Estella had done her best to make room, but it was impossible to change Diego’s mind. He was the heir to the Duchy of Berta, and she was a mere young lady with an uncertain support base. They both had something in common, a bad relationship with their fathers, but the outcome was different. Diego had emerged victorious, while Adriana was about to be sold without so much as a faint rebellion.

“What can I…… do, what can I do, how can I…….”

Adriana could barely finish her sentence. She knew he wouldn’t bat an eye if she begged with tears or stormed out of the room with a vengeance and spilled the beans.

As Adriana was trying to hold back her rising emotions, Diego, who was watching her, said,

“You don’t have to do anything, I’ll do you a favor.”

Adriana looked up quickly. She couldn’t understand what the other person was saying. She thought she was too desperate that she was so desperate that maybe she was hearing things.

“It doesn’t mean I’ll marry you. I’m not the kind of philanthropist who would sell my life for the pity of others, like some women do.”

Diego said with a subtle frown. As Adriana stiffened, Diego continued his unintelligible explanation.

“When you get out of here, you’ll find the crown prince, and if you mention my name, he’ll do a few things to make it right.”

“What’s that…….”

“Simply put, I’ve changed the male lead in your plan. Of course, you won’t actually marry, but the crown prince of your home country should be able to break up the marriage to Granton III, and your father will think he can sell you off to someone more plausible.”

Bringing in a commoner would not convince the Marquis of Astez to give up his access to Granton III. Diego arranged for Lionel to visit the Marquis of Astez at just the right time, complimenting him on his daughter’s beauty.

It wasn’t a play that would last, but if he could hold out until she came of age, the Marquis of Astez wouldn’t be able to sell her off without Adriana’s consent as he could now.

“Why would His Royal Highness help me?”

Adriana asked, barely regaining her senses. Her marriage proposal to a little duke had been rejected, and now she had to be the Crown Prince’s fake lover. Diego was an important man, but the crown prince was on a whole other level.

“He has something to gain, too.”

But Diego’s reply was too implicit. Adriana was confused, unable to process the sudden onslaught of information.

“Is that the price you’re willing to pay? If so, why would you go to such lengths for me? I mean, this is so…….”

“What I want is your silence.”

So this was too much effort to put in just to shut her up. It would have been more efficient for Diego to have her committed to an insane asylum, as he had just said.

Still confused, Diego asked Adriana.

“Are you going to accept my offer?”

Adriana’s lips trembled. She couldn’t believe this stroke of good fortune that had come her way. Still, she quickly remembered to answer, because she wasn’t a fool to pass up an opportunity.

“What other choice do I have? I’m afraid I’m going to have to settle for the alternative you’ve prepared for your blackmailer.”

She didn’t know on what whim Diego was doing this, but whatever it was, it was the kind of luck she’d never have again. Adriana’s eyes turned serious. Adriana swore.

“Whatever happened in the temple that day, I will take it with me to the grave.”

“That’s a good idea, and there’s one more thing I need you to do for me.”

“What is that? Is it something I can do?”

Adriana asked, swallowing hard. Diego responded with an enigmatic answer, making it difficult to discern his intentions.

“Of course. All it takes is a little pain and a little acting.”

* * *

“My lady, may I ask you to dance?”

It was the twelfth offer, to be exact. Estella returned his gentle refusal as she always did.

“No, I’m waiting for my partner.”

The man’s expectant smile faded wistfully. The handsome young man was gentlemanly in his rejection. He said a few words about how he hoped there would be another opportunity and turned away.

None of the people who invited her lasted long. One or two flirted with her, asking where she was from or how old she was, but before long they were dragged away by what appeared to be their acquaintances. Estella could easily overhear them shouting warnings at their friend.

“You fool, that young lady has come with the Little Duke of Berta!”

It was difficult to discern whether those words were directed at House Berta or if they were criticizing the face of a friend who couldn’t compare to Diego’s charm. Regardless, the fact that she entered with Diego served as a good shield for Estella.

Out of the corner of her eye, Estella scanned the nearby terrace. The tightly drawn curtains wouldn’t open for a long time. Estella was killing time, waiting for Diego right next to her. She hoped for a good outcome, but there was little evidence of success. All she could do was cling to the future she’d seen in the book, even if it was already twisted.

“Miss Montiel, what brings you here alone?”

She sighed at the thirteenth approach. Estella raised her head to repeat her refusal, but she could not give the same blank stare as before.

She looked into the man’s eyes, mesmerized. He was a very handsome man, almost as handsome as Diego, but there was a difference between the two. Diego had an orderly elegance and this one was more free-flowing, his jet-black hair more of a sex appeal than a neatness.

Estella replied, coming to her senses late.

“I’m waiting for my partner.”

She expected him to back off, but instead he stood with his back to the wall next to her, but that didn’t mean he said anything else to her. She was the one who asked the question.

“Does the Lord have any other business with me?”

“Lord?”

The other man laughed out loud, as if he found it funny. She didn’t know what was so offensive about that universal honorific. he man, who had been laughing uproariously, suddenly broke into a violent cough. Only after a while did he manage to regain composure and belatedly express that it was funny.

“You don’t know me, do you?”

“Have I seen you before?”

Estella gave him a nervous look. She racked her brain for an answer. She clearly didn’t recognize the man in front of her. There was no way she could have forgotten how handsome he was.

When Estella gave him a confused look, he quickly changed the subject.

“No, I’m a Lord, so you’re not wrong.”

“……Are you married?”

If a married man heard the term ‘bachelor,’ he might find it amusing. It seemed like a reasonable assumption, but the man immediately became disgusted.

“Marriage is not in my dictionary.”

“That’s an unusual resolution.”

“A man whose innocence has been trampled upon can never trust a woman.”

The man who answered jokingly straightened up politely. Then he gave the same polite bow as the others.

“By the way, I apologize for the late introduction, but I’m actually an old friend of the eccentric in your household.”

“With the Little Duke?”

Estella repeated, surprised. After all, she wasn’t completely devoid of social interaction, so it was reasonable to assume that Diego might have at least one friend. Perhaps while mingling with the Berta aristocratic family, someone might have seen her. So they must have asked if she knew them. As someone who didn’t often venture towards the wing where the noble family resided, Estella had no idea who the person was.

Estella spoke in a kinder voice.

“The Duke is out on the terrace at the moment.”

“No, it is Miss Montiel I have come to see.”

“Me?”

She thought he had come to ask for Diego’s whereabouts, but the other man gave her an answer she hadn’t expected. According to him, he doesn’t trust women, so he’s not trying to hit on her. Why is he talking to me at all?

If he was a friend of Diego’s, he would already know where Estella stood, so he wouldn’t be speculating about his relationship with her, as some of the others were doing.

“As you know, Diego has never gotten along with his siblings, but lately he’s seemed unusually close to them. I got suspicious and asked Javier about it, and he said that Miss Montiel had a lot to do with it.”

Lionel stroked hismy chin and let out a hearty laugh, his face crinkling playfully as he spoke.

“And then all of a sudden, the stony-like guy went to a dress shop and emerges holding a woman’s hand…….”

“Ah, there’s a deep reason behind that.”

Estella quickly interjected. The last thing she needed was to be used in social circles as the woman who melted the ice duke’s heart. Estella recited the set-up, which had become so ingrained in her mind that she hadn’t even realized it.

“Out of consideration for me, a girl who has never experienced social life, the Duke has decided to take me to…….”

“Come on, Miss Montiel. He’s an asshole who doesn’t believe there’s such a thing as being considerate of others.”

Lionel said, his brow furrowed in disbelief. He sounded genuinely offended. This embarrassed Estella and she shut up. It wasn’t polite to interrupt, and more importantly, it was an insult to Diego.

Standing here is not the way to honor the things we’ve worn today. Estella spoke up, her expression hardening.

“You say you’re a close friend, but you’re being a little harsh.”

Lionel blanched at Estella’s point. He hadn’t properly identified himself, so how could she tell if he was a friend or a foe? She didn’t want any more unpleasant conversation. Estella forced her voice to rise.

“The Duke is a good man. If you’ve never felt cared for by the Duke, it’s because he’s not the kind of man to ask for it in the first place.”

With that, Estella turned to leave. The curtains of the terrace parted, and it was Adriana who stumbled out through them, her hands raised to cover her face. The glimpse of her eyes through her fingers was unmistakable.

Panicked, Estella froze in place. Adriana, who had spotted her, averted her gaze. Estella hurried over to Adriana.

“What’s going on?”

Adriana immediately bit her lip. Estella could see it coming. As if that weren’t bad enough, Adriana soon answered in a low voice.

“I failed.”

Adriana paused for a moment, as if she was struggling to speak. Estella patted her on the back, unsure of what to do. Adriana leaned into Estella, as if she were struggling. After a long moment, Adriana finally spoke.

“I’m sorry, Miss Margaret. After all you’ve done for me, I can’t change the Duke’s mind.”

“Did the Little Duke refuse……?”

Estella asked, her voice trembling. Adriana nodded weakly.

“I don’t know what to do. I can’t anything anymore……..”

Adriana burst into uncontrollable sobs. But it was only for a moment, and she swallowed her tears like a grown-up.

“No, it’s okay. It’s not like someone is forcing me to die. I can’t express enough gratitude to Miss Margaret. Come to think of it, just because I’m marrying Granton III doesn’t mean I can’t bestow gifts upon you. Unlike now, I won’t be lacking in maintaining my dignity.”

Adriana smiled bitterly as she finished. Estella felt her heart sink at Adriana’s resignation. If Adriana gave up on everything, it would be the end, and neither she nor Diego would be saved.