Chapter 8: The Confrontation

“Fine, think carefully.

This is an excellent offer.”

Fine’s father, Marquis Shot, spoke in a measured tone.

Fine understood his point.

Hawk was young, healthy, and a count.

It seemed almost too good for her.

‘But marrying a woman he doesn’t love out of duty alone—’

Guilt gnawed at her.

Hawk was a victim, dragged into Banaji’s scheme.

He’d already been inconvenienced; forcing him to marry her felt unbearable.

Yet, from Hawk’s demeanor, he didn’t seem likely to accept a refusal.

‘Is there a way to make this work for him?’

Fine pondered, then an idea struck.

“Lord Rosaider, I’ve heard Rosaider’s lands are barren with no industry.

Is that true?”

“…Yes, it’s true.”

After a brief pause, Hawk nodded.

Fine’s lips curved into a smile.

‘If so, I might be useful in Rosaider.’

With her ability to hear the earth’s voice, she could influence the soil and improve it effortlessly.

“Very well.

I accept your proposal.”

With resolve, Fine nodded.

*

The day after Fine accepted Hawk’s proposal, Banaji was in a social salon, drinking and playing poker with noble friends from noon.

“Hey, Banaji, is it true you’re engaged to Reina of the Shot Marquis family?”

A friend asked, and Banaji nodded.

“Yeah.

Fine was a vile woman, so I broke it off.

Her Divine Blessing, ‘hearing the earth’s voice,’ is vague and dull.

Reina, on the other hand, is a radiant beauty with the ‘Green Hand’ blessing.

A hundred times better than dull, gloomy Fine.”

“True, Reina’s charming and sweet.

Though I think Fine’s a refined beauty.”

“Her, beautiful?

She’s plain, never smiles, and gloomy.

But she seems skilled at luring men to bed, so she might bite if you try.

She did manage to seduce the Grim Reaper.”

Banaji laughed, egging his friend on.

“Quiet face, but surprising, huh?

So, Banaji, how’s Fine’s… technique?”

“Find out yourself.”

“Might just give it a try.”

The friend, swayed by Banaji’s words, smirked lewdly.

He believed the rumors Banaji had spread about Fine’s supposed affair with Hawk.

A loud thud interrupted as the table was struck.

“How dare you slander my fiancée in public?”

Hawk Rosaider glared at them, his eyes sharp enough to kill.

Banaji was stunned.

“Why the hell are you here?!”

“Just had business.

Problem?

Unlike you, I don’t have time to drink all day.”

“What?!”

Banaji bristled, realizing Hawk was calling him an idle drunk.

He tried to stand, but Hawk pressed his shoulder down.

“Ugh!”

‘What strength.’

A single hand on his shoulder pinned him in place.

Hawk stared at Banaji.

“Pick your fights carefully.”

“What?!”

Banaji paled as Hawk looked down coldly.

“Insult my fiancée again, and you’ll regret it.”

Hawk’s chilling tone sent shivers down Banaji’s spine.

Having said his piece, Hawk strode toward the entrance and vanished into the town.

“That guy’s intense.

Thought he’d kill us.”

“No wonder they call him the Grim Reaper.”

Friends who witnessed it whispered, watching Hawk’s retreating figure.

“Damn him!”

Banaji raised his voice.

‘He’s always been like that.

Damn it, mocking me.’

At the Royal Academy, Banaji, as a ducal heir, ruled the social hierarchy.

No one dared cross a duke’s family, so sycophants flattered him.

Hawk, however, never groveled and looked at Banaji like he was vermin.

Hawk excelled academically and in swordsmanship, surpassing even former knight instructors.

Inexplicably to Banaji, he was also well-liked by students.

While Banaji ruled through rank, Hawk drew people with his character.

Dislike quickly turned to hatred.

‘No noble house will lend to him.

I made sure of that.

Serves him right.’

Banaji smirked, watching Hawk’s back.

Months ago, when Banaji’s father, the Duke of Diner, fell ill, Banaji, acting as proxy, pressured houses close to Rosaider.

No one would dare cross a duke’s family, so they’d distance themselves from Rosaider.

“Hey, Banaji, let’s keep playing.

You betting?”

“Of course.”

Banaji turned back to the table as his friends called.

“Didn’t Hawk just say ‘my fiancée’?

Is he engaged to Fine?”

One friend’s puzzled remark made Banaji pause.

‘He did say that.

Are they getting married?’

Banaji knew nothing happened in that room.

If they were marrying, it must be Hawk taking responsibility for the scandal.

“Hah, perfect match.

Losers belong together.”

Banaji laughed, clutching his stomach.

Rosaider’s territory, burdened by military costs, was always strapped for funds.

Without loans, they’d live in poverty.

“Maybe if they come begging like paupers, I’ll toss them a coin.”

Banaji chuckled.

‘Acting high and mighty as a count.

He’s a loser, and I’m the winner—money, power, and a wife with an enviable Divine Blessing.

Perfect.’

The thought soothed his ego.

Downing the wine poured by a waiter, it tasted sweeter than ever.