Merry Christmas to all my readers! To celebrate, I’m treating you to extra chapter updates. Please enjoy this special release of four bonus chapters! °˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°

(Lurelia’s Christmas Bonus – Update 1/4 🎉)

♡ To all readers who purchased these chapters before Christmas: I can’t express this enough – Thank you for your support. (*ˊᗜˋ*)/ᵗᑋᵃᐢᵏ ᵞᵒᵘ*

“Besides, the intention behind the alumni association isn’t bad in itself. I’m also curious to see what the academy looks like.”

“Anyone listening would think you’ve never been there before.”

Noel said with a smirk.

Yvette felt cold sweat running down her back as she forced a smile.

“……Haha, I misspoke. I meant I want to see it again after a long time.”

I’m going to die before my time at this rate.

Yvette bit the inside of her cheek hard before releasing it and standing up.

“I think I need to go out for some fresh air.”

“Giving up already?”

Noel asked, half-teasingly. Yvette glanced at him without malice and said,

“At least I’m not slacking off like someone.”

“That sounds like it’s directed at me.”

“Oh my. Did you notice?”

Yvette feigned surprise, opening her eyes wide. Seeing this, Noel let out a chuckle.

“……Seeing you joke like that, it seems you’ve become quite comfortable with me.”

“You’re one to talk, Noel. You’ve been teasing me from the start.”

How lightly he must have regarded me, really.

Yvette retorted grumblingly as she gathered her outer clothes.

Perhaps because it was still early spring, the wind felt quite chilly.

“The bad Count who can’t work will go for a walk, so our great Duke should stay here and read his book.”

Yvette stuck out her tongue slightly at Noel and left the study.

“……I wonder where she learned to talk like that.”

Noel let out a dry laugh but slowly got up from his seat.

He couldn’t let his fiancée, who never had a quiet day, go out alone.

***

Unlike the bright sunny sky, the wind that blew incessantly was quite cold.

Yvette pulled her collar closer and slowly walked around Wheatley.

Being on the outskirts of the capital, there were many forests around Wheatley.

So when her mind was cluttered, she would occasionally take walks around here to organize her thoughts.

‘Is it because it’s daytime? It’s certainly quiet.’

Yvette looked around as she slowly moved her feet.

Knowing that Noel had stationed knights in various places, she could move without worry.

‘Even if it gets dangerous, I have the bracelet.’

Yvette glanced down at her wrist. Between her sleeves, she could see a purple jewel dangling.

It was the communication stone Noel had given her not long ago.

Fortunately, she hadn’t encountered Baron Larishi since then.

However, Yvette didn’t let her guard down carelessly.

The last time she saw Baron Larishi, he seemed like a man out of his mind.

No one knew when, where, or how he might appear.

Moreover, that wasn’t the only thing on her mind.

‘No matter how I think about it, Viscount Magnus appearing then was a bit suspicious.’

It wasn’t when she was being dragged away, but right at the moment she was being attacked.

Doesn’t it feel like he knew from the start that she would be attacked?

‘To begin with, he’s not the type of person to help others.’

Viscount Magnus was a thoroughly individualistic and selfish person.

There’s no way such a person would have helped her without any reason.

And above all, what’s most suspicious is that Viscount Magnus specializes in mental magic.

‘What if Viscount Magnus controlled Baron Larishi with mind control magic?’

That would somewhat explain Baron Larishi’s recklessness.

‘Of course, it’s all just speculation, but…’

Yvette gently furrowed her brow.

It wasn’t an entirely impossible story.

But there was still one unresolved question.

‘Why would Viscount Magnus do such a thing?’

It was right then.

“You look deep in thought.”

“……!”

Breaking the silence, a low voice rang out.

Startled by the sound, Yvette staggered, and something firm wrapped around her waist.

“My, you should be careful.”

Noel, who had appeared out of nowhere, smiled at Yvette.

Unintentionally ending up in his arms, Yvette straightened herself in alarm.

“No, how can a person appear like that without any sound? I thought my heart was going to fall out!”

“Well. Perhaps you didn’t hear because you were lost in thought?”

“……Even to Noel, do I look like I have a lot on my mind?”

Yvette drooped her shoulders weakly.

She felt a bit embarrassed for not managing her expression well in front of him.

“A little.”

Noel answered lightly, draping his jacket over her shoulders.

Yvette blinked slowly at the sudden action.

“Why are you giving me this?”

“You seemed more susceptible to the cold than me.”

Noel replied briefly, making sure the jacket was securely wrapped around her.

Though bewildered, Yvette didn’t refuse his kindness.

“When you’re like this, Noel, you have good manners.”

“You make it sound like I’ve been rude at other times.”

“You’re not rude, but you’re not exactly acting like a gentleman either.”

Yvette threw out the words half-jokingly. At that, the corners of Noel’s mouth slightly turned up.

“Seems like you’ve had a lot of complaints about me piled up?”

“That can’t be. I’m always grateful to Noel.”

Yvette shook her head.

Though she said it jokingly, it was true that she always felt grateful to Noel.

“……For someone who’s grateful, you express it too little, don’t you think?”

Noel muttered as if he was slightly hurt. Unlike his tone, a faint smile lingered on his face.

“Then how would you like me to express it?”

Yvette asked.

She had been feeling sorry for always receiving help from Noel anyway.

‘I should do as Noel wants, at least once.’

Yvette thought as she looked at Noel.

As their eyes met, the smile lingering on Noel’s lips deepened.

“If I say it, will you do anything?”

“Yes. I’ll do anything.”

Yvette nodded readily.

After a moment’s consideration, Noel opened his mouth.

***

“Um, Viscount. Duke Averon has come to visit.”

“……What?”

Early in the morning.

Viscount Magnus frowned at the news of an unexpected visitor.

“To come without notice at this hour. The Duke is quite diligent, isn’t he?”

“We’ve shown him to the drawing room for now. If it’s inconvenient, shall I tell him to come back later?”

As the servant asked, watching his reaction, Viscount Magnus shook his head.

“No, that won’t be necessary. It seems the conversation might be long, so please prepare some tea.”

“Understood.”

The servant bowed deeply and withdrew.

Viscount Magnus checked his attire before heading to the drawing room.

As he opened the door and entered, Noel, who had been staring blankly into space with an expressionless face, turned to look at him.

As soon as their eyes met, Viscount Magnus smiled brightly.

“Good morning, Duke Averon.”

“Yes.”

Noel nodded slightly in response to the greeting.

Viscount Magnus maintained his smile as he sat across from him.

“……Seeing you visit at this hour, it seems to be an important matter. What brings you here?”

“I wanted to check if the task His Majesty ordered is progressing well.”

Noel leaned back comfortably in his chair and looked at Viscount Magnus.

Viscount Magnus slightly twisted his lips at the gaze that seemed to be examining him.

‘Arrogant bastard.’

While inwardly grinding his teeth, he outwardly maintained a slight smile.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

Just then, with a polite knock, a red-haired servant entered the drawing room carrying tea.

Perhaps due to a timid personality, the servant moved with his head bowed low.