Chapter 4 – The Skill Of Making A Move (Part 3)

“Welcome back, Your Grace.”

Despite the late hour, Philip had not left and was waiting for Edwin.

“Did you enjoy the play?”

Philip asked, smiling with tired, bloodshot eyes.

“Well… it was alright.”

Edwin replied nonchalantly, handing his jacket and cravat to Paul.

“I’m tired.”

As Paul took the clothes away, Edwin unbuttoned a couple of buttons on his shirt and sank into the couch. He then tousled his perfectly pomaded hair and nodded.

“Report.”

With his disheveled hair and subtly revealed muscular chest, he exuded a raw, primal aura. Sprawled out on the couch, he resembled a satisfied beast after a hunt.

‘Maybe he is a beast.’

Philip thought as he began reading the prepared report.

“Marquis Gillas is expected to arrive tonight.”

“Take him straight to the safe house. Remind him again of the limited range of his movements.”

“Yes.”

“But who is the Marquis looking for?”

“Ah… his second son, apparently.”

Edwin frowned at Philip’s answer.

“Second son? Why suddenly, when he’s not even the heir?”

Officially, Marquis Gillas was known to have one son and two daughters from three marriages.

“Well… it’s said that the eldest son hasn’t appeared in public for quite some time.”

Philip continued his report, scratching the back of his neck.

“The marquis hasn’t officially acknowledged it, but seeking out a forgotten son suggests that perhaps….”

Edwin completed his thought.

“He’s either dead or injured to the point of being unable to inherit.”

“Yes, that seems likely. Rumors are circulating quietly in Fontaine as well.”

“This is troublesome.”

Edwin sighed, rubbing his face slowly.

Philip, flipping through his journal, suddenly remembered something and looked at Edwin, who had his head tilted back.

“By the way.”

“…What?”

“Why did a letter come from Alethea Doyle?”

When Edwin didn’t respond, Philip kindly added an explanation.

“The lead actress of the play you saw today.”

“I know.”

Edwin replied softly, staring at the envelope in Philip’s hand before answering slowly.

“…It’s for Wiig.”

Philip looked visibly surprised at the unexpected name.

“Lorraine? But here it just says….”

He checked the recipient on the envelope again. The elegant handwriting still read “Duchy of Duncan.”

“She seemed to take a liking to Lorraine.”

“What? Alethea Doyle?”

Philip asked in a high-pitched voice, prompting a sharp look from Edwin.

“Quiet.”

“Ah, yes… but are you sure it’s okay? It’s ‘that’ Alethea.”

Edwin didn’t seem to understand the issue Philip was pointing out. Sighing deeply, Philip elaborated.

“Alethea’s lovers are mostly women.”

“…….”

“It’s been long enough that people have gotten used to it, but initially, it was quite a scandal.”

Before Alethea’s debut, blond-haired, blue-eyed actors dominated the scene. With her light brown hair and green eyes, the only role available to her was as an understudy.

[Leah, get ready.]

One day, the lead actress got injured, and Alethea took the stage.

[Who is that actress?]

[She’s beautiful. And she sings well. Honestly, the current lead is a bit off-key.]

The director’s choice changed the landscape of theater.

Headlines like [Newcomer Alethea Doyle Cast as Lead] and [Who is Alethea?] flooded the press.

After her debut, her tall stature and refreshing personality quickly garnered her many female fans.

[Sis!]

[Hello, beauties.]

Just as light creates shadows, not everyone liked her. Critics often mentioned her lovers, to the point where Alethea addressed it directly in an interview.

[Does gender matter in love?]

Her confident attitude gradually changed public perception, though not completely.

Philip cautiously asked, holding out the envelope.

“I heard she currently doesn’t have a lover… Should I deliver the letter?”

It was a silent indication that he would follow Edwin’s choice, whether to tear it up or deliver it.

‘…So she was making a move.’

No wonder it felt uncomfortable. Edwin stared at the envelope.

It was an awkward situation, whether it should be delivered or not.

“…Deliver it.”

He didn’t want to use this as a means to gain the upper hand. Philip looked surprised and asked with wide eyes.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

Leaning back, Edwin covered his eyes with his arm and waved dismissively. After watching his master for a moment, Philip bowed.

“Then, I’ll take my leave.”

Even after hearing Philip leave, Edwin didn’t respond.

The bedroom was silent.

Edwin, who had been quietly exhaling, murmured softly.

“…How pathetic.”

His ears, which he hadn’t managed to cover, were a reddish hue. Edwin couldn’t calm his emotions for a long time afterward.

***

‘How did things end up like this?’

Lorraine thought as she wetted her lips with tea. She glanced at Alethea sitting across from her.

“The tea has a nice aroma.”

Alethea, having removed her glamorous stage makeup and dressed in a plain shirt and pants, looked comfortable.

Unlike Edwin, who sat next to her.

“That’s good to hear.”

Edwin couldn’t hide his wariness but answered politely. However, Alethea wasn’t one to back down easily.

“Even though I knew it was rude to visit suddenly, I couldn’t help myself.”

She smiled softly, her eyes curving gently.

“Oh, yes.”

Alethea had arrived just as Edwin, Lorraine, and Philip were discussing the departure of Marquis Gilas.

「Your Grace, you have a visitor.」

Paul had approached Edwin cautiously and whispered.

「…Doyle …here …how…?」

Edwin’s eyebrows twitched at Paul’s words. He stared at Lorraine thoughtfully before standing up and motioning with his hand.

「Wiig, come with me.」

Following Edwin into the reception room, they found Alethea comfortably seated in casual attire.

「It’s been a while, hasn’t it?」

As if she had expected both Edwin and Lorraine to come down together, she waved nonchalantly.

“I was so excited to get your reply.”

The feeling that the roles were reversed lingered.

Unlike Edwin’s scowling face, Alethea’s voice was bright and clear. Lorraine subtly nudged Edwin’s side and nodded.

“Oh… yes.”

“Can I ask you something? It’s really a trivial question….”

Faced with eyes that seemed ready to shed tears if refused, Lorraine had no choice but to nod.

“Yes, feel free to ask.”

“You’re not in any kind of relationship with the Duke, are you?”

The question wasn’t asked with malicious curiosity or interest in gossip. It seemed to be a simple query or a question meant to clarify matters.

So Lorraine answered comfortably.

“…No. No, we’re not.”

Edwin’s expression changed slightly at her double denial.

“Hmm….”

Alethea bit into a biscuit, looking at the two alternately with a meaningful gaze.

“But why do you ask all of a sudden…?”

Lorraine asked, unable to grasp the intent behind the question. Alethea smiled brightly.

“Well… as long as there’s nothing between you two, it’s fine.”

‘What’s this about? It’s strange.’

A subtle atmosphere flowed between the three.

Alethea’s cheerful voice broke the silence.

“Then, would you consider becoming my lover?”

“What? Me?”

Alethea’s smile deepened as she met Lorraine’s surprised eyes. Edwin, quietly observing the scene, swallowed dryly.

‘She’s really good at stirring things up.’

Alethea Doyle had quickly figured out Edwin’s feelings for Lorraine. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be looking at him provocatively while making a move on Lorraine.

“Phew….”

Edwin let out a small sigh of frustration. Despite this, Alethea asked with a nonchalant face.

“I could really treat you well. Won’t you date me?”

“Ah… I, um….”

Alethea’s eyes softened as if she found Lorraine’s flustered expression cute.

At that moment, someone knocked on the reception room door.

“Your Grace, may I come in for a moment?”

The sound was a welcome interruption. Lorraine’s face brightened.

“Yes, come in.”

Philip carefully opened the door and whispered in Edwin’s ear.

“…You need to go….”

Philip’s face was troubled, and Edwin’s frown deepened even more.

He stood up slowly and spoke.

“Lady Doyle, could you please leave for today?”

“What?”

While Edwin buttoned up the top of his loosened shirt and retied his tie, Philip smiled slightly and answered in his stead.

“The Duke has an urgent matter to attend to. Please visit again another time, Lady Doyle.”

‘What’s going on?’

Lorraine looked at the three in confusion as the situation rapidly unfolded.

Alethea stood up, watching Edwin with a meaningful gaze.

“Well… alright then.”

Despite her reluctant tone, Edwin called Paul, who was waiting outside.

“Paul, see Lady Doyle out.”

“At your service.”

As Alethea stood up with Paul’s courteous assistance, Lorraine also rose. But before she could take a step, Edwin’s firm voice stopped her.

“Wiig.”

“Yes?”

When Lorraine turned around, she met Edwin’s sharp golden eyes.

“You come too.”

“What? But….”

Lorraine looked at Alethea, who was leaving the reception room, with a troubled face. But Edwin, without looking back, left the room.

“Your Gra…!”

Lorraine didn’t have time to stop him. Alethea smiled sweetly, leaned in, and kissed Lorraine’s cheek.

Even though Lorraine was taller than average, Alethea was still a head taller.

“I’ll write to you at the Wiig residence now. I’ll hear your answer then.”

“Oh….”  

Before Lorraine could respond, Edwin, who had already reached the second floor, called her again.

“Wiig!”

“Yes, yes. I’m coming. Sorry, Miss Doyle. Goodbye.”

Lorraine hurriedly said her goodbyes and rushed after Edwin, who was no longer in sight. Left alone in the reception room, Alethea watched Lorraine’s retreating figure and then chuckled softly.

“You have it tough too.”

Alethea glanced at Paul, who was waiting to see her out, and strode out of the drawing room.