Chapter 162

"Diana! Have you been well? It's really been so long."

Count Kolkos spread his arms wide to show his affection, as if he could somehow close the distance between us with the kind of greeting he used to give me as a child. If anything, it only soured my mood further.

Count Kolkos laughed awkwardly and lowered his arms. Did he still not realize how much I disliked him? If he truly didn't, he was a fool.

I'd spent all this time working hard to drive Count Kolkos's influence out of Irenber. I'd cut back the portion of Irenber's business he oversaw to the bare minimum, and completely separated out the ventures he'd started on his own.

I'd even wanted to strip him of his wealth, but that was his by right, as someone fortunate enough to carry Irenber blood.

Once I'd drawn that line, the Irenber vassals who used…