IBGM 4

Why Did You Come Here?

The next morning came, but Rebellina did not leave her bedroom. The servants of the marquis household anxiously passed back and forth in front of her door, yet the doorknob never turned.

The marquis urged her to come out, worried about her, but Rebellina shut herself in, saying she wanted to rest. He knocked on her door several times, but she never opened it.

She had even skipped breakfast. Just as Rebellina was trying to drag herself up from the bed, the locked door suddenly swung open, and Sandy—her personal maid—rushed in in a fluster.

“My lady! This is no time to stay like this!”

“What is it? I never told you to come in—how dare you unlock the door and enter…”

“The, the, the Grand Duke of the North is here!”

“What nonsense.”

Rebellina replied indifferently. What grand duke? The northern grand duke had no ties with the marquis family, so why would he come here? At her words, Sandy shook the blanket Rebellina was clutching and cried out.

“It’s true! The Grand Duke of Speraum has arrived!”

“What are you talking about?!”

The Grand Duke of Speraum was the very person who had caused her broken engagement. If he had simply married Belarus, Rebellina would have safely announced her marriage to Inferno last night. The idea that such a man had come to the Asilius marquisate was almost laughable.

Snorting, Rebellina tilted her chin at Sandy.

“You’re saying this just to get me out, aren’t you?”

“My lady, he really is here! This is no time to stay like this. They’ve already poured a second cup of tea for him!”

Seeing the seriousness on Sandy’s face, Rebellina finally realized she wasn’t joking. The moment it sank in, she threw off her blanket and jumped to her feet.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes. Even if you start getting ready now, you’ll be late. He’s already seated in the drawing room. The marquis is attending to him, but he says he wants to see you.”

Sandy looked on the verge of tears, her panic obvious.

“Me? Why me?”

“How would I know? The marquis told you to come down immediately.”

“What are we supposed to do now?” Sandy fretted.

Snapping back to her senses, Rebellina hurriedly gave orders.

“Go bring my dress! And call all the other maids in here.”

“Yes, my lady!”

With a resolute nod, Sandy rushed out. Rebellina quickly took off the dress she had worn the previous day. Right on cue, the maids entered, urging her to hurry as they had prepared bathwater.

Used to sudden visits from Inferno, the maids worked with practiced efficiency, helping her bathe and drying her hair.

Before long, she was fully dressed and seated before the mirror. The maids moved silently but busily around her.

Normally, they would have tried to cheer her up, knowing she was in a bad mood. But today, their faces were serious. Rebellina realized once again how urgent the situation was.

He must have been waiting for quite a while…

If he were an impatient man, he would have already caused trouble for the household. But since no steward had come running, it seemed things hadn’t escalated that far.

Rebellina swallowed her sigh of relief and tried not to blink as the maid finished her makeup, extending the corners of her eyes. The maid smiled brightly.

“All done!”

“Good work.”

Looking in the mirror, a beautiful woman dressed in a lavish gown stared back at her.

Perhaps they wanted to show off the marquis family’s wealth, or perhaps they wished to comfort her after yesterday—either way, the dress they had chosen was the most expensive one she owned. It was too extravagant for her taste, which was why she rarely wore it, but there was no time to complain now.

The reason this diamond-studded gown had remained in her wardrobe was simple: Inferno had once called such clothing overly luxurious, saying that those who wore them were symbols of vanity.

Because of that, Rebellina had never properly worn the dress she had bought simply because she loved how beautifully it shimmered. Thanks to the maids who diligently maintained even the clothes in storage, it now finally saw the light of day.

“Let’s go.”

As Rebellina headed toward the drawing room, not even the rustle of her dress could be heard. Walking with flawless noble etiquette, she let out a small, bitter laugh.

She had learned all of this desperately—for Inferno.

The marquis had tried to stop her, saying she could live freely without such rigid manners, but she had stubbornly insisted on mastering them perfectly.

Even now, she couldn’t stop thinking about him. Her brows furrowed slightly.

She paused for a moment, lost in thought, until Sandy’s whisper snapped her back.

“What if the Grand Duke gets angry?”

“If he does, so what? This is the Asilius marquisate.”

“Well… he didn’t seem like that kind of person.”

“Why are you suddenly changing your tune?”

“Because he’s incredibly handsome.”

“Handsome?”

“Yes. You’ll be surprised when you see him.”

“Being handsome doesn’t mean he’s polite.”

Rebellina ignored Sandy’s continued praise.

Why did he come to see me?

She wondered if the broken engagement had become public, but even so, that wasn’t reason enough for the Grand Duke of Speraum to visit her.

A grand duke held power second only to the imperial family, so the marquis couldn’t simply turn him away. Even his arriving early in the morning was a breach of etiquette, but there was little choice. Rebellina bit her lip slightly, imagining her father’s troubled expression.

Tartenon Speraum, the Grand Duke of the North, was quite famous.

The Speraum ducal house had been founded by the younger brother of the first emperor. Though the imperial blood had thinned over generations, they still held immense power, guarding the northern borders and even bearing a title equivalent to a king.

Tartenon had never once allowed the northern borders to fall. Naturally, he was always busy—and had no connection with her. She had only glimpsed him once or twice at banquets, too preoccupied with watching Inferno to pay him any attention.

He rarely even entered the capital unless commanded by the emperor. So hearing that he had come to see her made her strangely nervous. She took a deep breath.

A servant who recognized her moved to open the door but paused when he saw her adjusting her dress. When her gaze met his, the door opened smoothly.

As she entered the drawing room, the bright light stung her eyes. After blinking a few times, she smiled back at the marquis, who beamed upon seeing her.

At that moment, the man seated with his back to the door stood up at her presence.

Oh my…

It was him—the very man who had witnessed her disgrace last night.

This is… that man…! Ah… I’m doomed.

Barely suppressing a scream, Rebellina calmly walked to her seat. As she approached, the Grand Duke stood and pulled out her chair.

Blinking at his courteous gesture, she only sat after receiving a signal from the marquis. Having escorted her, the Grand Duke returned to his seat as if nothing had happened.

“This is my daughter, Rebellina Asilius.”

As soon as the introduction ended, Rebellina carefully extended her hand.

“I am Rebellina Asilius, Your Grace.”

“Tartenon Speraum, my lady.”

There was no polite “nice to meet you.” Instead, Tartenon lowered his lips to the back of her hand. His silver hair fell softly, partially veiling his face. Rebellina couldn’t take her eyes off the way it shimmered in the sunlight.

It felt like quite some time before he lifted his lips.

Even after tea was placed before her and its fragrance spread through the room, Rebellina couldn’t look away from him.

For the first time, someone other than Inferno entered her field of vision.

“M-My daughter… why did you wish to see her…?”

“I would like to speak with Lady Asilius alone.”

“…Alone?”

“Strictly speaking, not entirely alone. There are still your servants here, are there not?”

“…Are you saying it’s fine even if they remain?”

“It would be better if they left as well.”

The marquis clearly disliked the idea, but Tartenon brushed it off indifferently. Rebellina quickly realized why he wanted privacy—he must be here to talk about last night.

If others were present, it would only put her at a disadvantage. She spoke quickly.

“It’s fine. We can talk alone.”

“Rebellina!”

“It’s alright, Father.”

At her soothing words, the marquis glared sharply at Tartenon. Despite the piercing gaze, Tartenon remained expressionless, calmly sipping his tea.

After a long stare, the marquis stood.

“…Very well. Please talk. I will be just outside.”

He made it clear he would be waiting right outside the drawing room to ensure nothing improper happened.

Tartenon simply waved his hand indifferently.

Once the marquis left, Tartenon watched him go before finally speaking.

“Lady Asilius.”

His low voice called her name.

Rebellina gripped her teacup to hide the trembling in her fingers. She was afraid of what he might say.

Before he could speak further, she asked first.

“Why did you come here?”

He did not take his eyes off her. As his blue gaze met hers, an unfamiliar feeling gripped her—something strangely familiar, yet indescribable.

She found herself unable to move under his gaze.

Forcing herself back to her senses, she asked again:

“Did you come to collect a reward?”