But he’d seen too many people who were excessively inhuman because of that.

There’s no need to look further than Walter.

So, he secretly wished for his future daughter-in-law to be a more humane person.

‘It’s my greed, just my greed.’

Arnold quietly clicked his tongue and extended his hand.

“Never mind, you don’t have to answer…”

“I’m sorry.”

And Odette’s following words were unexpected.

“I hadn’t given it that much thought. I simply felt it was the right thing to do. But in retrospect, I realize it was a bit rash.”

“You thought it was the right thing to do?”

“Yes. To be a bit more honest… it’s embarrassing, but I wanted to be a good Duchess for Ertman.”

Odette seemed a bit embarrassed but continued without hesitation.

“Building external trust is important, but to be a good hostess, I first need to sincerely care for the family. Unfortunately, that was my only intent at the time.”

Odette admitted her lack of foresight.

Remarkably frank and pure-hearted.

It also evoked a sense of nostalgia.

[Dash] Arnold, it sounds silly, but your family is my family too.

[Dash] What? We’re not even engaged yet, and you’re already clinging to Ertman?

[Dash] To become a good hostess, I need to start loving the family from early on, you silly boy!

[Dash] Ah! Stop hitting me with your weak hand!

[Dash] Marrying someone like you makes me pitiable, so pitiable!

Once a childhood friend, and later, his wife.

A fleeting memory of his long-time wife passed through Arnold’s mind.

Of course, it was just for a moment.

Arnold wasn’t the type to get sentimental over such trivial matters.

‘It’s good that she has more compassion than I thought, but being too naive isn’t entirely good either.’
Ahem, ahem. Arnolt cleared his throat twice and began speaking in a gruff manner.

It was a habit of his when feeling awkward.

“What are you apologizing for when you’ve done nothing wrong to me? Have some tea. I’m no connoisseur of tea, so I don’t even know what it tastes like, but Yanick asked for a taste test… Might as well use your judgment.”

“So, you’re asking me to evaluate the tea?”

“Yes.”

Odette calmly lifted her teacup in response to Arnolt’s assessment.

Naturally, her demeanor was impeccable.

After taking a few sips, she opened her mouth.

“It’s bitter.”

“…Bitter, you say?”

“Yes. It seems we didn’t brew it properly. The taste is bitter.”

However, the tea itself was not bad.

“The blend of aromas is good. The chrysanthemum isn’t overwhelming, so it complements the flavor without overshadowing it. There’s a nutty flavor that, despite the bitterness, makes it enjoyable.”

Odette, who had lightly nodded in agreement that it was good tea, put down her teacup and offered Arnolt some.

“Even if you’re not a connoisseur, the charm of tea is that you can enjoy it in your own way. Duke, you should try some as well. If you find it bitter, adding some jam or lemon juice could help.”

She then went on to explain various combinations she preferred.

Arnolt watched this and finally couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

The sip of tea he took afterward was indeed,

“Quite bitter.”

But why did he keep grinning?

Was it because Arnolt, the culprit who intentionally brewed the tea to be bitter, was enjoying the unexpected reactions from the princess who seemed otherwise rigid?

Eventually, Arnolt had to admit,

The 4th princess was much better than he had thought.

Unfortunately, Arnolt’s teatime ended sooner than he had hoped.

Unexpected guests soon arrived.

“Grandfather, if you’ve arrived, why didn’t you inform me… Odette?”

“Your Highness!”

And she wasn’t alone.

Since Odette was seated facing the door, she was the first to recognize the newcomers and rose from her seat in surprise.

“Elly! Duke? How did both of you find out and come here?”

“I was headed to Ertman to deliver something, and since I was going to escort you as well, Your Highness, it happened that the Duke needed to come here too!”

“I certainly did not expect us to be sitting together…”

The now icy expression of Valter turned toward Arnolt.

“Is this why you didn’t come to the ducal house, Grandfather?”

“…Huh.”

Look at the gall of this guy.

Arnolt chuckled involuntarily.

The reason was simple.

‘This brat, who would usually let any scolding go in one ear and out the other…’

It was the first time he had seen such an audacious look in his eyes.