“You should have asked for my opinion.”

Rubica’s accusation was just. Mr. Berner realized what he had missed only then. However, he was naturally positive and soon made sense of things, in his point of view, and smiled.

“I was going to surprise you.”

He sounded as if he never thought about Rubica refusing the proposal.

Rubica couldn’t take it anymore and yelled, “I don’t want to get married to the duke!”

Everyone was shocked to hear that. Mrs. Berner, Mr. Berner, and even the servants in the mansion who had been listening to the conversation quietly.

Duke Claymore. He had become a duke at a young age in his 20s, three years ago when his parents died in a chariot accident. He was literally the most eligible bachelor in the kingdom.

He was so capable that he was now the most trusted subject of the king, and everyone praised his handsome looks. Rubica was from a baronet family that lived by with the trading business. She couldn’t even dream of marrying such a man.

Nevertheless, she hated him.

Edgar Taylor Clayd Windmore.

How could she ever forget that name? He was the man who invented ‘Stella’, the bomb dropped from the sky.

The Claymore Family had always been full of great inventors. The family had greatly helped the kingdom in becoming the place where the most advanced weapons were produced. The kingdom’s budget of the year depended on what kind of inventions the family made in that year.

Edgar Taylor Clayd Windmore, the 24th Duke Claymore, was thought to be the most brilliant Duke Claymore ever. Eventually, he used that brilliant mind to create the terrible monster, Stella.

That Stella was going to kill most of the people with Rubica in 4 years. Because of the war it caused, Arman lost his eyes, and many people lost their parents, children, and friends.

And what about Rubica’s end? That merciless weapon didn’t discern the innocents and enemies. Bombs were dropped even at Hue’s Abbey, where priests took care of sick people and orphans, and Rubica eventually died at the age of 70.

To her, Duke Claymore was like her greatest enemy. If it had been another man, she would have handled it, even if it had been an old duke with white hair, but she couldn’t marry Duke Claymore. Ever.

She bit her lips tight and stared at her uncle, protesting. She had never done that before, and the atmosphere seemed to be freezing. She had always been obedient and kind. Mr. Berner hadn’t expected her to protest like that, so he just froze there and started to sweat hard.

“Hahaha!”

Mrs. Berner’s laugh broke the silence. Everybody was frozen and couldn’t say anything, but she threw a rock called laughter to that mood.

“Rubica, you’re not a young teenager. Are you acting like this because the duke didn’t kneel down in front of you and present flowers to you? Oh, Rubica, think of your age! And think of the duke’s high status. It wouldn’t have been right for him to come to you and ask for your hand in marriage like a silly boy from the neighborhood. He asked your uncle, your patron, to accept his proposal instead, from family to family! He has done everything he was supposed to do. It is only right for you to ask your patron’s opinion about whether you are a woman good enough for him.”

Mrs. Berner dismissed Rubica’s anger as childish foolishness, and she was right. There was nothing wrong with how the duke was taking care of the process, but Rubica didn’t want to step back now.

“Nevertheless, you should have asked for my opinion. Was the guest messenger sent by the duke? You should have let me meet him.”

That was a euphemistic and earnest plea. Mr. Berner nodded. However, his wife stared at Rubica with cold eyes. She wouldn’t have Rubica join the meeting, even if Mr. Berner had wanted it.

Duke Claymore was the richest person in the kingdom, and he was willing to open his wallet for Rubica, the poor woman without a dowry who was going to become his wife. He was going to pay for her dowry with his private money, and he had promised to pay a huge sum of money to the Berners as expenses to maintain their dignity.

And he was the duke.

It was normal for the wife to give her own title to a relative when marrying such a man with high status. Instead of welcoming the unexpected fortune with open arms, she hid her true thoughts like the wife of a merchant and quarreled all morning with the duke’s messenger to sell Rubica at the highest price possible.

Additionally, she had succeeded on who will get the money from the Claymore Family and where it will be entrusted to as she had wanted. At least her son, Isaac Berner, who was studying at the Academy now, would not have to worry about money until graduation.

In the end, the messenger surrendered and wrote down everything Mrs. Berner wanted. He said the duke wanted that marriage done, no matter the cost. Mr. and Mrs. Berner were about to get everything they wanted.

Moreover, Mrs. Berner was going to do even more. She was going to keep most of the money the duke would send for the things needed for marriage and give Rubica the not-too-bad cheap stuff. Thinking about it, Rubica, who she had hated since the first time they met, now looked quite lovely to her.

“Rubica, we thought it wouldn’t be right for us to have you present at such a meeting. As you must know, it is a little… ungraceful for a bride to talk about expenses and such things herself.”

“Irene is right.”

Mr. Berner wasn’t used to getting blamed. He soon got rid of his frown and agreed with his wife. Rubica had no choice but to make it clear again that she didn’t want to marry Duke Claymore. Then, Mrs. Berner’s blue eyes started to be filled with tears.

“Think of your age. You will never get such a husband again. You are way too old to talk about romance. To be honest, this marriage has only been possible because your mother was the daughter of a count. Angela… Angela isn’t even on the baronet’s list, much less on the list of the counts’ relatives. She cannot marry such a man, even if he proposes to her.”

She took out her handkerchief to wipe the tears, and she really meant what she said for last. Tears kept streaming down from her blue eyes. Then Mr. Berner, who loved peace in the family and hated to see it broken, patted her shoulder and accusingly looked at Rubica.

Rubica had to admit she had been defeated. Nevertheless, she didn’t want to marry the duke.

‘I’m in love with someone else.’

She wanted to yell so. Her heart belonged with a man she hadn’t even met in this life. However, Rubica couldn’t say that. There were too many servants and maids watching. She decided to take a step back. She looked down and asked the question she didn’t want to ask.

“… then, when can I see the duke who has proposed to such a lowly woman like me?”

“Rubica!” Mrs. Berner yelled in shock as Rubica was clearly scolding her.

Rubica was acting strange today. Normally, she was just like her father, who had been way too kind, and her mother, who had been way too innocent. She was a girl who loved peace. She would obey Mrs. Berner and act like a puppet at one sharp word and short cold glare.

However, she had been expressing herself way too clearly and now she was even scolding her. However, unlike Mrs. Berner, who noticed her change, Mr. Berner acted like his usual optimistic self. He smiled brightly as if he had never accused Rubica.

“He will come tomorrow evening with a special permission certificate. Yes, we should be preparing. Butler! Prepare a feast now. Irene, do we have enough turkey?”

Mrs. Berner decided it wouldn’t do her any good to point out Rubica’s change now. So, she immediately spoke in a kind tone.

“I’ll tell the cook to prepare the best feast ever. Rubica, you should pick a dress for tomorrow! Now that you are to become a duchess, you should stop wearing such a shabby dress. I will tell Angela right now and have her pick a good dress for you. You know how kindhearted she is, right?”

Rubica smiled bitterly. However, she didn’t have more strength to fight with her aunt now.

“There’s no need to pick a dress. I will wear anything you give me. I’m also feeling dizzy, I’ll go to my room to rest,” Rubica spoke coldly and slammed the old wooden door in front of the confused people.

“Okay, Rubica. Lie on your bed and get some rest, then you will get to realize what is truly good for you.”

Mr. Berner’s generous voice was heard through the old door. Soon, Rubica heard the laughter of the servants agreeing with him. They talked about how the foolish Rubica will soon realize the great fortune in front of her and be surprised while they started to prepare for the duke’s visit.