“…He’s not just a mere servant, is he?”

Faced with the obvious question, Martian internally sighed. Being the dazzling beauty she was, inheriting the handsome features of her father, many men were drawn to her, trying to woo her. Attending various gatherings in the city had become tedious for her, as complications seemed to arise every time.

The peculiar thing was she had never met Huey before. At the banquet, they had only exchanged distant glances. It was easy for her to spot him, as he was the main figure, but to him, she was just one among many guests. How he recognized her and summoned her separately was beyond her.

‘So troublesome…’

She didn’t think too deeply about it. She was determined to reject any advances anyway. Everyone had their preferences when it came to partners in bed, and it was evident that the Count’s tastes were vastly different from hers. She bluntly stated,

“He mainly serves me in the bed, so ‘confidant’ would be a fitting title.”

Those who approached due to Martian’s appearance usually distanced themselves upon hearing such words. They were often shocked by the idea of a woman keeping a foreigner as a confidant. Since she had no interest in being with a man who wasn’t a ‘dog’, having Ron by her side proved to be quite a convenient method.

Of course, even among those who knew about her s*xual preferences, not all understood why she kept Ron around. Some even spread ridiculous rumors, suggesting she kept Ron, a more submissive partner because conventional lovers couldn’t handle her and fled. 

‘Those who are kicked from my side always have such things to say.’

The men who clung to her tiresomely were all the more obsessed and enamored by such rumors. Among them, many tried to reclaim their place next to her even as they berated her. Their hypocrisy was both laughable and pathetic, primarily because none of them ever dared to put direct pressure on her. Those she chose were always of lower status than her.

Nobles who were mere hanger-ons in the family, wealthy commoners born into merchant families, or male courtesans. She chose men of lower status, ensuring they wouldn’t pose a threat to her. This was the sole line she drew for her own s*xual preferences.

In that respect, the man in front of her was the worst. Martian wished his interest in her would just vanish. Huey leaned against the sofa with a furrowed brow, displaying a displeased expression. Martian, somewhat relieved, deliberately added,

“Despite his looks, he’s quite attractive in bed.”

Ron, surprised by her statement, coughed. Such an oblivious dog. Martian contemplated the punishment she would give Ron tonight and at the same time gauged the count’s reaction. Typically, most men lost interest after hearing her say such things. It would have been best if he simply distanced himself.

However, Huey was silent for a while, just staring at her pet. His gaze was assessing as if to evaluate. Eventually, he spoke again,

“So, he’s your ‘dog’ too?”

Martian frowned for a moment. ‘Dog’? She had never exposed her s*xual tastes in front of the count. His use of the word ‘also’ suggested more than just a casual degradation of her tastes.

Of course, while she never actively hid her preferences, rumors about her were not hard to find. However, it seemed improbable for a nobleman of his stature to concern himself with gossip about someone he hardly knew. Martian felt uneasy looking at the count.

As if to answer her silent question, he said,

“I visited a famous brothel after I came here. For a brothel in this place, it was quite large and not bad.”

Martian’s brow tightened. The brothel he was referring to was surely the Moonlit Haven.

‘The manager must have sold me out again.’

For a guest of this magnitude, the manager would have been personally involved. That loose-lipped manager would spill anything if money was involved. The count must have heard something from him.

“Count, I’m not sure what you heard there, but rumors tend to be exaggerated or distorted. So, please…”

“You don’t seem to remember at all.”

He cut her off briefly. His face showed a hint of disappointment. Suddenly, Martian felt a strange sensation. His body seemed oddly familiar. His lean physique was evident through his thin shirt and trousers. Just as she had imagined during the banquet, his body was exactly the type she would be drawn to.

As Martian stayed silent, Huey rose. She tensed momentarily. What is he doing? Soon, he knelt before her.

“Seeing me like this… do you remember now?”

Observing his radiant blonde hair, immaculately maintained fair skin, and well-sculpted body, Martian finally realized the origin of her deja vu. The dog, whose white coat was marred with lash marks, the one who tearfully pleaded to her before. That dog had introduced himself as “Huey.” And the nobleman kneeling before her now was named “Huey Sevlord.”

‘F*ck!’

Martian cursed inwardly. Unbeknownst to her, she had bitten off more than she could chew. She hastily spoke up.

“Count, that day…”

“I guess you remember now?”

Huey grabbed her hand and placed it on his cheek. His intention was clear. Recalling how she had driven him to the brink that day, slapping him hard enough to distort his face, spewing all manner of insults. Throughout the night, he had been tormented to the point of crying, ar*usal, and cl*max.

She responded with an uncomfortable expression.

“I didn’t know then that you were the Count.”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“I can’t simply mistreat a duke’s heir.”

“If I desire it, isn’t that enough?”

He looked at her with a perplexed expression, as if to say, what’s the issue if it’s what he wants? Martian suppressed the anger rising within her. Even on that night, he had been a self-centered dog, only prioritizing his own desires.

“Unfortunately, I’m the issue. I can’t bring myself to trample on the Count anymore.”

Martian pulled her hand away from his grasp. She had made a mistake once but had no intention of repeating it. Just as she was about to stand up and leave…

“Is there something about me that you dislike?”

He stubbornly inquired as he held her hand. In truth, by appearances alone, there was not a single thing lacking in him; he was indeed to Martian’s taste. 

His narcissism wasn’t a huge issue, it was something she felt she could adjust. Undoubtedly, many would consider it an immense opportunity to be pursued by someone of his high status.

However, Martian wasn’t of that ilk. She had a clear ‘master’ personality, and treating him according to her own inclination or dealing with him like a ‘dog’ would be tedious in various ways. Not because she couldn’t ignore his status, but because she would undoubtedly dominate him as she had always done. 

She knew herself very well.