As soon as she opened the book, her brain momentarily stopped. It was a scene she had never imagined, even after spending countless passionate nights with Kristin.

Mark quickly snatched the book from her trembling hands.

“It’s an art book. Quite hard to come by.”

“An art book… It’s very… um… ambiguous. It’s surprising that you like such books…”

While calmly speaking, Adele distanced herself subtly from Mark.
It was somewhat surprising to see this gentleman, who appeared more refined and gentlemanly than anyone else, reading such a book in this secret room.

Mark awkwardly cleared his throat.

“Well, I’m a healthy adult male, so there’s no reason to dislike it… No, why do you look at me like that?”

“What about me? I’m just a bit surprised by the unexpected human side.”

When Adele teased him, Mark’s face and neck turned slightly red. It was an unexpected sight from him, who was always composed.

In the end, Adele comforted him by patting his shoulder.

“Don’t worry, Mark. I feel like I’ve become a friend with a bit less facade now.”

“Now that I think about it, you have an excellent talent for making fun of people.”

“Thanks. I didn’t know I had such talent. Anyway, what about the books I mentioned?”

Adele expressed her desire to see the collected old books. There might be books related to the Wolf Clan among them.

“Here they are. The books you’re looking for.”

Climbing up the ladder, Mark took out dusty books from the top shelf.

“These are records about the Wolf Clan from before they were erased. They’re probably not in the palace library. The Holy See burned them all.”

Taking the books, Adele carefully wiped off the dust with a handkerchief. The hardcover book with worn-out edges looked extremely old at a glance. Judging by the publication year, it was over a hundred years old.

“Thank you. I’ll read them carefully and return them.”

But Mark snatched the book from Adele’s embrace.

“If you want to read the book, at least close your eyes for a moment.”

“It’s okay. I usually have trouble sleeping when I’m curious about something.”

“That’s your business. Or perhaps you’re afraid of drooling on this precious book while you’re half asleep.”

“No, that’s ridiculous.”

“Now, let’s go to bed.”

“Mark, please.”

Although Adele pleaded with aegyo, he remained firm.

“This is also a doctor’s prescription.”

He turned Adele around, grabbed her shoulders, and escorted her out of the secret room.

“You’re really determined.”

With no other choice, Adele grumbled as she was chased out of the secret room.

“I’ll rest for just an hour, so lend me the book then.”

Adele yielded, but Mark shook his head.

“More than three hours.”

“No, I can’t. I promised to prepare dinner with Jade.”

“Jade went out to play with Pauline, and the new maid who just came in is good at cooking, so don’t worry.”

If someone overheard their conversation, they might mistake them for a married couple. And, unbeknownst to Adele, her voice brightened considerably during the conversation with Mark.

…

Meanwhile, the Silver Wolf remained motionless, eyes closed.

Under the sunlight streaming in through the window, his silver fur sparkled dazzlingly, giving off a languid yet mysterious vibe. It seemed as though he wasn’t sleeping but rather deeply lost in thought.

“Why aren’t you coming in? What are you doing here?”
Judy, Mark’s assistant, was startled by Jennifer’s loud voice. She stood half-opened at the door of the examination room, unable to move.

“Don’t worry about it!”

Jennifer quickly turned around and left.

Perplexed, Jennifer scratched her head, and, feeling that something wasn’t right, quickly followed her. As Jennifer tried to exit the corridor, Judy promptly blocked her way.

“What did I do wrong?”

“What are you talking about?”

“We just met today, why do you get mad at me as if I’ve met an enemy when you see me?”

“Me?”

“Yes, you! Even now, your forehead is full of wrinkles. So, you look even more like a withered cucumber…”

Judy, who was raising her eyebrows fiercely, finally exploded.

“No, not this sir! Why is he getting angry after saying I look like a withered cucumber? Where do I look like a withered cucumber! Where!”

Approaching closely while speaking venomously, Judy finally burst into anger.

“No, this uncle! Why did he say I look like a withered cucumber? Where do I look like a withered cucumber! Where!”

Judy approached closely while speaking venomously, but Jennifer, looking confused, stepped back.

“Th-that was a mistake. If we speak frankly, it meant that you might look prettier if you don’t get angry.”

Judy, who had been fiercely arguing, suddenly hesitated as if deflating. Then, she touched her face, pouted, and twisted her mouth.

“What’s pretty? I look like a withered cucumber…”

“Still, better than a dried squid.”

“What did you say!”

“By the way, I really like cucumbers.”

Judy, who had a stern expression, eventually burst into laughter, making a deflating sound.

“Oh, what is this uncle saying!”

Seeing Judy’s face turning red, Jennifer was bewildered.

“No, did he say he likes cucumbers, not that he likes himself?”

Then, she ran after Judy, shouting.

“And I’m not an uncle; I’m Jennifer! You can call me Blonde Jenny!”

“Pfft!”

Judy’s busy footsteps came to a sudden halt, and laughter burst out. Jennifer couldn’t stop laughing even as she approached.

“My name is Judy.”

Finally stopping her laughter, she said, “Judy… What a pretty name.”

“Still, Blonde Jenny won’t lose.”

“Admittedly!”

Jennifer had a feeling that Judy would start to like cucumbers more.