When Askin told his mentor that he would handle the matter himself, Marquis Prevost couldn't hide his shock.
"Do my ears fail me in my old age? Son, did you hear that?"
"I heard, Father," Viscount Prevost replied, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Askin. "It seems your disciple isn't quite himself today."
"Don't talk nonsense," Askin said, his voice level as he addressed his former classmate. "My mind is perfectly clear, Viscount."
The two men, father and son, didn't let him off so easily.
"What are you thinking, Askin? Could it be that you’ve actually fallen in love with that Altsbeit woman?"
"Not at all," Askin replied instantly.
He tried to keep his composure, but it was difficult to be harsh with the man who had taught him everything. Finally, he gave in and explained the situation. He told them about how Charlize had provided aid to his flooded estate and how she had personally arranged for a doctor and a healing mage to save Aria’s life.
The Marquis and the Viscount were speechless.
"Not someone else... but that Altsbeit girl?" the Marquis whispered. "The Princess I know doesn't have a single drop of compassion in her body."
The Viscount agreed. As someone who had witnessed firsthand how Charlize treated Askin over the years, he was even more skeptical.
"Why don't you tell us a more believable story? Maybe she has a hidden twin? I’d believe that before I’d believe she helped someone out of the goodness of her heart."
"It’s true," Askin insisted.
"Huh. People don't change that easily," the Viscount muttered, grinding his teeth. "Father, it’s obvious she has some hidden motive. She’s probably setting him up for something even worse."
Charlize was a woman born with every blessing a goddess could bestow, but she used her beauty as a weapon, hiding poison and thorns behind a perfect smile. She wasn't called the "Poison Apple" for nothing.
'How could a woman like that help Askin’s estate? How could she care about Aria?'
The very idea of the word "help" existing in Charlize’s vocabulary was laughable to the Viscount.
Askin listened to their insults in silence, but for some reason, he felt a strange sense of discomfort.
"I thought the same thing," Askin admitted. "But every investigation I’ve done shows she helped without asking for anything in return."
"And you actually believe that, Duke? Isn't that a little naive?"
Askin didn't answer. He remembered Aria’s voice, her eyes full of trust.
*Oppa, can't you see her for who she is now? I believe she has no hidden motives. I believe in her.*
The Prevosts were stunned by the look of conviction in Askin’s eyes. The Marquis signaled his son to be quiet.
"If the Duke says it is so, then I will take his word for it," the Marquis said seriously.
Askin felt a surge of gratitude. It felt as if he had returned to his childhood, standing before his master and proving his skill with a sword.
"By the way," the Marquis continued. "Even if her actions were pure, her reputation is not. Everyone knows how she treats the men she 'captures.' They say you’re the only one who has managed to endure being one of her 'dogs.' They call you the jewel on the cliff that even she can't reach."
"Next? Do you really intend to marry her?"
"No," Askin said firmly.
He didn't even have to think about it. He knew the woman had changed—was changing even more by the day—but marriage was another matter entirely.
"Marquis."
Askin subtly turned his back so that only the Marquis could see his face. Over Askin’s shoulder, the Duke of Altsbeit was watching them like a hawk.
Askin moved his lips silently, his back to the Duke. *I will pay the debt. Sooner or later, I will be free.*
The Marquis’s eyes widened. As a former general, he knew the value of discretion, but he couldn't help his surprise. Where on earth would Askin get ten billion coins?
But he knew Askin was not a man of idle words.
"Congratulations in advance, then," the Marquis said, his voice full of a sudden, deep relief. He was glad his favorite student was finally finding a way out of the hell he’d been living in.
As Askin was leaving his mentor, he was approached by a man with a voice so soft it felt like silk.
"Hello, Duke."
It was Ian Niño.
"I didn't know you were so close to Marquis Prevost," Ian said with a smooth smile.
"There’s no way you wouldn't have known, Master Ian," Askin replied coldly.
Ian chuckled. "Ah, I’ve been out of the country for so long I’m still a bit ignorant of the internal politics of the Empire. I hope you'll understand."
Askin didn't believe him for a second. Ian Niño was a man who had made a fortune in foreign trade; he was a master of diplomacy and information. He knew exactly who Marquis Prevost was—a man whose influence still ran deep in the Imperial military.
"I waited for you here because you seemed to be having an important conversation," Ian said.
Askin looked at him, waiting for the real reason for this encounter. Ian straightened his posture and bowed politely.
"I apologize if I offended you earlier," he said, the picture of perfect etiquette.
Askin didn't move. "Apologize? For what?"
Ian tilted his head, his eyes fixed on Askin’s. "Weren't you displeased that I asked your fiancé for a dance?"
"Me?" Askin asked, genuinely confused.
"Hmm. I’m quite good at reading facial expressions," Ian said. "And yours looked... quite unpleasant at the time. I thought you were jealous."
"..."
"My mistake, then," Ian added quickly. "If I’d known you didn't care, I wouldn't have worried. I might even have tried to talk to the Princess a bit longer."
Askin felt a sudden, inexplicable surge of irritation.
"Master Ian, I wouldn't recommend associating with the Princess. It wouldn't be good for your reputation."
"Is that so? But I’ve only just returned to the Empire. I haven't had time to listen to prejudices and rumors." Ian’s smile was wide and seemingly innocent. "She seems quite... fascinating to me."
'Charlize has no prejudices.' The words rang in Askin’s head, sounding incredibly annoying. Was this man really saying this to the person who had been humiliated by that woman for years?
"Anyway, I’m surprised you’re even here, Duke," Ian said, his eyes scanning the room. "I thought you were done with this place."
"..."
"Maybe... have you changed your mind? About the debt?"