The moment Jasonter saw Lady Rosely, he bowed deeply.
“Beautiful Lady Rosely, it’s been too long—you look even younger~”
Jasonter carried himself with polished grace and impeccable manners.
Hearing this, Lady Rosely—the wife of Ironward City’s lord—beamed and said,
“You little rascal! Always so sweet. I love it!”
She gently pulled Mia beside her. “Jasonter, this is Mia, the young lady I mentioned. Daughter of the Earl’s house, and quite the little prodigy around here.”
Jasonter’s eyes lit up instantly. “So the lovely lady’s name is Mia? What a name—it truly stirs my heartstrings.”
“Ah… hehe… hello,” Mia replied.
Mia felt a wave of awkwardness at Jasonter’s overly sweet flattery. This tactic might charm others, but to her? Far too saccharine. She preferred someone who’d playfully bicker and banter with her—someone to match wits with.
Glancing sideways at her brother-in-law, she sighed. But Karl was swarmed.
A cluster of girls his age circled him, chattering about nothing—clearly fishing for attention. Karl kept insisting he was married, yet they lingered, pretending not to hear.
*Don’t they know Karl’s the Sovani family’s live-in son-in-law?*
Impossible. Ironward City wasn’t that big—who didn’t recognize the lord’s son-in-law?
Still, temptation won. What could you do?
Truth was, Mia had sparked it all. During friend gatherings, she’d shared Karl’s stories—fragmented, but vivid. Once out, they went viral in her circle. Small circle, yes—but every listener became a die-hard fan. Now, the girls swarming Karl mostly begged: *“Please publish soon!”*
Nearby, noble ladies watched and smirked.
“Lucina, your son-in-law’s quite the magnet. Better watch him close—wouldn’t want him… straying.”
Lucina glanced calmly at Karl. “Talent draws attention. But I trust him. Besides my daughter? He wouldn’t touch another.”
*Even if he wanted to,* she thought, *he’d have to ask Freya’s cleaver first.*
“Oh? Talented?” another lady drawled. “Never heard a single work of his.”
Most stories were oral—limited reach. Retold too many times, the charm faded.
Lucina’s lips tightened slightly, smile intact. “He only told Mia stories. She spread them. So only her circle knows him.”
“Then his talent’s limited. True brilliance wouldn’t stay trapped in a tiny circle.”
“Exactly! Jasonter’s just an inspector in the Ministry of Culture and Etiquette—but his poem *‘Intoxication’*? Everyone knows it! Say the title, and his name comes first.”
Lucina pursed her lips, glancing again at Karl.
“You can’t compare anyone to Jasonter—he’s a rare genius. Aren’t you putting Lucina on the spot?”
“True… but Jasonter seemed interested in Mia earlier. Maybe he’ll be Lucina’s *second* son-in-law?”
The ladies covered their mouths, giggling.
Mia had had enough of Jasonter’s syrupy words. She dashed to Karl’s side.
“Brother-in-law! Save me! Get him away!” She yanked Karl and hid behind him.
Karl turned, offering Jasonter a slight smile. “Mr. Jasonter, Mia isn’t comfortable speaking with you. Please keep your distance.”
Jasonter’s brows furrowed. “You don’t understand. Mia simply hasn’t realized her heart loves me yet. But I’ll break through with sincerity.”
Karl nearly rolled his eyes. *Damn. “No” means “no”! She rejected you—stop wallowing in self-delusion!*
*Is this the “male chauvinist” mindset? “She says no but means test”?*
*Sorry, kid. When she says no—it’s NO. Not a test.*
“Mr. Jasonter,” Karl said politely again, “I’ve been clear: she wishes no further contact. Distance creates beauty.”
Jasonter’s expression shifted—then brightened with false revelation. “I see! *You* like Mia! That’s why you push me away! Hmph… scheming. You chase her, but I can’t?”
??????
Karl’s face froze in utter confusion.
*What the hell is your brain wired like???*
*Which eye saw me liking Mia?!*
*You can eat random food—but don’t say random things!*
*If my mother-in-law hears this, she’ll drown me in a pig cage!!!*
His silence only confirmed Jasonter’s delusion.
“Silence is consent! Then—duel! Let’s see who truly deserves Mia!”
Karl’s confusion deepened.
*Kid… are you okay in the head??? She doesn’t like you—why duel?!*
A watching girl chimed in: “Violence is uncouth. It’s a poetry gathering—settle it with verses!”
Jasonter’s eyes gleamed, though he feigned modesty. “Unfair. You know my level. Competing with him? That’d be bullying.”
The girl nodded. “True. *‘Intoxication’* is household-famous. Even Mr. Karl probably…”
“COMPETE!” Mia cut in, grabbing Karl’s arm. “Darling, you *will* beat him! Win—no excuses!!”
Cold sweat drenched Karl.
*HOLY CRAP!*
*Girl—who are you calling “darling”?!*
*Trying to sharpen your sister’s cleaver? Or test if Mom’s pig cage fits you?!*
