“…Louis Franto?”

Baron seemed to pause for a moment when an unexpected figure popped out. Then, his face was getting stiff, and he seemed to be angry.

“That guy, Seira…”

“Duke Jeff,” Aven called the attention of Baron, who looked like he would attack Franto at any moment.

“The problem is, have you solved it?” he asked, “That mistake you mentioned about.”

Aven had watched the relationship between Baron and Seira for quite some time. It was probably him who noticed earlier that Baron had feelings for Seira. He knew that she liked Baron as well, and that she was quite generous with him.

Therefore, Aven was convinced – the mistake that disappointed Seira didn’t come from Baron himself.

“I’m saying this because I don’t think your apology is needed right now,” Aven added.

If someone in the Jeff family had insulted Seira and Askan, he thought nothing would go forward until he came and admitted his lapses personally.

And perhaps the opponent was Domina Jeff, who asked to meet Seira.

It was questionable whether the pure-blooded Jeff alpha, who became more rigid in her old age, could be subdued or persuaded at all. Perhaps the other alphas in the family had poured out their anger and came to see Seira immediately.

Baron, who was glaring at Aven, soon sighed and agreed, “Yes, I suppose so…”

“I’m glad you understand.”

Unlike a while ago, Baron seemed to have completely regained his usual composure.

“Thank you. I owe you a lot. Then I’ll go now,” he bid Aven farewell.

Aven bowed in courtesy, and watched Baron’s back as he walked away.

Even though Baron Jeff seemed to make Seira laugh the most, the choice was ultimately up to her. So, first of all, Baron turned his attention to solve the family’s affairs before interfering with Franto.

“Is he gone?”

“He’s gone.”

Knights who were scattered around the building to avoid the pure-blooded alpha slowly gathered.

“I heard that Domina Jeff went to the Marquis of Telon yesterday,” a knight said.

“She was with Olivia Tellon,” another whispered.

One knight lowered his voice as he suggested, “Should we investigate more about the details of what we talked about?”

Aven shook his head, and said, “I’ll meet Olivia Tellon myself.”

Not only Jeff but also Tellon were not easy opponents. It was better to move by himself, as the knights might get caught by the tail.

Of course, under the guise of coincidence.

* * *

It wasn’t until midnight that Seira and Louis’ talk ended. Contrary to Seira’s expectation that he would only lend a carriage, he naturally followed and sat across from her.

“If I knew you liked it, I would have given you a few more bottles,” Louis said to her.

She held an elongated box of wine with a happy expression on her face as she shook her head and said, “This is enough. I’ve drank a lot already. I will give this to Aven.”

Louis stiffened at her reply, “The Count Helford… are you two maybe lovers?”

“Lover? You’re my lover,” Seira laughed. “Ah! Not yet, right?”

“You look a little drunk,” Louis said with a troubled, toothy grin, “Count Helford will be angry.”

“Louis, excuse me. First of all, I’m not drunk,” she raised a finger, frowning at his earlier remark. “It’s hard to see him and me that way.”

“Why is that?”

“My Aven, he’s not supposed to be involved with me,” Seira said in a matter-of-fact tone.

“‘My Aven’… Come on.”

“Yes, my dear Aven,” Seira giggled as she repeated Louis’ words.

Her expression was that of a child giddy and high in sugar, but truthfully she was just an adult who drank more than she should have.

“How are you Seira as the Duchess of Askan? I’m sure you’re worthy more than just a Count Helford,” Louis commented.

Seira lifted her head up and nodded, “Yes, I am the Duchess of Askan. All I have is a precious lineage. Isn’t that what came for, after all?”

“Do you feel bad about it?”

“No, but it worked because I am the opponent,” Seira said with a drunk smug look, “Usually, you don’t approach the opposite sex that way, even if you have a different purpose. You should’ve at least pretended to be in love.”

“I think I’ve already told you that I fell in love at first sight,” he whined.

Seira clicked her tongue as she looked at Louis smiling softly.

“You need to be reasonable for me to trust what you say,” she scoffed, “Don’t do that to a girl you really want to date. There’s a good book about love and sex in the library. It’s called ‘The Essence Of A Marriage Proposal’, you should borrow it.”

“‘The Essence Of A Marriage Proposal’…” he hummed, “I’ll make sure to remember.”

Although she grumbled, Seira wasn’t really offended. It was thanks to his likable manner, which was neither excessive nor insufficient.

“Anyway, I look forward to your kind cooperation,” she told him.

“I am looking forward to your cooperation as well,” he answered back.

While the two exchanged conversations, the carriage reached Askan’s mansion in no time. When the carriage stopped in front of the main building, Louis got off first and held out his hand for her to take. Seira willingly accepted his help, since she had a precious box of wine in one hand.

“Thank you for taking me home,” she said.

“It’s just my pleasure.”

He kissed the back of her hand that he was holding.

“Go on now,” she shooed him away.

“I’ll see you go in,” Louis cocked his head in a cute manner.

Seira nodded, turned around, and then climbed the stairs towards the entrance. Even if she drank too much, her steps remained incredibly steady. Aven, who had been out to greet her the moment she arrived, was handed the box of wine from her hand.