Chapter 3: Dmitry's Fool (3)

The marriage talks between the Lawrence and Dmitry families took place a month ago.

Flora's father, Viscount Lawrence, sat Flora in front of him and, with a pained expression, said, "Daughter, I don't think I need to explain to our wise daughter how dire the current state of the estate is. We need strength now—be it financial or military. To receive the compensation necessary to overcome our difficulties, we have no choice but to offer you, the treasure of the Lawrence family, as a strategic marriage candidate. I'm truly sorry. I'm a poor father, and it's because of me that you have to make such a choice."

That day, Flora's world crumbled.

While most noble daughters are sold into strategic marriages, Flora had her own values. She believed in forming a lifelong bond with someone she truly loved. Even if he wasn't a prince on a white horse, she believed that with mutual love, they could overcome any conditional issues.

But Dmitry!

It was like a bolt from the blue.

'The Dmitry family was just a commoner family twenty years ago. Even though I don't wish for a prince on a white horse, the idea of forming a lifelong bond with Dmitry, who is filled with miners, is unbearable.'

While conditional issues weren't entirely important, that was only true if the person was someone she truly loved.

No matter how she thought about it, Dmitry was not the right choice. She didn't want to give up her romantic dreams of marriage to a miner from Dmitry.

The problem didn't end there.

Initially, the marriage talks were about Flora marrying the promising second son of Dmitry, but at some point, the target changed to the eldest son.

She heard rumors about him. How inadequate he was, and that even in Lawrence, Roman Dmitry was known as Dmitry's fool.

'I really don't like it.'

It was terrifying.

Dmitry's fool.

A man rumored to have no talent in either literature or martial arts, who, in his mid-twenties, had never even dreamed of advancing to the capital, and who was said to be indulging in pleasure in a remote fief.

At a recent noble party, she heard that he even lacked physical appeal.

None of this aligned with Flora's romantic ideals.

So she agonized.

Flora had always lived as a wise daughter, but there were things she couldn't give up.

'This is really not right.'

She knew the state of the estate well.

But even so, she didn't want to be sold to Dmitry's fool.

She wasn't as wise and devoted a daughter as her father thought, and she decided to leave the aftermath of the broken engagement to fate.

The purpose of her visit to Dmitry was ostensibly to meet her strategic marriage candidate before the wedding and spend some time together, but the real purpose was to formally break off the engagement.

That's how she met Roman Dmitry.

And she was certain.

'He's as unappealing as the rumors say.'

He was around 170 cm tall, with black hair and a sharp, masculine appearance, but his poor skin tone diminished his charisma.

Most of all, Roman reeked of heavy perfume.

While nobles generally use perfume, Roman had used it excessively.

Unaware that this was Roman's attempt to mask the smell of blood, Flora thought he had come drenched in the scent of women, as the rumors suggested.

Meeting him confirmed her suspicions.

Flora said firmly, "I would like to annul our marriage."

The other party would likely resist.

Given that he had actively pursued the strategic marriage due to her beauty, convincing him would require considerable effort.

Flora clenched her small fists.

No matter his reaction, she was determined to end this marriage.

However, "Yes, let's do that."

Roman's response.

Flora's eyes widened in surprise at this unexpected reaction.

"…You really mean to break the engagement?"

Flora's voice trembled slightly.

She tried to maintain her composure, but her awkward expression clearly showed her confusion.

"I am human, and I am well aware of what people are saying about this marriage. You are called the flower of Lawrence, the ideal marriage partner for all men, but I, known as Dmitry's fool, am far from worthy of you. I have thought a lot about this. I have agonized every night over whether this marriage is right, but since the events have already unfolded, I couldn't annul the marriage on my own. However, now that I know your thoughts, I must make a decision."

Roman was calm.

In fact, from the moment he heard the word "annulment," Roman believed the situation was unfolding as he intended.

Flora Lawrence.

She was as beautiful as the rumors said.

But for Roman, judging a woman was not limited to her appearance alone.

In his past life as Bai Zhonghe, the number of women who had offered him their bodies and hearts was countless.

His background as the pinnacle of the martial world, his striking appearance, and his humanistic approach to people had made women vie for him by any means necessary.

Of course, this process also involved plots by hostile forces.

Bai Zhonghe, who had to think deeply about every encounter, naturally placed less value on physical appearance.

Beautiful.

But that was all.

Roman was now designing a new life and had no intention of burdening himself with Flora Lawrence.

Flora asked, "Are you really sincere about this?"

"Why would I lie?"

"But wasn't this marriage your idea? I heard that the talks were originally about the second son of the Dmitry family, but you strongly desired me, which led to the current situation. Yet you're willing to accept the annulment without any conditions? I don't understand."

Roman chuckled.

What a strange woman.

She had been determined to persuade him to break the engagement, but now that he readily agreed, she was questioning him.

"So, do you want to marry me?"

"…No, I don't."

"Then let's not make things unnecessarily difficult for each other. I respect your opinion, and since our thoughts align, I will proceed with the annulment. I will take full responsibility for the annulment. Being called Dmitry's fool, adding the title of 'broken engagement' won't be a big problem for me, but for the flower of Lawrence, whose future is bright, it's different. Let's say that my womanizing is the reason for the annulment. I believe this is a satisfactory answer."

This was not out of consideration for Flora.

The title of "broken engagement" would be a good excuse to cut off the annoying marriage proposals that would follow him.

While it was entirely for Roman's benefit, Flora, unaware of the truth, could only interpret it differently.

'What is this man?'

Flora's eyes widened in shock.

She was continuously surprised.

According to the rumors, Roman should have had an unappealing inner self, but his words and actions did not match the nickname "Dmitry's fool."

His clear sense of purpose and the ability to act on it. At least someone with these qualities would not be called a fool anywhere.

Her mind was a tangled mess.

But the water had already been spilled, and the annulment was a reality.

"For important matters, it's best to act quickly. Please wait here while I have a drink. I will go and see my father about this issue."

Roman could not be detained any further.

Flora watched his back with a complex expression as he walked away.

* * *

Bang!

"What do you mean? Annul the engagement?"

It was the expected reaction.

The moment the word "annulment" was mentioned, Lord Romero, the lord of the Dmitry estate, could not hide his explosive anger.

"That's right. This marriage cannot proceed. I have already discussed this with the noble daughter of Lawrence, and it seems we cannot reverse our decision."

"Wh-what…!"

Lord Romero's face turned red with anger.

This was a notification, not a request for permission.

Roman had already made his decision and was informing him unilaterally.

"What a foolish son! Even though people call you Dmitry's fool, I, as your father, have tried to provide you with a good environment. You are different from my other children. They were born into nobility and enjoyed wealth and honor, but you experienced the times when I was a commoner. I understood your wild behavior because the environment had changed, and you were young and had many desires."

His beard trembled.

Lord Romero was right.

When the opportunity to supply weapons to the Kingdom of Cairo arose, Lord Romero had only one son, Roman.

A commoner's child became a noble's heir.

Roman's childhood was shaped by this transition.

Seeing the children who once looked down on him now bowing to him, Roman's character took a bad turn.

And now.

Roman had become a blemish on the Dmitry family.

A blemish that symbolized their commoner past, something they didn't want others to see.

"The marriage with the Lawrence family is crucial for us to firmly establish ourselves as nobles. Did I ask you to play a big role? All you had to do was marry the beautiful noble daughter you so desired, and you couldn't even do that, ruining everything."

"I'm sorry."

"This is not a matter that can be resolved with an apology!"

Smack!

Lord Romero threw an object at Roman.

The strong impact hit Roman's head, but he calmly bowed, even as blood trickled down his forehead.

This was a matter of responsibility.

Since he had broken the promise, it was right to accept the consequences.

"If this matter had gone well, I would have tried to find a way to resolve your national service. But since you've messed things up, you will have to leave for the battlefield in six months. Do you have anything to say about this?"

"No."

"I also heard about the incident with the Blood Fang. According to witnesses, you punished them, but I don't believe it. How could a boy who can't even wield a sword properly punish them? You must have had help. The problem is that the Blood Fang is a hornet's nest even I can't touch. Son, the moment you failed to fulfill your duty as a child, you became responsible for solving your own problems. So, you must resolve this issue yourself. I will not offer any help."

This was not a rational judgment.

Lord Romero, in his anger, said everything he could to punish Roman.

National service.

The Blood Fang.

Problems that the usual Roman could not handle.

Lord Romero naturally expected Roman to kneel and beg for forgiveness, as he always did.

'If the news of the annulment hasn't been made public, there's still a chance to resolve this issue.'

That was his judgment.

He intended to completely break Roman's spirit and handle the matter as he saw fit.

But.

"I understand. I will handle it myself."

"What?"

"It's my fault. As you said, it's right for me to handle it."

Lord Romero was taken aback.

An unexpected turn of events.

Roman bowed and, as he stood up, said, "I will return after resolving all the issues."

He left the room.

Lord Romero, in his confusion, could not even stop Roman.

Outside, Roman wiped the blood from his forehead with his sleeve, and someone was staring at him intently.

It was Flora Lawrence.

Having overheard the entire conversation, she couldn't help but blurt out her thoughts.

"Are you really crazy?"