“Shade brought precious ancient books as wedding gifts. They are either original manuscripts handwritten by the authors or first editions.”

Idel gave a soft smile as if she was still grateful thinking about it.

Shade, who had been smiling at her, subtly lowered the corners of his mouth upon receiving the sharp gaze flying towards his face.

The sound of a knife landing on Caeron’s plate resonated with a ‘clang’. It was a faint noise, only noticeable if you were focused, but the sensitized Shade heard it clearly.

Realizing that the Duke, who usually dines elegantly without any sound, had intentionally made the noise, Shade’s face turned pale for a moment.

Feeling as though the knife in Caeron’s hand might fly at him any moment, cold sweat beaded on Shade’s forehead.

“Ancient books…you must’ve ransacked the Count’s library. I suppose the Count Hilbert’s hair will get even whiter.”

Understanding the sarcastic implication in his words, Idel asked with a worried face.

“Oh… Will accepting this gift cause trouble for Count Hilbert?”

“Not at all. My father also approved. Moreover, it’s a gift to celebrate the Duke’s wedding. Even if we gave you the entire library of the Count’s house, it would not be enough.”

Shade replied cheerfully, but the truth was that the matter hadn’t proceeded with Count Hilbert’s approval. Spotting Shade’s pupils flicker slightly, Caeron chuckled.

He didn’t like his friend acting like a fox, trying to win the favor of the prospective Duchess, but decided not to press further when he saw her sigh in relief next to him.

“By the way, where are you going on your honeymoon after the wedding ceremony?”

Avoiding the still displeased gaze of the Duke, Shade changed the topic.

“Honeymoon?”

Idel opened her eyes wide at the word ‘honeymoon’. She had been preparing for the wedding ceremony, but she had not thought about the honeymoon that would take place afterwards. Since it was a formal marriage…

“With the extension of the railway, you can quickly get to most resort areas without riding a carriage. Locations like Lafland, which is famous for hot springs, or the Andros archipelago with its beach resorts would be good.”

Seeing Idel’s face, which looked like she hadn’t thought about where to travel, Shade introduced the representative vacation spots of the royal aristocracy.

“You’re also welcome to visit the country house in Count Hilbert’s territory. If you two come, I’d be more than happy to vacate the mansion for you.”

“That’s not necessary.”

Caeron cut him off immediately. He claimed to vacate the country house, but with his mischievous face, who knew when he would show up unannounced?

As expected… Shade chuckled, having anticipated the refusal to his last proposal.

“I have actually…never been on a trip.”

“You’ve never been on a trip?”

Shocked by Idel’s confession, Shade asked again. Caeron too looked at her with a curious face.

“It’s hard to travel alone… It’s something I should do with my family, but I haven’t had the chance to go on a family trip yet.”

She gave a bitter smile. Seeing her like this, Caeron’s gaze deepened as if he was pondering something. Feeling sorry for her, Shade asked in a deliberately bright voice.

“If you do go on a trip this time, where would you like to go? Do you have a place you’ve always wanted to visit?”

Upon Shade’s question, after a moment of consideration, Idel answered in a small voice.
“Um… The sea. I’ve never seen it before. I’ve only known the sea through maps and books. I want to see it firsthand.”

Upon hearing her words, Shade clapped his hands together.

“That’s great. The territory of Duke Elyos extends to the very end of the sea. It might be a good idea to combine a territorial inspection with a honeymoon trip to the duchy.”

At the mention of seeing the sea she had longed for, Idel’s face brightened.

Moreover, she had also wanted to visit the Duchy of Elyos. Recently, while dealing with administrative tasks coming from the territory, she wanted to see the real lives of the people there.

With eyes full of anticipation, the vibrant teal eyes brimmed with life, and Caeron gazed gently at her.

“If you wish, we shall do so.”

With the duke’s permission, she smiled broadly and nodded her head, looking as excited as a child about to go on a picnic. Watching her excitement, Caeron smiled contentedly.

‘A honeymoon trip…’

Truthfully, this was a topic Caeron hadn’t particularly considered. All the big and small tasks required for the wedding were outside his sphere of interest.

For him, this contractual marriage was strictly to secure his benefits. After all, it was a marriage progressing with both parties having mutual interests.

Even if it seemed mercenary, what he expected was to completely have her through legal means. To wholly satisfy his ardent and crude desire directed blindly at her.

That’s what he thought…

But seeing the woman’s clear eyes shining with anticipation and her flushed cheeks, he felt an odd emotion.

An emotion wanting to fulfill the anticipation in those eyes and wishing for such a gaze to always be directed at him.

‘Taking a short break wouldn’t be so bad.’

Caeron rubbed his chin, lost in thought.

Soon, his mind busied itself thinking about where in the Duchy of Elyos one could see the most beautiful sea.

Above all, it needed to be a place just for the two of them… a place where they could focus entirely on each other.

‘That place would be perfect.’

Seemingly satisfied with the place he thought of, after dinner, Caeron summoned Gregory to his office.

Gregory, hearing the duke’s instructions, widened his eyes in surprise but then nodded.

“Yes, I will prepare everything as you instructed.”

Remembering the honeymoon location that the duke had previously directed him to prepare, Gregory rubbed his neck with his palm.

‘The duke has… really made up his mind.’

A strong determination to have a time only for the two of them, without anyone’s interference, was evident.