Alice was surprised when she went to see Dorothy with Bianca. Alfred and Dorothy were sitting quietly, each reading a book.

When Dorothy tilted her head in confusion, Alfred would explain unfamiliar words to her. Dorothy would smile brightly in response, making Alfred blush.

‘Hmm?’

Alice felt a strange tickling sensation in her heart. It reminded her of when she had been Khalid’s playmate years ago.

Bianca giggled, covering her mouth with a fan. She whispered to Alice in a soft voice.

“It seems Alfred has taken a liking to Dorothy. How wonderful. They look good together.”

“Ah… Yes, Lady Marchioness.”

They were merely playmates, not engaged to be married. What was all this talk about looking good together?

The children were visible from the balcony where Alice and Bianca sat on a sofa. Bianca whispered again.

“Dorothy is truly intelligent. Reading such difficult books at her young age. She must be special, being Lord Khalid’s child.”

“…Yes.”

Though Khalid wouldn’t acknowledge it, anyone could see Dorothy resembled him. Alice was grateful to Bianca for saying so.

A maid placed a tray full of snacks on the children’s table, apparently for snack time.

Alfred took Dorothy’s hand and seated her beside him. Then he placed a plate in front of her.

“Both the carrot cake and sweet potato cake are delicious. Our chef is very skilled. Try them all!”

“Okay. Should I? Everything looks so interesting because I’ve never seen most of these before. I can’t eat everything by myself anyway, so let’s share.”

“Sure.”

Listening to the two children’s voices, Alice felt slightly anxious.

‘They’re still young… It should be fine.’

She hoped Dorothy, a commoner, wouldn’t get hurt by developing feelings for the son of a Marquis. Of course, the children seemed too young for such concerns.

Bianca happily noted Alfred’s changed behavior.

“This is the first time I’ve seen him share with others. He seems to change day by day. Is this the joy of raising children?”

“…Yes. I… think so too.”

Bianca and Alice smiled at each other. At this moment, the difference in status between noble and slave wasn’t felt.

When the party officially began, they returned to their husbands’ sides. Blake and Bianca went to the hall to greet other guests.

Noble ladies who recognized Khalid rushed to ask him for dances. Being unmarried, he was quite popular.

“Who is this beautiful lady beside you?”

“I haven’t seen her before?”

“Which family does she belong to?”

Many questions were directed at Alice, who stood beside the popular Khalid. Alice couldn’t utter a word to the noble ladies. She didn’t belong here in the first place.

Alice kept her head down, unable to meet their eyes.

“…”

Then Khalid smiled and said:

“…She’s my wife.”

The ladies’ faces darkened at Khalid’s words.

“Lord Khalid? I heard you were still unmarried.”

“You haven’t even had a wedding ceremony!”

“Haven’t you been single since your engagement with Lady Daphne was broken off?”

As their questions poured forth, Alice’s face turned pale. Khalid frowned when he saw her.

“Are you feeling ill? Alice…?”

“N-No. Lord Khalid.”

Khalid immediately excused himself to the other ladies.

“I apologize, but my wife says she’s unwell. I must take my leave…”

As Khalid hurriedly escorted Alice to an inner room, the noble ladies’ faces turned blue.

“This can’t be! He was definitely still unmarried!”

“…He didn’t even mention which family she’s from. Could she be a concubine?”

“What? Taking a concubine before marriage?”

“Blake was known for his promiscuity before marriage! Being his friend, Khalid might be similar.”

“Oh… Surely not. Lord Khalid has always been proper, without any scandals involving women.”

The ladies gathered and whispered among themselves.

Khalid entered a guest room, poured water from a pitcher on the table into a cup, and handed it to Alice.

“Drink.”

“…Thank you, Lord Khalid.”

Alice took a small sigh after gulping down the water. No matter how she thought about it, she didn’t belong in such a glamorous party.

“Won’t you marry, Lord Khalid? …I’m just a concubine.”

Perhaps he called her his wife because a concubine was technically a wife. Her heart had fluttered momentarily at Khalid’s earlier words.

Khalid moved behind Alice and embraced her. He buried his face in her neck, inhaling her scent.

“I might marry.”

“…”

“Or I might not.”

“Lord Khalid?”

“I’m a Count. I can do as I please. I could even adopt an heir and pass on my property without having my own children.”

“…”

“What if I’m thinking of passing my title to one of your children?”

“…!”

Alice’s eyes widened. Khalid was saying something utterly unbelievable.

Khalid bit her neck almost hard enough to break the skin. He slightly pulled down her dress, which was already cut low to her chest. With both hands, he kneaded her soft br*asts, exposing her n*pples.

“Alice. I don’t need any woman but you. Bear my children. I’ll adopt the most outstanding one as my heir.”

“Lord Khalid.”

Khalid’s hand slipped under Alice’s skirt. With a squelching sound, his fingers penetrated her womanhood. His lips kissed her while one hand teased her br*ast.

“Haa… Mmm. Mmm.”

She had thought that becoming a concubine meant she wouldn’t be treated like a wife. Yet he said he had no intention of ever marrying.

‘But his mind might change someday.’

The glamorous party. Beautiful ladies with pleasant fragrances. Someday, when Khalid grew tired of Alice, his eyes would turn to them. Alice held Khalid’s face and kissed him passionately.

“Lord Khalid. …I like you.”

“Alice…”

A gloomy darkness descended in Khalid’s blue eyes.

“Now that I’ve said one of your children might become my adopted heir, you suddenly feel the need to impress me?”

“…No. I like you regardless of that.”

Khalid gripped Alice’s chin firmly. He didn’t look pleased.

“If you like me so much, why did you run away?”

“…That was because the Countess…”

“My mother? …But you never contacted me once during our separation. I was always the one who found you.”

“…”

“Rather than saying you love me, why not say you pity me instead?”

“…Lord Khalid. No. How could I possibly…!”

“You make me miserable.”

“…”

Khalid’s face twisted in pain.

“But without you, I can’t live.”

“…”

That couldn’t be true. Not for someone as perfect as Khalid.

Alice laid Khalid on the bed and climbed on top of him. Khalid seemed like a child who had never been loved. And the person who made him that way was Alice.

“Alice…?”