Chapter 4 – Part 5

The woman’s lips tugged at the corners of her mouth in an elegant manner and she took both of Liese’s hands in hers, warmth radiating from them.
 
“You’re even prettier than I expected.”
 
“You’re being flattering. Lady Fitzgold is beautiful, too.”
 
“It’s hard to be ugly with all that makeup. Call me Claudia, by the way.”
 
Leaning in, Claudia whispered in his ear.
 
“How did you decide to become the partner of such a personality wrecker?”
 
Liese laughed awkwardly. He seems to be mean to everyone. Marcus, who was sipping wine, spoke indifferently instead of Lise, who did not respond.
 
“I can hear you, so why don’t you just yell it out.”
 
“Ho-ho.”
 
Claudia, who had taken a step back, laughed out loud. The three of them looked as close and intimate as if they’d known each other for years. As Liese rolled her eyes, Eric stepped forward, took her fingertips gently in his, and bowed.
 
“Ms. Brennan, it’s a pleasure. I’m Eric Bryson.”
 
Eric bowed stiffly, like a gentleman addressing a noble lady. But he didn’t kiss the back of her hand. Unaccustomed to physical contact with strangers, Liese was glad he drew the line.
 
“It’s good to see you again, Marquis.”
 
“Likewise.”
 
Even though he clearly saw Rize wearing an apron, Eric did not show any emotion. Claudia tilted her chin at an angle, her face mild.
 
“We’re going to go pour ourselves a glass of wine to quench our thirst. I’ll see you at the celebration, Lieselote.”
 
“I’ll see you in a little while.”
 
“And with that, the drunken scarecrows are gone. Bye.”
 
As if on cue, Claudia put her hand on Eric’s arm and started to walk away. Liese almost burst out laughing at how good she looked.
 
“Duke, are they…?”
 
Liese leaned forward in her chair and whispered quietly. Marcus took another sip of wine.
 
“Yes, they are. He’s been sticking around since he was a little boy, and he must have gotten hit in the eye.”
 
“……?”
 
“Just kidding, they’re friends.”
 
“I don’t know, I don’t understand the Duke’s joke….”
 
Liese shook her head in confusion, and Marcus let out a short laugh. He was a surprisingly funny man. Maybe he smiles more often on purpose, conscious of the stares.
 
“They’re just as eager as I am to have a suitable partner and have a smooth social season.”
 
“I see.”
 
Liese flicked a distant glance toward the bar, where Claudia would be. She was hard to see from the table they were sitting at.
 
“She seems like a pleasant person.”
 
“Eric?”
 
Marcus frowned. Liese cleared her throat.
 
“Miss Fitzgold.”
 
“Ah. Claudie.”
 
So he calls her by her short name, too, Liese realized with a newfound self-awareness.
 
“I see. I’m sure she’d be popular with anyone.”
 
“She’s celibate.”
 
My jaw dropped at the unexpected answer. It was the first time she’d ever heard of a noblewoman who was celibate. Somehow, it was refreshing.
 
“They say there are a lot of cuckolds, and there’s no point in publicizing it.”
 
“A celibate…. I’m both surprised and unsurprised.”
 
“Maybe you just don’t feel anything.”
 
Liese smirked at the indifferent voice.
 
“I couldn’t overcome my father’s anger and started appearing in social circles, but I chose Eric, my best friend, rather than getting involved with unscrupulous people and causing troublesome rumors.”
 
“Ah… I see… You have a similar situation with the Marquis.”
 
“Yes. Our interests aligned.”
 
Partners with aligned interests. That’s what she could call her relationship with Marcus. A relationship that would fulfill their interests and then leave them behind after the summer. However, theirs was notable for its lack of intimacy.
 
“Everyone seems to be overwhelmed by summer events.”
 
“It’s a hassle and annoying.”
 
She didn’t have to ask who he was talking about. The Duke himself had said it was nothing more than a fun way to spend the free season. Liese, who was digging into the plum sorbet for dessert, spoke up.
 
“Do any of your friends know of my affairs?”
 
“Your circumstances? It’s not just one or two, but what are the circumstances? ”
 
“I mean, aside from your family background… the part about being paid by the Duke.”
 
Marcus leaned his long fingers against his angular chin and looked at Liese.
 
“Does it bother you?”
 
“I’d be lying if I said it didn’t.”
 
“Your afraid people might misunderstand that you are doing other things for me in return.”
 
Liese’s face hardened. Cruelly, there was a smile on his face. The duke was still taking pleasure in poking her where it hurt.
 
“I’m sure you’ve noticed the money coming and going. A duke in need of a partner, and a woman who’s been a servant to him. A relationship that can only exist through the exchange of money.”
 
“…….”
 
“Don’t worry. I know that our interests coincided.”
 
“…….”
 
“It was troublesome to explain the details.”
 
His hassle-averse nature saved Liese’s modest pride. He lowered his eyes, and Liese quietly finished the dessert that no longer tasted like anything.
 
Pride had always been an afterthought in her life, but strangely, in the presence of a man who kept humiliating her, it felt like the last dignity she could muster. Even though she knew it would only make her more miserable.
 
The three or four months she had to keep pace with him seemed like a blur. She had a hunch that keeping up her smile and staying by the Duke’s side would be harder than she expected.
 
***
 
The celebration to mark the opening of the exhibition was held in the same grand ballroom in the center of the city.
 
The building was so austere in appearance that Liese was as stunned as she had been when she had entered the top of Bonworth, even more so when she realized that the owner of the ballroom was the man standing beside her.
 
Even the upcoming exhibition, which was to be held there, was to feature only artwork owned by the Balthazar family. The cultural foundation said it was only open for a limited time during the summer.
 
They were all told this as soon as they entered the ballroom.
 
It was only then that Liese fully realized that she felt like she was in the palm of Marcus’s hand.
 
As they walked down the hallway leading to the main hall, Liese steadied her somewhat rapid breathing.
 
The restaurant was a mixed crowd, but the only patrons here were those who obviously didn’t recognize Marcus. She couldn’t help but stiffen at the realization that all eyes would be on him and Liese.
 
“Don’t flinch.”
 
Marcus pointed out as they walked side by side. He placed a hand on her bare shoulder blade without warning. He meant for her not to flinch at the sudden contact, but she couldn’t help it; her shoulders had already scrunched up.
 
“I’m trying my best not to look nervous; I’ll try harder.”
 
“Because if you flinch every time I touch you, it looks like you’re excited.”
 
Ignoring her excuses, Marcus leaned down to whisper in her ear.
 
“I understand the passion, but I don’t think it’s necessary to make it blatantly obvious that we’re enjoying the intimate act.”
 
Liese responded in a quiet voice, keeping her head straight ahead.
 
“But you enjoy it when I flinch.”
 
“That’s true.”
 
“Then I’ll refrain from doing anything that might give you pleasure.”
 
“That’s impossible. I enjoy your very existence.”
 
Not wanting to argue further, Liese shut her mouth. She only clutched the duke’s forearm, which was firm and strong through the fabric of his coat.
 
As if on cue, the doors on either side of them opened wide to welcome them into the main hall, where three or four noblemen were already glancing around.
 
“Consider it a rehearsal, Lieselotte.”
 
As if reading Liese’s mind, Marcus advised.
 
“The summer is still young, and today is just a practice run, no matter if you fail or succeed.”
 
“Actually, that’s what I was thinking earlier.”
 
“Of course, if you fail, you won’t get a dime, and you’ll be hauled off for trespassing on the Duke’s property.”
 
“…Thank you for your advice. I’ll keep my wits about me.”
 
As they entered the hall, a more upbeat, rhythmic tune rang in her ears than the music playing in the restaurant. There were finger foods and drinks at standing tables scattered throughout, and well-dressed waiters circulated, offering champagne.
 
People, each in their finest evening attire, cast glances toward Marcus and Liese, whose advice, or lack thereof, allowed her to blend into the stifling air currents a little more naturally.
 
“Your Excellency the Duke!”
 
A man standing nearby recognized Marcus, and he looked vaguely familiar as he hobbled over with his wife at his back. Liese narrowed her eyes, unable to look away from him.
 
“I can’t tell you how pleased I am to be here on such an important occasion. From the moment I received the Foundation’s invitation, I was overjoyed, not only for myself but also for Anshan.”
 
“Your name?”
 
Marcus asked dryly, as always, cutting to the chase if he wasn’t interested, and the man clasped his trembling hands together in prayer. It was a posture that would have been acceptable to any god.
 
“Dustin, Dustin Smith, and this is my wife, Freya Smith. Freya, please come and greet Your Excellency.”
 
From over the man’s shoulder, a barely visible woman emerged. She looked as excited as ever.
 
“Oh, my God, it is such an honor to meet you, Your Grace.”
 
“Count and Countess Smith.”