Chapter 46
“…….”
However, Sonod couldn’t find a suitable reply. At the center of that conservative group stood the Quinton Dukes.
Although the Quinton Dukes maintained friendly ties with the Tarea Marquises, they subtly showed signs of looking down on Tarea.
Kady hadn’t forgotten Quinton’s hostess’s words at social gatherings: “As expected of someone in business, your calculations are quick.”
Sonod had smiled at that remark back then, too.
But now, apologizing for it would be utterly ridiculous. Besides, he had no intention of apologizing sincerely. Instead of a one-sided plea, Sonod decided to choose a more reasonable approach.
“Very well. Then let’s make a deal that suits a merchant’s interests.”
“A deal?”
Kady’s lips curved lightly as she chewed her fruit while looking at Sonod intently. But it wasn’t the same cynical smile as before—it carried a hint of curiosity.
“Yes. I’ll propose a deal where you won’t lose anything and that benefits you.”
She intended to leisurely sip her wine and watch how Sonod acted. But what came out of his mouth was unexpected.
“A deal that benefits me, you say? I’m intrigued.”
“……I’ll explain the details once we move to another room.”
Sonod glanced at the servants nearby as he spoke.
“Very well.”
Kady nodded cheerfully and rose from her seat. She instructed the attendants to prepare the tea set in the tea room.
She walked ahead, passing Sonod. The scent of wine and a subtle, pleasant intoxication filled the air, making her mood light.
It felt like the perfect time for an amusing story—something worth having as a side dish to accompany drinks.
＊＊＊
I had sent invitations to fewer than ten people.
It wasn’t even a grand ball, so inviting a crowd to a small tea party would have seemed strange. I sent invitations to ladies of my age and social standing, including the young lady of the Idnears Viscountcy.
The replies returned far faster than I expected. They all seemed eager to attend a tea party hosted by a duchess’s lady.
So I had my staff quickly prepare the tea party. These days, I barely had a moment to breathe.
How busy was I? Busy enough that I had to eat my meals in the study—barely nibbling on scraps of bread.
Once I finished some of the tasks, I went downstairs for lunch.
I had heard the chef had prepared a special meal for me, since I hadn’t been eating properly the past few days. Naturally, I was a bit excited.
“…….”
And then, I happened to bump into Apollion coming from the opposite direction.
He had been away from the Pontus Estate for a few days, occupied with work at the Lunatia Mansion. This morning, I had eaten in the study, so it had been a full three days since I last saw him.
A smile automatically appeared on my face at the sight of him. I approached him and spoke.
“It’s been quite a while since we last saw each other, hasn’t it?”
He took a deep breath and answered awkwardly, with a creak in his voice.
“J-Just three days.”
“Oh my, just three days?”
“…….”
“For newlyweds, three days is a very long time, you know.”
I cupped my face with my hands and said pitifully. I knew it was a terribly shameless line.
“…….”
As expected, Apollion stared at me, dumbfounded.
My shamelessness had grown in my absence, and without hesitation, I boldly continued.
“I thought about your face day and night.”
“…….”
“I even dreamed about it.”
“……!”
His neck flushed red. Trying to avoid my persistent gaze, he hurried into the dining room.
He seemed so flustered that his arms and legs moved in perfect sync. He was definitely a man who was fun to tease.
I swallowed a laugh and followed him into the dining room.
The moment I entered, the rich, savory aroma made my mouth water. It was so delicious-smelling that saliva formed instinctively.
We sat facing each other and began tearing into the meat.
I had wanted to elegantly show him how to cut the meat, but it was impossible. Pork ribs are not easy to cut with a knife.
Of course, the chef had made slight incisions to make it easier, but with bones, using a knife was still awkward.
The real pleasure of this dish was eating it with your hands. I looked at the bone-filled broth, only moving my lips in small nibbles.
This was hardly a dish for proper table manners.
I eventually gave up on the meat and eyed the side dishes. There was a salad tossed with vinegar and baked bread with cheese.
Even though it was supposed to be a nourishing meal, there wasn’t much edible.
I decided to forgo the meal and wiped my hands with a napkin, focusing my attention on Apollion.
He picked up food slowly, more deliberate than usual. Seeing him this way after such a long absence made me think he seemed slightly different.
I watched him chew the meat like a little hamster and opened my mouth.
“How have you been at the Lunatia Mansion?”
As always, I was the one to start the conversation.
Our interactions were always like this: I spoke first, and he replied.
Though this awkward, almost “blind date” style of conversation was uncomfortable, there was no way around it. He was shy and timid.
For the sake of my adorable little kitty, I was willing to accommodate him.
“Yes. I’ve been well.”
He set down his glass as he spoke.
But despite saying that, he looked quite fatigued. The hollows in his cheeks were visible beneath his mask, suggesting he hadn’t slept well.
“You look tired for someone who says they’ve been fine. Didn’t you sleep properly?”
“……!”
He stared at me, wide-eyed, as if asking, How did you know?
I had seen this countless times already. His pupils dilated and trembled at the slightest observation, but it no longer surprised me.
I continued calmly.
“When your sleeping environment changes, it’s naturally hard to fall asleep. I heard it’s been a while since you stayed long at the Lunatia Mansion, so it’s natural you couldn’t sleep well.”
“That… is so?”
“Of course.”
Especially for someone as sensitive as Apollion, it was entirely plausible.
He slowly nodded and drank the water—or rather, the yakwanmun—as if quenching a parched throat.
Though his pupils often dilated, drinking so much at once like soju was unusual. He clearly seemed to be hiding something he didn’t want to reveal.
Sure enough…
“Apollion, why are you using a knife to eat? Use a fork.”
“Huh? Ah… S-Sorry.”
Who cuts their tongue while eating?
His state was clearly abnormal compared to usual.
Today, there are so many questions I want to ask…
I wanted to ask about the social gatherings, the families he was close to, the core of imperial power, everything. But judging by his current state, it seemed impossible.
Did he read the book I gave him?
Above all, I wanted to know whether he read the book I had gifted a few days ago, and if he did, how he felt about it.
“Apollion, why are you scooping the soup with a fork?”
It seemed today was impossible for conversation.
＊＊＊
There were several reasons Apollion had gone to the Lunatia Mansion.
Preparations for the autumn harvest festival, inspecting the territory, monitoring the Caron Kingdom—
Since Lunatia Mansion was at the center of the duchy, it allowed him to handle matters that were difficult to manage from Pontus Estate.
And above all, it was an opportunity to be even slightly apart from Petunia.
If she knew his thoughts, she would have immediately grabbed him by the collar and shaken him, but Apollion had no other options.
All of this was because of that book.
Summer Forest. The title was fresh and innocent, yet it had betrayed him.
The book’s content could be summarized in just two words: “Do it.”
Dip your feet in the stream? Do it. Pick fruit? Do it. Lost in the forest? Do it.
It depicted the chaotic antics of a man and a woman in the summer forest.
For someone who had never read such a novel, it was mortifying and disorderly.
Of course, this was only from Apollion’s perspective—not Petunia’s.
But the most annoying and frustrating part was elsewhere.
He hated himself the most for secretly reading this scandalous book.
I can’t read any further…
Yet Apollion faithfully turned the pages.
He made a compromise with himself: only ten pages per day.
But whenever he read, he frequently broke his own rule. Initially, he had been shocked by the book, but over time, a strange curiosity began to arise: Which place will they… do it next?
The residual images of the novel would surface constantly, tormenting him.
That’s why he had recently increased his training sessions.
At least when he worked up a sweat, he could escape the constant visions.
If only that were enough.
The scenes from the book haunted his dreams as well, causing Apollion continuous anguish.
