“Great, great! You’re always welcome!”

I sensed multiple meanings in the Duke’s last words, but the Grand Duke only grinned broadly.

‘An extraordinary man…’

Whether it was later raking in a tremendous amount of money or unabashedly speaking like that in front of the Duke, he was extraordinary in many ways.

The Grand Duke, who was about to leave with the Duke, suddenly turned his head toward me.

“Diane, it was nice to see you. I hope we can have a more private conversation next time. You’re welcome to send a letter if you’re free.”

Regardless of my concerns for the Grand Duke’s safety, his greeting made me feel better.

In fact, our conversation during snack time had merely been a onesided boast—he claimed to have maintained a very intimate relationship with the Duke since childhood.

I seemed to have left a good impression on the Grand Duke just by sitting quietly and listening.

‘I must maintain this good relationship!’

I jumped off my seat and ran toward them. Clements approached me first.

“Ah, you came out for snacks?”

“Yeah, and I talked to the Grand Duke.”

“Did you? Shall we go back to the room?”

“No, just a moment.”

Ignoring Clements, who had reached out his hand, I ran to the Grand Duke. Surprised, as if he hadn’t expected me to come to him, the Grand Duke looked at me.

No, it wasn’t a simple surprised expression.

‘Why does he look expectant?’

Although puzzled, I decided to ignore it. Instead, I firmly grasped his hand and said,

“I’ll definitely write to you, Grand Duke!”

“Is the Princess really four? How can she be so smart and articulate! She and I get along so well. Do you know what she first said to me? That I looked dignified! Haha! It’s a good thing she doesn’t take after you; your taste is certainly lacking!”

Gerogi’s chatter didn’t stop as we walked to the office.

Soon, the office door slammed shut. Kyleius, who followed him in, asked coldly,

“What did you say to her?”

He looked suspicious, as if doubting that Gerogi would say the same thing to the child as he had to him.

Gerogi shook his head vehemently.
“What do you take me for? I had no intention of directly telling that young child about matters we haven’t agreed upon.”

“So what did you say to her that made her think of writing a letter?”

“I merely informed her of how closely acquainted you and I are, how long we’ve known each other. She seemed quite curious.”

Kailius, who had been staring at Gerogi, narrowed his eyes. It was a look of doubt, wondering if the previous words were sincere.

“If you’re that skeptical, ask the princess later. See what I’ve said to her.”

Though hard to fully trust, it was indeed a matter that could later be verified with the child as per Gerogi’s words.

Gerogi or not, the child was transparent enough that lying would show on her face immediately.

“So, have you reconsidered?”

The earlier smile vanished. Gerogi’s expression now was solely serious.

Only now did he reveal why he had joined the Duke’s family. Kailius gave a cynical laugh.

“Was my answer that day insufficient? Or did I reply too kindly?”

“Even if you reconsider, a different answer could emerge. You, after all, have a broader view of the world.”

Despite the halfthreat in his words, Gerogi did not yield.

Kailius suppressed a surge of frustration from deep within his chest.

A sigh escaped involuntarily.

Initially, when Kailius received that proposition from Gerogi, he had thought the Grand Duke had lost his mind.

However, Kailius soon revised that thought.

That was when Gerogi had been kicked out of his home due to a marital spat.

‘He must be speaking nonsense out of stress.’

With that thought, Kailius had politely deflected.

When the banquet for Clemens was approaching, he suddenly had a terrible idea and didn’t invite him.

Seeing Gerogi still persisting in his nonsense today, he really seemed insane.

“…So you’re saying, let’s marry off my son to the 4yearold princess. Do you think that makes sense?”

“I do know, of course. Do you think I’d seriously propose to a 4yearold princess? Let’s go through with the marriage and then annul it before she becomes of age. No, there’s no need to wait until then. The minimum time required for royal lineage is ten years! She’s four, isn’t she? The divorce can happen when she’s fourteen!”

The reason Gerogi was pushing for this marriage was to get his name into the royal lineage.

The boast to Dianae was not mere bluster from Gerogi.

He had truly been a longtime friend of Kailius since childhood.

Which is why Gerogi knew what Kailius longed for.

Knowing that was why he was making this proposition, Kailius took a deep breath.

He had been tolerating it thus far because he understood the mindset behind Gerogi’s proposal.

Kailius issued what sounded like a final warning.

“You also have a second daughter.”

“Ah, you’re talking about my youngest? Come to think of it, she’s the same age as the princess!”

Gerogi clapped his hands, going on about how quickly his youngest daughter and the princess would become friends, and started to bring up the nonsensical strategic marriage again.

That’s when Kailius interrupted with a somber tone.

“Let me ask one last time. If I were to propose marrying Clemens to your daughter, what would you say?”

“…You little!”