Lady Class - Chapter 31

“Jean.”

“Ah! Forgive me, my lady. It was supposed to be a secret.”

Even as he covered his mouth in realization, Jean chuckled, clearly pleased.

Count Winner had no talent for business or investments. The wealth brought from her mother’s family had long since dwindled, and for years, the household had barely managed to stay afloat.

Realizing that the situation was unsustainable, Rackley had devised a plan.

She had founded Lava Trading Company.

In name, it was a trading enterprise, but in reality, it specialized in producing and selling high-quality balms—popular among commoners for their medicinal properties—which were then refined into luxury cosmetics by adding fragrances.

The products were marketed toward gentlemen and aristocrats, with significant attention given to branding and packaging.

Count Winner took immense pride in his noble lineage and firmly believed that directly managing a manufacturing business was beneath the dignity of an aristocrat. He would never have agreed to run such an enterprise himself.

Thus, Rackley had established the company through a proxy, concealing her role as its true owner.

Then, she had orchestrated events so that Count Winner himself would invest in the company—unknowingly profiting from her enterprise. The agreement ensured that a large portion of the profits flowed into the Winner household, far surpassing the returns of any other investment he had made.

The business, which had launched last winter, was only now beginning to flourish and generate significant revenue.

She didn’t yet know the exact figures, but she was certain that the profits needed to be carefully managed—either reinvested or held as reserve funds.

A small, satisfied smile graced Rackley’s lips.

“It was wise to conduct the contracts through a proxy.”

“Yes,” Jean agreed.

“Is there anything else I should know?”

As Jean continued his report, Rackley walked toward her chambers.

***

“Welcome back, my lord.”

The master of House Lascarton had returned to the ducal estate in the capital. Every servant in the household had gathered to receive their lord.

Despite inheriting the title, Duke Kahn Lascarton rarely set foot in the ducal residence.

Even when he did return to the capital, he kept his presence unannounced. And then, a week ago, he had vanished entirely—without a word.

Though his sudden disappearance had unsettled the estate, no one had dared to send search parties—not with the command of his grandfather, Isman Lascarton, looming over them.

Kahn’s gaze sharpened like a blade as he looked at Hyun Windsor, his deputy aide.

With neatly combed light brown hair and round spectacles, Hyun had been assisting in place of Baron Valiant, the duke’s primary aide, who was currently away.

“Summon the Council of Elders and Isman Lascarton tomorrow,” Kahn ordered, his tone like ice. “Send word that if they do not come, they should be prepared for a territorial war.”

Hyun stiffened.

“My lord, Isman is your grandfather…”

“The master of House Lascarton is me.”

His voice was steel.

“The man who drugged and imprisoned his own duke is nothing short of an enemy.”

Even in a house where power struggles were common, this was an unpardonable crime.

His eyes, sharp as honed daggers, made even the bookish, desk-bound Hyun instinctively swallow hard.

“…Understood. I’ll send word immediately.”

Kahn continued walking toward his office, but then—he paused.

Hyun straightened, awaiting his next command.

“Investigate Rackley Winner.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Winner. The Winner Count’s household.”

“Are you referring to the count himself or to the lady?”

Kahn’s expression darkened.

“Both. Find out everything.”

“Ah… Understood.”

It was the first time Duke Kahn Lascarton had ever ordered an investigation into a woman.

Hyun found it odd, but he did not dare question it.

Right now, the best way to stay alive was not to provoke Kahn.

***

Duke Kahn Lascarton had gone missing—only to return.

In his absence, the ducal estate had been thrown into chaos.

The knightly order had been discreetly tasked with tracking his whereabouts, investigating whether a foreign power or a rival noble house had been involved in kidnapping or assassination.

Rumors even surfaced about the next successor should the duke be declared unfit to rule.

It was at this point that Isman Lascarton, Kahn’s grandfather, revealed to the Council of Elders what he had done: that Duke Lascarton had fled in the midst of his arranged marriage negotiations with the royal family.

Upon hearing this, the Council condemned Kahn.

A duke’s duty was to protect his house and secure its future heirs. In their eyes, Kahn had abandoned his responsibilities.

Even if force had been used, noble marriages were always political. Many aristocrats first laid eyes on their spouse on the wedding night. Some noblewomen had gone years before ever meeting their husbands in person.

Thus, the elders regarded Isman’s actions as justified, believing that he had acted in the best interests of the Lascarton family.

So when Kahn summoned the Council of Elders and his grandfather, they were furious.

Now, in the great hall of the ducal estate, three elder council members, Isman Lascarton, and four vassals sat, their voices raised in anger.

Elder Henry Lascarton, his face flushed, slammed a fist on the table.

“Outrageous! Just how long does he intend to act like a reckless fool? If Matt was too ill to rule, then Kahn should have taken responsibility immediately!”

“His appointment was a mistake,” muttered Elder Bjorn Windsor. “We should have placed Warton in the position instead.”

Henry scoffed at him.

“The heir was already of age. What madness is this talk of passing the dukedom to a cousin? Speak sense, man.”

He saw through Bjorn’s transparent ambitions and mocked him with a smirk.

Meanwhile, Isman Lascarton lowered his head in a solemn display of regret.

“I accept full responsibility.”

When the previous duke’s family had died in an accident, his son, Matt, had inherited the title.

The Lascarton line had always struggled with fertility, making succession disputes vicious.

Matt had only one son—Kahn. If anything were to happen to Kahn, Isman’s power and wealth would vanish overnight.

“I was only thinking of our family’s future,” he continued, voice grave. “I was… impatient to see an heir born. That was my mistake.”

“You did nothing wrong,” Henry countered. “As the elder of the household, you acted as you should have.”

“Indeed. And let’s not forget—the royal house was involved in these negotiations! Rather than be upset, we should be grateful for their cooperation.”

Bjorn suddenly scowled.

“Then explain those ridiculous scandal articles in the papers. How could they claim that the duke, who wasn’t even in the capital, was carrying out some passionate love affair with the princess? A blatant lie! And yet, why is the royal family playing along?”

“They want to pressure him into marriage.”

“Perhaps. But they should know by now that Kahn Lascarton isn’t the type to bend under pressure.”

“Of course. This is the man who survived the border knight order. He’s as ruthless as they come.”

Despite his words, a faint smile of admiration played on Henry’s lips.

“Then it’s settled. We’ll use this opportunity to push the marriage through. Kahn must be reminded of his place.”

“It’s time we put him in check.”

Just then, the doors to the council chamber opened.

Kahn’s deputy aide, Hyun Windsor, stepped inside and moved aside.

“The Duke of Lascarton has arrived.”

Notably, when the council had arrived at the ducal estate, Kahn had not come to greet them at the entrance.

But now, he strode into the council chamber.

His icy, unyielding expression unsettled the elders, who narrowed their eyes, considering how to reassert their authority over the young duke.

But before any of them could speak—they froze in shock.

Behind Kahn, knights marched in.

Kahn lifted a hand and pointed straight at Isman.

“Arrest Isman Lascarton.”

The room erupted into chaos.

“He drugged and imprisoned his duke to force a marriage. He will stand trial for his crimes. Until then, he is to be locked away.”

The elders shot to their feet.

“What do you think you’re doing, Duke?!”

“Stop this at once! If you lay a hand on Isman, you will not leave this room unscathed!”

The knights had moved to Isman’s side but hesitated to act.

Despite everything, he was still the elder of the family—the father of the late previous duke. No knight would dare arrest him without absolute certainty.

Even Isman himself, who had earlier claimed responsibility for his actions, had not expected Kahn to take such a drastic step. His expression stiffened.

Elder Bjorn Windsor, his face flushed with anger, slammed his cane against the floor.

“Isman may have gone too far, but he did it for the good of the house! This could have been settled quietly! Bringing knights into this—do you even understand your duty as duke? If there is anyone to blame, it is you—for abandoning your responsibilities!”

“To treat the elder of the family this way—what utter disgrace!”

Despite the elders’ fury, Kahn stood unmoved at the head of the council table. His cold gaze swept across the room.

“That is precisely what I should be asking you,” he said, voice like ice. “Just what do you take me for, that you thought you could do this to your own duke? If you wish to be treated as elders, then conduct yourselves as such.”

“A duke’s duty is to marry and produce an heir! It is the obligation of nobility!”

“The match is with the princess herself! She has endured humiliation to aid you, yet you act recklessly, Duke! Remember your place!”

Kahn’s expression didn’t waver.

“And you know exactly what he did. Yet you claim he has committed no crime?”

“The princess herself has shown great favor to you. You should be grateful!”

As the elders and vassals defended Isman, Kahn let out a dry chuckle and sat down, crossing his legs.

Isman took a step forward.

“Kahn Lascarton,” he said, his voice heavy.

The room fell silent.

Since the sudden accident that had wiped out the former duke’s household, it had been Isman who held the family together.

His words still carried the weight of the Lascarton name. Not even Kahn could ignore them.

“The entire kingdom now believes in the love story between you and Princess Iellia,” he continued. “Becoming part of the royal family is a great honor.”

“I do not want it,” Kahn replied curtly.

“The people expect the marriage of Duke Lascarton and Princess Iellia.”

“Then you clean up the mess you made. I will never—never—become engaged to the princess.”

His voice was firm, allowing no room for negotiation.

For the first time, Isman hesitated.

The elders and vassals, realizing that persuasion was failing, turned on him with full force.

“Duke!”

“Do you mean to insult the princess? Will you turn your back on the royal family?!”

“You are not an ordinary noble, Kahn! Carry yourself with responsibility!”

Kahn’s expression shifted—as if he had been waiting for those very words.

“Then, I will transfer my title to Warton—who seems desperate to become duke.”

The room froze.

Kahn let his gaze drift across the stunned elders and vassals before locking eyes with Isman.

“I will relinquish my title within the week. That way, he can be the one to marry the princess. No one loses.”

“Kahn Lascarton!”

“Duke!”

“How dare you treat the title of Lascarton so lightly?!”

“Exactly—so I am giving it up!”

“You reckless—!”

“What did I say?” Bjorn sneered. “I warned you all—he was never fit to be duke!”

And yet, no one dared to demand that he step down.

Because the moment Kahn truly renounced his title, the Lascarton family would crumble.

“Leave us,” Isman finally ordered.

He turned his gaze to the knights and vassals.

This was a matter that concerned the very foundation of the Lascarton house.

And with Isman’s expression grim, the knights and vassals obeyed.

Soon, only the elders and Kahn remained in the council chamber.