KYDC chapter 23

After the briefing, which I hadn’t really cared to hear, that there were plenty of ways to secure a successor if that was truly a concern, Hernan’s attitude became even more blatant.

However, he never crossed a certain line, so it only continued to get on my nerves.

This moment was no different.

“……”

As I let out a short sigh, glancing at the door before turning my attention back to the documents, Hawthorn, who was organizing the materials by sections, started sweating profusely and finally spoke up.

“Um, my lord…”

Interpreting Hawthorn’s expression, it was clear he was pleading, ‘Could you please just tell him to leave?’

With another deep sigh, I finally set my pen down as if I was giving in.

“Let him in.”

Before Hawthorn could even deliver the message, the door creaked open.

That infuriatingly beautiful face peeked through the crack, cautiously stepping into the room.

“I told you to let him in. I didn’t say to invite the Duke in.”

“I couldn’t possibly dismiss even the smallest request from Lord Everdeen.”

How ridiculous. It’s like talking to a brick wall—what does he even hear? Ignoring him with a blatant indifference, I asked.

“And what is it this time?”

At my blunt question, Hernan carefully presented a small box containing a dish.

On the plate was a dessert made of sweet berries, marinated in floral syrup, only cultivated in a very few parts of the South.

“It’s pudding with Meringue Berries. I marinated the berries so they’re tart yet not too sour, just perfect for your taste, Lord Everdeen.”

The sweet and fresh scent of the berries tickled my nose.

Being from the most powerful family in the North, the taste was guaranteed. I quietly swallowed the saliva that pooled in my mouth and replied.

“Leave it. I’ll meet you in the study for the business report at five.”

My cold and assertive attitude left Hawthorn trembling awkwardly, not knowing what to do.

But the Duke, who was the one being treated coldly, remained unfazed, unlike poor Hawthorn, who, though not a noble himself, had every reason to fear for his life at the whims of the noble he served.

“If you’re finished, please leave. You’re interrupting my work. Or were you not serious about the importance of the development project?”

Even at my blatant sarcasm, Hernan maintained his composure, smiling as he replied.

“Understood. I’ll have someone fetch the empty plate.”

It was as if he was certain I wouldn’t be able to resist eating it. And despite glaring at his retreating figure, I knew he was right.

One of the things ingrained in me since childhood, as the son of a restaurant owner, was to never waste food.

Of course, this wasn’t about eating leftovers from guests—hygiene was fundamental.

Knowing how much effort went into making even the smallest side dishes, I couldn’t bring myself to waste good food, unless it was utterly inedible.

And this wasn’t inedible, nor was it poisoned. There was no way I could just throw away something so delicious.

“Ugh…”

I considered giving it to Hawthorn instead. I even offered, but he was so terrified he refused as if his life depended on it.

Not that I couldn’t understand.

Though Hernan seemed more like a persistent child than anything, he was still one of the top three obsessive male leads of a certain platform.

Couple that with the rumors he spread about being a ruthless and merciless Duke, and it was no wonder Hawthorn was so on edge.

Despite my lengthy excuses, I couldn’t bring myself to discard the pudding with its syrupy sheen.

Taking a deep breath, I set the documents aside and pulled the plate closer.

The pudding quivered and shimmered as I did.

I’d better finish this quickly.

I dug a spoon into the pudding, and as it melted in my mouth, the soft custard mixed with the rich cream, and the juicy berries burst, spreading a refreshing flavor that blended with the sweetness of the milk.

It was delicious. Not just a cliché “delicious,” but genuinely so.

The crumbly flakes baked to a crisp added a nutty flavor, making it as good as anything served at the Ever Paradise.

“…It’s good.”

Even though I grumbled, I had to admit it.

Damn it.

As annoying as it was, Hernan knew exactly how to get to me. It was more like hunting than courting.

“Sigh…”

It seemed Hernan remembered, in passing, that I mentioned liking desserts and sweet things.

Did he really have nothing better to do?

For days now, he’d been sourcing rare ingredients from the South, bringing them to my office every day.

But marriage isn’t a child’s game.

Does he think feeding me tasty things can make up for all the bitterness I’ve swallowed so far?

I’m neither a fool nor simple-minded, and Hernan’s motives for doing all this were becoming increasingly unclear.

Hmm… Not that there weren’t any plausible reasons…

“It must be that.”

Though my family business had been stable for over a century, it had never grown beyond a certain point.

My ability to expand it explosively and distribute local specialties nationwide was likely the main reason he was interested.

He’s a scary guy…

To think he’s willing to swallow his pride and even resort to seduction for business gains—he’s definitely not normal.

But then again, whether for that reason or not, he’s definitely not normal.

To get rid of Hernan, I’d have to convince him that he could still benefit the estate without resorting to such tactics.

After finalizing the site selection report, I headed to the study, bracing myself for the tension ahead.

“I’m here to report.”

Though I barged in without so much as a greeting, Hernan showed no sign of displeasure and responded.

“Have a seat. I’ve been expecting you.”

I made no effort to hide my discomfort.

See?

A mere Viscount acting so rudely to a Duke without even batting an eye—it was not something an ordinary person could do.

“Then, let me begin with the first survey site. Of the five locations you suggested, Murk offers the most stable water supply, making it ideal for handling wastewater from the facilities.”

With so much material to discuss and decisions to be made, I had no choice but to spend at least two hours a day face-to-face with the Duke.

It wasn’t like I had to hide my feelings, and after all, this was work. It was easier than convincing a room full of stubborn old men of the necessity of an investment, but there was one problem I hadn’t anticipated.

“However, while the transportation is convenient, making it easy to attract customers, there isn’t much in the way of tourist attractions, which could be a drawback…”

“Please, continue. I’m listening.”

And who do you think is making me lose my train of thought?

I picked up the stack of documents and smacked it against the Duke’s shoulder, raising my voice.

“What exactly are you doing?”

“What do you mean? I’m just listening.”

Resting his elbows on the desk and propping his chin on his hands, the Duke was staring at me so intently that it made my face flush.

“Could you please cover your face? I can’t focus with you staring at me like that.”

“You should be honest. It’s not that I’m staring, but that you like my face. You’ve never been one to lose your words just because someone looked at you during a business presentation, have you?”

I had no rebuttal, but I was in a bad mood.

Objectively speaking, Hernan did indeed have a face that was more beautiful than average.

And I had an exceptionally keen aesthetic sense, so irritatingly, whenever I looked at that guy’s face, I felt like I was under some kind of spell and kept making foolish mistakes.

“Just look somewhere else or cover it up.”

In response to my demand, the Duke reluctantly lifted the cover of the document to hide his face.

It was absurd that he was doing it just because I told him to. I was so taken aback that I was momentarily lost for words.

“Is it a problem that I did it because you told me to?”

From behind the thin paper, Hernan muttered as if he was aggrieved.

Was this the kind of obsession a person could have?

It was a situation that made me laugh bitterly, and it was clear that something was seriously wrong with this guy’s head.