Chapter 4.2

Contrary to Tina’s nerves, Theo Biente-Smolenn was a cheerful and witty man.

He treated Tina with great courtesy, which made him quite likable.

He was six years older than Cherilian, but still unmarried.

Tina realized why Cherilian disliked him. Apparently, the collateral relatives had opposed their marriage, and Theo was one of them.

“Here’s a belated wedding gift.”

“Wow, thank you.”

At Tina’s signal, a maid quickly took Theo’s gift.

“It really is a wedding gift, Theo?”

Cherilian, apparently still holding a grudge, was cold enough to make Tina feel awkward. But Theo was unfazed.

He winked playfully, lightening the potentially tense atmosphere.

“If I’d known you were so wise and bright, I’d never have acted that way.”

“Enough, say what you want to say. Otherwise, a Lord who loves to show his face everywhere wouldn’t bother coming all the way out here.”

Theo looked sheepish for a moment, but his expression quickly turned serious.

“Your Grace, territorial wars and battles are a thing of the past. These days, you have to marry to grow your land and wealth. Not that wars don’t happen, but…”

It was the so-called inheritance war. Theo aimed to marry an heiress with rights to a region and a family inheritance, hoping to win the inheritance war with the support of the Biente Dukedom.

“I’m planning to marry the heiress of the Sterobangs family. She has a strong claim, but all the collateral male relatives are after her. The marriage law’s anti-incest clause is the only defense, but I’d like Your Grace’s help.”

Inheritance wars often involved poison and even crimes among relatives.

Not wanting to get involved in such dirty, complicated affairs, Cherilian frowned. It would bring benefits, but also unnecessary enemies.

“Isn’t ruling Smolenn enough for you?”

“As you say, Your Grace, I’m greedy.”

Theo shrugged and offered a tempting deal.

“Even if I acquire my future wife’s share, the Biente-Smolenn family can’t handle it all. So I’d like to transfer some of the land to you, Your Grace.”

“……”

“I heard some knights in the Biente Order still haven’t received their own fiefs. This way, you can give them land, expand the Biente Dukedom, and everyone benefits, right?”

Theo’s proposal really was good for everyone—if only he could win the inheritance war.

Cherilian pondered slowly. Watching him, Theo smiled gently and added,

“Oh, right. Among them, there’s a small village with a truly beautiful beach. Lately, many nobles in society have been building villas on private beaches and vacationing there, right? I think it would be more than enough as a wedding gift for Her Grace.”

With that conversation, Theo’s status shifted from annoying nuisance to an annoying but helpful peddler.

Cherilian, signaling future support, said he would give Theo a diamond ring as a gift.

Since Theo didn’t have such wealth, it was a ring intended for his proposal to the heiress.

Theo nodded in satisfaction, and the light meeting between the two ended.

* * *

“There’s a lot to discuss, so he said he’ll be staying here for a while.”

Cherilian explained in a slightly cold tone. He seemed quite displeased. Tina clenched her fist with determination.

“The Duchess has a duty to entertain guests second only to the Duke. If you’re busy, I’ll make sure to entertain them well.”

Cherilian held back from saying how much he hated that.

Meanwhile, Theo seemed to realize that things would go more smoothly if he earned points with the Duchess rather than the Duke. He was quick-witted.

Smolenn was a hub of commerce. Theo earned points by showing Tina fabrics and ornaments brought from distant lands and gifting them to her.

While Cherilian was busy with inspections and meetings with the Viscount, Tina spent pleasant times having tea or walking with Sir Theo.

It wasn’t just an unmarried man and a married woman meeting alone; they were always accompanied by knights. Even so, Cherilian felt uneasy.

“…So, after demolishing the old mill—”

Cherilian half-listened to the Viscount and gazed out the window.

In the yard, Theo, Tina, and the knights were playing a game of tossing a ball into a goal.

The bored knights, glad for a chance to move their bodies in front of so many people, played enthusiastically.

From afar, Cherilian’s eyes were drawn to the woman who stood out immediately. Tina was smiling brightly, her hair shining like golden thread.

Beside Tina stood the tall Theo, keeping a polite distance and laughing with the knights.

To an outsider, Theo Biente-Smolenn looked like one of those “boss, nice shot!” types, jangling around the group.

But Cherilian’s stern gaze was filled with displeasure.

Tina and Theo exchanged a few short words. It probably wasn’t anything important. Even knowing that, Cherilian’s hand gripped the window frame tightly.

“Your Grace?”

When Cherilian pinched his brow, the quick-witted Viscount suggested they take a break.

“Haa…”

Left alone, Cherilian sighed. He felt unfamiliar, becoming petty and pathetic.

Cherilian didn’t doubt Tina’s wholehearted love. He just didn’t want anyone else to know the value of what he cherished most.

As he reached this thought, a sticky realization came to him.

‘Ah, so that’s why. That’s why Father oppressed Mother.’

Cherilian understood his father’s mistake before his mother forgave him.

Understanding it didn’t make it any less unpleasant.

* * *

“Cherry, you still don’t like Theo, do you?”

Tina spoke to Cherilian, who was carefully drying her wet hair.

He said nothing, but Tina laughed lightly instead of scolding him for being childish.

Everyone thought Cherilian had matured early, becoming the sole heir of the Duke’s family at a young age, but Tina saw that he still had childish sides. Quite a few, in fact.

He was chivalrous, lacking in greed and thoughtful, but he never yielded anything he considered his.

“He seems like a good person to me. If you’re still sulking about his opposition to our marriage, get over it already.”

She wasn’t worried, because she knew Cherilian was clear about work and personal matters. He was deeply responsible and knew what he had to bear. He did what needed to be done, even if he disliked it.

That’s why he didn’t complain about Tina entertaining guests for a few hours a day as Duchess in his stead.

He only expressed his dislike in ways only Tina could notice. Like a finicky cat.

“Theo is a good person. Even today, he said he was really glad I married you and that it was a wonderful match.”

At her words, Cherilian looked quite displeased.

“…What right does he have to judge our marriage as good or bad? It feels like he’s approaching you with some strange motive.”

Tina widened her eyes at Cherilian’s prickly tone.

But Theo’s flattery wasn’t for any strange motive. The things he said were the same as what the Biente knights often said to Tina, so it wasn’t worth a serious reaction.

‘A lot has piled up lately. Maybe he’s just being childish or sulky.’

Well, sometimes acting childish helps relieve stress.

Tina cleared her throat and held out her arms to him, adding a benevolent smile.

“Let me show you some charm.”

“……”

Oops, she hadn’t meant to sound so forceful!

Tina was secretly surprised by her own daring words whenever she was alone with Cherilian.

Come to think of it, when she pinched his n*pples, her hands moved swiftly and accurately, like a salmon finding its way home. If she got too used to this, it might trouble him.

“Cherry, do you dislike me acting this way?”

Cherilian couldn’t answer. He was already at a point where he couldn’t distinguish between discomfort and anticipation.

“Still, don’t regret marrying me, okay?”

Tina, always brimming with confidence, spoke hesitantly, making Cherilian’s face flush for no reason.

“That’s a question I should be asking you.”

“……”

“…I’m sending Theo back tomorrow. If he wants to make arrangements, he’ll have to return. My knight will handle delivering the proposal gifts.”

So far, everything was within acceptable bounds.

“Oh, jealous one. If I ever go to the capital, you’ll lose your mind!”

At Tina’s joke, Cherilian gave a completely unexpected answer.

“Tina, you’ll never enter the capital’s social circles.”

That was so incomprehensible that Tina frowned and asked again.

“Why…?”

“There’s no need.”

Cherilian replied sharply, then tidied up the bedding himself. Tina closed her mouth, sensing he wouldn’t explain even if she pressed further. She tried to sort out this unfamiliar displeasure. Cherilian would never do anything to harm her; he’d always devoted himself to her.

‘But… this is a bit strange.’

But the conversation had already ended awkwardly. Tina found this tense atmosphere unfamiliar and frightening. The two spent the night in a strange mood.