Chapter 216

Iona started to bow in greeting to the Archduke but hesitated for a moment.

As she lifted her head halfway, she noticed the Archduke looking down at her with a displeased expression.

Leroy also seemed to sense the hostility, his face subtly stiffening.

Realizing she needed to ease the tense atmosphere, Iona responded to the Archduke’s words in the most casual tone she could manage.

“Do you know my late father well?”

“Of course.”

Archduke Ernst answered shortly.

Ordinarily, a compliment would follow, but the Archduke didn’t say another word.

The air around them instantly turned cold.

Iona offered a faint smile, feeling slightly troubled.

‘He definitely hates Hayden.’

She didn’t need to ask to know that Hayden had left a terrible impression on the Archduke—so much so that even she, who was not his biological child, was met with a similar hostility.

Of course, since Hayden was her biological father, it wasn’t as if they shared no similarities at all.

But the resemblance between them was so minor that Hayden’s claim of taking in a distant relative as his adopted daughter hadn’t even been questioned.

In other words, it wasn’t the kind of resemblance that made people say, ‘She looks just like him.’

Iona figured the Archduke’s judgment was more rooted in personal bias than in reality.

It seemed she would need to make it clear during their meal that her relationship with Hayden had been anything but good.

“Let’s go in,” the Archduke said abruptly, turning on his heel.

He strode forward without bothering to wait for them, making Iona think it was a wonder he had even come to greet them at the entrance.

Judging the distance between them and the Archduke, Iona glanced at Leroy and whispered,

“Are you alright?”

“Well, I’m trying to think positively.”

“…And how’s that working out?”

“I’m telling myself that my wife’s former subordinate didn’t bring us here just to mess with us.”

Leroy responded with a faint smile—the same expression that had been lingering on his face ever since they arrived.

Only then did Iona realize that his seemingly easygoing reaction had actually required a great deal of patience.

Leroy had been making a conscious effort not to complain about Erich’s assistance.

Iona decided she should try to adopt a similar mindset.

After all, it was true that thanks to Erich, they were able to meet the Archduke quickly and easily. As for whatever grievances the Archduke had about her background, that was something she would have to resolve on her own.

****

The Archduke’s residence, which had been expanded from an old fortress, looked more like a small royal palace than a mansion.

Even the dining hall he led them to was at least twice the size of an ordinary noble estate’s, and the high ceilings made voices echo slightly.

Iona unfolded her napkin and placed it on her lap, taking a brief look around.

The only people at the table were the Archduke, Leroy, and herself.

It was expected that the late mistress of the house, who had passed away years ago, would not be present. However, she couldn’t help but wonder why the Archduke’s grown son hadn’t joined them.

In noble households, it was customary for the entire family to gather and greet visiting guests.

‘Is it because we’re going to discuss something secret?’

Either way, it was a fortunate turn of events for Iona and Leroy.

They were here to have a conversation with the Archduke that couldn’t afford to be overheard, and the fewer people involved, the better.

Iona maintained a polite and attentive demeanor, as if signaling that she was ready to listen.

When they had first exchanged greetings, she had been too distracted to notice, but now she saw the resemblance between the Archduke and the Emperor in the firm set of his lips, his sharp nose, and his thick eyebrows.

Of course, unlike the Archduke, Iona wasn’t the type to bring up such similarities with a family member he disliked, knowing it would only irritate him.

Instead, it was the Archduke who spoke first.

“I hear you have something to discuss with me.”

No sooner had he said this than the servants, who had been standing by the walls, swiftly exited the room in perfect coordination.

Perhaps it was because this region was always in a semi-militarized state. The security training seemed exceptionally thorough.

Iona quietly marveled at it before responding.

“Yes, I’m not sure how much Sir Erich has told you, but…”

“I heard that you hold information that could be useful to me.”

Archduke Ernst cut her off, answering curtly.

Then, he picked up the wine glass in front of him and took a light sip.

The way he emphasized the words ‘could be useful’ made it clear that even this fact was something he found displeasing.

His deep-set blue eyes moved slowly between Iona and Leroy, scrutinizing them both before speaking again.

“‘You two,’ is it?”

“……”

“Duke Leroy Han and Sir Iona Modrov.”

“……”

“An unexpected pairing. And somewhat disappointing.”

With that, the Archduke fixed his gaze on Leroy.

His words carried the unmistakable implication that he disapproved of Leroy’s decision to yield to the imperial family and marry a subordinate of the Crown Prince.

The Archduke clearly misunderstood their situation, but Iona couldn’t say he was entirely at fault.

She and Leroy had deliberately allowed people to believe that the House of Han had reconciled with the imperial family for the sake of convenience.

Since they had benefited from that misconception, they had to accept the Archduke’s wariness without complaint.

“I didn’t realize you paid such close attention to our marriage, Your Grace. To the point of finding it disappointing, no less.”

Leroy responded leisurely, meeting the Archduke’s gaze head-on.

The Archduke let out a brief chuckle.

“At first, I just pitied you. A man who lost his family to dirty politics, only to be swept up in yet another absurd demand. One could say you lost your family twice.”

“You’re being dramatic.”

“Back then, I thought you’d even lost the chance to build a proper household. But looking at the way things have unfolded, I may have misjudged you.”

The Archduke smirked slightly before adding,

“You turned out to be far more ambitious than I expected. Isn’t that right?”

Even after years of exile in the North, it seemed his skill in courtly speech hadn’t dulled.

He managed to weave biting criticism into his words without ever crossing the line—a talent he shared with the rest of the imperial family.

Once again, Iona noted another similarity between Archduke Ernst and his royal relatives.

She traced the base of her wine glass with her thumb, waiting for Leroy to clear up the misunderstanding.

Despite the alcohol on the table, the dining table itself was still completely empty. Judging by the atmosphere, it didn’t seem like the meal would be starting anytime soon.

Until the Archduke gave permission, the servants wouldn’t dare enter the room.

Iona felt the hunger gnawing at her stomach, having gone the entire day without eating. But if she suggested eating first, the Archduke might very well get up and leave.

So she prayed that her stomach would hold out until the conversation was over.

Just as she was absentmindedly staring at the empty table, Leroy’s gaze shifted toward her.

Then, he spoke words that not only caught the Archduke off guard but also strayed far beyond what Iona had expected.

“Why don’t we have something to eat while we talk?”

“……”

The Archduke, who had been silent for a long moment, furrowed his brows and asked, “What?”

Without changing his expression in the slightest, Leroy continued in the same composed manner.

“Well, given how rushed things were, my wife hasn’t eaten all day. It’s rather unpleasant for me to watch.”

An even heavier silence settled between them.

The Archduke looked at Leroy as if questioning his sanity.

Flustered, Iona reached under the table and pressed Leroy’s thigh in warning, but he didn’t even flinch.

In the end, the Archduke was the one to yield.

After chuckling in disbelief, he finally called for the servants waiting outside to bring in the meal.

Fortunately, the food had already been prepared, and before long, plates were placed in front of each of them.

However, the Archduke didn’t spare a single glance at his plate. Instead, he continued to glare at Leroy and Iona, his sharp gaze unwavering.

Resting his chin on his interlocked fingers, the Archduke muttered words that were far from a compliment.

“You two seem to have quite the affectionate marriage.”

“I live each day grateful for the bond I’ve been given.”

Leroy replied without hesitation, then turned to Iona with a gentle voice.

“Go ahead and eat.”

Was this what people meant when they said they felt full without even eating?

Iona already felt half-sick as she picked up her fork.

-- End Of The Chapter --

 

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