Living as a Butler to the Northern Duke chapter 43

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‘As if being a baron wasn’t enough for them to look down on us, now we’ll be in their debt over something like this.’

Clicking his tongue in annoyance, Shelton discreetly eliminated the hunter who had sold them the poison.

He sent a lavish jewel box filled with various gems and a doctor to the Herins estate.

He instructed the doctor to make the servant’s collapse look like a common illness.

The doctor didn’t even prescribe proper medicine.

If the servant died after a few days of suffering, that would be even better.

It would be convenient for everyone if the witness to this mess simply disappeared—for him, for the Herins estate, and even for the servant.

Elisa would come to her senses soon enough.

Shelton had realized that she wasn’t happy about her engagement to Ronen.

But that was it.

Among nobles, engagements and marriages were hardly a matter of personal choice—they were political, strategic, and bound by money.

Once the servant passed away, Shelton would resume his relationship with the Herins estate.

It didn’t matter if Elisa remained defiant.

They could stay engaged for 10 or 20 years, and once she came to terms with her situation, they would marry.

‘All I need to do is make sure Ronen and Elisa never meet alone again, keep her under control with an allowance, and bribe the Herins couple with enough gold and jewels.’

Shelton quietly fumed as he planned out his next moves in his mind.

But when it was revealed that Ronen’s older brother was none other than the Northern Duke, things became complicated for Shelton.

Since the duke arrived at the Herins estate, there had been no word about the collapsed servant.

Shelton couldn’t gauge how much the duke knew.

‘There’s no way he knows that Elisa tried to poison Ronen, right?’

As Shelton paced anxiously by the window, a letter arrived from the duke.

It was a request to break off the engagement between Ronen and Elisa.

The letter arrived three days after Elisa’s visit to the Herins estate.

Shelton read and reread the letter.

He chewed on his lips and tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

The letter was polite, mainly expressing apologies for requesting the breakup due to Ronen’s circumstances.

‘…It seems like they don’t know about Elisa’s actions.’

Squinting in thought, Shelton looked up as Elisa entered the study.

[Are you satisfied now?]

Shelton snapped at Elisa, feeling both angered by the future that had fallen apart and relieved that the duke seemed uninterested in their affairs after the breakup with Ronen.

Wanting to avoid any further involvement with the Northern Duke, Shelton quickly wrote a reply, saying he accepted the breakup, though it was regretful.

After that, the Northern Duke made a significant investment in the Shelton barony.

It was a generous, no-strings-attached investment that put Shelton’s mind at ease over Elisa’s situation.

Their correspondence continued through letters, and Shelton was relieved that he didn’t have to meet the duke in person.

The duke didn’t even care how the money was spent.

But soon after, the duke requested the return of Elisa’s engagement dowry.

Shelton replied that it wasn’t necessary since the investment he received was so large.

However, when another letter came demanding a meeting, it became impossible for Shelton to refuse.

Shelton, upon arriving at Count Herins’ estate, felt a strange anticipation about meeting Grand Duke Asnel in person rather than corresponding through letters.

The thought of meeting someone so highly esteemed and mysterious made him uneasy.

Knock, knock.

Asnel was gazing out the window when Tens knocked on the study door.

It was late in the afternoon, with the sun slowly setting in the west.

His movements were sharp as he adjusted his shirt sleeves, though a faint smile played at the corners of his eyes.

When Asnel received word that Baron Shelton had arrived at the Herins estate, he handed over a shovel to Irtel.

After heading back to the main building, he changed his clothes and returned to the window.

In the still-unfinished western garden, Irtel and Ronen were tending to a garden of purple flowers, tools in hand.

Meanwhile, Ed and Gio were busily transporting flowers nearby.

‘He was so stiff and awkward when he made eye contact with me earlier,’ thought Asnel, noticing Ed moving swiftly and lightly now.

Knock, knock.

The knocking came again.

“Your Grace, Baron Shelton is here.”

Tens’ voice called out, drawing Asnel’s attention.

Asnel drew the curtains, blocking the bright sunlight from illuminating the garden, hiding it from anyone’s gaze.

“Bring him in.”

As Asnel turned on the lights in the study, he sat on the sofa and waited for his guest.

Tens opened the heavy door and escorted Shelton inside.

‘He looks like a painting,’ thought Shelton, glancing at Asnel as he followed Tens.

The dim lighting made Asnel appear as though he was glowing.

His sleek black hair contrasted with his pale, cool face, making his appearance even more striking.

His deep, red irises were as captivating as pomegranate seeds.

“It’s an honor to meet you in person, Your Grace,” Shelton greeted him.

“I’m equally pleased. It’s a shame we’re meeting under these circumstances, Baron Shelton,” Asnel replied with a light smile as they both took a seat on the sofa.

‘Count Herins really went all out,’ thought Shelton, taking in the meticulously arranged chairs and other decorations.

The back of each rosewood chair was adorned with cushions bearing the northern insignia, and even the quill on the desk was made from the rare feathers of a silver peacock.

Shelton placed a delicately curved glass bottle on the table.

“This is golden apple wine, a secret recipe passed down through generations in my family, Your Grace.”

“Golden apple wine, you say?”

“It’s neither too sweet nor too bitter and goes down smoothly.”

“Ah, I should’ve prepared a gift, but it seems you’ve beaten me to it, Baron.”

“Not at all. I’m deeply grateful for the grace you’ve shown me. I felt no hesitation in bringing this as a token of my gratitude. Please accept it with ease, I brought plenty.”

Asnel stood and retrieved two glasses from the desk, their crystal catching the light and sparkling brilliantly.

“Well, let’s have a light drink, then.”

As he sat back down, Asnel poured the golden, fragrant liquor into the glasses.

The liquid shimmered and swirled as it filled the cup, almost spilling over the rim.

“I know someone who always fills their glass to the brim like this,” Asnel remarked with a smile, offering Shelton a glass.

‘Am I supposed to drink all of this in one go?’ thought Shelton, eyeing the nearly overflowing glass.

When Asnel raised his own glass to his lips, Shelton quickly followed suit, gulping down the drink.

The large crystal glass emptied quickly, and Asnel refilled both glasses.

Once again, the liquid shimmered dangerously close to the edge.

Shelton carefully held the glass, watching as Asnel took another drink.

Following his lead, Shelton emptied his glass once more.

As the strong liquor burned down his throat, Shelton swallowed hard.

“It’s good liquor.”

Though the atmosphere was amicable, Shelton felt an underlying discomfort and wanted to leave soon.

Asnel, having finished his drink, stood and opened a desk drawer, retrieving some papers and a small envelope before returning to the sofa.

“I’ve heard that Lady Elisa is quite intelligent and thoughtful,” he said, handing over the envelope.

Shelton, momentarily distracted by the sound of soft leather rustling, looked up to meet Asnel’s deep, mysterious red gaze.

“I’m grateful for those kind words, Your Grace.”

“I’ve also heard that she’s sociable and well-liked.”

“I appreciate such high praise.”

“I regret casting a shadow over her by ending the engagement.”

“There’s no need to apologize, Your Grace.”

“Your words ease my conscience, Baron Shelton.”

Asnel handed the small white envelope to Shelton.

“Please, check this. Inside is compensation for the broken engagement, including a termination fee and a consolation payment.”

“No, Your Grace. You’ve already done more than enough for us.”

“That won’t do. Formalities like these need to be properly handled to ensure everything ends on good terms, don’t you think?”

Along with the white envelope, Asnel passed over the contract.

Inside the envelope was a check for an amount far exceeding the dowry Shelton had sent to the Herins estate for the engagement.

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