* * *

The thought that similar situations might occur at least 30 more times made his head throb.

“You must be tired. Please rest in your room for today.”

“…Understood.”

Isaac nodded obediently. Luinael seemed to mistake his pale complexion as a result of the day’s events.

‘Well, almost dying and being demoted to a baron is enough to shock anyone. If I were the real Isaac, I’d be throwing a fit by now.’

But he wasn’t.

He was just flustered by the shift in the story.

There was no way he could explain all this to Luinael, who knew nothing.

Following the steward’s lead, Isaac stepped into the estate.

“…!”

Upon entering, Isaac’s eyes widened again.

Even before stepping inside, the garden had amazed him.

Exotic plants, intricate sculptures, fountains, and topiary—this place was as stunning as the Imperial Palace gardens.

“Do you like it?” Luinael asked.

“Oh… Yes, it’s well-maintained.”

“We had to rush to prepare it since it had been neglected for so long. I’m glad you like it.”

“Haha…”

Luinael spoke shyly, and Isaac could only let out an awkward laugh.

The protagonist’s ascension to emperor had granted Luinael the title of Grand Duke.

Such titles were rarely bestowed, even upon imperial blood.

It showed how much the protagonist trusted his younger brother.

Considering how recently Luinael had received the title and this townhouse, the level of preparation here was impressive.

In comparison, Isaac recalled the townhouse of the villainous duke he had possessed.

Its dark and dreary atmosphere matched the character’s personality.

While it flaunted wealth with tacky statues and oversized leaves on mismatched plants, it lacked aesthetic sense entirely.

This place, though rushed, was paradise in comparison.

Isaac followed the steward inside, marveling at the surroundings.

“And this is?” he asked, glancing at the room they entered.

“This will be your room from now on, Sir Isaac.”

“……?”

In the spacious, elegant room, Isaac tilted his head quizzically. Something felt off.

“This room, by any chance…”

“Yes, it’s the room traditionally reserved for the Grand Duchess.”

“……”

At the butler’s reply, Isaac pulled a face.

Of course… No wonder this room didn’t feel ordinary.

Isaac looked around the softly yellow-hued space with a measured gaze.

Gold symbolized the imperial family.

If any noble family besides the Grand Duke’s lineage, connected by blood to the imperial family, dared to use such wallpaper, it would surely result in punishment.

Even within the Grand Duke’s manor, rooms adorned with gold were limited.

Guests would be too intimidated to relax in such rooms.

Naturally, only the Grand Duke’s and the Grand Duchess’s chambers could boast such decor.

“Does it not please you?”

Luinael asked with a worried expression.

Isaac quickly masked his displeasure and shook his head.

“No, it’s more than I deserve.”

“Not at all. If you wish, you can change it to your liking.”

“This is more than enough.”

Isaac was sincere.

For someone who knew nothing about interior design, meddling with a room this flawless would be a crime.

More importantly, he had no desire to spend time and effort redecorating.

“Then, please rest, Isaac. I’ll be in the office.”

“Oh… yes.”

“Well…”

“……?”

For some reason, Luinael hesitated, lingering in the doorway.

Isaac looked at him curiously.

“It’s… nothing.”

“Alright…”

“Ahem, I’ll see you later.”

“Yes…”

With a small cough, Luinael left the room.

Watching his slightly restless figure disappear, Isaac turned away.

‘Could it be… Did I just miss a chance to earn points?’

The thought startled him.

How long had it been since the genre changed, and yet he was already adapting enough to think like this?

He’d never even considered another man as a romantic interest before.

“Hah… Let’s calm down.”

It’s all because of that face.

It just threw him off for a moment.

Earning points was only to escape this genre and get out of here.

Isaac muttered under his breath as if trying to brainwash himself.

Knock, knock.

“Huh?”

A knock interrupted his thoughts, echoing softly in the room.

Isaac turned toward the door.

“Come in.”

He spoke in a naturally haughty tone, a habit ingrained from his time as a duke.

A moment later, the door opened, and someone stepped inside.

“My name is Noah. I’ve been assigned to serve you starting today.”

“Hmm…”

The young man bowed nervously, his head bent low.

Isaac’s gaze settled on his neatly parted hair.

“Um…”

“You said your name is Noah?”

“Yes, sir.”

Startled, Noah raised his head.

His freckled cheeks twitched slightly with tension.

Isaac found such reactions far more familiar.

Isaac’s original character was infamous for being a terrible person.

Many servants had fled, unable to endure his foul temper.

As a result, the duke’s manor had no shortage of attendants eager to avoid him.

Before entering this world, Isaac had been an actor, scraping by on minor roles.

With an unremarkable face and average acting skills, he’d never landed anything significant.

Yet he didn’t regret it.

Being an actor turned out to be a blessing in disguise after he found himself in Isaac’s body.

Acting was a skill he could now use to survive.

Especially with both the original novel and Isaac’s memories to guide him, it was easier to play the role.

Even if that role was a terrifying villain feared by everyone.

“I don’t need your service. You may leave.”

“Pardon? But…”

“I don’t like repeating myself.”

“Y-yes, sir…!”

Startled, Noah stiffened and bowed deeply before backing away.

Watching the young man hastily retreat, Isaac sighed and turned his head.

“Hah…”

He felt a bit sorry for the boy, but there was no helping it.

He’d never been comfortable with servants attending to him.

It would only lead to awkwardness on both sides.

This arrangement was better for everyone.

Finally alone, Isaac felt a sense of relief.

He reached for his cravat, which had been uncomfortably tight.

Loosening it a little, he could finally breathe.

As he leisurely began to undo the cravat, another knock interrupted him.

“……?”

Isaac frowned at the sound.

Didn’t he make it clear he didn’t need an attendant?

Irritation creeping in, he spoke up.

“I said I don’t need—”

“It’s me, Isaac.”

“……!”

The voice wasn’t Noah’s.

Startled, Isaac opened the door.

“Your Grace…!”

“May I come in?”

“Yes, of course.”

Despite saying he would be in the office, Luinael had returned.

Isaac found himself growing nervous under Luinael’s gaze.

No, to be precise, he tried to look at him.

It wasn’t easy to face that overwhelmingly handsome face without flinching.

Each time, it felt as if he was seeing it anew.

“I heard you dismissed the attendant.”

“…Yes.”

Isaac, who had been staring determinedly at the bridge of Luinael’s nose to avoid his eyes, responded a beat late.

Luinael’s concerned voice filled the silence.

“Did he do something wrong?”

“No, not at all.”

Isaac quickly shook his head and added before any misunderstandings could arise.

“I’ve never been comfortable with servants attending me. Even at the duke’s manor, I didn’t keep personal attendants.”

“Ah, I see.”

Fortunately, Luinael seemed to understand and nodded.

His calm gaze drifted to the partially loosened cravat.

“Still, it must be difficult to dress alone.”

“I’ve gotten used to it.”

Isaac answered nonchalantly.

In the beginning, dressing had been a nightmare.

Noble attire, even men’s, was notoriously elaborate.

Just tying and untying the cravat took forever.

But thanks to the original Isaac’s memories and his growing familiarity with the body, he’d managed to adapt.

“Then let me assist you.”

“Pardon?”

Before Isaac could react, Luinael stepped closer.

Startled, he froze and stared at him.

‘Ah.’

There it was again—his face.

* * *