Episode 8
That rough talk was from her mother’s side — the Eastern Continent way of speaking. When she was little, Lana had traveled with her mother, and after her mother died, she’d gone with Uncle Chen and his mercenaries. That’s where she’d picked up that coarse, hearty swearing.
People assumed she didn’t answer the insults because she was afraid, but really, she’d been too busy watching the surroundings, trying to pull the bullied girl as far away from the hall as possible.
Yep — each of them got one clean hit and it was over.
City folks were softer-bodied; while punching them, Lana had almost wondered if she was hitting them or giving them a muscle-relaxing massage.
Living with Uncle and those mercenaries made me used to nothing but iron-like people. Seeing soft, fluffy types takes some getting used to.
Anyway, they stopped retaliating — probably embarrassed. If the family had sent a complaint, Jake would’ve dragged her before him and made her carry a bucket of water for three hours, so Lana felt ridiculously relieved.
Well, at least I got to see the Duke properly this time. Maybe it’s a blessing in disguise from the Eastern Continent.
After dealing with those scumbags, heaven apparently rewarded her with a flowery duke.
It’s a pity his hobby is picking pigs though. Lana thought, smiling at the handsome face, then scolded herself for drifting off. Wait — why did he come again?
Oh right — the duchess thing!
Suddenly Lana understood the full meaning of it and her eyes went wide. She jabbed a finger into her chest.
“You mean Duke Lorvant actually proposed to me?”
“Yes. He did.”
Jake rubbed his temple, looking exasperated. Lana glanced at the papers in her hand, then at Jake, and set the packet softly on the table. She plopped into a comfy chair with a slightly cheeky posture and lifted her chin.
“Hey, big brother.”
“What is it?”
Jake shot her a glare—her sudden whispery voice made him impatient. Lana loved to say silly stuff at the worst times.
She leaned in, eyes bright like a secretive kid, and whispered conspiratorially:
“I always thought someone would fall for me at first sight someday.”
“I knew it. Go stand over there with your hands up.” Jake grumbled.
Oh, what a stiff man. No sense of humor. Lana internally grumbled but outwardly pretended to be obedient.
“Just joking. Of course that can’t be true. I just saw him at the mansion earlier—this is the first time.”
She tilted her head, still puzzled at the sudden proposal.
Jake sighed long and low. He scooted closer and said seriously:
“Don’t take it oddly. This is how noble marriages work.”
“But I haven’t even seen him before.”
“I first met Sophia at an arranged meeting too.”
“Oh…”
Lana’s face clouded. Right — Jake and Sophia had been an arranged match. They’d made it work, but it was business first.
Today Jake was sterner than usual, and his voice sharpened.
“I will send a formal betrothal letter to the Lorvants. Unless something extraordinary happens, you will become Duchess Lorvant.”
Lana blinked and clamped her mouth shut. Jake shot her a sharp look.
“Until then, watch your manners. Don’t cause trouble. Stay alert and—”
He hesitated a moment, clenched his fist, sighed softly, and then, eyes on the floor, said bluntly:
“Always keep your eyes open and stay careful.”
Lana stared at him, baffled.
Do nobles give marriage advice like they’re sending someone off to the battlefield? she wondered.
Back in her room, Lana dropped her handbag on the table, didn’t bother changing, and flopped onto the bed.
“Ah, this is nice.”
The expensive bed made no squeak at all. She took in the room with a new look — the mahogany furniture was solid but showed wear. The wardrobe too. Diana had told her they’d brought in all the furniture that had once belonged to her mother from storage and set it up in Lana’s room.
Thrifty, that Jake. Lana imagined him as a miserly relative and kicked the air once just for fun, then lay on her side and thought.
He didn’t even spend on her debut dress — he’d just had Sophia’s altered. That made his stinginess clear.
So why give me a nice bed? Lana touched the mattress, thinking.
Maybe Mother’s bed was in such bad shape they couldn’t use it anymore, she thought and shrugged. She didn’t want to waste energy worrying — she knew what could come of all this.
When the previous Count died and Jake called Lana to the capital, he’d looked at her like ice and said:
“I took you in for appearances. Everyone had to know we were siblings.”
That had been enough to freeze the heart of the child who’d once run joyfully to her brother. Lana couldn’t answer — he only said more cruel things.
“Be quiet. Live like you’re dead. Your existence is a stain on the family.”
From then on, whenever Lana tried to be close, he’d push her back coldly. Even someone who was used to acting bold and shameless like Lana couldn’t help but feel hurt.
And now—
“They have you married right after your debut. It looks like they’ve only been waiting to send you away.”
The thought made her voice sound sad even to her own ears. Lana hated whining, so she swallowed the hot spike of feeling down and took a deep breath to calm herself.
“No. Not the time to think like this, Lana.”
She sat up straight, folded her arms, and frowned.
“Something’s odd about this.”
Duke Lorvant’s face felt strangely familiar. She couldn’t imagine any reason why such a high noble would be connected to her.
And he exactly matches my type. Could there be some connection to me?
For once serious, Lana rummaged through memories and finally jumped off the bed.
“I need to check. This can’t be left alone.”
At the Lorvant office, Harry read an unsealed letter and his face shifted. He blinked like he must be seeing it wrong, then frowned — the paper didn’t change.
“Lanelia Burndale…?”
Cullen smacked Harry lightly on the head with the papers he was carrying as he came in.
“What’s got you so distracted?”
“Ah—well…” Harry shuffled toward Cullen and handed over the letter. Cullen scanned it quickly, eyebrows climbing.
“Lady Burndale requests a private meeting. She asks that Count Burndale not be told.”
A crooked smile tugged at Cullen’s lip. Folding the letter, he thought, She’s got a clever streak.
He suspected she might have some motive—maybe she planned to charm him to gain advantage for her family or secure some leverage. After all, the Lorvants were far above the Burndales in status and wealth; using marriage to gain the upper hand wouldn’t be unheard of.
Still, I didn’t expect even her to do that…
He tossed the neatly folded letter onto the desk. It slid to the edge and dropped, but nobody paid attention to that.
“I have something to say.”
Harry straightened, trying to look serious — to him, that was terrifyingly earnest — and stood before his employer. Cullen popped a pen into his mouth and raised an eyebrow.
“Go on.”
Harry swallowed and asked solemnly, “What did you think when you first met her?”
“Her? Who?” Cullen sounded puzzled at first, then Harry lost momentum when Cullen seemed genuinely unsure.
Harry rubbed his hair and pressed on nervously, “Who else? The Lady Burndale—the one who wrote asking to meet after your proposal.”
“Ah.”
Cullen set down his pen, sat up, blinked, and seemed to think for a moment.
“Strictly speaking, the house meeting wasn’t our first encounter.”
“But didn’t you say you only ever saw her secretly at the palace? Wasn’t the manor the first time you actually faced her?” Harry protested.
“True.” Cullen sighed and then said calmly:
“Hmm… I was glad to finally see her properly.”
“What?” Harry’s mouth dropped. When did he see her before?
Cullen continued as if surprised at his own sentiment: “I thought, finally she shows up. I felt relieved… and strangely at ease—”
His expression shifted oddly mid-sentence, but then he brightened and spoke more cheerfully.
