-54-
“Tiana… when did you get here?”
His voice, calling my name slowly, was full of fatigue. I could feel his arm tighten around my waist.
“A little while ago.”
“Why didn’t you wake me?”
“You looked tired, so I was going to wait a bit. Are you okay? If you’re really exhausted, you can sleep more.”
“No… I’m fine.”
His soft breaths touched the nape of my neck as he leaned against me. As I gently stroked his hair, he glanced at the document in my hand and narrowed his eyes.
“That… did you read it?”
“This? I only read the beginning. It’s a report about the incident in Shinadelli, so I got curious.”
“You didn’t read the back?”
“No. I was about to, but you woke up right then.”
“I see…”
Watching him quietly stare at the document, I felt puzzled. What’s in the back? I stopped stroking his hair and reached for the papers, intending to turn the page, but his large hand blocked me.
“Lucious?”
“I’m hungry. Aren’t you hungry, Tiana?”
“Uh, I guess I am a little…”
“Then let’s go to the dining room.”
He naturally took the document from my hands and placed it on the desk, then suddenly picked me up. Startled, I wrapped my arms around his neck, and he let out a soft chuckle as he briskly walked out of the office.
“Lucious, put me down. I can walk on my own.”
“No. I want to carry you to the dining room.”
“But then everyone will see.”
“I don’t care. I only got to see you today. I don’t want to let go.”
“Lucious…”
He kissed my forehead and smiled tenderly. Seeing that he had no intention of putting me down, I let out a small sigh. There’s really nothing I can do when he’s like this. He’s been getting more and more affectionate lately… I like it, but sometimes it’s a little embarrassing when he acts like this regardless of the place.
We went down to the dining room and ate, receiving all the burning stares from the servants. Though I found it a bit annoying how he calmly ignored the gazes and ate as if nothing had happened, I could only sigh internally and let it go when he looked at me with those beautiful, sparkling golden eyes and smiled.
And just like that, the matter of the report he had blocked from me was forgotten.
A few days later. After breakfast, I helped Lucious get ready to go out.
I’d styled his hair or helped pick out his coat a few times before he left the house, and since he seemed to enjoy it, he started asking me to do it every morning lately.
I tidied his slightly messy hair and helped him into the coat I had chosen earlier. He smiled pleasantly and wrapped his arms around my waist.
“Thanks again today, Tiana.”
“It’s nothing hard. You look handsome again today, my dear husband.”
“I want to stay like this. I don’t want to leave.”
“Hang in there a bit. You’re going to Shinadelli again today, right?”
“Yes. I might be back a bit late today. Don’t wait, have dinner without me.”
“Alright.”
I nodded and attached a brooch to his coat. The twin sword design matched the black coat well. After making sure it was securely fastened, I looked up to find him leaning in for a kiss.
“You said you’re meeting Lady Garnett and Baroness Evitt today, right?”
“Yes, they said they’ll be visiting this afternoon. Oh, and thank you for talking to Baroness Evitt for me.”
After the tea party, I’d been exchanging messages with Lady Garnett and arranged a visit. I’d also coordinated with Baroness Evitt and managed to settle on a date faster than I expected. Apparently, Lucious had mentioned it to her, which helped things along.
I expressed my gratitude, and he shook his head.
“No need to thank me. You handled the conversation with the Viscountess well. Even if I hadn’t said anything, it would’ve gone smoothly. Seems like Baroness Evitt already heard from her and was preparing.”
“Really? Still, since you brought it up again, I think it’ll go more smoothly for me.”
“If it’s you, Tiana, you’ll do great.”
He kissed me again, and I lightly responded in kind. As we slowly parted, he looked regretful and kissed me once more before finally letting go.
These sweet mornings were starting to feel like a privilege of newlyweds. Eventually, we wouldn’t be “newlyweds” anymore, but I wanted to keep living like this with Lucious forever.
After sending him off, I went to the office. I had to prepare some documents for the upcoming meeting with Lady Garnett and Baroness Evitt in the afternoon.
I called for Warren and, with his help, worked on the contract draft. Things like investment amounts, my share, and how profits would be divided… Going over all of it gave me a headache. I’d done all kinds of work to survive before, but I never imagined I’d end up doing investment business.
Lucious had told me it was okay even if it failed, but since I’m doing it anyway, I wanted to do it properly. Especially with noble investments, I hoped to generate a decent return.
“Do you plan to use your real name for the investment business, Madam?”
“Well… I guess it wouldn’t matter if it came out, but maybe a pseudonym would be better? I don’t want to attract unnecessary attention.”
“It might be best to use a pseudonym for now. It will come out eventually, but since you’ve only recently returned to social circles, having people find out about your business activities too might be overwhelming.”
“That makes sense. Then what name should I use…”
Even if I used a pseudonym, if the investments succeeded, rumors would spread. Eventually, people would find out it was me. But if the Grand Duchy could shield me well enough, maybe I could keep it quiet longer than expected.
I picked up a pen and pondered what to write in the blank space for the business name. Maybe a variation of my own name? Clever people might figure it out. Then what name should I use… I wanted something meaningful, since this was my first business venture.
“Hmm…”
“Have you decided?”
After thinking it over for a while, I slowly wrote in the blank space: Anas Won.
A name made by combining Tiana and Lucious—simple enough that some might recognize it, but I intentionally chose a more unique last name. I used “Won” from my original name, Kim Ji-won, from before I transmigrated. I didn’t have lingering attachments to that life, but since I couldn’t use the name anymore, using it here as a tribute didn’t seem like a bad idea.
“No one in this world would recognize it anyway.”
“I’ve decided.”
“It seems you combined your and His Highness’s names. The surname is unusual, but it’s a good name.”
“Thank you. I wanted something meaningful. I’m only able to start this business because of Lucious, so I wanted it to reflect both of us.”
“I’m sure he’ll be pleased.”
Warren gave a warm smile, and I smiled back at him before finishing the contract. I spent the rest of the morning preparing the other related documents.
After a busy morning, I ate a light lunch and returned to my room to prepare, since Lady Garnett and Baroness Evitt would be arriving soon.
“Something neat and not too flashy, please.”
“Yes, Madam. I’ll match the accessories to the dress as well.”
Since this meeting was business-related, I thought a more modest and composed appearance would be better than something extravagant. The head maid soon returned with the chosen dress and accessories.
A deep navy dress paired with sapphire-embedded accessories. As expected, she had a good eye. I nodded in satisfaction, and she smiled proudly. Thanks to her and the other maids’ efficient work, I was ready in no time.
Knock knock—
“Come in.”
Just then, Warren opened the door.
“Madam, Lady Garnett and Baroness Evitt have arrived.”
“Alright. I’ll be right out.”
Perfect timing. I dismissed the maids and quickly left the room. As I reached the first floor, I saw the two guests entering and approached them with a smile.
“Welcome, Lady Garnett. Baroness Evitt.”
“Thank you for inviting us, Your Grace. This is my younger brother, Disen Evitt.”
“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Grace.”
“The pleasure is mine, Baroness Evitt.”
I held out my hand, and he grasped it with a slightly tense expression. Brown hair and red eyes—he resembled Lady Garnett, but I was surprised by his sturdy build. He was taller and more muscular than Baron Vien. I didn’t want to judge by appearances, but… someone like that likes floral tea?
Setting aside my unexpected thoughts, I led them to the parlor. Watching them glance around the spacious room nervously, I smiled gently and said,
“No need to be so tense. Please, make yourselves comfortable.”
“Thank you, Your Grace. I just… never imagined I’d actually visit the Grand Duke’s estate. It’s hard to calm down.”
“It’s just a place where people live, like anywhere else. Nothing particularly special, so feel free to relax.”
“Yes… but still, even from the entrance, the garden and the mansion itself were quite impressive. And the interior is just as beautiful. As expected of the Grand Duchy.”
Baroness Evitt kept murmuring in awe, while Lady Garnett gave him a subtle nudge—but her eyes were also darting around curiously.
“But… it feels different than I expected.”
“Different?”
“Yes. Of course, the mansion is beautiful, and the garden is impeccably kept—very fitting for the Grand Duchy. But the atmosphere… I thought it would be more rigid, but it actually feels warm.”
“Warm?”
I tilted my head. Warm? I could understand them expecting a stiff atmosphere, but warmth? That was unexpected. The mansion wasn’t decorated in bright colors; it leaned more toward calm, muted tones—more cool than warm.
Lately, we’d started incorporating some brighter decorations, but not to the point where the change would be noticeable yet.
He observed me quietly for a moment, then nodded slowly.
“I think it’s thanks to you, Your Grace.”
“…Me?”
Wait—he’s saying it feels warm because of me?
