Chapter 1: Prologue

The afternoon at the Diner Dukedom.

The young duke—Banaji Diner—was tapping his desk with his index finger.

The letter he was waiting for hadn’t arrived.

‘Too slow. What in the world is Fine doing?’

In recent years, the Diner Dukedom, Banaji’s family, had been struggling with its main business of gold ore mining.

Fearing the mounting debts might bankrupt the dukedom, Banaji set his sights on his former fiancée—Fine.

Fine possessed a rare skill: the ability to ‘hear the voice of the earth.’ Surely, she could help resolve this crisis.

In his mind, he pictured her—a quiet woman with lustrous reddish-brown hair, once his fiancée.

She was beautiful, but no matter how rudely Banaji treated her, she only smiled awkwardly, a dull woman with no spark.

And despite being engaged, she never crossed the line with him, which he found infuriating.

So, Banaji discarded her.

‘She was too scared of being abandoned by me to ever complain, no matter what I did—a pitiful woman.’

She always responded to his letters with overwhelming joy.

Surely, she still loved him, Banaji was certain.

‘Maybe, as a reward for her help this time, I could make her my mistress.’

Fine was a boring woman, but her flawless beauty made her perfect for a mistress.

She’d surely be happier as his mistress than living in some remote land with a husband she didn’t love.

Just as he thought this, a loud bang echoed as the office door was flung open.

“Master! A letter from Lady Fine has arrived!”

At the report from Liberte, the Diner Dukedom’s mine manager, Banaji’s lips curled into a smirk.

‘As expected. Fine can’t stay away from me.’

“Hand it over!”

Banaji snatched the letter from the servant’s hand and tore open the seal.

—

To Banaji Diner

Dear Sir, as the autumn breeze blows, I hope you are faring well.

Thank you for your letter.

Regarding the declining output of the Diner Dukedom’s mines, it must be truly challenging.

I sympathize with your situation.

You often wrote in your letters, ‘You should know what I expect of you.’

After much thought, I have decided to respectfully decline any further assistance.

After all, weren’t you the one who called me ‘useless’ and cast me aside?

Rest assured, I know my place.

With your overflowing talent, I’m certain you will brilliantly turn your business around.

On a lighter note, allow me to share some news about myself.

I am currently living a very happy life.

Surrounded by kind, trustworthy people in a peaceful, quiet daily life, I feel a happiness I never experienced in the capital.

The day you declared our engagement null and void, I was fortunate to be locked in a waiting room at the ball venue by chance.

Because of that, I was able to break off our engagement and meet my current husband.

Isn’t it ironic how malice can turn into fortune?

So, I’ll let bygones be bygones from that day.

Thank you, truly.

I believe I’ve more than repaid any debt to you.

Now, as we both walk separate paths, please let this be our final correspondence.

I wish you and my sister Reina eternal happiness.

Fine Rosaider

—

Banaji traced the words, his body trembling.

His grip tightened, crumpling the paper.

‘This can’t be true!’

He had been certain Fine would eagerly agree to help, but her letter showed no intention of aiding him.

If anything—

“…Could she have known from the start?”

Did Fine know all along that Banaji and Reina had deceived and betrayed her?

More than that, had she foreseen this outcome—Banaji and Reina’s downfall?

Had she pretended to go along with him, only to reject him at the very end?

‘Won’t you regret this?’

He remembered Fine, his former fiancée, staring at him expressionlessly as she left.

‘I’d never regret it!’

Even as Banaji glared at her, she had smiled faintly, a memory now vivid in his mind.

“Which one of us was truly deceived?”

He could almost hear Fine’s soft chuckle.