Chapter 41
Edmund raised one eyebrow and looked at me as if asking what I was talking about.
“No… It just seemed that way?”
“Are you talking about me? In what way?”
Edmund frowned deeply and coldly refuted. Well, that made sense. Being dragged to watch an opera wouldn’t put him in a good mood.
Edmund slowly pushed the opera glasses toward the stage. Naturally, my head turned in that direction.
“It’s about to start. Enjoy looking at your beloved handsome man as much as you want.”
“Saying it like that makes it sound like I have an extreme fondness for good-looking people.”
“Then are you saying you don’t?”
“I meant that I was hoping you’d keep that secret all the way to the grave.”
Ha. Edmund’s lips curled slightly.
Soon, the theater grew darker, and the sound signaling the start of the opera was heard. We quietly watched the performance.
The actor, famous for his stunning looks, wasn’t quite as dazzling as the rumors suggested. He was just… moderately handsome?
‘Or is it because of this person?’
I glanced at Edmund in the dim stage lighting. He rested his temple on his hand, legs crossed, watching with disinterest.
For ten minutes, he had maintained the same posture without moving, his sharp features remaining indifferent.
If I had watched this opera before meeting him, I probably would have come back multiple times just to feast my eyes.
Because I kept sneaking glances at Edmund, I only managed to focus on the opera in the second act.
When the performance ended, we avoided the crowded main hall and exited through the building’s back door.
The grand carriage of the Mipedian ducal household was already waiting.
Now that I thought about it, since Edmund’s title had changed, I needed to adjust my way of addressing him.
As I took his offered hand to step down, I spoke.
“Thank you, Duke.”
Edmund’s hand twitched. At the same time, our eyes met, and his gaze was sharp with displeasure.
“What? Duke?”
Edmund scowled in disgust.
“It’s unbearable. Just call me as you always have.”
“But I can’t call you Count anymore. Should I address you as Your Excellency?”
“No need.”
Geez, he doesn’t like anything. Does he not want to be called at all?
As Edmund escorted me down the steps, I tapped my chin with the end of my fan.
Hmm, what would be good then? I rolled my eyes before suggesting,
“Edmund?”
“……”
“How about that?”
Just as he was signaling the coachman to move aside and opening the carriage door himself, Edmund hesitated. His pupils wavered slightly.
He parted his lips as if to say something but then quickly turned his head away.
“That also feels… a little awkward.”
I noticed the tips of his ears were tinged with pink. He’s still so shy. Then, I suppose there’s no other choice.
“How about Lilien’s little brother? Or just ‘Little Brother’ for short?”
It might sound improper and somewhat lacking in dignity to others, but this was our personal agreement. Of course, I’d have to be careful in front of others.
Hmm. Edmund looked back at me and nodded decisively.
Phew. Finally got his approval. I felt relieved, like I had cleared a backlog of work. Smiling brightly, I lightly patted his chest.
“Alright, then, Little Brother.”
Edmund immediately gave me a look filled with utter contempt.
Did we just time-travel to winter? The air around him turned chillingly cold.
“Where… do you think you’re touching?”
Ah. Right. He doesn’t like casual physical contact.
I quickly withdrew my hand.
“Sorry. You must hate things like this.”
“Don’t make it sound like I’m inflexible. This is all because you—”
“Because I what?”
Edmund abruptly shut his mouth and turned his head away again.
“…Never mind.”
“‘Because I—’ what…?”
Because I what…?
A sudden realization struck me like lightning. My eyes widened.
“Hurry and get in.”
Edmund urged me to board, but I stared up at him, dumbfounded.
“Hah. Did you just say… I was groping your chest?”
I was so baffled that I let out a disbelieving chuckle.
“What nonsense—!”
Edmund, who had started to snap at me, rubbed his reddening face when our eyes met. He let out a deep sigh, his broad shoulders rising and falling.
“Were you really about to say that I was fondling your chest?”
“Enough. Let’s not waste time with pointless arguments.”
Now that he had calmed down, he looked back at me with a more composed expression.
I narrowed my eyes. No, this wasn’t right. He was falsely accusing an innocent person of being a pervert and just wanted to drop it?
“I should be the one who’s flustered from being misunderstood.”
“Do you think you’re as flustered as I am?”
“For the record, I wasn’t groping anything. I don’t even touch my own chest.”
“Who asked to know that?”
A crack appeared in Edmund’s normally composed face. He realized I was subtly teasing him.
I hid my twitching lips behind my fan.
To be honest, I had figured out the misunderstanding midway through the conversation, but his reactions were so amusing that I couldn’t help but mess with him a little longer.
“Haa… Let’s just stop here.”
Edmund sighed deeply, as if holding back frustration, and reached out his hand to me.
Before he got any angrier, I decided to let it go. The misunderstanding was cleared, after all.
Though I was very curious about what would have come after “chest feeling tight—,” I refrained from asking further, worried it might provoke him.
I nodded in thanks and took Edmund’s hand as I stepped into the carriage.
Soon, our carriage departed.
As we passed through the city, I watched children running in front of stores, lovers whispering on park benches, and middle-aged gentlemen leaving flower shops with bouquets.
As I soaked in the peaceful daily life outside, a lazy smile spread across my face.
Edmund, who had been skimming a newspaper in the carriage, handed it to me.
“It’s all about you. Did you know?”
Of course, I did. The imperial newspapers were full of my stories today. That’s why we left through the back entrance to avoid attention.
I took the newspaper and skimmed the headlines.
[After four years of sorrow over her husband’s affair, Countess Buell appeared in public for the first time since the scandal. Reports confirm her feud with Viscountess Dien, as she was seen isolated at the banquet. Meanwhile, as she announces her intent to divorce, public scrutiny over the will and inheritance has intensified… In addition, allegations of tax evasion against Count Buell have surfaced, prompting an imperial investigation into his office on the Nth of this month…]
I folded the newspaper and tucked it away, running a hand through my hair with a bright smile.
‘Ah—finally.’
I felt completely refreshed. As soon as the will surfaced, I could pressure Devon into signing the divorce settlement. Then, it would truly be over.
I leaned back, humming contentedly.
Edmund glanced at me and spoke.
“Is the divorce proceeding as planned?”
“Of course. All thanks to you, Little Brother. I truly appreciate it.”
“If my sister enjoyed the banquet, then I consider it a fair exchange.”
I started to feel a bit sorry. Lilien hadn’t enjoyed the ball at all—instead, she’d spent the evening chatting with me out on the terrace. It wasn’t until the crowd had thinned out that she returned to the ballroom. Edmund probably hadn’t noticed, surrounded as he was by high-ranking nobles and knights who admired him.
When I gave a vague smile instead of answering, Edmund lowered his eyes and spoke.
“What I wanted… was for my sister to have a good time.”
Of course. Connections and status were secondary. None of it mattered if Lilien wasn’t happy.
“Her personal maid told me,” he continued, “that she looked happier than ever before.”
Edmund slowly lifted his eyelids. His sharp, clear golden eyes looked straight at me.
“She’s grateful to you.”
His calm voice held no edge, no hint of suspicion—just sincerity. That alone brought a smile to my face. He might still distrust and be wary of me, but for the first time, I felt reassured that he wouldn’t harm me.
We’ve gotten pretty close, haven’t we?
With a warm heart, I smiled gently and spoke.
“If you’re thankful, then finish your sentence from earlier—the one that started with ‘My chest feels so—’”
“Seems like you want to walk back to the mansion.”
The sharp edge immediately returned to Edmund’s expression, and I had to stifle another laugh.
Heh heh heh. Heh heh heh.
As I let out a villainous laugh like the antagonist in some superhero movie, the Tower official gave me a look like I’d lost my mind.
Didn’t matter. I had the proof of authenticity for the will in my hands.
“Thank you for your work,” I said sweetly, and as soon as I left the Mage Tower, I slipped the document into my artifact for storing papers.
I had bought the storage artifact using the leftover money from selling my furniture—after paying Rainbutton for his help. It was as sturdy as reinforced glass, impossible to break, and even had tracking features, making it hard to lose. On top of that, only the person listed on the document could view or duplicate it.
Totally worth the money.
I’d rest well today and visit Devon tomorrow afternoon to pressure him mentally and get his signature on the divorce agreement.
With a bright smile, I followed the coachman’s lead and climbed into the carriage.
Just then, the coachman hesitantly approached. Rail was a new hire from a few days ago, but they had confirmed his identity, so I’d been told I could trust him.
“Countess, shall we use the portal of the Mipedian Duchy?”
