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Mikael flinched involuntarily as he faced Idris.
There was a vivid murderous aura in his golden eyes.
However, Leticia, whose eye level was different, didn't seem to notice the grim atmosphere and answered Idris's question.
"Ah, he's a staff member from the administrative office who will be helping with this bazaar."
Only then did Mikael, belatedly realizing, bow lightly but politely.
"It's an honor to meet you, Your Highness the Grand Duke. I am Mikael Hildes."
Idris's gaze became even colder as he looked at Mikael.
Unlike when he stammered when talking to Leticia, he didn't stammer when talking to him, though he seemed nervous.
He didn't like that attitude at all.
"Ah, so you're the young master of the Hildes family. I've often heard that your work ability is outstanding, so there's no need to worry about this matter."
"You flatter me."
"Then I'll leave it in your capable hands. I'm always a bit worried about Leticia's affairs."
It sounded like he was genuinely worried about his lover at first glance, but...
Mikael, who was facing Idris, knew.
That wasn't worry, it was a warning.
Mikael swallowed hard as he realized the meaning.
"I think the greetings and farewells are enough... Shall we go home now, Leticia?"
Those words were also directed at Leticia in the form of a question, but in reality, it was nothing more than an expulsion order to Mikael.
However, Leticia, who didn't notice the hidden intention, nodded obediently to Idris's words.
"Okay. I was about to leave work anyway."
Then, she gave a final greeting to Mikael.
"Then go safely, Sir Hildes."
"Ah... Yes."
Idris, who was watching the scene with dissatisfaction, took Leticia to the carriage before Mikael could even turn around.
He didn't like Leticia's smile towards Mikael.
Even though he knew it was just business courtesy and that Leticia had no feelings for him.
Once they got into the carriage and were left alone, Idris spoke.
"Leticia, it's best to be wary when working with that guy."
"Are you talking about Sir Hildes?"
"Yes, that guy."
"Why all of a sudden? Do you know each other?"
Leticia looked at him, blinking in confusion.
"You really don't know? That guy is..."
Idris, feeling frustrated, was about to reveal Mikael's feelings, but he closed his mouth at the same time as he met Leticia's eyes, who seemed to know nothing.
Then, he sighed and mumbled in a voice he tried to suppress.
"...Anyway. He's different on the inside than on the outside, so don't be too careless."
Leticia tilted her head, not knowing why Idris was so sharp towards Mikael.
'Is there anything to be careless about?'
He's a work colleague, so all I have to do is do my job well.
But Idris's strange behavior didn't end there.
That night, Leticia, who had returned to her room after taking a bath, encountered an unexpected person.
"Idris?"
Idris, who seemed to have just finished washing up as well, was waiting in front of the door in a gown.
"What's going on at this hour?"
Unless it was a special day, they usually had personal time after dinner.
It meant that it was unusual for him to visit her at this hour.
Leticia, who was puzzled, suggested as if she had thought of something.
"No, first of all... Would you like to come in?"
It wasn't polite to keep a guest, especially someone who was ostensibly her lover, standing and talking.
Idris, who came into the room with her, brought up an unexpected story.
"We're supposed to be lovers, but it feels like we're spending too much time apart, don't you think?"
"Hmm... That's true."
Both of them went to work during the day and were busy taking care of their own business in the evening.
And above all...
'We're not real lovers, so there was no reason to spend time together.'
But why is he bringing this up all of a sudden?
"The servants are starting to question our relationship. If this continues, it's only a matter of time before it reaches His Majesty's ears."
Leticia's heart sank at the mention of the Emperor's title.
"Then what do we do?"
"We'll have to increase the amount of time we spend together. We each have our own things to do during the day, so even if it's just in the evenings like now."
"Umm."
"What do you think?"
Leticia was lost in thought.
'This late at night, just the two of us?'
Even if Idris has someone else he loves, even if nothing has ever happened between us, that's a bit...?
And above all.
'I don't think I'll be able to concentrate on work if we're together.'
When she was with Idris, she naturally became conscious of him.
She didn't want to show him her weak or lacking side.
'But it's definitely a problem if we arouse the Emperor's suspicion.'
Leticia, who had been lost in thought for a moment, opened her mouth with a troubled expression.
"I think that'll be a bit difficult. I think I'll be too busy with the bazaar issue for the time being..."
"I guess that would be a bit uncomfortable, huh?"
It seemed like a bitter look flashed across Idris's face, but it quickly disappeared as he got up from his seat.
But why?
That broad back turning away looked strangely dejected.
It was as if she could see drooping cat ears on his head...
"W, well then!"
In the end, Leticia couldn't overcome a sense of guilt and grabbed Idris's arm as he walked away.
"You've come all the way here today... Stay for a little while."
He was right, they had been spending too much time apart for a couple.
'It'll be safer to spend time together occasionally to show people.'
If she aroused the Emperor's suspicion, not only Idris but she herself would be in trouble.
"Wouldn't it be uncomfortable? If I'm here?"
But Idris, who had initially suggested being together, asked again when Leticia grabbed him.
'I grabbed him, so I can't say no now.'
Leticia nodded readily.
"It's okay, make yourself comfortable."
It became awkward once they were left alone.
Outside, they pretended to be lovers to be conscious of other people's eyes, but this place was a space exclusively for the two of them.
There was no need to put on a show for anyone.
'Ugh, that's why I don't know what to do anymore.'
After hesitating for a moment, Leticia sat down at the vanity to dry her hair first.
Then, Idris's figure could be seen through the mirror.
He was wearing a gown, and so was she.
'Being like this makes us look like a newlywed couple...'
Of course, the reality was completely different.
Just as she was shaking her head at the thought that had unintentionally crossed her mind.
She made eye contact with Idris, who was leaning against the sofa and looking at her.
It wasn't like he could read her mind, but Leticia felt embarrassed and slyly averted her gaze.
Idris, who had no way of knowing her inner thoughts, asked Leticia, who was reflected in the mirror.
"Are you going to sleep after you dry your hair?"
"How can I sleep when I have a guest?"
"You slept just fine before?"
Leticia's hand, which had been brushing her hair, stopped.
It was because she realized that the "before" he was talking about meant that day when she was drunk.
The shame made her face burn as she recalled the forbidden memory of that day that she had temporarily forgotten.
"...I wasn't in my right mind back then, so can you forget about it?"
"You want me to pretend that hot night never happened? I'm disappointed."
Nothing even happened!
She still felt frustrated when she thought about how she had been fooled by his joke that day.
Leticia closed her mouth without answering, noticing that he was starting to get mischievous again.
'The moment you get involved, you lose.'
She ignored Idris's gaze, who was fully intending to tease her, and pressed down on her hair to wipe off the moisture. Then, before she knew it, a large hand grabbed hers.
"Shall I help?"
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