But Derek had his own circumstances.

‘The people of the territory shouldn’t be unaware of the face of their Duchess.’

Getting married directly without going through an engagement ceremony was quite unusual in noble society.

There was no reason to rush unless one had committed some impropriety.

Normally, after engagement, couples would visit various places for about two years, making their presence known.

But the two of them had no such luxury, so showing their faces to the territory’s people was an urgent priority.

‘That’s when… I’ll propose.’

Ah, it was ecstatic just to imagine.

Two people promising eternity amid a cheering crowd!

Though he hadn’t read any, wasn’t it just like a scene from a romance novel?

‘I should probably borrow one.’

Derek decided to borrow one of Lucas’s books.

The more perfect the preparation, the better.

***

Meanwhile, Audrey found herself caught in her own trap.

‘W-what should I do?’

If she obediently went along with the territory inspection, it seemed she would truly have no way out.

There was no gambling debt amounting to hundreds of thousands of gold. She had even less intention of marrying Duke Frith.

‘I just wanted to make him fall out of love with me…!’

What exactly was the problem?

Any normal person would have lost interest long ago, so why didn’t Duke Frith show any signs of doing so?

Audrey had certainly done her best.

Acting like an unlikable princess with an attitude problem, and even playing the role of a gambler drowning in debt.

‘How could I possibly do more than this!’

But it was suffocating how his mature true love tried to cover even these flaws.

An ominous feeling rose that she might never be able to escape from him.

Unless one of them went to prison or closed their eyes first.

‘…Prison?’

Audrey suddenly had a dangerous thought.

‘I’ll wait. Until you come out, forever.’

‘…Ha.’

The imaginary version of herself smiled crookedly.

Then she carelessly spat out the toothpick she had been chewing on.

‘Listen, Your Grace. It seems you don’t understand the situation.’

‘I’ll make sure to send special meals for every mealtime.’

‘I’m a very dangerous woman, you know?’

‘So please just come back healthy.’

‘I killed someone!’

The unpleasant sound of chains rattled along with her rough gestures.

Duke Frith, as if the scene was heartbreaking, frowned with regret.

‘…I’ll take care of your family, so don’t worry.’

‘No, listen!’

‘If you want, we can have the wedding now. Give me your hand.’

‘W-w-what are you doing?’

‘Until death do us part, I will never change. I will stay by your side for life…’

‘You’re crazy! Let go of this! I said let go!’

“……”

Hmm, is it just a feeling?

Somehow, it seems going to prison wouldn’t be of much use either.

Duke Frith would surely step forward, saying he would take care of her in prison.

‘What should I do? What should I, ah!’

Audrey, who was anxiously racking her brain, suddenly came up with a brilliant idea.

“I’m sorry… but I think it would be difficult for me.”

“Why?”

“My father will worry. I’ll guard the office well, so please look around comfortably!”

“……”

Audrey replied spiritedly.

Derek felt as if his breath stopped once again at the sight.

‘Damn it!’

Does Dodori know how lovely she is and how much he wants to bite her?

Probably not. Because she doesn’t know, she keeps squeezing his heart at all times.

‘Just like a puppy!’

The way she brightly declared she would guard the office, with her eyes shining, was just like a puppy.

The problem was that it wasn’t convincing at all.

How could such a tiny body possibly guard the office?

That’s why he couldn’t leave her behind even more.

Besides, he was visiting to announce their marriage in the first place.

“So I just need Count Kevelson’s permission?”

“…What? Y-yes?”

“Good.”

Derek turned around without hesitation and disappeared with quick steps.

Audrey’s anxious gaze followed him from behind.

***

“Let’s have a talk.”

“Yes.”

Count Kevelson put down what he was doing and responded to his superior’s call.

It was already the second time today.

‘Ho ho, will the sun rise from the west tomorrow?’

It was the first time Duke Frith had visited the Ministry of Justice so frequently.

Moreover, what he asked about in the morning was how to gift 500,000 gold to another person.

Isn’t that quite strange?

Even the way he quietly blushed at the word ‘marriage’ mentioned in passing was quite unfamiliar.

‘It’s about time he got married.’

Count Kevelson nodded as if he understood.

No matter how wooden Duke Frith might be, he was still a youth with hot blood.

It’s natural for one’s heart to flutter when reaching marriageable age.

It was perfectly understandable that he would do things he normally wouldn’t.

‘Well, we might hear good news soon.’

Count Kevelson smiled contentedly.

As a father of a daughter, he felt sympathy for the future Duchess, but it was someone else’s story after all.

“I’d like to ask for your understanding.”

“Please say anything.”

“I’m thinking of going out to inspect the territory.”

“I see. But why do you need my understanding…?”

Count Kevelson blinked in puzzlement.

Derek, who had been hesitating for a moment, announced with a stoic face.

“I want to go with Dodo-, I mean, Lady Kevelson.”

“…Pardon?”

“But I was told I need the Count’s permission.”

“Pardon?”

Something was strange.

Wasn’t his daughter Audrey a cute little filly who roamed around freely without needing her father’s permission?

‘Since when did that kid ask for my permission?’

Could it be that his grown daughter wanted to be pampered belatedly?

‘…Wait.’

Suddenly, a chill ran down his spine.

The timing was peculiar. It was only a few hours ago that he had blushed at the mention of marriage.

And now he suddenly wants to go on a territory inspection with his daughter?

Two young people in their prime? Could this really be a coincidence?

He also recalled the birthday ball, which had been incomprehensible.

‘I thought it was strange that he requested me as a partner!’

What business did he have requesting an old retainer as a partner?

That wasn’t all.

The carriage that came rushing in, raising dust, carrying the entire Kevelson family, and the burning gaze toward his daughter.

Belatedly, all of it bothered him.

“Ahem! W-why do you want the company of my daughter?”

“……”

“She’s still immature and will surely be a burden.”

Derek closed his mouth with a troubled face.

‘I haven’t told Dodori yet… It would be troublesome if Count Kevelson were to slip up.’

He had no desire to reveal this secret plan.

He vaguely made up an excuse with a cool face.

“…She’s an apprentice assistant, so naturally she should come along.”

“Ah!”

At that moment, a smile of realization spread across Count Kevelson’s face.

‘What was I thinking? What a misunderstanding.’

He had been so anxious, wondering if Duke Frith was considering his daughter as a marriage partner.

If it’s a schedule as an apprentice assistant, then he could be at ease.

The Count secretly heaved a sigh of relief.

“Ho ho. What was I thinking! By the way, is my daughter doing well with her work? I’m concerned she might just be a hindrance to Your Grace.”

“…She’s doing very well.”

Derek swallowed many words.

That Dodori was particularly skilled at assaulting his heart, and that the territory visit schedule would last a full two weeks.

Since he wasn’t asked specifically, he didn’t feel the need to answer.

“Your Grace must be generously understanding. She must still be quite lacking.”

“…Dodori is not a freeloader.”

“Pardon?”

“She’s a talent essential to the duke’s castle.”

Duke Frith immediately became serious, misinterpreting the roundabout praise of his child.

His face was so resolute that Count Kevelson actually felt pleased.

‘That kid. It seems she’s doing well, taking after me! As expected of my daughter.’

Just how competent must she be to already accompany him on territory inspections?

‘At this rate, she might become the first female assistant in the duke’s castle!’

His mouth was so itchy he couldn’t hold back.

He would have to take her around and boast a bit.

“Please guide her generously. The territory inspection will be very helpful for Audrey as well.”

“So, you’re giving permission?”

“Of course! Parents can’t clip their children’s wings, can they?”

“…Good. Then I’ll send the schedule separately before departure.”

“Yes!”

Both turned away with excited faces.

They were like negotiators who had reached a satisfactory agreement.

‘So my daughter is that competent?’

Count Kevelson’s face showed he was eager to boast about his daughter right away.

‘I will deliver the best proposal. Everything must be perfect.’

Duke Frith burned with determination.

Neither noticed that their thoughts were completely misaligned.

T/n: Like father, like daughter. Now we know which parent Audrey takes after! Both completely misunderstanding the situations most of the time while feeling utterly pleased with themselves—the apple certainly didn’t fall far from the Kevelson tree of obliviousness. ┐(´∀｀)┌