Cedric, who knew Marquess Haribo better than anyone, couldn’t help but have doubts.

Haribo, who was silently looking at him, pursed his lips in a triumphant manner.

“Cedric. I didn’t know you were so interested in me.”

…I’ll reject that interest.

Looking at Marquess Haribo, who spoke with an unpleasant gaze.

“It’s not you; it’s my wife’s business that I’m interested in.”

I don’t want to be like this either. This guy.

Cedric said with a serious gaze.

In the tense moment where their gazes clashed, a brief silence descended upon the space.

Marquess Haribo, who had been comfortably leaning back on the chair’s backrest, slowly stood up. And.

“The proposal my wife made to me is something currently of great interest within the royal family.”

He began to speak with a more serious tone than before.
“Not long ago, there was an outbreak of an epidemic in a village near the northern border. It quickly spread to the neighboring village, and hundreds of people died in a single day.”

The red eyes conveying a dreadful reality intensified.

“Currently, the village is completely burnt down, leaving only ashes. Both those infected and those not lost their lives.”

A desperate decision made to prevent more sacrifices.

“The public’s resentment towards the royal family is growing.”

“…”

“Even the nobles and the royals are uneasy. It’s because relying on expensive medicine imported from other countries has its limits.”

As he spoke, Marquess Haribo, who had a serious expression, subtly smiled.

“In short, I see it as an opportunity to earn an enormous amount of money. What are your thoughts on this?”

Twisting his lips while looking at the man with a natural business instinct to the core.

“I agree with your thoughts.”

Not a determination to solve the problem but a means to make money.

Although it was a conclusion devoid of humanity, it was rather practical.

“I understand why you are interested in this matter.”

The conclusion was that his change in behavior was not because of Lamein.

It was back then when he spoke with a clean voice and a light smile.

“Cedric. But, you know, there’s something you should keep in mind.”

The man with a piercing gaze and a clear voice as if engraving, spoke.

“Whenever I make decisions, I have never once moved for the sake of money.”

The faint smile lingering around Marquess Haribo’s lips subtly scratched Cedric’s nerves.

“Do you think I started this because I’m genuinely interested only in business?”

At the subtly ambiguous question, Cedric’s eyes wrinkled slowly.

A minute crack appeared above the blue irises.

“Vence. What is that…”

At that moment when the low voice flowed through the tightly closed gap.

Knock, knock.

With the knocking sound, Lamein entered the reception room.

The tense gazes of the two men, who were facing each other tightly, simultaneously shifted towards Lamein.

“…”

What’s with these looks?

Two pairs of sensitive eyes that make one curious about the exchanged conversation.

Lamein walked slowly towards Cedric.

And, sitting tightly next to her husband, she asked, “What conversation were you having?”

…Did you fight while I was away?

Asking with a gaze that seemed to imply that.

“It wasn’t anything important.”

Instead of her husband, Marquess Haribo responded with a trembling voice.

Turning his eyes back to Marquess Haribo, who calmed his gaze, Lamein spoke.

“Yes, it was just a casual conversation.”

This time, her husband spoke with a gentle gaze and voice, seemingly asking when he had set up this ambush.

Lamein narrowed her eyes subtly.

As if a promise had been made, the expressions of the two men changed dramatically.

It’s not either of them; just let it be.

‘No, the atmosphere was a bit strange.’

The suspicion, like a fleeting strand, did not disappear.

“Did you have a good conversation with Lucia?”
At that moment, in response to Marquess Haribo’s sudden question, Lamein quickly adjusted her gaze.

“Oh, yes. Lady Haribo mentioned that it’s time for her private tutoring.”

“Oh, right. I forgot to mention that.”

As Lucia couldn’t attend the academy, she was receiving private tutoring.

“No matter what, it’s time for us to go back. We can continue our conversation next time.”

Expressing her intention to leave quickly, Lamein spoke.

“That would be best. Cedric seemed bored anyway.”

A message telling them to leave quickly with him.

‘What happened? Something did happen.’

She deliberately softened her gaze, meeting her husband’s eyes directly.

“Cedric, let’s head back for today.”

Did you hear? Get up.

Lightly holding Cedric’s forearm with her palm, she slowly rose to her feet.

“Let’s do that.”

Simultaneously, Cedric, who also stood up, straightened his posture.

And facing the empty space instead of Marquess Haribo, who was staring gently into space.

Whatever.

“Lady, please be careful on your way back.”

“Yes, thank you for your valuable time.”

“We won’t see you off.”

“That’s fine. We’ll go now.”

Smiling as if Lamein was the only one present in the space, Marquess Haribo bid farewell.

As soon as the short conversation between Lamein and Marquess Haribo ended, Cedric turned swiftly as if he had been waiting.

Lamein, who was being led away with an awkward smile, sighed subtly.

‘It’s not a kindergarten love fight, seriously.’

A guest who doesn’t even greet the landlord when leaving.

Or a landlord who doesn’t greet the departing guest.

‘Turns out, they really aren’t the protagonists from the original work?’

…If that’s the case, they should just let the two love each other.

Suppressing the urge to tie them up and let them escape, she left the reception room.

Thud.

The two disappeared from sight.

Marquess Haribo, who was staring fixedly at the firmly closed door, wiped away the smile on his lips.

Under the slowly moving eyelids, the red eyes seemed to deepen in thought.

The image of Cedric holding Lamein in his arms, struck by an arrow in the hunting competition.

He recalled Cedric rushing through the pouring rain in a hurry to find Lamein.

Turning his body slowly, he approached the window.

His gaze lingered for a long time on Cedric, who held Lamein’s hand and escorted her, riding in the carriage.

“I followed you to a place where I didn’t need to be…”

The man muttered to himself, tilting his chin slightly.

“Now you know everything?”

A subtle smile crept onto the man’s lips as he murmured in a low voice.