Reincarnated as a Villainous Aristocrat in an Otome Game, So I Bought the Main Heroine with Money - Chapter 56: Visiting House Everett

Chapter 56: Visiting House Everett

Before leaving the Egrid estate, Faina, Liese, and Maria came to see me off.

“So, you’ve made your decision.”

“Faina…”

“I have placed my full trust—both in body and heart—in your judgment, Lord Cerios. I’ve also spoken with Liese and Maria about it.”

My personal maid was far too competent.

“Lord Cerios! Please, save Lady Clarice!”

“We will support whoever you choose to be with, Lord Cerios!”

Liese, who was originally supposed to be Clarice’s rival, was genuinely worried about her.

And Maria… she fully supported whatever decision I made.

With that, I had no more doubts.

“Thank you. When I return, we’ll talk properly.”

“Yes!”

“We’ll be waiting.”

Both of them bowed gracefully in their maid uniforms.

“Faina, I appreciate everything you’ve done. And… thank you.”

“No need to thank me. I only wish to serve you, Lord Cerios.”

“Good. Then when I return, I’d like to speak with you as well.”

“Of course.”

With the three of them sending me off, I left the estate.

♢

The heavy doors creaked open.

Beyond them lay a grand hall, adorned with lavish decorations.

At its center, seated with an air of absolute authority, was Duke Everett himself.

Everything about him radiated power—as if he was authority itself.

His sharp eyes locked onto me, studying my every move.

“Well, well… if it isn’t Cerios von Egrid. You even went as far as to send a formal letter before your visit. Tell me, what business do you have here? If I recall correctly, you declared independence from my house years ago, ending my role as your guardian. So, what brings you all the way from your little frontier lands?”

His voice was steady, unwavering.

There was no hostility—just a quiet, unshakable weight behind his words that made our real relationship perfectly clear.

“I beg your pardon for the sudden visit, Duke Everett. It is an honor to stand before you.”

I bowed, carefully choosing my words.

If I spoke carelessly here, I would lose control of the conversation.

The duke studied me with interest, as if assessing my worth.

“An honor, you say? Somehow, I doubt a young man like yourself truly believes that.”

A short remark—but behind it lay a clear warning.

Say anything unnecessary, and I will not hesitate to discard you.

“I’ve come to discuss your daughter, Lady Clarice.”

The moment I spoke her name, the atmosphere shifted.

The duke’s gaze sharpened, and the once calm air in the hall turned ice-cold.

“Ah, yes… Clarice was disowned for defending you, wasn’t she? Tell me, have you come to plead her case? Or perhaps you’ve brought some kind of compensation? You must feel some gratitude toward my daughter, don’t you?”

Even though I had anticipated his words, Duke Everett’s presence still sent a chill down my spine.

“What’s the matter? Am I wrong? Because if you have no reason to be here, then I have no business with you.”

“No, you are absolutely right. At the academy, Lady Clarice helped me greatly. I am here today because I wish to repay that debt.”

“Repay a debt, you say… and not to plead her case?”

The duke let out a quiet chuckle, bringing his wine glass to his lips for a slow sip.

His movements were calm, radiating an air of complete control—but his eyes remained ice-cold.

“Then explain to me why you are the one bringing this up. I would like to know what exactly you intend to gain from this.”

There was a weight behind his words—an unspoken threat that loomed over the conversation.

I steadied my breathing, forcing myself to remain composed before replying.

“I have heard that Lady Clarice’s engagement has been annulled and that she is currently being held in confinement. I found this situation… questionable and wished to hear the truth from you directly.”

For a moment, the duke’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Then, his lips curled into a thin, unreadable smile.

“The truth, is it? That is not something a young man like yourself needs to concern himself with.”

He placed his glass down and rose from his seat.

The pressure in the room intensified.

It felt as though he had taken control of the very air around us, bending the space itself to his will.

“Clarice was an important piece in the game between the royal family and my house. But since that piece didn’t move as intended, some adjustments must be made. That’s all there is to it.”

“Adjustments?”

I deliberately repeated his words, probing for his true intentions.

“Indeed. Governing a nation sometimes requires removing unnecessary pieces from the board, Lord Egrid.”

“Are you saying Lady Clarice is unnecessary?”

“That decision is not mine to make. However, she failed to meet the expectations placed upon her. That means I must now determine what to do with her.”

His words were logical from a noble’s perspective—but ruthless from a father’s.

Yet beneath that cold pragmatism lay something even more terrifying—meticulous calculation.

“Then, may I ask… what does Your Grace intend to do with Lady Clarice?”

The duke smiled again.

But this time, it was a smile that revealed nothing—a smile that concealed far too much.

“She has her role to play. In time, she will fulfill it… in the most appropriate manner.”

He would say no more.

But I understood.

Duke Everett had no intention of simply discarding Clarice.

Instead, he was preparing to reposition her in a way that still served his ambitions.

“Then, I shall take my leave. I apologize for taking up your valuable time, Your Grace.”

As I bowed and turned to leave, the duke gave a satisfied nod.

“Very well. I had thought it laughable for someone as young as you to speak so boldly before me, but at least you understand proper decorum. Now, return safely.”

As I turned to leave, I could feel the duke’s piercing gaze on my back until the very last moment.

(A battle of wits, huh? I still don’t know his full intentions, but one thing is certain—he isn’t planning to simply abandon Clarice.)

Stepping out of the Everett estate, the cold wind brushed against my face.

(But if I want to save her, I need more information. The duke’s so-called ‘appropriate solution’ may not be in her best interest.)

With Clarice still on my mind, I started piecing together my next move.

Then, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed her.

Standing by the window, gazing down at me.

Her expression was one of suspicion—almost as if she was silently asking what I was doing here.

In response, I made my intentions clear.

“I came to get you. I will save you—no matter what!”

I didn’t know if my message reached her.

But for a brief moment, her eyes widened in surprise, and she brought her hand to her lips as if to suppress a reaction.

This wasn’t enough.

Even if I recklessly declared, “Let me marry her!” to the duke, he would never agree.

The answer had to be hidden somewhere in our conversation.

“Think! How do I make the duke approve of a marriage with Clarice?!”

Determined to figure it out, I decided to stay in Everett’s territory for now, gathering information and watching for an opportunity.