“Haah…….”

Elize, opening her eyes on the bed, exhaled a languid breath at the sound of birds and wind coming through the open window.

The first thing she saw upon opening her eyes were the opulent ceiling paintings and beautiful decorations.

Things she could never see in her crumbling baronial room.

Of course, in that home, her room was the only one the baron had invested in; there were no stains on the wallpaper and high-end carpets were laid on the floor. But that was it. In Elize’s eyes, her room appeared endlessly shabby and dilapidated.

‘But not anymore.’

Rising, Elize looked at the spot next to her. Traces remained of the Grand Duke who had stayed the night.

“He sure is diligent.”

Elize caressed the spot where the man who had coveted her last night had been, as if it were endearing.

In fact, Elize had initially been disappointed when she first came here.

Throughout the journey, she had wondered if they might go directly to the Grand Duke’s residence, but the carriage without a coat of arms had dropped her off in a small villa deep in the forest.

However, the moment she entered the villa, her disappointment melted away like snow in the spring.

Despite its seemingly ordinary exterior, the interior of the villa was extravagance itself. Even the rooms of moderately high-ranking noble families in the capital would seem like stables compared to this villa.

The place was the epitome of luxury, from the sparkling gold color everywhere to every piece of casually placed furniture.

When she saw the Grand Duke descend the stairs wearing a half-unbuttoned gown, Elize realized what this villa was for, and why he had summoned her here.

‘I knew such summer villas existed for that purpose, but…’

Among nobles, some, wanting to spend a very passionate time away from the eyes of others, maintain such secretive villas within their own territories, accessible only to authorized individuals.

From the night Elize arrived here, she had shared a room with the Grand Duke.

In the capital’s social circles, he had acted indifferently and respectfully, but here he made vulgar noises as he climbed atop Elize.

Elize accepted all of it. It was her path to becoming the Grand Duchess, after all.

Could it be because he was pleased that she had accepted all of his desires?

The Grand Duke commanded his servants here to attend to Elize without any shortcomings.

The well-trained servants, incomparable to Maya whom she had had at the baronial home, bowed deeply to her.

Their obedience brought immense joy to Elize.

As commanded by the Grand Duke, they fulfilled all of Elize’s desires.
From dining to bedtime, everything was of the highest quality.

Even in the capital, it was hard to imagine indulging in such luxury.

They executed orders, so extravagant that even Elize herself would deem excessive, with utter sincerity. They were submissive whether she screamed or slapped.

As if born only to follow commands.

Absolute submission and obedience intoxicated Elize’s mind like a good drink.

That intoxication did not fade but further fueled Elize’s thirst.

‘I want to make it all mine as soon as possible.’

The moment this all becomes the duke’s expense, it would fall into my lap.

She wanted to establish her name among all the servants and have them under her for a lifetime. Of course, this villa as well.

‘And the duke’s residence will also become mine.’

The duke’s residence was about two hours away by carriage through this forest.

So, the duke went there during the day for business and returned here at night.

When she had once pestered him about accompanying him back to the duke’s residence, he kissed her forehead and said,

“It would be inconvenient. The reason I brought you here is to avoid those who unnecessarily gossip and to enjoy our time.”

“But everyone will find out by fall anyway. Is there a need to hide it now?”

After spending the night with him, Elize discussed their future.

Elize spoke about a lot of things.

When would be a good time for their wedding, where it should be held, who among the socialites should be invited, whether even the king would attend, where to order the dress from, what should be the theme for the flowers…

Even talking about the wedding alone would take days.

After much conversation, Elize noticed that the duke was simply smiling and looking at her without saying a word.

But silence among nobles was usually an expression of approval, was it not? Thus, Elize’s imagination became more concrete as days passed.

Before leaving this place, she would receive a formal marriage proposal from the duke, and naturally, receive a hefty gemstone ring as proof.

With it on, the vision of her entering the fall social scene in the most expensive gown was vivid in her mind as if she’d already experienced it dozens of times.

She could even feel people’s whispers and envious gazes.

Elize rang the bell on the negotiation table. A moment later, the door opened with a knock, and a maid from the villa entered.

“Did you call?”

“Eh? Who are you?”