Chapter 5: The Plan

Hawk possessed the Divine Blessing of the “Magic Eye,” allowing him to see people’s malice.

He had known since their academy days that Banaji harbored ill will toward him.

So, when the letter arrived, he was almost certain it was a pretext for some ulterior motive.

Yet, Hawk came to the capital because he was curious about what Banaji was plotting.

If there was any hint of political intrigue, it was better to nip it in the bud early.

‘To think I’d be used as an excuse for an engagement annulment.’

Banaji’s foolishness exceeded Hawk’s expectations, catching him completely off guard.

“So, we traveled four days to the capital for nothing?”

Carl asked Hawk.

“…Not quite.”

Hawk’s mind drifted to Fine, the woman trapped in the room with him.

A striking beauty around twenty, with glossy reddish-brown hair tied up, her elegant neck and nape accentuating her allure.

Even when unfairly accused, she remained composed and dignified.

‘Something absurd is about to happen in this room.’

From her words, it was clear she knew she’d be framed for breaking the engagement yet stayed in that room deliberately.

She wanted to end her engagement with Banaji so badly, she was willing to bear the disgrace.

‘I can understand not wanting to marry that fool of a ducal heir.’

Lower nobles couldn’t initiate an annulment with higher ones.

So, she manipulated Banaji, using the situation to her advantage.

‘Beautiful and clever. The Diner heir must be blind.’

Hawk didn’t dislike intelligent women.

She was the first woman he’d ever wanted upon meeting.

“It was more fruitful than expected. I found something interesting.”

Hawk gazed at the lights hanging from the eaves of houses outside the carriage window, pondering his next move.

“What did you find?”

Carl looked at Hawk curiously.

“Carl, what’s the Rosaider family motto?”

“Crush your enemies thoroughly. Take what you desire by any means.”

“You remember well.

First, I’ll go after what I want.

I plan to propose to the Shot Marquis’s daughter soon.”

“What?! Are you serious?”

“Dead serious.”

Hawk’s lips curved into a smile.

To win, one must first strategize.

Then, move the pieces and crush the opponent completely.

*

After Fine and Hawk left, Banaji and Reina raised a toast in the Diner Dukedom’s rest room, the stage of their scheme.

“Banaji-sama, it worked perfectly.”

“Oh, you should’ve seen their shocked faces when I barged in.”

Banaji swirled his wine glass and downed it in one gulp.

“Now I’m free of Fine. We can be together.

I’ll send a letter to Marquis Shot tomorrow.”

“I’m so happy!”

Reina clung to Banaji’s arm, fawning over him.

‘This is how a woman should be.’

Banaji thought to himself.

Fine was beautiful but lacked charm.

Always poised and aloof, she never fawned over him.

Worse, she dared to lecture him at times.

Reina, Fine’s younger sister, was skilled at being affectionate and charming.

With a slightly youthful face, she adored and clung to him—a cute woman.

“But sister’s Divine Blessing is ‘hearing the earth’s voice.’ Is it okay to make an enemy of her?”

Reina glanced at Banaji anxiously.

“Enemy? Reina, we’re not making enemies.

We’re kind people, betrayed and hurt, yet forgiving and seeking friendly ties.”

Reina blinked, then caught his meaning.

“Oh, my mistake. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s fine, my cute Reina.”

Banaji had framed Fine for infidelity to end their engagement but had no intention of pursuing her further.

It would cement his image as a “magnanimous future duke” in the eyes of others.

‘That fool Fine fell for it and left all dejected.

This is what she gets for defying me.’

Everything went as planned, filling him with joy.

Tonight, he’d sleep with sweet dreams.