I Seducing the Black-Hearted Duke Wasn't Me - Chapter 28

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 28
“Ah, that’s right—you couldn’t remember what happened that night. I almost forgot to mention it.”
Hmm?
I was waiting silently for an explanation when Leon suddenly spoke up, saying he’d nearly overlooked it himself.
‘What is it? Did that foreigner do something else?’
“It’s true. I filed the report myself. More precisely, right after I parted ways with you that day.”
“What? How did you do that?”
He couldn’t have known in advance that something like this would happen.
When I asked what possessed him to pull such a clever trick, he explained.
“So that night. It was right after we spent quite a sincere and wonderful time together, I think.”
“Ahem. I appreciate it, but I’d prefer to skip the unnecessary details if possible.”
“Why? This part is crucial.”
Don’t be like that!
When I glared at him with sharp eyes for interrupting such an important story, he raised both hands in a gesture of surrender, as if conceding.
“I noticed the ring you always wore was gone. So I asked what happened to it, and you said you’d pawned it at a pawnbroker. For a moment, I thought I’d misheard.”
She managed not to get caught. Fortunate.
And he managed not to notice. Also fortunate.
At this point, I couldn’t tell if that woman was foolish or if Leon Obsidian simply lacked perception.
“Anyway. So the next day, I went to the pawnbroker you’d mentioned. But someone had already purchased the ring. And they paid ten times the price for it, no less.”
“Ten times?”
“Yes. Which means someone knew the ring’s true value.”
But I was never told anything like that!
‘That pawnbroker—he knew everything but kept his mouth shut.’
When I went to retrieve the ring, all he said was that it had already been sold. Since it was quite an old piece, they had no information about the buyer. They’d look into it and contact me as soon as possible.
That was all I heard.
‘A Family Seal Ring, no less. And he made a high-value transaction right after purchase—there’s no way he wouldn’t remember who he sold it to.’
Something felt off about this.
“So to be safe, I stopped by the Security Bureau on my way back and filed a Missing Person Report. Under your name, of course.”
“But why hasn’t the Security Bureau investigated yet? They should have moved immediately upon receiving the report, and I should have been informed of their progress.”
“Ah, that’s because I filed it at the General Registry, not the Noble Registry.”
“Why would you do that?”
“You never know.”
Pawning a Family Seal Ring.
It was undeniably shameful conduct. The kind of thing that warranted discretion rather than a public search broadcast far and wide.
“If we can find it quickly, there’s no need to make a spectacle of it. It’s better for you that way.”
“…You’re right about that.”
But I couldn’t simply fold my hands and do nothing.
To prepare for any contingency, he’d deliberately filed the report at the understaffed General Registry, leaving a record that the ring had been lost.
So that later, if needed, that record could be pulled out and used.
“Either way, that was a very wise decision.”
“I’m glad to hear it. I want you to be at ease by my side and to achieve whatever dreams you wish for.”
……
“I’m confident I can create such an environment for you.”
Leon’s eyes softened at the corners, and he smiled gently.
His voice was so warm that it seemed I could let go of everything and lean on him completely.
I wanted to take the hand he offered and follow him forward, step by step, wherever he led.
“Just to be clear—you’re seducing me right now, aren’t you?”
“You’d know without me saying it.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
Finding his response curious, I laughed outright and replied without hesitation.
“I think I’m beginning to understand the man known as Leon Obsidian.”
Others spoke of him as an angel—gentle, pliant, a man of pure light and warmth—but that wasn’t true.
He, too, grew angry like anyone else, voiced complaints, and often chose what was best for himself rather than always thinking of others.
‘In short, he’s not the saint everyone claims he is.’
“But even if that report hadn’t existed, the outcome would have been the same. Regardless of whether your reputation suffered, ultimately you’d still end up engaged to me.”
And for some reason, Leon Obsidian didn’t hide this side of himself when he was with me.
“Of course, unless you actually had feelings for Jerold. If that were the case, things would have gotten quite complicated.”
“That’s absolutely not the case.”
When I denied it, saying I had eyes and ears, a satisfied smile bloomed across Leon’s lips.
Is it just me, or did his gaze drift for a moment before he denied it—his eyes going distant, unfocused?
“In any case, I’m glad things worked out. I’d hate to see you caught up in any scandal.”
“I think I’m already tangled up in scandal enough. I’ve become the enemy of every woman in the empire overnight.”
“Could you tolerate that much for my sake? Besides, you’ve got me in your hands now.”
“I haven’t completely decided whether I want to keep you or not.”
“That’s as good as a yes, then. I understand.”
…….
What is this, really?
They say you can’t spit at a smiling face—and when he smiled like that, so fresh and open after what he’d just said, I found myself at a loss for words.
“Getting back to the main point: if the theft charge sticks, he’s looking at up to fifteen years. Of course, he knows that too, which is why he’s claiming now that he bought it from a Pawnbroker.”
“Which is effectively a confession. That the whole thing was fraud.”
“Exactly. He’ll dodge the theft charge, but there’s no escaping the fraud charge. And since it involves stolen goods—even if it’s just a transaction—the target is a Zaherete heirloom. If he knowingly purchased it, mitigation will be nearly impossible.”
Either way, punishment was unavoidable.
With this affair, Jerold Valentine was effectively buried in noble society and the social circuit.
And Silvia Osca, under investigation as an accomplice, would share the same fate.
‘Well, I suppose this will do.’
Those who’d tried to trap me would no longer set foot in this world.
It was a satisfying result.
“You’re not ending our date just because you’ve satisfied your curiosity, are you? I’d like your full attention.”
“It’s not that, but… is there something more you have planned?”
My question about what came next made him nod.
Then.
“I came here to seduce you today.”
“I’m sorry?”
What is this man talking about now?
* * *
Jedo. Blanche Duchy Estate.
Blanche, one of the only two ducal houses in the empire, was among the most distinguished noble families.
Edgar Blanche, the head of this house, presided over the state council and served as the patriarch of all the nobles’ senate.
“You look a wreck.”
Faded blonde hair and gleaming green eyes.
Edgar Blanche, his bearing upright and his gaze dignified despite unremarkable features, regarded the man before him with a sidelong glance.
The Count Valentine, bent nearly double in supplication.
‘Tsk, tsk. So he rashly provoked both Zaherete and Bernstein and brought catastrophe upon himself.’
The count’s visit to the ducal house had a simple purpose.
To borrow money.
‘The litigation fees and settlement costs alone must be astronomical—and now he’s come to this.’
The duke, a cigar between his lips, clicked his tongue in thought.
The damage Blanche had sustained from the count’s foolishness was considerable, and their finances were already strained.
Though they didn’t openly acknowledge it, Blanche and Valentine maintained quite cordial relations.
But those days were about to become history.
‘Hand over some money and make a clean break. Can’t afford to have any of this blow back on us.’
Having reached that conclusion, the duke tossed a sheaf of papers before him.
A bundle of checks tumbled across the floor.
“I hear your sons’ little mistake has left quite a considerable sum to pay in damages. This should put out the immediate fire.”
“Yes. Thank you for… your consideration, Your Grace.”
Count Valentine swallowed his humiliation and picked it up.
“Why did you have to provoke the Zaherete Marquis in the first place? Though I suppose you’ve always had a tendency to look down on him. It’s time you accepted reality now.”
The duke clicked his tongue once more, dispensing advice like a kibitzer.
“The times have changed, and the noble world has transformed with them. The Marquis is the embodiment of that change.”
…….
“There’s barely a noble house in Jedo that hasn’t been entangled with his family. You went after him—of course the investors are pulling out of Valentine.”
“She’s nothing but a girl young enough to be my daughter. She simply got lucky and ended up in that position.”
…….
The count, who had held his silence, ground his teeth as he spoke.
His bloodshot eyes blazed with fury.
‘Interesting.’
A spark of intrigue kindled in the duke’s gaze as he observed this.
The duke regarded Count Valentine in silence for a moment, then smiled and handed him a glass of whiskey.
“So you have no intention of backing down quietly, then.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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