Episode 4
They weren’t really connected to the Lorvant ducal house. No joint ventures, no trade deals — nothing.
But Cullen, lost in thought, suddenly said something that made no sense to Harry’s question.
“Harry. Call the jeweler and tell them we’re changing the order.”
Harry’s head jerked up.
“What? It’s probably already finished!”
“Finished? It’s only been a few days.”
“It’s your order, my lord — of course, they rushed it. Let’s see… Ah, yes. You’re supposed to pick it up tomorrow.”
“Tsk…” Cullen clicked his tongue in regret, then suddenly stood.
He pulled a key from his pocket, unlocked a cabinet that hadn’t been opened in years, and yanked out a pile of property certificates tied to the Lorvant estate. One after another, he tossed them onto the desk.
“Use these to draw up transfer papers.”
“Pardon?”
Harry’s face fell. Another task. Another headache. Truly, his boss was a one-man sweatshop. He considered throwing in his resignation right there —until Cullen added casually,
“You can have two extra days on the budget. Do this first.”
“Understood, sir.”
Harry’s priorities instantly realigned. Sometimes, yes — money did come before dignity.
“So you’ll be the transferor, my lord. Who’s the recipient?”
Cullen smiled faintly.
“Count Burndale.”
Meanwhile — Burndale family.
Lana Burndale wanted nothing more than to escape this meeting.
If she could get away right now, she swore she’d even repent for nodding off during last Sunday’s sermon.
“You’re even lovelier than the rumors said.”
“…That’s very kind of you,” she replied stiffly.
She couldn’t force a smile.
Her brother had set her up on this blind date — and the man across from her was so bald his head practically illuminated the restaurant.
At this point, the restaurant should be paying him for lighting costs.
As sweat gleamed on his shiny scalp, he nervously smoothed it with one hand.
“You heard I’m twenty-five, right?”
“No?”
Lana blinked in disbelief. There was no logical way a man that young could be that bald. Must’ve betrayed a country in his past life or something.
“Our families have known each other since our grandfathers’ time. That’s why I think we’d be a perfect match.”
He glanced at her shyly and blushed bright red.
Oh no… now the white’s turning pink… she thought, squeezing her eyes shut.
“I have a feeling we’ll be very happy together. Don’t you think so?” he said, eyes sparkling like he’d already proposed.
“Maybe we should slow down,” Lana said politely. “There’s no rush in getting to know each other.”
She put heavy emphasis on slow down, but unfortunately the man lacked both hair and awareness.
“I’m an excellent judge of people. I can tell we’ll be perfect together — no need to waste time.”
“Ahaha… sure. Then why can’t you tell when someone doesn’t like you?”
“What was that?”
“I said—marriage between noble families should be handled carefully,” she covered quickly.
He seemed satisfied with that.
“You just debuted recently, didn’t you?”
“Yes… how did you know?”
“I was there. The debutante ball.”
“Ah, that explains it. No wonder the hall was so bright,” she murmured, nodding to herself.
He looked confused for a moment, but continued eagerly.
“I fell for you at first sight. That’s why I pushed for this match myself.”
“Is that so? Ho-ho-ho.”
She laughed behind her hand — Sophia had once advised her, ‘When you don’t know what to say, just smile and laugh softly.’
Unfortunately, the man took that as encouragement.
He leaned forward, scooted his chair closer, and grabbed her hand.
“Lady Burndale, please, will you ma—”
Before he could finish, Lana jumped to her feet.
“Oh dear, look at the time! I’m so sorry, I just remembered something urgent!”
“W-Wait, Miss Lanelia—?”
He sat there stunned, and before he could move, Lana had snatched up her purse and rushed out the door. She bolted into the waiting carriage.
“Tom, go!”
“Already, my lady? The meeting can’t be—”
“Just go!”
“Y-Yes, ma’am!”
The coachman obeyed, still confused. They’d barely turned the corner when the poor suitor burst from the restaurant like a tragic hero, shouting:
“Miss Laneliaaa!”
His voice echoed down the street.
Lana clapped both hands over her ears and muttered a quick exorcism prayer under her breath.
Back at the mansion, she sighed, removing her bonnet at the entrance.
“I’m home.”
Her maid, Diana, hurried up, taking her parasol and handbag.
“So? How was he?”
Lana saw her eyes sparkling with gossip and had to physically stop herself from poking them out.
“He’s… someone who helps make the world brighter.”
“Huh?”
“Very self-sacrificing. But I don’t want to join him. That’s the important part.”
She peeled off her gloves and strode up the stairs.
“So he’s into charity? Wait—weren’t you meeting the Moren heir today? The one with the giant olive farms?”
“Was I? Maybe. I forgot the moment I saw his head.”
“Still, the Count won’t be pleased when he finds out you rejected him again.”
Lana stopped mid-step, chewed her lip, then straightened her back.
“I’m the one who has to marry. My opinion’s the one that matters most, isn’t it?”
“Uh… I guess?” Diana stammered.
Lana kept walking, muttering under her breath about her brother’s unfair treatment. Finally, she clenched a fist.
“I’m not just going to sit and take it anymore.”
Diana’s heart skipped — was her mistress planning open rebellion?
But Lana suddenly turned the corner, determination on her face.
“I’ll ask my sister-in-law for help.”
Diana deflated instantly.
Of course. The family outcast starting a revolt? What was I thinking?
That evening, the Burndale dining hall.
Only Count Jake and Countess Sophia sat at the long table.
Sophia frowned as servants laid out dinner.
“Punishing a grown woman by skipping her dinner? That’s too cruel.”
Jake took a sip of his aperitif and cleared his throat.
“She’s lived however she pleases until now. It’s time she learned she’s an adult.”
Sophia set her fork down with a sharp clack.
“Is that really the reason?”
Her gaze was sharp; Jake stayed silent, then gestured for the servants to leave. The heavy door closed behind them, leaving the couple alone.
“Be honest. You don’t really believe she’s illegitimate, do you?”
Jake scowled.
“What difference does it make what I believe?”
“It matters — to her! She only has one family left, Jake. Knowing you trust her means everything.”
He opened his mouth, then shut it again. His hand trembled slightly as he lifted the glass and downed it in one go.
“I never even had the chance,” he said quietly, wiping his mouth.
Sophia blinked.
“You know she’s my sister,” he continued. “From the day she was born until she was seven, I loved her dearly. But our mother left the family — and took her.”
The glass creaked in his hand.
“After that, Father’s words haunted me every day. His curses for Mother’s betrayal. His regret at raising another man’s child.”
Jake’s face twisted with pain.
“When Father died, I brought her back. Tell me, what more could I possibly do?”
“Oh, Jake…”
Sophia’s chair scraped loudly as she stood and wrapped her arms around him.
She loved both of them deeply — her husband and the lonely sister-in-law caught in the middle. But no matter how hard she tried to bridge the gap, the wound between them was already far too deep.
