Chapter 12
The reporters arrived a little earlier than scheduled.
Calvin guided them into the reception room. Cameras were quickly set up in front of the long sofa near the sunlit windows, while the journalists busied themselves checking equipment and exchanging quiet words.
Calvin served tea, but none of them seemed to have the attention to spare for it.
The couple everyone had been talking about appeared precisely on time.
The reporters immediately rose to greet them.
Astor Lilywood was already famous among journalists. A war hero whose name frequently appeared in newspapers was impossible not to know.
But—
They had never seen him like this.
The man who was always described with a permanent scowl and eyes sharp enough to cut someone down now escorted his wife with calm courtesy.
The reporters stared.
His expression remained stoic, yet for once, he didn’t look like he wanted to kill someone.
And he looked good.
His neatly tied blond hair and dark formal attire suited him almost absurdly well. Compared to the disheveled man who attended formal events with loose hair and a perpetually threatening aura, this version of the infamous butcher seemed like a different person entirely.
Who had changed him this much?
Naturally, their attention drifted toward the woman at his side.
A few reporters quietly gasped.
Lauren’s black hair was elegantly pinned up, glossy beneath the light. Her dress, coordinated with the duke’s attire, was not flashy—but refined and graceful.
When their eyes met hers, the duchess smiled softly.
Her pale violet eyes curved beautifully.
The reporters hurriedly offered business cards bearing their newspaper names toward Astor.
Astor stared blankly at them.
Lauren reached over and collected them instead.
She checked each name carefully before smiling.
“Thank you for coming all this way. I imagine you have many questions.”
She gestured politely.
“Please, sit.”
Fresh tea was poured.
The reporters cautiously lifted their cups while exchanging glances.
Astor watched them through narrowed eyes before leaning into the long sofa as usual.
Lauren took a sip of tea and set down her cup.
“I don’t like wasting time, so let’s get straight to the point.”
She folded her hands neatly.
“I assume all of you read the article published by Gossip Bridge. I’d like to correct it.”
One reporter raised his hand.
“Does that mean you’ll be issuing an official correction through our papers?”
Lauren smiled slightly.
“I thought our people already informed you.”
“Ahem. I merely wished to confirm.”
There was no way Leti—the capable deputy of House Lilywood—had failed to explain things.
So were they underestimating her because she was leading the conversation?
Astor’s eyes narrowed.
Lauren had specifically told him to remain quiet.
Still—
If necessary, threatening them might be faster.
After all, with his reputation, intimidation suited him more.
For now, though, he intended to behave.
Probably.
“Well then,” Lauren said lightly.
“Shall I introduce myself first?”
Pens came out immediately.
Lauren met each of the three reporters’ eyes one by one.
Then she smiled.
It was a smile she had practiced.
A slight lift on one side of the lips—copied from Astor’s crooked expressions.
She had rehearsed in front of mirrors.
Hopefully it worked.
“My maiden name was Lauren Sias.”
She paused.
“I am the daughter of Baron Emel Sias, administrator of the Imperial Palace.”
“The Cold-Blooded Administrator…”
Someone muttered quietly.
Lauren’s smile deepened.
Her father had been famous.
Not because people liked him.
Because bribes never worked.
Money failed.
Threats failed.
Influence failed.
Among nobles, he had earned the title cold-blooded.
Among commoners—
He had been remembered as the man who ensured no one suffered unjustly.
The Emperor himself had recognized his ability and promoted him repeatedly.
Lauren had always been proud of that.
“Oh my.”
Her smile softened.
“I’m glad someone remembers my father.”
“One doesn’t easily forget Baron Sias,” one reporter answered respectfully.
“His loss was a tragedy for the Empire.”
After bowing slightly, the reporter asked:
“How did you meet Duke Lilywood?”
They had prepared for this.
Lauren answered smoothly.
She explained that she had once treated him after he was injured suppressing bandits in the southern territories.
At the time, neither of them knew the other’s identity.
Later, his deputy had visited her again.
That was how things began.
The questions continued.
How had they stayed in contact?
How did she feel when he left for war?
Expected questions.
Unexpected ones.
Lauren answered every single one without hesitation.
Arms folded, Astor listened quietly.
Amazing.
She didn’t shake once.
The way she released information.
The way she shaped narratives.
She was frighteningly good at this.
He had definitely chosen the right person to fill his weaknesses.
Not just administration.
Information warfare too.
Astor genuinely felt relieved Lauren stood on his side.
“Why skip the wedding ceremony?”
Lauren lowered her eyes.
“My parents passed away recently.”
“Oh—my apologies.”
Her eyelashes trembled.
Without thinking, Astor placed his hand over hers.
Pat.
Pat.
The reporter who asked apologized repeatedly.
The others, meanwhile, scribbled furiously.
Not intentional.
But somehow—
That worked out well.
Lauren squeezed his hand back lightly.
They really were working together well.
“When things were difficult and lonely…”
She hesitated deliberately.
“Astor—ah, excuse me. His Grace supported me greatly.”
She intentionally slipped and used his name.
Astor almost laughed.
He had frowned instinctively, amused by her boldness.
But judging from how rapidly pens moved—
The reporters interpreted it differently.
Tomorrow’s headlines practically wrote themselves.
The Butcher Duke Has a Human Side.
Predictable.
“Regarding the newspaper that published false information—you said you intend to sue both them and the source. Have you identified who it was?”
“Of course.”
Lauren laughed lightly as if the answer were obvious.
Then took another sip of tea.
The deliberate pause made the reporters anxious.
Her pacing was excellent.
“Someone spoke carelessly in front of me because we skipped the wedding ceremony.”
Her violet eyes curved.
“That much should be enough for the person involved to realize who they are.”
She smiled sweetly.
“If they personally apologize within a week after publication, I may forgive them.”
Astor’s expression hardened.
Someone had insulted her?
In his estate?
Without him knowing?
Unacceptable.
Even if Lauren forgave them—
He wouldn’t.
Annoyance twisted in his chest.
He crossed his legs.
Lauren’s pale violet eyes rolled toward him.
A warning glance.
She expected too much from him.
Sitting quietly was already difficult enough.
“Thank you for granting this interview, Duchess. We’ll discuss things internally and prepare the article accordingly.”
Lauren nodded.
One reporter stood to prepare the camera.
Then Lauren remembered something.
“One more thing.”
The reporters looked up.
“When the article is finished, send it to the ducal estate first.”
She smiled politely.
“We need to distribute it to other newspapers as well.”
The representative frowned openly.
“We thought this was an exclusive.”
Lauren blinked.
“Oh my. I believe we explained that from the beginning.”
She tilted her head.
“You accepted despite knowing, didn’t you?”
“Well… we couldn’t exactly miss this story…”
The reporter’s displeasure showed clearly.
Bold.
Very bold.
Especially in front of Astor.
Astor smiled crookedly.
Then—
BANG.
His foot struck the table.
Teacups crashed to the floor and shattered.
A sharp gasp filled the room.
Then Lauren’s voice.
“Astor.”
A warning.
He ignored it.
People like this only listened after being frightened.
“You were compensated well for cooperating and publishing quickly.”
His voice turned cold.
“Still short on money?”
No sword.
No threats.
Yet everyone suddenly understood why he was called the Butcher Duke.
The shattered cups might only be porcelain.
Next time—
Maybe it would be their heads.
The representative immediately shook his head.
“N-No, not at all. We’ll proceed exactly as instructed.”
Astor’s smile sharpened.
“I hope the article satisfies me.”
The room froze.
Even the reporter setting up the camera trembled.
Lauren quietly sighed.
Threatening people like this usually made things worse.
She had specifically told him not to interfere.
And yet—
He had interfered.
Still…
If she were honest—
It felt a little satisfying.
No matter how much she controlled conversations, things never quite went smoothly.
Because she was a woman.
That reality always caught up eventually.
“Lauren.”
Astor called quietly.
She looked over.
Maybe he noticed her energy drop.
Lauren smiled at him.
I’m okay.
Hopefully that message reached him.
The photographer moved behind the camera.
Astor straightened.
Lauren inhaled deeply and fixed her expression.
Then—
“Lean.”
Astor whispered.
Her mind stopped.
She turned.
His deep green eyes were fixed entirely on her.
“Astor?”
“Lean on me.”
It wasn’t difficult.
Still—
Why?
Ah.
Perhaps he wanted them to look like a loving couple.
That made sense.
Carefully, Lauren rested her head against his shoulder.
Was this enough?
Would they look affectionate?
Strangely—
Smiling felt easier now.
From behind the camera, the reporter began counting down.
Three seconds before the shutter clicked—
Something soft rested against her head.
Only after the photograph was taken did Lauren realize—
Astor had leaned against her too.
