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Chapter 80

Meanwhile, at the Ernst residence.

"Y-you brat?!"

Count Ernst, startled by his son's sudden appearance, pointed at him—then caught himself.

"Ahem."

He'd momentarily forgotten he was with a guest.

Even if he often spoke ill of his son, he had his pride and didn't want to air the family's dirty laundry in front of a guest.

Composing himself, the Count spoke to Lucas in a measured tone.

"Lucas. It's been a while since you've come home."

But his son, oblivious to his efforts, was staring at someone else.

Right behind him stood the Duke of Valen.

Him?

Just then, the Countess, her eyes wide, approached them.

"Oh my!"

She quickly greeted Kayden.

"Your Grace, what an honor to have you visit."

"Thank you for your hospitality, Countess. I apologize for the suddenness."

At Kayden's polite greeting, the Countess covered her mouth and laughed.

"Sudden? Not at all."

She said this while pressing close to her husband.

Though she'd made light of it, the hastily arranged dinner had been quite a scramble.

On top of that, the two had arrived earlier than expected, and the meal wasn't yet ready.

To signal this, the Countess kept her smile as she called her husband aside in a small voice.

"Dear, could you come here for a moment?"

"Hmm?"

The Count, who had been about to introduce his son to the Duke, excused himself and followed his wife.

Meanwhile, Lucas offered a pleasant smile and greeted him.

"I'm Lucas Ernst. It's an honor to meet you, Your Grace."

He studied the Duke with probing eyes.

He'd expected to meet the Duke of Valen—Emilia's husband—someday.

But I never imagined it would be so soon, and at my own house.

Though this unprepared meeting wasn't entirely pleasant, Lucas had no reason to avoid it.

In fact, there was something he wanted to confirm with the Duke.

The Duke acknowledged his greeting with a blank expression.

"Is that so."

Unlike before, there was no flowery language in his reply.

Lucas's smile, which had been so smooth, twisted slightly.

He met the Duke's cold gaze and recalled all the praise his father had heaped on him.

Father, exactly where in this man did you see courtesy and composure?

---

Fortunately, the appetizers were soon served, and the dinner began.

"Haha, who would have thought His Grace would become a devoted husband like me?"

The Count said over wine.

"No—now I can't even show my face! Word has it you cleared out an entire dress shop!"

The Count had been deeply impressed not only by the Duke's surprise marriage announcement at the council but also by his subsequent actions.

Since such gestures were rare in high society, the Duke's unexpected side had been all the more welcome.

Just then, Lucas interjected.

"Did the Duchess like it?"

"What?"

The Count was the one who asked.

"After all, some people don't like such flashy gifts."

Lucas added innocently.

At that, the Count scolded his ignorant son.

"Fool! What woman wouldn't like that? Am I right, dear?"

"Of course. It's one of every woman's dreams."

The Countess laughed and seconded her husband.

"Is that so?"

Lucas shrugged as if he'd just been curious.

Turning to Kayden, he said.

"I hope I haven't been rude by asking."

Kayden, who had been looking at Lucas, answered a beat later.

"Not at all."

The Count clicked his tongue at Lucas with a disapproving look.

"That's because you've never shown any interest in women—you wouldn't know."

Lucas let out a pleasant laugh.

"I'm very interested, actually."

"Then why are you always cooped up in the palace?"

The Count scolded him as if to say don't be ridiculous.

"No, I really do have someone I'm interested in."

His tone was serious—no trace of a joke.

"What?"

"Oh my. Really, Lucas?"

Caught off guard by their son's unusual demeanor, the Count and Countess stared at him.

They'd completely forgotten about the Duke's presence.

"Who is it?"

"I won't believe it until I see for myself! Bring her here at once!"

"Ah, I can't bring her right away."

"Why not?"

"She has her reasons, so I'm in a position where I have to wait. I'm still courting her."

Lucas looked at Kayden, who was still watching him, and continued.

"But I'm confident I'll treat her well once she's mine. I think I take after my father—I'm bound to be a devoted husband."

Taking it as a compliment, the Count beamed with pride.

"Son, you've finally opened your eyes to love!"

Moved, the Count downed his wine.

But the Countess called him in an uneasy voice.

"Dear, that's enough. You get drunk off one glass."

But before she could stop him, the Count had drained his glass in one go.

And as she'd feared, his face quickly flushed red.

With blurry eyes, the Count looked at Kayden and widened his eyes.

"Ah! Forgive me! I'd forgotten what I wanted to discuss with you today, Your Grace!"

"...You needn't worry about it, Count."

"Still, I suppose Your Grace needn't worry either. Even if the Duchess had an old flame, they couldn't possibly compare to you."

The Count insisted, as if this were the most important point.

"Above all, once you're married, that's it! What can all those other men do now? Take me, for example—I beat out countless rivals to win my wife..."

"Dear!"

The Countess smacked his back before he could say more in front of the Duke.

"Ow, that hurts, dear..."

The Count rubbed his back with a sullen face.

"If you're going to act like this, get up! What kind of display is this in front of His Grace?!"

"B-but I haven't addressed His Grace's concern yet—!"

"That's enough. Zip it."

The Countess, having none of it, pulled him to his feet.

She gave Kayden an apologetic smile and said,

"I'm terribly sorry, Your Grace. He's had too much to drink. Would you mind if we took him out?"

"Please do."

Kayden readily agreed, then turned his gaze to Lucas.

"I suspect I'll find a conversation with your son quite interesting as well."

"Oh my, if you feel that way... Thank you for understanding. Lucas, please attend to His Grace."

With that, the Countess left with the servants, helping the Count out.

Silence fell over the dining room, now left with only the two of them.

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