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A moment later.
The signed employment contract fluttered in my hand as I left the cafe.
A reliable aide stood beside me.
Just the presence of Wigg beside me made people part like the miracle of Moses.
'I'm glad I picked an aide with some bulk.'
As everyone slowly moved out of our way, a shadow blocked our path.
"Surely, you didn't dump me after not seeing me for a few days, did you?"
My eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected face.
"Letitia."
Why is Idris here!?
"Your Highness? What brings you here...?"
"I was passing by and a gorilla-like guy caught my eye, then I saw a familiar face next to him."
Unlike others who froze just by meeting Wigg's gaze, Idris overwhelmed him instead.
"Go, gorilla..."
Wigg seemed greatly shocked by the word 'gorilla' and mumbled, but he couldn't retort under Idris's pressure.
'He has a point to be shocked. There wouldn't be anyone daring enough to say that to his face.'
As I lightly patted Wigg's back, Idris gestured towards Wigg and asked.
"So, who is this?"
Idris's gaze towards Wigg was strangely cold.
'Wow, his acting is intense.'
He looks exactly like a man who caught his lover in a secret rendezvous?
While I was admiring Idris's acting skills, I noticed Wigg's hand trembling and answered.
"He's my aide. He just finished his final interview. Say hello, Wigg. This is Grand Duke Dellua."
"W-Wigg Sebastian, Your Grace. It's an honor to meet the Grand Duke."
"Ah, an aide."
Idris's expression softened subtly from before.
"Please take good care of Letitia in the future. She's too good for you in many ways."
"Y-yes, of course."
As the greetings and introductions concluded, murmurs began to rise from the surroundings.
"Isn't that Grand Duke Dellua? I can't believe I'm seeing His Grace in a place like this!"
"But who is that woman with him? Is she his hidden lover?"
A person who draws attention just by existing, without doing anything.
I was reminded again of what kind of person the man I proposed a contract relationship to was.
"Wait a minute. Isn't that the Duchess Farnese?"
In an instant, everyone's gaze focused on me.
I subtly pushed up my sunglasses, but people had already recognized me.
'I was constantly talked about in my previous life too, but I still wanted to prepare myself a little.'
I didn't expect the aide candidates to be so gossipy...
And on top of that, this handsome man suddenly appeared.
It was the moment I foresaw the front page of tomorrow's newspaper.
But now that it's come to this, I can't avoid it anymore.
I didn't want to avoid it either.
'This is the story I chose.'
It's the script I wrote, leading to the life I want.
It was time to step onto the stage.
I approached Idris, who was staring intently at me.
"Is your schedule for today over?"
Idris replied as if he had been waiting, taking my hand and kissing it.
"Yes."
Softly curving eyes, a smile lifting the corners of his lips.
He looked like a loving couple to anyone.
I could feel all eyes on us, but I naturally linked arms with him like an actress on stage.
"Then let's go together."
"Where?"
"On a date."
When I answered with a bright smile, Idris burst into laughter.
It wasn't acting, it was laughter as if he was genuinely enjoying the situation.
He escorted me instead of answering.
And so, finally.
The curtain rose on the revenge play.
After telling Wigg to come to work tomorrow, I closed the carriage curtains.
Soon, the carriage departed.
I was sitting next to Idris, conscious of people's eyes, but I moved to the seat opposite him.
Seeing this, Idris said.
"Why don't you get used to the seat next to me?"
"I just prefer talking while facing each other."
It was a nice way of saying that I was still uncomfortable with him.
Idris stared at me, chuckled, and changed the subject.
"I haven't heard from you since that day, so I was wondering when I should contact you."
"So you saw the article and made your move?"
"It seemed like the right time for me to step in."
"I should have contacted you first, I'm sorry. I had a lot of things to prepare. But thanks to having a sensible partner, it was less of a hassle."
If Wigg hadn't reported to the newspaper, I would have had to reveal the relationship with Idris myself, but he appeared at just the right time and solved it.
"Anyway, it's good that we met like this. I was thinking about when we should draw up the contract."
"Contract?"
"Yes, our contract. It's better to have a clear contract, don't you think?"
"I don't need to write it, I don't mind."
"What if I scam you, Your Highness?"
"That's possible. There were a few guys who actually tried to scam me."
Oh, there are crazy people who dare to scam the Grand Duke?
I was genuinely impressed by their recklessness but hesitated belatedly.
'Wait, they scammed the Grand Duke, but it wasn't in the news...'
I could guess what happened to them without hearing it...
Idris wore a languid smile as if he had read my thoughts and continued.
"But I don't think someone as quick-witted and clever as you would do something so foolish?"
That smile was somehow ominous.
I suddenly remembered something I had forgotten.
'That's right, this man... he was the villain in the original story.'
Of course, I decided to take his hand in this life, but his many infamous stories couldn't be entirely baseless.
'He's not an easy man after all.'
Seeing the ominous smile that returned to my casually thrown words, I snapped back to my senses.
I resolved not to show any weakness in front of this man, when Idris changed the subject.
"More than that, how about doing something about that title?"
"Title?"
"It's too formal to call your lover 'Your Highness'."
"Hmm, that's true. Then what title would be good?"
Idris answered with a smile as if he had been waiting.
"Just something ordinary... like 'honey'?"
I flinched.
Maybe it was because he said it naturally, or because I wasn't the one saying it, but I hadn't thought much about it.
But when I imagined putting that cheesy word on my lips, goosebumps instinctively rose.
Idris went even further.
"Or maybe something cuter like 'honey' or 'darling'?"
'...This man, he's enjoying my reaction, isn't he?'
I don't know what my expression looks like now because I haven't looked in the mirror, but it must be pretty funny.
But I have no intention of calling him what he wants.
No, I can't even bring myself to say those words while sober!
After thinking for a moment, I found a compromise and suggested.
"Idris."
The moment I said his name, Idris, who had been smiling slyly, stopped.
'...Was I too presumptuous?'
He is clearly a member of the imperial family, and this is just a play.
"I'm sorry, I was too presumptuous—"
"...Again."
"Pardon?"
"Say it again."
I looked at his expression, wondering if he was upset, but rather than being displeased...
It seemed like he was earnestly hoping for it, though that couldn't be the case.
After hesitating for a moment, I parted my lips again.
"...Idris?"
At that call, his golden eyes trembled slightly.
'Why that expression?'
No, more than that.
'Why does that look... feel so familiar?'
Just as that thought flashed through my mind.
Idris quickly composed himself and opened his mouth with his usual relaxed smile.
"Yes, that's what I want."
Before I could ask him more about it, the carriage arrived at its destination.
'I didn't even ask where we were going.'
Realizing this belatedly, I asked Idris.
"By the way, where is this?"
"I'm your lover now, aren't I?"
Idris, who had gotten out of the carriage first, held out his hand to me.
"I have to shower my lover with gifts to be considered a decent man, don't I?"
The place we arrived at was a famous boutique that I had been to before.
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