“After hearing about the eldest son being taken away due to illness, Count Sinkere almost stumbled and fell.”

“Hmm.”

“The new madam seems to be an interesting person.”

What happened at the upper level was immediately reported to Duke Ivernum.

The aide, secretly impressed by the fresh approach Everly had taken, subtly studied his lord’s face.

‘At first glance, you look as if you are listening to the report indifferently as usual… … .’

The aide did not miss the strangely satisfied look in the eyes of his master whom he had served for a long time.

“When you proceeded with the engagement to Sinkere’s daughter all of a sudden, I thought it was part of your plan to directly supervise it. Was there really a genuine reason mixed in with the public justification you provided?”

The romance currently rocking high society was undoubtedly the love story between the lord and the prospective mistress.

A man and a woman from opposing noble families who fell in love at first sight. They promised to marry each other despite the opposition of their families, driven solely by their love for each other.

‘I thought it was a made-up excuse, but when I saw the look on my lord’s face… … .’

It’s not like it’s just a smokescreen to get the sedatives, but the fact that he told me to speed up preparations for the engagement ceremony, and the expression on his face that only changes when he talks about his wife-to-be, is also unusual.

‘Is the spring breeze finally here for our lord?’

It was the first time that my perfect master showed such a human side.

The aide’s heart was pounding even as he took the initiative.

As a vassal of Ivernum, apart from being wary of suspicious aspects of his lord’s wife-to-be, the aide welcomed his lord’s romance.

There was no way that my lord, who had a transcendent body, would be harmed, so I hoped that my lord, who had never had a good day, could at least have a place to rest.

‘My lord’s romance was real!’

I remembered again when my lord first mentioned the Lady of Sinkere.

He gave special instructions to make sure that the wife-to-be, who had taken refuge from her abusive family, would not have any inconvenience during her stay, and he sent someone to her house in advance.

The aide, who had been looking with interest as he reinterpreted the master’s previous actions, belatedly recognized that the master’s red eyes were watching him.

“Is there anything else to report?”

“No.”

“Then go back.”

“Yes, my lord!”

The startled advisor replied loudly and retreated.

Thud.

After the office door is closed.

The Duke attempted to review some documents as he usually did. However…

“… …”

For some reason, instead of the letters on the documents, someone’s image kept intruding into his sight, making it impossible to move on to the next page. 

He had never experienced anything like this before.

In a strangely unfocused state, the duke put down his papers and pressed his eyes shut.

As his vision darkened, there was a scene that appeared as if he had been waiting for it.

“Well, do I look even more beautiful now? Can’t take your eyes off me?”

The sound signaling the start of the engagement ceremony and the figure glimpsed through the open door.

It was his dazzlingly beautiful contract bride.

That unrealistic figure, like a mischievous fairy, came to life when he heard her words and approached him.

‘Thanks to you, I managed to avoid looking foolish by being lost for words.’

He had never considered himself someone who would be rendered speechless upon seeing someone. 

He simply stood there, helpless..

At least he came to my senses during the ceremony, but that was due to other factors.

‘I was concerned about the Count’s absence.’

Evely Sinkere.

The person who would now be called Evely Ivernum was desperately looking for her family who did not show up during the engagement ceremony.

‘They acted like people who didn’t need to be there at all.’

Unlike the fact that she had already said that her family would not come and that it was no big deal, her light pink eyes showed that she was looking for herfamily, even though she pretended not to.

Even after the feast was over, as he unconsciously glanced toward the entrance, wondering if they would arrive late, he couldn’t help but feel annoyed with the Sinkere.

She was not his real spouse, and even she herself was embarrassed by the things called Sinkere.

‘Indeed, at that time, they were planning to seize her belongings during the engagement ceremony.’

Family members who didn’t even come to the engagement ceremony took advantage of their daughter’s important day and made a surprise attack on the guild, the day after the engagement ceremony?

Although he didn’t particularly sympathize with her, he found it unsettling.

‘Okay. ‘That’s it.’

He also went to her room last night.

For the first time, he kept wanting to check if her eyes had welled up.

It’s a pitiful situation, so it must be a learned human nature.

The Duke quietly rested his chin on his hand and reflected on the events of the previous night, as he himself was unable to give an accurate answer.

After completing the engagement reception.

It had been a busy day, and he could have simply retired to his bedroom. However, he had chosen to knock on the door of the room next to his.

Perhaps he was curious about why he had sought out the woman who, despite being his closest associate on paper, was not really his lover.