After finishing the smooth negotiations and arriving at the government office, Askal asked the secretary who was stacking documents that needed to be approved today:

“How much has the population of the territory increased compared to last year?”

“It has nearly doubled. It’s a high number compared to two years ago. There are people who want to join the subjugation forces for the upcoming beast subjugation.”

“How are we handling their housing issues?”

Rimon pulled out one of the documents he had just stacked. Then he pointed with his finger to a map within the document.

“The inns on the outskirts of the territory and the hotels in the Ryuebga area are almost full. So we’re building affordable public accommodations near the port.”

Askal recalled the street workers he had seen at the car test drive.

“What’s the scale of the public accommodations?”

“Three buildings that can accommodate about a thousand people each.”

Askal shook his head. That alone wasn’t enough to solve the housing problems of the influx of people.

Deciding to slowly address the fundamental issues, he decided to take a direct approach.

“Rimon, I need a house for one adult male to stay in.”

“Are you running away from home?”

Askal glared sharply at the joke that didn’t seem like a joke. Rimon raised his palms and said:

“You know finding a house right now is like picking stars from the sky, right?”

“It’s urgent.”

“You need to at least tell me what it will be used for so I can match the level.”

“There’s an artist sent by Black Swan staying and eating at the young lady’s office.”

“Which artist?”

“Ranson.”

Askal continued speaking, unaware that his expression was crumpling.

“Even though he’s an artist who left the art museum, we can’t just watch a valuable talent who could develop Artenbach Territory living like that.”

The secretary slowly lowered his arms. Then he stood askew with his arms crossed.

“Is that the only reason?”

“Yes.”

A long sigh escaped Rimon’s lips. He felt like he was about to burst from frustration.

“So, you’re telling me to find a house for an artist who’s not even affiliated with the art museum?”

“As quickly as possible.”

Rimon laughed incredulously.

“Askal, do you even know how much work I already have?”

Though he suddenly switched to informal speech, which could be offensive, Askal didn’t mind.

“I’m grateful for it.”

Seeing him answer so shamelessly, Rimon grabbed the nape of his neck. Then he muttered, wondering how he ended up working under this guy.

“Be honest. Tell me why I have to find a house for this Lotion or Ranson or whoever.”

Askal gulped dryly. Trying to reveal his true feelings made him dizzy.

“He…”

Rimon waited quietly, holding his breath. Like pulling on a film, the words stretched out slowly, and then the truth flowed out.

“I can’t tolerate him staying there. Imagining him eating meals with the young lady, exchanging jokes, and working together makes me feel sick to my stomach.”

Rimon uncrossed his arms. Then he picked up the documents he had put down and replied:

“Will a house suitable for a mid-level worker be alright?”

Having returned from friend to secretary, he pouted, not wanting to admit that his workload had increased by one more task.

“It would be better if he doesn’t know you arranged it. Make it seem natural for him to move out.”

At Askal’s additional order, Rimon shook his head and muttered:

“…It’s really hard to get this friend married off.”

The client requesting the purchase of agave said they wanted to entrust the job to me even though using Black Swan would increase the cost. I sent a telegram saying to come on a suitable day to write an additional contract.

I stopped by the shopping district and bought some snacks for Ranson to leave for him.

“Ranson, I’m going home early today.”

At my words, he came out of the studio. Looking disheveled as he emerged, he clenched and unclenched his fist as he spoke:

“You’re leaving early.”

“Yes, I have something to do when I get back early.”

“Then when can we have dinner together?”

“Didn’t we all have dinner together yesterday?”

His hazy eyes slowly sharpened.

“I mean just the two of us, not all together.”

“With me?”

Ranson nodded. While having dinner with just the two of us wasn’t difficult, somehow I didn’t feel inclined.

‘It feels like I’m about to commit a crime or something.’

A meal for two carries many meanings. Among them are meanings that would put me in a difficult position.

“Ranson, I’m sorry but having dinner just the two of us would be difficult.”

“Why is that?”

Perhaps because of the sudden rejection. Ranson’s expression darkened instantly.

“I’m about to get married. So I have to be careful about causing any rumors.”

“Marriage… you say?”

“Yes, it’s not something I should be announcing like this, but I’m getting married soon.”

“…”

His face showed considerable shock. Just from his reaction, I could tell that Ranson had developed feelings for me.

“Is it a marriage you want?”

“Pardon?”

It was an unexpected question. Ranson’s brown eyes seemed to hold emotions that couldn’t give up.

“I asked if it’s something you want.”

“Yes, it’s a marriage I want.”

His tightly clenched fist slowly loosened. I smiled bitterly and said:

“Having a meal just the two of us is a bit much, but eating all together is always welcome. I really enjoyed yesterday.”

Ranson hesitated as if he had something to say, then laughed and asked:

“Who is your partner?”

There’s no need to keep it a secret since everyone will find out eventually, right?

“It’s Duke Artenbach.”

“…So you’ll become the Duchess.”

“Haha, that’s right.”

The sound of a horse neighing was heard outside the office. It seemed the rental carriage I had called in advance had arrived.

“I really have to go now. See you tomorrow, Ranson.”

“Yes, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

He brought one hand to his chest and bowed his head in greeting. I returned the gesture with the same polite posture before heading outside.

‘…Did I see that wrong?’

Though I hurried out because the carriage was waiting, Ranson had clearly just greeted me in the noble style.

And it looked well-practiced too.

‘No way, that can’t be.’

I’m known to all the nobles in the Empire. So he might have been imitating something he saw somewhere.

‘Come to think of it, teaching noble etiquette wouldn’t be a bad idea.’

It’s an era where noble power isn’t what it used to be, and even the bourgeoisie learn and use noble etiquette without titles.

Artists need dignity too.

‘That’s a good idea.’

Feeling very satisfied with the thought that had suddenly occurred to me, I got into the carriage.

As soon as I arrived at the mansion, I walked across the garden. There were maids and the butler waiting for me in the same way as when the Duke came, and among them was Rublion, politely clasping his hands and waiting for my arrival.

My heart was pounding with anxiety because I hadn’t made the decision to become a mother lightly.

Would I be able to raise a child well? Would I hurt them? It was that kind of anxiety.

But seeing Rublion smiling at me, the anxious feelings melted away.

“Auntie! Welcome back.”

Rublion was smiling brightly as always, holding out his hand as if to go up together.

“Rublion, I have something to tell you.”

The servants who were about to leave stopped in their tracks.

“What is it?”

The child waiting for my words with innocent, shining eyes was so adorable.

There were words I had been thinking about the entire carriage ride.

That I would become his mother. That I would make wings for him to fly out into the world from behind him.

So I wanted to ask him to call me mom.

‘I-I’m nervous.’

Even though it wasn’t something I needed to say right away, my lips were dry.

“I’ll come to your room in exactly one hour.”

“I have to wait a whole hour?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm, a whole hour…”

I gently patted Rublion’s head as he muttered seriously.

“It’s nothing bad, so don’t worry.”

“Really? Well, I’ll wait while playing then.”

I gave a warm smile to the child who grinned broadly in understanding. I should quickly wash up and prepare my heart before going.

Just as I finished bathing and changed into comfortable clothes, news came that the Duke had returned. I put on just one light outer garment and went downstairs when Anna asked if I wanted to go out.

When I went to the lobby, Rublion was there too.

“Ten minutes left.”

I held hands with the grinning child and waited for the Duke to enter. I could see him approaching, crossing the garden.

Thump.

‘Huh?’

Suddenly my hands and feet were tingling uncontrollably. My face flushed and my ears felt hot.

‘Why am I like this?’

It was strange. I couldn’t take my eyes off the Duke as he gradually approached. My heart rate increased, so I took a deep breath in and out.

“Auntie?”

Rublion noticed something odd and called out to me. His voice snapped me back to my senses.

Thump thump. Thump thump.

“Auntie, are you sick somewhere?”

“No. I think I came down the stairs too quickly. I’m out of breath.”

“You could get hurt doing that. It’s okay to come slowly.”

Despite the mature ten-year-old’s nagging, my heart wouldn’t calm down easily.

Before I knew it, the Duke had entered the mansion. He looked back and forth between me and Rublion as he spoke:

“You two look close today as well.”

“Welcome back, Your Grace!”

The child greeted him energetically and let go of my hand. I felt oddly left alone amidst the inexplicable pounding of my heart.

“Young lady.”

His sweet voice called out to me. Heat rushed to my face in an instant.

“Young lady, are you ill?”

He came even closer. Startled, I took a step back.

“N-No? I’m not sick.”

“Your face is red.”

“I… came down the stairs too quickly, that’s all.”

“I see.”

The Duke nodded as if he understood. Then he handed his outer coat and top hat to the butler and asked:

“Dinner isn’t ready yet, I presume?”

“That’s correct.”

This time he looked at me.

“Young lady, wouldn’t it be good to speak with Rublion before dinner?”

I nodded at his suggestion.

“But there’s still five minutes left until the waiting time is over?”

Rublion announced the time with shining eyes. I gently took the warm child’s hand.

It was time to speak now.