12. A Tale of Jealousy
“That damned brat!”
Count Ermeintz ripped the tabloid containing rumors about Givnen to shreds with all his strength.
Even as the tabloid tore apart, vivid images of Givnen and Riley entering the hotel side by side replayed in his mind.
Seething with anger, Count Ermeintz stomped on the torn paper and shouted,
“Clear them all out! Every single newspaper in front of my eyes, get rid of them. Right now!”
The servants, who had been cautiously observing, hurriedly collected the torn gossip sheets.
Wanting to be alone, the Count dismissed everyone, letting out rough breaths as he began throwing everything within reach.
A humiliation unlike any he had ever experienced in his life. And the fact that it came from those two nuisances made it unbearable.
Ever since the reception day when Riley was taken from him, Count Ermeintz had barely slept—too frustrated! Too furious!
Whenever he tried to sleep, the faces of those who had humiliated him appeared before his eyes.
Then, the next day, the gossip papers reporting the scandal were spread across the streets. Everywhere he went, people talked about Givnen Lianster’s new romantic interest.
Who she was, what family she belonged to, how old she was… nothing was known about Riley Eadalin, which only fueled curiosity. Stories about the two of them circulated endlessly.
And when he received a tabloid showing a photo of them entering a hotel together, Count Ermeintz exploded.
“How dare some greenhorn steal what’s mine?”
The thought of them sharing a bed twisted his insides.
“How can anyone at that age, without any sense, possibly fancy a man so much older than them? Someone older than my own father?”
“It’s horrifying, disgusting. I’d rather die than marry someone like you.”
Moreover, what infuriated him further was the insult from Riley Eadalin herself.
He had never been openly disrespected in his life. Even as he aged and his authority waned, no one had dared treat him with such blatant contempt. Yet Riley had done exactly that.
“Old, ugly, revolting, horrific.”
The words she chose struck deep into the insecurities that had been buried within him.
And to be humiliated in front of Givnen Lianster? That fueled his rage even more.
Being bested by a mere greenhorn! And to be seen in such a shameful position by that brat! The indignity was unbearable.
Soon, a victim complex consumed him: all women are the same.
Young, handsome, and wealthy—that was all that mattered. Shallow, materialistic, flaunting their charms to snare men.
To see them live off their looks alone made his blood boil. What were they proud of when there was nothing else remarkable about them?
Even as age and illness kept him from his prime, he had always believed that money could buy youth and beautiful women.
Yet a mere girl from a low-ranking baronial family had shattered that confidence.
The thought that he could no longer buy what he wanted made him sink rapidly into gloom. He was still trapped in his younger self’s mindset.
Back then… I was magnificent. I could have any woman without effort, command scores of concubines… I was the envy of all men.
Now… he was just a flawed old man confined to a back room, and that realization plunged him into despair.
“If I leave these brats alone, I won’t survive to see another day. At this rate, I’ll die of rage.”
Though aged, his belief that he must return what he was owed remained unwavering.
“Hey! Anyone, come here immediately!”
At the Count’s thunderous shout, his butler, waiting outside, entered.
“Yes, sir?”
With a deep, commanding voice, Count Ermeintz gave his order:
“Contact all the reporters. Gather them here immediately.”
Since visiting Blestige—or rather, since the marriage with Givnen was arranged—Riley’s life had changed completely.
Truly, everything had transformed.
“Miss, your meal is ready.”
“…Alright. Should I come down now?”
“Yes, Miss. I will guide you. Please follow me.”
The servants’ treatment of her had changed.
Especially Maddalyn, the head maid, whose constant coldness and blunt words were gone. She now avoided Riley altogether.
Maddalyn’s transformation naturally affected the rest of the staff.
She was allowed to go out freely, took over the large room Claire had used as a dressing room, and was even given a new dressing room filled with the latest fashion, outing clothes, and daily wear.
She also began receiving pocket money for the first time—surprisingly, about 10% more than Claire.
Of course, this was kept secret from Claire, who was already furious about losing the dressing room, ready to erupt at any moment.
Moreover, Riley now participated in family meals.
“Eat well.”
With the Baroness’s warm attention, Riley quietly sat down. She smiled awkwardly, not wanting to encourage small talk, and started her meal.
Gone were the days of eating hard bread and cold soup alone in her room. Now she could enjoy a full-course dinner.
Yet, it still didn’t taste particularly good—her palate had been spoiled by the exquisite meals with Givnen.
And…
“Disgusting.”
Not the food—her companions. Hypocritical. Pretentious.
She had longed to be acknowledged as part of this family, yet now, it brought no joy—only revulsion and nausea.
“…Thank you for the meal.”
“Why did you eat so little? Haven’t you had enough?”
“I can’t digest it well. Maybe because it’s not the amount I usually eat.”
Claire, outraged, stood up.
“What? How dare you speak like that, as if we haven’t properly fed you?”
Their aunt wiped her cold sweat and intervened.
“Hey, watch your words with your sister.”
“Mother! Look at her! Do I look like I wouldn’t get angry?”
“Calm down.”
“…Why is everyone acting like this? You think being nice to her now erases everything? Stop pretending, all of you!”
“Sit.”
Ryan, unable to bear it any longer, furrowed his brows and scolded Claire.
“This is completely rude behavior.”
“Father, it’s Riley who—”
“I said sit.”
“…Yes.”
“Riley, you don’t have to force yourself to eat more. Ignore what Claire says. You know she’s still young and immature.”
Claire clenched her fists, bowing her head. Her shoulders trembled—was she crying or furious?
Riley looked at Ryan and thought: What a ruthless man. He would treat his own daughter coldly just to advance himself. He would even sacrifice family for ambition.
So the reason she had been treated as useless all this time wasn’t because she wasn’t his biological daughter—it was because she was less useful than Claire.
Claire, educated since childhood, seemed far more capable than Riley, the daughter of a steward.
Riley didn’t feel happy about her sudden rise in status. If anything, her disdain and distrust for them deepened.
To them, I am just a disposable object, only useful until I’m no longer needed.
Suppressing her discomfort, Riley stood.
“Then I shall be going.”
She glanced at Claire.
…Poor thing, you really are.
Who would have thought she’d ever pity Claire?
“Wait, Riley.”
“Yes, uncle?”
“A tutor will visit starting tomorrow.”
“…A tutor?”
“Yes. You may not like it, but this is someone we went to great lengths to hire. You need to receive basic education from now on. After marriage, any flaws could put you in a difficult position.”
Ah, it’s really just about not wanting to be embarrassed that his daughter is poorly educated.
“The time will be short, but learn as much as you can. You know you’re not yet qualified to be the mistress of the Lianster house, right?”
“…Yes.”
Though she wanted to protest, she swallowed her words. Etiquette lessons were necessary—she couldn’t deny the educational gap between herself and the Lianster household. Ryan’s advice, though irritating, was not wrong.
Compared to him, she lacked in every way.
It was sad that rights that should have come naturally were only now being granted. Many things had changed, yet why wasn’t she happy? She felt adrift, like a buoy lost at sea.
What kind of man is he?
“Why are you looking at him like that?”
“Just… curious.”
“About what?”
“That I thought he’d rush to see Miss Riley, who you sent away. He seemed… affectionate.”
He had returned to his usual workaholic self, successfully handling piles of tasks and even securing a deal with the Forenko mining magnate.
Sak admitted that his earlier worries were needless—despite the whirlwind one-night marriage, he had handled everything masterfully.
Yet she remained puzzled. Didn’t he decide to marry because he was burning with passion for her?
“Don’t you want to see her?”
“Not really.”
“…Really?”
“We’re not that kind of couple.”
“Then why rush into marriage?”
“Marriage is business.”
Sak furrowed her brows at the cold logic.
“Oh, this is the worst statement I’ve ever heard.”
“Can’t be helped. I’ve only spent three days with her. Love? Impossible. I’m fond of her, yes—but that’s it.”
“Yet in three days, you proposed and married her. Truly fast-paced, fitting for the modern age.”
Sak realized the rational Master of the Tower had returned. During the reception, he had been slightly unhinged—this was his true self.
He then handed her today’s hot gossip.
“And here’s the tabloid that matches that garbage remark.”
“Am I on the front page again?”
“Yes—headlines, even.”
“I’m excited. It’s been a while since I topped the headlines.”
Givnen paused her work to glance at the paper:
“Horizon’s Tower Master, Duke Givnen Lianster, Marriage Imminent. The Bride Revealed as Former Fiancée of Count Ermeintz—Shocking! Will the Century’s Scandalous Love Triangle Begin?”
Despite her name in bold letters, Givnen remained composed.
This wasn’t just a rumor; it hinted at an illicit affair.
Givnen laughed, amused.
“The marriage is secret… where did this leak come from?”
“That’s not the point.”
Sak pointed to the words ‘Scandalous Love Triangle’ in disbelief.
That’s the essence!
A love scandal—pathological, immoral, and unethical. She didn’t need to read further. The article would merely criticize him for “stealing Count Ermeintz’s fiancée.”
The marriage between Count Ermeintz and Riley was secret, so the leak clearly came from him.
Givnen laughed while reading.
“The old man’s really angry.”
“Angry? This is serious. Unlike previous rumors, this scandal… it’s humiliating!”
“Am I the only one embarrassed? The old man is too.”
Count Ermeintz’s reputation would also suffer—this being his fifth marriage preparation with a young woman. Yet he allowed the article to be published, showing how twisted his mind had become.
Though the content was technically true, Givnen pondered:
“How did he even find out I’m getting married?”
“Could Baron Eadalin have told him?”
“Unlikely. It wouldn’t benefit anyone.”
“And why didn’t they reveal any details about Riley? If this was purely to embarrass the Master, they wouldn’t need to conceal her identity.”
“Maybe they only wanted to humiliate him?”
“Then they should have revealed more. The difference in family status alone would have made it more sensational.”
Even looking at the Count’s previous wives, most were from declining or obscure families. Despite his power, Count Ermeintz avoided marrying them off to prominent households for reputation’s sake.
So revealing that Riley’s family was low-ranking wouldn’t have hurt him.
Then why the restraint? Was it consideration for Riley? No. That wasn’t him.
Could it have been a misstep due to his age? No—he was clever when it came to troubling others.
“Reporting on a scandalous love triangle instead of a simple rumor… this could be somewhat problematic.”
“Hm.”
“How should we respond?”
“Leave it for now.”
“Understood.”
“The ones keeping tabs on Count Ermeintz?”
“Yes.”
“Increase the number and monitor 24/7. Report any suspicious behavior immediately.”
Dirty media tactics weren’t new; this was nothing unusual. A scandal like this might cause minor damage, but it wouldn’t dent Horizon’s prestige. Count Ermeintz would manage—he thrived despite scandals. A week of noise, perhaps, and it would die down.
Yet a faint unease lingered. Something felt missing.
Givnen leaned back, pressing a hand to her forehead.
Annoying. What is it?
She realized she had thought of Riley.
The gossip wouldn’t reach Riley immediately. It was fortunate her identity hadn’t been revealed, but Count Ermeintz’s surprisingly sloppy handling left a nagging doubt.
Was it a mistake—or intentional?
