Chapter 1 (Part 7)

Therese, dressed in a lavender dress, was strolling through Manus Bazaar.

The high-end boutiques and jewelers here boasted the best quality in the empire, making it an ideal place for shopping.

“Thank you for bringing me here.”

Therese expressed her desire to walk alone from here. She had already visited this place in the morning, and she wasn’t in the mood for shopping.

However, the Duke seemed not to hear her at all and led the way somewhere.

“This place looks good.”

“……Pardon?”

The Duke, who had been scanning the stores indifferently, entered Damieri Boutique.

It was a place where, without considerable wealth, one couldn’t even afford a ring for their little finger.

“It is an honor to serve Duke Richard and the Duchess.”

As they entered, the shop owner bowed so deeply his head almost touched the floor.

“Could you show something suitable for the Duchess?”

“Of course.”

The owner signaled an employee, who then guided them somewhere.

Sitting in a small reception room decorated with red silk, they were served tea in gold-rimmed cups.

“…The tea isn’t bad.”

Watching the Duke taste the tea nonchalantly, Therese’s face darkened. Her plan to divorce through extravagant spending seemed precarious from the start.

‘Why isn’t he angry?’

While she pondered alone, the owner and an employee brought various jewels. Tiaras, necklaces, bracelets, rings—all in sets, and there were no less than ten boxes. The variety of colored gems was so dazzling that Therese swallowed dryly.

“The Duchess is so beautiful that this pearl decoration would suit you well, and this sapphire would also be good.”

The owner, wearing white gloves, was busily describing the jewels when the Duke straightened up and picked something up.

“How about this?”

“Black onyx is the same color as Your Grace’s eyes, making it quite meaningful.”

The skilled owner showed a strong will to sell all the jewels here. Holding the onyx ring, the Duke turned towards Therese.

“Madame, what do you think?”

“……That is.”

As Therese began to answer, she bit her lip and trailed off.

There was no way she would ever wear such a ring, not even if she were resurrected from death.

‘……Ha.’

Her distorted face briefly reflected in the large onyx set in the ring.

Observing Therese’s expression, the Duke put the ring back in its place.

“Have everything here sent to Richard ducal residence.”

At the Duke’s words, the merchant was so excited he could hardly speak properly.

“…Pardon? Oh, of course. I will ensure it’s delivered safely, Your Grace.”

Startled, Therese was about to tug at the Duke’s sleeve when he asked.

“Is there a problem?”

“….”

She had seen him only a few times before her regression, but this didn’t seem like his character.

‘Had I not known him well?’

Regardless, buying all these jewels was as pointless as it gets.

‘Has he lost his sense of reality after being on the battlefield for so long?’

With this amount, one could buy a small castle.

“Your husband’s wealth is quite decent.”

“…Ah.”

Following him to several more shops, Therese deeply regretted saying she liked shopping that morning.

It seemed unlikely that she would get divorced over excessive luxury.

As she erased one option from her mind, a sigh escaped her.

“Your face has turned pale again. Shall we rest for a moment?”

“No, I’d rather return quickly….”

Truthfully, she wanted to sit comfortably and take a breather, but roaming around Manus Bazaar wasn’t easy. This place was practically her workplace.

“….”

While walking toward the carriage across the street, Therese encountered a familiar face. Roshan’s black cloak was fluttering in the wind as he stood with his subordinates.

‘Just go!’

Therese sent a strong signal with her eyes.

Normally, Roshan would have quickly disappeared from the street. But for some reason, he crossed the street in an instant and knelt before her.

“You’re here. If you had informed me, I would have come to meet you.”

“…Ah.”

A sigh of despair escaped Therese’s lips.

The saying that nothing in life goes as planned was perfectly true. She needed to stop Roshan, who was behaving as if he were meeting the Emperor himself. She reached out and tapped the back of Roshan’s hand.

“Please, stand up.”

Her voice sounded strange as she had never used honorifics with him before.

“Thank you for allowing me.”

Roshan stood up and naturally positioned himself beside Therese, as if to protect her.

‘Why is Roshan acting so foolishly when I haven’t seen him for a while?’

The information guild valued speed, accuracy, and discretion. It was rare for them to show their faces openly on the street like this.

‘But why?’

Therese’s blue eyes glared at Roshan, but he didn’t flinch. Suddenly, an oppressive silence fell over the noisy street.

Breaking the uncomfortable silence was Duke Richard. With a somewhat displeased expression, he curved his lips into a smile.

“Madame, please introduce us.”

“…Roshan is…”

Now that they had met, she couldn’t avoid introducing him.

‘I really wanted to say I don’t know him…’

Roshan, accompanied by his rugged guards, was far from ordinary at first glance. His neatly groomed black hair, ruby-like red eyes, and well-defined features drew the attention of the women frequenting Manus Bazaar.

With Jeremy Richard, reputed to be the most handsome man in the empire, by her side, the surroundings quickly became noisy. Thinking to introduce him quickly and part ways, Therese hurriedly spoke.

“A person who works with my father…”

“I am the lady’s servant…”

Roshan and Therese spoke at the same time, complicating the situation.

There was no system of slavery in the empire.

But what should she do with a man who voluntarily called himself a slave?

‘What’s wrong with you? Did you eat something wrong today?’

He was someone who would pretend to die if she asked, but today he was acting strangely.

“So, you’re saying you’re a servant helping Baron Demori?”

At the calm summary of Duke Richard, Roshan spoke first.

“I apologize, Your Grace. I am solely the lady’s slave.”

“……Ugh.”

Roshan, who was often described as sexy just by breathing, said something that could easily be misunderstood.

‘……The lady’s slave solely, seriously.’

Listening to Roshan’s words, it seemed like Therese was the owner of a harem. The Duke, who was watching the two, responded.

“Quite interesting.”

However, there was no sign of amusement in the cold gaze of Duke Richard.

“Your Grace, I feel a bit dizzy.”

It wasn’t a lie; Therese was about to collapse at any moment. After sweeping through Manus Bazaar with jewelry, shoes, hats, and bags, and meeting Roshan, causing strange misunderstandings, her head felt like it was about to explode. Roshan, who confirmed her pale face, reached out to Therese first.

“Miss, please let me carry you.”

However, Roshan’s hand was soon stopped by the Duke.

“I will protect my wife, so step back.”

Leaving behind words that sounded like a warning, the Duke lifted Therese into his arms.

“……Oh, oh!”

While she flailed her arms in confusion, the Duke crossed the street with his long strides. Therese, held by the Duke, exchanged a glance with Roshan.

‘Next time we meet, I won’t let it slide!’

But Roshan made a peculiar expression at Therese’s fierce gaze. He seemed both angry and slightly sad.

However, there was something more important than understanding Roshan’s feelings at the moment.

“Your Grace, please put me down.”

Doing such a thing in the middle of Manus Bazaar provided gossipers with good fodder. They would soon be divorced and become strangers, so there was nothing good about being talked about by others.

“Hold onto my neck tightly.”

Ignoring her words lightly, the Duke carried Therese to the carriage. Looking up at the Duke’s stubborn, angular jaw, she sighed deeply.