THE GRAND DUCHESS ESCAPE

CHAPTER 4

Philip was perplexed, but he tried to keep his composure.

"Why are you suddenly looking for my daughter?"

"His Highness sent an engagement present to the Young Lady."

Philip bit his lip at the clear and direct answer.

It was kind of customary practice to send gifts to one's marriage partner during the engagement period, so it was difficult to refuse his request.

'Of all things!'

Philip wondered of how he could naturally get out of this difficult situation. For the first time in his life, he regretted that he had physically punished Asella.

So far, he had prevented Asella from leaving and locked her in the mansion, so the excuse "She's not here" wouldn't work. But that didn't mean he could use the excuse that she wasn't feeling well.

This was because it was obvious why Calix  Benvito had proposed to Asella.

A healthy heir.

If he were to hear that the woman he was engaged to was not in a good health, this proposal might never have taken place.

It all goes back to human nature. If an item was defective, people would try to return it even after using it, much less before purchasing it.

For an unmarried nobleman, breaking of an engagement was not a very good look, but if it was Calix Benvito, breaking of an engagement ten times should not be a problem at all.

So, there was only a certain answer that Philip could give. He smiled awkwardly and opened his mouth.

"Please excuse me for a moment."

Philip hurried out of the drawing-room and found his aide waiting for him outside the door.

"Sir, are you finished with your meeting?"

"Bring Asella to me right now!"

The aide looked puzzled with the sudden order.

"Right now, sir? Why lady Asella all of a sudden..."

Philip's face twisted at once. He wiped his forehead with his palm before he spat out a swear word, frowning.

"Damn it!"

"Sir."

"Ryzen Kadan insists on seeing her. He said he would give her the engagement present the Grand Duke sent in person."

Philip continued, biting his lips.

"She's probably in my room. Treat her properly and bring her to me. I don't want Ryzen Kadan to notice."

The aide looked at Philip with a puzzled expression. Philip frowned.

"What are you doing? Hurry!"

"The lady doesn't have appropriate clothes to welcome guests."

At that moment, Philip's face was bewildered.

He hadn't bought her a single decent indoor dress because he didn't want to waste money on Asella. So far, no one had ever visited Asella, so it had never been a problem.

"F*ck!"

Externally, he was pretending to be a highborn noble, acting as if he was a good and loving stepfather to his deceased wife's children. He couldn't let Asella looked like a beggar in front of the Ryzen Kadan.

Philip stopped and thought quickly.

"Get Rebecca's clothes and dress her."

"Huh?"