“What?”

“Anyway, I just want to make you happy. So, think about it carefully.”

She couldn’t quite grasp the meaning of his last words, but in any case, it seemed her husband was giving her another chance. Alex flashed a dazzling smile before slowly pulling away from Elicity.

He neither drove her out nor pressured her to state the purpose of her visit to the study. Like a predator satisfied after a feast, he simply returned to his desk with a contented expression.

Seeing this, Elicity’s face became even more clouded with confusion.

***

She hadn’t even managed to bring up the subject of the bed and had instead been seduced. Having returned from the study without achieving anything, Elicity could only sigh deeply.

She looked around, wondering whom she could seek advice from to resolve this situation, but no one seemed suitable.

Her relationship with her mother was on the verge of severance, she had no sisters, and she had no particularly close female cousins.

Olivia was somewhat like a mother figure, but as Elicity’s personal maid, she was always by her side. If she were to reveal her troubles to Olivia and the maid accidentally let something slip, it would be disastrous.

While she was lost in thought, a most appropriate person happened to visit the ducal residence.

“My lady, the Countess of Charante has come to visit.”

“Penelope?”

At Celon’s words, Elicity sprang to her feet in surprise.

Countess Penelope Dellex of Charante had been her friend even before Elicity’s marriage.

However, the County of Charante was located far to the southwest of Madonia’s capital, and Penelope was currently busy raising two sons. Of course, Elicity was also preoccupied with raising her daughter, Bella, and hadn’t been able to visit her friend.

Yet, she had come all this way without even sending word. Elicity’s face brightened as she quickly instructed Celon to escort her friend to the drawing room.

“Pel!!”

Rushing down to the drawing room, putting off all other matters, she saw a noblewoman with a child who appeared to be around Bella’s age.

With golden-blonde hair that seemed to exude a refreshing lemon scent, Penelope waved cheerfully upon seeing Elicity.

“Lissy!”

“What brings you here? Why the sudden visit?”

Overjoyed, Elicity grasped both of Penelope’s hands and shook them excitedly. In response, Penelope’s green eyes curved into crescent moons.

“My husband was summoned to the palace, so I came along to see you and take a look around the capital.”

“I see. I also heard that the Count of Charante recently eradicated the pirates along the Iris coast. I heard he’s being promoted to Colonel?”

“Oh, it was just luck.”

“Luck? What do you mean, luck?”

Elicity chuckled and sat down on the sofa.

“It’s all because the Count is competent. Why are you being so modest? But you brought your son with you.”

“Yes. He wouldn’t leave my side. By the way…”

Suddenly, Penelope placed her hands on her hips, her eyes narrowing. She then turned to scold the boy who had been munching on cookies from the tray while seated on the sofa.

“Halton. What are you doing, not greeting the Duchess the moment you see her? Is that how I raised you?”

“Uh, uh…”

“Enough. I was the one who ran up to you first, disregarding formalities.”

Elicity smiled gently and extended her hand toward Halton.

“Young master, it’s been a while. Have you been well?”

“Yes, my lady. I’ve been well.”

With cookie crumbs scattered around his lips, the boy gave a hasty bow—just the typical behavior of a ten-year-old, nothing more, nothing less.

Elicity found it rather endearing, but Penelope sighed, pressing a hand to her forehead.

“Oh dear, I wonder if this boy is truly the heir of the Charante family.”

“Pel. Why does it matter between us? Besides, I’ve seen Halton many times.”

“Still, he should at least wipe the crumbs from his mouth. And he got his hands mixed up while bowing, Halton.”

“Ah!”

At his mother’s words, the boy hurriedly wiped his mouth with his sleeve and switched hands before bowing again, but it was already too late.

Penelope shook her head in exasperation.

“Honestly, if my son were half as composed as your daughter, the young ladies of high society would be lining up to introduce themselves. He’s got a fine face, but why is he so clumsy?”

“Halton is wonderful. Among all the young noble boys I know, none compare to your son.”

“Don’t lie to me. And your daughter is already so poised at ten years old.”

Narrowing her eyes, Penelope playfully poked Elicity in the side.

Elicity responded with an awkward smile, making Penelope shrug.

“Well, you were always sharp-witted, and the Duke must be even more so. With two parents like that, of course their child would be.”

The moment Alex’s name was mentioned, Elicity’s body stiffened. She glanced cautiously at her friend, but Penelope, ever perceptive, smirked.

“Oh my? Did something happen?”

“Well…”

Elicity stole a glance at Halton, who was gulping down his juice. It wasn’t a conversation to have in front of a child.

Penelope, who quickly understood her friend’s thoughts, called over the exclusive maid she had brought with her. 

“Aria, take Halton for a walk in the garden.”

“Pel, Bella’s study is fine too. There are a lot of new fairy tale books this time.”

“Ugh.”

At Elicity’s words, Halton frowned. His expression blatantly showed his dislike for reading, making his mother, Penelope, sigh once again.

“My dear son really hates books. Aria, just take him for a walk in the garden.”

“Yes, Madam.”

“Mom, can I kick a ball in the garden?”

“Halton!”

Penelope’s eyes turned triangular in frustration at her son’s whining.

When Halton looked as if he were about to cry after being scolded by his mother, Elicity chuckled and spoke to Olivia.

“Olivia, take the young master to the open area in the back garden and bring out a softball for him. Ensure that attendants and a physician are nearby to prevent any injuries.”

“Understood.”

“Is that alright?”

At Elicity’s question, Penelope’s triangular eyes softened. Sighing, she slowly sat down.

“Hey, you shouldn’t indulge my son’s whims too much. The heir of a noble family must be raised strictly.”

“Well… my thoughts have changed a little now.”

“Oh? How so?”

Penelope’s eyes widened.

Her friend was known for strictly controlling and educating her daughter. Because of that, Isabella had gained a reputation as a perfect young lady. However, there were times when Penelope thought Elicity was being too harsh.

But now, Elicity was saying her thoughts had changed.

“I want to let my daughter live as she wishes.”

“My goodness, what brought about this change of heart?”

“You wouldn’t believe me even if I told you.”

Elicity smiled faintly. Penelope sensed a deep meaning behind that smile but didn’t press further.

Noblewomen experience more hardships than one might think.

Instead, Penelope calmly took a sip of the tea in front of her.

“Anyway, what did you want to tell me so badly that you even sent Halton away?”

“Oh, that… let’s go up to my bedroom to talk.”

“It’s that important?”

Though surprised, Penelope let her friend lead her to Elicity’s bedroom.

And once she heard the intimate details of what had happened between her and her husband last night, she couldn’t help but let out a scream.

“My goodness!!”

“Pel, you’re too loud.”

It was unbelievable.

The pure, innocent Duchess and the Duke—something like that happening between them?

Especially since her friend Elicity had always been quite negative about such matters.

Of course, she understood why.

High-ranking nobles were taught the “Noble Etiquette of Intercourse” and expected to practice it solemnly.

• “One must not moan in a vulgar manner.”
• “Intercourse must be performed while facing each other at all times.”
• “f*replay must not be too lengthy.”
• “It should be done only twice a month, on predetermined dates, and never during a full moon.”
• “Two attendants and two maids must be present, with guards stationed nearby.”

These bizarre rules had been established and strictly upheld.

Of course, it wasn’t necessary to follow them strictly.

Penelope certainly didn’t, and she still had a very loving relationship with her husband.

But her friend, who had always been obsessed with these etiquette rules, was different.

That was why Elicity had strongly disliked intimacy with her husband.

Yet now, she had changed completely.

Penelope unconsciously smiled with satisfaction and rested her chin on her hand.

“You’ve finally awakened.”

“What? What do you mean?”

“What do you mean, ‘what do you mean’?”

“I’ve told you over and over again. The so-called noble etiquette of intercourse is dull and outdated. Isn’t that why so many noble couples have terrible relationships? Just look at me… I don’t follow those rules.”

She blushed slightly at her own words, but Penelope said them proudly for her friend’s sake.

It was precisely because of this mindset that she had her two sons, born only a year apart.

She would have had even more children if her husband, the Count of Charante, weren’t always busy with naval battles.

“I see…”

Elicity’s face showed a mixture of shock and realization at Penelope’s words.

Penelope found her friend’s expression endearing and continued speaking.

“Besides, it’s one of the three fundamental human desires. If His Grace is willing to devote himself to you, why would you refuse? Other noblewomen complain that their husbands neglect them so much that they end up taking lovers instead.”

“Isn’t that a disgraceful act?”

“Elicity, then are all noblemen disgraceful? They each have at least three mistresses, plus two or more concubines.”

“…”

“The only reason you and I don’t have to deal with such things is that our husbands are devoted to us. But most noblemen behave that way. So why shouldn’t noblewomen do the same? Many husbands turn a blind eye to it, you know.”

“That… is true.”

Elicity blushed but nodded in agreement.

“So just enjoy it.”

“But it used to hurt before.”

“Hurt? Why?”

“I don’t know. But when my husband entered me… it hurt a lot.”

“Oh.”

Penelope pursed her lips thoughtfully.

“Then there’s only one reason for that.”

“What is it?”