Amelia held her breath when his long fingers wrapped around her nape. It was an instinctive reaction. His fingers were so large and long that they easily covered her slender neck with one hand. Perhaps if Raphael exerted force, it would snap instantly.

Like a delicate deer whose neck is bitten and broken by a lion.

“I don’t think I’d like someone looking at my wife’s neck.”

“……”

People are not interested in my neck.

“I’ll adorn myself with jewels on the day of.”

“Have you chosen the jewels?”

It seems that the madam, Jane, and Ann have chosen them… But in fact, she didn’t even know which jewels were chosen. She wasn’t interested in jewelry in the first place.

“Maybe they have chosen…?”

Even if they haven’t chosen yet, they would pick something suitable on the day anyway. Amelia’s jewelry collection was that magnificent. It was so splendid that she wondered why she had collected so many accessories without even going out.

“We’ll have to hang something so expensive that others can’t even covet it.”

“What?”

What is this man talking about? Amelia filled her head with question marks, not understanding. To hang something expensive so others can’t covet it…

“Excuse me… Your Grace? What’s going on?”

“We’re on our way to buy some jewels.”

She couldn’t figure out how they ended up going to buy jewels after trying on clothes. Before she knew it, she was already in the carriage. She didn’t understand why she had to spend money for the founding festival when they were just going to attend it once. The original Amelia hoarded all sorts of party dresses without even going to parties.

They were all haute couture, not ready-made. The dresses adorned with jewels alone were worth more than a year’s living expenses for commoners. She didn’t need to alter them but did so little by little at the madam’s suggestion. It was regrettable how many of those would be wasted when she left this castle, and the dresses would lose their owner.

“Where to…?”

Amelia anxiously grabbed Leonel’s hand next to her. When imperial citizens were going shopping, there was only one place they went to. That’s how severe the monopoly was.

“Mother? Are you sick? You’re sweating.”

“No… Leonel, it’s okay.”

For some reason, he took Leonel along for the outing as well. Was he trying to act like a loving family again?

“Chester Merchantry.”

As soon as she heard the name Chester Merchantry, her heart sank. It would be strange if they didn’t go to the Chester Merchantry, which was headquartered in the Siegfried territory. Besides, it was a place used by everyone.

Of course, Raphael could use it too…

“Mother…”

But she couldn’t stop biting her lip out of anxiety. No matter how much she chewed, she couldn’t hide her nervousness. Her appearance was like that of someone caught cheating by their spouse.

No, no. I haven’t cheated or anything like that.

“Amelia.”

“Ah…”

She came to her senses when she felt him hold her chin and pull away her lips with his thumb. She could feel his finger still rubbing over her lips lazily.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

“No, I’m okay.”

Despite saying she was okay, his caressing fingers did not stop. Amelia frowned slightly at his sticky movements, which clearly showed intent. She made a mistake. If there was anything suspicious, she should have acted as naturally as possible and pretended it was nothing…

Besides, she had never done anything wrong.

“Could you please let go of my hand?”

When his fingers reluctantly moved away, Amelia turned her gaze away. This was just… unnecessary worry. She scared herself with assumptions.

“It seems we have arrived.”

Since the grand duchy wasn’t far away, the carriage quickly arrived in front of the trading company. Its dazzling exterior was still as intimidating as ever. The building, large and tall like a department store, was jaw-dropping. How could they decorate it so much in just a few days…

“The decoration is too much.”

“Is it because of the founding festival?”

“Maybe.”

Amelia was greatly embarrassed by Raphael’s gesture, offering his hand as she got out of the carriage. She had never been escorted to the merchantry before because she always hurried in by herself. She hadn’t expected to visit this place leisurely while holding hands like this.

“You don’t have to offer your hand.”

She could get down by herself as she always had done before.

“What if you fall while getting out?”

“There are people who fall while getting out of a carriage?”

The steps of noble carriages were designed to descend as low as possible. It’s just like going down the stairs.

“Women often fall.”

Hearing his words, she understood. They must have fallen on purpose in front of him to catch Raphael’s attention.

“It’s not me but Leonel who should… Ah!”

Seeing that she had no intention of taking his hand, Raphael sighed and then wrapped his arms around her waist.

“What are you doing…!”

And then he gently set her down on the ground. What would people think after seeing such a bold action? Amelia quickly looked around nervously. Chester Merchantry in Siegfried’s territory was a big enough place for nobles from other territories to visit as well.

“I was worried you might misstep while getting down.”

“I wouldn’t do that.”

“It could happen.”

Unable to reason with him, she sighed and opened her fan to cover her face. The madam’s teachings were very useful indeed. When you don’t want to show your face to others, you can hide your expression.

“Please hold onto Leonel instead of me. Leonel is still a child.”

He insisted on accompanying her every time, but Amelia always insisted on leaving Lionel behind when she went out. No matter how mature he seemed, he was still a 5-year-old child.

“Do you want to hold hands, son?”

“No. I don’t need to.”

Raphael still casually extended his hand while the other was wrapped around her waist. Of course, Leonel wouldn’t like it.

“Let go of me.”

Tap tap. When she hit his forearm with her fan, only the fan fluttered weakly. His body was so hard, it felt like a rock.

“Leonel said he doesn’t need it.”

“I didn’t need it either.”

Despite saying they didn’t need it, he forcibly lifted and set people down. Finally, when his firm arm loosened, Amelia let out the breath she had been holding. She unknowingly tensed up every time his body touched hers.

“Grand Duke! Your Highness and the young grand duke too…! What brings you here without any notice!”

It seemed like they had just gotten off the carriage when Howard came madly running. He seemed more urgent than when she visited. His face was so pale it looked like it could float away.

“We came to look at some jewels.”

“Jewels… Do you mean Your Highness’ jewels?”

“Does Chester keep people standing outside all the time?”

This man is really terrible with people, after all. They hadn’t talked for long. Despite his piercing arrogance, no one could say anything.

“I’ll guide you right away.”

Of course, Howard wouldn’t… But what if he would call the Master… It was obvious she came together with Raphael and Leonel, so that shouldn’t happen.

“Bring the most expensive ones.”

As soon as he entered the VIP room, he sat on the sofa with his legs crossed arrogantly, as if he owned the place. It was something she didn’t even feel from the Master, who owned the merchantry. The certain boredom emanating from him made everything seem reasonable.

“The ones we already have are expensive enough.”

“No. You have to wear something that others wouldn’t even dare covet.”

“That’s right, Mother.”

Their intention to buy jewels wasn’t pure. It was to kill others’ spirits with money so they wouldn’t dare look. It was very much like Raphael Lloyd Siegfried… But to think Leonel would agree with that statement. As he sat nobly in the VIP room of the merchantry, she realized he was truly different from the Master.

There were often chilling similarities between him and the Master. As if Raphael and the Master were the same person.

But seeing him sitting in this merchantry, I understood. They were not the same person.