IHDOE Ch 89
Faced with such outrageous remarks from someone she had just introduced, the Marchioness anxiously watched Satina's reaction.
Where other noble ladies might have taken offense or burst into tears at the insult, Satina replied with an unfazed smile.
[Satina] "Thank you for the compliment. It seems you heard from the Marchioness why I require a recommendation letter."
She understood precisely why Countess Sorwen had brought up the tale.
Countess Sorwen possessed a deep appreciation for the arts. She surely knew countless tales of legendary beauties, such as the ancient empress who manipulated both the emperor and an enemy king, or the saintess who saved the empire with her wit and charm.
Yet why Sabrina, of all people? The answer came quickly.
She knows I am gathering recommendation letters to annul my engagement to the Crown Prince.
Sabrina had married nine times in the legends, which meant she had also annulled nine engagements.
I heard the Countess' personality was eccentric, but to act like this upon our first meeting...
Countess Sorwen's eyes sparkled with amusement at Satina's response. It had been a long time since anyone grasped her humor so effortlessly.
[C. Sorwen] "It seems Lady Satina understands why I brought up such a story."
[Satina] "It was a blessing wishing me success in annulling my engagement to His Highness, wasn't it? Albeit a slightly mischievous one."
Countess Sorwen burst into laughter at her reply.
[C. Sorwen] "Precisely! Haha, forgive me if I offended you. My humor is naturally a bit wicked."
Beside them, the Marchioness let out a sigh of relief and finally scolded her friend.
[M. Riermont] "You gave me quite a fright! When I first mentioned Satina, you said you were curious to meet her!"
[C. Sorwen] "You know me, Marchioness. I never tease people who bore me. In any case, she possesses sharp intelligence and a wealth of knowledge."
[M. Riermont] "Is that so?"
The Marchioness puffed her chest with pride as Countess Sorwen nodded.
[C. Sorwen] "Yes. Understanding my joke required far more than mere book learning. I see why you praised her so highly."
She spoke with far more enthusiasm than when they were first introduced.
[C. Sorwen] "Do you appreciate art? If you don't mind, I would love to invite you to my estate. Are you free tomorrow? I want to show you my collection. I feel Lady Satina, and I could have a delightful conversation."
She poured immense effort into her art collection. Offering to showcase her prized pieces signaled that Satina had won her favor completely.
A good start.
Since she needed the Countess' favor to secure the recommendation, Satina had no reason to refuse.
[Satina] "I would be honored to view your renowned collection, My Lady."
Satina excused herself and stepped into the garden to rest. There, she ran into an unexpected face.
A tall man with swept-back brown hair and sharp green eyes caught her attention.
Tyron? Why is that bastard here?
Why is a man who should be hunting magical beasts in the west attending a party in the capital?!
I never heard he was coming.
Satina viewed Tyron as less valuable than pollen on an ant's foot, but others felt differently. Despite his trashy personality, he was the handsome heir of Duke Ascalon, which made him immensely popular.
Had his attendance been planned, rumors would have spread across the venue, yet he had appeared without warning.
He stood hidden behind a tree, smirking as he watched someone in the distance.
What is he doing?
Satina peeked around a bush to see where Tyron was looking. Two young men were conversing nearby. Since he was secretly listening, she wondered if they were sharing vital information.
Her curiosity aroused, Satina held her breath and listened closely.
[Noble] "They say Tyron has gone completely mad lately."
[Noble] "He was always unhinged."
[Noble] "No, stranger than usual. He hasn't even hunted magical beasts recently."
[Noble] "What? Really? That freak? Doesn't he get excited by beast blood instead of women?"
Wow.
Satina offered a silent prayer for the two nobles. Badmouthing him so boldly right within earshot!
Naturally, neither man realized Tyron was listening to every single word.
It has been a while since I heard such juicy gossip.
Although Tyron was a duke's son like Sharlan, his status as an illegitimate half-beastkin made him a frequent target of malicious rumors.
Still, Satina assumed such insults had ceased once Tyron secured his position as Young Duke. She certainly hadn't expected to hear them at a high-society party.
[Noble] "By the way, is it true the bastard gets excited only when he sees blood?"
[Noble] "Think about it. The Crown Prince surrounds himself with women, so why haven't we heard news of Tyron so much as holding a woman's hand?"
Oh, insulting the Imperial Family now.
The conversation was growing increasingly dangerous.
The smirk on Tyron's face deepened, baring his teeth as he imagined their terror when he revealed himself. He could have stepped out the moment they started talking trash. His personality was vile.
[Noble] "Or is he actually impotent? They say perverts like him usually are."
[Noble] "That makes sense. Wait, could he be seeking an arranged marriage on the Crown Prince's orders? A master always manages the breeding of his dogs, after all."
It was a blatant insult to Tyron's heritage.
Satina involuntarily checked his expression. The smirk he had maintained through insults to the Crown Prince and accusations of impotence instantly vanished, replaced by an ice-cold glare.
Trouble. That bastard turns into a rabid dog whenever someone calls him one.
Not a cute retriever or poodle, but an unleashed pit bull.
They should have stuck to calling him impotent.
Tyron stepped out from the shadows and stood before them.
Shocked by the sudden arrival of the man they had been slandering, both nobles froze in terror.
[Noble] "T-Tyron!"
[Noble] "How are you... Gagh!"
Without a word, Tyron slammed a fist directly into the face of the man who had called him a dog.
[Noble] "Gah!"
As the noble hit the dirt, Tyron drove a brutal kick into his ribs.
[Tyron] "Say it again. What am I? Huh?"
Every time the noble opened his mouth to answer, Tyron kicked him in the face to silence him. He ignored the other man completely, focusing all his violent rage on the one who had insulted his bloodline.
A bloody tooth flew from the man's mouth and landed directly in front of the bushes where Satina hid. She looked down at the bloodied tooth and grimaced.
Even as a young duke who had been provoked, beating a count's son so viciously meant Tyron would face massive legal repercussions or prison time. Yet his wild, green eyes showed complete unconcern for the consequences.
[Tyron] "I asked! Speak!"
The other noble had fled long ago. When Tyron went feral like this, even the Crown Prince struggled to restrain him.
The Empire needs to post 'Beware of Mad Dog' signs.
Then again, he would only fly into another rage over being called a dog.
After all, he had once ripped out half a young noble's hair and nearly gouged his eyes out for calling him a mad dog at an imperial ball.
Never mind. I need to slip away quietly without getting involved. Very quietly...
Satina carefully backed away, intending to retreat to the party. Her sharp heel caught on a rock, causing her to stumble and let out a soft gasp.
[Satina] "Eek!"
She clamped a hand over her mouth in terror, but she quickly forced herself to calm down.
No, it is fine.
He had let the other noble run away without a second glance. Whenever he went blind with rage, he locked onto his immediate target and ignored everything else around him. He wouldn't notice her.
Yet Tyron suddenly froze. He stopped his beatdown like a hound hearing a whistle, lifting his head to test the air.
Leaving his groaning victim on the ground, he walked straight toward Satina's hiding spot.
What?! Why are you coming over here?!
To eliminate a witness? Since when do you care about witnesses?!
If you want a witness, go catch the guy who ran away!
Satina crouched lower into the foliage. He already looked at her like prey on a good day, so encountering him in a blood frenzy was a recipe for disaster.
If I have to die, I would prefer a peaceful death over being beaten to a pulp.
Please just go away.
Contrary to her desperate prayers, Tyron walked straight toward the bushes.
She considered making a run for it, but he was too fast. He parted the branches and stared down at the crouching girl, his voice dripping with irritation.
[Tyron] "What are you doing here?"
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