The mansion was turned upside down at the news of the First Prince’s arrival.

“D*mn it.”

Duke Brioden twisted his lips at the unexpected visitor. Ludwig de Azelan. Of all days, why today? He hadn’t expected him to come.

The Duke, putting on his coat, clicked his tongue.

‘It must be a coincidence.’

The First Prince couldn’t possibly know about the Hestin Mine. Or that the second report from there would arrive today.

“Your Grace. His Highness the Prince has been shown to the reception room.”

“I’m coming.”

Having finished his preparations, the Duke immediately left his office. Walking down the corridor, he narrowed his brow. Perhaps it was because a stranger had come to the house, but the flow of air had changed sharply.

Straightening his spine, he walked a little faster.

‘Why has the Prince come?’

This was probably the first time Ludwig had made such an external visit to a noble family.

‘And why, of all places, our family?’

‘Is it because of the marriage proposal we submitted recently?’

Even if that were the case, he could have just sent a servant. No royal had ever personally visited a mansion for a marriage proposal. It was usually the opposite.

That fact made the Duke somewhat anxious.

If it wasn’t for marriage…

‘No, that’s impossible.’

Unnecessary worry ruins things. Feeling himself getting closer to the reception room, the Duke composed his expression. The secret about the mine was known only to him and the Second Empress. Since they had assembled only trustworthy people, no one could have spread the information.

In that case,

‘This is actually good.’

The only reason the First Prince would visit must be for marriage. Duke Brioden strongly believed this.

Sezlin. It was a good opportunity to get rid of that deficient child from his sight.

“Duke Brioden has arrived.”

With a brief introduction, the door opened. Entering the reception room, the Duke turned his gaze. On the luxurious leather sofa, the figure of a man was visible.

“I greet Your Highness the First Prince.”

Ludwig merely nodded in response. At that arrogant gesture, Duke Brioden gritted his teeth. Beast-like fellow. Deep wrinkles formed between his brows, then quickly disappeared.

“I didn’t expect you to come so suddenly. Are you making a secret inspection?”

The Duke, wearing his mask again, sat across and asked.

Eyes hidden by dark hair sank even deeper.

“Not a secret inspection.”

At this moment, a maid entered with refreshments. Bowing to both men in turn, she moved her hands diligently.

Watching the dishes coming and going busily, Ludwig narrowed his sharp eyes.

“I came to see my wife.”

A teacup was placed before him.

* * *

“My goodness. So His Highness the First Prince really wants to take Miss Sezlin as his w-wife?”

“It seems so. Miley, who was in the reception room, heard it clearly.”

“But wasn’t the previous meeting a failure? There was no contact for two weeks… Eek!”

The maids, passing words between them, collectively startled. It was because Sezlin was looking down at them as they were secretly hiding behind the wall.

Her blue eyes, devoid of anything, were particularly cold. The maids, already frightened, bowed on their own.

“W-we’re sorry, miss! W-we were just hearing…”

“Ah.”

At the cowardly excuse, Sezlin spat out shortly. Her lips, which had been stiff in a straight line, gradually relaxed.

“What did you say?”

“P-pardon?”

The maid answered with a stupid face. But Sezlin didn’t ask twice. Another maid, belatedly coming to her senses, opened her mouth like in a confession.

“He… referred to you as ‘my wife.'”

“Wife?”

“Yes, yes! I heard he said it with an extremely, extremely affectionate look.”

“Who told you this?”

Sezlin’s interest shifted sideways. The maid trembled violently at the chilling gaze.

“N-not me! Miley who went to deliver tea to the reception room earlier! A girl named Miley said so!”

At the maid’s words, her colleagues nearby agreed, chiming in. It was clearly a transfer of responsibility for anyone to see.

“I see. Thank you for letting me know.”

A moment later, a deliberately calm voice rose in the corridor. The maids, who had been tense with sweaty palms, gradually relaxed.

‘Thank goodness.’

They had worried she might say something, but it seemed she would let it go this time.

The maids, thinking they had aged ten years, awkwardly rose. Straightening their bent knees, they got up on their own.

Sezlin carefully examined the maids who had all stood up. Then, as if nothing had happened, she turned around.

Watching the young lady gradually move away, the maids wiped their chests in relief.

But the other maids following Sezlin looked at their colleagues with contempt. It would be better to be punished now.

“Lily.”

Arriving in front of the reception room, Sezlin stopped walking.

“…Yes, miss.”

“How do we punish someone who relays a noble’s words? I’ve forgotten.”

At Sezlin’s words, Lily tightly closed her eyes.

Stupid fools.

Cursing inwardly, Lily answered.

“Their tongue should be cut out.”

“Who else heard besides me just now?”

“All of us.”

Sezlin gestured to the aide standing in front of the reception room. Looking back and forth between her and the maids, the aide tactfully moved.

“You know well.”

The servant grabbed the handle.

A moment later, the interior of the reception room unfolded before her eyes. Sezlin, moving her steps, looked at the maids again.

“What are you doing? Not taking care of it?”

At Sezlin’s words, the maids’ backs stiffened rigidly. There were no fools who couldn’t understand what that meant.

She grasped the hem of her dress and moved her steps lightly.

“Sezlin.”

Duke Brioden moved his legs as soon as he saw Sezlin. Rising from the sofa, he approached her. His wrinkled hand patted her shoulder a couple of times. The area where she had been hit before throbbed. But Sezlin skillfully maintained her composure.

“Receive him with respect.”

Sezlin smiled softly.

“Don’t worry, Father.”

Sezlin carefully took his arm. At the behavior pretending to be an affectionate father and daughter, the Duke’s face meaningfully hardened.

But they were in front of the First Prince. Glancing at Ludwig, the Duke soon passed by her.

Around the time the footsteps gradually faded, Sezlin turned around.

Just then, the Duke left, and the door closed.

“You took a long time.”

Sezlin murmured, looking at the closed door. However, it was clearly heard by Ludwig, who had been a Sword Master.

“There was much to confirm.”

“You called me your wife.”

Turning her feet, Sezlin headed for the sofa. In the same spot where the Duke had just sat, Sezlin sat down identically. The flowing dress gently wrapped around the sofa.

“Is there a problem with your hearing?”

“Don’t worry. I told them to handle it well.”

At Sezlin’s words, Ludwig’s face changed strangely. How her words about handling it well had sounded to him. His handsome face momentarily sank below the surface.

After a brief silence, Sezlin spoke first.

“It seems what I told you has been found.”

A satisfied smile hung on Sezlin’s lips.

“Shall we talk?”

* * *

Sezlin quietly watched as the maid poured tea into the cup. The long stream of water gradually subsided.

When they were finally alone, Ludwig, who picked up his cup first, opened his mouth.

“How did you know there was gold in the mine?”

“I’ve had many occasions to go to the office since I was young.”

Sezlin calmly laid out the answer she had prepared in advance. It was the truth, so it wasn’t exactly a lie.

Although it was from the past.

“I caused a lot of trouble, you know. I was always scolded there.”

Sezlin naturally emphasized the office. The place where the Duke spent most of his time in the mansion. As such, it was a place where various information exchanged.

“It will be very helpful.”

Now. And in the future.

“Seeing that you called me your wife, it seems your heart has already turned.”

“…”

“Or have I misunderstood?”

Sezlin picked up her teacup in response. As she swallowed the warm tea, Ludwig opened his mouth.

“It doesn’t seem like this is the place for our conversation.”

He put down his cup and rose from his seat. His large hand was thrown before her.

“I thought so.”

Sezlin put down her cup with a satisfied face.

“I found the imperial palace tea leaves more to my taste.”

Her small hand overlapped on top of his firm glove.

“The tea here doesn’t taste very good.”