about.
And twenty chests filled with gold…
Wow.
Just hearing it made the corners of my mouth twitch upward uncontrollably.
Fortunately, even if Tulia lacked many things, etiquette was not one of them.
“What will you choose, Tulia?”
I sat there with a polite and humble expression.
But internally, I was crying.
Because to achieve that damned A-rank, I had to give up every single one of those incredible rewards.
“Grandfather.”
Once this conversation with the Grand Duke ended and I returned to my room, I was definitely going to bury myself under the blankets and sob.
“Is this a reward for protecting Grandmother’s land?”
For a brief moment, Asis Frezier, the Grand Duke, twitched his eyebrow.
If I hadn’t already gained the benefit from that hostile romance earlier, his gaze—sharp as a lion’s—would have flattened me instantly.
But honestly? It doesn’t scare me much anymore.
At least not when the topic involved the Grand Duchess.
After staring at me for a moment, Asis Frezier turned his head as if he had decided something.
“It is a reward for a child who reminded me of the Frezier family law.”
“I see.”
I spoke calmly.
“Then, Grandfather… what would you do if I didn’t want any of those three?”
“……?”
The Grand Duke’s brow furrowed. His expression clearly said: Does this brat have a beggar living in her stomach?
I hurriedly added,
“It’s because there’s a different reward I want. You can decide after hearing it.”
“……Speak.”
“I don’t have a father who can protect me, and my mother has passed away.”
“……”
“The Frezier Grand Ducal Estate is as vast as the Imperial Palace. And I need a little more authority to protect myself.”
Looking at Asis Frezier, I spoke carefully—but clearly.
“I would like to receive the Direct Lineage Necklace in advance, Grandfather.”
“According to family law, the authority of direct lineage is granted on one’s sixteenth birthday.”
Asis Frezier raised an eyebrow.
“And yet you would refuse the gift I offer now and ask for it instead?”
I cautiously asked,
“Um… Grandfather.”
I was genuinely curious.
“When is my birthday?”
“…What?”
“I mean… no one has really celebrated it for me, so I don’t know it very well. I’m sorry.”
Sure, I had played <Secret Wheat Bread> for quite a long time.
But that didn’t mean I memorized every character’s birthday!
Especially Tulia—she was just a pretty villainess. How was I supposed to know something like that?
However, my answer seemed to irritate the Grand Duke.
His gaze changed again.
Like an icy sea where snowflakes had begun to settle.
Ah, come on. What did I say wrong this time?
While I nervously tried to read the room, Asis Frezier suddenly turned around.
“Grandfather?”
“Really… in many ways…”
“…Yes?”
“…No. Forget it.”
Then came the dismissal.
“You may leave.”
“Father! This is outrageous!”
For once, Lilius raised his voice at Asis Frezier, the Grand Duke.
Recently, he had taken on a massive debt after failing to secure ownership of the Statis Plains, and dark circles hung under his eyes.
Maybe that was why. He seemed to have lost all restraint—even shouting at the Grand Duke without hesitation.
“Tulia hasn’t even had her debutante yet, and you’re granting her direct lineage authority?!”
Right now, Tedric had even had his Direct Lineage Necklace confiscated. The comparison would only make things worse!
“How dare you raise your voice?”
At the dignified tone, Lilius immediately shrank his shoulders and clasped his hands together.
Still, he continued in a lowered voice.
“But Father… Tulia’s case truly makes no sense.”
“Why do you question a decision made by the head of the house, Lilius?”
“Tulia has received no proper education. She will lower the dignity of the direct lineage.”
Hearing that Tulia had received no education, the Grand Duke instead recalled the Tulia he had seen recently.
Among the imperial family, the great noble houses, and even the merchant guilds, the field receiving the largest investments was ancient languages.
And Tulia had mastered those ancient languages through self-study.
A remarkable child.
Could she actually be a genius?
Just like her grandmother—who had always thrown herself boldly at difficult problems.
Just like the late Grand Duchess.
But soon the Grand Duke shook his head.
No. A child should be seen as a child. Comparing them to exceptional talents is poison.
Unaware of his thoughts, Lilius pressed on.
“Father. Would it not be proper, according to family law, to assign Tulia a personal tutor, allow her to complete her debutante, and only then grant her the Direct Lineage Necklace?”
“Lilius.”
The stern voice finally made Lilius fall silent.
“It is my decision.”
“B-But Father…”
“She will, of course, take the basic examination first.”
“That’s…”
In the past, that statement would have reassured Lilius.
But not now.
Tulia Frezier had changed too much.
More than a patient who had taken a severe blow to the head.
He had a terrible feeling that she might somehow pass even the strange and difficult tests required to receive the Direct Lineage Necklace.
Just as Lilius parted his lips to argue again—
Asis Frezier clasped his hands behind his back and turned his head.
“And besides, Lilius Frezier… isn’t Tulia Frezier more knowledgeable about family law than you?”
“……!”
He was referring to the incident during the voting meeting.
Lilius’s face darkened immediately.
“Miss, how about this pigeon-gray outfit today?”
“I like it.”
Most of the dresses in Tulia’s wardrobe had extravagant sleeves—full of lace, jewels, and ribbons.
But the outing dress Adele had brought today was different.
The sleeves were fitted, with dark lining underneath, making it much more practical.
Meaning even if I get ink on it, it won’t show.
“Miss, you’ll do well on the exam.”
Adele’s voice was warm.
Of course, she didn’t know that Lilius and Aubrey had never provided me with a proper tutor.
Still, having someone believe in me so blindly didn’t feel bad.
“Your older brothers both passed the direct lineage exam with perfect scores. Naturally, you will too.”
Ah, right. They were both written as incredibly intelligent characters.
The twin brothers—both potential male leads—possessed not only beauty but also brilliant minds.
They were currently attending the academy, though they returned to the main estate once or twice a year.
They usually came for the Grand Duke’s birthday banquet… so they’ll probably arrive soon.
Thinking back on Tulia’s relationship with them, I swallowed a sigh.
This… isn’t going to be easy.
