hotmtlnovel Chapter 114
Chapter 114
Rianel lowered his gaze, as if carefully reflecting on the matter, before raising his eyes again to speak.
“And yet, sending an assassin to your one and only brother seems to be your way of alleviating your concerns.”
“...You’re clearly misunderstanding something. Why would I ever send an assassin after you?”
“A misunderstanding. Fine, let’s call it that. I’m short on time, so let’s skip the pleasantries and get to the point. What pressing matter brought you all the way to the palace to see me?”
At Rianel’s pointed question, the man’s expression hardened for the first time. Beneath his jet-black hair, his dark purple eyes gleamed with unmistakable hostility directed at Rianel.
Penelope felt a chill run down her spine.
‘Wait, I’ve seen this before.’
More precisely, she had read it in the original novel.
If her memory served her correctly, that man was Tevez Rahinsel, Rianel’s half-brother.
The former Grand Duke of Rahinsel had lost his first wife in an accident only a few years into their marriage and later remarried. Although rumors surrounded the mysterious circumstances of the first wife’s death, no concrete cause was ever determined.
Tevez was the son born from the second marriage.
‘In the original story, Tevez constantly opposed Rianel and schemed to take his position. And even after the novel ended, he’s still doing this?’
It was yet another reminder of how the original author only cared about the heroine’s story and left everything else unresolved.
Tevez finally broke the silence.
“If you’re thinking of using the Lord of Halo for your schemes, I suggest you reconsider. As the Grand Duke, you are obligated to marry a virtuous and respectable woman. Neglecting that duty for years and acting as you please has already worried your retainers. Now, to crown it all, you plan to seat a widow as the Grand Duchess? Do you not realize that nobles and even the Empire’s elite are ridiculing you?”
“......”@@@@
Rianel let out a soft, bitter laugh. His gaze briefly betrayed a weariness that was impossible to hide.
“I fail to see why I, an adult well past my coming-of-age, should endure this sermon from my younger brother. If you’ve come all the way here just to repeat yourself, I suggest you leave. I have other commitments.”
Tevez’s face turned red with anger, and he shot back quickly.
“You’re dragging the dignity and prestige of the Grand Duke into the mud! Isn’t she just a tool for you to use in the end?”
“Ah... And?”
“Pardon?”
“What exactly is wrong with that? I don’t see the issue in using her status and abilities to further my own gain.”
Rianel’s response was so composed that it rendered Tevez momentarily speechless. The tension in his jaw was evident, and the veins on his neck bulged.
Rianel, unfazed, gazed steadily at him before continuing.
“Who I meet and how I choose to use them is entirely my prerogative as the Grand Duke of Rahinsel. You still don’t seem to grasp what that means. So, let me ask—who is your master?”
“......”
“Who is your master?”
Tevez’s master was, without question, Rianel. As one of the retainers of the Grand Duke, he was duty-bound to serve him.
Penelope avoided his gaze as she replied, “I think I caught most of it. I’m sorry for eavesdropping. I was going to make myself known, but when you started talking about assassins, I couldn’t bring myself to interrupt.”
By the time they reached the arbor, Penelope busied herself brushing dust and leaves off her dress.
Rianel pressed his lips together, his throat bobbing as he swallowed hard.
It took him a long moment to speak again, his usually composed voice tinged with an unusual tremor.
“The part where he said I’m using you... that’s... it’s not true. I can explain.”
“There’s no need for an explanation. I know it’s a misunderstanding,” Penelope replied calmly.
Rianel’s eyes widened in surprise.
“You know it’s a misunderstanding?”
“If we’re being precise, I understand. You’re the Grand Duke of Rahinsel, after all. I wouldn’t fault you for considering using me—it’s only natural.”
Penelope had known from the start that Rianel was a pragmatic and calculating man. His cold, cynical demeanor was the result of a lifetime of distrust, forged by the antagonism of his stepmother and maternal family.
‘In the original story, his initial approach to the heroine was also driven by ulterior motives. It was only later that he fell for her, completely against his will.’
Thus, even if Rianel confessed to using her, Penelope wouldn’t have been particularly shocked.
Rianel let out a sigh before speaking again.
“You say you understand, but it seems to me you don’t understand at all.”
“But it’s not as though you have no intention of using me, right?”
Her pointed remark left Rianel momentarily speechless. His expression briefly showed a flicker of dismay.
‘What exactly did I just say to a Grand Duke?’
Realizing she might have gone too far, Penelope quickly tried to backtrack.
“No, no, I didn’t mean that in a bad way. Everyone has their reasons, after all. I’m sure you, as the Grand Duke, have your own circumstances.”
“......”
“I was simply saying that I understand. Maybe I wasn’t clear enough...?”
Penelope gave an awkward smile, completely unaware that her words were hitting Rianel’s heart like arrows.
Placing a hand over his chest, Rianel bowed his head slightly, his voice subdued.
“If my actions have caused you any discomfort, I offer my sincerest apologies.”
Penelope waved her hands frantically.
“There’s no need to apologize! I wasn’t saying you made me uncomfortable. Besides... it’s not like I approach others with purely selfless intentions either. Even ordinary people tend to keep those who benefit them close, don’t they?”
“...That might be a stretch, but I think I now understand how you see me.”
“...Oh.”
Penelope blinked, unsure whether she had just inadvertently insulted him or not.