“I didn’t say much. As you know, I’m not particularly eloquent. I just said a few disorganized things, and she was thoughtful enough to listen kindly.”

“Don’t say that. What noblewoman could be as gentle, sweet, and good-hearted as you? The language of ladies is all similar. I’m sure that duchess was also drawn to your good nature. Yes, absolutely.”

At his wife’s somewhat timid modesty, the count immediately jumped to defend her. Although his manner of speaking lacked refinement, the countess blushed at having a husband who took her side. Despite their turtledove-like behavior, Eurene was rolling her eyes while gnawing on her spoon, indifferent to whether they acted this way or not. She had turned as pale as white bread, seemingly pushed to her limits by excessive brain activation.

Hmm…… what should I do. She wanted to just collapse and claim illness because she couldn’t decide either way. If she were sick and bedridden, no one would ask her to come for tea, would they? Eurene groaned. Ah, my head hurts. She spoke to the count and countess who seemed lost in their own world.

“Um, I’m not feeling well today, so I’m planning to rest at home.”

“What? Your job is to rest at home every day! Are you saying you won’t attend a gathering that the duchess herself has kindly invited you to?”

The count, who had caught his sister’s feigned illness with uncanny accuracy, clucked his tongue with an angry face. With his subtle complex about his common origins, he seemed unable to believe that his sister would turn down such an honorable opportunity.

“Whether you’re sick or have a broken leg, you should go! You senseless girl. You should be out socializing and building connections, and instead you’re kicking away good fortune that’s rolled in! When they’re inviting you of their own accord!”

“You and sister-in-law already build plenty of social connections. I’m just scared of that duchess.”

Eurene chirped. In truth, she was uncomfortable and scared because she was sleeping with that woman’s husband. Afraid of having her hair pulled out.

“Scared? I’m scared of your belly fat! Go upstairs and get ready right now!”

“Darling! Don’t get excited.”

Worried because he often grabbed his neck and groaned due to high blood pressure, the countess intervened. The count groaned and tried to calm his reddening and purpling face, attempting to reason as politely as possible with Eurene, who was pouting her lips.

“Eurene, you’re of a certain age, and as a member of the Eifel family, shouldn’t you contribute to elevating our family by securing a good marriage? A woman’s happiness comes from marrying a good man, having children, and living lovingly together. You should attend social gatherings frequently to look for a potential husband. At a ducal house’s party, there will surely be distinguished figures, high nobility, and wealthy men all gathering to connect with the duke. Among them could be your future match!”

Brother, I already have an extremely intimate connection with that duke.

“If you become friends with the duchess, who knows. His Grace the Duke might introduce you to a suitable friend!”

Well, that’s not going to happen.

“I’m not interested.”

“Oh! Get ready and go to the duke’s residence right now!? If you don’t go, I’ll disown you!”

In the end, the count exploded with anger, and Eurene fled quickly. A piece of bread flew and hit her head before falling. She puffed her cheeks as she heard her sister-in-law trying to calm him down from beyond the dining room. Ah! So annoying! I really hate this.

* * *

Duke Carca met many people. Among them were those he met for official duties, those he met privately, and various other types. And due to his position, the majority were people who came to see him rather than those he had to visit. But today was a case where he had to go in person. He couldn’t ask the emperor to come meet him, could he? Especially when summoned by the emperor, there was no question about it.

After the audience ended, the duke’s face showed boredom as he walked down the palace corridor. The emperor’s business had been somewhat unexpected, but since he already knew or anticipated, there was nothing particularly impressive about it. He could have just sent a letter about this. It was a waste of time. Originally, he enjoyed and liked the splendid imperial palace, meetings with noble ladies (or secret rendezvous), and court social gatherings, but lately he had been declining almost all of them. Some were saying that he had matured since getting married, but that was the exact opposite of the truth.

The reason Van had been reducing all other nightlife activities and parties was simply because they weren’t as fun as embracing Eurene. To put it more explicitly, they didn’t provide the same stimulation and pleasure. He was indeed infatuated with a woman, but in quite the wrong direction. He licked his lips as he thought about her, white and round, probably eagerly reading a romance novel while eating snacks on the bed right now. It would have been more constructive to roll around with Eurene than to attend the imperial court.

“The recent one she was reading was Beliarota, wasn’t it?”

Van, who even knew the romance novels Eurene read, muttered indifferently.

He wondered how he had only met her now, as they matched so well. Not just their physical compatibility but also their personalities. Eurene was gentle, obedient, and good at following instructions, which he liked. A woman who fit perfectly in his arms and hands. Not skinny and frail, but plump and comfortable, providing a sense of comfort, and with a pure and simple personality without any ulterior motives, far removed from politics or anything else. There was no need to hide anything from her or make tiresome calculations. She was also cute. Above all, having s*x with her was the best among all the women he had been with so far.

Eurene had once asked what he liked about a dull woman like her, if it was because she was easy. At the time, Van smiled and replied that if she asked such a thing again, he would make her unable to walk the next day. While thinking that it wasn’t entirely wrong, he had somehow felt bad. He still didn’t know why. He just got irritated. Reading the bleakness mixed in his tone, the good-natured Eurene had promptly closed her mouth and snuggled up to him obediently. Isn’t that lovely?

Eurene Eifel was a woman with whom Van could relax comfortably anytime without any pretense, excuse, or explanation, and who gave him fulfilling time without emotional drain. Moreover, she never wanted him to treat her like a precious gem or tried to control him presumptuously like other women. She wouldn’t know how attractive that quality was.

Even if she acted a bit foolish, it was fine. It was cute, like an innocent charm. Unnecessarily intelligent women were headaches and bothersome. Van, who wanted to be the only outstanding one, had no interest in women with the intellect that aristocrats generally valued highly. Regardless of age or gender, those who knew a lot and were smart usually knew their own worth, and those who knew their own worth invariably became stiff-necked, loud-voiced, and had only high demands and pride. In a way, it could be called self-loathing. He wanted someone who recognized and sometimes admired his excellence and trusted him.

So Eurene was, in a way, like a woman made up of all the characteristics he had vaguely thought of as ideal. Was this what they called an ideal type? Van giggled. Yes, an ideal type. Not bad.

Hmm, this might be a flaw. She didn’t show jealousy at all—too little, in fact. His minor regret was that he wished she would sometimes show that she felt an emotional attachment to him. She was the type who, if he said tomorrow that they should stop seeing each other, would likely agree without much resistance. She would probably miss the physical intimacy but would dully and indifferently say, “Alright,” and readily comply.

Van, who had tilted his head sideways, frowned slightly. No, actually. Isn’t that a very big advantage? It would make for a clean break when the time came. His reason whispered this, but a strange uneasiness held his ankle.

Before he knew it, Van was standing still like a statue in the middle of the imperial hall. His handsome face was expressionlessly staring at the ornate tiled floor where brilliant light pooled. Eurene turning her back on him and leaving without any lingering attachment.

“That would be annoying in its own way.”

He didn’t like clingy behavior, but he also didn’t like someone leaving promptly when told to go. Even Van, who knew well that he was shameless, selfish, and not a good man, found this somewhat absurd and couldn’t help but laugh. Wow, if he ever had a daughter, he would absolutely never give her to someone like himself. He shook his head. And then he seriously weighed the options. Is it better if she clings, or if she coldly leaves?

He frowned hard and pondered. He had never contemplated major state affairs this earnestly. As soon as he tried to imagine each scenario and moved to the scene of Eurene nodding and going into the arms of another man, a curse escaped Van’s lips.

Am I crazy? It was truly a dog’s life just thinking about it. If that cute body were to be touched and possessed by another man…… Honestly, he couldn’t imagine it. What was clear was that he would be extremely angry and jealous like a madman, and he didn’t know what he might do.