“Perhaps it’s because this is the first time someone other than you has touched him.”

“To call it the first time—hasn’t Dr. Brown touched him during examinations?”

He hadn’t seemed uncomfortable at all.

“Now he’s uncomfortable?”

“That’s right.”

“How strange. So many maids and others have touched him, and now he suddenly dislikes it.”

He’d accepted it fine all this time, yet this excuse felt awkward.

Thea soon realized this was her father-in-law’s tyranny—or something close to it.

He’d complain no matter what caregiver came.

Does he want me to come?

If she’d cut off all contact, he’d understand what she meant—why was he being so stubborn?

‘Even if he acts like that, things won’t go his way.’

They say stubbornness only grows with age, and that was completely true. Wasn’t his unreasonable whining increasing by the day?

It seemed time to show him that things wouldn’t roll along according to his wishes anymore.

Thea organized her swirling thoughts into one and whispered quietly.

“Butler, even if I wanted to keep managing Father, I can’t. Do you know how many new business ventures have come up?”

Hadn’t he seen her chasing documents every day without a moment to breathe? Everyone in this estate knew she wielded her quill without time to eat.

“Asking me to nurse him on top of this is like telling me to end up bedridden myself.”

“I know you’re overworking yourself, but still…”

From his vague tone, she could roughly predict what would come next. A request to care about family matters anyway, right?

At his transparent scheme, Thea scoffed.

Even a passing neighborhood dog wouldn’t laugh at such a ridiculous story.

“Don’t complain to me—complain to the Count.”

He’d surely listen kindly. Since he valued the family more than anyone, he’d give an excellent answer.

At her disinterested tone, the butler responded with a start.

“Madam! A complaint? I merely offered an opinion.”

“An opinion, yes, opinions are great.”

It just didn’t resonate with her.

Still wearing an indifferent expression, she nodded at the butler’s words, and she could see his somewhat defeated face. She didn’t like seeing that either.

Didn’t it look like she’d tormented him terribly? Though she’d barely done anything.

“Then tell me what kind of words I should say.”

Since she couldn’t understand the butler’s true intentions, wouldn’t asking him directly provide an answer?

She unclenched her clasped hands and crossed her arms. Go ahead and speak.

* * *

At the same time Thea and the butler were talking—

Acel had arrived at the estate where the Grand Duchess stayed.

He’d come to finish the unresolved Count Yut business.

Standing at the estate’s entrance, he examined the brilliantly shining interior scenery. Since the Grand Duchess loved antiques so much, even this villa-like estate where she briefly stayed was extremely lavish.

How much was all that worth?

Converted to money, it could probably buy half the empire’s land and still have plenty left over.

The Crown Prince had already complained that the nation’s money kept flowing out because of luxury goods, giving him headaches—yet a member of the same imperial family was demonstrating this firsthand.

At this reality that made his tongue click automatically, Acel raised one hand to neatly arrange his disheveled hair and stepped into the lobby.

When he surveyed the lobby, his eyes widened.

It overflowed with enough gold to hurt the eyes, and his nose twitched involuntarily at the occasional music and unidentifiable fragrances.

“Good grief… I’ve lived long enough to see everything.”

He’d learned for the first time that too many jewels could actually hurt the eyes.

No wonder rumors circulated that the Grand Duchess suffered from a hereditary family obsession.

She was obsessed with art to a degree that seemed strange even to outside observers.

She checked her art pieces the moment she woke up and fiddled with flashy jewels until she fell asleep.

It was far more impressive than what he’d heard through rumors. Honestly, it was pitiful.

She didn’t realize she was walking into a pit of fire, her ankles caught by extravagance.

He’d obtained information that quite a few people in the territory ruled by the Grand Duke resented the Grand Duchess’s extravagance. Yet the Grand Duke’s family didn’t seem to care at all.

‘Well, it’s none of my business.’

Since it wasn’t his family’s affair, he decided to stop his commentary there. Standing still was making the Grand Duke family’s servants’ gazes quite heated.

Probably because he was making their master, the Grand Duchess, wait.

For a family with a poor reputation in their territory, these were quite loyal servants.

From the moment he entered the lobby, he felt his every move was being monitored.

Feeling stifled, Acel headed further inside, where a butler from the Grand Duke’s family stood—a different one from last time.

Something major must have happened in such a short time. Though this also had nothing to do with Acel.

“Where is Her Highness?”

“My lady is in the atelier.”

“Atelier? Was there always an atelier in this place?”

At his question, the butler shook his head.

“It was completed the day before yesterday. My lady has been very interested in paintings lately.”

“I see, paintings this time. She must be planning to paint herself.”

“Rather, she seemed to want to cultivate young emerging artists.”

“Cultivate them herself.”

“Yes, she said art will rule the world from now on.”

A few brushstrokes on scraps of paper would change the world? That sounded completely different to Acel.

It sounded like she’d laundered money legally.

If not that, she might be indulging wantonly with young men.

The Grand Duchess pretended to be pure, but underneath she was utterly lascivious.

Every time they met, her flushed cheeks from who knows where and the strong smell of s*men she hadn’t properly cleaned up wafted everywhere.

He could easily tell this time it was a similar situation.

The reason the Crown Prince had told him to secretly investigate the Grand Duke’s family probably lay here.

‘Whatever the reason, it’s definitely a flaw.’

His eyes gleamed as he spoke like he’d heard an interesting proposal.

“Is that so? I should ask Her Highness if it’s a worthwhile venture. My wife seemed very interested in paintings too.”

At those words, the butler’s eyes also gleamed. Like he’d caught an excellent lead.

“If the trading company run by Countess Winter gets involved, it will generate great profits. Should I mention it separately to my lady?”

“No, that’s fine. I’m going to see her now anyway, so I’ll mention it directly.”

“Understood. Count, if you need anything, please say so anytime. I’ll handle it immediately so you’re comfortable.”

Accompanied by the politely responding butler, when he came to the atelier, he saw the Grand Duchess chatting with painters who looked very young.

They all seemed to think she was sponsoring them with pure intentions.

Seeing how they all had good looks, things would probably roll along as he expected.

He showed a hint of pity for them, unable to imagine they’d be deceived by that innocence and go through h*ll, then turned his gaze to survey the Grand Duchess.

Today she was unusually wearing a simple dress. Since these people probably didn’t look profitable, she seemed to have dressed comfortably.

Well, she looked quite surprised at his sudden visit. She looked like someone caught in an embarrassing situation.

“Count Winter, what brings you here without notice?”

“I still have unfinished business regarding Count Yut, so I stopped by briefly.”

“I see, yes. I did ask you to drop by sometime, but I’m glad you came like this. Have you had lunch?”

At the mention of lunch, Acel glanced at the rose-shaped crystal clock hanging on one side of the atelier. The clock’s hands pointed exactly at noon.

They’d just entered lunchtime. Thanks to that, he seemed to have created something to say to the Grand Duchess.

“Not yet.”

“Really? Then perfect. Let’s discuss Count Yut over a meal. I have so much to say about that family.”

“Sounds good.”

“Then, could you wait just a moment? I didn’t know you were coming, Count, so I’m dressed too casually. When you leave the atelier, the butler will guide you to a place to rest.”

At the clear dismissal, Acel didn’t respond and moved his body outside the atelier as she wished. The butler stood outside the door, having apparently overheard the contents.

“Count, please come this way. A lounge has been prepared where you can rest.”

“How long until lunch?”

“The small hand should turn at least once around, shouldn’t it?”

At the indication that preparation would take quite a while, Acel thought he should catch some sleep he hadn’t managed to get in the lounge.

Though his body would be uncomfortable since it was just a nap, at least some of his fatigue would fade.

“Understood. Let’s go to the lounge.”

“This way, please.”

While heading to the lounge guided by the butler, he could tour the estate—and it was truly bizarre beyond measure.

Though it felt new, like the interior had been redecorated, there was still a sense of disconnect from traces of old things remaining here and there.

Anyone who saw the current scenery would gape.

One side looked easily over a hundred years old, yet trendy items were scattered throughout.

Viewing the dizzying scenery ended in an instant. The butler had already opened the door to the lounge they’d arrived at.

“You can rest here. Count, shall I assign you a maid?”

“No maid needed.”

The moment he stepped inside, saying he wanted to rest comfortably alone—

Thea, who should be at home, came to mind. If he didn’t return for several days, their already poor relationship would worsen.

No more misunderstandings should arise. He put more force on the door handle he’d lightly grasped and said, “Oh right. Butler.”

“Yes?”

“Please send a letter to Countess Winter.”

“Understood. What should I convey in the contents?”

At the suggestion he should definitely leave word, he fell into brief contemplation, but soon opened his closed mouth.

“Something like I have business with the Grand Duke’s family and will stay a few more days would be good.”

He had a feeling he wouldn’t be able to leave this place easily.

* * *

After the brief argument with the butler, she sat down in her office chair and cooled her flushed face with a towel soaked in cold water.

How she’d countered every single word without backing down.

If anyone knew, they’d think I was devouring this estate.

In this sigh-inducing situation, just when Thea moved the towel to her eyelids, a maid entered and spoke quietly.

“Madam, we’ve received word from Margaret—what should we do?”

At those words, she flinched in surprise and roughly removed the towel covering her eyes.