The Duke’s Daughter Trained a Wild Beast (Web Novel) - Chapter 4

The Duke is the kind of person who don’t usually change his expression. However, he is showing such colorful expressions of surprise today.

 

I looked at him and nodded inwardly.

 

‘Well, don’t be surprised. Though I know you didn’t expect that I would be able to guess the Emperor’s letter with predictive power like a fortune teller.’

 

Of course, I was able to guess the content of the letter without looking at it because I am the ‘possessor of the book’.

 

‘Even in the original story, around this time, the Emperor handed over the mining problem to the Duke. In the end, passing it on is already predestined. He must have been thinking of an excuse to just pass it on, but then our side proposed a marriage first. The Emperor probably thought that this is the right time to do so.’

 

As a possessor, it was not difficult to predict that the Emperor would offer mine purification as a condition for the marriage proposal.

 

It wasn’t really that much of a surprise.

 

However, the Duke, who didn’t know my real identity, continued to look at me as if I was possessed, and opened his mouth belatedly.

 

“……Your insight is quite useful. Yes, His Majesty ordered to purify the contaminated soulstone mine as a condition of allowing the marriage.”

“Besides, His Majesty said that if the purification is successful, he would give the ownership of the mine to Father, right?”

“…… That’s right. You got it right, that’s amazing.”

“If he wants you to do something that difficult, it’s just appropriate to compensate you that much. Or else His Majesty will be ashamed. It’s not that hard to predict.

 

With the information I stated, using the privilege of being a possessor, the Duke stayed still.

 

And the fact that he doesn’t argue with me, unlike the usual, can only be interpreted in one meaning.

 

‘You seem to be admiring my reasoning ability. I was just frustrated that’s why I took a step forward.’

 

I felt a little better now. Still, if I look too smart, he might become interested, so I’ll do it in moderation…

 

…That’s what I thought.

 

“But you said you can solve it? You mean you can purify the mine? Do you know how vast the mine His Majesty wants us to purify?”

“Yes, I can.”

“…… Did you say that you can solve it knowing how large it is?”

“There is a way. However, it’s impossible for me alone. I need Father’s help.”

“My help……”

 

Help.

 

He just rolled the word in his tongue, so it was difficult to know what kind of impression my words had left on him.

 

It was a bit frustrating for me.

 

‘Have you overloaded your mind? Maybe he’s just a person who would never thought of helping his daughter.’

 

It was me, who couldn’t stand the silence so in the end, I opened my mouth first.

 

“First of all, please call His Highness Adrian, who will soon marry me, without going through His Majesty the Emperor. We need to be in direct contact with him.”

“Adrian? He has no appeal at all. Besides… No, it’s nothing.”

 

Maybe he was trying to say that he’s uncomfortable.

 

It was described in the original novel several times that he instinctively senses Ed’s mana and feels uncomfortable.

 

Fortunately, he atleast didn’t act like a real father, saying ‘Not with that kind of guy!’

 

“Yes, I can invite him, but whether he accepts the invitation or not is entirely up to him.”

“Yes, please. I’ll take care of everything after you invite him. So that we can get the marriage approval and the mine from His Majesty.”

 

After he said yes, he wrote a letter to Adrian right away.

 

The he used the owl spirit of Ludwig, the butler who served the Duke, to send it away.

 

“It would be okay if he refuse this one.” He mutters.

 

I didn’t hear clearly. And I don’t want to know anyway.

 

But there’s only one thing I want right now.

 

‘Adrian should take the bait……’

 

To catch my fish safely. That was the only thing.

 

***

 

After sending a letter to Adrian, the Duke’s castle was quiet again as usual.

 

The windows that the Emperor’s spirit broke were replace with new ones. So everything was sorted out.

 

Nevertheless, the Duke’s mind was still unsettled, and eventually, he calmed himself down by swallowing wine alone in the middle of the night.

 

‘I didn’t that expect you would choose him.’

 

When Lena chose Prince Adrian…

 

…He honestly wants to disapprove it.

 

It wasn’t just because of the Emperor who was arrogant, saying that he would grant the permission once the mine has been purified.

 

Prince Adrian is not in a good spot.

 

Still, the reason why he couldn’t break Lena’s will was because of her eyes.

 

Because of that look when she said she wants Adrian.

 

‘It needlessly resembles Lilia.’

 

Until now, Matheus buried his wife, Lilia, deep in his heart after leaving him alone in this world.

 

Because everytime he remembers it, he feels like his heart were being torn apart.

 

However, despite all the time he spent trying to bury it, the moment he saw Lena’s eyes, he recalled it easily.

 

‘It was so similar that I want to deny it. Even the fact that they have bad eyes for men.’

 

Just as Lilia loved Matheus, doesn’t Lena also wants to marry a dark-looking guy with a bad personality?

 

Thanks to the resemblance of both mother and daughter, Matheus had to think anew.

 

The reason why he’s pushing Lena away so hard, is just because he didn’t have the courage to face his daughter, who looked so much like his departed wife.

 

‘I’m sorry. I’ve been acting pathetic since Lilia left.’

 

He filled the empty glass with wine again. He already drank quite a bit, but his troubled mind still couldn’t be put to rest.

 

‘If I don’t want to be more pathetic than this…… As expected, I have to prevent the marriage with Prince Adrian somehow.’

 

Suddenly, the sound of his clenching teeth violently came out of his lips.

 

‘I have to follow the order of mine purification. Even if I follow it, I still have to use my own hands to make Lena connect with that guy.’

 

Actually, he already made up his mind.

 

He wrote a letter to the prince, pretending to follow Lena’s will, but it did not really contain any sincerity.

 

If he’s going to come, come exactly within a week. If he’s not, then just write it down and send it.

 

Prince Adrian will notice that Matheus is not very pleased with him.

 

‘Well, sooner or later, the prince will express his rejection. That must’ve been the pride of the Imperial family.’

 

“Of course, just half-blood royalty.” He muttered, pouring the rest of the wine into his mouth.

 

Lena, who was disappointed because Adrian didn’t come, was a little heartbroken, but…

 

When he felt a little guilty, he just swallowed it along with the wine.

 

***

 

A week has passed since the letter has been sent to Ed.

 

According to the Duke, Ed is supposed to come today.

 

But…

 

‘Why isn’t he coming? I even dressed up and waited for quite a long time.’

 

I paused around the room, and think anxiously about it.

 

Considering Ed’s political position, he should welcome this marriage proposal right away.

 

It was strange that he didn’t even show his nose until the sun went down.

 

Of course, it’s understandable to be late, but we’re talking about Ed.

 

He’s a very thorough villain…

 

When he visits someone else’s house for the first time, he’s polite to choose a proper time visit.

 

So, while thinking about the cause, a shocking guess suddenly came into my mind.

 

No, wait…

 

Wasn’t it the Duke who sent another letter saying “If you want to come, then come. If you don’t want to, then don’t”.

 

I thought they would cooperate since I appealed so hard to trust me because I have a plan!

 

If he didn’t send that rude letter, then nothing would explain this situation anymore.

 

‘Ugh……! I should’ve sent the letter myself! Why did I believe him in the first place?’

 

I habitually tried to mess up my hair, but I gave up after thinking how hard it was to comb my hair in the morning.

 

Instead, I repeatedly wandered around my room impatiently.

 

‘No, maybe he just got hungry on the way and have gotten late because he’s eating something?’

‘No, that perfectionist won’t be late just because of that reason.’

‘Then why……!!’

 

After making all sorts of guesses, I decided to leave out the Duke and approach Ed by myself.

 

The moment I decided to go, my maid, Hannah, rushed in and informed me.

 

“Miss!! He’s here!! Finally, he has arrived!!”

“……!!”

 

At this time, there was only one guest that Hannah could make fuss about, saying, “He’s finally here.”

 

With my beautiful royal blue dress, I hurriedly ran as soon as I heard that.

 

And finally, I met the villain who will destroy this world.

 

 

 

 

 

“……I greet His Highness, the Prince.”

“……”

 

He’s riding a black Pegasus-shaped spirit named ‘The Black Horse of the Moon Night’.

 

Seeing that no one else is around, it seems like he moved secretly by himself without bringing an escort.

 

It was probably because the Duke sent a letter directly to Ed, not through the Emperor.

 

‘He really exudes the aura of a villain’

 

Wearing a black cape, riding a black-winged horse, his figure is literally villain itself.

 

I heard that the Crown Prince is keeping Ed in check, but doesn’t Ed already looked like he’s doing something bad just by looking at it?

 

“You are?”

 

That was Ed’s first words, and I answered him with the futile thought that his voice was really nice to hear.

 

“Yes, I’m Lena von Mont, the one who wishes to marry you.”

 

He got off the Pegasus, and unsummoned it immediately, disappearing back to the Spirit realm.

 

When we faced each other directly, he took off the hood he was wearing, and I realized I was mistaken.

 

He doesn’t look like a villain at all.

 

‘Ah, it’s very deserving to risk Lena’s life.’

 

I felt sorry for saying he looked like a villain when he’s actually very handsome after taking off his hood.

 

It would be perfect if I say that his face looks holy.

 

His skin was spotless, and his hair was pure silver, resembling the moonlight.

 

His face is so pale and handsome to the point that everyone would think he’s a statue if he stood in the temple.

 

‘How can he have that face, and at the same time, a body like that? He’s captivating not only Lena, but also me? But of course, deep inside, he’s still a dark person.’

 

I couldn’t forget the fact that he used Lena, who loved him, as a tool.

 

So, I greeted him, trying not to be captivated by his looks.

 

“Are you tired of coming all the way here? Please follow me, Father is inside.”

“The Duke, isn’t he busy?”

“……Yes, he’s busy most of the time.”

 

As soon as I heard his tone, my keen senses informed me that Ed is not very fond of the Duke.

 

‘As expected, he was offended by the letter the Duke sent.’

 

The Duke didn’t came out to meet him because he was busy, so there was no way Ed would be in a good mood.

 

The fact that he has a spirit faster than anyone else, yet he came this late on purpose, indirectly expresses his dissatisfaction.

 

Still, it’s such a waste to ignore the proposal of the Duke, who holds a lot of influence.

 

‘The Duke doesn’t like Ed, so he’ll crawl out a little later. But if I don’t want to ruin things, then I must treat him well instead.’

 

I will never ruin the meeting that was made with so much difficulty. So, I decided to escort him to the best parlor.