Chapter 9

Lukas referred to it as the "old mansion," but it was more fitting to call it a "historic mansion." The red stone walls, the pure white pillars and balconies, and the brilliant light spilling from the windows, which rivaled the sunset, made it a grand sight.

Duke Ambrosh— one of the four great noble families in the country and a wealthy household. Behind the magnificent mansion, the vast grounds continued, and beyond the elegant garden, a separate residence where the eldest son's family and their children lived was visible. This residence was even larger and more splendid than the main residence of the Yubert family.

(Oh no, I shouldn’t have come to be the son-in-law of a poor viscount’s family…)

Feeling the disparity in status, Viela's resolve wavered again.

However, Lukas had already gotten off the carriage and offered his hand to Viela, saying, "Father and Mother have been waiting for you."

His smile was one of authority, as if to say that there was no possibility of escape now.

But since she had come this far, she decided to go with the flow and took his hand, stepping into the mansion.

"Welcome to the Ambrosh family! I am Viktor, Lukas's father."

"I've been waiting for you. I am his mother, Hermine."

Here were the parents of the handsome Lukas.

Greeted by the beautiful duke and duchess with their sparkling welcoming smiles, Viela hurriedly bowed in respect.

"Nice to meet you, I am Viela, the eldest daughter of the Yubert family. Thank you for taking the time to meet me despite the sudden request."

"Don't be so stiff. We will be a family from now on."

Duke Ambrosh maintained his pleasant smile and extended his hand for a friendly handshake.

"Thank you."

As she said this, she tried to shake his hand...

"Oh! What is that on your hand!?"

Duchess Ambrosh screamed and stopped the handshake, grabbing Viela's hand and lifting it up.

On the wrist, a purple bruise in the shape of finger marks was visible. It was the spot where Clement had gripped her tightly earlier.

Caught up in the identity of Lukas and the greetings to the duke, she had completely forgotten about the pain.

"Could it be that Lukas forced you!?"

"It wasn't me. It was Clement Bartel. He was harassing Viela when I went to pick her up earlier."

While she was trying to figure out how to explain, Lukas revealed the truth.

The duke and duchess frowned in unison and cast a questioning gaze at Viela.

"It seems he was upset because I decided to resign. I must have angered him."

"Surely... The heir of the Bartel family is excellent. When I spoke with him the other day, he seemed like a fine young man. To do such a thing to Viela... How pitiful."

The duke was indignant, as if concerned about a family member.

"Father, he seemed to really like Viela. He probably couldn't bear the thought of her being taken by someone else."

"Lord Lukas, that's the opposite. I annoyed him by resigning, which would inconvenience Clement's team in their magic enchantment work."

Viela contradicted Lukas's opinion, but he frowned and sighed.

"Let's leave it at that. For now, he's just a spoiled brat who can't control his temper."

"Lord Lukas, please don't make a big deal out of it."

"…If that's what you wish, I will do so this time. Still, this is quite severe. I'm sorry I didn't notice."

He looked at the bruise with a pained expression and arranged for a doctor to be called by a maid.

Fortunately, her wrist was not as painful as the bruise suggested, and there was no abnormality in the bones. After applying a topical medicine and lightly bandaging it, the treatment was complete.

Immediately after the examination, dinner was served, and Viela was once again overwhelmed by the luxurious and elaborate course meal.

She desperately tried to recall the manners she had learned years ago, but everything was so delicious that she couldn't help but relax and enjoy it.

As she savored the food, Lukas, who was sitting next to her, leaned in slightly.

"You seem to be enjoying the food, but are you forcing yourself?"

"Lord Lukas, it really is delicious. This is the first time I've had such a wonderful dinner. I'm glad to be alive."

"Exaggerating."

"It's the truth."

It wasn't a lie. The course meal was as good as the debutante's dinner party, and at that time, she couldn't eat properly due to the tight corset.

When Viela emphasized the deliciousness with her eyes, Lukas covered his mouth and shook his shoulders.

The duke and duchess, who were sitting opposite, seemed to react similarly, and Viela blushed and looked down.

(I relaxed too much in front of the duke and duchess... I got too absorbed in the food. How embarrassing.)

It was a relief that they didn't seem to be upset.

"Hehe, it seems you like our family's food. As the head of the household, I'm pleased. I can see why Lukas likes you."

"I am honored."

"By the way, you seem to be a pleasant and lovely young lady, but can you handle the work as an heir?"

The duke's demeanor suddenly changed, and he directed a sharp, evaluating gaze at her. As the head of the household and a father, he was likely assessing whether she was worthy of being the son-in-law for Lukas.

Viela straightened her posture and faced him.

"The Yubert viscount family has two daughters. To avoid any inconvenience for the son-in-law, my father provided equal education to my sister and me. Although I am young, I intend to fulfill my duties as the next head of the household without burdening Lord Lukas."

She added with a wry smile, "We are poor, so we can't provide luxury."

"Oh, you don't need to rely on Lukas. He has a good position, connections, and wealth—my son has many advantages."

"I understand. But for me, it is a relief and a joy just to have him as a son-in-law. He is my savior."

Upon hearing this, Duke Ambrosh and his wife nodded in satisfaction.