The morning sunlight warmly illuminated the office.

Dominic, who had fallen asleep in his chair the night before, barely lifted his heavy eyelids.

The sunlight stinging through his eyelashes wasn’t the only reason; there was also some busy activity outside since early morning.

With his body still relaxed, he turned only his gaze toward the window and slightly furrowed his brow at what he saw outside.

‘What are they doing?’

Servants were diligently cleaning the indoor glass garden in the backyard.

Though it was inside the mansion, it was a space he had never entered or shown interest in.

‘Is Mother planning to redecorate it?’

Just as he was about to turn away with that thought, his gaze became fixed on someone.

Ellin was mingling among the busy servants.

Dressed in a daffodil-yellow dress, she looked somehow joyful.

“……”

Dominic moved closer to the window and observed her intently.

When maids staggered while moving a large flowerpot, she tied her hair tightly and immediately lent her hands to help them.

He didn’t know what kind of life she had led before marriage, but she looked so natural among the servants.

Her bright smile, reflected in the sunlight as she looked at what they had moved and made eye contact with the maids, sparkled.

Dominic became dazed, like he was seeing an illusion, then slightly squinted and rubbed between his eyebrows.

‘Am I still half asleep?’

While he was bewildered, the office door opened with a knock.

“Breakfast is ready.”

Dominic shifted his gaze from the window at Jeffrey’s voice and returned to his usual businesslike expression.

“Why is it so noisy outside?”

Jeffrey looked out the window with surprised eyes and promptly answered.

“Ah. The old duchess ordered it while you were away. She instructed us to clean the neglected indoor garden and turn it into an art studio.”

When Dominic looked at him questioningly, Jeffrey continued.

“She told us to create a space where the young mistress, who enjoys painting, could rest.”

“My mother did?”

Dominic’s response of disbelief burst out.

He had always thought she was someone who cared about nothing but herself, not even her son’s affairs.

‘Mother actively involving herself in someone else’s business is strange. When did they become so close?’

He turned back to the window in disbelief.

She was proudly watching the indoor garden being cleaned.

While watching this scene, Jeffrey added what had happened during the duke’s absence.

“I’m pleased that the duchess seems to be doing very well.”

Dominic turned to look at Jeffrey at those words.

“Despite the short time, she has already adapted well and skillfully performs the role of mistress of the house.”

“……Is that so?”

Dominic stared at Jeffrey with skeptical eyes, unable to believe it.

He knew Jeffrey wasn’t one to flatter, but he found it hard to believe.

She seemed to have grown up struggling in a family without much distinction.

Was she already fulfilling the role of mistress of a ducal house so effectively?

That couldn’t be possible.

Jeffrey’s mouth itched to tell how wonderfully the mistress had handled the troublemaker while the duke was away.

‘She only told me to say he left on his own, but…’

He decided he should explain the whole story.

“She expelled Balmer, who constantly caused problems in the mansion.”

“What?”

Dominic asked again, wondering what he meant.

“Seeing the staff troubled by Balmer, she neatly sent him away. Balmer left without much protest. He said he would diligently farm the land given by the late duke.”

Only then did Dominic recall someone he had heard about a few times.

“She expelled that troublemaker?”

Even he, who was said to be heartless, hadn’t dealt with this matter promptly.

He had felt burdened about driving the man away, partly because his father owed the man’s father.

Yet she had removed him immediately upon entering this mansion.

How was that possible?

“She said she needed to do it because you couldn’t. She mentioned that since it involved the late duke, it wouldn’t be easy for you to cut ties so coldly.”

Jeffrey explained in detail how she had managed to expel Balmer from the mansion without any lingering issues.

He couldn’t believe such a thing had happened in his absence.

Her unexpected boldness stunned him.

“When the old duchess collapsed, only the young mistress bravely stayed by her side until the physician arrived. Though her hands were trembling, she firmly held the old duchess’s hand.”

Jeffrey recalled the duchess’s noble appearance that day and described the situation to the duke.

Even while listening, Dominic looked dazed, finding it hard to believe.

Though he had received a detailed report about Ellin Nilson before their marriage, he apparently still had much to learn about her.

‘No wonder Mother was moved. Giving an indoor garden to someone who protected her isn’t such a big deal.’

He also thought she might need a space to breathe if she was to endure life in this stifling ducal residence.

His memory automatically drifted to the greenhouse where he first encountered her at the count’s party.

Back then, she had been hiding there alone at night.

Though he didn’t know her intention.

The spark of suspicion that had ignited in his softened heart quickly faded.

“How is my mother?”

“She’s much better. Though she still takes her meals in her room, the physician said she’ll soon be able to go out alone.”

“That’s good news.”

Melissa, who enjoyed social activities, would suffer if confined to the house.

He would be fortunate if she didn’t invite everyone in the capital to their home.

Just thinking about it made Dominic feel yesterday’s fatigue returning.

* * *

“A party?”

Ellin paused with her fork halfway to her mouth and asked.

Dominic’s gaze was fixed on the newspaper rather than on her sitting across from him.

“You probably won’t like it, but it’s an important occasion I couldn’t refuse. You just need to attend with me and stay by my side, so don’t feel burdened.”

Ellin nodded briefly at his indifferent words.

The one who seemed reluctant to attend the party wasn’t actually her but the duke.

“Is there anything I should know in advance or be cautious about before attending?”

Dominic folded the newspaper and rose from the table at her question.

His meal was less than half finished except for the hot coffee.

“It’s a party hosted by the Prince of Nazar Kingdom. You’ll only need to exchange formal greetings, so there’s nothing special for you to worry about. I have business this afternoon, so I’ll excuse myself first.”

When Dominic left the dining room, Ellin remained alone at the large table.

It was their first breakfast together since their marriage.

Though she tried not to show it, she had sat at the table feeling a little excited and nervous.

The duke sitting across from her looked especially picturesque today.

But to him, even breakfast seemed like just another tedious part of his day.

Seeing him habitually check his watch, she guessed he had important appointments today too.

Watching his retreating back, she felt a little lonely but tried not to dwell on it.

What’s more concerning was the fact that she had to attend a party.

‘Nazar Kingdom… I’ve heard of it, but I’m not sure exactly what kind of place it is.’

She thought about visiting the mansion’s library after breakfast and writing a letter to her great-aunt.

The duke said she only needed to stay by his side at the party, but just in case.

Ellin picked up her fork again and slowly began emptying the plates before her.

Though they called it a simple breakfast menu, everything was so delicious that she worried she might gain a tremendous amount of weight soon.

But she needed to eat well to have energy, whether as a duchess or whatever else.

She was putting bread topped with ham into her mouth when her eyes met the chef standing in front of her.

“Your cooking skills are so excellent that I keep eating.”

When he smiled seeing her enjoy the food, she returned a slightly embarrassed smile.

* * *

When Dominic entered the social club, he saw familiar faces.

They were playing card games, smoking cigars, and chatting.

Dominic gave only brief eye greetings to those who acknowledged him and sat in an empty seat.

Checking his pocket watch, he realized he had arrived a little earlier than his appointment with the Crown Prince.

To alleviate boredom, he crossed his legs and leisurely looked around, when his eyes met an unwelcome face.

It was Royce Creighton.

Almost as if he had been waiting for the duke’s gaze to find him, Royce excused himself from his companions and approached Dominic.

Dominic watched him come with annoyed eyes but wore a light smile on his lips.

In others’ eyes, the two were in-laws after all, so they needed to maintain at least minimal courtesy.

“Your Grace.”

Royce bowed his head slightly in greeting and looked at the empty seat across from Dominic.

“Why don’t you sit for a moment until my appointment arrives.”

At the duke’s permission, Royce pulled out the chair and sat down.

The two men, neither particularly close nor friendly, sat facing each other and observed each other briefly.

Dominic felt inclined to examine him more closely this time.

He was the man closest to Ellin Nilson, and perhaps could have married her.

He became curious about what kind of man he was.

In the awkward atmosphere, Royce spoke first.

“I heard Your Grace invested in our winery.”

Dominic smiled lightly as if it were nothing.

That day when he witnessed Ellin struggling on the street because of this fellow and took her into his carriage.

Dominic immediately instructed Higgins.

To invest in the Creighton family business.

“I was looking for a suitable investment opportunity. Besides, aren’t we family now?”

Dominic spoke naturally with a playful tone.

“My father was delighted. He said he would arrange a separate meeting to express his gratitude to Your Grace.”

“Well, that’s not necessary.”

Dominic could read Royce’s complicated feelings from his expression, which showed gratitude yet somehow seemed disgruntled.

“I hear competition for the heir position in the Creighton family is fierce. I hope I can be of help to you. Let me know if you need my assistance anytime.”

The duke didn’t sound arrogant; he seemed to be genuinely extending goodwill to Royce Creighton.

Everyone in the capital’s nobility knew his sons were fiercely competing for the sizable winery business. This fellow was one of those sons.

“……Thank you.”

For Royce, the Linderto family’s investment meant gaining a powerful weapon in his situation.

So he had no choice but to swallow his pride for now.

However, he understood that the duke’s intention to exert such influence over him was certainly not unrelated to Ellin.

Until he inherited the business, he needed to maintain a good relationship with the duke.

Knowing his priorities well, he decided to keep his distance from Ellin for the time being.

He couldn’t afford to upset the duke at such a crucial time.

Just then, the duke slightly furrowed his brow and leaned his head closer to Royce.

“While looking into the investment, I heard some concerning information about you.”

Royce stared at him with startled eyes at Dominic’s words.

The duke lowered his voice to a whisper so those around couldn’t hear.

“They say you’ve been illegally diverting and distributing alcohol to pleasure houses?”