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“Liten Bank has agreed to recognize all checks issued by Windsor Bank.” Viscount Manus spoke proudly. “They said to stop playing dirty tricks here.”
Viego Windsor read the letter sent by Marquis Liten. Indeed, the stubborn Marquis Liten had finally raised the white flag in just two days.
“Lady Danae said she thought it would take at least three days, but they couldn’t hold out as long as she thought,” Viscount Manus recounted.
“Yes. The first plan was to deplete Liten Bank’s gold coins in a short time, and she seemed to have second and third plans ready in case that didn’t work.” Viscount Manus’s eyes sparkled. “Moreover, our lady is truly amazing.”
“The shamelessness and aggressiveness of our lady, like a wild beast, truly impressed me!”
Viego ignored the confusing sentence that was neither criticism nor praise. But,
“Our lady?” He frowned sharply at Viscount Manus. “Who allowed you to call her so friendly like that?”
“Ah— I apologize!” Viscount Manus quickly bowed his head. It was a slip of the tongue, forgetting the temperamental nature of the patriarch. Fortunately, Viego handed over the contract without further remark.
“Deliver this contract to Marquis Liten. And to Danae…”
At that moment, there was a knock at the door.
“Young Master Noah is here to see you.”
“Let him in. And Viscount Manus, you may leave now.”
A moment later, Noah entered with a tense face.
“Do you know that, Brother?”
“Danae Windsor. That woman, she has a lover.”
“Her secretary. You know that guy, right? The one with a flashy face.”
“And not only that, she’s taking a keen interest in the love letters sent by my friend, Justin Lancaster. Despite being engaged to the crown prince. Her lowly behavior is tarnishing the dignity of our family.”
“Ah.” Viego Windsor nodded as if he finally understood. “So it was you.”
“The injury on cheek.”
Noah fell silent.Injury on cheek? Whose? Could it be that woman? Did she get hurt on her cheek?
Noah didn’t know. But now he thought about it, she did seem to be in a little pain when he threw the newspaper at her face…
At Viego Windsor’s words, Noah snapped to attention.
“Resorting to violence to solve problems. Where did you learn such barbaric methods?”
Noah stared at Viego. He tried to judge carefully, but there was no need. It was obvious his older brother was mocking him now.
“Violence? Barbaric methods?”
Was that really something Viego Windsor would say?
Noah replied sullenly. “I didn’t expect to hear that from you, Brother.”
Just because he wore a suit, white gloves, and carried a gentleman’s cane didn’t mean his past was erased.
“I am a cadet, Brother. Maybe you’ve forgotten your time as a soldier after spending so long with a pen instead of a sword.”
“That’s not true. I remember everything.” Viego twisted his lips into a mocking smile again. “But even when I was a soldier, I never hit a woman.”
“A ruffian like you, top of the cadet class? The standards at the academy must have really fallen.” Viego picked up the documents, indicating he had no further interest in talking. “Get out, Noah Windsor.”
“This is so ridiculous,” Miona grumbled as she ate dessert. “From what I’ve seen, this was all Dana’s plan.”
“It’s all Sister Dana’s plan?”
“Yes. After ruining your business, she jumped into banking. Don’t you think that’s odd?”
At Miona’s words, Allice bit her lip. In truth, this part had bothered her too.
“She’s doing it on purpose to make you bad.”
“It’s clear she’s doing this with you in mind.”
To be honest, Allice had been thinking that all along. She just hadn’t been able to say it out loud…So Miona thinks so too.A sigh escaped her lips as she became gloomy.Why does Sister Dana hate me this much?
At that moment, Miona glanced at Allice and spoke. “By the way, Allice.”
“How old is Lord Carl?”
“Why do you ask that all of a sudden?”
“I-It’s just I can’t really guess. If you look at his appearance, he seems to be about our age. His skin is so smooth and youthful-looking.”
What’s up with her?Allice rolled her eyes. Since her dad is ten years older than her mom…
“Dad is thirty-five.”
“Wow. He’s young.”
“Yeah… I guess so.”
“So he had you when he was fifteen—Ah, sorry. I didn’t mean that.”
At Miona’s words, Allice gave a faint smile. “It’s okay. It’s not a big deal. I heard it was an arranged marriage anyway. Back then, people got married at that age.”
“But why are you asking all of a sudden?”
“It’s nothing, sorry. I just said something unnecessary…”
Miona must be missing her late father. That’s probably why she’s looking for traces of her father in someone else’s father.Poor thing. Allice kindly smiled at her pitiful maid.
After that somewhat pointless conversation with Miona, Allice went to find Raios.
“Your Highness.”
Raios was buried in paperwork, looking busy. It made Allice dispirited. She wanted to be comforted in his arms…
“Are you very busy?”
“A bit. Just entertain yourself for a while,” Raios said and tossed her a stuffed dog. “Here.”
Allice was momentarily speechless.Does he think I’m a child? Dad did it, and so did His Highness. Why did they both give me things like this?
Carl had given Dana all sorts of jewelry and dresses. Raios also brought various rare gifts while he was dating Dana. Like necklaces worn by a foreign queen, precious dresses made of silk from the East, tiaras, rings, earrings, and all kinds of jewels!
But what is this? Giving me a stuffed toy? Both Dad and His Highness are too much.
Still, Allice pressed her lips together. A good girl doesn’t complain; a good girl is happy even with small gifts; only a shallow person obsesses over jewels. That’s what Allice had been taught all her life.
Right. I’m not interested in those things. It’s just… it feels like there’s no sincerity, and that makes me a little sad.
Allice quietly approached Raios. “Your Highness, did you know?”
“Sister Dana has been receiving love letters lately.”
“Really?”Rustle.Raios answered absentmindedly, scribbling with her fountain pen.
Allice found herself momentarily relieved.He really doesn’t care. Thank god.She smiled inwardly.
“Who sent them?” Raios asked softly, smoothly signing the bottom of the document. “Who sent her the love letters?”
That night, Dana read a letter of protest from Marquis Liten while walking in the garden.Marquis Liten is furious.The letter was full of all sorts of complaints, calling her an outright thief, lacking manners, promising to remember this incident, accusing her of being a villainess rather than a saintess, and so on.
That’s enough. At least I’ve made myself memorable.
She had solved it in just two days. Viego would be pleased.
Dana grinned as she walked slowly. It was then.
“What’s so funny?”
A gentle voice sounded.
“Did you receive another love letter?”
It was coming right beside her.
Dana, as if hypnotized, slowly, very slowly, turned her head. That voice was…
In front of the garden’s fountain, a man sat on the fountain, bathed in moonlight.
“It’s been a while. How have you been?”
Rumie Windsor. He’s Danae’s cousin brother.