TWOTCL༘ ೀ⋆｡

XXl

⭑. ݁ ˖₊˚✩.𖥔 ݁ ˖๋ ࣭ ⭑.𖥔 ݁ ˖₊˚✩.𖥔 ݁ ˖๋ ࣭

The list sounded so frugal, it was almost impoverished, causing Hadeon to furrow his brows. Was poverty her hobby and frugality her specialty? He could no longer tolerate her lifestyle and attire, which were so humble they bordered on deprivation. Now that she had entered the duchy and stood by his side, she too had to match his status and class. Hadeon quickly reached a conclusion.

Looks like the first place for Elysia’s outing is decided.

Meanwhile, Malcolm shuddered inwardly at the faint smile that briefly crossed Hadeon’s lips.

That smile, as if he’s ready to deal with me at any moment…! It must be because I was mean to that human woman!

The butler of the duchy immediately resolved to move the human mistress from the storage room to one of the largest rooms in the mansion.

***

“It’s our first outing. Be ready to go somewhere with me tomorrow morning.”

Stepping out of the mansion to get into the carriage with Malcolm’s help, Elysia looked up at the clear sky and recalled his suggestion.

Last night, Hadeon had visited her newly assigned room, which was slightly more decent than the storage room, leaned against the wall, and imperiously announced the outing before leaving.

To be going out so soon. He’s a man who keeps his promises, at least.

Elysia thought back on the past three days. As the sole owner of this vast territory who had recently returned from the battlefield, Hadeon had been buried in work, seemingly needing more than one body to handle all the tasks. Moreover, the number of vassals from the estate requesting audiences with him was so large that he was constantly being summoned and leaving the mansion, rarely staying put.

Elysia had to revise her first impression of Hadeon Lark. When it came to the duchy’s affairs, he was extremely diligent and workaholic.

At least he surprisingly kept the promise of not sharing a bed for three days.

They slept in separate rooms. Unless Hadeon came to her as he did last night, Elysia could not approach him first, so in the past three days, the only time she saw him was that brief moment last night.

Living in the same place but barely seeing his face. It’s possible.

Elysia reconfirmed her insignificant position in the duke’s mansion.

Did he give the servants some sort of instruction? They’re all acting a bit…

Glancing at the other servants of the duchy, including butler Malcolm, who couldn’t come within three steps of her, Elysia hesitantly spoke up.

“Um… Malcolm.”

“Yes, yes, Lady Elysia?”

Her eyes narrowed suspiciously at his changed form of address. Until a few days ago, he called her ‘Miss Pearlman,’ but recently he started adding ‘Lady’ to her name.

“Stop dodging and come closer. Why have you been avoiding me?”

“That… That is…”

Malcolm finally confessed the reason, making Elysia’s face turn bright red.

“You can feel the Duke’s presence on me?”

Malcolm answered, looking distressed.

“Yes, not just feel it, it’s like he’s left his mark all over you. If I close my eyes, it feels like the Duke is standing there instead of you. It seems you’ve received the Duke’s ‘approval’ in abundance….”