“……!”

Lily already knew that Fredrick, whom she thought was a gentleman, was actually an insensitive and rude person, but she didn’t expect it to be this bad.

Her long eyelashes trembled with the rising shame. Lily, no longer wanting to deal with Fredrick, turned to go back into the bathroom, but Fredrick, who had already stood up, grabbed her wrist.

Lily’s expression hardened even more at the situation similar to when she met Fredrick in the hallway a few days ago. The discomfort and shame had now transformed into anger, swirling in her chest.

“Let go!”

Lily expressed that emotion raw as she pulled her arm with all her might, but he was holding on so tightly that it wouldn’t easily come loose.

“I said let go……!”

“It was meant as a joke, but if it offended you, I apologize.”

Just now…… What did this man say? He’s apologizing? He’s apologizing to me?

Lily was surprised and looked at him, as Fredrick, who had never apologized even once despite his numerous verbal abuses, suddenly said he would apologize. Fredrick continued, clearing his throat as if a bit embarrassed.

“Other women would respond to such jokes in kind, and as we joked around, the awkward atmosphere would dissipate, so I thought… I didn’t know it wouldn’t work with you, madam.”

Lily was shocked and angered once at the fact that such an insane joke worked on other women, and once again at being equated with those women.

“I’m truly sorry.”

So when she was about to get angry and confront him, she couldn’t because Fredrick apologized again. Instead, she glared at his unpleasant face and demanded.

“……Will you please let go of my hand and leave now?”

“Sure. Take your time getting dressed, madam. I’ll be waiting outside.”

As Fredrick complied with her words, unlike before, the anger that had been swirling like a storm subsided a little. Lily took a deep breath to calm her turbulent heart and then called for the maid.

Perhaps because Fredrick was waiting outside, the maid moved faster than usual, helping Lily get dressed. Lily, too, prepared quickly, not wanting to keep Fredrick waiting for long, and then called for him again.

Fredrick entered along with the butler, who was pushing a cart with a tea set and snacks. Bringing such things meant the conversation would be lengthy.

What on earth does he want to talk about? Lily felt a little anxious, but on the other hand, she thought it was good. She had something to say to Fredrick as well.

“I heard you went to Count Stacy’s house today.”

Did the coachman already tell him? Lily was surprised at the coachman’s quick action, but she didn’t blame him. Rather, she was grateful as it made it easier for her to speak, and she nodded.

“Yes. I heard that Count Stacy’s house was also looking for someone who could speak Garta, so I went there.”

“Does that mean you’ve contracted to work with Count Stacy’s house?”

“Not yet. That’s why I have something to tell you.”

Lily told Fredrick about the conversations she had with Count Stacy. Knowing he wouldn’t believe just words, she showed him the note from the bookstore owner and the contract given by Count Stacy.

“…So the Count said he’d like to meet with you the day after tomorrow at 4 PM to talk. I think I’ll decide whether to work with Count Stacy’s house after that.”

Throughout Lily’s explanation, Fredrick’s gaze was fixed on the contract. His face, devoid of its usual shamelessness, was serious to the point of being scary, and his eyes visible through the clear glass were intellectual.

As it was the first time seeing Fredrick so focused, Lily looked at him with a bit of curiosity.

After carefully checking the contract from beginning to end, Fredrick tilted his head slightly.

“Is there a problem with the contract terms?”

It seemed fine to me. Lily asked worriedly, but this time he shook his head.

“No. There’s no problem. Rather, I’m surprised because the contract terms are too good.”

“Really?”

“Yes. So, may I ask what kind of relationship you have with Count Stacy?”

Startled by the sudden question, Lily tried to answer nonchalantly.

“My father was close to him when he was alive. But not anymore.”

“I see.”

“More importantly, if the contract terms are good, I’d like to reject Countess Baliman’s offer and work with Count Stacy’s house.”

When Lily asked directly, Fredrick chuckled and picked up his teacup.

“You must have really disliked working with Countess Baliman.”

“Yes, I do.”

Lily answered honestly this time as well. Perhaps because a better condition than working with Countess Baliman had come up, Fredrick nodded readily.

“Alright. Since working with Count Stacy’s house would make it impossible to work with the Baliman house anyway, let’s do that.”

Done. Lily’s face brightened at the fact that she had avoided the worst-case scenario.

Fredrick’s eyes narrowed as he saw her face while drinking tea. His eyes, narrowed like a snake’s, scanned her searchingly, but Lily, intoxicated with relief, didn’t notice this fact.

“Did Count Stacy ask you to come to his house the day after tomorrow at 4 PM?”

Fredrick asked, putting down his teacup, his eyes back to normal as if nothing had happened.

“Yes, that’s right. If the time doesn’t work for you, please let me know. I’ll write a letter asking to adjust the date.”

“No. The time is fine, but……”

Fredrick stroked his chin as if thinking about something, then looked at Lily and said.

“Let’s have you come along to Count Stacy’s house as well.”

“Me too?”

“It’s my first time meeting Count Stacy, but you’ve already met him, haven’t you? Moreover, since you’re the one who bridged the connection between the Count and me, it would be better if you came along.”

“Ah, I will.”

Although surprised at the unexpected suggestion at first, after hearing the explanation, it seemed to make sense, so Lily nodded willingly.

“Then let’s go to the boutique together tomorrow.”

“What?”

What nonsense is this now? Lily understood the part about going to the boutique tomorrow, but the ‘together’ part was completely incomprehensible, so she asked in surprise.

“So… you’re saying you’re coming to the boutique with me?”

“That’s right. Is there a problem?”

“Not really, but……”

There wasn’t any problem. It was perfectly natural and normal for a couple to do something together. Liliana’s parents also used to visit the boutique together when it was time to get new clothes, making it a date as well.

But Liliana and Fredrick were an exception. In over a year of marriage, Liliana had hardly done anything together with Fredrick. At most, they had eaten meals together. Even then, other family members were always present, and they had never eaten alone. Naturally, they had never gone out together either.

So when he suddenly suggested going to the boutique together, she was perplexed.

“Is your mother coming along as well?”

Liliana asked, thinking it would make more sense if Samantha was joining them, but Fredrick looked at her strangely.

“Why would my mother come up in this conversation?”

So she’s not coming. Liliana sat there blankly, truly bewildered by the fact that she would be going out alone with Fredrick. Even though this situation was caused by Fredrick, her eyes didn’t focus on him.

“I have appointments in the morning, so I can only make time in the afternoon.”

Only then did Fredrick’s face come into focus in her slightly misaligned green eyes. Unlike her confused state, Fredrick’s expression was calm.

“I’ll come to pick you up by 1 PM, so be ready and waiting by then.”

He’s not telling her to come to the boutique on her own, but saying he’ll come to pick her up…

“Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Only after Fredrick left did Liliana come to her senses. She rubbed her face with her hands and muttered.

“…Why is he suddenly acting like this?”

They say people change little by little as time passes and they experience the ups and downs of life, but he had changed drastically overnight. Perplexed, Liliana stared at the spot where Fredrick had been sitting for a long time.

“Hmm, as expected, the cookies made by the ducal family’s chef are exquisite.”

“……”

Herald glared at the Crown Prince, who was nonchalantly eating cookies with eyes still heavy with sleep. The current time was 5 AM. Even Herald, who wasn’t one to sleep in, didn’t usually wake up this early.

Moreover, he had barely fallen asleep after 2 AM due to work, and now he was up again after less than three hours of sleep. He was irritated, feeling sleepy and tired.

“Visiting someone’s house without prior notice before dawn. It seems the royal etiquette education has gone to the dogs these days.”

“Ah, the royal etiquette education is still as strict as ever. It’s just that I’m a bit special.”

Is he actually bragging about that? Herald’s expression distorted mercilessly. Seeming to finally grasp the situation, Austin quickly finished off the cookies and said,

“Sorry. I didn’t want to drop in like this either, but this was the only time I could manage. So please try to understand.”

“I don’t want to.”

When Herald answered immediately without a moment’s hesitation, Austin grumbled.

“Isn’t that too harsh for our relationship? I would gladly welcome you if you showed up at dawn!”

Herald chuckled dryly.

“I didn’t know the palace gates would open for personal reasons before dawn. Or are you suggesting I should climb over the castle walls like a thief? Would you take responsibility if I got caught?”

“Wow, look, the sun is rising.”

As Austin tried to change the subject, having nothing to say, Herald stepped hard on his foot under the table.

“Ow.”

“Stop the nonsense and tell me why you’re here.”

The reason Herald had received Austin, despite how annoying, troublesome, and incredibly rude his visit was, was because he thought there must be something important. Or that a big problem had occurred.

Indeed, something seemed to be up. Austin looked at Herald with a serious face, all playfulness gone, and asked,

“Did you… sleep with that woman?”