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

Madam Pigment was one of the few clients with whom Elysia had developed a deep relationship before meeting Hadeon.

Because her in-laws, the Pigment family, were of the bourgeois class, the baron approached Elysia, thinking she was merely the wife of a nouveau riche. However, it turned out that Madam Pigment's family, the Fencer family, was one of the nine noble families that wielded enormous influence not only in the south but throughout the entire empire. This bad relationship unexpectedly turned into a good one and had continued to this day.

"She always paid generously, and when I was suffering from the baron's debts or my brother's tuition was overdue, she advanced me money several times without asking anything."

Elysia was particularly worried because Madam Pigment was old. During their last meeting, Elysia heard she would be convalescing at her family's estate, the Fencer family. This invitation was a rare opportunity.

"Hadeon, are you awake?"

Elysia poked her head out from under the sheets to find him. The room was dark because he had turned off the lights. Although she couldn't see his face clearly, she could tell he had his eyes closed.

"Ha... Hadeon...!"

Despite her earnest call, there was still no response. Elysia realized that he was pretending not to hear her voice. Anger surged within her as well.

"You promised. Five outings in total. Think of this as one of them and listen to me."

Elysia watched in the darkness as he opened his eyes. Though they were certainly black, his eyes glowing like those of a beast in the dark never failed to unnerve her. Those eyes seemed to warn her not to speak of this any further, but Elysia decided to ask anyway.

"You promised me then. You said you would help me publicly declare myself as your mistress in front of as many people as possible."

Suddenly, Elysia's vision went dark as she realized that Hadeon was now on top of her. Instinctively, she bit her lip.

"Yes, I did promise."

Hadeon answered in a low voice from the darkness.

At that moment, Elysia felt a sense of suffocation from fear and dread welling up from deep within her. She didn't know why, but she was certain that her words had triggered a strong sense of hostility and displeasure in him. At that moment, Hadeon was looking at her as if he wanted to devour her.

Hadeon forced a smile, his voice leisurely.

"But why does it have to be the Fencer Marquis banquet? Why?"

"Well..."

Elysia couldn't continue. Was it the right time to tell him about her relationship with Madam Pigment? She didn't think so.

Hadeon's eyes curved into an unbelievably affectionate smile. It was a smile.

"Because of your marriage?"

"Yes, because of the marriage."

Unknowingly, Elysia got caught up in his pace and answered. She realized what misunderstanding he might have, but she couldn't come up with another excuse.

The atmosphere in the bedroom turned cold then. Hadeon was still smiling, but Elysia realized she had made a mistake.

Accepting an invitation from a woman who might be my fiancée.