TVIOWM 14

~Chapter 14~

Was this because of the engagement? Or the newly released special issue?
Whatever Killian’s purpose was, it couldn’t be good news for Aisha.

I need to be there. Who knows what nonsense Killian might tell Father!

“Aisha—ugh!”

Panicked, Aisha shoved Leoric aside and sprinted down the hall.

“What the hell—why push me?”

Leoric muttered in disbelief, collapsed like a tragic heroine, but Aisha was already gone.

“Huff… huff…”

As she ran, Aisha’s head swirled with thoughts.

He’s not telling Father I’m the reporter for Sunday Exposé, right?

One worst-case scenario after another flashed before her eyes.

Rohan Ashton was a man with immense pride in his family. She only needed to recall how he reacted when he mistakenly thought she was pregnant by some lowly man.

“Run away again! Get out of here! I’d rather die than let our family be disgraced!”

If he learned the truth, he might really shut the magazine down. Or rather, force her to shut it down.

No. I can’t let that happen. I worked too hard to build this up.

Besides, she hadn’t given up yet. She was still determined to have a different ending from the original story.

After all, Killian himself had said it—his engagement to her was just a way to shake off the noblewomen’s attention.

Even if they got engaged, breaking it off was always possible. And surely Killian would want to break it off too.

When that happened, Aisha planned to leave the Draxion Empire immediately.

That was why Sunday Exposé could not be shut down.

Yes. No matter what, I have to keep him quiet!

Resolute, Aisha ran as fast as she could and soon reached the reception room.

“Ah, you’ve come, Aisha.”

“……”

“I was just talking about you with Duke Killian. I was about to send a maid to call you.”

“……”

“You must have been in your room doing embroidery again this morning.”

Embroidery?

What embroidery?

Was this man insane?

Aisha stared at Rohan like he was mad. She was clumsy with a needle, let alone embroidery.

“……”

Her eyes drifted to the other side of the room.

To Killian, who sat there watching her coldly.

“G-Greetings, Duke Killian.”

“Sit down, Aisha. Next to your father.”

Her mood was already bad, but seeing Rohan grinning proudly like a fool made her want to punch him in the face.

Of course, she couldn’t do that in front of Killian. Forcing a stiff smile, she sat beside her father.

“So then, Duke Killian,” Rohan continued.

“You’ve come to speak about the engagement, yes? Aisha told me you’d handle all the preparations yourself. If there’s anything you need, just say the word! Isn’t that right, Aisha?”

Aisha said nothing.

Killian also said nothing.

Surprisingly, they were thinking the exact same thing.

Shut up. Please. You crazy old man.

Shut up. Damn it.

“Haha, our Aisha is so shy, isn’t she? I worried about her so much. I wonder who she takes after, being so timid and bashful.”

But Rohan wouldn’t stop, like a runaway train.

“…Shy and bashful?”

Killian muttered, his face showing disbelief.

No, don’t say anything. Please, don’t.

Aisha looked at him desperately, begging with her eyes. But Killian had no intention of sparing her.

“Count Ashton.”

“Yes?”

“Are you familiar with a magazine called Sunday Exposé?”

Oh no!

Aisha almost screamed but bit her tongue.

“Ah, yes. Of course.”

Rohan clicked his tongue.

“It’s a vulgar, disgraceful thing. The social scene is in chaos because of it.”

“Vulgar and disgraceful?”

“You were also featured in that magazine, weren’t you, Duke? I myself was once written about too, I’m ashamed to admit.”

“…Sunday Exposé covered you?”

“Yes. I lost my wife long ago, and apparently, some ladies became interested in me. I nearly fainted when I saw the article about myself.”

“……”

“But people say being featured means you’re popular in society. So some consider it a compliment.”

He was puffing up his chest.

Honestly, the most disgraceful thing in the room was Rohan himself, foolishly thinking he was popular.

“…Truly… that is… remarkable.”

Killian spoke again.

“Though I feel the magazine’s credibility just plummeted.”

“Yes, that’s… eh?”

“…Nothing, Count. Forget it.”

From Rohan’s reaction, Killian quickly realized something—he had no idea what his daughter had been doing.

“……”

Killian’s eyes turned to Aisha, who looked like she wanted to disappear.

No need to tell him yet. The more cards I hold, the better.

Of course, he wanted to slam the issue on the table and shout, “Your daughter wrote this garbage! How will you answer for it?”

But Killian wasn’t that emotional.

It wasn’t for Aisha’s sake, but to her it was a relief.

“…Let me explain why I came today.”

Killian finally spoke in a heavy voice.

“As you know, the Winters Duchy is one of the most prestigious families in the Empire. So, as Aisha Ashton’s fiancé, I intend to educate my fiancée.”

What?

Educate?

“In other words—before the engagement ceremony, Lady Aisha will be living at the Winters mansion.”