“Yawn, it’s boring just sitting here. I’m going to take a brief walk outside and come back.”

After finishing the audience with Gnome Gilbert, I quickly left my seat.

I felt Darius’s gaze on me, as if thinking, ‘Wasn’t she the one passionately arguing for building ten more forges just moments ago?’ But I pretended not to notice and headed out of the main hall.

Outside, I soon found Gnome not far from the hall.

“Oh, Duchess Anette.”

Seeing me, Gnome’s eyes were filled with trust, perhaps because of the recent approval of the expansion.

“I was surprised, a young lady like you understanding the importance of this industry so well!”

“Age doesn’t matter in business. I’m glad things went well earlier. Actually, I have something to ask.”

“Yes, yes! Ask me anything!”

“Is there anything hindering the business? If there was something difficult to mention in front of the Duke, you can tell me now. I’ll make sure to relay it properly.”

In truth, I had no power to do so. Seeing how naturally I bluffed, I wondered if being in a position of authority was my calling.

But the middle-aged man, who was beaming just moments ago, now had a shadow over his face. There was definitely something!

“Ah, I don’t know where you heard it, but my brother will pull himself together soon. It’s just that his daughter disappeared. How could his heart be in the right place?”

“His daughter disappeared?”

Surprised by his unexpected revelation, my eyes widened, and Gnome realized his slip of the tongue.

“Oops, I thought you knew…”

Though he covered his mouth, it was too late.

“Today, it should have been the guild master himself here, but he’s been drinking lately because of it.”

So, the missing daughter was related to the highest-ranking person in the blacksmith guild.

“Speaking in front of the Duchess may not be appropriate, but young people are naturally drawn to the glitz and comfort of the city. A few months ago, when a traveling theater troupe came, his daughter argued with her father about leaving the North for the capital. And then she disappeared.”

The missing guild master’s daughter was named Anne. Because of his worry for her, the most skilled blacksmith couldn’t focus on work, affecting the iron smelting production in recent months.

Gnome thought I came out to discuss this issue.

“That’s not what I wanted to ask, but people come first. It must be hard with his daughter missing. Is there a possibility of abduction?”

“Ah no, not at all. In our close-knit North, where would abduction occur? Young people are just more attracted to the capital than the cold North. When I was young, I wanted to leave this town too. I’m sure Anne will write once she settles down in the city.”

Hmm. It was odd that he didn’t actively search for her despite being so worried.

‘Well, I can’t interfere in someone else’s family matters. Not like I can offer a solution.’

“If there’s anything I can help with, just let me know.”

“Your concern is enough, thank you.”

After parting with him, I headed back to the main hall.

“Be careful with Anette. Unnecessary kindness is forbidden.”

Just before opening the door to the main hall, a familiar voice reached my ears.

…Darius?

Apart from blacksmith Gnome Gilbert, many other domain residents were waiting to meet Darius.

“……That’s why I’ve come to inform the Duke and seek his assistance…”

Darius unexpectedly chuckled.

“Continue.”

The people, looking at the serious-faced Duke, thought they must have misheard and continued their story.

〈That darn armrest.〉

I remembered Anette rolling her eyes.

Before entering the office, Anette had grabbed Darius’s arm to complain.

〈Don’t misunderstand. I didn’t wrap my arm around you.〉
Her face was red with what seemed like frustration.

“……Ha.”

Darius turned his head and snorted.

‘He’s laughing, isn’t he?’

“Duke?”

“Understood. Proceed as discussed.”

His moment of distraction was brief. Darius quickly returned to his cold demeanor.

〈I know we are married, but I understand we haven’t connected emotionally yet.〉

Anette had spoken resolutely the night before.

〈Until we have complete trust in each other, it’s probably difficult to share a bed.〉

She too felt awkward about suddenly sharing a bed with a man just because they were married.

〈You don’t have to force yourself to hold me. I am content just knowing you are here.〉

Though he hadn’t spent much time with Anette, the more they talked and got to know each other, the more he felt they were a good match.

Maybe he should give her a gift since they were newlyweds.

But what do women like as gifts?

Tap, tap, tap. Lost in thought, Darius drummed his fingers on the armrest of his chair, appearing utterly focused on his work from the outside.

While mechanically stamping documents, Darius caught a glimpse of Sir Daniel, who was admired by the maids for his gentle nature and knightly status.

“Daniel.”

“Yes, Your Grace?”

“What do women usually like…”

He suddenly remembered overhearing a conversation between maids comparing him and Daniel.

When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem

This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Synopsis:

“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”

Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.

Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.

While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the  Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…

Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.

_____

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