The Monster Duke Mistook Me for His Wife – Chapter 153 – Side Story Chapter 10

Author: Asternkm

When it came to anything involving Ria, Nathan always butted in without hesitation—so of course he was there.

Then there was her close friend, Maymie, and Schumann, who called himself her “big brother.”

Also present were Aaron, who doted on Ria like a granddaughter, and Harris, who had come along unintentionally.

They were all close to Ria, but this combination of people together felt unusual.

“What is the meaning of this?”

Dillian, coldly muttering at the group who had shamelessly settled in his office, narrowed his eyes at the cause of it all.

“Nathan.”

“I didn’t think they’d all show up at once…”

He had quietly spread the word about Dillian’s plan to propose, but he hadn’t expected it to escalate like this. Nathan glanced away, sweating nervously.

“Of course we had to come! The Duke is proposing to Ria—how could we not meet and discuss the plan?”

Maymie gave Nathan an approving nod and ruffled his hair.

“Wait, a proposal? Lord Aaron… the ‘important business’ you mentioned was…”

“Very important indeed.”

When a flustered Harris looked to Aaron, he smiled warmly in response.

‘Well… if Lord Aaron says so, then it must be important.’

Harris quietly decided to keep his mouth shut.

“Your Grace, you said it yourself—it is important! I’m not happy about how soon the proposal is, but if it’s happening, it should be perfect! The best it can be!”

Slamming the table in excitement, Maymie made Schumann click his tongue as he quickly grabbed a teacup.

“May, be careful with those fists of yours. They’re wild boar level. Don’t break anything here—this is the Duke’s office.”

“What was that?!”

“Use that punch only if the proposal turns out lame.”

“Ooh, good idea.”

The two siblings giggled at each other, clearly enjoying themselves.

Having barged in uninvited and now openly mocking him, these wild siblings were giving Dillian a headache.

“Everyone get out.”

“Dillian. Lord Aaron is here.”

“Get out, please.”

Just a touch more polite, but still just as rude, Harris couldn’t help commenting on the unchanged attitude.

“Dillian, since we’re all here, let’s hear some ideas! We might come up with something good.”

“Shut it.”

“He says yes. Everyone, go ahead and share.”

Tired of arguing, Dillian clicked his tongue and turned his attention back to his papers.

And so, the meeting began—without the main person involved.

Maymie raised her hand.

“Let’s rent a huge amusement park, have fun, and then propose there!”

“May, seriously? That’s so childish and lame.”

Snorting at his sister’s idea, Schumann raised his chin confidently.

“Blue diamonds are trendy now. So we should prepare not just a ring, but a full set—necklace, bracelet, earrings, everything.”

“You lunatic. That’s even lamer than mine.”

Calling each other’s plans childish or boring, the two quickly started bickering.

“Enough. Hear me out instead. Why not do it in a public square? Lots of people gathered to cheer for Ria!”

“Worst! Worst idea ever! Number one worst proposal!”

“I’d only approve if it were a breakup ceremony.”

As the siblings raged, Nathan pouted and mumbled irritably.

“Kids these days don’t know how to listen properly…”

Just then, Aaron, who had been listening calmly, raised his hand.

“Then how about doing it in the Grand Temple? It’s quiet, and no one else would be around. And proposing before that sacred presence—Ria would surely appreciate it.”

For the first time, Dillian opened his mouth.

“Rejected.”

“…”

Shot down instantly, Aaron slumped in his chair.

Watching the office descend into chaos in just five minutes, Harris rubbed his forehead.

“Rent a private room in a nice restaurant, offer flowers and a ring, and propose sincerely.”

Finally, a normal suggestion—but the others quickly shut it down.

“That’s too boring.”

“Yeah, it needs to be flashy!”

“Yeah, Harris. Isn’t that kind of plain?”

Even Aaron turned it down, making Harris reel in shock. Schumann drove the nail in.

“Wow. That’s exactly the kind of basic thinking I’d expect from a knight commander.”

“Basic?! I’d say it’s better than some extravagant mage-style nonsense.”

“What?!”

“A classic proposal is the most effective!”

As Harris stood up, ready to throw down with Schumann for round two—

Knock knock. The door opened with a cheerful sound.

“Dillian, I’m here… wait, what are you all doing?”

The person who entered—was none other than the star of this meeting, Ria.

Harris and Schumann immediately sat down as if nothing had happened.

“Miss Ria. You’re here early today.”

As soon as he saw her, Dillian rushed to her and gently wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

“Yes, I finished early for once, so I cleaned up and came right over.”

Then, looking behind him, Ria asked curiously,

“What’s going on?”

“We were in a meeting.”

“A meeting?”

Seeing the strange group assembled, Ria tilted her head.

Still, they were all capable people in their own right. She assumed it must be important and casually turned to Schumann.

“Then, Schumann—will you have time after the meeting?”

“Huh? Uhh… no?”

Flustered, Schumann quickly shook his head.

“Busy? Then what about you, May?”

“M-Me too!”

The two exchanged a glance, shouted “Sorry!” in unison, and rushed out.

“Then…”

When her eyes landed on Harris, he awkwardly smiled and left with Aaron.

Anyone could tell—they were clearly avoiding her.

“What the…?”

“Don’t mind them, Miss Ria. I’ll help you.”

“Hmm, actually… you can’t, Dillian.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Sorry.”

Rejected on the spot, a shocked Dillian was left behind as Ria closed the office door.

She then turned to Nathan, still perched on her shoulder.

“Nathan, you don’t know anything?”

“W-What do you mean?”

“Everyone’s acting strange.”

“It’s probably just your imagination. Everyone’s busy with work, that’s all.”

Watching Ria’s eyes narrow suspiciously, Nathan broke out in a cold sweat and quickly changed the subject.

“So, uh, why were you looking for Schumann?”

“Oh, there’s this gem I want. Schumann’s good with those things, so I thought he could help.”

“D-Dillian has something really important to do with him. Very important. So let them be.”

“Well, if it’s work, I guess it can’t be helped.”

Seeing how quickly Ria gave up, Nathan breathed a silent sigh of relief behind her back.

****

“This is a problem. I don’t really have an eye for gemstones…”

Still, it was about time I got started.

All the endless work—day and night—had been for this moment.

In the end, instead of bringing Schumann like I’d planned, I entered the jewelry store alone.

“Oh my, Lady Ria!”

The shop owner, Madame, recognized me instantly. I had become far too well-known as the Duke’s future fiancée.

“Shall I prepare the same room as last time?”

“I’m here to look at rings today.”

At that, her eyes sparkled like the gems around us.

Clearly understanding the meaning behind the word ring, Madame couldn’t hide her wide smile.

“Then today, I’ll serve you with the utmost care.”

With determination in her eyes, as if vowing to herself, Madame guided me inside.

‘Should I look with Madame? She seems like she’d be really helpful…’

I was still mulling over that thought when an unexpected voice called out to me.

“It’s been a while, Ria.”

“Your Highness the Princess?”

Sensing the shift, the sharp-witted Madame quickly excused herself, saying she’d return shortly.

“To meet here again… how nostalgic.”

I couldn’t help the swirl of emotions that rose inside me—awkwardness and a hint of fondness—as I remembered this was the same place where she had once doubted Dillian and Daisy’s relationship.

“Yes… here we are again.”

I glanced past Daisy.

A large man stood a step behind her, hands clasped behind his back. His presence was overpowering.

And yet, for some reason, his face looked strangely familiar. I was certain I’d never seen him before, and yet it felt like I had…

Noticing my gaze, Daisy grabbed his arm and pulled him to stand beside her.

“D-Daisy…”

The stern face crumbled in an instant, and he stood there awkwardly, unsure what to do. Seeing that, Daisy laughed brightly and looked at me.

“You’ve seen him before. Once.”

“I have?”

“Mhm. In a picture.”

“A picture…?”

And then I remembered—the man smiling in the pendant she’d shown me when she insisted there was nothing between her and Dillian.