He felt absolutely f*cking terrible.

After finishing his shower hastily and leaving the bathroom, he barely suppressed the sudden urge to destroy everything and picked up a bottle of brandy placed on a corner table.

Jürgen poured brandy into a glass and downed the strong liquor several times. Though he wasn’t usually one to enjoy alcohol, ridiculously, it took less than a few minutes to empty the brandy that had been sitting there for quite some time.

What was the problem?

Where had things gone wrong?

Of course, there was no possibility that he would actually commit what he had experienced in his dream. This was merely a temporary impulse. Getting an er*ction over Diez, and stroking his c*ck while imagining her was just a stupid mistake.

Though he managed to convince himself of this, his sunken mood showed no signs of improvement. Eventually, Jürgen got up staggering and brought a new bottle of brandy, opening the cap.

Even he couldn’t gauge how many more glasses he would need to drink before falling asleep again.

* * *

The moment the next morning dawned, Diez could notice that the atmosphere in the mansion had definitely changed.

Not only had several maids been replaced, but they began to treat Diez like a lady of the Klaus family. As soon as morning broke, they woke Diez with a respectful tone, brought warm water for washing, and even helped her dress.

None of them attempted to make direct eye contact with Diez, nor did they dare to speak first without permission.

Moreover, Diez heard news she had never experienced even once before.

“The Duke wishes to have breakfast with Miss Schleicher.”

For Diez, who had always eaten alone, this was something to question. Jürgen wants to have a meal with me?

This was the same man who had headed straight to his office without even making eye contact as soon as they returned to the mansion just yesterday.

It was always difficult to understand his intentions, but since she couldn’t refuse to join him, Diez followed the maids leading the way to the breakfast room.

In the past, when the late Duke was alive, she wasn’t even allowed to move freely around the mansion without special instructions. Leaving her bedroom early in the morning to go elsewhere was almost unprecedented.

The morning sunlight streaming through the wide windows beautifully illuminated the corridor. The sight was both admirable and alienating.

For five years, I’ve been living virtually imprisoned.

It was around the time this thought occurred to her that Diez arrived at the spacious breakfast room.

The large bay windows that directly overlooked the garden made the already spacious breakfast room appear even more abundant. She could see Jürgen sitting at the table set with appetizing breakfast foods.

As always, impeccably neat and tidy in his appearance, he gave her a gaze so refined it felt cold.

“You’ve arrived.”

He offered a brief greeting.

It was the same businesslike and cold tone as always.

The grand and magnificent breakfast room befitting the prestige of the Klaus ducal family. The beautiful garden scenery visible beyond. It was a sight captivating enough to seize one’s gaze, yet Diez simply couldn’t take her eyes off the Duke before her.

Sitting with his back straight and legs crossed, the Duke exuded a heavy presence by his mere existence. Before him, even the most beautiful scenery seemed to be reduced to a mere background.

However, there was another reason why Diez couldn’t help but focus on him.

‘I get nervous just standing in front of him.’

He was different from the late Duke who used to whip and abuse Diez. Although he was the son who shared the same bloodline, despite being a completely different person, Diez naturally found her body stiffening when facing Jürgen.

After taking a sip of tea, Jürgen’s gaze turned toward Diez again. Her lips automatically tightened at the illusion that his cold gaze was piercing through her body.

“Good morning, Your Grace.”

She offered an awkward greeting. What came back from Jürgen was merely an instruction that may or may not have been a response.

“Sit down.”

The seat across from him was empty. It was a place she wouldn’t have dared to occupy before the ownership of the dukedom changed.

In the past, the late Duke did not allow Diez to sit on sofas or chairs. Whenever he called for Diez while seated in a chair, she always knelt at the late Duke’s feet. Whether he would stroke her head or grab her by the hair depended entirely on luck that day.

Diez sat down across from Jürgen, trying to appear as calm as possible. The tea set laid out before her, along with soft-looking pancakes and fluffy egg dishes, couldn’t have seemed more unfamiliar.

The fact that she had once lived receiving such food now felt as distant as a past life.

Perhaps that was why. Even with the luxurious breakfast in front of her, Diez naturally found herself watching Jürgen’s reactions. Though Jürgen would surely hate such an attitude, she couldn’t help but hesitate to pick up the cutlery.

“Did you sleep well last night?”

“……Yes, Your Grace.”

“Was there any particular problem with the servants’ attitudes?”

“Everyone treated me kindly. Thank you for your consideration.”

Jürgen continued to drink his portion of tea with an unchanged expression. Watching his movements, one might consider him the epitome of an aristocratic man. The flawless man soon sent a blue gaze her way and encouraged,

“Don’t just sit there, please eat comfortably.”

Having received his encouragement, she couldn’t just remain still. Diez picked up the silver cutlery with awkward movements and brought what appeared to be the softest egg dish onto her plate.

‘Come to think of it, it’s been a really long time since I used a knife.’

Though sweet sugar-sprinkled bread varieties also caught her eye, Diez deliberately ignored them. She wasn’t confident she wouldn’t choke in front of the cold and taciturn Duke.

While he had encouraged Diez to eat, Jürgen himself didn’t seem to have any intention of picking up his cutlery.

While Diez ate small pieces of egg she had cut, Jürgen simply watched her quietly. Eventually, Diez couldn’t bear the discomfort and glanced up at Jürgen.

‘He looks somewhat troubled.’

Though she couldn’t be certain since she quickly lowered her gaze, she got the impression that his state of mind was complex, if only for a brief moment.

And the reason seemed to be none other than Diez herself.

‘Does he have something to tell me?’

In the breakfast room where no one initiated conversation, only the quiet sound of silver cutlery clinking could be heard. It was around the time when she started to feel slightly full.

Finally, Jürgen spoke to her.

“Miss Schleicher.”

“……Yes, Your Grace.”

“We briefly discussed the contract period before, didn’t we?”

“The contract…… period.”

Why is he suddenly bringing this up? Even before hearing the main point, she already felt her stomach turning worse.

Watching Diez who was unintentionally showing signs of tension, Jürgen put down his teacup. Following the sound of porcelain hitting the surface, he spoke again.

“What would you think if I were to nullify that contract?”

“……Pardon?”

Diez raised her head with widened eyes at words she had never even imagined hearing. Nullify the contract? What could that possibly mean?

Meanwhile, Jürgen’s expression remained unchanged as he spoke those words. He had already anticipated her reaction. She must be surprised. Despite her appearance, she might already be rejoicing inside.

In truth, Jürgen felt his lips going dry. Of course, since these weren’t words spoken lightly, he meant them sincerely. As he had no intention of revealing his true feelings to Diez, he remained armed with his cold, expressionless facade.

“I asked how you would feel if I nullified the contract you made with my father.”

“I, I…”

In contrast, Diez was a woman who couldn’t hide her inner thoughts at all. Her delicate face transparently revealed everything she was thinking. Suddenly, Jürgen inwardly let out a low sigh. Had there ever been a better plaything for his father?

That man would have intended to keep Diez by his side for life if he could.

If only he had looked into what was happening here sooner…… Could he have made the situation even slightly better?

Diez was confused. Why was Jürgen suddenly saying such things? She couldn’t easily discern whether he was testing her or sincerely making an offer.

Nullifying the contract.

Had this been when she first entered the Klaus household, it would certainly have been a fortunate proposal.

But…… what meaning would there be in nullifying the contract now?

Completely forgetting the meal before her, Diez’s half-frozen face showed no trace of relief or joy. Instead of pressing her, Jürgen calmly waited.

It wasn’t a difficult thing to do.

Especially if this was to be his last time with Diez.

Only after several minutes had passed did Diez finally stammer out a response.

“By, by nullifying the contract……”

“It means exactly what it sounds like—I’ll set Miss Schleicher free. You no longer need to stay here.”

“Why are you suddenly saying this?”

“Because I have no intention whatsoever of taking anyone as a mistress.”

He said coldly.

“Since Miss Schleicher doesn’t seem able to serve as my secretary either, what benefit would I gain from keeping you? I believe I asked you clearly from the beginning.”

“……”

“What can you do for me?”

Diez couldn’t bring herself to answer. Jürgen’s words were true. Having grown up like a flower in a greenhouse her entire life, Diez had no skills to repay her debt. As he said, she lacked even basic business knowledge to work as a secretary.