When the Mid-Boss Villainous Noble Recalls Memories of a Past Life and Gains Game Knowledge. I Will Never Accept a Future Where I'm Called the Jealous Earl - Chapter 23

“…To be honest, I must admit we haven’t been able to build a very good relationship.”

Steady yourself. Do not fear. Remain calm.

This is not an opponent you can face properly while burdened with distractions.

I worked to steady my own sense of awe and fear.

“May I ask you one thing?”
“Y-Yes, of course.”
“Do you wish to break off your engagement to my daughter?”

Why is the Duke bringing up this topic?

It’s true I want to end the engagement, but the plan was to act on that later—specifically, after securing a strong connection with someone from the royal family to solidify my position.

“Lord Dikaman?”
“Ah, my apologies.

If I were to answer truthfully, then yes, I believe for both Lady Ewell and myself, the engagement should be annulled.”

The sudden question left me momentarily frozen.

Still, being able to signal that the Count’s side is willing to consider the annulment could be seen as a good outcome.

“I see.

Well, both you and my daughter are still quite young, so perhaps this can’t be helped. When I was young, I wasn’t particularly interested in my fiancée either—or, to be honest, I didn’t really like her.

But over time, things tend to settle down.”

So, is this his way of saying I should forgive his daughter?

As a parent, shouldn’t he discipline her instead?

…Wait. No, something’s off.

The Duke’s words sound as if he’s advising me to wait before pursuing the annulment…

If Lady Ewell becomes close to the protagonist—a descendant of a legendary hero—not only would the Duke secure exceptional bloodlines, but House Ewell’s standing would grow even stronger and more unshakable.

Even as a prestigious house of magical medicine, there’s no real need for a Duke’s daughter to marry into a mere Count’s family…

“…You look dissatisfied.”
“No, not at all…”

From my perspective, knowing the Duke has housed the hero’s descendant in his estate, there’s no longer any benefit to continuing this engagement now that the cause and cure of Redstone Disease have been uncovered and our contract fulfilled.

As for the drawbacks, yes, a lady whose engagement is annulled may face some difficulty finding a new match.

But for a Duke, breaking off an engagement with a mere Count is hardly a significant issue.

“You don’t have to hide it. If I were in your position, I wouldn’t be satisfied either.

Your fiancée shows no interest in you, you’ve barely had proper conversations with her, and to make things worse, her reputation within your territory is declining. Anyone would want to end such an engagement.”

If you understand this, then let me annul it already.

Yet, contrary to my expectations, the Duke doesn’t seem inclined to let this engagement end.

“I’ve spoken to my daughter several times about this, but she’s quite stubborn.

Please, give it a little more time.”
“…Very well…”

The merits of continuing this engagement…

Is it to ensure priority access to magical medicine? No, the benefit seems too insignificant.

I can’t grasp the Duke’s true aim at all.

“By the way, Lord Dikaman, changing the topic—how is the patient you brought from the Duke’s territory?”
“…The Redstone Disease has been completely cured, but since the symptoms had progressed deeply, treatment is ongoing.”
“I see.”

Why bring up the Beltona family now?

“That’s good to hear.”

…Could it be?!

“Those two are important figures to the kingdom. Even though you are my daughter’s fiancé, I needed to confirm their situation.”

Their origins have been uncovered.

I had suspected the Duke’s family might investigate, but with their territory in chaos, did they prioritize the Beltona family’s investigation instead?

“I knew they were staying at the Count’s estate, but your reports didn’t detail their condition, and that concerned me.

I’ll leave those two in your care.”
“Of course.”

If it became known that the Dikaman family is harboring members of the Beltona family, it would be extremely precarious.

Facing the church without solid backing would be impossible.

Handing them over might save the Count’s family, but…

“‘I’ll repay Lord Caril’s kindness!’” Noll had said with such a bright smile.

And Namis, though only a viscount, had used her experience dealing with the church to offer invaluable advice.

They’re already part of our circle. Abandoning them is unthinkable.

“Both families will face challenges, but I look forward to building a good relationship moving forward.”
“Indeed, as do I.”

As I grasped the Duke’s outstretched hand for a handshake, the oppressive atmosphere dissipated.

This is the worst outcome.

Without the engagement, the Duke could expose those two at any time.

In other words, I can no longer immediately seek to end the engagement.

I haven’t given up entirely on annulling it, but for now, I have no choice but to maintain this connection.

“I’m glad to see you becoming such a capable head of your family.”

With that, the conversation came to an end.

To summarize the results clearly, the Duke held a slight advantage, ending this at a 6-to-4 split in his favor.

I keenly felt my own inadequacy.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave now.”

To see the Duke off, I stood to follow him.

“I apologize for dropping by unannounced today.”
“Not at all. But next time, I’d appreciate some notice. I wasn’t able to prepare anything.”
“Haha, I’ll keep that in mind next time—both of us should.”

His words carried a slight edge. Was this sudden visit an act of retribution?

I trailed a little behind the Duke, signaling Bosco to fall back and create some privacy.

“One last question, if I may?”
“Hm? Go ahead.”
“Does Lady Ewell have someone she longs for?”

“…”

The Duke must know his daughter has no intention of marrying me.

He surely also knows who she admires and wishes to be with.

I don’t know how much he anticipated, but letting him leave with the upper hand like this is infuriating.

I’ll have to get in a little payback.