Chapter 76

I heard Norman clicking his tongue behind me.

Despite the clearly bizarre situation, Nine acted completely unbothered, thanking the Viscount and his wife for their hospitality.

‘Is the relationship between mother and son quite, well, bad?’

I had guessed something was up since Norman had been sullen the entire way, but it seemed the atmosphere was worse than I thought.

I greeted Cornelia.

“Thank you, Viscountess.”

Cornelia, however, looked back and forth between Nine and me, then wore a satisfied expression.

She slowly fanned herself and spoke to us as if to herself.

“One room will be enough then. That’s a relief.”

“Cough!”

Norman coughed as if he had choked on something behind us.

After the slightly strange welcome, Nine and I were guided to the prepared guest room.

Even though we had rested during the stops along the way, we still felt the accumulated fatigue from the journey.

As soon as I entered the room, I sat on the edge of the bed. Nine was lightly organizing the luggage, and my bag was naturally mixed in with the things he was arranging.

‘Isn’t Nine uncomfortable?’

Having ridden in the same carriage as Nine the entire way home, and with him taking charge of most of the serving, Annie was currently facing unemployment.

Of course, thanks to Nine, Annie spent less time by my side and seemed to have become a bit closer with the other servants and Norman, which was a good thing.

But.

‘Being served like this every time is a bit awkward.’

Of course, he didn’t go as far as serving me for bathing or changing clothes, but…

‘Huh?’

I blushed alone, having momentarily imagined it.

Nine stopped organizing the luggage, looked at me, and approached with a puzzled look.

“Chacha. Your face is red.”

“Oh, no. I think it’s a bit hot!”

I vigorously shook my head from side to side before his hand could reach my forehead.

As I fanned my face with my hand to cool down a bit, Nine opened the window for me.

‘It’s agonizing when your husband is too sexy.’

I sighed.

***

My heavy eyelids lifted, and I woke up in Nine’s arms.

Having shaken off the fatigue with a short nap, I wriggled out of his embrace, propped my chin up, and admired Nine’s sleeping face.

Since we had confessed our feelings to each other, I had been sleeping in Nine’s arms every night.

Even though this had been going on for several days, every time I opened my eyes and my gaze first fell upon Nine, I felt my entire body fill with happiness.

As I quietly watched him, I playfully began to tap the tip of Nine’s nose and his cheek.

“Mmm.”

Frowning slightly, he turned his head a little and playfully bit my finger, not hard enough to hurt.

I giggled at the ticklish sensation, and Nine let out a soft, airy laugh, then sat up.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Yes.”

It was almost dinner time, so we quickly got ready and were guided to the dining room.

Upon entering, there were people sitting there whom we hadn’t seen during the welcome greeting.

They must have arrived before us and were waiting, as they immediately stood up and offered their greetings.

“Forgive the late introduction, Duke. I am the Junior Viscount Pellona.”

“Pleased to meet you, Junior Viscount.”

The only new faces were the Junior Viscount, his wife, and their eldest son, so the introductions were quickly finished.

Nine and I took the seats of honor first, followed by the Viscount and Viscountess, the Junior Viscount and his wife, their eldest son, and finally, Norman.

The Viscountess took the lead in setting the atmosphere.

As a noblewoman who had wielded considerable influence in the central social circles just a few years ago, the Viscountess was exceptionally skilled at directing the conversation.

The only problem was that the subject kept veering towards Norman.

“Oh, honestly. I tried so hard to match him with a young lady who was just right for him—in character, beauty, and family—all for his own good, but at the very first meeting, that boy outright said, ‘I don’t like you,’ and left, can you believe it?”

“Pardon? How old was Norman then, to give such a childish response…”

“Hmm. Was he ten? He was immature, what can I say? Hohoho.”

It wasn’t a childish response; he was literally a child.

I glanced at Norman, and contrary to my expectations, he was peacefully and silently focusing on his meal.

He looked like he had given up a lot, become accustomed to it, and reached a state of enlightenment.

“…”

“W-Wife…”

In the end, the only person worriedly glancing around was the Viscount, who was sitting next to the Viscountess.

‘Hmm, what a mess.’

I pretended not to notice anything, continued eating, and kept up the conversation with the Viscountess appropriately.

It was a pleasant dinner time nonetheless. Except for the Viscount, who was nervously watching his wife and son, that is.

‘Since dinner is over, should I go for a walk with Nine?’

“Duchess.”

As I was about to leave, Cornelia suddenly called out to me.

“Yes, Viscountess.”

“If the Duchess is free, how about a cup of tea with the ladies? I have a very interesting story prepared.”

The Viscountess finished speaking and subtly winked at Nine.

‘Is it about Nine?’

That action piqued my interest.

I looked at Nine, who was currently receiving a request from the Junior Viscount for swordsmanship instruction.

“I have long admired the Duke’s swordsmanship. It would be a great honor if the Duke would briefly assess my technique.”

Nine, who had been quietly listening to the rapid outpouring of words, seemed to sense me looking back and immediately met my eyes.

I mouthed to him.

‘I’ll go to the Viscountess’s tea time.’

He, who understood my words perfectly even from the shape of my lips, wore a slightly disappointed expression.

‘Cute.’

I thought he was more mature and desperately in love in the original story. But the Nine I saw in person seemed to show more of a fresh and adorable side fitting his age.

I liked that side of him too, and I couldn’t help but smile foolishly.

***

The people seated around the tea table set up in the conservatory were me, Viscountess Cornelia, and the Junior Viscount’s wife.

The Junior Viscount’s wife seemed naturally quiet. However, while she didn’t initiate conversation herself, she answered faithfully whenever the Viscountess or I asked her something.

“I don’t know how long it’s been since I had a tea time with the ladies like this.”

“Well, you must have needed a rest towards the end of the social season.”

The news of my attempted assassination had now spread all the way to the North.

“You must be weary from the journey home; are you feeling better?”

“Of course. I was just a little surprised, but I wasn’t badly hurt or anything.”

I casually said words that would make Nine frown if he heard them, and lifted my teacup.

‘This should be enough to maintain proper etiquette.’

After sipping my tea, I set the cup down and asked the Viscountess, “So, what is the interesting story, Viscountess?”

When I asked this, Cornelia looked very pleased, as if she had been waiting for the question.

She opened her fan, fluttering it as she smiled.

“Didn’t the Duke suddenly change during this social season?”

‘Oh?’

It was a topic I had been consistently curious about, so I sincerely showed the reaction she was looking for.

“My, how did you know? Surely… does the Viscountess know the reason? The reason why the Duke changed?”

“Hmm. I wonder if I should reveal the Duke’s secret. I’m a bit conflicted.”

Cornelia said that and subtly winked at her daughter-in-law sitting next to her. I immediately understood her signal.

‘She’s asking for my help with the Junior Viscountess’s social activities in exchange for the information.’

If I, the Duchess of Eclipse, were to help her, her social activities would become much smoother.

I nodded without much deliberation.

It wasn’t a difficult thing to do, after all.

Most importantly, Norman was the person most likely to be sacrificed when Nine and I wanted to make time for ourselves.

If Norman could read my mind right now, he’d probably throw a fit, asking what that had to do with anything, but either way, that’s how it was for me.

Seeing me nod, Cornelia cleared her throat and said, “The Duke contacted me shortly after the social season began.”

“About what?”

“He asked me what he should do to protect his wife in social circles.”

Her words brought to mind Nine’s sudden appearance at the Regwin Ducal family’s tea party. Even after that day, Nine consistently came to escort me.

Without asking further, I could see the advice the Viscountess had given him. And how well Nine had followed her words.

‘Did he like me back then?’

The thought made me feel elated.

‘I must tease him about this tonight.’

I was already looking forward to how Nine would react.

However, at that very moment.

“Kyaaaak!”

Crash, Boom!

An ominous scream was heard, followed by the sound of something collapsing.

Startled, we immediately rushed out of the conservatory.

Coming out of the conservatory, we saw people screaming and frantically running towards the opposite side of the main gate.

“Run away! It’s a monster!!”

“The wall has collapsed!”