INSDL| Chapter 5

Episode 5

“You didn’t do anything wrong. I know you’ve been hurt too.”

Sophia kissed her husband’s head to comfort him. Jake wrapped his arms around her without saying a word.

Sophia closed her eyes and prayed—please let this sibling relationship get better. After a little while, they awkwardly let go of the hug. Jake helped Sophia sit back down, then rang the bell to call the servants.

After ordering a refill, he suddenly remembered something.

“By the way… I got a message — the Lorvant house said they want to visit tomorrow.”

“The Lorvant house?” Sophia blinked.

Jake shook his head. “Probably the aide. Surely the Duke himself wouldn’t come.”

Sophia’s eyes widened. Cullen Lorvant was the Empire’s top catch, but he was famous for avoiding any unnecessary appearances. Why would he show up in Burndale with no ties?

Jake worried inwardly. Did the Duke somehow end up holding our bonds? If it was money-related, maybe they could get a little extension.

He forced a smile at his wife while feeling anxious.

At the Lorvant estate — the aide’s office.

Harry sat there grinning like an idiot over the transfer-draft he’d worked on all night. He wasn’t flattering himself — it was a perfect draft.

“No changes needed.”

Of course, a lawyer should review, but he was confident it would pass. He hummed while tidying up the papers when the door suddenly flew open—no knock.

“Good heavens—! Oh—Lady Dvenzel?” Harry jumped up. Standing in his doorway was none other than Lady Alisa Dvenzel.

“Harry, how are you?” she chimed, wearing a frilly bonnet and a poufy dress with shiny blonde hair and sea-blue eyes that made the dark mahogany office feel like the debutante hall. Harry felt like he should be fanning her and chanting her name.

“Er—what brings you here so suddenly?” Harry cleared his head and glanced out the window. The Duke should be returning from the palace around now. Good—hopefully we won’t run into him.

Cullen didn’t like dealing with Alisa’s tantrums, so of course he’d sent a gemstone to calm things—let that buy him some peace.

Alisa plopped into a chair, fussed her skirt, and scowled.

“I came to see how our marriage plans are going.”

“What? Marriage plans? Since when did I promise marriage to you?” Harry spluttered. Alisa looked almost insulted.

“To marry some commoner like you? Are you crazy? Of course I mean me and Cullen!”

“Oh — thank you,” Harry breathed, relieved. Alisa’s expression immediately turned fierce, but Harry kept his calm and asked casually:

“By the way, did you get the Duke’s gift? He put a lot of thought into it.”

“That’s what I’m here about. Who just sends jewelry without a note or apology?”

“Ah.” Harry suddenly understood — and was a bit surprised. You expect basic manners from him? Alisa seemed more considerate than he’d thought.

As Harry fretted about how to soothe her, the office door slammed open again. Both of them turned and saw Louise, Cullen’s sister.

“Louise?” Alisa brightened at the sight; Harry, however, went pale. He scanned Louise’s face quickly. She still looks pale… if the Duke finds out she’s here, he’ll explode.

Louise cocked her hip and called out like a street punk. “Hey, come out.”

Alisa blinked, offended. “Me? Are you talking to me?”

“Would I call out to anyone who’s actually working? Think before you speak.” Louise’s tone was brash; Alisa bristled.

Louise looked embarrassed, scratched her head, and then softened.

“Anyway, your brother isn’t here. Don’t bother busy people—have tea with me.”

Alisa thawed and stood up with a little scoff. “You’ve got no friends besides me, do you?” She grabbed Louise’s hand suddenly, and Louise flinched.

“Why?” Louise asked. She then noticed the papers on Harry’s desk: transfer due to marriage? Her eyes narrowed.

Alisa nudged her shoulder. “What are you doing? Come on, tea time?”

“Right. Let’s go.” Louise waved and left. Harry bowed politely after her.

They sat under a garden tent where the servants had set up tea. Alisa took a sip of hot chocolate and teased Louise: “You should help me out.”

“Help how?” Louise shoved the snacks away, glowering.

“Help me with my marriage to Cullen,” Alisa said like it was obvious.

“Oh.” Louise’s face crumpled. She slammed her plate down—clatter! The head maid silently gasped at the cost of the china.

“Why, if I become your sister-in-law, you’ll like it!” Alisa gushed.

“Yeah, right,” Louise snapped.

“I’ll treat you well! I’ll marry you off to someone noble and brilliant. I promise!” Alisa babbled.

“Who asked for that?” Louise retorted, fuming.

“Look at her. A woman’s happiness is like that—” Alisa kept going until she realized she’d said something foolish. She clamped her hand over her mouth.

“Oh, sorry.”

Louise glared at her teacup but then calmed down and said quietly, “It’s okay. It’s not completely wrong.”

“What do you mean?” Alisa blinked.

“Well, the Duchess is alive.”

“But she’s not in her right mind,” Louise replied. “So yes, I’m unrefined.”

“Gosh, must you say it like that?” Alisa felt guilty and suddenly threw herself at Louise in a hug. “I was wrong, okay?”

Louise, squashed into the hug, mumbled and then went quiet. Her cheeks flushed red.

“Happy now?” Alisa beamed.

“I wasn’t even mad in the first place,” Louise said flatly.

“What? But you looked so mad!” Alisa laughed, releasing her.

Louise watched Alisa smile brightly and then muttered, “Does Cullen… really like you that much?”

Alisa clapped. “Yes! He likes me. And our families are close—perfect match.”

“Why would you like that stuck-up guy?” Louise’s voice had an edge.

Alisa blinked, confused. “Stuck-up? He’s been so kind to me.”

Louise’s expression changed. The guards and servants around them stiffened.

“Cullen’s kind to you? The man who ran away and doesn’t even want to see you?” she snapped.

“Oh come now—that’s not because he hates me. He’s just shy. Nobody actually hates me.” Alisa smiled confidently.

Louise was dumbfounded. With Alisa’s bold, frank nature, she actually seemed serious.

“You really have it easy in life, don’t you?” Louise said, leaning back.

Alisa nodded smugly. “Yep.”

Louise rolled her eyes, then laughed despite herself. Alisa chattered on, and Louise listened, oddly entertained.

Tension at the Burndale house.

Everyone—Count Jake, Countess Sophia, and the servants—were dressed up and lined up in the main hall, nerves high. At last, the guests they’d been waiting for arrived.