TDWO Chapter 39

 

Erze cleared her throat awkwardly and withdrew her embarrassed hand.

In that moment, Edwin keenly observed the back of Erze’s hand.

It was smooth and long, without any curves.

It was clearly a woman’s hand.

It was unmistakably a woman dressed as a man.

Moreover, the person had a mature beauty about them.

Though wearing a hat over her dark brown hair, if they removed the long wig and bushy mustache, no one would think she was a man.

Even with such a perfect disguise, his eyes could not be deceived.

It was strange, but Edwin didn’t bother to wonder about the backstory behind this.

His mind was not relaxed enough to concern itself with a cross-dressing stranger.

“Please call me Duke Evans.”

With her shoulders squared and chin raised, Erze spoke solemnly.

She had attended a ball hosted by the Duke of Briston not long ago.

However, apart from the main figures of the ball—Edwin and the Briston family—she mingled with other nobles.

This was her first time seeing Duke Edwin up close, and he appeared much more impressive and handsome than from a distance.

Even someone like Erze, who usually didn’t feel intimidated by anyone, felt a bit flustered by the duke’s presence.

The Duke’s shadow seemed to envelop Erze completely.

The rumors that Edwin’s very scent was so captivating that it could almost smell sweet seemed plausible.

Erze wondered how great he was to sway the hearts of the women of the kingdom.

However, a chill emanated from Edwin.

“I’m not sure if we’ll meet again. Well then, goodbye.”

Before the farewell was complete, Edwin had already walked away.

Erze’s mustache twitched.

Standing there in dazed silence, Erze blinked her large, seductive eyes.

What? He just left? Saying they won’t see each other again.

‘What is he saying…?’

It was the first time she experienced such rudeness and arrogance.

Erze felt utterly taken aback.

The groom was so lacking in manners that she almost confused this for someone else’s wedding.

How could he treat a guest who came to congratulate him like this!

Already, she felt a pang of regret for the bride.

Erze turned around sharply and glared at the back of Edwin’s head.

He was heading somewhere, moving forward without hesitation.

 

ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚

 

“There you are.”

Just as Edwin had turned his back on the cross-dressing woman, an unwelcome voice pierced his ear.

What kind of trouble are these people up to now? It was hard to take even five steps.

Turning reluctantly, Edwin saw a group of young, elegant nobles standing before him.

“…”

Edwin’s previously fiery eyes cooled, and his lips tightened into a neutral line.

They were not particularly welcome guests.

All seven noblemen were tall and strikingly good-looking.

No one stood out as superior; they were all impressive.

After all, they were all acknowledged as perfect successors in every aspect—rank, wealth, and appearance.

They even had their own club.

What was it called? The Heirs of the Rose?

Just hearing the name made Edwin reluctant to associate with them.

However, it was a prestigious club with members who were among the most influential nobles in the kingdom.

They had joined at an early age to strengthen ties between powerful families.

The criteria for admission were quite strict; new members could only be accepted if all current members unanimously agreed.

Although the threshold for entry was high, it was a coveted group among noble heirs who aspired to greatness.

Typically, heirs aspiring to join would apply first.

However, there was only one heir who had been invited to join the Heirs of the Rose, and that was Edwin.

He had been asked to join for over a decade.

Yet he had never once expressed a desire to join.

From the start, he didn’t need people to associate with or friends in his leisure time.

Nevertheless, the club members persistently reached out to him whenever there were social events like hunts.

This time, they really hoped he would join.

Of course, Edwin had never set foot in any of the various parties held under the club’s name.

Just then, a footman carrying a tray approached Edwin.

Edwin picked up a glass and casually said to the members, 

“You’ve come a long way.”

It was as if he was asking why they had bothered to come.

Edwin’s words carried no hint of welcome or any emotion whatsoever.

Nevertheless, Leo, the leader of the Heirs of the Rose, stepped forward with a confident demeanor that showed no sign of intimidation.

With a haughty expression, he seemed ready to provoke Edwin.

Seven against one.

The seven members of the Heirs of the Rose lined up, exuding a hostile atmosphere.

Among them were nobles who, like Edwin, had already inherited their titles.

Some were still referred to as marquis or dukes, being the eldest sons of dukes or marquesses.

“I couldn’t help but come when I heard that the Duke of Briston rejected my sister and married someone else.”

Leo said, with one hand stuffed in his trouser pocket, adopting a slouched posture.

If he stood up straight, it would be obvious that he was shorter than Edwin.

He had to bend one leg to avoid being overshadowed by his natural height.

Leo had a majestic appearance with a slender and refined physique.

He was certainly not short, but he didn’t want to be compared to Edwin. Establishing dominance was important.

For a long time, Leo and the other club members had wanted to arrange a political marriage with Edwin.

Edwin’s father, the Duke of Briston, was a figure who had dominated high society with overwhelming charisma and influence.

Even after Edwin succeeded him, the Briston family’s reputation remained untarnished.

In fact, as the young duke, Edwin’s popularity among the younger generation had even increased.

The most excited were the noble ladies.

They dreamed of a groom like Edwin.

Their immediate families and relatives longed for a son-in-law like him.

If one were to establish a connection with Edwin, it would be an immense honor for their family.

Thus, the proud members of the club began to competitively seek out the Duke of Briston’s family.

Some, after hearing stories of others failing to court Edwin, turned their attention to targeting the Grand Duchess instead.

Edwin recalled Leo, who had come to visit with his sister a few years ago.

How old was that young lady back then…?

“Oh, I remember now. Was she about ten years old this year?”

“What an honor it is. To think that Duke Edwin, who is always so busy, remembers my sister’s age,” Leo said, dripping with sarcasm.

He then clasped his hands politely and straightened his posture.

He bowed respectfully with genuine courtesy.

“In five years, she’ll probably be a beauty who will dominate high society, Duke. I look forward to…”

“……”

Leo’s change of demeanor was remarkably swift.

However, before Leo could finish his sentence, someone interrupted and stepped forward.

“It’s quite interesting that the Duke rejected a Duke’s daughter to marry a mere viscount’s daughter.”

Unlike Leo, Calyx had a threatening presence. His eyes gleamed intensely.

It was a clear mockery aimed at Anri.

For a while, Calyx’s gaze and Edwin’s indifferent stare exchanged.

Then Edwin slowly lifted his chin and took a sip of his drink.

His gaze remained fixed on Calyx.

So what? What does it matter?

Every time the Heirs of the Rose faced Edwin, they threw meaningless challenges at him.

But to Edwin, those challenges felt like a child throwing a tantrum.

Marry my sister.

Join our club and hang out with us.

If you reject me indirectly because you don’t like this and that, I’ll come to you again like that.

His pride was deeply hurt, but he was determined not to back down, filled with a combative spirit.

Edwin found these meaningless skirmishes dull and pointless.

If it had been a gathering that piqued his interest, he would have joined long ago.

Edwin leisurely downed the opaque red drink in one gulp.

Then he placed the glass on the tray held by the footman.

“What’s the point of being a duke’s daughter? I’ve looked around, but I couldn’t find anyone as beautiful as my bride.”

The reddish, transparent liquid slightly stained Edwin’s lips, making them appear somewhat seductive.

However, the words that came out of his mouth were extremely monotonous and indifferent.

At that moment, Calyx’s eyes flashed with anger. He clenched his fists tightly.

The phrase “what’s the point of being a duke’s daughter” was clearly an insult to his sister.

Calyx shuddered for a moment. Then he relaxed his entire body and lightly clasped his hands behind his back.

“Excellent. So, you chose love over status.”

“……”

Edwin’s expression hardened.

He was starting to get tired.

Watching their self-destructive behavior could only be entertaining for so long.

But as Calyx stepped back, Leo, who had been waiting for an opportunity, slipped back into the conversation.

“So it was love after all, Duke.”

“But love, you see, is as fleeting and ephemeral as a flower that blooms beautifully for a season and then withers away. Isn’t there a saying that when lovers marry, they gradually become acquaintances?”

That’s something that applies to a philanderer like you.

Leo suddenly became formal.

“If the Duke’s marriage ever becomes strained, feel free to contact me again.”

“Worrying unnecessarily, are we?”

Edwin interrupted Leo, unable to listen any longer.

There was no reason to endure their uniquely stubborn pride and their flattery to win him over any longer.

“As Duke Leo worries, I assure you I will not neglect my wife. Well then.”

Edwin decisively finished his words to the Heirs of the Rose and turned away.

 

ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚

 

Just then, the music changed. It was something Edwin had instructed. The volume of the music, which had seemed like background filler for the noble conversations, increased.

Everyone realized that the new music was a dance tune.

Having eaten and drunk enough to satisfy their hunger, it was now time to enjoy the ball.

However, suddenly the noblewomen began to stir with excitement.