TVH 28

chapter 28

“Sir, he’s a high-ranking noble. So please stop being rude.”

“What?”

My aunt and uncle, who had lived in the countryside, had no idea who Dante was. Their faces showed utter shock, especially my uncle, who had only been spouting rude comments.

He quickly took off his fedora.

“Th-then… that means he’s… why didn’t you say so earlier? His tone and behavior seemed noble, but…”

Dante responded casually to my uncle’s quick change in attitude, who, as a fallen lower-ranking noble, was trying to save face.

“I just wanted to see how far it would go. If I revealed my status, you wouldn’t know my intentions, and I’m not the type to care much about social rank anyway.”

Dante was the kind of egalitarian revolutionary male lead. He treats everyone equally, regardless of their status. In the original story, he even challenges the emperor.

He might have pretended to be a rude servant just to make my uncle dig himself deeper.

My uncle, looking at me in disbelief, asked:

“Mia. Why is a high-ranking noble wearing an apron in your house? Wait… you’re wearing it, right?”

In noble culture, it’s rude to ask someone their rank before they mention it, so he was hesitant to even ask.

At this point, there was only one way to get them to leave. I lifted my nose as arrogantly as possible, completely unflustered.

“Before marriage, he’s taking lessons in the household. I like men who are good at housework, you see? Please respect my preference.”

My aunt scanned Dante up and down suspiciously. Since he was tall, it seemed to take her a little longer to evaluate him.

“Someone like that… why…”

Unlike other nobles, who were arrogant and deeply ingrained with elitism and discrimination, my aunt seemed confused by how different Dante was.

“If he’s a noble, then he must have been invited to the imperial palace ball celebrating the nation’s founding next week. All the empire’s nobles are invited, after all. That’s why we came to the capital.”

With her probing tone, Dante nodded expressionlessly.

“I receive invitations every year. I’ve never attended, though.”

She lifted the corners of her mouth into a proud smile.

“Then of course you’ll bring our Mia as your partner, right? If you’re planning to marry, you should introduce her to the Rondinium social circle.”

Basically, she was asking, “Would a real high-ranking noble attend a ball and announce a commoner as his fiancée?” My uncle’s face, red from embarrassment, went completely pale.

“Gertrude, that’s…”

“Honey, it’s for Mia’s sake.”

While the couple exchanged a tense glance, Dante looked at me as if asking my opinion. I blinked twice in a silent plea, thinking we just needed to get through this once.

Understanding the silent signal, Dante nodded toward my aunt.

“Of course, that is my intention.”

“How considerate of you.”

My aunt put on a fake smile and whispered to me like a devil.

“Mia, that man might be deceiving you. Be careful of men who promise marriage but only want your body. That day, Mr. Carl’s eldest son will also be there. He’s already a baron and will soon inherit the title of count. Yet, he sent you a proper marriage proposal. That day, you’ll know who you should choose.”

I always think this lady has the gift of gab—a master gaslighter. I wish she could just summarize in three lines.

I half-listened to her long speech, scratching my ear, and said flatly:

“I’d just like not to see you after today. Please leave now, unless you want a shower of fertilizer.”

“You…!”

When my aunt raised her voice, Dante stepped forward in front of them, flashing a chilling smile.

“As the fiancée’s relatives, your courtesy ends here. The same goes for your incompetent son. Next time, it won’t end so lightly, consider that a warning.”

Did the word “fiancée” always feel so strange and thrilling? I rolled my eyes awkwardly.

My aunt still seemed confused by Dante’s stern warning. On the other hand, my uncle, realizing that even a lower-ranking noble isn’t ordinary, bowed politely and left with my aunt.

Watching their old car fade down the driveway, I exhaled the breath I’d been holding.

“Shall we go?”

Dante led the way. I followed silently, keeping my mouth shut for a while. He walked quietly, saying nothing until I spoke.

Passing the sparkling fountain and cat-shaped garden ornaments, I finally spoke:

“Thank you for helping. You don’t have to go to the ball. I don’t want you to get into trouble.”

He wasn’t on good terms with the royal family. I didn’t want to force him to do something he disliked.

Even if the marriage-obsessed nobles come again, knocking on the gate shouting, “Meet once! Or give the necklace! Or put the house in our name!” it’s something I can handle. I just have to avoid letting them in or getting fertilizer thrown at me.

He tilted his head slightly at my words.

“It won’t be troublesome.”

“But you said you’ve never gone before. Don’t you dislike it?”

“I never went because I had no one to go with.”

This man was the empire’s popular heartthrob, constantly pursued by men and women alike. A dangerously charming man, whose forbidden appeal made him irresistible.

I once rationally suspected that he chose this mansion to escape the exhausting life of popularity.

“You could have a line of partners if you wanted.”

For a moment, he stopped walking and slowly looked at me.

“I’ve only now developed the desire. And I have someone to go with.”

I never thought I’d attend such a place. To an ordinary girl like me, it felt like another world. I’d only learned dance and etiquette at school.

“I’ve never been to a ball before.”

He looked unsure, but he didn’t seem to care.

“Then I’ll accompany you. First time.”

It’s a sure way to get rid of those clingy aunt and uncle types, but if rumors spread that we’re engaged across the empire… can we even manage that?

“I only said it to send away the devils. Are you serious about actually going?”

“Are you dissatisfied with me as your partner? Don’t worry, I won’t be wearing an apron.”

If tickets for “Attend the ball with Dante Van Dyke in an apron” went on sale, preorders would explode, crashing every system.

“It’s not that, only nobles can attend. Even if I could accompany a fiancée, we’re not really engaged.”

Then Dante’s blue eyes looked at me with firm resolve.

“Then we’ll actually get engaged.”

I blinked in astonishment.

Is it really that simple? Is this man reckless?

Perhaps he’s been obedient at home and avoiding rebellion because of this kind of personality. Maybe he’ll impulsively start a rebellion thinking, “Then I’ll really rebel.”

“We aren’t in any sort of relationship. I’m concerned about your marriage prospects.”

“As I said, marriage is a choice, not a requirement. Right now, getting rid of those bothering us about marriage is more important.”

Does he really have to go this far for my sake?

“Dante, you don’t have to do this for me. It’s burdensome. I’d have to plan new ways to make a mess for you every day, right?”

Like traps from escape rooms or Home Alone.

He brushed back his black bangs.

“It’s also to handle my own troublesome matters. Similar to your situation, the royal family has started talking about marriages with surrounding royalty.”

Nobles and royals have high pride and wouldn’t like to see him doing household chores himself. So it makes sense he wouldn’t want to marry.

So, for convenience, a strategic contract engagement. That’s clearly how he sees it.

Seeing my hesitation, he gave a rare, soft smile.

“You can refuse if this request is too difficult. We can use it later.”

I remembered he once said that if I did well, he’d grant my request as a reward. So he’s using that saved favor now?

Thinking about it, worrying about Dante’s marriage is utterly unnecessary. I get to escape my aunt and uncle’s interference, so it’s fine by me.

I nodded in agreement.

“Alright. Then let’s pretend we’re engaged and in fateful love. If either of us actually falls for someone later, we can break the engagement—better than divorce, right?”

“Yes, I’ll also get rid of the other potential partners.”

Did I hear that correctly? Am I supposed to stay engaged with this man forever, living in chaos?

“Excuse me? What do you mean by ‘get rid of’?”

I asked repeatedly about his frightening words, but he never answered.