007.

The two days of banquets had definite gains. Radilt Brill, who had only been the subject of rumors until now, established herself as Pendlore Duston’s firm lover.

It was too sudden compared to Pendlore’s coldness, and the difference in status between the two was so stark that many people doubted the circulating rumors. They wondered if it was just another false rumor common in social circles. But now things were different.

The young widow who revealed herself with the beginning of summer was indeed captivating enough to seduce a man with such a high nose.

Her appearance surpassed the banquet’s theme, making her seem the true protagonist without the slightest exaggeration. Her actions, while skillfully imitating those of a noble lady, still carried a fresh purity, as if she had just been unearthed from the soil.

The combination of these two qualities attracted not only Pendlore but also the eyes of many noble men.

Thanks to this, Count Duston’s reputation in social circles also improved.

A noble man had the best reputation when he possessed a bit of asceticism. Having three or four women during his bachelor days, and after marriage, showing an exemplary attitude by not touching women other than his wife.

However, if asceticism was excessive, he could be avoided even more than promiscuous men.

A man who had never revealed his desires to a woman.

Unless he was a clergyman who had vowed to dedicate his body to God, he would only appear strange in a society of humans with ordinary desires.

This was true not only among men but also among women. A young man who seemed to have his desires castrated was a more difficult counterpart to understand than a womanizer who only pursued pleasure. This was because in society, it was familiar and natural for men to show desire and women to be objects of desire.

But a strong and young man who had no scandals, despite having the ability to seduce women and no physical problems…

At first, people said he must have high standards, but as years passed, the talk changed beyond “strange” to crossing the line with questions about his function as a man or if he had perverted s*xual preferences.

The reason Pendlore accepted Cherse’s proposal, albeit reluctantly, was because he sensed the atmosphere becoming increasingly precarious.

Pendlore Duston’s early loss of his parents and the difficult path he walked afterward were well known, so people understood why he had remained single for so long. He had been too busy reclaiming his family’s standing to set foot in Gardens, and too absorbed in building his business to spare a glance for women.

However, with both family and business stabilized for several years now, suspicious gazes had begun to pierce Pendlore.

His friend Noia had several older brothers to continue the line and, thanks to his position as the beloved youngest son of a powerful ducal family with imperial blood, could openly proclaim himself a bachelor without issue.

But Pendlore, as the head of his family and the only son who had driven away his relatives, was not in that position. If he wasn’t careful, he could receive the worst evaluation of abandoning both his duty and honor. That would clearly cause his family’s prestige to decline and affect his business.

But thanks to Radilt Brill’s existence, all those threats disappeared at once.

‘The dark-hearted letters have actually increased.’

Pendlore checked the pile of letters moderately and sorted out only those requiring a response.

Previously, there were only letters seeking meetings targeting him alone, but now Radilt’s name was included. There were even some who wanted to invite Lady Brill separately.

Their intention was likely to target his lover, who seemed much more approachable than the difficult Count Duston. Of course, letters saying they wanted to host Lady Brill or expecting Lady Brill’s tea parties were all thrown into the kindling box.

‘With this, I can continue to keep the position of Countess Duston vacant.’

Pendlore’s eyes cast a bored shadow as he looked at the traces of torn sealing wax. The smooth, hardened wax of various colors left almost no marks.

‘After parting with Radilt Brill.’

After facing the tragic ending of having to let go of his lover. Using that as an excuse to hold out for a few years and then.

‘I’ll spread the word that I’ll bring in an adopted son to inherit the family.’

Make people covet the position of heir rather than that of Countess Duston. It was still too early to speak of adoption at his age, but once he reached his mid-thirties, it would be appropriate.

‘Including distant relatives, there were four young girls, weren’t there?’

Even if their bloodline wasn’t significant, it would certainly cause a commotion if cut off, so the adopted son would need to marry a woman with Duston family blood.

With that, Pendlore could live as he wished while also fulfilling his duties as the head of the family. He would also maintain his reputation with the pathos of looking at only one woman.

Flawlessly perfect.

Pendlore thought of the woman he had promised lunch with today. He imagined the green eyes that had been looking at him with a somewhat resigned, calm gaze.

‘I still want to give Lady Brill proper compensation.’

Even if he explained in detail the value of everything he had obtained, it didn’t seem like that woman’s stubbornness would easily break. Radilt Brill had far too low an evaluation of herself. At the same time, her obsession with not burdening others was excessively firm.

Pendlore’s long fingers lightly tapped near his chin.

‘With such a calculating mind, doing business…’

If her mind had coldly calculated gains and losses, Radilt would have naturally extracted a substantial fortune from Pendlore. While also demanding protection from her in-laws and all other threats.

Of course, Pendlore was willing to give her enormous wealth and wrap her in thorough protection. With the justification of her being his only lover in life, it would be even less difficult.

Nevertheless, Radilt was reluctant to hastily accept even a single coin from Pendlore.

A woman who appeared utterly relaxed yet was difficult enough to give him a headache.

A quiet sigh escaped between Pendlore’s lips.

‘With that straight character, I wonder if she can properly run a perfume shop.’

A merchant should be more yielding. Accurate calculations should be habitual, ensuring there’s not even a bit of loss for oneself.

But from what he had seen of Radilt’s behavior so far, it would be fortunate if she didn’t go bankrupt from giving away too much.

Perhaps he should provide some economic education as well. As her patron, he wasn’t without obligation to worry about her future.

Fortunately, today Radilt was bringing her savings for investment, so it might be good to tour some of the commercial properties he owned.

As Pendlore was mentally arranging the schedule, a knock sounded in his ears.

“Come in.”

With permission, butler Roil opened the study door. Approaching his master, he announced:

“Lady Radilt Brill has arrived. They say she was tired from the heat, so they escorted her directly to the annex.”

“……Oh dear. I’ve been too negligent with the lady.”

Pendlore clicked his tongue briefly. The midday sun had become too fierce for a woman to ride a horse. Yet he had thought by his own standards that it was still not difficult to be active in early summer.

“I’ll go to the annex, so put away the letters appropriately.”

There were hardly any nutritious correspondences anyway. Pendlore left his study, contemplating a gift for Radilt as an apology.

‘What a spacious and beautiful bathroom…!’

Radilt couldn’t hide her surprise at the bathroom she was guided to. Thanks to the scheduled lunch appointment, water was already boiling in the annex kitchen, so the bath was prepared quickly. It was filled with lukewarm water to cool her from the heat, allowing Radilt to enter the bathroom almost immediately.

Then she opened her eyes wide and marveled. The bathtub, made of wood that carried a subtle fragrance, was almost the size of a small pond. It was filled with clear water.

“Sunlight……”

Radilt reflexively looked up at the sunlight shining on the calm water surface. There was a round glass window in the ceiling right above the bath. Colored glass, designed to prevent easy viewing from outside, filtered the noon light, coloring the water surface in various hues.

It was as if colorful flowers were blooming all over the water.

“This is hot water and that’s cold water, right.”

The place was designed for one to enjoy a bath leisurely alone, so there was no need to call someone to replenish the water. Pulling a cord would signal water to flow into the tub through pipes.

On one wall was a long chair where one could take a nap, and on the table, drinks were prepared with a bowl of ice.

Several soft, clean towels were neatly stacked. There was not only a robe for after leaving the water but also a thin robe to wear while entering it.

How many hands had moved for just one person’s bath?

Radilt was both amazed and shrinking from the burden. She felt almost sorry to immerse herself in that clear water, but she still needed to wash off the sweat.

“The water temperature is just right.”

Radilt murmured as she dipped her fingertips into the tub. Then, just as she was about to take off her clothes, she hesitated upon seeing the colorful sunlight. Although it was an indoor space where no one would look in.