Ascal, immersed in the bathtub of the grand bathroom, blankly stared at a roughly cut piece of soap, unable to clearly describe its shape. The scent of Schmidt wafted gently from it.

‘This feels strange.’

Ascal blinked his eyes, unable to describe the emotion. It was just a small piece of soap, yet it created the illusion that Schmidt was sitting in the bathtub.

Ascal scooped water with his hand and sprinkled it on the soap. Then he rubbed it several times on a towel to create lather. The subtle lemon scent suddenly spread intensely.

‘This soap, I won’t be able to use it twice.’

It was supposed to be a relaxing bath to end a tiring day, but using Schmidt’s soap raised his tension due to all sorts of thoughts. His palms were sweating even though he had just washed.

“My lord, I have prepared the clothes for you to change into.”

A servant who looked about Rublion’s age brought a gown, shirt, and other items into the grand bathroom.

“You can leave them there.”

The boy’s small hands wiped the moisture off the shelf before placing the clothes. Then, sniffing, he said,

“Is there anything else you need?”

“No. You may leave now.”

Ascal sent the boy who kept sniffing out. Then, as if realizing something, he muttered.

“…I shouldn’t have made the excuse of commercialization.”

The thought of others smelling and liking this scent instantly soured his mood. Ascal took a long breath, suppressing his tumultuous emotions.

Yet, at the same time, he thought he should absolutely prevent this soap from becoming a business item.

He vowed to make it a soap used only by himself and Schmidt.

After finishing his bath amidst these complicated thoughts and returning to his room, Rublion, who had said he was tired and would sleep early, was waiting with his chin propped up.

“What is it now.”

Knowing this child wouldn’t seek him out without reason, his voice came out gruff first.

Of course, Rublion didn’t mind at all.

“I’ve devised a winning strategy for tomorrow.”

“…The date?”

“Yes, I personally prepared it for you, the Duke who has never even held a woman’s wrist.”

It was a slightly pride-wounding statement, but since it was true, there was nothing to retort.

“I showed the same list to the lady too. She seemed to like it.”

Ascal pretended not to be excited by the mention that Schmidt liked it and read the plan. Then he was startled to see the dating methods for adults written there.

“The lady liked this?”

“Yes. She liked it so much she asked who taught me.”

“Yes, I’m also very curious about who taught you this.”

Ascal rubbed his throbbing forehead with his hand. Then, patting Rublion’s shoulder affectionately, he said,

“I’m telling you this just in case, but don’t go around spreading rumors that this is how adults date.”

“Come on, I’m not the type to show off. I don’t really have friends to tell this kind of thing to anyway.”

“Alright, I trust you.”

Ascal glanced briefly at the plan laid on the table and added.

“…But is there no guide for interpreting women’s language?”

“There is. Should I give you that instead?”

Rublion raised the corners of his mouth and grinned. Ascal nodded with a slightly awkward and embarrassed expression.

The long-awaited date day dawned. Anna and the maids were busy from the morning, choosing clothes and accessories to wear.

Seeing that sight made me even more reluctant to get up and felt bothersome.

“Are you awake, my lady?”

While wearing pretty accessories and nice dresses is joyful, the process until it’s finished is not welcome.

“What time is it now?”

“It’s eight o’clock.”

It was later than usual. I abruptly sat up in bed.

“The little one hasn’t come?”

Anna answered as if she had been waiting.

“The young master said he would take care of his own breakfast and told us to focus more on preparing for the date.”

“Someone might think I’m going on a date with the little one.”

“Hehe, it seems he’s that excited about the lady and the Duke’s date.”

Following Anna’s bright smile, the maids also smiled. I slowly walked to the bathroom, piercing through this awkward atmosphere.

I hesitated for a moment seeing the steaming bath water, but feeling I’d quickly tire if I reacted to everything, I just gave up.

After a simple breakfast and bath, I finally managed to come down to the lobby after finishing my grooming amidst a whirlwind of questions and choices.

‘I told them to keep it moderate.’

A more glamorous dress than usual with hair pulled up tight. Plus expensive-looking jewelry.

When Anna turned the mirror to show me after the preparations were done, the first thing that came to mind was:

‘They’ve dressed me up like a noble lady.’

Thinking about going to the square with the lord of this place and the Duke of Artenbach made my head very complicated. My story would be added to the numerous rumors attached to him.

One of his representative rumors was the Tid scandal. There was a rumor that the protagonist of that scandal, the Duke of Artenbach, was the current Duke. That’s what I knew too.

He didn’t correct the false rumors for Rublion’s sake and took on his elder brother’s misdeeds.

He willingly chose to become the father of an abandoned child, confessing that being pointed at for having an underage father was a better choice for Rublion than being criticized for being born from an unauthorized relationship and abandoned.

Honestly, I was shaken by those words.

‘He also said he would protect me.’

I sat on the sofa in the center of the lobby, waiting for the Duke. My neck already felt stiff from wearing hair accessories I wouldn’t normally wear.

“Auntie?”

Rublion, who came to the lobby, was drenched in sweat. He seemed to have just finished his morning training.

“You look a bit different from usual.”

Seeing the little one looking quite serious, I smiled awkwardly.

“Yeah. The maids worked hard to dress me up. Does it look awkward?”

“No. It suits you very well.”

The little one’s smile as he answered that it suited me well seemed forced.

Maybe I should have told them to keep it moderate after all.

“My lady.”

At that moment, the Duke came down the stairs. For an instant, my body froze, but it relaxed when the little one gave me a gentle eye smile.

“I have something unfortunate to tell you.”

The Duke approached, fiddling with his deep purple tie as he looked at me.

He stopped abruptly, startled. It seemed he was taken aback seeing me so elaborately dressed.

“…You look different from usual today.”

“Yes, it just turned out this way somehow.”

It would be long and bothersome to explain everything. So I just gave a vague answer.

The Duke stood still, blinking, as if he’d forgotten what he was going to say.

“You said you had something unfortunate to tell me?”

At my words, he snapped back to attention.

“Ah, an urgent event came up this morning that I must attend. It seems we’ll have to postpone our date to the afternoon.”

“Is that so? Then will you come to Black Swan after the event is over? I’ll be there.”

“You seemed… to have been looking forward to it. I’m sorry about this.”

Yes. Anyone who saw my outfit would think that.

“I wasn’t looking forward to it at all. So go ahead.”

I answered with a sincere smile. Since the date time was postponed, I thought I should send a telegram to the agave fiber client and meet briefly with Ranson to adjust the meeting schedule.

However, despite my courteous response, the Duke showed an unexpected reaction.

“Are you really alright with this?”

I nodded and said to his question,

“Yes, it’s fine.”

“…Can I really go ahead?”

“I know you barely made time in your busy schedule. I’ll be doing my work until the event is over, so don’t feel sorry and just go.”

I’m not sure why he’s seeking my permission to attend an event, whether it’s for the ducal family or the domain.

So I just answered honestly, but the Duke’s expressionless face hardened even more.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes, I’m serious.”

His golden eyes wavered in confusion. I really was fine with it, so I said I was fine.

“Just go together.”

The little one, who had been quietly watching, said.

“You’re going to a car test drive event, right? You can go together with auntie.”

“It’s a machine that hasn’t been verified yet. I can’t take the young lady to a place that might be dangerous.”

The little one looked at me sitting on the sofa and asked.

“Auntie, have you ever seen a car?”

If I answered that I’d seen one in my past life, I’d be treated like a crazy person.

I chose to shake my head instead of answering. Then the little one’s lips twitched.

“It’s a carriage that moves without horses. It’s a private event to assess the possibility of commercialization, so go together comfortably.”

The Duke, who had been at a loss like a puppy needing to pee, suddenly agreed.

“That’s a good idea too. Young lady, will you come to the event with me?”

Truthfully, I wanted to go to Black Swan more than the test drive event. But seeing those sparkling golden eyes, I found it hard to refuse.

“Alright. I’ll go with you.”

“A wise choice.”

The Duke let out a sigh of relief. As he slightly loosened his tie with his fingertips, he muttered just barely audibly.

“Haa, women’s language is too difficult.”

For a moment, it felt like something hit the back of my head. I abruptly stood up and strode over to him.

“Your Grace.”

He flinched and took a step back. But I had no intention of swallowing what I was about to say.

“Did you receive a plan from the little one?”

I whispered quietly enough so the child couldn’t hear, and approached his ear as he nodded.

“Is it perhaps about dating methods for adults and how to interpret women’s language?”

“How did you know?”

No wonder he kept tensing up every time I said it was fine.

I glanced at the little one smiling innocently at us, then shook my head.

The words “Like uncle, like nephew” rose to the tip of my tongue, but I held them back.