Chapter 6

Ramilio, holding a letter in his hand, muttered to himself at his desk.

"I did say that I don't need a dowry, so she can come here with just herself."

"Yes, you did say that, sir. You're not very good at negotiations, are you, my lord?"

"Y-Yeah, but I'm the 'Ugly Duke' who has had six marriage engagements broken off, right?"

Overcome with anxiety, Ramilio reached up to touch the hood that concealed his face.

Usually, he manages to live a normal life by hiding like this, but he can't hide his true face from the person who will become his wife.

Already, six women have come for the sake of the territory and assets, only to flee in fear at the sight of him. What about the 'White-Haired Lady'? She's in a pitiful state, suffering from nervous exhaustion due to the engagement breakups. Can she endure me?

"How long will this one last, I wonder..."

"I hope she can at least hold on until you take off your hood."

Ramilio pondered for a while and thought, "Well, it's fine."

"I understand that she needs rest. I'll let her stay for a while and send her back to the kingdom when she feels better."

"Are you planning to let her rest with the premise of breaking the engagement? How kind of you..."

"Why do your compliments always lack sincerity?"

Feeling irritated by his aide's fake crying with a handkerchief, Ramilio decided to put the 'White-Haired Lady' aside for the moment.

But then a new worry came to him.

"...Hey, is our country a place where a young lady from Illuminati can enjoy herself?"

"Perhaps. The scenery is undoubtedly beautiful."

Illuminati is known for its cutting-edge trends and numerous enjoyable places.

On the other hand, Ramilio's duchy, while having a grand castle and palace built by his ancestors, has almost nothing else to offer.

The palace where Ramilio lives is old and far from comfortable.

Ramilio kicked his chair and stood up.

"This is bad. She's an important guest. I must make sure she enjoys her stay. At the very least, I need to improve the room where she'll be staying."

Ramilio hurriedly summoned a large number of merchants.

"Prepare a full set of amenities for a woman to live comfortably."

"What is your budget?"

"It doesn't matter how much it costs, just do it within three days. And I need to prepare the engagement documents quickly... Ah, by the seventh time, it's become quite easy. I know exactly what to include."

Seeing Ramilio efficiently making preparations, his aide muttered.

"...My lord, are you actually looking forward to this?"

Ramilio, feeling both awkward and hit the nail on the head, blushed and said, "Shut up."

Having been rejected six times due to his appearance, he was now faced with a pitiful young girl who had appeared out of the blue. Being a little kind wouldn't make her feel uncomfortable. He hoped that, with a bit of luck, she might even show some gratitude.

Given that he had been rejected by many women, it wasn't too twisted for him to think this way.

Ramilio himself was seeking some form of healing in this peculiar engagement.

***

A few days later, he received word that a carriage from a distant place had arrived in the territory.

"H-How was it?"

Asking the messenger who had seen the 'White-Haired Lady' through the carriage window, Ramilio was on edge. The messenger shook his head.

"Her face was hidden by a veil, so I couldn't see it clearly, but she was dressed very calmly."

Ramilio's anxiety and tension reached their peak.

"She's hiding her face... Just like me."

His aide gave him a cold look.

"My lord, don't jump to conclusions based on imagination. In matters of marriage and love, men who rush are disliked."

"I know that without you saying. How many times do you think I've had my engagements broken off?"

While saying this, Ramilio adjusted his hood in the mirror.

***

The Duchy of Pastore is a buffer zone between two large countries. As a key transportation hub, the roads are well-maintained, making the carriage ride comfortable.

Passing through the tranquil countryside and bustling urban areas,

—There are so many people coming and going.

While it doesn't have the entertainment facilities of Illuminati, it seems to be a lively place.

Eventually, the small two-seater carriage that Lucrezia rode in stopped in front of the palace where the 'Ugly Duke' lived.

The other party opened the door and escorted Lucrezia out.

She immediately understood that the person with the hood, like a hermit, was the 'Ugly Duke.' When he offered his hand, she peered closely at his face.

—Oh? This person doesn't look bad at all.

There were no visible scars on the cheeks and mouth visible through the hood. He had average skin, a straight nose, and a well-defined jawline. His mouth suggested good teeth, and none of these features could be described as 'ugly.'

Lucrezia was captivated as she stepped down next to the 'Ugly Duke.'

Their eyes met, and Lucrezia gasped.

—This person is wearing colored glasses.

The glasses were made of dark smoky quartz, making it impossible to see his eyes.

She quickly realized that there must be something wrong with his eyes that he wanted to hide. This was likely the reason he was called the 'Ugly Duke.'

The 'Ugly Duke' quickly averted his gaze from Lucrezia and pulled his hood deeper over his head. His nervous, fidgety movements revealed how much he cared about his appearance.

"I apologize for my appearance. I should greet you properly, but due to circumstances, I must remain like this. I am Ramilio Pastore."

He saluted, and Lucrezia bowed in response.

"I am Lucrezia Serravalle."

When it came to kissing her hand, Ramilio did so from a considerable distance, not touching her at all.

From this gesture alone, Lucrezia could sense that he had likely been rejected many times before.

She felt a sharp pain in her chest. The pain of rejection, even when experienced by others, can still hurt. She couldn't help but think how difficult it must have been for him.

"Do you know my nickname?"

"Yes... but—"

Lucrezia quickly moved closer to Ramilio.

Surprised by the sudden approach, Ramilio took a step back.

Lucrezia peered into Ramilio's hood again and confirmed her suspicions.

"Sure enough, the newspaper articles were nonsense."

"Of course. They make me sound like a monster."

Ramilio said this with a sigh but still kept his hood deep over his head, clearly not wanting Lucrezia to see his face.

Feeling frustrated, Lucrezia decided to ask directly.

"Excuse me, but may I see under your hood?"