TKMLTE 98

CHAPTER 98

Translator: Rae

***

Suspicious Businessman (1)

Whitney looked around the package and headed to the cafe. She wanted to bring Leo the cake she had with Cheston the last time.

"Welcome. Please wait a moment while we pack it up for you."

At the clerk’s words, she sat down at the table and zoned out for a moment to take a break. After spending the entire day buried in documents, her head felt like it was about to split open. 

She had hoped that a change of scenery would help clear her tangled thoughts, but an unfamiliar gaze caught her attention. It wasn’t an intense stare that bore into her, nor was it a fleeting glance stolen in secrecy—it was something in between, just persistent enough to settle her.

‘What is this…?’

It wasn’t a look of certainty, but rather the kind that made her wonder if the person thought they recognized her. As if hesitating, unsure, they kept stealing glances.

Curious, Whitney turned her head—only to lock eyes with them in a sharp, unexpected moment.

The instant their gazes met, the strange shiver ran down her spine, making the fine hairs on her arms stand on end. 

She was sure she had never seen this person before. And yet, somehow, she felt like she knew exactly who they were. Therefore, she quickly averted her eyes without hesitation, pretending not to have noticed.

The moment she met his gray eyes—evoking illusion of walking through a dense fog, stirring an eerie sense of disorientation—she knew. Cassius Aroche, the Marquis her aunt had mentioned.

Of all people, why him? The very person she had hoped not to meet!

Even at a glance, his striking features were undeniable. But more than that, there was something about him—an inexplicable aura that drew people in, unsettling and magnetic all at once.

She hurriedly turned her head away and immediately stood up when the clerk announced her order was complete.

Leaving the address of the Rubenus’ estate, she quickly exited the cafe and haded for the duke’s estate.

"Lady!"

A desperate cry rang out from behind her. Despite the soft and melodic voice, she did not turn around.

Despite knowing full well that she was the one being called, she feigned ignorance, stepped into the carriage, and closed the door behind her.

“Is something wrong?”

"Don't ask. Just get going.”

Whitney urged Zegmon. The carriage was about to leave when they heard a knock on the door.

“…Is it someone you know?”

"No, it's someone I’d rather not know. I have a hunch I'm about to get into trouble.”

However, if she ignored him and left like this, who knew what kind of rumors would start to spread? Whitney heaved out a sigh and opened the carriage door.

 

The Marquis steadied his breath before finally addressing her.

“I’m Cassius Aroche. I have been watching for quite a while. I wasn’t certain, so I hesitated to approach—but, when you immediately boarded the carriage, I acted in a haste and had it stopped. Please forgive my discourtesy.” 

At his words, Whitney turned to him with a nonchalant expression.

"I didn't know you were calling me."

Whitney was the head of House Orléans. Even if the marquis hadn’t realized who he was addressing when calling her “Lady,” he had no excuse.

Immediately realizing his mistake, he promptly offered a polite apology.

“My apologies, Duchess Regnant of Orléans. I was blinded by your beauty and acted in haste, causing me to be discourteous.”

“I’ll grant you my pardon, Marquis. I have urgent matters to attend to—do you intend to keep holding onto my carriage?”

"I have business matters to discuss with you.”

“If this is about investments, I have already conveyed my refusal through my aunt. Did you not receive the message?”

Whitney couldn’t figure out why he acted so persistent. If he were truly interested in her business, this was hardly the proper approach.

"Can't you spare me a moment?"

“I’m sorry, but I don’t thin that will be possible. I appreciate your interest in my business, but I can only accept the sentiment.”

He held onto the carriage door, a look of sorrow passed across his face, passersby began whispering as they recognized him.

'This is troublesome. This is exactly why I wanted to avoid meeting him.'

Whitney eventually relented after experiencing throbbing headache, saying she would send a letter to arrange a separate meeting. The marquis finally released his grip on the door.

“Then, I shall await your letter. I have long anticipated this meeting with you, Your Grace.”

“…All right. Then, let’s talk about the business later.”

Zegmon soon closed the carriage door again. He and Whitney exchanged subtle, unreadable glances.

“Something feels off about him.”

“I think so, too. It felt like he was deliberately trying to draw attention.”

"I hope that’s not the case, but I don't like the look in his eyes."

"For a different reason, I feel the same as you, Sir Zegmon."

There was something about him—an inexplicable sense of unease that lingered.

***

The queen kept staring at the clock. She looked anxious, as if she were waiting for someone. 

"Your Highness, I’ve come back."

The queen jumped up from her seat upon Jane’s words. She grabbed the person entering through the open door and pulled them into the room.

With the door slamming shut, jane stood by it and watched.

"Why did you come so late?"

“She was more cautious than I expected. It was difficult to even hold a conversation with her. But since I put her in an awkward situation in front of others, strange rumors should start circulating soon.”

“Are you sure?”

She traced her fingers along the man's face as she asked. His gray eyes narrowed as he pressed a kiss to the queen’s neck.

“I made sure of it. By now, everyone is talking about me, so she must know, too. Or… are you acting like this because you’re jealous?”

“Of course not. You're only mine."

Cassius smiled and gently ran his hand over the queen's skin.

"But is it okay to come in like this?”

“I created your identity and background so we could meet freely. The king believes I’m completely devoted to him, so he hasn’t even suspected that I have another man.”

The only one who had noticed was Chestern. But after what had happened back then, he had kept his mouth shut—so there was nothing to worry about.

The queen had several men she played with, but there was one she cherished more than the others—none other than the so-called Marquis Cassius Aroche.

Well, it wasn't the real Cassius Aroche.

During the royal hunting trip, the queen had caught a fleeting glimpse of him in a remote region, and he had successfully piqued her interest. After that, she took him as her lover.

With his striking looks and a natural charm that seduced women easily, the queen knew that Petro was a man of many uses.

"You just have to be careful around that man, Cheston. All you have to do is finish what I've asked you to do."

“Whose orders do you think I’m following?”

Having observed nobles at the royal palace for so long, Petro had become quite adept at mimicking their mannerisms. That was precisely why the queen had chosen him as the perfect piece to use against Whitney.

The real Marquis of Aroche was currently locked up under the queen’s orders. Though, he likely wouldn’t even consider it imprisonment.

The marquis had always indulged in wine and pleasure, so the queen made sure he had an endless supply of both. Every day, he drowned himself in alcohol, too intoxicated to realize what was happening to his title. Surrounded by beautiful women, he remained oblivious to everything.

It was only possible because he was an outsider to the capital.

‘This time, she won’t be able to avoid it.’

The queen found Whitney unbearably irritating. That was why she had devised a plan to eliminate her. If she didn’t remove her from the way now, she knew Whitney would inevitably become a threat.

"Do whatever it takes to bring that girl down. Before she climbs any higher. It’s all up to you now."

It’s going to happen soon. I’ve already tipped off the journalist, so it will be featured in the newspaper in no time. Please rejoice, my queen.”

She didn't push Cassius away when he leaned in to kiss her.

Young men who longed for love—there were countless of them at her feet. And for her, using them was the easiest thing in the world.

***

Whitney was growing increasingly frustrated with the constant letters from the Marquis of Aroche.

"What exactly is he thinking?"

"It seems he won’t stop unless Your Grace meet with him. Perhaps he truly is interested in investing in your business?"

The butler laid out the information he had gathered. The marquis had already invested in several ventures, and most of them had turned out successful. He was well-known for only backing businesses with a high likelihood of success.

However, since he wasn’t a native of the capital, it was difficult to determine how accurate these claims were. The butler also told Whitney that he had inquired about him elsewhere and was told that the marquis liked drinking and entertainment,m but he was a reliable person when it came to business.

"But why am I so reluctant? The strange things written in the letter also bothered me.”

"If Your Grace is reluctant, I think it should be fine to not meet him."

“But if this continues, it will become troublesome.”

Whitney eventually sent a letter to the marquis, proposing a date to meet. However, to avoid meeting him alone, she also informed Cheston.

“This should make things easy, right?”

“Yes, it is a wise decision. Even if Sir Zegmon accompanies you, rumors will likely spread. But if His Highness the Prince joins you, there will be nothing to worry about.”

"I hope so, too."

The uneasiness inside Whitney didn’t go away, though. As she sent the letter to Chestern, she couldn't help but strongly hope that he would come.

***

Cheston looked at Sir Aaron after receiving Witney's letter.

“I think the queen is playing a trick on us again. What’s your take?”

"If Your Highness thinks so, then I think your hunch is spot on. I’ve found out that Cassius Aroche, the marquis, is famous for being a businessman.”

"What does he look like?”

“Some said he’s quite handsome. The number of women he’s made cry is apparently quite high.”

Cheston narrowed his eyebrows. For someone claiming to be a businessman, his behavior in the capital was odd. He frequented clubs often, but that was about it.

“Look into it further. I'll have to go to the estate of the Orléans ducal house."

"If this is a trap set by the queen, wouldn’t he just back out the moment he realizes he's caught?"

"We can’t let it happen. There haven’t been any clear movements yet, so…”

Just as he was about to say they needed to keep an eye on him, his face twisted at the sight of the newspaper the maid had brought in.

Marquis Cassius Aroche: The Man Who Has Captivated Countless Women—But Who Has Captured His Heart?

Beneath the headline was a photograph—one that showed the marquis holding onto the carriage door.

***

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