“…….”

From the main gate where I set foot to the entrance of the magnificent mansion, there was a long driveway that must have been more than 300m.

If that was all, I wouldn’t have been so surprised that I was speechless. After all, the driveway of the Rabius Ducal Residence was quite long, too.

“…Callia. This is…….”

Reflexively turning my head at Richard’s voice, I could see that his ears and neck were completely flushed red.

Just like… the red rose petals scattered abundantly along the extended driveway.

“This is… quite a grand reception.”

“I clearly gave instructions not to prepare anything excessive… I’m sorry for making this burdensome….”

On both sides of the densely laid rose-petal red carpet, there were what looked like more than a hundred servants standing in perfect formation.

The moment I stepped out of the carriage, they all bowed their heads in unison with precision.

“We welcome Lady Rabius’s visit!”

The resounding cheer even created an echo.

…I couldn’t honestly say it wasn’t overwhelming.

But the person suffering the most in the current situation wasn’t me, but Richard.

Always maintaining a cool and self-controlled attitude, now that I could see how flustered he was…….

‘How cute…!’

Inwardly screaming, I barely held back my laughter and linked arms with Richard, who had frozen with a stiff face.

“So, aren’t you going to escort me? My flowery Duke?”

When I playfully spoke with twinkling eyes, Richard closed his eyes tightly, then opened them and grabbed my arm.

“…Let’s just get through this.”

“Why? I want to enjoy it slowly.”

When I deliberately took slow steps, he couldn’t bring himself to forcibly pull me along and matched my pace while muttering softly.

“……If this is your taste, I’ll keep that in mind.”

At his low voice mixed with a sigh, I couldn’t help but laugh brightly.

Then, rising on my tiptoes and slightly pulling on the arm I was holding, I whispered in Richard’s ear.

“If I said that embarrassed Richard is my taste, would you be angry?”

“…You’re the most wicked person here.”

He offered that highest level of criticism, but such a response only inflamed me more.

“What should I do? Hearing that makes me want to be even more wicked.”

After thoroughly teasing this iron fortress of a man and being scolded in a way that didn’t feel like scolding.

The elaborate landscaped garden and blue-gray marble statues visible beyond the lined-up servants became increasingly intricate.

Finally, the long driveway came to an end.

“Welcome, my Lady.”

The one who stepped forward and said that had stylishly swept-back white hair and was perfectly dressed in a black tailcoat.

Bowing slightly at the waist with a respectful attitude, he introduced himself with a gentle smile that revealed his years of experience.

“I am Baptiste Mayer, the head butler of the Aquilus family. It is a tremendous honor to serve you, my Lady.”

It was an appropriately courteous greeting, but perhaps because he even placed his hand on his heart while speaking, it felt like the utmost sincerity.

I looked at the elderly butler’s eyes, which seemed almost fervent, and replied.

“I’m glad to meet you, too, Baptiste. Thank you for your hospitality.”

Immediately after hearing those words, Baptiste startled me once more with his moistened eyes, but he quickly composed his expression and guided us to the drawing room.

“There are a total of five drawing rooms in the Aquilus Ducal Residence, but today, to commemorate your visit, my Lady, we have specially opened one that is not usually available.”

The drawing room that Baptiste guided us to had a distinctly different atmosphere from the brilliantly shining golden drawing rooms or the spacious, antique wooden furniture-decorated drawing rooms we had seen on our way here.

With a large tapestry meticulously depicting the famous tale of the first Duke of Aquilus intertwined with mythology occupying one wall, and the wallpaper, furniture, and artworks primarily in blue, white, and black tones….

“This room reminds me of the Aquilus coat of arms.”

“How perceptive. This is a drawing room that only members of the ducal family may use.”

Is it alright for me to enter such a place?

My eyes widened as I looked at Richard, who had been gazing intently at Baptiste and sighed.

“Don’t worry about it and sit comfortably, Callia.”

“Of course, please make yourself at home.”

Baptiste, who maintained a dignified but seemingly joyful demeanor as if he might break into a hum at any moment, soon entered with drinks and a silver tray.

While setting up low-alcohol white wine, bite-sized fruits, and dainty desserts, Baptiste never lost his smile.

I watched his appearance, which made even onlookers feel good, and casually spoke.

“I honestly didn’t expect such a warm welcome.”

Of course, if it were up to Richard, he wouldn’t have allowed me to be openly mistreated, but this level of kindness was truly unexpected.

“I don’t think you’d be unaware that I’ve gained notoriety as a villainess.”

I know rumors spread quickly among servants.

So the servants of the Aquilus Ducal Residence must have known about my infamous reputation.

Still, you never know.

If I were prepared from the beginning to hear insults, that would be one thing, but hearing criticism from people who suddenly changed their attitude later would hurt even me, so I broached the subject.

Baptiste smiled brightly and answered.

“If I may dare speak on behalf of the ducal residence, we are rather pleased.”

“…Pardon?”

What did I just hear?

‘Surely the people of the ducal residence don’t collectively have peculiar tastes… that can’t be it.’

Nor did it seem likely that they disliked Richard.

‘Even to me, a guest, the reverence in their eyes when looking at their master was evident.’

As I furrowed my brow, unable to understand even after pondering, Baptiste elaborated in a respectful voice.

“If you are harsh enough to have earned such a nickname, you won’t easily part with the master and will surely manage to marry him.”

“Baptiste.”

Richard called the butler’s name in a stern voice.

Yes. It seemed like the content was not as innocuous as the smooth delivery suggested.

But Baptiste didn’t stop despite the admonishment.

He bowed his head deeply and said.

“I cannot express how deeply moved I am that the master won’t leave this world lonely. Please never part ways and stay together for a long, long time-”

“Baptiste. Enough.”

“-I beg of you.”

After Baptiste firmly concluded his words, emphasizing ‘never’ and ‘long, long time’.

Richard said in a tired voice.

“I understand your feelings, so that’s enough. Excessive affection can also be disloyal.”

“Yes, this old man who has watched over you since your birth has no regrets and could close his eyes now after seeing such a beautiful couple.”

Seeing Baptiste wiping away tears, Richard perhaps judged it better to physically separate from him.

He proposed to me as I was gently smoothing out his furrowed brow with my fingertips.

“Callia. If you don’t mind, I’d like to get up now and guide you through the interior of the mansion.”

“I’d love that.”

As I readily agreed and stood up together, Baptiste naturally added.

“For your reference, the master bedroom is on the third floor.”

To his remark, accompanied by a wink, Richard firmly said.

“…Baptiste. I’ll guide her alone, so don’t follow. That’s an order.”

“How could I refuse? We servants, will absolutely not interfere with your intimate time together.”

With that, he withdrew with a smile that was half sentimental, half professional.

“He left quite obediently.”

“…I should have ordered him earlier.”

“He’s someone who has looked after Richard for a long time, like family, right? I wasn’t bothered by it.”

At that, Richard, who had been rubbing his face, looked at me.

“…Truly, you weren’t displeased?”

At his cautious question, I covered my mouth with my hand.

How can a person be so lovable?

“Of course not. How rare is it to see Richard flustered?”

“…I wasn’t flustered.”

“Alright, my cool Admiral. Please lead the way.”

As I smiled with curved eyes and raised my hand as if requesting an escort, Richard narrowed his eyes and offered his arm with a sigh.

And a moment later.

“We servants will absolutely not interfere with your intimate time together.”

Richard and I discovered why Baptiste had used the plural ‘servants’ rather than the singular ‘I’ before he left.

It began with the library.

That place, which appeared majestic and antique like any great noble family’s library-

<100 Ways to Express Your Love>

<Why the Duke Gave Fish to the Lady>

<How to Write Love Letters That Always Get Replies>

<The Person Beside You Right Now Is Your Destiny>

……

The entire bookshelf was packed with romance books. …Though it seemed some rather strange ones were mixed in too.