* * *
The Viscount acknowledged that he’d miscalculated and offered a more roundabout expression of gratitude.
Even without this conversation, everything they’d hoped for had come true thanks to the Duke’s investments.
Just standing next to him earned them trust from others.
There was no way a stiff man like the Duke would be warm to a newly acquired father-in-law.
Especially not someone without imperial blood in their maternal line—the Graham Duke didn’t need to lift a finger for anyone.
Convincing himself with those thoughts, the Viscount put on a genial smile again.
“We’ve also prepared a room at the estate should the Duchess ever wish to rest there.”
“My wife won’t be spending the night at your house.”
The visit was permitted, but nothing more. Zeroth shot the Viscount a cold glare.
Viscount Nertian didn’t know his place.
All he wanted was for them to fall so he could swoop in—but they only grew more greedy with time.
Martius had once made it clear: as long as his parents didn’t die, he’d endure anything.
Zeroth had no choice but to nod in agreement after being earnestly asked not to inform his older brother.
Martius was anxiously gauging the reactions of both him and their parents.
“You’re not suggesting my spouse should stay in that tiny house, are you?”
He said with a sharp smile, and the viscount frantically shook his head.
“Of course not, absolutely not. I only meant to say we prepared a place for him to rest if he dropped by briefly.”
“Even if my spouse were ill, he would still return to the Ducal estate.”
Zeroth made it clear that Sylvian visiting the viscount’s estate would go no further than that.
Even with just that, the viscount and his wife seemed satisfied and said they would await the Duchess’s next visit.
‘Sylvian always liked boating… Maybe I should just keep him on the ship and deal with the rest separately.’
Watching the viscount couple grinning like they’d won the world, Zeroth gently led Sylvian away toward another group, saying they’d talk later.
“Sylvian.”
While Zeroth conversed with other heads of noble houses, Sylvian had taken a moment to sit on a nearby chair when a noblewoman cautiously approached.
“Countess Diacy?”
“Why are you sitting alone? Oh—there he is, the Duke.”
Fanning herself delicately as she came closer, Countess Diacy blinked in surprise at the sight of the Duchess sitting by himself.
“And Lady Diacy?”
“She’s off giggling with her little group of friends. That’s about all they know how to do at that age.”
Amused by Sylvian’s interest, she smiled fondly at her daughter and her companions in the distance.
Sylvian also smiled, watching the lively exchange between the young ladies and noble heirs.
“We’re planning a riding gathering early next month. Would you be interested?”
“I’ve never actually ridden before…”
Sylvian trailed off, a little unsure.
“Oh dear, your health hasn’t quite allowed for that yet, has it? Think of it as a change of pace—you can just watch, if you’d like.”
Countess Diacy persistently tried to persuade him, clearly hoping he’d grace the event with his presence.
‘What’s going on?’
While there were always overly eager noblewomen, this level of insistence was new—even for someone like Countess Diacy.
“My daughter, she… really wanted to meet you privately.”
Noticing Sylvian’s puzzled gaze, the Countess lowered her voice, looking slightly embarrassed.
“She did?”
“Yes. She truly admires you. Said she absolutely had to meet you in person.”
“I did greet her earlier, though…”
She didn’t seem particularly eager then.
Sylvian tilted his head, not quite convinced.
“She’s terribly shy. Would you mind just chatting with her for a moment?”
When Sylvian nodded without hesitation, the Countess caught a passing servant and gestured toward her daughter.
“Mother?! Oh my gosh—!”
Lady Diacy came running the moment her mother called, only to freeze at the sight of the Duchess and audibly gasp.
So she does like me?
Sylvian thought, watching her skin flush all the way up her neck.
He narrowed his eyes with a gentle smile.
“Miss Emily?”
“H-hh…”
She pressed her fan firmly to her lips, reacting like a fangirl meeting a celebrity.
Sylvian chuckled softly and held out his hand.
Tap.
“Zeroth?”
“It’s your day to be escorted, love. I’m afraid the young lady will have to save her excitement for another time.”
Having kept a watchful eye on anyone approaching Sylvian, Zeroth was already making his way over as soon as he saw the girl charge toward him.
“I-I just wanted to say hello, that’s all!”
Despite the Duke’s gentle smile, Emily couldn’t take her eyes off Sylvian.
‘Another bug drawn in…’
Even the very woman the Emperor had once put forth as a potential bride for him was now showing interest in Sylvian.
The Diacy family was firmly loyal to the Emperor—sworn to follow his every word without hesitation.
If the Emperor had suggested a connection with the ducal family, the girl would’ve been married off regardless of her own feelings.
But now, this just-turned-twenty girl’s gaze wouldn’t stray from Sylvian, not even once.
“I was really hoping to talk with you at the last party, but you didn’t stay long…”
Not to mention, Sylvian had entered high society quite late and rarely attended gatherings of young nobles due to his marriage.
Wherever the Duchess went, it was mainly older noblewomen’s events or charity bazaars.
Yuri Holt and Sylvian Nertian were minor celebrities among their peers—both were male omegas who rarely showed their faces, stirring curiosity.
“Everyone wants to get closer to the Duchess.”
Count Holt’s youngest had entered the Knight Academy as soon as his health recovered, leaving everyone in awe.
Meanwhile, the omega from the humble Nertian viscounty had married a duke and turned the entire Empire on its head.
So who wouldn’t want to speak with the charming Duchess who captured the Duke’s heart?
Yuri Holt exuded rugged masculinity, while the Duchess held a delicate balance between masculine and feminine—an alluring, almost dangerous charm.
That mix of strength and fragility stirred something in Emily’s heart.
Marriage was out of the question, and romance seemed impossible—but perhaps, they could be friends.
“If you’d been healthier, maybe we’d already be the best of friends by now.”
She scrunched her nose playfully. Zeroth, standing right there, thought to himself how fearless young ladies had become these days and let out a dry laugh.
“Countess Diacy kindly invited me to the riding event. I’d really like to learn.”
“There’s a young colt at the duchy. Once you can manage a horse on your own, I’ll allow it.”
Zeroth did his best not to frown at Sylvian’s face already showing signs of excitement from Emily’s suggestion.
He still had a long way to go before building the muscle necessary.
Could he even get on the saddle and hold the reins?
Zeroth figured it’d take at least a year of training before Sylvian could ride properly and so, agreed without hesitation.
“Lady Emily, I’ll work hard to learn how to ride.”
“I’ll proudly tell all my friends! That the Duchess is learning to ride so he can join our gathering!”
The two chatted away animatedly, drawing warm smiles from those nearby.
Sylvian sneaked a glance at Zeroth and stifled a laugh.
All that training wouldn’t go to waste.
As long as he could bond with a horse, he’d be riding solo in a few days.
In his previous life, he’d learned horseback riding as part of his formal education since childhood.
The viscount’s estate had no horses, which had always been a shame.
If it had, he could’ve at least pretended to be learning now.
Martius, on the other hand, had paid to take lessons at a stable.
“I really look forward to riding with you, Duchess.”
With a hopeful gaze, Emily finally took off like she was floating, rushing off to boast to her friends.
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
Countess Diacy was clearly delighted to have found a way to connect with the ducal family, letting out a satisfied laugh.
“It’s a great opportunity for you to learn, too.”
‘Perhaps I should teach him other kinds of riding while we’re at it.’
Zeroth, face composed, calmly imagined all the “lessons” he planned to enjoy with Sylvian.
* * *
