“Puhah.”

Upon hearing Jenna’s words, Alicia almost spat out the tea she was sipping.

“Cough, cough. Je, Jenna.”

“Why are you so surprised?”

“Well, that’s.”

Alicia stuttered and closed her mouth in embarrassment.

‘There’s no way it would go that far with Eric yet, no, that’s not it, there shouldn’t be a need to go that far in the first place?’

‘Wait, were you always so blunt about such discussions? I thought you changed, but when did you become so shameless?’

Regardless of Alicia’s internal turmoil, Jenna continued speaking as if it was nothing.

“This will definitely work.”

“That, that’s why.”

Unable to meet Jenna’s gaze, Alicia held her teacup with both hands and looked down, which made Jenna stare at her intently.

“Are you still shy? Cute, you two.”

“Eh?”

“That should make it even more effective.”

“Well, that’s.”

‘That’s irrelevant, that situation won’t happen.’

Seeing Alicia’s troubled expression, Jenna smirked.

“Then try a peck. It’s not a big deal, but it might actually be cute for you guys.”

“Ah, maybe so.”

Alicia smiled at Jenna as if it was no big deal, but her mind was in turmoil.

Skinship is prohibited according to the contract. It requires mutual consent. How can one negotiate that?

‘So it’s not that it’s not a big deal, it’s a big deal.’

Alicia looked down at her teacup again, troubled.

“Then let’s have a leisurely chat. I’ll get the tea.”

“Why?”

When the butler spoke, Alicia instinctively asked in a loud voice, causing the butler to look at her in surprise.

“Huh? If you ask why.”

“No, not that, butler.”

“Don’t you want tea?”

When Eric asked, Alicia shook her head in embarrassment.

That’s not it. It’s not that, but unless there’s a situation where she has to act like a fiancee in front of others because of the contract, she can’t give that ‘token of gratitude’.

It requires mutual consent if they’re alone.

“No, it’s not that I don’t want tea, I’ll drink it. I’ll drink.”

“Butler. Get ready.”

“Yes, Count.”

The butler bowed and turned around to fetch the tea, and Eric put his book aside and got up.

Then.

Alicia leaned forward, supporting herself on the table with her arm.

Peck.

A small but definite kiss landed on Eric’s cheek.

“Thank you. I received the flowers well.”

“Ah, I see.”

Eric answered awkwardly, as if surprised.

“I didn’t think you’d remember what I said briefly back then.”

“Of course, I remember.”

“I liked it. Though there were too many.”

“Ah, that’s because the Count told me to send a lot.”

As the butler, who had been standing by, casually intervened, the steward who had been outside the door quickly reached out and grabbed the butler’s clothes, pulling him away.

“What on earth are you doing right now?”

“Come out here, stop interfering.”

The steward quickly dragged the butler out and closed the door.

“Where did you leave your senses? What were you thinking to interfere while they were in there? You’re hopeless, really.”

“Ah, that’s… The atmosphere was good, so I just thought maybe the Count would say something, and I couldn’t help myself.”

“Ugh, really. Was that a situation for him to say something? If it weren’t for you, they could have gone even further.”

“……You call me a fool, but you’re the fool here.”

Despite the butler’s dumbfounded expression, the steward continued speaking with a serious look on his face.

“Butler, do you know why people read romance novels?”

“I suppose?”

“Vicarious satisfaction, vicarious experience, vicarious excitement. People want to feel those things in their tough lives, right?”

“What does that have to do with the Count and the young lady?”

“Ha, you really don’t know. We’re experiencing a realtime vicarious romance right up close. On top of that, both of their visuals are amazing. All they need to do is exude just a bit of sweetness, but it’s not happening.”

“Why don’t you have a real relationship with your husband instead of seeking vicarious satisfaction?”

“Heh, that’s not something to do with family.”

“Despite having given birth to three children.”

As the butler shook his head and moved away, the steward followed grumbling.
Suddenly, Duke Hart turned around and looked at the closed door of the study.

‘I bet the mood is good now. It’s the perfect time. Ah, I’m envious.’

However, the mood wasn’t as sweet as Duke Hart imagined.

Alicia opened her mouth in the somewhat awkward atmosphere.

“It’s not a big deal.”

“Huh?”

“Everyone says that this level of reciprocation isn’t a big deal during an engagement.”

Only then did Eric nod his head.

It wasn’t a trivial matter.

He had merely instructed his butler to send the flowers. He didn’t personally buy the flowers or deliver them, so he thought it was sufficient, even overly so, as a reciprocation.

“I also think that. Anyone can do it.”

Seeing Alicia make an excuse, he figured she was concerned about breaking their special agreement.

He wanted to say that it was a reciprocation, not a display of affection, so it didn’t violate their agreement.