“Duke, Your Grace, we will support the lady.”

The butler smiled and gestured to the servants lined up.

But Calix ignored the servants who were clueless and followed him, striding ahead without giving them a glance.

“Take her to the room.”

The lady’s dress was not only full of gems and laces, but it was also heavy because it was made using a crinoline made of whale bones.

Everyone rambled on that any gentleman should be able to lift any lady effortlessly, but men who could realize that were extremely rare.

Yet, the young Duke lifted Riviana effortlessly, as if her voluminous dress was weightless. Due to his large physique, Riviana even looked small.

Considering that Riviana is taller than average women, one could once again realize how huge Duke Pieren was.

And it also indicated how threatening the dark man could look.

The butler bit his lip nervously.

Even though he knew how much his master loathed Calix, he couldn’t step forward.

Bake would be shocked to know that Calix visited the Craiton mansion, but the man who made absurd accusations seemed likely to lose his head.

All the butler could do was to give a hint to the poor servants under him without being able to say a word to Calix.

“What are you doing to my wife, Duke Pieren.”

“……”

“Calix Pieren!”

Only after Bake harshly hit the staircase railing did Calix raise his head.

Bake gritted his teeth at the eyes he met.

Thanks to the stairs, he was looking down at Calix, but those black eyes were arrogant no matter where they were seen from. They were looking down on him as if he were a great man.

Despite having lost everything, why was he still pretending to be a noble son? It was really disgusting.

Unable to control his anger, Bake stomped down the stairs.

One step, then another. Soon, the gaze that had been looking down was now looking up.

“I was just supporting her.”

What kind of support is this, holding her so closely?

Bake’s cheeks twitched. He was trying to keep his manners, but the man’s eyes, wide open, were on the hands of another man holding Riviana.

He was a cunning man. The support was clearly an excuse. It was just his desire to fulfill his desire to hold my wife. Otherwise, he would not have been so close to her.

“Thank you for your concern, but it’s okay now. I will support her from now on.”

Bake stretched out his arm proudly. It was to take Riviana from Calix.

“……”

It was a good attempt, but he could not take her. What on earth was that body, even without putting much strength, he could not take Riviana from Calix.

She was clearly my wife.

More strength filled Bake’s eyes.

Calix looked down at Bake, who was struggling, and tilted his head.

“You better not overdo it. It’ll be too much for that thin arm of yours.”

“Who said I can’t? Give her to me! I can, ugh!”

“It’s impossible for you to lift her if you can’t even handle that much weight.”

With Calix releasing a bit of strength from his arm, Bake’s upper body tilted forward. If Calix hadn’t supported her, Riviana would have rolled straight onto the floor.

Calix clicked his tongue briefly.

“I told you clearly that it would be too much.”

“I was just offguard for a moment.”

“I don’t think it’s a matter of being offguard.”

His black eyes touched Bake’s arm. Even if you tried to bulk up your body with layers of clothing, it was bound to be found out in front of a man with keen eyes.

Realizing that fact, Bake’s face turned pale.

“It’s my wife.”

“Then you should ask what happened first.”

“……”

“Instead of fretting about me taking your wife, you should have been worried about her safety first.”

“I’m not in a position to listen to petty advice from the Duke.”

“You should listen. You’re starting to get more annoying.”

Calix took a step.

Bake hurriedly blocked Calix and grabbed his sleeve.

“You’re the annoying one. Shameless and stuck in the past.”

“Margaret Fisher.”

It was a whisper, barely audible close up.

But even that made Bake’s grip loosen.

“Last night, I secured Margaret Fisher.”

“……”

“She dared to reveal herself in His Majesty’s hunting ground, which was strictly offlimits.”

“……”

“The reason I came here is not only to bring the Duchess of Craiton, but also to deliver some news.”

“…What news are you talking about?”

Bake barely opened his mouth. His body was trembling ever so slightly.

Calix looked down at his red, irritated eyes and raised one corner of his mouth.

“Margaret Fisher has accused you.”

“Accused? What nonsense are you talking about?”

“Whether it’s nonsense or not, you’ll know soon. It’s about time for the arrival.”

Calix pointed to the gate he had passed through with his chin.

The thick gate of Craiton was wide open due to an unexpected visitor.

Bake frowned.

It was cloudy, and darkness came earlier than usual.

“That is……”

As the darkness deepens, the light is seen better.

Bake exhaled slowly, looking at the light coming from far away in the murky darkness.

Suddenly, raindrops began to fall.