Chapter 6 – Changes in Emotion (Part 7)

While Reubellina blinked in confusion, before she knew it, Tartenon was standing in front of her.

“I realize now.”

“What?”

“That this is a feeling called jealousy.”

Reubellina couldn’t say anything to Tartenon, who spoke hushly. As she swallowed dryly, he approached even closer. Approaching her without hesitation, Tartenon saw Reubellina step back, but she then firmly planted her feet.

Seeing Reubellina not moving away, Tartenon smiled and raised his hand. Reubellina blinked her eyes blankly as his fingers slowly traced her face.

‘What is he doing?’

Seeming to notice the confusion in her eyes, Tartenon whispered.

“Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever seen your face up close.”

“What do you me- Eek!”

Startled by the lips grazing her earlobe, Reubellina quickly covered her ear with her hand.

‘He didn’t… just lick it, did he?’

With her face flushed bright red, Reubellina crouched down. Tartenon, not taking his eyes off her, knelt in front of her and extended his hand.

“What’s this about…?”

‘Is this a trick?’

She couldn’t bring herself to say the rest of her words aloud.

‘You haven’t forgotten that this is a contract marriage, have you?’

Reubellina looked at Tartenon with suspicion in her eyes.

“There were no rumors of you being a womanizer…”

“A womanizer?”

“Oh, did I… say that out loud?”

Reubellina’s ears turned crimson with embarrassment at Tartenon’s question. Taking her hand and pulling her to her feet, Tartenon spoke in a low voice.

“I’ve never shown interest in other women.”

“That’s not what I meant…!”

‘How can his hand brush against my neck like that!’

As Tartenon elegantly swept his fingers over the back of her neck, Reubellina felt her breath catch. Her heart pounded as if it would burst.

“It’s such a sad thing for a bride to say such things on the eve of her wedding.”

With an expression that was anything but sad, Tartenon gently pressed his lips to the back of Reubellina’s hand. The searing sensation of his lips brushing against her skin made Reubellina tremble slightly. Seeing her wavering gaze, Tartenon chuckled and asked.

“By the way, why did you come here?”

“…Ah, right.”

She could have just sent someone to inform him that the shirts had arrived. But Reubellina had come here herself to discuss the money she had received from selling the sugar and cinnamon.

‘I got swept away and forgot.’

Reubellina regained her composure, thinking she had acted too rashly as a merchant. Tartenon, who noticed her complete change in demeanor, released her hand and awaited her response with parted lips.

“I came because of the money I received from selling sugar and cinnamon.”

“Wasn’t it settled with the shirt money?”

“The prices of sugar and cinnamon have risen more than I anticipated in recent years, so I ended up receiving more money than I thought. Even after buying the shirts, there’s still a lot left.”

“Then you should use it as you see fit.”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

Reubellina was momentarily lost for words at Tartenon’s casual reply.

‘Is it okay to manage money like this?’

“But don’t you need to verify it?”

“It won’t change anything. If you decide to deceive me, I’ll have to overlook it.”

Reubellina was momentarily at a loss for words. Tartenon’s response had a double meaning. It meant if she intended to deceive, he would overlook it, and also, whatever she did, he would tolerate.

Tartenon, observing her hesitation, spoke again.

“You won’t let that money go unused, will you?”

“I was thinking of using that money, combined with what I have, to showcase the wealth of the Duchy of Speraum.”

“The Grand Duchy has no need for money, so the people in the territories will think that money came from you.”

“…”

“In fact, it was something you found.”

If it weren’t for Reubellina, the cinnamon and sugar would have been sitting in a storeroom, only to be sold by someone else later. In that case, the money would undoubtedly have been used for Viverna. Reubellina nodded calmly. It wouldn’t be proper etiquette to refuse his words.

“Then I can spend it as I wish?”

“That goes without saying. Now that you’re essentially overseeing the affairs of the Grand Duchy, you may use it as you see fit.”

“So does that mean Your Grace also receives an allowance from me?”

“Well, that’s a bit…”

Reubellina laughed at Tartenon’s prompt and straightforward response. A joyful laugh bubbled up naturally. Along with the thought that she should bring good results to Tartenon, who trusted her completely, she suddenly felt another thought.

‘It’ll be a little disappointing in three years.’

When Reubellina first took over the administration of the Asillious Trading, Duke Asillious had expressed concern. But seeing Tartenon’s unwavering trust in her, she felt her heart swell for no reason. 

She was excited.

For the first time, Reubellina felt a small desire in her heart, the desire not to miss out on someone who recognized her. The desire not to miss out on this person.

‘When will I ever meet someone like this again?’

Someone who fully supported what she did and didn’t ask for much. Yet Tartenon was thorough in other aspects, demanding excellence where necessary. 

‘But why does he show such generosity to me?’

Lost in thought, Reubellina’s face was met with Tartenon’s. As their noses touched, Reubellina, startled, opened her eyes wide. In that moment of surprise, Tartenon lightly pressed his lips against hers.

“T-this…!”

“Hmm? Wasn’t that a request for a kiss?”

“Me?”

“Well, I thought that was what you meant when you looked at my lips so fervently.”

“Th-this…!”

As Reubellina’s eyes widened and her lips were taken by surprise, she raised her eyebrows at Tartenon.

“Are you making fun of me right now?”

“Making fun?”

A storm brewed in Tartenon’s blue eyes.

“I have always been sincere, Lina.”

“…”

“Even when I asked you to marry me, and when I said I’d defy the wishes of the Imperial family, it was all genuine.”

This was dangerous. Reubellina struggled to suppress the tumultuous beating of her heart in response to Tartenon’s words. To feel this joyful at the mention of rebellion was dangerous.

“Tartenon.”

“I asked you to call me Ren, didn’t I?”

“No, I’m not interested in nicknames others have used.”

There were people in the Grand Duke’s circle and social circles who called him that. It was just a nickname. Tartenon’s eyes, observing Reubellina’s expressionless face, became serious.

“I think we need to have a serious discussion.”

“But tomorrow is the wedding.”

“I can’t wait any longer. This is a matter concerning our future.”

“Alright.”

Tartenon’s brow furrowed slightly, as if something didn’t sit right with him, but Reubellina casually opened her lips.

“Are you planning to overthrow the current Imperial family?”

At Reubellina’s question, Tartenon narrowed his eyes. He did not even bother with a vague question about why she would think that.

Reubellina felt a cold sweat running down her back. There was a vast difference between merely thinking about something and actually having the will to commit treason.

It was a moment when the anxiety that had been swirling in her mind turned into certainty.

‘Surely, I… haven’t crossed an uncrossable line, have I?’

She absolutely couldn’t. Her father was a high-ranking official of this empire, and her family managed the Tradings. With so much at stake, it was impossible for her to commit treason. Reubellina looked at him with an anxious expression.

“There’s no way.”

Although his response seemed somewhat dubious, Reubellina didn’t press further.

‘I shouldn’t delve deeper into this right now.’

With the wedding happening tomorrow, it was impossible to get out of this contract unless she outright fled. This feeling of facing additional garbage when she had already avoided some was frustrating.

Reubellina made an effort to smile, attempting to change the now chilly atmosphere.

“Alright then.” 

“But…”

‘Just when I thought I could let this go!’

Reubellina inwardly grumbled that there was nothing going her way since she set foot in this study. However, her gaze remained fixed on Tartenon. She was curious about what he was going to say next.

“If you keep poking around like this, even I can’t guarantee what will happen.”

‘The imperial family’s attitude has been rather severe.’

Reubellina unconsciously nodded in agreement, and Tartenon seized her hair at the ends, pressing his lips to it. Her red hair couldn’t get any redder, but the spot his lips touched seemed to turn an unnaturally bright red.

“Th-then I’ll take care of the payment myself!”

Reubellina chose to escape from this situation. She didn’t want to complicate her mind any further the day before the wedding.