It was mandatory for Prince Julius to attend events where foreign guests were present.

To neglect such an important event was incomprehensible to the Duke.

Although the Duke was known for his fierceness, he was not someone who ignored his duties.

Therefore, there was no mercy in the Duke’s gaze as he stared at Julius.

Feeling the intense gaze of the Duke, Julius twisted his body shyly, as if embarrassed. Then, with an excessively affected, childlike voice, he spoke.

“Our Lucas invited me after over ten years. Shouldn’t I rush over without hesitation, even if it means skipping a ten-day event?”

“Haah…”
The Duke sighed as if he were fed up.

He was dealing with someone who simply wouldn’t listen.

“Yulia must be having a hard time. Being in the position of an older brother in such a situation.”

He had to welcome foreign reporters unprepared.

The Duke felt repulsed by the situation.

However, in response to the Duke’s words, Julius let out a meaningful laughter.

“Well…”

Then, he muttered to himself.

“Perhaps she might even like it.”

When Duke Artem Duke asked what he meant, Julius changed the subject.

“But what’s the relationship with Serbiat? She said she’ll be staying here.”

He asked, looking at the Duke as if testing the waters.

Although Rose had claimed their relationship was merely a business-oriented one, Julius didn’t think so.

Especially because the Duke’s gaze towards Rose seemed peculiar.

As Rose’s story continued, the Duke’s stern expression, which had persisted throughout, suddenly melted.

Merely thinking about Rose seemed to bring a faint smile to his face.

The Duke’s eyes, which had been untamed and ferocious, softened surprisingly.

‘Hmm.’

Julius found the Duke’s expression, which he saw for the first time, intriguing.

He subtly praised Rose while observing the Duke’s reaction.

“A very beautiful and clever lady indeed.”

At Julius’s compliment to Rose, the Duke’s expression stiffened in a menacing way.

Another man showing interest in his woman.

Even if it was his long-time friend, it was not a pleasant feeling.

“Before you arrived, we spent time together. Yeongae also provided a guided tour of the mansion.”

“Together… spent time together?”

Julius chuckled nervously at the Duke’s intimidating reaction.

“Yeah. She was even kind.”

Julius pushed his head forward toward the Duke and continued speaking as if whispering.

“I asked her about the relationship between you and Serbiat.”

The Duke responded with a deep, resolute voice.

“Don’t concern yourself with Rose?”

One could tell that the Duke was not in a good mood. However, Julius didn’t stop.

“Why? Is there a reason I shouldn’t be interested? Is there?”

In response to Julius’s provocative words, the Duke’s expression became increasingly rigid.

“Let me ask you directly. Are you interested in Rose?”

Under the persistent inquiry of the Duke, Julius was only evading the question.

“Well, do I have to tell you that?”

In response to Julius’s playful words, the Duke snapped.

“That woman is mine.”

He drew a line as if declaring war.

“It’s better for you to give up early.”

The Duke’s intense gaze conveyed sincerity.

Despite the Duke’s firm words, Julius’s expression showed increasing interest.

The man who had worried about whether he would ever experience love, finally felt the emotion called love.
He felt good, but at the same time, he was puzzled.

‘She’s not much different from other ladies.’

In Julius’s eyes, Rose seemed like an ordinary woman.

Although Rose was on the beautiful side, there were many women with similar looks.

‘I thought he had very high standards, but I guess not.’

There were vicious rumors circulating around the Duke, suggesting that he seduces women and mercilessly kills them. However, Julius knew that these rumors were false.

Ironically, the person who used to be stone-faced towards women was Duke Artem.

That’s why Julius had been curious about which woman would capture his attention.

However, Rose turned out to be different from his expectations.

She was exceptionally ordinary.

‘I wonder what captivated Lucas’s heart.’

Julius looked at the Duke with his eyes narrowed into crescents.

The Duke’s gaze, as he looked at Julius, was still sharp.

Watching that intense gaze of the Duke made Julius feel uncomfortable.

‘Is this… is this it? Is a woman better than a long-time friend?’

Yet, on the other hand, he felt sorry.

Unlike the Duke, who confidently declared ‘my woman,’ Rose had drawn a clear line, saying they had no relationship.

Julius opened his mouth, believing that the Duke’s affection was unrequited.

“My woman… Serbiat Yeongae doesn’t seem to think so, does she?”

Julius threw a bomb-like remark.

Already emitting a dark aura, the Duke’s momentum became even sharper.

“Why are you meddling like this? Do you really like Rose? Do you want to break the relationship between me and Rose?”

As expected, the Duke did not accept Julius’s words. Instead, he was pushing him.

Julius cast a pitiful glance and calmly continued speaking.

“Lucas, it seems like you’re misunderstanding something. Love is not something you can have just because you want it. No matter how much you shout ‘my woman,’ what use is it if the other person doesn’t want it?”

Looking up at the Duke, Julius continued.

“So she’s not your woman, Lucas.”

As if telling him to wake up, Julius spoke.

However, the Duke didn’t listen to Julius’s words. He didn’t even hear them.

“We have already promised to get married.”

Bringing up the ‘marriage’ topic, the Duke became more assertive.

“Marriage?”

“Yes.”

“So you and Serbiat Yeongae have confirmed your feelings for each other and set a wedding date?”

“That’s right.”

“Did Yeongae say she likes you?”

“She did.”

“So, it’s confirmed that Yeongae likes you…”

“Stop saying the same thing.”

Reacting with a bewildered expression to Julius’s repetitive questions, the Duke interrupted him.

Julius blinked his eyes, looking baffled.

Seemingly satisfied with Julius’s confused appearance, a victorious smile appeared on his face.

“Rose, it’s better not to touch her. Even if you’re you, I won’t just stand by.”
The Duke’s voice echoed coldly.

Quick-witted Julius instinctively sensed that something was amiss. Things were unfolding strangely.

This journey was sure to breathe life into the dull routine like a turning wheel.

“…It was a good decision to come to Lucas’s mansion.”

Julius, with a relaxed expression, closed his eyes towards the Duke.

“Well then, I’ll be on my way.”

Without looking back, he walked towards the door.

“I’ll have someone guide you to the room.”

As soon as Julius grabbed the doorknob, the Duke spoke towards him.

Julius slowly opened the door, turned his head towards the Duke, and closed his eyes.

“No, I won’t go to the room then.”

“Then where are you going?”

“To Serbiat Yeongae.”

With a slam, as soon as Julius finished speaking, he closed the door briskly and rushed away.

“You…!”

Left alone in the room, the Duke, unable to hide his anger, chased after Julius.