The next day, as dawn broke, Ethan woke up early. Angelina, exhausted from the previous night's wildness, slept soundly. He didn't wake her, quietly getting dressed. Ethan preferred his own swordsman attire over the cumbersome, extravagant clothes of the nobility. He picked up the signed duel book and his sword, then left the room quietly.
On his way to the lawn by the entrance, many servants greeted him. Ethan could sense their insincerity, which he disliked, but he responded with a polite smile.
Pretending to smile all the way, he finally sat by the fountain, his smile fading once he was alone.
"This environment really doesn't suit me. It's exhausting to pretend," Ethan muttered to himself.
"After today, their insincerity will turn to fear because I, Ethan, dare to kill even the guardian knight."
"Let's see if they dare to mistreat my fiancée after this."
"Though, it's a shame we'll be leaving soon."
As Ethan waited for Angus to arrive, time passed, and still, there was no sign of him. Meanwhile, Angelina woke up to find Ethan gone.
"Damn it! How could I forget such an important event?"
Realizing Ethan had gone to the duel, she quickly dressed and hurried to find him. When she reached the place, she found Ethan sitting by the fountain, looking bored.
"Ethan! Is the duel over?" Angelina asked as she approached him.
Ethan shrugged. "That knight, Angus, talks big but has a small heart."
"In my impression, he's not that kind of person," Angelina said, sitting beside Ethan to wait with him.
But the result was the same—no sign of Angus. Lunchtime was approaching.
"That bastard made me wait all morning. I haven't even had breakfast!" Ethan sighed. "It seems he's not coming. Let's go have lunch. After that, I'll go to his house. He must die today!"
"What?" Angelina was shocked. "He has conceded. There's no need for that!"
"His surrender doesn't matter to me," Ethan said innocently. "I just want him dead. Let's go eat."
Angelina was at a loss for words and quietly followed Ethan to the dining hall.
As they ate lunch, Sophia arrived and sat across from them, her expression somber.
"I heard you're planning to visit Angus' home later?"
Hearing this, Ethan looked up from his meal, scanning the room. He coldly glared at the surrounding maids, trying to identify the one who had spread the news. One petite maid trembled, her lips quivering.
Having identified the source, Ethan silently returned to his meal. Sophia frowned, addressing Ethan.
"These maids belong to the Lawson family. Reporting to me is normal," she said.
Ethan finished eating, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and tossed it onto the table.
"It's normal. I spoke in front of them intentionally. Their reporting to you suits me fine. I just wanted to know who is so considerate. Honestly, I dislike having people around me who can't keep their mouths shut."
The petite maid trembled more violently. Sophia glanced at the maid, signaling her to leave. Then she spoke again.
"You have a way with handling subordinates. A glance, a gesture, a word, and you establish authority. But threats are always the worst method."
"As long as they're not my subordinates, there's no issue. I find threats the most straightforward method, especially for those self-important servants. If you show them kindness, they'll walk all over you, like Angus. I don't understand why you interfere with men's duels. You wasted my valuable morning, and I'm very angry."
"Both you and Angus are valuable talents to the family," Sophia said, leaning back in her chair, twirling her hair. "I don't want either of you to get hurt. To prevent that, I broke knightly spirit to stop this duel. And you should see that I favor you. Yet, knowing the reason, you still make it hard for me."
Ethan sneered. "During our conversation yesterday, I realized you're ambitious, controlling, and very self-assured. Understand that whether you're embarrassed or whom you control is your business, not mine. What gives you the right to stop a duel between men? And are you really on my side? No. You just find convincing me harder and currently see more value in me than in Angus. Everything you do is out of your self-assurance. If you feel embarrassed, it's self-inflicted."
"Fine," Sophia's tone turned icy. "I had high hopes for you and didn't want to interfere with your affairs, but if you're set on dying, I won't stop you. Do as you please."
With that, Sophia stood up swiftly, shot a cold glance at Angelina, and left.
Angelina, feeling her sister's icy stare, lowered her head like a chastised child. After Sophia left, she hesitantly spoke to Ethan.
"Ethan, let it go. My sister is right. Both of you are important to the family. If anything happens to either of you, it's bad for the family."
Ethan gently patted Angelina's head, comforting her. "Hearing you say that makes me more determined to kill Angus. I'll show you firsthand that compliance leads to being treated like a dog. Only resistance brings benefits. Don't worry about your sister's attitude. After I take Angus' head, you'll see how her attitude changes."
Angelina didn't fully understand Ethan's reasoning but saw his resolve and reluctantly agreed.
After lunch, Ethan took a carriage to Angus' home, leaving Angelina behind. She obediently waited at the estate gate for his return.
She stood there from noon until evening, unmoving like a statue. As the sunset painted the sky blood-red, Angelina's tears fell uncontrollably, fearing the worst.
"Angus' home isn't far. Ethan should have been back by now. If he's not back yet..."
Just as Angelina despaired, a carriage appeared in the sunset. When it reached the estate gate, Ethan stepped down, carrying a head with dried blood.
Seeing Angelina crying, Ethan was startled. "Who bullied you?"