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Chapter 7 - Chapter 7: A Debt Only She Can Repay

The Duke's Secret

"What's wrong with her? Leah! Leah! Wake up!"

The Viscountess shook Leah roughly. Her hands, fueled by rage, gripped Leah's slender shoulders and jerked her back and forth violently. She was convinced that Leah was putting on an act to escape the situation. At this crucial moment, in front of the distinguished Duke, her young niece was staging such a rude performance—the thought made her blood boil. This wretched girl was humiliating her yet again.

Eugene's gaze turned cold as a frozen lake at the rough handling. Instinctively protecting the trembling Leah, he pulled her closer against him and stepped back from the Viscountess. It was a brief moment, but his action drew an unmistakable line.

"What do you think you're doing."

His voice, low and dangerous, filled the room. The quiet threat in his tone needed no embellishment. The Viscountess flinched, freezing as if she'd been slapped. She looked up at him. A towering figure loomed over her like a dark shadow, his presence overwhelming. A chill ran down her spine as she hastily withdrew her arms and stumbled backward.

"I—this child suddenly pretended to faint... I apologize, Your Grace. She must not have slept well last night."

The Viscountess stammered in confusion but still insisted that Leah was faking. A shadow of contempt lingered at the corner of her mouth.

"To your eyes, this looks like an act."

Eugene's words cut like ice, each syllable dripping with disdain for her vulgarity. Dismissing her entirely, he focused solely on Leah. With infinite care, he lifted her and laid her on a nearby plush sofa, handling her as delicately as fine porcelain. He found a thick blanket and tucked it around her. Though his expression remained stoic, his gentle movements revealed deep concern.

Until moments ago, Eugene and Leah had officially just met for the first time. Yet he treated her like someone precious he'd known for years, which gave the Viscountess an odd sense of unease. Why would this young Duke show such special interest in a lower noble's niece?

The woman kept her guard up as she ventured carefully, "By any chance, do you know my brother... Count Brennan?"

She was fishing for the source of Eugene's unusual behavior toward Leah, hoping for a positive response.

Instead of answering immediately, Eugene silently adjusted the blanket around Leah's shoulders. Only after checking her pulse at her neck and feeling her pale forehead for fever did he finally speak.

"I owe the Count a debt."

The brief, clipped answer transformed her expression instantly.

"A debt?"

Her eyes lit up with avarice, pupils dilating as if she could already smell the money. Eugene noticed her naked greed but saw no point in wasting time calling it out.

"What kind of debt exactly? Is it perhaps... substantial?"

Her eager voice already carried the conviction that this debt belonged to her. Eugene straightened beside Leah and looked down at the woman. His imposing height forced her to crane her neck, adding to her psychological disadvantage.

"Why would that concern you? This has nothing to do with the Viscount's household."

His tone was deliberately dismissive from the start. Her brow twitched. Being talked down to by a Duke nearly twenty years her junior grated against her aristocratic pride. But he was a Duke, and she was merely the wife of a minor viscount. The gap in their status was an unbridgeable chasm.

The Viscountess swallowed her fury, biting her lip before forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace.

"Well, I am Leah's guardian, after all. Her only aunt and closest living relative. If you have a debt to repay my brother, naturally I should handle it. You can settle it with me."

She asserted her claim boldly. Eugene didn't bother hiding his contempt for her shameless greed.

"Guardian."

His echo dripped with mockery. She caught his expression and tried to appear casual as she ran her fingers over the blanket's fabric. Fine cashmere. She made no effort to disguise her appraisal of its worth.

Eugene watched her vulgar display in silence before dropping a question that stopped her cold.

"You're certain this young lady is Count Brennan's legitimate daughter?"

"Yes, of course. She's my niece. My brother was my only family."

"Then why is the Count's legitimate daughter serving tea like a housemaid?"

At his blunt observation—as if he'd mistaken Leah for a servant—the woman let out an awkward laugh, her facial muscles contorting.

"Oh my, Your Grace. That's exactly what I tell her! No matter how I protest, she insists on doing housework. She's just too kindhearted for her own good. Something about repaying us for raising her, you know how it is. Such a sweet nature."

"Really. Then I suppose she chooses to dress like this as well."

Eugene gestured at the shabby linen dress visible beneath the blanket—worn and faded from countless washings. Cold sweat beaded on the woman's back. She'd painted herself into a corner.

"Y-yes! Everything is entirely her choice! We've never forced anything, I assure you. I'd hate for there to be any misunderstanding."

She waved her hands frantically, protesting her innocence. Her voice trembled with anxiety. Eugene didn't pursue it further. There was no point arguing when every word was an obvious lie.

"Pathetic woman."

His muttered words, though barely audible, reached her ears clearly. Fearing for her reputation, she quickly changed tactics, assuming talk of the debt had annoyed him.

"Leah has no one but me. My brother's affairs—everything concerning this child—should go through me. Leah is still young and naive. I manage everything from finances to personal matters. All decisions regarding her are mine to make."

She emphasized her sole authority over Leah. Eugene stared at her directly. Under his penetrating gaze, she struggled to maintain her smile, though her expression had already frozen. She felt like a mouse cornered by a cat. Her heart pounded, but she lifted her chin defiantly, trying to weather the Duke's intimidating presence.

His lip curled in disdain before he turned back to Leah on the sofa, as if the woman had ceased to exist.

"I'll discuss that with the young lady directly."

"What? Your Grace! I'm her guardian—"

Her voice rose sharply in alarm. Her carefully laid plans were crumbling.

"The young lady is Count Brennan's legitimate daughter, soon to come of age. You're not her mother. How long exactly do you intend to control every aspect of her life?"

His gaze swung back to her, even colder than before. The rejection was absolute, brooking no argument.

"I don't believe we have anything further to discuss, Viscountess."

Her fingers went numb. Rage and humiliation hardened her features. Her gaze toward the unconscious Leah burned with venom. Born with witch's blood, no less. How dare this worthless creature monopolize the Duke's attention. She clenched her trembling hands.

On the sofa, beneath the blanket, Leah's fingers twitched slightly. Eugene caught even that tiny movement. Suspecting she might be conscious, he smoothed the blanket's edge once more and said quietly, loud enough for the Viscountess to hear:

"This debt... can only be repaid to the young lady herself. No one can take her place."

A heavy silence settled over the room. The weight and finality of his words filled the space. The last shred of hope drained from her face. She had been completely shut out.

Eugene didn't spare her another glance. With his hand resting on Leah's pale forehead, he kept his attention solely on her, as if the woman had never existed at all.

Hector observed everything from his position against the wall, thoroughly entertained. One hand propped his chin while the other supported that elbow, watching his brother protect the young lady from the Viscountess's greed like it was the evening's entertainment.

He's got it bad.

Looking at Leah's pale face against the sofa, Hector suppressed a laugh. His brother looked like a wolf guarding his mate. It was both novel and amusing to see his usually ice-cold brother showing actual emotion.

"Mmm..."

Leah's eyelashes began to flutter. Like someone slowly surfacing from deep water, consciousness was returning. Her delicate brow furrowed as a soft moan escaped her lips.

Eugene reacted instantly, dropping to one knee beside her for a closer look. Worry and urgency flickered in his sapphire eyes.

Leah's eyelids trembled before finally opening. Beautiful green eyes blinked slowly, unfocused and confused. She struggled to piece together where she was and what had happened. Her mind felt foggy, her body leaden.

"Oh goodness, child! You're awake? Are you alright?"

The Viscountess rushed to the sofa as Leah stirred. Her concern wasn't for Leah's wellbeing but anxiety to settle the matter of the debt before things got more complicated. Eugene subtly blocked her approach, his attention fixed on Leah as she came back to herself.

"Where am I..."

Through the haze, Leah remembered collapsing while serving tea. Embarrassment and confusion washed over her. Her gaze met the handsome stranger looking down at her. His eyes gleamed like polished sapphires. Though she'd never seen him before, those eyes held genuine concern.

Who is this man...?

Her heart skipped unexpectedly. Despite being a complete stranger, she felt an odd sense of familiarity and comfort. Yet his overwhelming presence also intimidated her.

"Who..."

When Leah barely managed the word, Eugene spoke carefully.

"How are you feeling?"

His voice had lost its earlier coldness, replaced by unexpected gentleness. He used formal, respectful language with Leah.

The older woman's expression darkened when Eugene addressed Leah so politely. This was the same Duke who'd just dismissed her with contempt. Yet here he was, speaking respectfully to her niece—a girl of lower status who was treated like a servant. The Duke's behavior made no sense. Resentment and jealousy twisted in her chest.

"Your... Grace?"

Recognizing those kind, worried eyes, Leah jolted fully awake. Realizing she was lying on a sofa in front of a Duke—such impropriety!—she tried to scramble up. Her pulse hammered. Fear, mortification, and something else she couldn't name swept through her.

"Take it easy. You still look pale."

Eugene gently pressed her shoulder, stopping her, and carefully tucked the fallen blanket back around her. Warmth spread from his touch. His kindness only confused her more. Why would a Duke of such high standing show such consideration to someone as insignificant as her?

With everyone's eyes on her, Leah felt acute embarrassment and pressure. Her aunt's sharp gaze seemed to bore into her back. Despite the Duke's kindness, she swung her feet to the floor, desperate to escape this situation.

"I'm... I'm alright. I've been terribly rude to an honored guest. This was my fault entirely. Please forgive me."

Leah stood quickly, clasped her hands, and bowed deeply in apology. Her body still shook slightly. Eugene rose slowly to face her.

Leah's breath caught. They stood so close that his broad chest filled her vision. Overwhelmed by his imposing presence, she instinctively stepped back. Her heart raced faster. A confusing mix of emotions washed over her—fear, excitement, or perhaps both.

He stepped closer again.

"How's your head? Still dizzy? You really don't need to stand."

His voice was steady, his gaze carefully assessing her condition. Meeting those intense eyes made her face burn.

"No, I'm... I'm perfectly fine now. I'm so sorry for causing you worry, Your Grace."

Leah dipped into another curtsy, avoiding his eyes. She desperately wanted this moment to end. Her aunt's cold stare seemed to scorch her back.

God, how furious Aunt will be later...

Fear and dread settled in Leah's stomach. Collapsing in front of such an important guest—her aunt's anger was inevitable. Yet somehow, Eugene's kind attention and warm concern made something flutter strangely in her chest.

Hector continued watching with undisguised fascination. His brother's behavior toward the young lady was so out of character it was better than any play.

Eugene hesitated, seeing Leah's obvious discomfort. She didn't remember him. He didn't want to make things worse for her.

The woman who'd been haunting his thoughts stood right before him, yet he had to let her go. It felt oddly frustrating. Was it because she was the first person whose blood he'd taken? Or because she'd saved his life? He couldn't pinpoint why, but he wanted more time with her. To her, though, he was just some Duke she'd met today for the first time. Her not knowing him—this whole situation—grated on him.

Leah knew nothing of Eugene's inner turmoil. The heavy silence in the drawing room pressed down on her. She felt suffocated, certain all eyes remained fixed on her. She had to get out. Now.

"Then I'll take my leave..."

Leah made a hasty curtsy and turned to go. The Viscountess moved like a striking snake, catching Leah's elbow with a forced smile.

"Leah, dear, you still look unwell. You should rest in your room."

Leah froze at her aunt's sudden sweetness. She'd expected fury for her collapse, but this unexpected gentleness was somehow worse. This wasn't like her aunt at all.

The woman steered Leah toward the door with a hand on her back, eyes glinting with calculation. She couldn't leave this girl alone with the Duke.

"Thank you, Aunt."

Still confused by the sudden change, Leah murmured her thanks and headed for the door. Just before crossing the threshold, something made her glance back.

His gaze still watched her. When their eyes met—that deep, intent stare—Leah's heart lurched again. She jerked her head away and hurried into the corridor.

Eugene watched until her reddened ears disappeared from view. A flicker of regret crossed his features before he schooled them back to neutrality.

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