* * *
“Oh my, should we introduce you to someone we know?”
Zeroth seemed to approve of the Count and Countess’s idea, adding,
“If the Marquis desires, I could lend a hand as well.”
With all the sudden attention on his marriage, the Marquis narrowed his gaze, trying to suppress his irritation.
“Haha. I appreciate your concern for my marriage. But I have no interest in such matters at the moment.”
“You’re not at an age where you can afford to say that, are you?”
Zeroth chuckled as he spoke, and Sylvian cautiously observed them.
It seemed like Zeroth found the Marquis particularly irritating.
Of course, Zeroth was annoyed by everyone, but there was an extra sharpness to his treatment of the Marquis.
“If only I knew someone suitable…”
Sylvian mumbled in disappointment, as if upset about not being able to participate.
At that, everyone’s gaze turned to him.
Resting his chin on his hand, Sylvian furrowed his brows, deep in thought, as if trying to recall something.
“My wife, what are you thinking so hard about?”
“There was someone at the party… Someone exceptionally, exceptionally beautiful. But I don’t know if they’re married or not.”
“Now I’m quite curious to know who this exceptionally, exceptionally beautiful person is.”
At Zeroth’s question, the Marquis also looked intrigued.
So that was the reason he kept stealing glances?
Not because he liked my face?
Karl smirked leisurely, waiting for Sylvian’s answer.
“They had red hair and eyes just like mine…”
She was like a rose.
Even in a world within a novel, the sheer number of stunningly beautiful men and women was ridiculous.
If his body didn’t only react to men, he would have followed her around like a lovesick puppy.
She was that dazzling, that alluring.
“Ah, are you referring to Lady Nefer? The one in the black dress?”
“Yes!”
At Sylvian’s response, Karl’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
‘So he has no taste.’
“I’ve known Lady Nefer since childhood.”
She was arrogant.
Everyone except Sylvian knew how exhausting she could be, and an awkward silence spread through the group.
“But she really is beautiful. No Alpha could outshine her in terms of sheer radiance and beauty.”
Her looks were undeniably real.
The Countess Holt agreed with Sylvian’s words.
After all, Lady Nefer wasn’t a terrible person at heart.
The Duchess smiled brightly in agreement.
“And Marquis Karl is very handsome. I think you two would suit each other well.”
Imagining the two together, Sylvian’s cheeks flushed a deep red.
Zeroth burst into laughter, but Karl’s cold gaze made his displeasure all too clear.
“I see. And what, may I ask, do you find most appealing about the Duke?”
Karl’s question was a sudden counterattack.
Sylvian hesitated, deep in thought.
Since their marriage had happened so abruptly, everyone naturally assumed it was a contract marriage. There really wasn’t much to say.
He couldn’t exactly say he liked Zeroth’s massive dick, though that was certainly a plus.
His looks were also top-tier in this world.
“…Zeroth is kind!”
Cough!
Ahem!
Sylvian tossed the answer like a grenade, and everyone waiting for his response immediately choked.
Especially Karl Rooster, who looked at him as if he had completely lost his mind.
Conversations like this weren’t going to reveal anyone’s true thoughts.
“You seem to prefer kindness.”
“Hmm, I suppose so.”
After a moment’s consideration, Sylvian nodded.
Karl thought that, perhaps, things might go his way more easily than expected.
If it was just about appearing kind, then no one could do it better than him.
“Ah, you truly are in the prime of your love.”
The Count and Countess nodded wistfully, their expressions sentimental.
‘Are they fools? Or just pretending to be?’
Sylvian sighed as he watched the four people seemingly satisfied with his response.
“Shall we move now? The Duke’s greenhouse is truly stunning. I hope you all will enjoy it.”
Having received a crash course from Elgana on the duties of a hostess, Sylvian naturally took the lead.
‘Going forward, I should learn from Elgana rather than Zeroth.’
Elgana’s concise, practical lessons were far more useful than Zeroth’s unnecessary lectures.
As they walked toward the greenhouse, Sylvian proudly explained various parts of the Duke’s estate before finally pushing open the greenhouse doors.
“Wow, it’s been so long.”
The Countess’s voice was filled with emotion.
She had visited a few times before at the invitation of the former Duke and Duchess.
“It’s as beautiful as ever.”
“You’ve been here before?”
“Of course. I still occasionally keep in touch with the former Duchess.”
Zeroth’s parents had long since handed over the title to him and were now traveling, enjoying the youthful adventures they had once missed.
The emperor tried to hold them back, offering Zeroth a separate title if he worked just a little longer, but the former duke escaped, telling him to be reasonable.
As a result, only Zeroth, who had received his title early, couldn’t spend as much time with his wife.
‘I’ll have to ask my parents for help soon.’
If his parents came, he could keep Sylvian by his side for years and give him proper education.
His special education would turn Sylvian into a loving spouse who only saw him.
“Now, you’ve become a warm and lovely greenhouse, just like the duchess.”
“Thank you. I just picked out a few things I liked.”
The countess smiled as she watched the duchess shyly take the duke’s hand.
‘His posture is quite good.’
Even his walk was calm and upright.
For someone who had been sick, his posture was surprisingly good.
People had worried that Duke Graham had rushed into marriage too quickly, but the two of them seemed to be a good match.
At the party, with so many people and it being his first event, Sylvian had been nervous.
The pheromones that had been spilling uncontrollably stabilized once the duchess stayed close to him.
Even though he said he wasn’t good enough, it was obvious how much effort he had put into preparing today’s tea time.
Maybe his weak constitution was real—he had looked tired at times—but it was still an excellent reception.
The countess was itching to share today’s events with others at the next gathering.
“Sir Sylvian, I look forward to the day you invite me again. It’s a shame we couldn’t talk more.”
At last, the tea time ended.
When the Marquis of Rooster wouldn’t let go of the duchess’s hand, the countess chuckled.
She had heard that the marquis was passionate about learning, but she hadn’t expected him to cling to someone like this.
As they walked through the greenhouse, they discussed various topics, and she realized that the young duchess was much sharper than expected.
That must be why the marquis took such a liking to him.
Youth was a good thing, indeed.
She nodded to herself.
She thought that it would’ve been even better if her son had been here today.
She had already told him to return home for the holidays, so by winter, they would be able to meet again.
“Thank you all so much for today. I will invite you again next time.”
Perhaps exhausted, Sylvian’s face had grown a little pale as he bid them farewell.
Everyone quickly climbed into their carriages.
“You did well.”
“Did I?”
“Of course. You did great for your first gathering.”
Zeroth chuckled and pulled Sylvian into his arms.
* * *
