The sound of slow footsteps echoed through the Duke’s residence.

Leon, feeling smug, winked at Charlie and left.

Rustle, rustle-

Ah, that is a tree, and that is grass.

The sky is blue without a single cloud.

What a clear day it is.

And no matter how handsome he is, this man is a lunatic……. No, a madman under the sky.

Charlie was being carried around for a walk by Hector with an expression of resignation.

“…….”

On the other hand, Hector’s face showed quite a bit of satisfaction as he walked lightly.

Whether it was because of the physical contact or being outside, the purification aura felt much brighter.

Charlie’s pheromones also exuded sweetness.

Of course, there was no conversation between them.

“…….”

Charlie realized something from this incident.

If the people of the Duke’s household treated her like a fragile animal, then Hector literally saw her as a Zero.

[Have you forgotten how to walk?]

No, perhaps he saw her as something akin to an amoeba or dust.

It was fortunate that he didn’t perceive her as a woman.

But this wasn’t an entirely good thing either.

How long had they been walking?

Finally, unable to bear the stares of the onlookers, Charlie mumbled.

“I think we can go back now…….”

Her voice was very small, but her whispering that tickled his ear was clearly heard by Hector.

“Why?”

Hector turned his head to face Charlie with a puzzled expression.

“I think we’ve walked enough.”

“We haven’t even completed one lap.”

“…….”

Are you planning to walk the entire place?

Even the central garden’s end isn’t visible!

Charlie was appalled.

And rightly so, because even on the way back, Hector would certainly not put her down.

But to think of walking around this enormous place. Wouldn’t it take at least half a day?

Charlie started racking her brain.

She couldn’t just stay in the arms of a man whose very existence was flirtation.

‘Think, little brain. Get out of this situation quickly…….’

Suddenly, a brilliant idea flashed through Charlie’s mind.

Little did she know how much of an impact that one word would have.

“It’s not fun.”

“Not fun?”

For a moment, Hector’s steps came to an abrupt halt.

His red eyes, filled with curiosity, stared at Charlie.

“……Yes.”

Charlie subtly averted her gaze to the air.

Hector tilted his head slightly.

“Why isn’t it fun?”

“Because there’s nothing to see.”

“Nothing to see?”

“It’s the same scene over and over.”

Charlie gestured towards the garden with her eyes.

The meticulously arranged trees and vines formed a magnificent landscape.

But as Charlie said, it all looked the same, filled with nothing but greenery.

This was because Hector was sensitive to scents. Of course, Hector didn’t find the scent of nature repulsive.

However, to avoid disturbing him, all fragrances, from flowers to perfumes, were prohibited in the ducal residence.

Looking around, Hector spoke as if he didn’t understand.

To him, every place they passed seemed like a different landscape.

“Can’t you distinguish between grass and trees?”

At the absurd response, Charlie let out a deep sigh.

What kind of brain does one need to have such a thought process?

She was curious about what went on inside Hector’s head.

“No, what I mean is that seeing just grass and trees repeatedly makes it all look the same.”

“That’s how gardens are supposed to be.”

“No, gardens are supposed to be filled with colorful flowers in full bloom.”

As Hector remained silent, Charlie hurriedly continued.

“Walking around a place like that, sipping tea, and chatting, is what a walk is.”

Hector suddenly recalled the Imperial Palace.

Come to think of it, women would sit in such places, chatting about trivial matters as if they were having fun.

Also, the gardens of the Imperial Palace were so colorful that it hurt the eyes, as if they had gathered all the colors in the world.

Women would rave about how beautiful it was, unable to hold back their admiration.

Lost in thought, Hector turned his steps towards the main building.

“I see.”

A small shadow hung from a large one, stretching long.

* * *

The next day.

Charlie’s small kick landed squarely on Tanner’s face.

“What? The garden?!”

Tanner was more surprised than Charlie had ever seen.

Maintaining the garden on this vast estate was no easy task.

Gardens are more difficult to maintain continuously than to decorate initially.

Moreover, Hector was comparing it to the Imperial Palace by ordering the cultivation of a glass greenhouse.

“Your Grace. That…….”

And where is this place? It’s the Hunt family.

Finding skilled and trustworthy personnel was never an easy task.

A crack appeared on Tanner’s usually composed face.

His neatly pressed black uniform seemed somewhat disheveled, probably just an illusion.

“Why all of a sudden…….”

“Didn’t you tell me to go for a walk?”

For a moment, Charlie’s head, which had been enjoying playing with blocks, slowly turned.

‘You devil. So, it was your doing?’

No wonder. It seemed strange when that man suddenly talked about a walk.

Charlie’s piercing gaze focused on the back of Tanner’s head as if she was drilling a hole.

Caught in his confusion, Tanner didn’t notice.

“Well, I did suggest a walk…….”

He didn’t remember asking for such a sudden thunderbolt.

Tanner’s round glasses seemed to fog up with the tension.

But Hector was resolute.

“Do it.”

“……Yes.”

To silence the great Tanner with a word.

Is this the power of a madman, no, a Grand Duke?

Charlie looked at Hector with eyes filled with admiration.

It felt like she was getting revenge for everything Tanner had put her through, filling her with a sense of exhilaration.

“……?”

Noticing the change in pheromones, Hector, who had been reviewing documents without sparing a glance at Tanner, lifted his gaze.

Her large eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky.

Moreover, her lips twitched slightly.

‘Is she pleased just by hearing it?’

Hector tilted his head slightly.

He wasn’t offering her jewels or money.

Judging by Charlie’s past actions, she seemed to like money the most.

But all he had said was to plant some flowers in the garden, yet Charlie looked at Hector with eyes full of respect for the first time.

‘Women are incomprehensible.’

Then a memory flashed through Hector’s mind.

It was a day when women’s pheromones had nearly suffocated him.

The memory was so repulsive that just recalling it made his brow furrow, but it might be useful now.

“Do the river area too.”

“The, the river too?”

“And prepare a boat for boating.”

“What?!”

Tanner staggered in shock.

Meanwhile, Charlie’s inner excitement soared, as if it would burst through the mansion’s roof.

The pheromones that burst forth danced around Hector as if they were frolicking.

“As quickly as possible.”

“…….”

The pen that had stopped in Hector’s hand began to move again.

“Leave now.”

“But Your Grace, that…….”

“Leave.”

“Yes…….”

And so, Tanner disappeared from the study.

“Hm-hm- hm-hm-”

Charlie hummed a tune, her feet kicking as if splashing water.

Thanks to her cheerful pheromones, Hector’s mind felt clearer.

Hector’s lips also curved slightly into a faint smile.

* * *

The mansion was in the midst of grand construction preparations.

First, the glass greenhouse was to be refurbished.

It was built during the time of Hector’s grandfather, the former head of the family, for his wife, Grand Duchess Diana.

Its splendor and grandeur were said to surpass even the greenhouses of the Imperial Palace, making it a place that nobles wished to see at least once.

However, now it was overgrown with weeds, presenting a desolate sight.

Hector had no memories of his grandfather.

He had never seen his father, let alone his grandfather.

The only way Hector could envision them was through portraits.

But Hector did not look at the portraits of his predecessors.

More precisely, he had them removed so they wouldn’t catch his eye.

All the heads of the family in the portraits were young, as were the Grand Duchesses beside them, young and beautiful.

That was likely their final appearance.

And it would be his future and the future of his partner.

Perhaps it was only natural that he didn’t want to see it.

“Lord Tanner. You’re working hard.”

Charlie wasn’t the only one with a grudge against Tanner.

Leon, grinning from ear to ear, gave Tanner a hateful smile.

Holding a stack of documents in his hands, Tanner was calculating the budget for the greenhouse when his eyebrows twitched.

“Shut that mouth……. will you?”

Leon stepped back, stammering, as Tanner’s fiery aura flared up. But the corners of his mouth still showed a delighted expression.

“Isn’t this a result of Lord Tanner’s actions?”

Tanner’s round glasses trembled with anger.

“Do you think the Knight Order is perfectly safe?”

“Oh dear, how scary. Are you threatening me now?”

“This isn’t a threat, it’s a prediction.”

“In that case, I must tell Miss Charlie about the exotic flowers that have come in from abroad.”

Leon hurriedly quickened his pace under Tanner’s fierce gaze.

“What was it called? Hydrangea…….”

Before Tanner could reach out, Leon had already dashed away.

“Phew…….”

A deep sigh etched the lines on Tanner’s forehead even deeper.

* * *