“Where is Lucy?”
In the Frontal Estate.
In the luxurious reception room, overt disappointment was visible on Elizabeth’s face.
“She couldn’t possibly come. She’s busy leading the troops.”
“Tch. I had some hope.”
With her arms crossed, she demonstrated what unkindness could look like in person.
-Welcome, Hans. It’s your first time in the Frontal Estate, isn’t it? As my fiancé, you deserve the best treatment, so please make yourself comfortable.
It was completely different from the perfect manners she had shown under the watchful eyes of the guards outside the castle.
But that was of no importance.
“So, when can I meet Count Frontal?”
Time was of the essence.
Luciana couldn’t wait forever for support.
He needed to achieve his purpose here as soon as possible.
“The demon invasion keeps him busier than me, but you’ll be able to meet him soon.”
The moment he felt something suspicious about her response.
“My father is also very interested in you.”
“In me, the Count?”
It was unexpected.
There was no reason for a mere baron’s son and servant like him to be noticed.
‘Maybe it’s a father’s concern for his daughter.’
When he glanced at the obvious reason, she waved it off.
“I know what you’re thinking, but no. The interest my father has in me is merely as a business asset.”
“Then why me?”
“Who knows? Even I can’t read his mind. Why don’t you try figuring it out with your brilliant emotional intelligence?”
“If you’re going to be uncooperative, I might have to reconsider our previous arrangement.”
The chance to get closer to Luciana.
Mentioning the desire she had hoped to fulfill by allying with the demon, her eyebrows twitched slightly.
They might be allies, but their relationship was not entirely friendly.
‘This could ruin our relationship, but…’
It couldn’t be helped.
Normally, he would have taken her defiance in stride, but the situation was urgent.
“…It’s not that I have no clue.”
“Then please, share your guess.”
Needing military support, having more negotiation cards was better.
“My father has always been interested in replenishing his forces. If it weren’t for your entanglement with the Speda Ducal family, he would have tried to recruit you, the winner of the martial contest.”
“Oh? That’s valuable information.”
“Right? Now, it’s your turn to share. How do you plan to involve me and Lucy this time?”
Reconfirmation of the deal.
Still lacking trust, he was about to reveal his plan to a curious guest when suddenly—
-Bang.
The door to the reception room burst open.
“Ha. What impudence?”
Elizabeth’s face contorted with anger.
At the moment when an important conversation was about to happen, her anger became even more pronounced.
“Excuse me, miss, it’s a matter from the lord of the house.”
The well-dressed, middle-aged butler, not only showed a subtle contempt for her, but it was also quite visible in his eyes.
“Hans Byron, follow me. The lord is looking for you. Ah, and Miss Elizabeth as well.”
With an overly arrogant tone, he gestured to him flicking his hand.
For a servant to open the door to a room where the family’s nobility was staying, without even knocking.
And to talk down to someone who is engaged to a noble lady…
‘This goes beyond rudeness.’
Conflict exists everywhere in noble society.
Especially when it comes to the right of succession.
Both are noblewomen, but…
If there’s a difference between Elizabeth and Luciana, it was their active involvement in the succession competition.
She couldn’t dream of succeeding directly due to two older brothers above her, but,
‘Still, the second brother…’
She supports him subtly whenever there’s a chance.
Of course, in noble society, being the eldest son comes with a huge inherent advantage.
But there’s a reason she supports the younger son despite this obstacle.
‘What’s the use of hoarding gold in the family if it’s just going to slip through the fingers like water?’
Elizabeth’s face was filled with bitter anger.
A person who only wastes on luxuries and should never succeed the family in a house that grew its power through commerce.
-What are you thinking, brother?!
Ignoring the most important military supplies and food from the north, just to bring in luxuries!
-You don’t understand, sister.
These are products with enough demand among the nobles.
-Don’t justify your own spending! Alcohol, silk clothes, precious metals…
Not even breaking even, just endless expenses without any profit!
It’d be better to use the surplus for trade, but instead, it’s squandered on followers whenever he feels like it.
The perfect person to lead the family to ruin.
That’s why Elizabeth has always been at odds with the eldest son, Garza Frontal, and his cronies.
‘Like a flunky to a good-for-nothing.’
Erickson Forhon, showing rudeness right in front of her, was a prime example.
“What are you doing, miss? Hurry and go to see the lord.”
Crossing the line with a tone that lacked the minimum respect.
There’s a reason he hasn’t become the chief steward at his age, borrowing the master’s authority to be utterly arrogant.
But.
He’s a servant under the name of the ‘heir.’
“No need to guide me. I know where my father is.”
“Of course.”
As Elizabeth got up to leave, shrugging past him towards the lord’s room,
-Thud!
Until a strange sound of something being hit was heard from behind.
“Argh!”
Followed by a scream.
Turning around in surprise, Erickson was seen kneeling down in pain, and Hans adjusting his clothes.
“You lack guts. I endured even when my shin was kicked. To just fall over and whimper.”
“Are you crazy? What if an outsider assaults a servant of the Frontal family?”
“That would be for the lord to decide.”
Leaving the still groaning servant behind, he, with his neat face, moved ahead of Elizabeth.
“Let’s go. To see the person who will decide what to do with me.”
Following him absentmindedly, she muttered quietly.
“Instead of military support, it looks like I’ll be thrown out.”
“Who knows? I don’t think so. Didn’t you say the count is interested in me?”
That wasn’t supposed to mean he’d tolerate violence.
Wondering what made him so carefree only brought a sigh.
Due to Luciana and the Speda Ducal family’s dignity, they probably won’t punish him severely, but it still wouldn’t look good.
“I heard there was a commotion. Yet, you’ve made it in front of me.”
‘As expected’
The face of her father, taking off his reading glasses he always wore when looking at documents, was exceedingly cold.
Not even directed at her, but…
His sharp gaze felt like it was piercing her skin.
“I’ll admit you have thick skin. Hans Byron, can you explain?”
Elizabeth felt her skin grow cold as she quietly clenched the fabric of her dress in her hand.
It was like facing a glaring beast.
Ready to tear into Hans for his rudeness at any moment.
“…What do you plan to do?”
It was the demeanor of an experienced noble she had often seen.
The tension made her mouth dry.
But then.
“The servant was disrespecting his superiors, and I couldn’t just stand by and watch as someone in the same position.”
“Do you intend to lecture him?”
“Why not?”
Unlike her, he remained calm even in front of the count, who was visibly irate.
Just as she was about to see how far he would go to potentially ruin his relationship with the Count’s family, a sudden move occurred.
-Grasp.
“What?”
Elizabeth involuntarily let out a surprised voice, forgetting her act.
Her hand was caught too naturally.
The one who grabbed it was, of course, Hans.
“If my fiancée is being insulted, I cannot just stand by.”
“…Ho. So, you two are already in such a relationship?”
‘…No.’
This was a misunderstanding.
Who was it that approved her plan to become Hans’s fiancée in the first place?
At least she wasn’t the one harboring any affection towards him.
And this experienced old bear knew it better than anyone!
-Emotions are just a tool.
Only when you know how to use them to gather wealth can you truly be both a merchant and a noble.
It was a lesson from his own experience, having expanded his influence through a political marriage.
Count Frontal was someone who excelled at exploiting respect, hatred, and love to the bone.
Even including her own mother…
Beneath Elizabeth’s expressionless face, a sense of resignation filled her.
‘The negotiation is doomed.’
Sure enough, the Count made the first move.
“Burning love is the privilege of the youth. However, distance cools affection. Wouldn’t you consider coming here from the Speda Ducal family?”
He shifted the topic smoothly, even naturally suggesting a talent acquisition.
It flowed naturally, despite the insult to the family’s nobility.
Not a hint of displeasure showed on the lord’s face.
As Elizabeth resigned herself to watch quietly,
“Ha. Sorry, but that’s a bit… We aren’t quite at that stage in our relationship yet, Miss Elizabeth and I.”
“Hmm? Then, I can’t just overlook the assault on our servant as a young man’s affectionate folly.”
‘What is he plotting?’
While she was confused, she felt a strong pressure from his hand holding hers.
-Match my lead.
Elizabeth noticed Hans’s intention from the atmosphere, but she looked at the man in front of her, hiding her emotions.
What now, and how?
“I’m quite materialistic. In arranged marriages, I prefer tangible benefits over love.”
“Oh? And?”
Then, he dropped a bombshell.
“If Lady Elizabeth becomes the owner of the polar bear crest. That would be beneficial for me as her fiancé, wouldn’t it?”
-What on earth is he thinking?!
She hurriedly tightened her grip on Hans’s hand to interrupt, but the words were already out.
‘The owner of the crest!’
“So, does this mean my daughter is interested in the succession?”
“I agreed to the engagement seeing that possibility.”
Both turned their gazes towards her.
All Elizabeth could do was muster her strength to keep a poker face…
“The prodigal eldest son, the passive younger son who misses opportunities without a challenge. I firmly believe Lady Elizabeth suits the role of the lord better than them.”
‘Could it be?’
Even if he were a doppelganger with the talent to uncover others’ inner thoughts…
Could such inferences be made from emotions alone?
Elizabeth’s gaze sharpened involuntarily.
Her own desire, kept silent and harbored within,
Was revealed in front of none other than the lord himself.
She quietly lifted her eyes to look at her father, the lord.
She was curious about his expression.
“…Surprisingly, that makes sense. However, there have been no female nobles in the North until now.”
Yet, the lord’s response was the same.
A hearty, yet drawn smile.
A voice cold enough to create a sense of unease.
‘Of course.’
The North was dominated by a military atmosphere.
Unless one was a genius exception like Luciana, the treatment of noble ladies remained the same.
But then,
“That can change with a precedent.”
“There are already many female nobles in other regions who have inherited titles. Luciana Speda, a duchess, and Elizabeth Frontal, a countess. It’s time for a new wind to blow in the North.”
Hans’s words continued unabated.
Despite shaking the existing order of the North, his assertion was bold.
“My lord, Luciana, intends to take the first step by eliminating a demon infiltrated in the North. If you lend us your support, we will not forget this kindness.”
“You’re suggesting an investment. However, there’s a flaw in your words.”
As always, her father’s dry gaze passed over her as if appraising.
But why?
Today, a fierce flame was burning inside her heart.
“I have no intention of investing in the wrong place. I’m curious if Elizabeth has the will for it.”
‘So this is what he meant by matching.’
Elizabeth, unknowingly wearing a faint smile, spoke up.
“Father, as a lady of the Frontal family, I’ve always felt sorry.”
Whether she truly shares blood with them.
Why are they so inept at understanding the flow of money?
But.
“I, as a lady, received no education as an heir, just a ‘flower in a greenhouse,’ soon to be neatly packaged and sold off.
Therefore, I’ve kept silent even when I had much to say.
Even now, speaking out feels confusing.
‘Is this really okay?’
It’s uncertain.
Sure, success would place her at the pinnacle of the family.
But failure would lead to painful retribution.
However,
Now that things have come this far, retreating would also make her a target of retribution.
The path.
Soon, she found her resolve.
Although it was slightly displeasing to be manipulated by Hans, this demon, for the sake of helping Luciana, it wasn’t unacceptable.
“I, too, bear the honor of the family. I cannot hand it over to those who would consume it and cast down its reputation from the pinnacle. I will now reveal my intentions. Starting with the Speda family, I will expand our influence one by one and challenge for the position of the lord.”
“My fiancée is not only knowledgeable about the business world but her ingenuity and wisdom are beyond ordinary. She will surely make a great heir.”
—
Elizabeth pinched the back of the man’s hand next to her, a gesture of reproach, then straightened her back and faced the lord.
She knew all along.
The best path for the family.
And the best path for herself.
The crossroads of that decision, which she had been postponing and avoiding, she now faced directly because of this man.
But why did it feel so liberating?
“Having joined the competition for succession late, I seek compensation for it.”
That sense of relief and the confidence it brought added strength and color to her voice.
“Ha! Compensation, you say. That too is your choice, daring to ask for help as you jump into the succession competition?”
“No, my lord. With the connections to the Western Loberk Ducal family and managing the central social circles… I believe you are aware of the significant contributions I’ve made to this family.”
Elizabeth, addressing her father, or rather the lord of the
Frontal family, with a hint of displeasure.
“For the start of our expansion, I request that you lend me your troops.”
Elizabeth, with a hand on her chest, smiled faintly and made her bold request.
The lord, who had been quietly observing, clicked his tongue softly.
“It’s difficult to predict whether your actions will benefit or harm the Frontal family.”
“…”
“However, you’re not wrong. It’s worth the investment.”
-Thud.
On the other hand not holding Hans’s, something was passed from her father.
A rolled-up paper stamped with the polar bear crest.
It was an appointment letter.
“I will lend you one knight and two hundred private soldiers. You, Elizabeth, will be their commander.”
“I will gladly accept to ensure my father’s investment succeeds.”
There were no tears of joy, no words of gratitude.
A conversation that seemed utterly transactional,
But it was precisely because of this that it suited the Frontal family perfectly.
***
“Lady Luciana, I report success in securing the support troops.”
-Things have gone well.
“Yes. Lady Elizabeth was a great help.”
-Liza did… Yes, I must express my gratitude to her separately.
Then, let’s meet in the cave, the vampire’s hideout.
The preparations were now complete.
‘It’s time to eradicate the infiltrated demon.’
Of course, not Báthory, but the doppelgänger.
Cliche Novel 