Chapter 56
“Mother probably just wanted to express her gratitude for the splendid banquet.”
She hoped to gloss over the situation with that excuse.
Aidan had always been generous to her.
He granted her every wish.
But precisely because of that, she didn’t want to bring up such matters.
There was resentment toward her parents, who hadn’t provided a single penny for her dowry yet were now overextending themselves for her sister’s marriage.
More than anything, she didn’t want to appear pitiful in front of Aidan.
Despite Floria’s attempt to stop them, Helia, seated beside her, spoke up.
“Your Grace, we were hoping you could assist us a little.”
“Sister, please.”
But Helia, clear in her intentions, didn’t stop.
“I’m about to marry Grand Duke Lionel of the Principality of Pietz ,and I need a dowry.
It’s not uncommon for a noble to provide dowries for his wife’s sisters.
I believe your generous nature will lead you to agree.”
At her words, Aidan set down his glass and raised an eyebrow.
“A dowry… How much?”
“Thirty million lutes.”
Even hearing it again, it was an astronomical amount.
Floria wanted to storm out of the room.
Her family had suddenly barged in, shamelessly demanding such a large sum.
Her face, already flushed from the wine, now burned with embarrassment.
“Of course, I understand it’s not a small amount.”
Helia twisted her body and whispered in a soft voice.
“But I heard you’re a generous person—from Floria.”
“No, I… I opposed this.”
Floria’s voice was urgent, fearing he might think she orchestrated this entire commotion.
“I already told them it was absurd to ask Your Grace for a dowry.”
Aidan quietly watched Floria’s lips move faster than usual.
After observing her, he gave a relaxed smile.
“I understand the gist of the situation and how things are unfolding.”
He slowly looked at the three women in turn.
“Indeed, thirty million lutes isn’t a burdensome amount for me at present.”
“Then that settles it quickly.”
Mother’s face brightened with a smile.
However, her expression hardened at Aidan’s next words.
“But I cannot give it.”
“Pardon…?”
“Why not?”
The sharp voices of the mother and daughters echoed through the banquet hall.
“If it’s not a burdensome amount, then why…?”
“Currently, the Principality of Pietz is building an army.
A small nation requiring such a large sum is for that reason.”
This was news to them.
Under the previous Grand Duke, Pietz was a nation that, like Altomole, disliked war.
Unlike the Duchy of Sieff or the neighboring country of Iqaluit,
it was known for avoiding war.
It didn’t even have a proper army.
For such a principality to be recruiting soldiers…
“I’m not foolish enough to provide a hefty dowry to a country that might become an enemy.”
At his words, Helia’s face turned pale.
“That can’t be.
Grand Duke Lionel is a man who loves peace.”
“I don’t know how much the princess knows about him, but he is someone who hides his claws.”
At Aidan’s resolute words, Helia’s lips parted halfway.
For a moment, she seemed flustered, forgetting her words, then blushed.
Though she often got angry with Floria, it seemed even her sister had never seen her this agitated.
“Hides his claws? That’s you—a fierce tyrant.
Grand Duke Lionel is different.
You’re the one hiding a wicked soul beneath a decent face, slandering the Grand Duke.”
“What reason would I have to slander him?”
Aidan’s previously gentle tone now carried a sting.
Even as his eyes gleamed darkly, Helia didn’t back down and shouted.
“Because you’re stingy!”
“…”
“Or perhaps you don’t care about Floria at all.
If your wife truly mattered to you, you couldn’t treat her family this way.
Well, I wouldn’t even care for such a dull girl.”
At her words, Aidan picked up the white napkin before him and wiped his lips, wet from the wine he had just drunk.
Then he tossed the napkin onto the table.
“The peaceful banquet is over.”
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