Chapter 6 Part 2

“If you don’t have anything to say, then leave.”

“No, please don’t,” I said, raising my head hastily and gasping for air.

At that moment, my heart almost stopped, the first time I encountered the Archduke’s face. It was so different from what I expected. Every time he shook his head, the hair that was particularly silky brushed his forehead, and beneath it, I could see a sharp jawline. The red eyes that widened beneath the dark brows reminded me of a beast with drooping pupils, as rumored, but I didn’t get the common expression “savage”. It was just that the cold stare seemed to resemble a predator on the verge of hunting.

‘I don’t see a single thing as the rumors said.’ I laughed in vain.

The Archduke did not resemble any of the rumors that surrounded him, so much so that I was puzzled by the lack of resemblance, even though I knew it was exaggerated rumors. At most, the only thing that resembled the rumors was the color of his hair and eyes.

“Then why don’t you tell me? What brought you here to see me that you had to knock down my gatekeeper?”

“Why have you come to see me, and overthrow my gatekeeper? Alright then, take off your dull-looking hat.” The Archduke Monarch added, nodding his head.

I languidly took off my hat with a clumsy hand, while he continued speaking.

“You really are a woman.”

“You have a problem with me being a woman, Your Highness?”

The Archduke sat down with an indifferent look on his face.

He was beautifully dressed, without a trace of inferiority, but no mere words could make him a gentleman. If he was a gentleman, he would not have such a beastly look in his eyes. I reflexively swallowed my saliva.

“What business did you want to see me for?”

“I have something to sell, Your Highness.”

“Something to sell? And what can that be?”

The man’s sharp gaze was about to tear me apart, and my mouth was parched. Still, I stood up straight. I labored to face him straight on without avoiding his gaze.

“This is an advancement of Your Highness’s plan.”

“My plan…?”

“If you do this, in three years at the very least, your plan will be fulfilled.”

“What do you think I want?”

The Archduke mumbled slowly, resting his chin.

At a quick glance, he didn’t seem to expect anything different from me. I took a quick deep breath and continued straight to the point.

Now I had to stimulate the Archduke’s interest to the utmost.

“I’m risking my life talking to you.”

“Your life?”

“Your Highness’s plans must never be divulged.”

From the moment I proposed the deal, my fate was decided.

What the Archduke of Mona Chareuteu was preparing was no make-believe.

There was no way they were going to let me go when I mentioned my plan. In the end, I was given one of two choices. Either live or die.

“You know this, but you still want to make a deal with me?”

“Yes.”

“Why? Is there a reason for that?”

Fortunately, The Archduke was interested in my deal.

But I couldn’t relax because I didn’t think it would last long.

“It’s for me to live.”

“To live? That’s a strange thing to say.”

“Charlotte Blanc Tiodurop.”

It was just a name, but I spit it out. I held my head up straight, suppressing my emotions.

“Is that the name of the Duke of Tiodurop’s daughter?”

“It was once mine.”

“What do you mean?”

“Do you remember the disappearance of the Duke of Tiodurop’s daughter?”

“It was a pretty famous case, of course I remember.”

It wasn’t very pleasant to expose my own shame. But I had already decided to put everything on the line for Archduke Mona Chareuteu. I knew that the trust I saw in myself would be seen by him.

“As a matter of fact, the Duke of Tiodurop found his daughter.”

“You are saying that you’re his daughter?”

The Archduke was skeptical.

I shook my head quickly. “No.”

“Then what?”

“I am the Duke’s fake daughter.”

It would be foolish to tell a half-hearted lie out of a moment’s pride. From the way he looked at me, he was a persistent man. I was sure that if I lied, he would somehow find out what was behind me and reveal the truth. Instead, I’d rather not hide it and gain his trust.

“You know you’re telling a crazy story, don’t you?”

“Yet it actually happened. The Duke created a fake daughter for his then-sick wife and raised her as if she were his real daughter.”

“Is that you?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t understand it then. If you are only his crafted daughter, aren’t you full of fake makeup powder? As far as I know, I’ve heard that the Duke is quite protective of his daughter.”

“Recently, the real daughter of the Duke returned.”

She might not be a real one either. But I was deliberately silent about Charlotte’s identity, as it would not do any harm at the moment if it was revealed that she was an imposter.

I hated that.

I wanted her to fall into the abyss at that moment when she thought she was happy. Just like I did. My fists tightened without me even knowing it. I tried to kill my emotions, but it was still difficult to erase them completely. I tried to act nonchalantly, but I couldn’t help but resent the people who left me in despair.