Chapter 35

Would the pompous Viscount Everchen ever take the initiative? His loud, nagging wife certainly couldn’t even if she wanted to.

Once the family’s dwindling fortune began to recover, Haver personally sought out wealthy old nobles, entertaining them and persuading them to consider his half-sister for marriage.

Society would see it as disgraceful, and even Rickman didn’t particularly approve of Haver for selling off his sister.

Still, if that sister had been anyone other than Agnes, Rickman might have praised the young man instead.

For the sake of raising a family’s status, one must do whatever it takes. Sitting idly, making excuses about pride, clearing one’s throat whenever something was inconvenient, and expecting others to solve one’s problems were the kinds of behavior Rickman despised most.

In that sense, Haver was someone he could actually talk to. That was why Rickman sought him out and revealed his plan.

As expected, Haver listened quietly, then nodded in agreement.

“Father-in-law, Mother-in-law. I wish to end this tedious and dirty conflict and reunite with Agnes.”

“What are you saying? You’re the one who threw her out first, Count.”

The Viscount’s tone was sharp, but his expression softened as he shook his head.

“Well, Agnes must have been at fault too. You know how headstrong she can be. But you also know she isn’t a bad person at heart. You should have taught her instead of casting her out. I was hurt as a father, you see.”

Apparently, the man truly thought himself a good father.

Rickman’s eyebrow twitched with irritation, but he knew better than to expect sense from the Viscount, so he stayed composed.

Besides, this time he hadn’t come alone.

Rickman gave Haver a quick glance, and Haver stepped forward right on cue.

“Father, please. Hear the Count out. I spoke with him earlier, and what he says makes sense. As you know, he’s a practical man.”

“Our son has a point. Why not at least listen to him?”

The Viscountess, who had always been fond of Rickman, supported him without needing any persuasion.

When Rickman bowed politely in thanks, she smiled, clearly pleased.

With the room’s mood now leaning in his favor, the Viscount had no choice but to take a seat on the sofa.

“Have a seat, Count.”

His tone was polite, but his posture wasn’t. He looked uncertain whether to treat Rickman as a former son-in-law or as a noble of higher rank.

Rickman acted as though he didn’t notice and sat gracefully across from him.

“First, allow me to apologize. It’s true I expelled Agnes, but I did so hoping she would learn something from it. I admit I went too far. Still, I had always overlooked her mistakes. Isn’t it unfair that she couldn’t forgive me for just one?”

Hearing Rickman speak so humbly loosened the Viscount’s guard. He even began to talk to Rickman as if to a younger man again.

“Well, I can’t deny that. But what can we do now? Agnes and the Duke of Vasteron are already engaged. They even held the ceremony, with His Majesty in attendance. Not a single member of our family was invited.”

“Even so, Your Lordship, not even the Emperor himself can dictate the affairs of a man and woman. If Agnes wishes to call off the engagement, no one can stop her.”

The Viscount leaned back in his chair with a disapproving sigh.

“I’m sorry to say this, but Agnes doesn’t seem to think that way. And the Duke of Vasteron, who could have imagined such a marriage? For our family, this is a chance to bring honor to our name.”

“Of course, compared to me, the Duke is far more distinguished, and his position as a former prince makes him an excellent match. But tell me, Father-in-law, does your household have the dowry worthy of such a groom?”

The bluntness of the question made the Viscount start coughing loudly. That was how he always showed his displeasure, and it was one of the things Rickman found most pathetic.

Still, Rickman hadn’t said it to mock him. It was part of a carefully crafted persuasion.

“You misunderstand. I didn’t mean your family lacks the ability. But the Duke is royalty, and royals are often prideful. I can imagine the outrageous dowry he must have demanded.”

The excuse soothed the Viscount’s pride a little. He leaned forward, groaning softly.

“You’re right. Such a dowry isn’t easy for anyone to prepare. Of course, I don’t believe he meant any harm. Men born into nobility rarely know how much money is worth. And I can’t very well complain about the demands of a royal family…”

The Viscount’s logic was absurd.

Whether Dylan had ever worried about money or not, he had never once asked for a dowry.

It had been Agnes’s idea. More precisely, she had told her parents that if they wished to benefit from her marriage to the Duke, they should contribute a fitting dowry themselves.

If her parents hadn’t been so greedy, there would have been no reason for any of this trouble.

But moderation was never a virtue of the Everchens.

“The Viscount of Everchen has always cared too much for his people. That must be why the estate earns so little.”

Even at that ridiculous statement, Rickman nodded as if in sympathy.

“As I was thinking about it, I remembered how Agnes always took care of you both around this time each year. Though I am no longer officially your son-in-law, in my heart I still am. I couldn’t ignore it.”

He gestured to his attendant, who stepped forward and placed a small box in front of the Viscount.

“This is…”

“I haven’t been able to provide for you in a few months due to the misunderstanding between Agnes and me. So I added a little extra this time.”

“Oh my, our son-in-law really is generous!”

The Viscountess’s delighted exclamations were loud enough to make her husband swallow dryly.

Of course, the idea of losing out on the Duke’s dowry still stung, but what choice did he have? He didn’t want to mortgage the estate, and the idea of an easy life funded by his daughter’s marriage was too tempting.

The Viscount realized that marrying her back into Rickman’s household might not be such a bad deal after all.

Soon he dropped his pompous attitude and began to speak in a more hesitant tone.

“I’d welcome it if you and Agnes were to reconcile. You were always polite to our family. But as I said, she’s very firm in her decision. She doesn’t even visit us these days. How can we help you if she won’t come here? Do you have any ideas?”

“There are always ways. All you need to do is call her here. I’ll handle the rest.”

“And what exactly will you do?”

“People say the Duke of Vasteron drinks blood, don’t they?”

“…That rumor does exist, yes. So?”

“Let’s bring Agnes here and examine her body. If she’s been bitten, then as her father, you’d have every right to ‘protect’ her.”

“Well, of course…”

It would be simple enough to create a few marks on her skin.

The Viscount nodded firmly, sealing a quiet agreement between their two families. Rickman’s lips curved into a cold, crooked smile.

‘Just wait, Agnes. No matter if he’s a duke, I’ll take Noah back. And you too.’