~Chapter 111~
The Turn to Take What is Mine
The Duke of Astria threw a sharp, menacing gaze toward Karsian.
His intense glare was enough to make even the most seasoned warrior feel intimidated, but Karsian was no ordinary man. In fact, he was someone with more skill than the well-known general, the Duke himself. Perhaps because of this, Karsian responded with a calm, almost indifferent attitude.
“I thought it was a necessary clause. A woman with a scandalous reputation or one who has suffered an injury can’t be taken as a mistress, can she?”
The Duke hesitated, trying to come up with a response, but Karsian smoothly cut in before he could.
“Of course. For someone like Eleanor, the noble lady of Astria, that will not be an issue, right?”
Karsian raised an eyebrow casually, but his eyes, wild and sharp like a beast, fixed on the Duke. The Duke flinched, freezing in place.
“Isn’t that right?”
After a playful smile from Karsian, the Duke let out a breath he had been holding in.
It was humiliating. For a moment, he had been completely overwhelmed by this young man.
Despite the frustration, the Duke quickly regained his composure and continued.
“Of course, no one is more modest than our Eleanor, as you well know. But if you’re really so worried, why don’t you just take her with you right now? No need for this clause.”
“I’d love to do that, but there are still things I must take care of before I can bring her with me.”
“A busy man needs a woman by his side. As you know, Eleanor is calm and well-mannered, so she will make a great companion.”
“It’s not about her. It’s about me. I’m not the type to settle down easily with a woman. If she were around, I don’t think I could concentrate on my work. Besides, once I head to Royster, I won’t be coming back to the capital for a while. Wouldn’t it be better for you to spend these last few weeks with your family? It’s such a shame to part so suddenly.”
The Duke’s eyebrows twitched with annoyance.
Until now, he had always seen Karsian as a brute. He had thought that Karsian was just a man who only knew how to fight and kill, pretending to be civilized in front of others. But to his surprise, Karsian’s verbal skills were more than enough to challenge even the Emperor and the nobles.
‘He’s more cunning than I expected.’
The Duke clicked his tongue inwardly.
He had hoped to get rid of any troublesome clauses, but it seemed like pushing further would be risky. Overreaching could cause him to lose everything. He reminded himself of the basic principles of negotiation and took a step back.
“I appreciate your concern for my daughter, Your Grace. Very well, let’s proceed with the contract as it is.”
“I’m glad we’re in agreement.”
The two men exchanged smiles before signing the white contract paper.
Eleanor watched quietly, amused by the irony of the situation. A contract in which she was being bought and sold, yet her signature was nowhere to be found on the document.
Once the notarization process was complete, the Duke of Astria smiled with relief, as though a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. With this deed, all the problems that had been bothering him would be solved in an instant. It was a satisfying thought, and his previous discomfort seemed to fade.
As if reading the Duke’s thoughts, Karsian added, “I’ve heard about the recent troubles in Astria. The timing wasn’t ideal, and it seems the outcome was disappointing.”
“…I don’t think you need to worry about it.”
“Of course, but what I’m saying is, the timing has improved now, and there’s a glimmer of hope for the economy. Since things have changed, why not aim for a bigger opportunity?”
“A bigger opportunity…?”
“Business is about turning crisis into opportunity. I believe the Duke can ride the wave of this situation and come out on top.”
Karsian smoothly continued speaking, glancing at Eleanor.
When their eyes met, Eleanor gave him a subtle smile and nodded slightly, silently praising him for doing exactly as she had instructed.
“Since we’re involved now, I’d also like to contribute to that wave. How about we discuss it further over a meal?”
Karsian’s amethyst-like eyes flickered brightly.
The Duke swallowed hard. The opportunity was too good to pass up. For a businessman, it was a chance that couldn’t be ignored.
His mind raced with calculations, and his heart beat faster. Within seconds, the Duke had made up his mind and responded with a warm smile.
“Of course, Your Grace.”
***
The meal with Karsian ended on a high note.
The Duke was thrilled by Karsian’s offer to support his plans. It seemed that the Duke now intended to expand his business, taking full advantage of the opportunity that had just come his way.
The Duke, who had previously disliked Karsian for being too brash, now greatly admired him. After all, the age of the person bringing in huge profits didn’t matter.
However, there was one thing from the meal that troubled the Duke. It was something that had been brought up regarding the hunting event.
“Why does he want me to attend the hunting event with him? Doesn’t he understand the situation in Astria?”
After Karsian left, the Duke summoned Eleanor to the study, his irritation evident as he glared at her.
Until last year, the Duke had eagerly participated in the hunting event. Hunting was one of his favorite pastimes, and it was also one of the few events where he could spend time with his immature son.
But things have changed now. Damian Astria remained bedridden, unable to move a finger.
If he attended the hunting event this year, talk of Damian would inevitably come up. The nobles would mock him, pretending to console him, and they would ridicule him for bringing his daughter instead of his son.
The Duke of Astria saw no reason to endure that humiliation, especially when the benefits of his relationship with Karsian were so great.
“Sorry, Father. It seems he didn’t think that far ahead. Should I talk to him again?”
“Tch! It’s fine!”
The Duke clicked his tongue, glancing at the contract on the table.
He had read it dozens of times, but every time he looked at it, he felt a little happier. With this deed, he could make a huge investment. Just imagining it made him smile.
Eleanor quietly smiled as she watched her father read the contract.
She felt a strange satisfaction in seeing him happy, though she couldn’t help but feel a little skeptical. Her father, unknowingly pleased with a contract she had written.
She glanced at something new on the table. Amid the papers, something sparkled—a jewel.
The Duke, who had always despised unnecessary jewelry, seemed to have a piece in front of him.
Curious, Eleanor took a cautious step forward to get a better look. She narrowed her eyes, trying to focus.
“Elli.”
Just as she was about to inspect the object further, the Duke suddenly blocked her view.
His icy gaze locked onto her. It was a completely different look from the one he had given when reading the contract. It was full of suspicion.
“Father?”
Eleanor instinctively acted like she hadn’t seen anything, answering calmly.
The Duke looked at her with suspicion but soon turned away. His body remained blocking the object on the table.
“You’ve heard that the Karsian of Royster expects you to come to him in good health and modesty, haven’t you? To meet his expectations, you must be more careful.”
“Yes, I will act carefully to avoid any issues.”
“Well, even if you’re careful, accidents can always happen. Unless you avoid going out altogether.”
The Duke suddenly grabbed her small shoulder tightly.
Eleanor flinched, the memory of his punishment from her childhood flashing in her mind.
“You understand, don’t you?”
“Yes, Father. I’ll stay quiet as best I can.”
She nodded with a downcast expression, and as she shivered slightly under his grip, the Duke smiled in satisfaction. He had always been a man who liked to keep control, and now that she understood her place, he was pleased.
When he finished speaking, the Duke gestured for her to leave.
Eleanor bowed politely, then slowly exited the study.
Just before she closed the door behind her, she looked back at the Duke. He was staring down at something on the table—the jewel that had caught her eye earlier.
Clink
The door shut, and Eleanor stood in the long hallway, trembling again. But this time, the reason for her shaking wasn’t fear.
It was anger.
“In fact, the Duke of Astria bought a similar necklace from this shop over twenty years ago. It was for his lover, Lady Alkestis, a gift for her… It had a blue emerald in it.”
When she had first heard this from Juliana Campbell’s shopkeeper, she hadn’t thought much of it.
But now, having seen the object on the Duke’s table, her thoughts had changed.
It wasn’t just any jewel—it was a necklace with a blue emerald. The same necklace that her father had given to her mother.
‘He did that to his child, and yet he still misses my mother?’
It was absurd, disgusting even. The monster of a man who had hurt her so much was now pretending to be human again, and it was sickening.
Eleanor couldn’t believe the Duke of Astria had such a side to him. But after considering everything, she couldn’t dismiss it as mere speculation.
‘Maybe the reason he wants to pass on the Astria inheritance to Nora is tied to his feelings for my mother.’
It might be an overreach, but it was worth checking.
As Eleanor gently touched her chin, the image of the necklace continued to linger in her mind.
She had no interest in jewels or ornaments, but for some reason, this necklace caught her attention.
And with that, she made up her mind.
‘I’m going to take it.’
The one thing her father cared about—the one thing he cherished. She would take it from him. And show him what it felt like to lose something precious.
Her life had always been about being robbed, but now, it was her turn to take.
