* * *
“I’m at a loss because everyone has been so kind to me.”
Sylvian said this while making eye contact with each noblewoman in turn.
Those who met his gaze waved their hands dismissively, as if to say it was only natural.
Perhaps it was because of the warm room, the hot tea, or maybe even the charming and well-mannered duchess, but the noblewomen murmured about how unbearably warm the day was as they gently fanned themselves.
‘They’re certainly treating me like a proper duchess.’
As expected, these were the people carefully chosen by the Crown Princess-to-be.
“Would it be alright if I invited you all to the duchy next time?”
This must have been what they were all hoping for.
A few women covered their mouths in delighted surprise, laughter slipping through their lips.
“I’d love for you to come as well, Elizabeth.”
At Sylvian’s words, she brightened and responded without hesitation, “Of course.”
As their smiles met, a quiet groan came from somewhere in the room.
If I get close to the Crown Princess, they’ll all be desperate to attend any gathering I host.
Some might secretly look down on me for being a male omega, but outwardly, they’d bow to me in pursuit of power.
“I have something I’m curious about—may I ask?”
“What is it?”
“Marquis Karl helped me recently.”
At the mention of that name, the noblewomen’s movements stilled.
Though Sylvian had spoken softly, their reactions made him blink in surprise.
“Have you built a friendship with him?”
“He happened to offer me assistance.”
Elizabeth asked urgently, and even those engaged in other conversations subtly turned their ears toward them.
“I’d heard rumors that he was invited to the duchy recently, but so it was true!”
The Countess of Holt had bragged about it so much that everyone had turned green with envy.
“I’d like to return the favor. Do you know what the marquis likes?”
The previously lively room fell into silence at Sylvian’s question.
“Hmm… He’s not particularly picky.”
“Let’s see… His estate is always immaculate, and his attire is neat and modest. He doesn’t seem fond of anything too flashy.”
The noblewomen, deep in thought, answered with some difficulty.
Marquis Rooster was an impeccable man.
He always wore a pleasant smile and was known for his kindness, especially toward women and those in weaker positions.
There wasn’t a single person in this room who hadn’t benefited from his generosity.
“No matter what you give him, he will surely accept it with gratitude.”
Despite their reassurances, Sylvian still looked troubled.
“I’d feel guilty giving just anything.”
“When I gifted him wine, he said it was excellent and was very pleased.”
“Oh my, I did as well! I sent him a dessert wine, and he loved that too.”
Another noblewoman chimed in, mentioning her own experience of sending him a gift.
Though the marquis was kind, exchanging personal letters with him wasn’t an easy feat.
A high-ranking nobleman like him wouldn’t have the time to casually correspond with women.
At most, he maintained formal interactions to preserve relationships between noble houses.
“Most of us send him gifts as a token of appreciation for his kindness.”
“Yet he still takes the time to respond to our letters,” someone added, smiling fondly.
‘A man with impeccable self-discipline.’
Sylvian had smoothly introduced Karl into the conversation and was now attentively listening to the noblewomen’s chatter.
“Then I suppose I just need to avoid anything he dislikes. Do you happen to know what that might be?”
The women, who had been suggesting handkerchiefs, gloves, or brooches, now fell into contemplation.
After all, he had never once expressed dislike for anything.
Whatever he received as a gift, he would always wear or use at the next party or gathering.
Because of this, no one could tell whether he actually liked or disliked something.
No matter what he wore, he always carried himself with effortless perfection.
“Come to think of it, he’s never said he disliked anything. It’s rare to find someone without strong preferences, but Marquis Rooster is truly remarkable.”
A countess, who exchanged letters with him frequently, eventually concluded.
“As long as the duchess puts thought into it, he’ll accept any gift with joy.”
A perfect man.
Could such a person truly exist?
Sylvian nodded, acknowledging their words of gratitude for Karl’s help, and the noblewomen smiled in relief.
Once again, it seemed that Marquis Rooster’s kindness had earned him another admirer.
Of course, he was unmarried and had no fiancée, but he had gathered a devoted following.
What woman wouldn’t fall for a man as courteous and chivalrous as him?
They assumed it was only natural for the newly debuted duchess to be enamored as well.
“Is Marquis Rooster always this kind?”
“Absolutely! There’s no one as well-mannered and polite as he is.”
Another devoted admirer had revealed themselves.
“I was quite nervous at my first party, but he kindly escorted me.”
At her words, Sylvian chuckled and asked,
“Do you exchange letters with the marquis as well?”
“Thankfully, he was the one who wrote to me first….”
She looked at Sylvian with hopeful eyes. As expected, Marquis Rooster was the embodiment of kindness.
“Aren’t his letters gentle as well? Haha, most gentlemen write in such stiff and dull language, but the marquis is incredibly thoughtful.”
Gentle?
Where?
His letters were polite, yes, but not exactly engaging.
He often included passages from books he had read or mused about interesting research papers.
Where was the thoughtfulness and delicacy they were talking about?
Sylvian hesitated at the difference between their reactions and his own experiences but eventually nodded.
“It’s my first time exchanging letters with someone outside my family, so I’ve learned a lot from him.”
“There are some men who pretend to help but secretly expect something in return. But the marquis is nothing like that—he’s truly trustworthy.”
“That… happens?”
Sylvian carefully absorbed every word they said.
‘Even if I don’t know his true personality, he’s certainly built a flawless public image.’
Which only made it harder to figure him out.
The more he tried to uncover something, the better hidden it seemed to be.
And he didn’t have much time left.
The Countess Holt had recently written that her son would be arriving in the capital for winter break.
The story was finally aligning with the original plot.
With Zeroth trying to impregnate me, I can’t afford to remain in the duchy for much longer.
Sylvian laughed pleasantly at their conversation, responding to each remark with just the right expressions.
Even by simply listening, he could grasp the broader picture of the capital’s social circles.
“I heard Viscountess Nertian has been unwell. Is she alright?”
One noblewoman hesitantly asked, glancing around.
Viscountess Nertian despised women who flaunted expensive clothes and flirted with alphas.
She respected Elizabeth, as she was soon to be the Crown Princess, but she couldn’t extend the same courtesy to the duchess.
“Oh… I heard so as well.”
At the mention of his mother, Sylvian’s expression dimmed.
Elizabeth subtly signaled the noblewoman with her eyes.
“I wanted to visit, but she declined, saying she was fine….”
His voice trailed off, and his eyes glistened with unshed tears.
The noblewomen looked stricken, unsure of what to do.
“She’ll recover soon. My husband spoke to the viscount, and it seems she’s just been feeling lonely.”
“Of course. It’s common for parents to feel empty after their children become independent. I went through the same thing. But we don’t want to burden our children with our worries….”
The women sympathized, gently comforting Sylvian.
“Thank you for your concern for my mother, madams.”
* * *
