The Grand Duke of Hedegen had entered the greenhouse quite some time ago, but the ducal couple showed no signs of emerging as the door remained firmly closed.

What could they possibly be doing in there for so long?

“Hasn’t it been quite a while since they went in?”

Those who had left the greenhouse pretended to take a stroll while leisurely circling around it. Everyone from nobles dispatched from the imperial palace to young ladies without official positions glanced sideways at the greenhouse, curious and suspicious.

“How many things could a married couple do in there? Only two possibilities.”

A young lady continued in a suggestive tone, covering her mouth with a fan embroidered with blue lace.

“Either they’re fighting or engaging in romantic activities.”

“Shh! How improper…!”

Another young lady pretended to shudder as if she had heard something forbidden, quickly hiding her reddened face behind her fan lest anyone see.

But it was only natural that most gazes were drawn to the greenhouse as if pulled by a magnet.

The greenhouse, reflecting sunlight with its sparkle, was a massive dome structure made of thousands of glass panels. However, its interior was obscured by tall, well-trimmed trees, exotic vines forming tunnels throughout, and flowers from various countries blooming with their unique characteristics—a structure that disappointed everyone by making it difficult to see the people inside.

“Since neither Lady Mariette nor Sir Dillan have come out yet, all four of them must still be in there, right?”

“I heard someone saw Lady Mariette and Sir Dillan come out earlier. So only the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess remain inside.”

“What could they possibly be doing?”

“While we’d hope for romance, it’s more likely they’re arguing, isn’t it?”

News that Grand Duke Carlo had arrived at December with his subordinates spread instantly among the nobles preparing for the charity event.

From the attack on St. Berte to the attempted murder at the Conz River, suspicions that they might be a showpiece couple, and Dillan’s questionable attitude toward the Grand Duchess supporting these doubts—even gossip suggesting attempted murder of the Grand Duke due to an incestuous relationship between siblings—the ducal couple carried all sorts of rumors like trailing tags attached to their every small movement. It was inevitable that Carlo’s appearance would put everyone on high alert.

“Someone actually caught a glimpse of the Grand Duke’s back, and I heard he’s become even more handsome.”

“Since he’s supervising at the Novahans Islands, his body must have improved too.”

“My goodness, his body?”

“Why are you looking at me like that? I was referring to his physical health.”

As the young lady who answered primly raised her chin and gazed elegantly at the greenhouse, another young lady deliberately smiled with an air of composure.

“Ah, I hope we hear good news from that healthier body. A harmonious couple should naturally have children.”

“Of course. Isn’t that what everyone wishes for? Everyone is eagerly waiting for news of their child, but it’s disappointing that there’s been no significant news so far.”

The young ladies who claimed they would genuinely celebrate news of the ducal couple’s offspring fell silent for a moment, subtly checking each other’s reactions.

Of course, with Grand Duke Carlo’s looks and wealth that could captivate anyone, news of his offspring would undoubtedly create a sensation throughout the Empire.

But did his child necessarily have to come from the current Grand Duchess…?

“It’s quite unfortunate, indeed…”

The young ladies swallowed dryly as they gazed at the greenhouse from which the ducal couple had yet to emerge.

Carlo was the Empire’s only Grand Duke with power surpassing even the imperial family, plus he possessed a wild charm that was dazzling just to behold. Naturally, most nobles secretly hoped that the news from this young couple would be divorce rather than the conception of an heir.

According to circulating rumors, the Grand Duchess was brazenly going about her life even after attempting to assassinate her husband. If true, she would likely be divorced soon, making their wishes not entirely unrealistic.

With social activities in the capital, Keddenshire, set to begin with the exhibition at the Imperial Art Academy, they could only hope for news of the ducal couple’s divorce to break before then.

“Looking at it any way, they’re more likely arguing. I don’t know exactly who said it, but apparently Grand Duke Hedegen’s expression looked ominous when he arrived at December.”

That would leave the Grand Duchess position vacant, and someone could emerge to fill that place.

“So you’re saying they’re having a dispute in there?”

“It’s possible. The atmosphere doesn’t seem very positive, does it?”

“It seems the rumors about her romantic relationship with Sir Dillan must be true. Look at Grand Duke’s guards, including Sir Joseph, guarding the front of the greenhouse. Something that others shouldn’t witness must be happening inside. Their expressions are so rigid!”

The young ladies blinked lightly or nodded shallowly as if agreeing with those words.

This was because Sir Joseph, the Grand Duke’s longtime friend who was known to smile as rarely as the Grand Duke himself, was guarding the door with a literally stiff face.

I leaned my head heavily against Carlo’s chest.

My body, still lingering in the afterglow, trembled faintly.

The flounce sleeve that had slipped down at some point swayed like a curtain through my exhausted vision.

Eventually, his fingers calmly pulled my fallen dress back up over my shoulder and lightly traced around the neckline.

Even that brief touch sent a hazy thrill through me, making my eyelashes flutter.

I exhaled a long, deep breath with my eyes closed.

His large hand and warmth stroking my hair.

The sound of his heartbeat in my ear.

His languid breathing as he gently patted my back, patiently waiting until I regained my normal breathing…

“…That was too much, really.”

Somehow annoyed by his excessively calm attitude, I spoke with my gaze lowered.

“No one saw.”

He responded naturally, clearly understanding what I was worried about.

After leaving my drained body in his care for quite some time, I finally managed to raise myself from Carlo.

He gazed at me steadily with a composed look and brushed my hair back.

“You’ve been worried the whole time, haven’t you?”

“Are you sure no one can see us from outside…?”

“Do you think I’m crazy enough to do this where people could see?”

But didn’t you just seem crazy enough until a moment ago?

He let out a faint chuckle, as if reading the question in my wide eyes.

“Well, I couldn’t blame anyone for thinking that way.”

“…You do realize that?”

“I do. But why would I let anyone else see your face like that? Hmm?”

My face like that…?

As soon as I understood his words, which made me think twice, my face burned bright red.

“That’s something only I can see.”

“……”

My cheeks felt so hot that I could be certain of their color without looking.

“Only I will see it. Forever.”

“……”

Though the look in his calm eyes was playful, it was threatening enough to cause a major impact on my barely settled breathing.

My heart sank, and I instinctively moved my body further away from him and frowned.

“I can’t do any more!”

“That would be tragic.”

“What…?”

Seeing my startled response, he let out a hollow laugh and gently bit my cheek, just enough not to hurt.

As I quickly hid my cheek, this time he caught my earlobe between his teeth before letting go.

“You should at least allow this much. I’ve been traveling since dawn, so don’t I deserve some recognition for my efforts?”

“You’ve been traveling since dawn?”

“No. I left late in the morning. After oversleeping.”

“Then the timing doesn’t make sense! And you’ve never overslept.”

“Exactly.”

He responded matter-of-factly, almost insensitively, while holding my waist as I sat on his lap and exhaling a careful sigh.

“So when do you think I left?”

Since he had arrived in the early afternoon after lunchtime, Carlo must have departed before the deep blue dawn had even begun.

“Why did you…”

I was about to say “come so early. You could have arrived later.” But suddenly my mouth closed.

Why had he come so suddenly?

And on the day of the wine tasting, no less.

“Could it be…”

“Could it be?”

I stared at Carlo as he repeated my words questioningly, and swallowed hard.

“Did you… hear something?”

“What kind of something?”

“Well… some… disturbing… creepy, strange rumor?”

“Ah, those disturbing rumors about the Grand Duchess and her brother.”

“You knew?”

I tried to jump up in shock, but he firmly gripped my waist, preventing me from moving an inch.

“I haven’t finished speaking yet.”

“That’s why you came! Isn’t it?”

“That’s just a pretext, Lea.”

Carlo calmly fixed my crooked earring.

“If I said I came because I missed you, you would have said no.”

“……”

“So I needed a reason to rush here. You’re always worried even though I’ve never failed in my duties because of you.”

After putting my necklace back in place, he looked into my eyes.

“Of course, I’ll take this opportunity to quell those disturbing rumors too.”

“…Hasn’t that been enough?”

I glanced around as if someone might be watching, even though the greenhouse was empty.

However, he seemed to enjoy the situation, raising the corner of his mouth in a smile.

As if saying he would walk around freely, he helped me to my feet and casually dusted off my dress.

“Shall we go now?”

“W-where to?”

He wrapped his arm around my waist as I asked in bewilderment, leading me out of the greenhouse.

“I need to put an end to this injustice.”