Chapter 6

Viscount and Viscountess Everchen sent a letter right away, saying they wished to visit the Vasteron townhouse.

They had thought the household might refuse, since the marriage had already been announced without consultation, but surprisingly, the answer came back with a warm welcome.

‘Maybe we’ll be treated properly this time.’

With that hopeful thought, the Everchen couple left for the townhouse as soon as the sun rose the next day.

As they had imagined, the Vasteron townhouse was grand and beautiful, exuding an air so refined that words like wealthy or elegant could hardly describe it.

Even the young butler who received them moved with flawless grace and poise.

He seemed to be someone from a good family himself.

“If you wait here, Lady Agnes will arrive shortly.”

It meant they would be meeting only Agnes, not the duke.

In truth, neither of them had the confidence to face a royal directly, so that was a relief. Yet the viscount suddenly wanted to act as if he were an intimidating father.

He lifted his chin and asked stiffly, in the tone of a strict in-law, “Is His Grace the Duke of Vasteron busy?”

“Yes.”

The reply was so short and curt that the viscount’s pride was bruised.

He coughed awkwardly to hide his embarrassment and dropped heavily onto the sofa.

Meanwhile, the viscountess could hardly stop herself from gawking around the room as they were led to the parlor.

Her husband’s wounded pride was the last thing on her mind; her attention was wholly captured by the elegant interior.

“Heavens, look at that sculpture. I’ve never seen anything carved so delicately. It’s as clear as ice. What could it be made of?”

The viscount, having no appreciation for art, gave no answer and pretended not to care.

The viscountess, used to that kind of reaction, continued fussing to herself.

“You need to talk some sense into Agnes. What if that sly girl forgets us now that she lives in a place like this?”

“She wouldn’t do that.”

“She wouldn’t? Then why did she take all our maids with her?”

“Hmm.”

Having nothing to say, the viscount coughed again out of habit.

“Let’s just wait for her. Then you’ll see I’m right.”

The last time they had visited Agnes was when she married Count Overhen, and that was only because she had failed to send them the money they’d asked for.

Back then, she had already been in the parlor waiting for them, fidgeting nervously as if she’d done something wrong.

They expected the same this time, but Agnes did not appear.

By the time they’d emptied several cups of tea and their stomachs sloshed with water, a maid finally appeared to say that Lady Agnes would be arriving soon.

The couple straightened up, deliberately lifting their chins to maintain a haughty posture. But even after that, Agnes took her time.

When the door finally opened, they both turned and froze.

Standing there was Agnes, elegant enough to make their eyes widen.

Her silver hair gleamed under the light, and with every graceful step, a soft floral scent lingered in the air.

Her lavender dress, tinged faintly with blue, was the latest fashion. Layers of lace rippled gently like butterfly wings.

The delicate flutter of the fabric made each of her movements seem like a slow, graceful dance.

“What in the world…”

The viscountess sprang to her feet and stared at her daughter.

She had always known Agnes resembled her late mother and could be pretty when she tried.

But back when Agnes lived at the Everchen estate, they could barely afford decent clothing, and after she married Count Overhen, she had become nothing more than a mannequin for her husband’s tastes.

Now, however, things were different.

The soft tones of her dress complemented her pale skin, and her light jewelry made her golden eyes shine even brighter.

Everything she wore was elegant and expensive, yet all of it merely enhanced her own beauty rather than overshadowing it.

“You really did catch an incredible man.”

The viscountess said it like a compliment, though it sounded closer to disbelief.

Agnes’s brow furrowed slightly, but she said nothing.

Her stepmother had always been vulgar, and too shameless to feel embarrassed by it.

With a quiet sigh, Agnes walked past her and took a seat on the sofa.

“Aren’t you going to greet us?”

“Please sit.”

The calm indifference in her tone made the viscountess’s face twist.

She turned to her husband, whispering in an offended voice, “See? What did I tell you?”

“How long will you keep tattling like a child? Father is watching too, isn’t he? Sit down.”

“My goodness. How rude can you be!”

The viscountess gasped and covered her mouth.

Even the viscount, startled by his daughter’s change in demeanor, kept clearing his throat without knowing what to say.

But when Agnes didn’t apologize, they finally backed down.

“Dear, let’s sit first. We should hear what she has to say.”

Agnes blinked, puzzled.

“What I have to say? Didn’t Father request this visit because you had something to tell me?”

“Agnes, what are you talking about? You’re the one who should have something to say to us.”

“I already said what I needed to. I’ll soon be marrying His Grace, the Duke of Vasteron. Please prepare the dowry. I’d appreciate it if it’s an amount I wouldn’t be ashamed of.”

“Heavens, how are we supposed to prepare a dowry that matches the Duke of Vasteron’s rank?”

“I never expected you to match his rank. That’s why I said ‘within your means.’ I thought you’d both be pleased about this marriage. Was I wrong?”

In truth, they were pleased. They knew she had secured an extraordinary match, so they couldn’t deny it.

The viscount, though faintly uneasy about pushing his daughter too far, still cared more about the profit the family could gain from Vasteron than her well-being.

Agnes smiled faintly, as if she knew exactly what they were thinking.

“If this marriage pleases you, then show it through the dowry. That way, I can see how much goodwill you truly feel and be grateful for it.”

It was a sharp remark.

It sounded almost like a warning, as if to say that unless they offered a decent dowry, they shouldn’t expect to enjoy the benefits of her new status.

The Everchen couple’s minds spun as if filled with clattering abacuses.

Agnes calmly watched them while sipping her tea.

The viscountess felt as though she had been outplayed, yet she couldn’t bring herself to treat Agnes the way she usually did.

Just looking at her attire was enough to see how favored she was by the Duke of Vasteron.

Lowering her gaze as if hurt, the viscountess softened her tone.

“All right, I understand what you mean. But isn’t it improper to marry without your parents’ approval? And what about taking all the maids and servants?”

“Oh, the maids.”

Agnes smiled lightly, her expression composed and unconcerned.

“I told His Grace I wanted to work with people I was familiar with, and he kindly allowed it. I’m grateful for that.”

“Goodness, that’s not what I meant. They belong to our household…”

“Mother, I think you’re mistaken. Servants aren’t property of the Everchen family. They have the right to choose where they wish to work. And I also need attendants of my own.”

“But you already have so many staff here. What about our household? How are we supposed to manage?”

The viscountess’s composure crumbled, her voice rising.

The viscount said nothing, as always. He never intervened when his second wife scolded his daughter. He simply stayed silent to avoid the trouble.

Agnes no longer felt anger toward him. Only pity.

“Viscountess Everchen.”

“W-what? Did you just call me Viscountess?”

Until today, Agnes had always spoken politely to the woman who had taken her mother’s place.

That changed now.

‘Who is it you need to answer to?’

Her golden eyes gleamed sharply.

“How the Vasteron household manages its servants will be decided by the Vasteron household. It is not something the viscountess has any say in.”

‘From now on, the only people who matter in my life are Noah and Your Grace.’

When she had taken the duke’s hand, Agnes had made a vow.

Never again would she waste her heart on those who no longer held any value.