“To be honest, I had thought of a date course because this is my first relationship.”

Though their conversation originally started on date courses, it had ended with erotica. At that, Aidan responded: “It appears I was impolite.”

“No, not at all! I enjoy spending time inside far more!”

“…….”

He started to get used to Vivian’s sudden declarations.

“Since black hair isn’t common, if the hood were blown off by coincidence while we’re walking around, it’s likely we’ll become swept into a storm of annoying situations. For example, people screeching, moving chaotically about, begging for their life, or sudden attacks…….”

“Ah, now that I think about it, that is so.”

“I think it would be best if we didn’t walk around outdoors.”

It was understandable there would be some trauma when they walked about outdoors in such a situation. That is if one assumed that the rumors that surrounded the Black Grand Duke were false.

Should the rumors be true, then that would be the same as to save a thief from the gallows. That would be a rather despicable result.

Vivian, who’d heard Aidan’s words, made an ambiguous expression. He made an annoyed face as though he’d truly imagined the situation.

“And there’s that too.”

“What?”

“Wouldn’t you be fatigued? Not only do you have to work as a night librarian, but you also have to work on your writing, so your night and day would be switched. Rather than walking about, I had judged it would be better for you to rest properly at my estate.”

In reality, when he had come to find her, she was asleep at the counter. Vivian didn’t bother to hide her surprise at his words and nodded her head.

To be honest, by now, she would have returned to her house to wash up roughly and fall asleep. Her lifestyle was rather irregular and her day and night changed often, but since it was mostly nocturnal. As a result, she was rather awake when night came.

Vivian felt the few knots in her heart untie at his meticulous generosity.

“Your Highness.”

“You may call me Ray. After all, it’s my childhood nickname.”

“Childhood nickname?”

Was she truly allowed to call the Royal Family by their childhood nickname as she pleased? Vivian after a moment of hesitation supposed it was acceptable because they were lovers, even if it was by contract, and nodded her head. After all, she, too, didn’t care too much about such details.

“Then Ray. Are the rumors concerning Ray true?”

“I wonder.”

He avoided her question again. Would it place him in a sticky position if it became known? Vivian narrowed her eyes and searched him before she scratched the back of her head and sighed.

She was steel-hearted enough to write notes on his Highness, the Emperor’s intercourse if would help write her work. After all, even her relationship with the Grand Duke was all for the content of her novel and she doubted he’d kill her over it.

Even if those rumors were true, to have come this far, the milk had long been spilt. Given that she’d stepped foot into his territory, she could only hope that he wouldn’t eat her alive.

Of course, it was always a viable option for him to eat her in a different way!

While Vivian had been lost in her thoughts, Aidan peered outside the window and spoke. “Ah, we’ve almost arrived.” At his words, Vivian shifted her gaze. Just as he said, they were near an estate.

She was unsure what kind of reaction she was supposed to express. She was certain she’d seen a scene like the landscape in front of her eyes. For example, the kidnapped princess would be imprisoned in the towers of the castle, like one of the witch castles guarded by a dragon…….

As the landscape that seemed far from reality drew closer, Vivian murmured in a stunned voice, “It’s as if it had popped out of a story.”

She had done her best to softly tread around her true sentiments. In reality, it wouldn’t be odd if something like a demon lord was summoned and appeared in front of her eyes right now. At that, Aidan responded, “It had always been my dream to live at an estate like this since I was young.”

“For what reason?”

“Because it’s hard for others to approach.”