Hopefully, at Your Mercy - Chapter 28

Chapter 15.1

Count Duwell chuckled at Rose’s words.

“As expected. I was worried I might have to impress Lady Delinda with more than just my looks.”

“Oh, my lord, you are far more than just your looks. You have a strong, admirable character. You never settle for what you already have and continue to work hard toward your ambitions.”

“I’ve always been grateful that you recognize my efforts, Miss Rose.”

Delinda found herself caught between Rose and Count Duwell as they laughed and flirted together.

It suddenly dawned on her. This way of speaking—sweet smiles masking sharp, poisoned words—Delinda had heard it before. From Rose herself.

So, in other words… the two of them were speaking in code:

Lady Delinda is just a foolish girl who cares only about her fiancé’s good looks. She doesn’t concern herself with where Count Duwell goes, what he does, or how he spends his time.

But Rose? Rose is “different.”

Rose is the one who truly recognizes that Count Duwell isn’t just a handsome man with a title. She sees that he takes his work seriously and appreciates his inner qualities.

That’s what they were hinting at, basically.

Delinda observed them indifferently, trying to figure out if this unpleasant feeling was just a misunderstanding.

But soon enough, Delinda started to piece things together.

‘Exchanging glances right over my head. Wait, is Rose blushing at his teasing? And is he smiling at her like he finds it cute? Now he’s staring at her with goo-goo eyes. Is this guy out of his mind?’

Suspicions confirmed.

Duwell must be keeping his engagement to Delinda superficial. He had no intention of breaking it off, but he clearly wasn’t planning to devote himself to her, either.

And…

It seems like he’s in some kind of intimate relationship with Rose.

Delinda couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief. Her eyes drifted ahead to her father, where he was discussing something with Lord Cavila.

Father, those two are teaming up to make a fool out of me. Can you believe it?

* * *

A little later, Delinda arrived at the reception room of Lord Cavila’s castle and took a seat beside Duke Schultz.

Since she and Count Duwell were only engaged and not yet married, Duwell hadn’t accompanied her to the meeting. Rose, her personal maid, was also absent for the same reason.

Although she was worried where those two might be sneaking off to, Delinda pushed that thought aside. What mattered now was the contract that would determine the future of House Schultz.

“The terms remain the same as before. We’ve restored the portion that was smudged by the tea.”

Lord Cavila said, glancing at Delinda cautiously, clearly anxious she might cause another scene.

Delinda offered him a warm, reassuring smile.

‘Don’t you worry. I’m not here to cause trouble.’

She tried to convey the sentiment with her eyes, but unfortunately, Lord Cavila didn’t seem to pick up on it. He reached out to shield the contract from her teacup, just in case.

Meanwhile, Iskan entered with two of his close confidants, escorted by Lord Cavila’s knights.

Mistaking him for one of Duke Schultz’s personal guards, the knights left Iskan standing behind the duke’s sofa before departing.

Lord Cavila spared him only a passing glance before losing interest, unaware of Iskan’s true identity.

Duke Schultz, deeply engrossed in the contract, didn’t even seem to notice that Iskan had joined them.

Seated beside her father, Delinda focused intently on the contract as well. Though she understood its contents perfectly, she pretended otherwise, asking her father, the duke, to read it aloud for her.

“Father, could you read it out loud for me?”

“Ah, Delinda, I see you’re interested. Well, this is a family matter, after all.”

Even though the process was tedious, the duke simply smiled, explaining each clause in detail.

Delinda paid close attention. Nothing seemed particularly alarming, but then…

“Cavila Shaimond shall take full responsibility for all matters concerning spirit stone accessories. In turn, House Schultz shall provide the necessary personnel and funds for the production of these accessories…”

Delinda tilted her head as she listened.

There was nothing wrong with the contract regarding the cave development itself.

For this excavation, they would need to provide a certain amount of funding. To dig out another section, they would use a certain amount of manpower. The shares would be calculated accordingly.

However, the clause stating that House Schultz would support the production of the accessories didn’t sit right.