Chapter 14. Blue Watercolor Flowers

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Enoch admitted it.

This woman was intriguing.

He also recognized that this interest did not stem from any human affection or lukewarm emotion.

It was simply a desire to keep her close and observe her. This shallow curiosity would not develop into anything significant.

It was unexpected that she refused the maid position at the Grand Duke’s residence, but then he could dangle a more tempting bait. The privilege of becoming the Grand Duke’s mistress with an annual income of 600,000 Lupin. It was an offer hard to refuse.

This pitiful woman clearly had no place to rely on or anyone to turn to in times of need. So, this time, she wouldn’t be able to refuse.

Baron Lopez’s residence, was it? It was obvious that such a miserable place would overwork her, and it was clear that leaving that cesspool to fall into his arms was a far better path.

The woman might be pitiable, but she wasn’t a fool. Enoch quietly observed the blank expression of the woman who stood there dazed.

The thought of her weighing her options with that small head of hers amused him.

“……You, no, does Your Highness.”

After some time, the woman finally spoke. Contrary to his expectations, her voice was calm, though it sounded somewhat incredulous.

“Take a mistress without even knowing her name?”

That was a point he hadn’t considered. The woman made even the great Enoch Bayern pause. Enoch looked at her with a surprised expression and asked.

“What is it? Your name.”

“……It’s Ellenore.”

Not revealing her surname suggested she was an orphan from an orphanage or the streets. It wasn’t a surprising fact, so Enoch nodded indifferently. He was newly astonished that he had taken an interest in her without even knowing her name.

She wasn’t an extraordinary beauty, nor particularly impressive.

Enoch’s eyes slowly scanned her appearance.

Even after seeing her again, she wasn’t my type. And yet, there was something oddly captivating about her.

Wouldn’t other men feel the same way when they see this woman? Enoch was confident that he had just hit the mark. Just looking at how she got into that absurd quarrel at the ball proved it.

A blue flower soaked with rain, one that you might want to pluck at least once.

That was the charm this woman possessed.

“I don’t know how to flirt, and I’m not skilled in relationships between men and women. I don’t even know how to indulge in proper luxury to uphold the dignity of Your Highness, the Grand Duke. Do you think someone like me is suitable to be a mistress?”

The woman spoke with a clear, unwavering voice. For someone talking about the affairs of a mistress, her eyes were remarkably clear and honest, creating a sense of discord.

I didn’t know if this woman valued premarital chastity or had high moral standards, but if she did, it stirred a peculiar sense of competitiveness in me.

Yes, I want to break her.

What kind of face would you make when you cry and cling to me?

I wanted to see her broken.

“Flirting isn’t necessary. The more you indulge in luxury, the better you get at it. As for relationships between men and women…”

As I stared at her intently and reached out my hand, the woman flinched slightly. I leisurely stroked her face, which showed a frightened expression. The sensation wasn’t bad.

“You don’t have to make any effort.”

“…?”

I wanted to see those innocent eyes, round and wide with confusion, filled with tears. It was an impulse closer to sadism than lust. It was the moment I was swept away by that fierce, wave-like emotion and leaned toward her.

Knock, knock.

A sudden knock interrupted the amusement. Enoch frowned slightly and straightened his back. As soon as he irritably asked what was going on, the footman’s neat voice returned.

“Lady Ashwood is here.”

“…Why is she here?”

“She says it’s an important matter.”

“Ha…”

His mood, which had soared in an instant, was ruined by the sudden surge of irritation. Enoch clicked his tongue briefly as he glanced indifferently at the woman standing blankly. Damn Penelope. Her dramatic entrances were top-notch.

“Go.”

“What?”

“Come back later. Don’t forget my offer.”

“…Yes.”

The woman bowed and turned around, looking rather relieved. That reaction grated on Enoch’s nerves. He wanted to stop her hurried steps toward the door, but…

“Enoch!”

“Tsk.”

As expected, the impatient Penelope couldn’t wait for her turn and barged in. As usual, her radiant silver hair fluttered.

“Huh? Who…”

“…!”

The woman who encountered Penelope Ashwood at the threshold seemed a bit surprised but quickly lowered her head to hide her expression and hurriedly left the room. She looked like she was fleeing. Seeing her retreating figure made Enoch feel like chasing after a missed prey.

Enoch stared long at the spot where the woman had disappeared.

There would be plenty of opportunities to get her. He knew her name and where she lived. So there was no need to be impatient, but…

This feeling is disgusting.

Why?

Enoch ran a rough hand through his hair and sat irritably on the sofa, picking up his smoking pipe. The wick, which he had extinguished upon hearing the woman was coming, was relit.

As soon as he took a long drag and exhaled the smoke, Penelope grimaced and coughed.

“Damn it. You still haven’t quit?”

“Why are you here? Get lost.”

“Starting with the attitude right away, huh?”

Despite being revered as a saint by the people due to her powerful healing magic, this woman had a foul mouth. In fact, was it only her mouth that was foul?

Penelope Ashwood was hot-tempered, often resorting to fists before words when angry. Nonetheless, she knew how to act coy in social circles, so only a few, including those who had fought alongside her on the battlefield, knew her true nature.

“It’s rare for a woman to come to this mansion. Who was that?”

“None of your business.”

Enoch sharply cut off Penelope’s curiosity. For some reason, he felt annoyed. Why was she poking her nose into things unnecessarily?

“What? Could it be the woman you danced with at the spring ball? Now that I think about it, she did look a bit familiar.”

“Just tell me why you’re here.”

“This annoying bastard…”

Muttering curses at Enoch, Penelope pulled an envelope from the bag she had brought and handed it to him.

Raising one eyebrow, Enoch took the envelope and quickly read through the documents inside. Soon, his face showed utter disbelief.

“A marriage contract?”

“I told you before, didn’t I? Both you and I are being pestered to get married. Let’s pretend to be married and then part ways amicably after three years. Oh, and if you’re okay with it, we can even have a child. But that child will carry on the Ashwood name.”

This insane lady… Enoch looked at Penelope with a disgusted expression. Her crazy plan to neatly handle both marriage and the issue of an heir. Indeed, it was a thought only someone as unhinged as her could come up with.

“Honestly, it would be great if the child only resembled your appearance, but it would be a big problem if they inherited your personality. Still, I’ll raise them properly, so it’s fine. How about it? It’s not a bad offer for you either…”

“No.”

Enoch threw the documents back at Penelope, who was chattering incessantly. She deftly caught the papers that nearly hit her face and scowled. She bombarded him with questions, unable to comprehend his refusal.

“Why? Why won’t you do it? It would get rid of all the women clinging to you. I’d even let you go after three years. Why! Oh, do you need an heir too? I thought you weren’t interested in that, but do you want to continue the Bayern name?”

“I won’t get married. Not to you, not to any other woman.”

Enoch declared arrogantly. Penelope, who had been glaring at him with a sigh, suddenly seemed to have an idea and asked with sparkling eyes.

“Is it because of that woman earlier?”

“What?”

What kind of ridiculous misunderstanding was this now? Enoch’s face twisted in disbelief as he glared at Penelope, but she continued without stopping.

“Hm, so that’s your type. A woman like that, who evokes a protective instinct, huh?”

“Shut up and get out.”

“What if that woman asks you to marry her? Would you do it?”

Enoch paused involuntarily at the unexpected question. His furrowed eyebrows twitched slightly.

…Marriage? With that woman?

He rolled the smoking pipe in his hand and then let out a derisive laugh.

What nonsense.

“Why would I marry a woman like her?”

“A woman like her? Do you hear yourself? Honestly, I think it would be a miracle if any woman agreed to marry you and stay with you for a long time. You’re useless except for your looks. Do you know that?”

Enoch waved his hand dismissively, signaling he no longer wanted to listen. Penelope knew that when this irritable and sensitive man said ‘Get lost’ more than three times, his patience had run out. Since she had already heard it twice, it was best to leave before he said it a third time. However, she couldn’t help but feel spiteful.

“Fine, I’ll get lost. I hope one day you’ll get burned by your arrogance. When that day comes, I’ll laugh at you loudly, so be prepared.”

With a curse-like insult, Penelope left like the wind. Left alone in the drawing room, Enoch sank into the sofa, almost lying down, and smoked a cigarette endlessly. His golden eyes, staring meaninglessly at the ceiling, were filled with boredom.

“…This feels awful.”

The regret of his missed prey irritated him. Enoch put out his cigarette and stood up, calling a servant to bring his hunting rifle. Ignoring the hassle of changing into riding clothes, he simply threw on a coat, mounted his horse quickly, and rode off.

That evening, the outskirts of the capital were filled with the constant sound of gunshots. The ruthless hunter left the forest without even retrieving the animals he had shot.

The next day, upon hearing the report, King Henry rubbed his temples and sighed. He muttered wearily.

“We need to get him married soon.”

Enoch Bayern was the best hunting dog Freuden could not do without, but he had been allowed too much freedom. A leash was needed for the hunting dog that rampaged every day.

And marriage was the most suitable means.

“Contact Marquis Philoan. We need to expedite the marriage plans for Iris and Enoch.”

After all, a noble’s marriage is a loveless contract. Living together and sharing a bed would eventually foster some affection. No matter how arrogant and unruly Enoch was, he would calm down once he had a family.

Iris Philoan was elegant and well-mannered, and her beauty was comparable to that of Penelope, so she would surely catch Enoch’s eye.

The only concern was the night of the Spring Ball…

‘Throw it away.’

The owner of the lost shoe.

‘Lopez…’

A family with no power or connections would be easy to control. But that was just a secondary plan.

To properly control Enoch, the power of the Philoan Marquisate was necessary.

‘You understand, don’t you, Enoch?’

His younger brother was always arrogant and heedless, but he had no ambition for power. As long as Henry was in his current position, Enoch understood he shouldn’t oppose him.

‘I’ll gladly wear that leash for you. Is that enough, my damn brother?’

It seemed as if he could hear Enoch saying that. Though it was just his imagination.

Henry smiled bitterly and ran a hand over his face. If only they weren’t members of the royal family, maybe they could have been proper brothers.

It was just a wishful daydream.

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