“When you stare at me like that, it feels like you’re seducing me.”

“When did I?”

“Right now.”

After saying that, he approached my side. Heat rippled in his eyes. Luden had this look when he kissed me.

“What are you trying to do?”

“This.”

When he approached, I set down my teacup. He reached out, grasped my hand, and placed it in the space between where we sat. Then he pressed his lips to mine. The sound of lips colliding rang out.

“Are you allowing this?”

His voice was terribly low. My feelings grew strange, like he desperately craved me. My heart pounded because it felt like he loved me.

Even though I knew that wasn’t the case, I felt like I’d be mistaken.

“I’ll allow it.”

He devoured my lips hungrily. The hot presence that entered breathed life into me. What invaded past my lips left its mark.

Breathing hotly, he urgently made a sound, grasped my hand, pulled me along, and pushed me into the bedroom. Lying on his bed, I looked at him.

Reason had vanished from his red eyes. He was looking only at me.

“I feel like I’m going crazy.”

His voice was urgent.

“I should keep some distance.”

What should he keep distance from?

I looked at him curiously. But he had no leisure to answer my question. Finding my lips again, he pushed me onto the bed. While kissing, he undid the buttons on my clothes one by one.

“Annelia.”

His voice was incredibly hot.

On my first day at the Charlot house, I was held in his arms.

He claimed me, exploring me for a long time.

* * *

After having breakfast with Luden and returning to my room, I was looking at documents organized about the Charlot Marquis family’s business scale. An enormous amount of things to memorize were written there.

The Charlot family was like a chaebol family in Korean terms. Not just any chaebol family, but a prestigious family that had continued its tradition for a long time while being a chaebol family. Because of that, they had many operations like a large corporation. Luden was managing all of this.

Should I say it’s impressive? It was amazing that he did all this at such a young age.

And he never made mistakes. If he made mistakes, he’d give his relatives ammunition, so he worked desperately.

Looking at the documents, I raised my head. Lella entered carrying tea and dessert.

“Are you reviewing well?”

At her words, I nodded.

“This isn’t content I can casually review. I have to study hard.”

“That’s right.”

I ate the snacks and cookies Lella brought while shaking my head at the amount of documents before me. It seemed like it would take an incredibly long time to memorize all this and visit.

“My lady!”

Kerona came carrying letters. I’d contacted those I corresponded with and was close to, telling them I was now at the Charlot estate so they should send letters here, and everyone had sent lovely replies.

Among the replies was one from Sorean.

Come to think of it, I hadn’t met him since rejecting his feelings. I’d said we should remain friends—had he made up his mind?

Curious, I opened his letter first.

<You’re getting married soon. Congratulations. I’ll pray for my friend’s happiness from afar. I’ll send greetings to this address from now on.>

His letter was polite yet warm. He’d seemingly let go of his feelings for me and was talking like he’d treat me as a friend going forward.

Then I’m comfortable too.

I folded the letter with a laugh. I put it in the letter storage box and opened other letters.

Should I hold a tea party? As I pondered, Lella and Kerona spoke with good timing.

“How about a tea party at the Charlot estate?”

“I think Miss would do well hosting a tea party.”

At their words, I smiled brightly. Since I corresponded with many people, holding a tea party seemed good.

“Alright.”

I decided to hold a tea party.

Of course, I planned to invite Sorean to the tea party too.

* * *

First, I told Luden I’d hold a tea party. Luden said it was fine, and the tea party was prepared step by step.

And one week after I came to the estate, the first tea party was held. Sorean, who came to the tea party, looked at me admiringly.

“You’ve become more beautiful.”

“It’s because Luden gives me love.”

Sorean laughed.

“I should have met you first.”

“Oh my, but I wouldn’t have chosen you anyway.”

Sorean chuckled and sat down. It was a seat somewhat distant from me. Besides Sorean, several men came, but most were people I’d become close with because of Jiton. Since they all knew each other except Sorean, I introduced Sorean.

“So you’re Count Root!”

Everyone looked at him with sparkling eyes. Well, wasn’t he a handsome, young, capable count? Plus he had a good personality. Because of that, everyone wanted to exchange words with him. I watched this leisurely.

“I heard you agreed to mine diamonds with the Charlot family?”

Someone asked curiously.

“Ah, the contract terms were very satisfactory.”

Sorean said that while looking at me.

“But. How about coming to see how much progress has been made on the diamond mine excavation work? It’s a truly wonderful place.”

At his words, I hesitated briefly. The wedding with Luden was coming soon.

“If you use warp, it takes two days.”

Seemingly reading my thoughts about distance, he said.

“I think I need to discuss it with Luden.”

Sorean nodded.

“If you come, I’ll treat you preciously.”

“Yes, I’ll look forward to it.”

Sorean didn’t ask further.

Come to think of it, Sorean’s territory was rumored to be beautiful. I was curious.

Ah, I also need to visit the Charlot territory. I need to take care of household affairs too.

There was more to do than I thought.

* * *

“Why are you sighing like that?”

While drinking tea, I unconsciously sighed. Toward Luden looking at me worriedly, I smiled bitterly.

“Just, it seems being the Charlot family’s mistress isn’t easy.”

“Ah, is that so?”

“It seems the Marquis’s wives did a lot of work through generations?”

“Probably.”

“Come to think of it, Sorean asked me to come to his territory to see the diamond mine.”

Luden’s hand stopped.

“Count Root?”

“Yes, I agreed to remain friends with him. I want to go see it too.”

“If it’s a territory, the Charlot family territory is beautiful too.”

Mm, as expected, Luden dislikes me meeting Sorean.

“But I should go see the diamond mine too. Then how about going to the diamond mine and then touring the Charlot family territory?”

“What about wedding preparations?”

“Wedding preparations are almost done. I’ve fitted the dress too.”

“The guests…”

“I just need to organize that, don’t I? Annelia’s guests will probably be similar to the engagement ceremony guests.”

That’s true, but Luden isn’t overdoing it, right?

“Luden, it’s not difficult, right?”

“It’s not.”

Luden firmly shook his head.

“I’m not going by forcing myself. And Annelia.”

Luden stared at me.

“Annelia is used to being considerate, but you don’t need to be that considerate toward me.”

“Why not?”

“If my wife wants something, I can push myself a little. So if you have something you want to say to me, please say it anytime. I don’t want you to think I’ll always be busy and not talk to me, doing things alone.”

His voice rippled.

“Yes.”

It was true I’d hesitated to speak, thinking Luden would be busy.

“I don’t want to become a man who neglects his wife with the excuse of being busy. Father was also busy, but he took care of his family.”

At Luden’s sincere words, my heart ached.

Things from before I became Annelia came to mind.

<Why don’t you understand me?>

<I didn’t do anything wrong! You were considerate about things like this! So why are you like this now?>

“Whew.”

I caught my breath.

“What’s wrong?”

At Luden’s words, I briefly shook my head.

“It’s nothing. Luden is truly kind.”

“It’s not kindness, isn’t it common sense?”

My heart ached more.

I stood and approached him. Late at night, I was alone with Luden in my room where no one came.

Pain from the past welled up, and I quickly pressed my lips to his.

“It feels like you’re seducing me.”

Luden narrowed his eyes and looked at me.

“That’s right.”

Luden chuckled and accepted my seduction.

* * *

A few days later, we packed our bags to go to the diamond mine. I heard there’s a lake near Sorean’s territory. They said we’d ride boats and play there, so I prepared clothes to wear there.

“What should I wear?”

Lella asked in an excited voice. I chose my clothes and also picked what Lella would wear from my clothes.

“I don’t know if I should wear Miss’s clothes.”

At Lella’s words, I spoke matter-of-factly.

“You said you wanted to dress up prettily on the trip.”

“Thank you.”

Lella happily looked for clothes she’d wear.

I looked at the clothes and approached near the window. Luden’s figure was visible in the distance.

He was giving instructions one by one to the workers loading luggage. They put luggage into magically enchanted bags that held many items. Since magic that lightened weight was cast on them, the workers moved them without difficulty.

I wore a wide-brimmed hat. Of course, I also packed an instant cooling cup. Because I needed to drink cold water on hot summer days.

When I went downstairs, Luden was opening the front door and entering.

“Did you pack everything? Count Root says he’s waiting at the warp.”

He said he’d escort me and he really meant it. He seemed like someone who kept his word. Good to have as a friend.

“Let’s go now.”

I put on white gloves and held his hand. Since the wedding was soon, this was to prevent my hands from tanning in the sunlight. I also wore a thin but long-sleeved dress.

Luden firmly grasped my hand and boarded the carriage.

I quickly glanced at him.

He’s handsome. But more troublesome than anything was that he was too kind to me.

Because he’s kind, I waver. His words and actions touch many parts of my past.

“Hah.”

I caught my breath.

I didn’t refuse when Luden occasionally kissed me in the carriage.

At first, I thought I should keep distance, should refuse because he was a man who’d go to the female lead, but now I didn’t have such thoughts.

We joined up with Sorean and headed to the Root territory using warp.