* * *

Unlike her son, the Duke was, as expected, extremely handsome.

When the royal party was held, the beauty that he could only observe from afar shone even brighter up close.

His ash-gray hair enhanced his masculinity, and his striking red eyes shimmered alluringly.

If I were just a bit younger, I might be tempted to seduce such an attractive Alpha.

The Viscountess hid her regret as she reached out with a seemingly cheerful expression, trying to pull her pale-faced son away from him.

Smack.

“Viscountess, I understand your joy in seeing your son, but that was quite rude.”

Despite the heat she felt from her slapped hand, the chill in his voice hit her first.

“My apologies, I got carried away by my excitement.”

Regaining her composure, the Viscountess slightly bent her knees, greeting the duke with a nod.

“It is an honor to meet you, Duke Graham. Thank you for the invitation.”

“Although I didn’t invite you, it seems someone is missing from your greeting.”

The Viscountess’s eyes wavered at the duke’s remark.

Did he expect her to greet even her son?

The Viscountess, who initially planned to feign ignorance with a smile, was compelled to kneel again under the duke’s piercing gaze.

“Graham Duke, I greet you. Have you been well?”

“Yes, Mother. I missed you so much.”

Only when Sylvian’s thin voice reached her ears did she feel a sense of relief.

Seeing him in the duke’s arms, she was certain that he was subdued and unable to assert himself in the Duke’s household.

The thought that the duke was displaying them together to the public relieved her fears.

At least outwardly, the duke seemed to care for the Viscountess for his wife’s sake.

“It appears the Duke’s love has brought out the radiance in your face.”

“You have been incredibly kind.”

Sylvian cast a quick glance at Zeroth and spoke softly, almost in a whisper.

No matter what, it’s better than being in the Viscountess’s household, isn’t it?

As if Zeroth had been watching him all along, their eyes met, and a smile crept onto Sylvian’s face.

“I’m glad to see you looking happy. I’ve been curious about how you’ve been.”

At the Viscountess’s question, Sylvian looked at Zeroth, seeking permission, and he nodded in response.

“Won’t you offer us a seat?”

The Viscountess, who had been standing the entire time since the greetings, subtly asked. At this, Sylvian’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Why haven’t you sat down?”

Isn’t she someone who doesn’t need anyone’s permission?

Though aware that the high-ranking duke and duchess needed to grant permission, Sylvian feigned ignorance and tilted his head.

“Oh dear, Sylvian. You, as the higher-ranking duke’s wife, must permit the Viscountess to sit.”

“But she’s my mother.”

To think he hadn’t even been properly taught etiquette.

Zeroth smiled slightly, thinking of the etiquette lessons he would soon have with Sylvian.

“Sylvian is now the duchess.”

Zeroth spoke with a cold gaze fixed on the Viscountess, who dared not meet his eyes and opened her mouth.

“It is heartwarming to see the two of you together, looking so affectionate and happy.”

“Thank you.”

With that, Zeroth fell silent.

The Viscountess, wary of the duke, signaled to Sylvian with her eyes.

Why, what.

Sylvian noticed his mother’s gaze but feigned ignorance, tilting his head again.

“Child, are you here to get your clothes tailored?”

“Zeroth, no. The duke has promised to gift me new clothes.”

“Oh my, how thoughtful of him.”

The Viscountess’s face lit up, as if hearing what she had hoped for, despite her earlier mistake of addressing the duke by his name.

“Mother, it’s my first time coming to get clothes tailored in person. It’s so fascinating.”

“Even though merchants were called to the house, how could you never come out once?”

Zeroth added with an astonished tone to Sylvian’s words.

“Sylvian’s health was too fragile to go out with him. He’s a timid child who even fears people coming and going.”

The answer was always the same.

Forced starvation to marry him off to a wealthy Alpha had left him weak.

There was no other way.

The Viscountess looked at her son with a sorrowful face.

Sylvian, enduring the urge to retch, kept his mouth shut under the gaze filled with lingering affection.

“Have you chosen many clothes?”

“No, I’m unsure what would suit me best.”

He lowered his eyes with a troubled expression in response to her question.

The Viscountess reached out to comfort her son, but once again, the duke’s hand blocked hers, forcing her to retreat.

“You are beautiful, so anything will suit you.”

“That is true. With such a small face and fair skin, there isn’t a color that doesn’t suit you.”

“Isn’t that right?! There’s no look that can compete with mine!”

Despite the pain from her harshly repelled hand, the Viscountess didn’t show it and agreed with his words.

“With fair skin, there’s no color that doesn’t suit you. Bright colors suit you well, and dark colors also complement you. But the best fit is—”

“As expected, the Viscountess knows her daughter-in-law best. Would you help select her clothes?”

“Oh my, should I?”

“Of course.”

But I don’t like that.

Her mother’s taste didn’t align with hers.

The Viscountess favored frills and cute accessories that suited her small, adorable appearance.

In the Viscountess’s household, Sylvian barely got one or two new outfits a year.

Even then, they had to match her mother’s taste, often adorned with ribbons or fluttering collars.

“Isn’t the duke busy?”

“I have time to choose clothes with my wife, so don’t worry.”

When Sylvian lightly tugged on his sleeve and asked, he kissed the corner of his eye and answered.

When his gaze met his mother’s, Sylvian burrowed into Zeroth’s arms, as if embarrassed.

“Madam~.”

At the sight of her son openly showing affection, the Viscountess called out to Viola with a nasal tone.

With that level of acting, he would certainly act as though he was showing favor to his maternal family.

The Viscountess’s face brightened.

“You called?”

“Viola, the Viscountess and I will help select clothes for my wife.”

Viola exchanged a fleeting glance with the duke and bowed.

“I will prepare. I’ll bring fabrics that would suit the duchess.”

Though it wasn’t a dress, adding expensive fabrics and decorations would increase the price.

To achieve today’s goal, Viola instructed her staff to bring the finest fabrics.

With her determined expression, the staff quickly moved, eager to capitalize on the opportunity.

“We’ve always sent clothes tailored to your measurements, but it’s wonderful to see you in person.”

Inside, Viola intentionally made an unnecessary comment and brought a new catalog.

“With your slender neck and overall proportions, you’ll look great in anything.”

To please the duke, clothes that emphasized his body were best.

Outfits that highlighted the slim waist, hips, and legs.

The designed sketches were all outfits with broad shoulders that puffed up like a rooster and a beautifully cinched waist.

“I’m not in such great shape.”

“Oh, don’t worry. This Viola will adjust them to fit the duchess perfectly.”

Despite being thin, his shoulders weren’t small.

They weren’t sagging either, so accentuating them would naturally enhance his figure.

Not vulgar, but just enough to look daring.

“Viola?”

“Inspiration, inspiration is flooding in.”

“I just need something comfortable.”

“Comfortable clothes! With a body as beautiful as yours!”

Viola cringed at Sylvian’s words, gently lifting his chin.

Sylvian, complying with her gesture, rolled his eyes.

“Have you ever considered trimming your hair?”

His hair, slightly over his shoulders, looked untidy.

Shortening it and wearing the clothes I made would make him look not like a duchess but like an heir from a prestigious family.

Though he has a gentle face lacking a haughty charm, he seems like a young master raised in a greenhouse.

Hiss.

“Viola.”

“Yes, yes! I’m sorry!”

Startled by the duke’s gaze and his chilly voice, Viola quickly withdrew her hand.

She almost had a dangerous thought.

“It’s okay.”

“The madam has an eye for people. My son, but isn’t he quite handsome?”

As much as she hated to admit it, he was right.

Sylvian anxiously glanced at Zeroth, seemingly terrified of being caught between the two.

“The clothes Zeroth wore recently were splendid. They were all Viola’s creations, weren’t they?”

Sylvian subtly revealed his desires. A few days ago, Zeroth wore clothes adorned with numerous jewels. I couldn’t do anything, so I hoped he would at least add a lot of jewels to the clothes.

“What clothes? Ah, you mean the ones with jewel embellishments.”

“Gasp! No jewels!”

* * *