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CHAPTER 96………….
‘Since I only sent someone to the viscountcy yesterday, there’s no way they’ve arrived yet. Looks like we crossed paths.’
Clicking my tongue inwardly, I unfolded the letter and saw the all-too-familiar handwriting.
Leticia,
I was away from the Empire, so I only just heard about you.
And what I heard is absolutely outrageous. Divorce? Have you lost your mind?
How dare a woman be the first to bring up divorce? And over something so trivial, no less!
And now, before the divorce is even finalized, you’re dating a Grand Duke?
I truly can’t show my face from the shame. Have you still not matured at your age…?
You should be thinking realistically by now. Do you honestly think the Grand Duke would make a divorced woman his duchess? You’re nothing but a fleeting amusement to him.
Even now, get a hold of yourself and go beg His Grace the Duke for forgiveness. As your father, I’ll help you apologize.
I’ll be coming to the capital soon, so think about what you did wrong and how you’ll atone for it.
‘…Unbelievable. Not even a hair’s breadth off from what I expected.’
It was almost a relief my father hadn’t changed.
If he suddenly took my side now, my resolve might have wavered.
I was tempted to crumple the ridiculous letter, but noticing the butler and Idris nearby, I restrained myself.
Still, I couldn’t fully hide my expression.
“Borman, if Viscount Cloel shows up, do not let him into the estate under any circumstances.”
Instead of asking why, the butler simply looked at me with mild surprise.
“I’ve cut ties with my father.”
I explained evenly, then, forcing a casual tone, said to Idris,
“I’m going to wash up, so let’s have dinner together.”
It seemed like Idris wanted to say something, but when I smiled first, he didn’t press me.
Once I turned away, the smile vanished from my lips.
It was because of the last line in the letter — the part about coming to the capital.
‘I’d better find a place quickly.’
If I stayed here, knowing my father’s personality, he’d definitely try to get close to Idris too.
‘I can’t drag Idris into my family problems.’
Just thinking about it made my blood run cold.
Of course, it was still a bit unsettling since Idris’s time to be accused of treason hadn’t yet arrived…
But since our contract wasn’t over, I could remain his lover for now and keep an eye on the situation.
‘First, I’ll deal with my father as quickly as possible — then I’ll focus on Idris.’
With that plan in mind, I headed toward the annex.
A few days later.
For the first time in a while, the small bell above the real estate office door chimed brightly.
“Welcome—”
The realtor, rising with a smile, froze mid-greeting when he saw the customer’s face.
“It’s been a while. I came by about a month ago — you remember me, right?”
“O-of course!”
How could he not remember?
Not only was she a beauty impossible to forget after one glance, she was also the lover of Grand Duke Delua.
And most importantly…
All sales of residential properties to Lady Leticia Cloel are strictly prohibited.
…She was on the “do-not-sell” list under a direct order — impossible to forget even if he wanted to.
“Are you here to look at houses?”
“Yes. I got busy after last time, but now I’m ready to start looking again. Any good listings come out since then?”
“Ah, well… oddly enough, there haven’t been many good ones lately.”
“Really?”
Seeing Leticia sigh with a worried look, the realtor began to sweat bullets.
‘Why in the world would the Grand Duke give me such an order?!’
Sure, he’d been paid far more than the usual commission, and he could still sell the houses to other people, so he wasn’t losing money.
But it felt wrong to deceive someone who didn’t know anything.
After some hesitation, the realtor decided to ease his conscience a little by at least showing her something.
“There is one property that somewhat meets your requirements…”
“What kind of property?”
The realtor pulled out a file and placed it before Leticia.
“This one.”
Even in the photo, the mansion looked old.
“What’s the price?”
“9 million gold. Considering the condition, it’s rather expensive.”
“Hmm, you’re right.”
“As I said, it’s just the best of what’s available, not something I’d recommend. It’s been neglected for so long there’s a lot to repair.”
He assumed she would never buy it.
‘She’s got plenty of money — no reason to buy a flawed and overpriced property.’
He was only showing it to pretend he’d made the effort, so he’d feel better.
But then…
“I’ll take it.”
“This property really isn’t— Wait, what?!”
It took him a moment to process what she’d said, and when he did, his eyes nearly popped out.
“Offer the owner 8.8 million first. If they won’t budge, tell them I’ll pay the full 9.”
“W-wait! You’re seriously buying this mansion?”
“I’m in a bit of a hurry.”
“I… I see…”
“I’ll leave a 900,000-gold deposit for now. Coordinate with the owner and get back to me.”
Finishing her business quickly, Leticia left the office.
The realtor, caught off guard by his own actions, just mouthed wordlessly as she walked away.
One thought dominated his mind:
‘I’m screwed…!’
At that same time.
A carriage stopped in front of the Grand Duke’s residence.
The people who stepped out were…
“So this is where Leticia’s living now?”
Leticia’s stepmother, Rosanna, dressed to the nines.
“Well, we’ll find out soon enough.”
And Viscount Jade Cloel, her father, now looking respectable again — nothing like the ragged state he’d been in upon returning home.
Squaring his shoulders, he strode up to the guards at the gate.
“This is the Grand Duke Delua’s residence, right?”
“That’s correct.”
“I’m Viscount Cloel. My daughter is staying here, and I’ve come to see her.”
He expected the guard to be startled at his identity and open the gate deferentially.
After all, even if the Grand Duke grew tired of Leticia someday, for now it was clear he valued her.
‘As the father of his beloved mistress, I’ll be treated with utmost respect.’
But his expectations were shattered.
“I’m sorry, but you do not have entry permission.”
“What?”
“My apologies.”
No warm welcome — just a flat refusal?
Viscount Cloel clutched the back of his neck in disbelief.
“Does the Grand Duke treat guests like this, or are you just insulting him on your own?”
“Forgive me.”
“Forgive me, forgive me — if you’re sorry, open the gate!”
Despite his shouting, the guards made no further reply.
Being completely ignored made Cloel’s face flush red with rage.
“You insolent nobodies — do you know who you’re ignoring? I’ll tell my daughter, and you’ll all be fired!”
He rattled the iron bars and kicked the gate, but the guards didn’t so much as glance at him.
Unable to watch any longer, Rosanna tugged at his arm.
“Honey, people are staring! Think of your dignity!”
“This is all because that wretched girl looks at her father like he’s trash! That arrogant— Ugh!”
Still fuming and kicking the gate, Viscount Cloel lost his balance and toppled backward.
“Honey!”
“Ha! They don’t even care if a guest collapses! Do I have to drop dead right here for them to look out?”
Fearing he’d grab the bars and cause another scene, Rosanna quickly suggested an alternative.
“Honey, instead of this, why don’t we go to a newspaper and have an article published?”
“…An article?”
“Leticia’s running a business these days, isn’t she? Her reputation’s on the rise. If news spreads that she’s mistreating her parents, it’ll hurt her.”
Cloel hesitated for a moment, but then shook his head.
“No, no. That should be our last resort.”
“Then how will you meet her? From the look of it, she won’t see us.”
“There’s no need to meet Leticia directly.”
Rosanna gave him a puzzled look.
He rose with a meaningful smile.
“Come along. I’ve got a good idea.”
