Diego averted his gaze from the mirror. As the drops of water rolled down his neck following the movement of his muscles, Diego used a towel to dry his hair and left the bathroom. As soon as he entered the bedroom, the butler who had been waiting by the door, greeted him with a bow. Diego asked in a dry tone.

“Do you have something to say?”

“I heard you brought a gift for the master and the lady.”

Javier seemed unusually friendly today. Just by looking at the corners of his mouth, which formed a grin, one could roughly guess what he might be thinking. There was a genuinely satisfied expression on his face, mixed with joy, gratitude, and unique sentiments. Diego replied somewhat unexpectedly.

“Thanks to you, I’ve become a total mess covered in sand after about ten years. You know I’ve only ever played indoors, wanting to keep myself clean.”

As he spoke, Diego recalled his now completely ruined custom-tailored suit. It would probably be clean if he washed it, but he couldn’t help feeling strangely bitter.

The humiliating ordeal didn’t only dirty his clothes. Because the sand particles had fallen all over his hair, he had to take a shower to get rid of them. Even after washing his hair twice, he still felt like there were gritty particles on his scalp. The child who went out and had fun jumping around was somewhere else, so he didn’t know why he had to be the one fighting with the sand.

But Javier didn’t seem to care much about Diego’s suffering. With a proud look, Javier said,

“There’s nothing like giving gifts to curry favor. And it seems that both of them liked it.”

“I thought you were extremely busy, but it seems you’re freer than I thought. You seem to have time to go around hearing strange news.”

“Since Miss Margaret came here, many things seem to be improving. The Duke also looks more relaxed these days.”

Despite Diego’s grumbling, the butler continued politely. Eventually, Diego’s eyebrows rose diagonally. As a warning, Diego said,

“Is that all you wanted to say? If you want to spend the rest of her life comfortably, I have no intention of stopping you.”

Having interfered in his long-standing superior’s household affairs for a while, the threat of dismissal had come back to haunt him. Javier made a surprised expression and backed down. He was a competent butler who knew when to back off. Someone who lacked social skills wouldn’t last long as the estate manager of such a grand mansion. Javier realized that it was about time to step back and lifted his chin firmly, as if shaking off any smug expression. He responded decisively,

“Of course, I have a separate matter at hand. I would like to ask the Duke’s opinion regarding the guests for the engagement ceremony.”

“Is there a problem with the list I provided?”

“No, the invitations have been sent out according to the list you mentioned. But since the date was suddenly set, it seems there might be some absentees. I’ve prepared a list of backup guests just in case.”

Saying this, the butler politely handed over a folder of documents. Diego took it, briefly skimmed through it, and promptly returned it.

“You can handle the networking at the ceremony, it’s not too late for that. The first list is just a bunch of small-minded people who would be offended if I didn’t send them an invitation. I’ll be grateful if you leave them out.”

Diego’s words lacked pretense. The butler cleared his throat in response to this straightforwardness. Ignoring it lightly, Diego threw the used towel carelessly and said,

“When it’s short of guests, we can invite whoever. It might be interesting to invite Baron Wells, don’t you think?”

If one were to list the people who would have been most devastated by the death of the late Duke Berta, it would probably be the Duchess Anna, followed by Baron Wells. Baron Wells had been the late Duke’s trusted aide. Since Anna seized power using the Duke’s favor, he had been groveling at her feet as if he were her lapdog. There was no need to explain how such a man had treated Diego.

Until Diego grew his own power, Baron Wells treated him like a punching bag, ready to be beaten at any time. What kind of reaction would he get if he invited such a man to the banquet on a day of celebration? It would be quite entertaining to watch his neatly folded face. It might even be a good source of amusement to witness the man’s facial expressions as they were ruined.

“Yes, I’ll arrange it according to my discretion.”

“Oh, please take extra care to bring Miss Margaret’s family. I don’t want to hear any complaints about neglecting the spouse’s family.”

Diego added, as if he had just remembered. It was already a bothersome situation. If there were rumors that the family had been treated poorly, Estella’s face would not be saved.

Turning away without any lingering thoughts, Diego felt a strange silence and turned to look at the butler. It seemed like he had left a sensible warning, but the person who was supposed to receive it remained silent. Diego signaled him to speak if he had something to say by nodding his head. Only then did Javier cautiously open his mouth.

“Um, Your Grace… Although it may be inappropriate, may I ask one question?”

“Go ahead.”

“How far will your engagement with Miss Margaret proceed?”

“What do you mean?”

Diego frowned at the question he couldn’t understand. Despite Diego’s urging, Javier couldn’t easily express his opinion. Although Diego couldn’t precisely read the butler’s intention, judging by his hesitant attitude, it didn’t seem like he would receive a pleasant response.

“So, what I want to say is…”

Mentioning the master’s flaw was not an easy task. Finally, Javier squeezed out his words.

“With all due respect, Duke. There are no upstanding men who would take a low-class woman who has broken off her engagement with a high-ranking noble.”

“…What?”

“The method of silencing Miss Margaret doesn’t necessarily have to be a betrothal. The alliance between the families is a matter that should be carefully considered. If there is even a slight impulsive decision involved, I wanted to advise you to approach with more caution, considering Miss Margaret’s position.”

Javier attached special significance to Estela, who saved Cedric and Cecilia, and mediated between him and Diego. This was a statement that came from his pure concern for her. He had to bring it up, even if it went against the will of his master.

From the perspective of an ordinary servant, it was an audacious interference, but Diego didn’t particularly feel uncomfortable about it. He had a rough idea of why Javier made that remark. He knew very well that if he were to break his engagement, it would be difficult for Estela to obtain a proper marriage.

Diego relaxed his stern expression and smiled faintly. Javier, who had been tense, looked at Diego in surprise at his sudden burst of laughter. Diego immediately responded calmly.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Yes?”

“There will be no breakup. So there’s no need to worry about something that won’t happen.”

Diego said bluntly. Javier’s eyes widened at his unexpectedly firm answer.

“Yes? That…”

“It seems like you’re getting older and saying pointless things. Now leave.”

Diego issued a concise declaration, as if he had nothing else to say. Javier at a loss of words remained silent. A faint surprise flickered on his bewildered face in response to Diego’s strange behavior, as a sudden thought had given him an understanding of Diego’s peculiar actions.

For a moment, Javier looked at Diego with sincere eyes, realizing his own rudeness, he lowered his head. Reflecting well on Javier’s startled expression, Diego nodded subtly and replied in a composed manner.

“Yes, it seems my concern was unnecessary.”

Javier had a sincere smile on his face as he spoke these words. With a heartfelt voice, Javier conveyed the following news.

“Before I leave, I have one more thing to tell you. The trial date has finally been set.”

“When is it?”

“The day before the engagement ceremony.”

After a moment of silence, Diego nodded affirmatively. While he felt that the day before the engagement ceremony might make him a bit uneasy, he couldn’t consider it an entirely unfavorable choice of date. Anyway, considering the timing, it marked the conclusion of his long-standing worries and the anticipation of a brighter future.

Perhaps sharing the same sentiment, Javier added a brief encouragement, “It will go well.” Leaving a polite farewell, Javier turned away from Diego. His steps outside seemed unusually light.

* * *

“Those dog-like people, when I had a husband, they even asked about my well-being while trying to get some advantage, and now they treat me like trash!”

Anna shouted angrily with a voice full of rage. Despite this, her anger did not subside, and she paced back and forth in the room several times. Her body trembled, and she was unable to stay still due to her overwhelming frustration. Baron Wells, who was sitting at the reception table, calmly tried to dissuade her.

“Please calm down, madam.”

“At a time like this, do I look like I can calm down? What more can I do now? How?”

Anna turned around and yelled at Baron Wells. Baron Wells only sighed and did not say anything further. It was as if there was no use for an unhelpful ally. Anna nervously bit her thumbnail.

When Anna’s husband died, she thought there would be no greater misfortune in her life. But the situation betrayed her expectations as she continued to hit rock bottom. The only role Anna had gained from losing her husband was that of a widow, evoking sympathy from others. But Diego seemed determined not to leave her even with that hollow reputation. He recently accused her of child abuse and brought her to court.

Anna had thought that no one would believe that news, considering it a pathetic joke. However, the situation did not flow according to Anna’s wishes. The rumors that she had abused the children were already spreading throughout society.

Being surrounded by servants, she easily ignored their gaze whenever she raised her hand. They had long remained silent when Anna had power. And now, that power that had protected her was transferred to someone else.

It was obvious who spread the rumors. Diego had sufficient evidence and did not hide the fact from the public. With his meticulous nature, he probably bribed the judge as well. With public opinion turning against her, Anna had nowhere else to rely on. Some of the officials who she expected to take her side were taken aback when she asked for help. It was ultimately a losing battle.

No wonder Anna was now close to being penniless. The reason she had any power was that her children had the inheritance rights of Berta. Anna intended to use Cedric as a scapegoat, taking advantage of her motherly authority if he inherited the title. And so, she forgot. The important thing in that proposition was not me, but rather the side of the scapegoat.

Anna’s children, who had to go along with her intentions, were now under Diego’s control. Even the last hope, the bloodline of her husband, had abandoned her, leaving her in a desperate situation.

“Have you contacted Viscount Botry?”

“We met a while ago. Diego had already bought him, so there was nothing I could do.”

“You mean he’s harboring Franzel?”

She asked Baron Wells incredulously, as if it was hard to believe. It was understandable because Franzel had been one who had supported the plan to eliminate Diego. To persuade such an individual to stand by his side. Diego also didn’t seem like an ordinary man.

In fact, Franzel, who bowed down to the person he was trying to kill just because the tide of battle had turned, was not a decent person either. Anna grew furious at the repeated betrayals.

“He intends to cut off my hands and feet. That charlatan now knows how to change his position as easily as turning his hand over!”