“Why are you staring at me?”

“Huh?”

When his eyes met Alicia’s, Eric covered his mouth with his hand to hide his embarrassed expression.

He must have truly gone mad.

If Alicia hadn’t asked, he would have almost committed a major violation of the contract, special clause and all.

“Well, um. You looked a bit like a duck just now.”

“A duck?”

Alicia glared at Eric in disbelief, but Eric’s mouth spoke on its own, regardless of his will.

“I mean, with your lips like this. You look like a baby duck.”

“A baby duck?”

She was truly dumbfounded.

The man had been seriously thinking all day long and spoke sincerely, but not only was the response less than satisfactory, he suddenly said she looked like a duck.

“What, it’s cute. I like it.”

“……”

Knowing he didn’t mean she was like that, Alicia still felt embarrassed and tried to hide her expression as she spoke firmly.

“Get out now.”

“Huh?”

“I need to go home. I’ve said everything I wanted to say.”

“Ah, right. We should go.”

Eric half-rose from his seat in a daze, then sat back down.

“Alicia.”

“?”

Eric hesitated, wanting to say something but not knowing what to say.

“Get home safely.”

In the end, he smiled awkwardly and offered a common farewell.

“Alright, see you tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

After Eric got out, the door soon closed and the carriage departed.

Eric stood there until the carriage disappeared from view, then covered his eyes with one hand.

“A duck? Are you really crazy, you damn fool?”

He felt like he could die of embarrassment.

He felt so embarrassed that he thought it might have been better to violate the contract and have it terminated.

He was sure he would be tossing and turning in bed tonight.

[This is the timeline separator]

After being introduced to the royal family and nobility at the palace tea party, the Duke and Duchess did not call Alicia and Eric to official events for a while.

Thanks to this, Eric and Alicia were able to spend their time leisurely, focusing on work or reading books of similar taste while drinking tea. Like today.

Eric closed his book and stretched widely.

“Shall we have some tea?”

“Sure, why not?”

While Eric called the butler to bring tea, Alicia also placed a bookmark and closed her book.

“By the way, how do you get nicknames like that by being rude?”

“Hm?”

“Like ‘Destroyer from the demon realm’ or ‘Guardian of hell’.”

“I’m hearing ‘Guardian of hell’ for the first time, I tell you.”

“Ah. That’s right.”

“I thought you didn’t care about rumors?”

“It’s just curiosity. I can’t imagine you acting rudely. It’s not the you I know.”

“Hmm. Really? Then what’s the me you know like?”

Eric asked with a smile. There was a hint of expectation on his face.

“Well.”

For a moment, Alicia recalled what Kate had said at the tea party.

“Your words seem a bit harsh, and your expression isn’t exactly the most pleasant…”

“Ugh.”

“But rather than harsh, your words seem more direct.”

“Hmm.”

“And while you frown sometimes, you’re actually quite handsome.”

“Hmm?”

Eric stared at Alicia and grinned.

“Really? I didn’t know you thought that way?”

“Well, I have eyes. I try to see things objectively.”

“Objectively? Then what about subjectively?”

“You mean my taste? That’s a bit of a different matter.”

“A different matter?”

Eric frowned slightly, as if displeased.

“So what is your taste like?”

“My taste? Hmm.”

Alicia thought for a moment, then pretended to be serious.

“I won’t say. It doesn’t seem like something I should tell my fiancé.”

“It’s okay to tell your fiancé he’s not your type, but not this?”

As Eric looked at her with a dumbfounded expression, Alicia subtly averted her gaze.

“Fine, fine. I’ll stop before I get more hurt.”

Eric grumbled as he picked up his teacup.

Alicia looked at Eric and muttered quietly.

“I never said you weren’t.”

“What did you say?”

“I didn’t say anything.”

As Eric turned his head again, Alicia added soothingly.

“Stop frowning. That’s why I said earlier you don’t look pleasant.”

At that, Eric quickly smiled. His face was full of mischief.

“Do I still look handsome to you like this?”

“Ah, now you look more on the obnoxious side.”

“…It’s difficult.”

“What is?”

“Pleasing you.”

“……”

Seeing Eric grinning, Alicia narrowed her eyes and frowned slightly.

“Why?”

“No, Eric’s right, this mansion has good lighting.”

“Suddenly?”

Alicia, who had been sitting with her back to the window, pretended not to know and drank her tea, then suddenly asked as if she just remembered.

“This orange salient production line, the Clayton baronial family is managing it, right? Tell me a bit about the baronial family.”

“Was the visit scheduled for next week?”

“Yes. Is there anything I should know in advance?”

“Nothing special. The baron is quite capable, so sales are steadily increasing. He also planned the premium strategy.”

“There didn’t seem to be any special issues in the audit report either.”

“Right. It was difficult to manage due to the distance, but it’s reliable enough to entrust. At least for now.”

“I see.”

“Go and stay comfortably. You’ll only have to endure for a short while.”

“?”

Alicia wore a suspicious expression for a moment, but Eric just grinned.

[This is the timeline separator]

In the carriage heading to the Clayton baronial house, Alicia was listening to the Duchess talk about the baronial family.

“They have two daughters in that house. So they stay in the capital during the social season. The eldest daughter debuted two years ago, and she’s a quiet and very nice child. This year, her main purpose is likely to find a groom.”

“I see.”

“There’s no need to be too nervous. Besides, the people coming today are those you’ll have to lead in the future, so they should be the ones feeling nervous.”

“Ah, yes.”

Alicia nodded seriously, feeling more nervous at the Duchess’s unusually firm words, different from usual. The Duchess smiled kindly.

To her, Alicia seemed too soft and kind to survive in the jungle-like social world.

It would be troublesome if she remained like this to fulfill the role of the mistress of the ducal house in the future.

‘There’s no choice. I’ll have to teach her well and give her experience by taking her around. She’s a smart child, so she’ll catch up quickly.’

If Alicia had known what the Duchess was thinking now, she would have been dismayed, but she was just grateful for the Duchess smiling kindly at her with concern.

[This is the timeline separator]

“Welcome. Thank you for coming all this way.”

“Not at all. It’s like an annual event. When I see the Baroness, I think, ah, the social season is starting this year.”

“My goodness. Is that so? It’s like something that comes when you’ve almost forgotten about it? Hohoho.”

The Duchess’s mood had clearly changed this year, even though she used to hate the return of the social season because of her son.

“Hello, Baroness.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you. It’s nice to meet you.”

“My goodness, has our Alicia’s reputation spread that far?”

“Of course. Everyone is so curious about her. Oh yes, this is my eldest daughter Deborah, and my younger daughter Mana.”

Deborah greeted gracefully, while Mana, though a bit unsteady, managed to greet with some courtesy.

“Nice to meet you.”

“Hello.”

As soon as they exchanged greetings, Mana stared intently at Alicia with curious eyes, then grinned and linked arms with her.

“Elder sister Alicia. Can I call you that?”

“Ah-.”

Already embarrassed about making a mistake while greeting in front of the Duchess, the Baroness became flustered by her younger daughter’s sudden approach and pulled Mana back by her waist ribbon.

“Ah, why.”

“Behave yourself, Mana?”

As she scolded quietly with her mouth closed, Mana sulkily stepped back.

Then, as her eyes met Alicia’s, she quickly grinned as if nothing had happened.

Finding it cute, Alicia smiled briefly and nodded.

“Call me whatever you’re comfortable with, Mana.”

“Oh, how magnanimous. Let’s go in together, elder sister.”

Mana stuck her tongue out at her mother, the Baroness Clayton, then linked arms with Alicia and pulled her inside.

“That child, really. I’m sorry, Duchess. She’s still immature. She’s been singing about wanting to meet Alicia since we came up to the capital, and now she’s causing trouble.”

“Oh, it’s fine. It’s nice to see her so lively. Besides, our Alicia seems to like her too.”

“I hope so. Now, please come in.”

The Baroness, who had been flustered, soon smiled brightly and guided the Duchess inside.

[This is the timeline separator]

To be honest, the conversation with the ladies was boring.

They occasionally asked Alicia questions, but the Duchess intercepted any difficult ones, so there wasn’t much need for her to speak.

So while thinking about how much work had been postponed due to today’s gathering, her eyes met with Mana’s, who was sitting at the table across from her.

As Mana smiled brightly and waved, Alicia smiled back in return. Just then, there was a knock and the door opened as someone entered.

“Hello.”

At the familiar but unexpected voice, Alicia turned her head to see Eric striding in.

Behind him, the baronial house’s butler was following, flustered.

“Alicia.”

Without hesitation, he walked straight to Alicia and kissed her hand while grinning.

The surprise was momentary, and a brighter smile than usual came out of happiness at his appearance during the boring time.

“I came to rescue you, but I didn’t expect you to be this happy.”

“Ugh.”

Feeling embarrassed, she glared at him for a moment and tried to pull her hand away, but Eric smiled and didn’t let go, instead holding her hand and raising her from her seat.

“What brings you here?”

“I came to pick up Alicia.”

“We’re going to have dinner before leaving.”

“Pardon?”

“Oh, it’s fine. You can join us for dinner, of course.”

Surprised, Eric quietly asked Alicia.

“There was no mention of dinner, was there?”

“It changed the day before yesterday. The Baron’s trip to the capital was postponed due to work, so they suggested we have a comfortable dinner just among the women.”

“Huh?”

“So you’re the only man here today.”

Eric quietly pleaded with Alicia.

“Don’t leave me alone.”

“I thought you came to rescue me?”

“I did.”

“Ah, so the ‘rescue’ part is for me to do?”

“Please.”

“Well, it’s admirable that you’re not saying we should leave, so I’ll do my best.”

“Thank you.”

Eric raised his head and turned his gaze to the table where the ladies were sitting.

“Then I hope you’ll excuse my intrusion today, Baroness Clayton.”

“Of course. Please don’t worry and make yourself comfortable.”

“We’ll sit over here. Please be at ease.”

“I, I-.”

Though momentarily upset by her son’s blunt words, she quickly managed her expression and sent the two to another table with a kind smile.

Eric walked to the table where Deborah and Mana were sitting, leading Alicia who followed reluctantly with an awkward smile.

As soon as they sat down, he frowned at Deborah’s surprised expression and Mana’s even more surprised look.

“What.”

“It’s nothing. How have you been, elder brother?”

“You look radiant, elder brother. I guess you’ve been well?”

Unlike Deborah who greeted politely, Mana greeted with a grin.

“Yes.”

At Eric’s blunt response, Alicia, seemingly flustered, quickly asked.

“So the three of you haven’t met in a while?”

“Hmm. How many years has it been?”

“Elder brother doesn’t even remember? We met last year, you know?”

“Did we? I don’t remember.”

“Of course you wouldn’t. We barely talked.”

“Why?”

“With that expression and closed mouth, no one would talk to you.”

Eric frowned as if to say ‘What are you talking about?’, and Mana shook her head.

“Goodness. I thought you might have changed a bit.”

“You’ve changed. You talk more now.”

Eric replied indifferently and lifted his teacup with an expressionless face.

Mana watched Eric’s mood, looking for a chance to speak.

Since coming up to the capital, Mana had something she really wanted to ask the two of them.

If it had been just Alicia, she could have asked more comfortably, but not knowing when she’d get another chance if not now, Mana asked bluntly.

“So, you two, why did you decide to get married?”