Chapter 36
“Is Agnes still not here?”
At Lionel’s low question, unable to bear it any longer, Simon bowed his head in difficulty.
“The thing is… a guest has arrived, so she went to the drawing room.”
“A guest?”
Water droplets trickled from the ends of Lionel’s wet hair.
It was he who had returned to the mansion after four days.
Because he had gone straight to the bathroom to wash off the gunpowder smell clinging to his body, Lionel realized the report had been delayed by a beat.
As soon as he entered the mansion, he had ignored Simon following him closely as if he had something to say. Was this the reason.
‘At this rate, the food will get cold.’
His sharp eyes scanned the table.
He had no interest in food that had cooled quickly.
Lionel slipped out of the dining room and headed to the drawing room.
He was extremely busy with the aftermath of the terrorism, and originally, it would have taken at least two more days before he could enter the mansion.
Nevertheless, the reason he had forced the schedule was because of Agnes.
A few days ago, the expression on Agnes’s face before leaving the bedroom had irritated him like a hangnail.
At that time, telling Agnes to eat in the dining room hadn’t been for any grand reason.
He simply disliked seeing her always shut up in her room.
For a living person, there should at least be some trace felt.
Agnes was unusually quiet and her presence faint.
Whenever no trace of Agnes was felt anywhere in the mansion, it felt as if she wasn’t here, and his mood soured.
So he had only intended to make her come out at least during meal times.
Since she had gained usefulness, Agnes needed to be within his sight.
Yet since Agnes showed no sign of coming, he had no choice but to fetch her himself.
“You’re being quite troublesome.”
Lionel quickened his steps further.
He didn’t like the time he had carved out flowing away worthless.
Arriving at the drawing room that way, Lionel discovered Agnes held captive by Adrian.
“A rat has crawled into my house.”
Lionel slowly massaged his stiff nape.
‘Coming back early, and I get to see all sorts of sights.’
First, he saw Agnes’s coral lips pressed together in distress.
Next, her thin wrist revealed under the slightly rolled-up sleeve caught his eye.
‘I heard she skipped breakfast.’
Not eating on time had made her so gaunt.
For some reason, irritation surged at Agnes’s pallid complexion.
And the arrow of that irritation naturally turned toward the man opposite her.
Glossy blond hair, overly polished shoes, large jewel on the belt.
Adrian, draped in excessively gaudy clothes, looked utterly vulgar.
The hair color was similar to Agnes’s, but it gave a different impression.
Unlike Agnes’s platinum hair like transparent dew, Adrian’s blond looked like cheap gilding.
“Your Grace?”
“To think even basic manners are lacking despite such lowly origins.”
Drawn by Agnes’s gaze toward him, Lionel approached her side and sat on the sofa.
“Don’t you know to seek permission before visiting?”
At the icy remark, Adrian’s Adam’s apple bobbed.
Adrian servilely twisted his fingertips.
“I’m sorry, Your Grace. I was so worried about my daughter, haha… From next time, I will definitely seek permission in advance.”
“Who said there would be a next time?”
Lionel’s gaze settled coldly.
It was a clear line drawn.
Adrian’s expression twisted like he had chewed bitter tea leaves.
“I heard you want investment.”
In that instant, Adrian’s face brightened.
Confidence that an opportunity had arisen brought an annoying smile to his wrinkled mouth. As if he had never been offended.
“That’s right. In fact, the contracts the duchess overly pushed caused problems, putting the trading company in difficulty…”
Adrian deliberately trailed off.
It was a shallow trick to elicit sympathy by badmouthing his daughter.
“Father.”
Agnes clenched her hands tightly and cut off Adrian’s words.
“Your Grace, you don’t need to listen to Father. I’ll handle this matter myself.”
“Hmm.”
Lionel let out a low hum and brushed Agnes’s wrist with his fingertips.
It was an unconscious motion.
Grasping the thin wrist that easily fit in his hand, Lionel slowly exhaled.
‘A way to efficiently use Agnes Bardo has emerged.’
Without changing a single expression, Lionel opened his mouth.
“Fine. In addition to the dowry, I’ll add investment funds.”
“R-really?”
Adrian’s eyes flashed with greed.
He was already calculating the amount in his head.
Desire spread thickly in his murky gray-green eyes.
“But there’s a condition.”
“Anything! Just say it!”
“Agnes will directly handle the finances and administration of the trading company.”
“What?”
Adrian fumbled his ear as if he had misheard.
To such Adrian, Lionel kindly explained.
“Since the deficit arose because of my wife, isn’t having her fill it herself the way to take responsibility?”
The blood drained from Adrian’s face.
“Umm… But, as Your Excellency knows, the duchess lacks talent in business, so such a proposal is rather difficult—”
“If you don’t want it, consider the investment offer withdrawn.”
Lionel stood up cleanly, as if he felt no regret.
“If there’s nothing more to say, I’d like you to leave now.”
Adrian hesitated with an awkward smile.
“A-any other conditions? If not what you just said, I’ll accommodate anything as much as possible!”
“Didn’t you hear me say to leave?”
“One more consideration—”
“Shall I call the knights to drag you out?”
At Lionel’s frigid tone, Adrian’s mouth twisted.
His pride crumpled, he shot up from his seat.
“I’ve been very rude. Then I’ll take my leave first.”
With hypocritical courtesy, he hurriedly turned and left the drawing room.
‘Tch. Does he think there’s nowhere else to get investment if not here.’
After Adrian had completely left, the air in the drawing room lightened considerably.
Yet Agnes still looked at Lionel with a tense face.
Agnes cautiously grasped Lionel’s forearm that had been touching her wrist.
“Your Grace, why did you say you’d provide the dowry? There’s no need. You know what kind of place our trading company is to you…”
Lionel stared at Agnes’s white hand on his arm.
It was a presence so faint that a little force could shake it off.
Yet the sensation felt strangely vivid.
“Your Grace?”
“Is there more schedule after this?”
“Huh? Ah… no?”
It was a question unfit for the situation.
Yet Lionel’s expression was calm.
“Then let’s go eat.”
“Now…?”
Agnes couldn’t continue for a moment.
In the moment the drawing room air awkwardly stiffened, Lionel turned first.
Heading to the door, he suddenly stopped.
Looking back, Agnes was still seated in place.
“What are you doing instead of coming?”
“The wheelchair is a bit… uncomfortable.”
At those words, Lionel’s gaze naturally turned to Agnes’s hands.
The thick wooden wheels that seemed burdensome for small hands to hold.
The knuckles rubbed red from forcing the wheels that only moved with effort.
Only then did Lionel realize the wheelchair Agnes rode was not suitable for use in the mansion.
‘So that’s why she ate in the bedroom a few days ago too.’
She should have said so if that was the case.
Lionel felt an inexplicable discomfort and exhaled long.
Suddenly his throat burned. As if he had swallowed something dry and rough.
“If moving is inconvenient, you may eat in the bedroom.”
“No. I also prefer eating in the dining room.”
If that’s what she says.
But the dryness in his mouth still didn’t go away.
At this rate, would they even reach the dining room today.
Lionel approached behind Agnes and grasped the wheelchair handles.
It would be faster for him to push than for the seemingly powerless Agnes to roll the wheels.
There was no reason to take a detour when an efficient path existed.
Lionel lightly applied strength to his hands.
Then the wheels, so difficult for Agnes alone, began rolling smoothly.
Agnes turned her head as if surprised.
Pretending not to notice that gaze, Lionel kept an expressionless face, eyes forward, and said shortly.
“I’ve told Simon to order a new wheelchair.”
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