Rejecting The Perfect Marriage - Chapter 3

“Please. Just give me a few minutes. It’s urgent.”

“If it was so urgent, you should’ve scheduled a meeting in advance.”

“Ha…”

She let out a breath, exasperated at his cold precision. He wasn’t even trying to be cruel—it was just who he was. A man whose every minute was spoken for.

She knew that better than anyone. And yet, in this moment, she found it unbearable.

“Then after the meeting—just let me wait. I’ll stay in the next room with Mikael—”

“My father is missing.”

The Duke’s hand froze just as he reached for the bell to summon his aide. Slowly, he turned to look at her, finally registering the weight of her words. But Evangeline didn’t stop there—her bitter laugh rang out softly.

“Should I have led with the bankruptcy instead?”

“…Explain.”

“It’s just like I said. A storm hit in the Lieman Sea near Addis. My father disappeared. All our assets sank with the ship. I need your help.”

Her voice, even as she tried to summarize the chaos roaring in her mind, began to falter. Saying it aloud made it all feel too real. And yet, even the smallest relief trickled in as the usually cold man before her didn’t immediately send her away.

“I got the news during the banquet. I left to find out more, and—”

“Go home.”

“…Your Grace.”

“You were at a banquet, weren’t you?”

His steely gray eyes were calm again, sharp and composed. Evangeline stared at him, lips parting in disbelief.

A banquet?

Did he even hear what she just said?

She swallowed hard, but there was no point in asking again. As always, he was simply being the perfect Duke of Teze, committed to his role.

“Now that you’ve stormed out, I’m sure the gossip’s already spreading. If this escalates, it won’t be easy to contain.”

“It doesn’t matter. I’ve held on as long as I could.”

“Then hold on a little longer.”

“…!”

As he spoke, he stepped toward her. Instinctively, she flinched back. His eyes narrowed at the reaction, but he said nothing. Instead, he reached for the hood of her cloak and pulled it up himself—slowly, firmly.

He tied the silver ribbon at her throat with careful precision.

“That’s what you need to do right now.”

◇ ◆ ◇

The future Duchess had come to the Imperial Palace to meet the Duke in person.

That fact alone was enough to keep the entire Senate Chamber buzzing with speculation.

Men who had encountered Lady Ohara while she waited outside couldn’t help but show instinctive curiosity—but she remained perfectly composed. With flawless manners and grace, she greeted everyone without a trace of anxiety or unease.

The Duke of Teze was no different. If anything, his demeanor was even more pristine—so immaculate that it felt cold, distant.

Normally, when a man and a woman spend time alone behind closed doors, speculation naturally follows. But in their case, such assumptions were futile. At most, people guessed that they hadn’t fought. Certainly, there was no chance of anything resembling affection between them.

“Then we shall process today’s agenda items as discussed and deliver the final report to His Majesty.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Summon the department heads to finalize documentation, and submit all details within two days.”

His instructions, like the quill he laid aside, were precise—calm, measured, and absolute.

Sensing his mood, those still lingering quickly lowered their heads and filed out.

It was unwise to test the patience of someone like the Duke. Probing too deeply out of idle curiosity might just get them punished.

Even after the room had cleared, the Duke’s posture remained rigid, utterly undisturbed. Arms folded neatly atop the desk, his profile—tilted down slightly in solemn thought—looked as if carved from stone. He was so still, so composed, that even Phylon, who had planned to press him again about the military supply approvals, swallowed his words.

“…Um, Your Grace. I know this isn’t really the best time to bring it up, but—”

“Then don’t.”

Phylon bit down on his tongue. He had known Decarno for years and could tell the man was lost in thought—deeper than usual.

What the hell just happened?

His friend had always been serious, but this time, it seemed excessive.

Finally, Mikael returned from outside and re-entered the chamber. Only then did Decarno lift his gaze, his eyes still flat and unreadable.

“Your Grace, Lady Ohara has departed for the duchy.”

“Are you certain?”

“Yes. I switched out the driver for one of our own. She should arrive at the estate without issue.”

Understanding his master’s concerns, Mikael reassured him. The new coachman was one of their most trusted men, capable of handling any unforeseen incident.

“As soon as Lady Ohara arrives at the annex, I’ll confirm it and return.”

“…Good.”

But despite the confirmation, the Duke didn’t seem pleased. He acknowledged the matter with a simple nod, but his eyes still held a shadow of displeasure—there were things left unresolved.