Chapter 2.10

From the perspective of the Dante family, the Cherlin family might obviously be unpleasant due to past events, but the reason Lisael isn’t liked is undoubtedly due to the difference in social status. The Earl, having devoted his soul to wealth, might have arranged a marriage with Lisael as it would greatly benefit the household, but the Countess and Kaera likely did not share this sentiment. If Miguel had married someone from a prestigious southern family, he could have boasted about it in social circles for at least half a year.

Since they can’t express such dissatisfaction to the Earl and Miguel, they take it out on the innocent Lisael. Loki probably just wants to score points with his wife and agrees thoughtlessly with an empty head. 

How should one deal with those narrow-minded Dante women and the annoying brother-in-law? They induced a migraine in Miguel from early morning.

“Ah, Miguel. While you were in Grand Town, there’s been some news. Sir Herais has been assigned to inspect the southern territories again.”

“…Herais?”

“Yes, it’s rather good timing. Since we entertained him last time, wouldn’t it be easier to receive gratitude from someone we’ve already made a good impression on?”

Assigned, my foot. He must have volunteered. There’s no way the palace would assign such a significant task as inspecting the southern territories to a rookie inspector who just joined. 

‘He must have used his family to exert external pressure. Persistent fellow.’

There isn’t a noble without a speck of dust to be found when shaken. The difference was in the amount of dust that came out, and if thoroughly shaken, Earl Dante could probably create a mountain of dust. 

So how had they avoided this irregular inspection until now? It was, without a doubt, thanks to the discreet bribes. Earl Dante felt no sense of crisis this time either, and instead, he was rather relaxed, thinking it was a good thing.

Benjamin Herais, a shady guy who was unpleasant in many ways, seemed to have a more pathological attachment to Lisael than expected. Despite not having seen her properly in 10 years, he still harbors feelings for her. Miguel was convinced that he liked Lisael.

He completely overlooked that he himself, while outwardly bickering with Lisael, was secretly harboring affection for her, and dismissed Benjamin as a shady and dangerous guy. 

Benjamin was surely coming to the South again under the pretense of inspection to pick a fight out of jealousy for having lost Lisael to him. But even so, the only thing Benjamin could do was raise public issues. 

The seal on Miguel and Lisael’s marriage contract had already hardened, and it was something even the king couldn’t overturn.

‘Lisael is already married to me.’

“Hehehe…”

“Hey, what are you doing?”

“…Huh?”

While Miguel was smirking with a sly victorious smile, he snapped back to reality when called, finding himself standing in the middle of the hallway with Lisael after breakfast. 

He could clearly see Lisael glaring at him like he was a madman for laughing to himself.

“You said you’d show me around the castle.”

“Oh… right.”

He should have shown only a perfect and reliable side, but he ended up showing such a foolish demeanor. Miguel barely swallowed the rising sense of defeat.

“I’ll start by explaining the living quarters in the west wing.”

The west wing was where their bedrooms were located. The bedrooms of other members of the Dante family were also gathered on the upper and lower floors. 

Miguel, who had never given a tour of the castle before, had no idea where to start, but with a glance from Ted, who was waiting behind, he set a course for the west. Ted seemed satisfied that Miguel’s routine of starting every day at the gambling den had been broken.

“The upstairs is where the Earl and Countess reside, and the downstairs is used by Kaera and Loki. It’s a private space, so you won’t have any special reason to go there.”

Once he started, Miguel found that he had a hidden talent for giving tours, explaining things quite smoothly, and Lisael slowly nodded along with his words.

“And come in for a moment.”

“…Into your room? Hey, wait a minute!”

“I’ve been meaning to say this, but can’t you do something about that way of addressing me? The ‘hey’ part.”

Miguel, half-opening his door, turned to Lisael and slightly furrowed his brows. He seemed quite uncomfortable with such a basic issue that was awkward to point out.

At Miguel’s difficult remark, Lisael’s face flushed as if she’d been struck over the head. It was even more embarrassing to be corrected on such a basic title issue in front of Ted.

She had been so consumed by negative feelings toward him that she ended up addressing him informally. They were no longer children, and ‘hey’ was a very unfamiliar address not used among nobles.

Moreover, whether she liked it or not, there was no one in the village who called their spouse that way, at least not that Lisael had seen or heard.

‘I thought he might get angry…’

Lisael’s flustered reaction was somewhat unexpected for Miguel. She averted her gaze at Miguel’s words and stammered slightly as she asked back.

“Th-then how should I address you?”

‘…She’s cute.’

For the first time, Lisael, who always had her guard up against him, showed a subdued side. Thinking it was cute only lasted a moment, as Miguel found himself at a loss for words at her question.

How should she address me? Come to think of it, how should I be addressed?

Miguel tried to recall the conversations of noble couples.

“Madame, the dress suits you very well.”

“Miguel, you look especially dashing today.”

“Ugh…”

It wasn’t just the form of address that was the problem. There were few noble couples who spoke informally to each other so comfortably.

Miguel felt nauseous at the thought of comparing himself and Lisael to other noble couples.

‘I almost gagged the salmon I ate earlier…’

“Hey, no. Miguel, why are you gagging?”

“Young Earl! Are you alright?”

Yes, this was doomed from the start. Affectionate tones that would make their skin crawl were a luxury for them. Just calling each other by name was a blessing.

“Just call me by my name…”

“Got it. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Still, you should tell me why I need to go into your room. 

Lisael wasn’t one to let things slide.

She stood rooted to the spot as if her feet were nailed to the ground. Only then did Miguel shake his head once and start explaining in detail.

“I have something to give you. I’m not going to eat you, so come in.”

“Wh-who said I wouldn’t go in because of that?”

Startled by his words, Lisael instead boldly entered his room ahead of Miguel, who stood at the door. Ted, who was behind them, followed with a satisfied smile.

Everyone in the territory knew that the Dantes and the Cherlins were arch-enemies, but only Ted, who served him closely, knew the thrilling secret that the heir of the Dante family secretly liked the daughter of the Cherlin family.

Even Miguel himself didn’t know that Ted was aware of his unrequited love.

Entering Miguel’s room, Lisael was momentarily entranced by seeing a real noble’s room for the first time. The size was similar to her room, but the contents were different, even from the smallest candlestick.

A leather-framed bed much larger than those in the villa, silk bedding, a nightstand made of top-grade rubberwood, various antique furniture and accessories that were hard to come by, and even a sofa made by the kingdom’s top furniture designer.

The future Lord’s bedroom was filled with high-end items that seemed like they could buy a mansion if sold. It was understandable why he was horrified to see Lisael trying to sleep on a sofa in Grand Town.

Having lived in such a palace-like bedroom all his life, it was no wonder he found it uncomfortable to sleep anywhere else.

‘Miguel would faint if he saw my bedroom.’

He had even stopped Kaera and Loki from sneering at her during breakfast. She couldn’t figure out why, even after thinking about it throughout the meal. At least in Lisael’s mind, she didn’t have that kind of loyalty with Miguel.

Was it just a sense of justice against injustice? Sympathy? Or maybe he just didn’t get along with the Kaera couple.

Seeing his reaction, Lisael instinctively felt that Miguel wouldn’t remain silent if he saw her bedroom. And as soon as she reached that conclusion, she suddenly didn’t want him to see her room.

She wanted to avoid creating any more connections with Miguel.

“I wanted to give this to you personally, but I only managed to do it after coming to Cherlin.”

As Lisael slowly looked around the room, Miguel handed her a purple jewel box. Lisael’s eyes wavered greatly, as if she hadn’t anticipated it.