Both were diligent in their work, prepared to do their best to fulfill the contract. And as perfectly as possible.
“Eric.”
“?”
“Is it okay if I call you Eric? That seems more natural.”
“That would be better. Ah, um. Alicia.”
“Are you okay with it? It’s very awkward right now.”
“Is it so awkward that it makes you laugh?”
“A little? Ah, think about how you called your lover in the past.”
“I never had such an experience.”
“Ah.”
“Do you call me naturally because you recall past experiences?”
“It’s not difficult for me thanks to a friend.”
“Ah, friend.”
Eric nodded reluctantly.
“It will be okay as time passes. Let’s take it slow, us.”
“Let’s do that.”
“How are we going to do the handover?”
“I’m planning to directly hand over the viscount’s work. We’ll take it slow with the duke’s businesses.”
“Okay.”
“I’m saying this in advance, but considering my parents’ disposition, it won’t take a few days before the engagement news spreads. Be prepared. You might have a tough time.”
“I don’t socialize much, so I’m okay.”
“That’s what worries me. Because you’re not used to it.”
“Ah.”
“I wish my mother could take it a bit easy.”
“Is that the overwhelming drive you talked about last time?”
When Alicia asked as if joking, Eric nodded with a smile.
“You’ll realize it later why we’ve come this far.”
“I guess so.”
“I have some knowhows, but I’ll tell you when the time comes. I can’t guarantee their effectiveness.”
“Yes. I look forward to it.”
Feeling that the atmosphere had lightened up significantly than before, Alicia hesitated for a moment before opening her mouth.
“Um, I mean, do you often go to that VIP salon in the city?”
“I used to.”
It was a place he often went for promotions, so he simply answered.
Anyway, he won’t have to go there for such purposes anymore.
“Why do you ask? Did you.”
Thinking she might have seen him at the salon numerous times or heard about him being rude to his counterparts, he asked cautiously.
“Yes, you’re right. I also took care of the salon affairs, so I often went there. But I couldn’t recognize you.”
“No, you don’t need to.”
“Still. I should have said something earlier, but the situation was going so unexpectedly that I missed the chance.”
“It’s okay. Don’t worry about it. Rather, I’d prefer you didn’t.”
“Thank you for being so considerate. But I should have properly said thank you.”
“……Thank you? What are you talking about?”
“Huh?”
Only then did they realize that the focus of their conversation had oddly deviated, and they looked at each other in puzzlement.
Alicia was the first to avert her gaze.
‘This person, he doesn’t remember at all. How can he not recognize?’
She thought he had recognized. She thought he was a nice person who helped without showing off.
Of course, even if he didn’t recognize, it doesn’t mean he’s not a nice person, but Alicia felt a bit upset.
“Do you usually help just anyone like that?”
“Huh?”
“……No, it’s nothing.”
As a knight, Eric would naturally help people, and it wouldn’t be something special or memorable.
Even so, Alicia, who was sullen for no reason, felt odd about herself and quickly lowered her head.
“Huh?”
“Really, it’s nothing. What should we do now?”
Alicia, who was smiling a little strangely, bothered him, but seeing that she deliberately changed the subject, Eric thought there must be a reason and didn’t ask any further.
“I’ll guide you around the mansion first. It would be good if you familiarize yourself quickly.”
“Yes.”
“In fact, there isn’t much to see, but shall we go?”
Alicia rose, following Eric.
[Star Icon][Star Icon][Star Icon]“The people here are quite friendly.”
“I suppose so.”
“?”
During the tour of the mansion, the encountered servants were indeed friendly and hospitable.
And even Eric, the owner of the mansion, Alicia saw such a demeanor for the first time.
“It’s nothing. How’s the mansion?”
“I like it. It’s like you, Eric.”
Looking puzzled at what she meant, he found Alicia smiling shyly.
“Neat and warm.”
He had heard of being neat, but warm was something Eric had never been described as in his life.
“It must be because of the warm sunlight today. The mansion has good lighting.”
“Is that so?”
“That’s right.”
Seeing Eric avoid her gaze awkwardly out of embarrassment, Alicia who had been laughing, stopped near the end of the corridor.
“Is this a library by any chance?”
“Yes, although it’s small.”
“May I look around?”
“As you wish.”
After Alicia entered the library, he tried to follow but paused at the whispering voices of the maids.
“He smiled, the Earl smiled. This is the first time I’ve seen the Earl smile since I started working here.”
“Me too, me too. I was really surprised when he suddenly announced his engagement, seems like there’s really something going on.”
“Right? It didn’t feel like they were in love or anything? What happened? Did he fall in love at first sight? Did he just feel destiny at their first meeting or something?”
“Exactly. Last time, he packed a bunch of presents to take with him, it was quite a scene. And they’ve only met for the second time.”
He hadn’t intended to listen, nor did he want to, but he couldn’t help but overhear everything.
‘It’s not true. Everything they just said. And I did smile. There just wasn’t any reason to smile.’
Out of indignation, Eric tried to deny it in his mind but then gave up.
Since he had ruined every potential match before and then suddenly got engaged, they must be curious.
So he had to bear with this, and at least Alicia didn’t hear, he comforted himself.
“Eric?”
Alicia poked her head out, looking for Eric who hadn’t entered yet.
“Ah, coming.”
Thinking it would be better not to listen any more, Eric hurriedly entered the library.
[Star Icon][Star Icon][Star Icon]He quietly followed Alicia who was browsing the titles of the books between the shelves with interest.
It seemed like he had something to say, sometimes opening his mouth, but every time Alicia moved, he flinched and closed his mouth.
After doing this several times, Alicia, who seemed to have noticed, turned to Eric.
“Do you have something to say?”
“There’s something I’d like to discuss.”
“What is it?”
Seemingly embarrassed, Eric brushed his hair back, avoided her gaze for a moment, then met Alicia’s eyes again.
“Do you need a ring?”
Male lead reborn without memories — but he still falls for her.
The person he finds displeasing in this life turns out to be his cherished wife-master in previous life…
Xie Zhi and Fang Xianxing who had known each other for less than three days through a blind date sat in the same car in front of the civil affairs bureau. They had a disagreement and failed to get married.
Xie Zhi immediately took out his phone, slid through his contacts, and randomly selected the next marriage candidate.
The woman snatched his phone and hung up. Looking at his phone wallpaper, she awkwardly changed the subject: “An ancient painting, eh? It looks pretty good, it’s just that the person in the painting looks a bit like me.”
When he heard this, he sarcastically mocked her for being so delusional, completely unaware that, the person in front of him was the reincarnation of Wen Ru, the famous prime minister of Yuan Shun whom he most admired…
The female CEO who doesn’t want to get married with a divorce agreement in hand × The male archaeological researcher who will only get married if he’s sure he can get divorced
