“If only that weren’t the case, neither the Count nor I would have been involved in such tiresome matters,” Evie said, complaining lightly as she looked back at the Count.

“Thanks to that, the Count has to play the role of my nanny, so how can this be good?”

At Evie’s playful selfmockery, the Count also glanced at Evie, but as usual, he responded coldly.

“Have I ever given you a chance to act like a nanny?”

“Well, I’m past the age of needing a nanny.”

“But you still nag at the butler.”

“Hmm, that’s a painful point. I will overcome this issue soon.”

Evie pledged cheerfully.

Anyone else might have laughed at this cuteness, but the Count’s face was always as cold as if he were wearing a mask. Moreover, he was repeatedly pounding his chest with his fist, as if something was frustrating.

Only Evie, who had tried to lighten the mood, ended up feeling awkward.

In the first place, Evie wanted to be alone. When the Count came, she wasn’t joking when she grumbled, “Ugh, an intruder.” She was serious.

Still, she had kindly given up her seat to the Count, who she had to get along with, but the Count continued to act chilly, as if he had been dragged there against his will.

“Count, you may go in. I am more comfortable alone.”

So Evie, who could no longer bear it, spoke.

“I know you are committed to your duty, but there’s no need to go through unnecessary trouble.”

“If you know I’m committed to duty, you should compromise at this point.”

“Compromise?”

“After making the Viscount like that, you will inevitably become a saint anyway.”

However, the Count still spoke unpleasantly, and in the end, even Evie’s forehead became tense.

‘Why won’t this person just leave? …’

It seemed he wanted to say that.

You’ve messed up becoming a saint, so listen to me now.

According to the Count’s words, the possibility of Evie becoming a saint had become slim once again due to Cassell’s change of heart.

Everyone who participated in the backflower ceremony knew this fact, but Evie was still upset because of the Count, who spoke indifferently. He even acted like he had been waiting for Evie to get into trouble.

“I forgot. Count, you hope for my despair. You must be pleased that things are going the way you want.”

“Not particularly. There’s no joy or sorrow in duty.”

“You should be happy. This is the result of your hard work.”

“I worked hard so that Cassell Montraga would look down on you? Even if I don’t agree, if you want to blame, please do so comfortably.”

At the Count’s cold ridicule, Evie’s words were cut off.

This Count had the talent to scrape people’s insides by saying unnecessary things like someone who doesn’t need to choose his words.

The statement that Cassell Montraga looked down on Evie Ariate was exactly like that. Although everyone knew it, it was a statement that would have been much better left unsaid for Evie.

The pain of those words made Evie bite her lip and glare at the Count.

However, the Count, sitting with his legs crossed and watching the front, ignored her gaze, and his elegant posture only infuriated Evie more.

“So what do you want to say, that I failed to become a saint, so now obediently listen to me? I’ll take care of you as promised, so just tell me what you want?”

The bourgeoisie Evie, who had just crushed the Viscount, asked the Count. Her voice was more challenging than usual since she had just defeated the Viscount’s son.

So that arrogant Count was likely to lose his temper, but for some reason, he did not even respond.

So Evie bit her tightly closed lips, feeling ignored.

The more she thought about it, the worse her mood got. Although it was a clear case of qualification inferiority, the fact that Cassell Montraga, who looked down on her, was rather a ridiculous opponent to this man was annoying. Therefore, Evie must be a ludicrous existence to this top predator.

Annoyed by the thought, Evie looked at his profile and deliberately spoke cheerfully.

“I understand, you said you would guarantee the life I want, right? Then I’ll believe that the Count will fulfill his duty, and I’ll tell you. I want to become the Grand Duchess, sir.”

At Evie’s mischievous demand, the Count’s masklike face distorted for the first time. He looked at Evie as if surprised and asked in a low voice, laden with doubt.

“Are you serious?”
“No, I intended to provoke, but it turned into a laughable lie. I don’t want a younger brother like you, Count.”

But before the Count could properly inquire, Evie confessed the truth, her face turning red as she pounded her knee in frustration.

Damn this curse!

Trying to show off but having her true intentions revealed, Evie bit her lip in resentment and embarrassment.

Meanwhile, a faint tremor was felt from the bench. Looking sideways, she saw the Count covering his mouth with his hand, pretending not to laugh.

‘Don’t laugh!’

Evie barely refrained from shouting this. Instead, she ground her teeth as she glared at the Count from the corner of her eye.

‘Shall I just suffocate that man?’