Its Edgar.

The duke pressed his temple and looked at her, clearly irritated. Rubica looked straight back at him while her heart pounded in fear.

She couldnt believe she was openly opposing such a great man with a high rank.

Arman.

However, thinking of the name of her loved one gave her strength. She could feel her heart beating differently when thinking about him. No matter how beautiful and great the man in front of her was, she loved Arman.

Yes, it would be better to explain it properly to the duke. How unfortunate it would be for him to marry a woman who loved another man? She clenched her two hands tightly and spoke firmly to Edgar.

I am in love with someone else.

Silence. Edgar stared at her without any change of expression. She felt like her face was melting at his hard gaze, but she had already thrown the dice. She couldnt say anything else.

She silently prayed Edgar wouldnt think she had just said that to avoid the marriage. After a long time, his eyes twinkled for a second and soon turned back to normal. He sighed and put his head on his hand. Then, he asked, Who is he?

Excuse me?

I hope you would at least tell me who he is to make me understand, chri.

Chri. That word was used for lovers.

Rubica realized he was gracefully criticizing her and bit her lips hard. Duke Claymore had great power and wealth. She did fear that anything could happen if she told him about Arman, but she was sure that he wasnt that kind of man who would harm her or Arman in any way, even after finding out the truth.

Even when she had been caught as a maid who was running away after stealing from the Berners, he had first tried to listen to her before deciding on her punishment.

She still hated him, in spite of his beauty, but he didnt appear to be a man without principles.

His name is Arman.

That name is quite common. Where does he live? Edgar calmly asked another question, but Rubica was dumbfounded.

Arman, where did he live before the war? She had never asked that. As Hues Abbey had been full of people from many different countries, that kind of question was practically forbidden.

However, she couldnt bring herself to lie to the duke. For some reason, Rubica had this feeling that he would immediately know if she lied. In fact, Rubica was not good at lying. Because of that, Stephen hadnt believed a single word she spoke even when she was telling the truth.

I dont know.

How old he is?

about 25 years old.

So, he is my peer. Good, and what is his status?

He is a nobleman, probably.

Edgars lips trembled. Rubica could barely stop herself from avoiding his gaze. As Arman had clearly been highly educated, she couldnt think of him as an ordinary commoner. Even if he had been a commoner, a man with such knowledge would have been given at least a baronet title.

Rubica wasnt lying, so she thought she had nothing to be afraid of.

Probably, probably, probably. Youve been guessing since the beginning. Very well. My fianc who is in love with someone else, how tall is he? What is the color of his hair? And of his eyes? Does he have a domain? Does he have any degree? What is his family name?

Rubica opened her mouth and closed it again at Edgars series of questions. Then, she blankly stared at the duke.

She didnt know.

She didnt have the answer to any of those questions.

What was the color of Armans hair before it turned white, and how his eyes had sparkled before they dimmed, where he had grown up before the war, where he had studied, Rubica didnt know.

She had loved him without knowing any of it.

Edgar asked the last question.

Do you have any means to contact him now?

Eventually, tears started to fall from Rubicas auburn eyes.

no.

Rubica.

She just shed tears, not even thinking of covering her face. Edgar reached out to her. And instead of wiping her tears, he grabbed her face with both hands to stop her shaking eyes from running away from him.

cold.

Rubica thought so, without any way to run from his cold eyes.

Cold.

The fingers on her cheeks, his gaze looking down at her, and the piercing questions. They were all extremely cold. She didnt know much about him, but she was sure of one thing.

He doesnt love me!

Does he love you?

And his next question was more than enough to stab her heart.

Arman. Oh, Arman. Did he love me?

Rubica couldnt be sure.

Arman had always been at her side. He used to quietly stroke her hair and pat her shoulder whenever she was tired, lonely, or troubled. Even though he couldnt see, he always knew what kind of help she needed. His kind hands made her heart beat from time to time and made her have some kind of expectation.

Oh, but he had been way too kind.

Rubica would tell her heart to stop getting useless hopes. Arman, she would look at the blue ring on his neck and swore to not misunderstand kindness as love.

But had it all been mere kindness?

The kindness Arman had given Rubica had been more than the simple kindness toward a colleague.

And the ring, which she guessed to belong to his lover, was now on her chest.

Yes, Rubica couldnt be sure. Had Arman loved her or not, she couldnt know.

However, there was one thing she could tell him. With her head in his hands, she looked straight at him and spoke firmly.

That doesnt matter. I love him, and thats what matters.

Get rid of that nonsense!

For a second, Rubica thought he was about to drag her to him and kiss her.

His two eyes showed that much passion, but he didnt. Instead, he glared at Rubica as if he was going to devour her.

Rubica Berner, you should try harder if you want to fool me.

Edgar scolded, but Rubica didnt act like a person whose lie had been busted. She didnt look away nor her cheeks reddened. She had nothing to be ashamed of.

I am not lying.

You want to me to believe that? You dont know his exact appearance, height, and status. You dont know where he is. And you cannot marry me for someone who has the common name Arman?

Has Your Grace never loved someone like that?

The moment she saw the anger in his blue eyes, she realized she had touched what she shouldnt have. Edgar pushed her face away. He then put his hand on his forehead, clearly distressed.

What you just spoke about was the most disgusting thing Ive ever heard.

Your Grace, its my turn to ask questions. Why did you propose to me even though I had nothing? It doesnt have to be me, Rubica breathed hard and asked. She couldnt understand how her timid self could say such a thing to the duke.

However, what she said didnt reach Edgars ears. He thought for a long time. Then, he was in control of his emotions again. He recovered his sculpture-like expression and looked at Rubica.

I will tell you your favorite words. I love you.

Ha.

The sound of laughter, which she couldnt hold back, came out. However, Edgar had now succeeded in pressing every emotion under his consciousness. His expression didnt change.

Your Grace, you dont believe in love. No, you find it disgusting.

No, I love you. Enough to marry you even if you say you love someone else.

Are you mocking me? Why are you lying to me?

Youve been lying to me, why shouldnt why?

Rubica wanted to say no, that there was not a single lie about her feelings toward Arman. But at the same time, she realized Edgar would never believe it.

Their very first meeting was wrong.

Even though Rubica had no intentions to lie, Edgar had plenty of reasons to think of her as a liar. Moreover, any sane person would have chosen to believe that Rubica was lying instead of telling the truth about Arman.

We cannot get married if we dont trust each other.

So, you are finally ready to marry me.

Rubica glared at the mean but beautiful lips and said, Is it your habit to mock people? Or is it your specialty?

Edgars lips opened a little at this. His teeth behind his stubborn lips were straight and white. They matched his red lips.

Please, come to your senses!

Rubica stopped herself from being enchanted by his beauty again and looked at him with hostility.

Youre the first person to speak to me like that

I guess saying that is a habit of yours.

It was strange, but Edgars lips slightly moved in a good mood.

It is a husband and wifes virtue to equally discuss about complaints.

Husband and wife who mock each other and quarrel will only meet their doom.

You dont want to marry me that much?

Yes.

Edgar straightened his back and looked straight at Rubica.

When he had seen her in front of the Berner Mansion shaking in Stephens hand, he had thought she looked quite weak. Even if she didnt want to marry him, she had no choice.

He had thought such a weak woman would weigh her familys safety and her own misery and eventually accept the marriage. However, after 10 minutes of talking with her in the carriage, he admitted he had been wrong about her.