Chapter : 68
Hartun reached toward Ashil with a terrifying expression he had never shown in front of Eani before.
“Ugh!”
Ashil grimaced as he was suddenly grabbed by the collar.
“Hartun!”
Eani shouted in surprise, but unfortunately, Hartun didn’t hear her. His attention was entirely fixed on the young man approaching his woman.
“Who do you think you are, calling Eani by her name? Do you want to die?”
“I believe showing unnecessary hostility toward someone you’re meeting for the first time is inappropriate.”
“I asked why you dare call my fiancée by her name!”
“I had Eani’s permission to do so. Grabbing someone by the collar over such a trivial matter of address is also improper, as I’ve learned.”
Hartun’s brows furrowed deeply at Ashil’s answer. He tightened his grip on Ashil’s collar and whispered sharply:
“Trivial address? You’re a young brat who doesn’t even know etiquette.”
Among the empire’s nobility, people didn’t casually call each other by their first names. That was reserved only for family, friends, or lovers. Especially between unmarried men and women, using a first name could imply a desire to grow closer.
“I’m not the kind of man who lets a young brat call my fiancée by her name freely.”
A chilling, almost animalistic aura radiated from Hartun, sending shivers down Eani’s spine. She hurriedly tried to mediate.
“Hartun, stop! I told you Ashil is an important guest!”
But blinded by jealousy, Hartun did not loosen his grip. Seeing Hartun’s threatening stance, Ashil began gathering his magical power in his hand.
“Do not threaten me any further. I never spare those who do.”
“Too bad. I won’t hesitate to get my hands bloody either.”
An explosive confrontation seemed imminent—Hartun’s heavy fist swung toward Ashil just as…
“Hartun Felgos Seind—!”
“!”
At that decisive voice, Hartun’s punch froze mid-air.
Eani, seeing him stop, spoke in a calm, unwavering voice:
“Hartun Felgos Seind. Put your hand down immediately.”
Slowly—like magic—the man who seemed unwilling to relent released both his fist aimed at Ashil and his grip on his collar.
Ashil straightened his disheveled clothes and looked at Hartun and Eani. Eani, usually smiling leisurely, now regarded Hartun with an expressionless face, while the massive, beast-like Hartun sat sweating and unsure what to do.
“E-Eani… I… that was—”
“Have you already forgotten our agreement? I’m really disappointed in you.”
“No! I didn’t mean it! It’s just… he called your name too casually—”
“If it bothered you that much, I suppose I’ll have to observe etiquette in every little thing when addressing you from now on. Hartun Felgos Seind, Viscount.”
“Eani!”
The empire’s etiquette really was strange. Ashil crossed his arms, tilting his head in confusion.
‘Just moments ago he tried to kill me, and now he’s like a puppy caught doing something wrong.’
All over a single name.
‘The empire’s etiquette is so inefficient.’
A great mage, having drawn his own conclusions from this new experience, nodded to himself.
‘That was close.’
I breathed a sigh of relief internally and glanced at Hartun. He was quietly sitting beside me, keeping a cautious eye on me.
“Eani…”
Hartun looked at me nervously, squinting his eyes. I was about to respond when Ashil, sitting opposite, asked a question.
“Eani, how exactly does the magical flow work here?”
“Oh, that…”
I turned my attention from Hartun to Ashil and answered his question while examining the map he had handed me. Hartun frowned at Ashil.
‘Hmph.’
Though he immediately lowered his head and tail, he had been completely intimidated by my gaze. I quietly admired the effect.
‘Calling someone by their full name works remarkably well.’
All imperial nobles had middle names. Even among dukes and higher-ranking nobles, those with royal blood sometimes had middle names. Hartun’s full name was Hartun Felgos Seind. By convention, middle names were usually omitted to differentiate from the royal family, but sometimes used privately—especially when a child was being scolded by their guardian or tutor. Even as adults, hearing one’s full name could make them tense.
‘Even the strict Seind dukes rarely used Hartun’s full name.’
Ashil, unaware of imperial customs, could not understand why Hartun had gone pale from a few full-name mentions.
“Does this mean I shouldn’t call Eani by her name in the future?”
I smiled slightly at Ashil’s whispered question.
“No. I’ll explain everything to Hartun, so don’t worry. But you should be a little more careful from now on. Remember, as I said before, you only call each other by name when you’re alone together.”
“I understand. I guess I relaxed unconsciously because she’s your fiancée.”
Ashil packed up the resort map, a notebook full of notes, and some manuals I had given him.
“I understand everything you explained today. Especially about Rere—do I just follow what’s written here?”
“Exactly. She’s smart but gets lonely easily, so even if I’m away for a long time, make sure she doesn’t get depressed. She’s shy with strangers but really likes you.”
“That’s good. I like Rere too.”
Ashil smiled, stood up, and then seemed to remember something.
“Since this already happened… I’d like to keep using the familiar forms of address even when the three of us are together.”
“Huh?”
“Eani.”
He called my name and turned to look at Hartun. Then, with a confident voice, he added:
“And Hartun.”
“?!”
It was like payback, a sudden attack of titles. Hartun’s brows furrowed as if mortally insulted. Ashil smiled at him lightly and bowed his head.
“Well, I’ll be off now. You two have a good time.”
Ashil left cheerfully, leaving just the two of us in the office. I watched Hartun, who clenched his fists in shock, and shrugged lightly.
‘He’s managing to hold back his anger. Seems like he’s back to rational now.’
“Hartun.”
Hartun’s trembling face snapped toward me. He spoke cautiously:
“Are you… not angry anymore? I really was wrong before. I won’t do it again.”
“You mean that?”
“Yes! I’ll control my jealousy and won’t harm your guest again.”
Hartun looked at me with sincere eyes.
“So please… don’t call me like that anymore.”
I chuckled lightly and nodded. I wasn’t planning to call his full name often.
‘If it becomes too familiar, the effect wears off.’
So I would save it for urgent situations like today. Hartun himself was reflecting on his mistakes anyway.
‘Then it’s time to give him a little reward~.’
I reached out toward his cheek, and Hartun naturally rested his face against my palm.
