(Duke Winterson POV)
I was so busy with the papers on my desk that I didn't even notice the knock on the door. A platinum haired man in a dark blue suit suddenly appeared from behind the door, but I only glanced at him sarcastically. He's Rudoff, one of my assistants. Apart from Rudoff, the only one who can annoy me is the butler in this residence—Kano.
"Marquess Dalcom sent the matchmaking file this morning, Your Grace."
Hearing Rudoff's hoarse voice, I immediately stopped my right hand which was writing. There was a pile of paper in his hand and he put it on the table arbitrarily.
At first, i thought Marquess Dalcom was just joking about the engagement. I mean, marriage to the Dalcoms? God. However, that person actually wanted me to be his son-in-law.
"How many times have I told you?" I took a deep breath, holding back my emotions, "You know, I have a lot to do. What else that old man want me to do?"
"Lady Dalcom already regained consciousness," continued Rudoff, remaining calm.
"Then?" Now I'm frowning.
"After rejecting this marriage, you will be single. Forever." Rudoff added and my eyebrows shot up.
Does this man want to die?
"A cold-blooded Duke Winterson. Everyone has heard rumors that your previous wife had suicide. Would anyone else want to marry his daughter off to you besides Marquess Dalcom?"
Ck! Rudoff really wanted to mess with me.
Of course I was disturbed by what he just said. He deliberately raised his voice too. It's true that all the princesses of nobility don't dare to approach me anymore. Rumors of my late wife's suicide and being killed in my own residence had spread throughout Barbaria, but still those words really bothered me. The fact is it wasn't me who killed her, but she wanted to end her life.
"Those are the rumors about you that I heard," said Rudoff again.
Again I sighed. How cruel I was to their minds, including Dalcom's daughter. She mustn't have wanted to marry me either and pretended to be unconscious once our meeting had been arranged. Coupled with the black mask I always wear to hide my eyes. The impression may be too dark and scary.
"Marriage again will probably erase the existing assumption, after that it's up to you. Of course these rumors can harm you in the future," said Rudoff.
I glanced at him with a sharp gaze. Rudoff has been my friend and advisor for a long time since I joined the royal military. I admit that there is some truth in that saying. As far as I know he has a brilliant brain, reliable and wise in making decisions, but not for this one.
What is the real benefit of a marriage? My father just left my late mother for another woman and enjoyed suffering at the end of his life. In the end it's just a waste of time. I knew he didn't really love my mother. So why force yourself to get married?
I'm replacing my father as Duke now and just want to focus on the work he left behind. Tch. Why should I remember the old man again? Come to think of it, this wasted some of my time. I rarely even met my wife before, maybe that's why she ended her own life. There are a lot of paid women out there. Marriage is just for status, nothing more.
"Come out," I replied curtly and firmly. I don't want to beat around the bush, Rudoff knows that too.
"Don't forget this could be your last chance to become the official Landlord of Westla."
Rudoff then walked out of the room without the file he had brought with him. He knew very well the King's requirement when giving up the land in Westla, which was to have a Duchess.
"Tell Marquess Dalcom I'm busy," I said again.
However, Rudoff ignored me. Damn. When I think about it, this arranged marriage keeps haunting me, just like the endless "when to get married" question. Can I just accept this matchmaking for a moment? Let them all be silent, but my time is wasted with engagement parties, weddings, and others. Don't be fooled by what people think of me. They should have seen my efforts for Barbaria.
Inadvertently I glanced at the new pile of paper, began to scan briefly. I am interested in taking a portrait of a woman with long straight blackish brown hair. He smiled like a child. How old do I think? Fifteen years? I don't think he's much older than me. Maybe 23 years.
This is Dalcom's daughter I'm going to set up with? As familiar to me, when did I see it? The woman's emerald irises look sincere. Wait, since when did his eyes turn green? I better not believe in a painting.
Just as I was about to put the paper back, a stamped letter fell in my hand. Without thinking I studied the letter. At the same time, my forehead wrinkled again.
What's this?
It's... a kind of declaration of love. The letter contained a short written expression of love. Dalcom's daughter wrote me a letter?
Immediately I found 'Mr Rudoff' at the top and 'signed, Virenzia Dalcom'. I was stunned, not for me, but why sent to me? Rudoff? That gray-head? I read again carefully.
I found myself a bit annoyed. Then a little disappointed and laughed because it turned out that the letter was not addressed to me. So Dalcom's daughter has feelings for Rudoff?
Suddenly I threw the letter. Interesting, but I'll admit I'm still annoyed by the letter. Was it because I expected someone to write me a letter like that? I'm not into romance but having some fans makes me quite happy.
I took the letter again and read it again. How dare a noble daughter write a love letter to a man, who is none other than my assistant, I thought. What kind of woman is she? He definitely doesn't want to have an arranged marriage with me either. Or did he just accept it out of necessity and give me this letter to tell him that he really didn't mean it to me?
Wait, so Rudoff and Dalcom's daughter already know each other?
"Rudoff!" This mouth cried out without being ordered.
"Did you change your mind?"
He appeared, who made me in a bad mood. I threw the letter in front of him.
"Please explain this?" I pushed the chair away from the table, gently massaging my temples.
Rudoff picked up the letter and began to casually open it. I can't take my eyes off of him. The man was really acting up again.
"Do ... do I have a lover?" Rudoff had time to hold back a laugh reading it. Does he think this is a joke?
"How long have you known Lady Dalcom? You guys conspired?" I asked a little threateningly.
Rudoff put on a serious face again, maybe because he saw my starting to get annoyed.
"I don't know him, Your Grace. I've never even met him. I thought it was a mistake," replied Rudoff after clearing his throat.
Once again I raised an eyebrow. It didn't look like Rudoff was lying this time. After all, he was with me most of the day.
"Or has Lady Dalcom seen me before and fallen for me?" he continued. The man's eyes sparkled. He is too confident in front of me, I don't like that.
"Go out." I had to look away, focusing back on the pile of papers waiting for me.
"I'm sorry, Your Grace. Perhaps this letter has an implied meaning." Apparently Rudoff did not heed my orders just now. Of course I was silent for a moment to hear Rudoff's thoughts. Implied? Could it be that the point of this letter is that lady Dalcom is refusing marriage and wants me to know about it?
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