Chapter 8
“…Arsen?”
“Eve, I’m here.”
Eve blinked in disbelief at the figure standing before her. It was Arsen—or rather, Charles.
Charles approached her with a gentle smile.
“How could you leave me behind? That’s just mean.”
“…How….”
“Hm?”
“How did you get here? I’m sure…”
You shouldn’t be able to come here. You never do.
“What do you mean how? We’re a married couple. This is an event for couples.”
“……”
Eve was visibly shaken by Charles’ sudden appearance. This didn’t make sense. This wasn’t like him at all.
‘Why on earth…’
Could he really be someone else?
“So, where did you say I was again?”
Stepping forward, Charles asked with a cheery grin, then turned his gaze to the woman who had claimed he was tangled up in another woman’s skirt.
“Well then, Countess Moreau? Care to repeat yourself?”
“P-Pardon? Oh, that, um…”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. But perhaps the Moreau estate should be re-investigated for its tax reports. After all, if the lady of the house makes such careless comments, who knows what corners they’re cutting with the taxes owed to the Emperor?”
“Wh-What?!”
“You do know, don’t you? The Duchy of Fontaine has the right to summarily judge nobles. Although, thanks to a certain wise lady, I’ve never had to use that right before.”
Countess Moreau turned deathly pale, sweat dripping down her face. Eve, just as startled, grabbed Charles’ arm.
“What are you saying, Arsen?”
“Eve.”
“A tax investigation? We don’t have the resources for that! It’s hard enough just managing the estate. If you’re serious, hand it off to another house or report it to the Imperial family!”
At Eve’s flustered suggestion, Charles simply smiled and murmured softly.
“As expected of you.”
Eve hesitated. That smile—it was somehow unfamiliar. In her previous life, Arsen had never smiled at her with such pure kindness.
‘This is strange…’
Standing up for her like this…coming here at all—it was all very unlike him. As if he were a completely different person.
‘…A different person? That’s ridiculous.’
She let out a dry chuckle and tried to dismiss the thought. But then she paused. After all, she herself had returned from death to the past. Perhaps nothing was truly impossible in this world.
Lately, Arsen really had been strange. As if…his soul had changed.
Meanwhile, Charles, now confidently in control of the situation, spoke boldly.
“Well then, everyone, please enjoy the tea party. We certainly will.”
With that, he gently led Eve away by the shoulder. Just before they exited, he turned and winked at Countess Dubois.
“Oh, right. Countess Dubois—about that necklace. My apologies. It didn’t mean anything.”
“……”
It was a statement that left no room for doubt: Eve had been telling the truth. Her eyes widened in surprise, but with her back turned, no one saw.
“Come on. You like tea, don’t you? Shall we sit over there?”
As Charles led her a little further, once they were out of the crowd, Eve pulled away from him.
“You can rest now. I’m going to talk with the Chancellor and try to connect with some influential people.”
“No need.”
“…Pardon?”
“The most powerful man in this country is already by your side. And probably…on your side, too.”
Eve frowned at his cryptic words. ‘What nonsense is he spouting now?’
“Right… Anyway, I’ll be going.”
She replied absentmindedly and quickly turned away to scan the room. One of the people she had wanted to meet wasn’t far.
As she walked toward them with clicking heels, she suddenly turned around, sensing something odd. Charles was smiling at her.
“…Why are you following me?”
“My wife is going, so I’m going too.”
“I told you to stay put.”
“How could I? What if you suffer another insult like earlier?”
“Too late. I already repaid it in full.”
“Well done.”
Eve was speechless. Did he even realize it was because of him she’d been humiliated in the first place?
‘He really is the same old idiot Arsen.’
The only reason he was paying any attention now was because of his…ahem…dysfunction. Maybe feeding him more eel would help.
She expected him to get tired and fall away soon, but Charles trailed behind her constantly. Someone even joked he was like a bee following a flower. Strangely enough, Charles just smiled calmly at the nickname.
And soon, whispers began to spread among the nobles: the Duke of Fontaine seemed to have changed. It was hard to believe, but he appeared to genuinely love his wife.
Eve, sensing the shift in atmosphere, wasn’t sure how to feel—should she be pleased or concerned?
“Oh, Duke Bonaparte!”
Her conflicted thoughts faded as her face lit up at the sight of the Chancellor, Duke Bonaparte. After all, her original goal for attending this tea party was to meet him and build rapport.
He was the Emperor’s closest aide, practically the one who had put him on the throne. That influence had earned him the position of Chancellor at a young age.
Eve wasn’t doing this for the Duchy of Fontaine. She wanted the nobles to stop looking down on her.
‘This is a good opportunity.’
Smiling, she approached Duke Bonaparte, but his expression darkened when he saw her.
Startled, Eve hesitated and greeted him.
“Duke, thank you for the invitation…”
“W-Why are you…?”
“Pardon?”
Eve was confused, but behind her, Charles stood smiling wickedly—at least, that’s how it looked to the Duke, who clearly recognized him.
‘Why is he here? I told him to stay out of things like this! And why is the Duchess with him? Or… is he with her?’
“Um… Duke?”
“Ah, y-yes, yes.”
Snapping out of it, Duke Bonaparte wiped his sweat with a handkerchief. Behind him, Charles silently mouthed “Hello” with a smug face. It was infuriating.
“My apologies, Duchess of Fontaine.”
“No worries. Are you feeling unwell? Should I call a servant? Or perhaps your wife?”
“N-No, I’m fine…”
This time, Charles mouthed “Be nice to her.” Be nice? To her? The Duke was dying inside.
“W-Well then, Duchess… shall we sit and talk for a bit?”
“Ah, yes. Thank you.”
As the two moved to a nearby table, Charles cheerily followed. Eve shot him a glare, wanting nothing more than to chase him off.
“I’ve been wanting to have a proper conversation with you. I heard you helped devise the new tax reform with His Majesty…”
“Yes, yes… Would you like some tea? It’s infused with alcohol. Apparently, it’s a trend in a neighboring country.”
“Alcohol?”
Alcohol in tea? Skeptical, Eve brought the cup to her lips—and her eyes widened in surprise.
“This is delicious!”
“Isn’t it? My wife learned the recipe.”
“The Duchess of Bonaparte? How talented she is.”
“Haha, yes. She’s beautiful, smart, strong-willed, and kind…”
As he spoke, Duke Bonaparte noticed Charles watching him with a chin on his hand and a slight, closed-lip smile that clearly said: That’s enough. In short: Shut up.
The Duke paused awkwardly, and Eve turned to look at Charles. He casually took her teacup and said,
“Don’t drink too much. You’ll get drunk.”
But Eve, being in a mood where she didn’t want to listen to a single word her husband said, snatched it back.
“I’ll decide that for myself.”
“Hm.”
Charles shrugged, clearly indicating he wouldn’t stop her. Even that smug calmness annoyed Eve, so she defiantly drank her tea.
“This has a truly unique and rich flavor. I’d love to learn how to make it sometime.”
At her request, the Duke nodded readily.
“Sure. If my wife allows it. She’s generous, so I’m sure she will.”
“That’s good to hear. I’ll make sure to speak with her later.”
Everyone in the Empire knew Duke Bonaparte adored his wife. If Eve wanted to build a relationship with him, she’d have to start with the Duchess.
After a few more cups, Eve stood up. It was time to leave. Charles, who had been sitting there looking bored, rose with her—until the Duke stopped him.
“Haha, Duke Fontaine. If you don’t mind, could we talk for a moment?”
“I’ve got nothing to say.”
“Please, I insist.”
“And why would I agree to that…?”
“Because of that.”
The Duke nodded toward Eve, who was already walking away. Noticing their gaze, she turned back and returned.
“Is something wrong? Did my husband do something…?”
“N-No, not at all. It’s just that we haven’t had a chance to talk, and I thought this would be a good opportunity. Earlier, I only spoke with the Duchess.”
“Ah, I see.”
Eve found it odd, but couldn’t refuse. At least, not without making it look like she was ignoring the Chancellor’s request.
Pretending to be warm, she tapped Charles on the arm.
“Alright, you two have your chat. I’ll take a short walk. I noticed the garden looked beautiful earlier.”
“Eve.”
“Just go and talk, Arsen.”
At her kind yet firm tone, Charles let out a small laugh.
“You’re the only one who speaks to me like this.”
“Of course. Like it or not, I’m your wife.”
“…That’s a bit of a shame.”
“……”
Well, it’s a shame for me too that you’re my husband! Eve turned away with a scowl and walked off.
