Chapter 5

She wondered if it would be okay, but for once, Eve meekly nodded her head.

“Okay. Anyway, what brings you here?”

Eve was curious why the Count came to her in person after a month of marriage. She checked the time again. She couldn’t be late for the lunch appointment.

“I have something to tell you about today’s lunch.”

Eve frowned at the Count’s answer this time. This was the only reason the Count had come to visit Eve so suddenly. The only thing that was different from Eve’s schedule today was lunch with the Duke.

“Are you talking about lunch with Azazel?”

“Yes.”

The Count’s face hardened. Judging by the look on his face, he didn’t seem like he was trying to say anything good.

“If you don’t want me to attend, then……”

“No, I’m here to tell you that you must attend the lunch with my son.”

If I wasn’t going to attend the lunch, I wouldn’t have dressed so elaborately, so it was a useless request. And if he was going to tell me to attend, he should have come a little earlier, not right before lunch.

Displeasure arose, but Eve didn’t express it because the Count’s expression referring to his son was extremely unpleasant. Count Hound and his son didn’t seem very close.

It was not uncommon for nobles to be estranged among their families, but if that was the case, then the Count’s request was odd. If they didn’t get along, why should Eve attend the lunch?

“May I ask why you have to be with us at lunch?”

Count Hound, who was silent for a while as he thought that as long as Eve lived in the Count’s mansion, it was something she would find out someday—finally said, “……there is another reason why I married you. His Majesty the Emperor wanted me to remarry.”

Dane raised one corner of her mouth. “I want to prove to His Majesty that the marriage I decided on my own was not as bad as expected. There is no other way than through Azazel because he is the eyes of the Emperor.”

Why did the Emperor persuade his granddaughter’s ex-husband, the Count of Hound, to remarry? And why did the Count Hound try to go against the emperor’s plans?

It was clear that there was something going on, but Eve decided to not care about that. Apart from her curiosity, it wasn’t even the information she needed to know.

Instead, Eve decided to check the information that is essential to her right now. “You don’t like Azazel that much, do you?”

“It’s none of your business.”

In response to the Count’s cold reply, Eve asked calmly, “Then, is it okay if I sit in neutral without taking anyone’s side? I’m sure there will be conversation at lunchtime.”

She wasn’t curious about the Count’s personal circumstances, she just wanted to know how she should behave at the lunch today.

“You don’t have to say anything.”

Realizing that the Count was very sensitive in matters related to Azazel, Eve decided to refrain from talking about Azazel in front of him unless it was absolutely necessary, in the future.

‘He is a rich man on bad terms with his own son, he must be tired.’

Fortunately, the maid said that Azazel had a wanderlust. Eve tried not to provoke the Count, who stood still.

“Okay, then I’ll just say hello and be quiet.”

“Okay. By the way, today……”

Eve tilted her head at the Count who looked at her with a somewhat enthusiastic look.

“I like how you look today.”

“Pardon?”

“The first time I saw you, I said that you weren’t as beautiful as the rumors. But your eyes are different today.”

“Haha.”

The Count didn’t hesitate in evaluating Eve’s appearance. Even if Eve wasn’t to the Count’s taste, she was objectively quite beautiful, so it wasn’t surprising that she looked beautiful in his eyes.

“…….”

Eve asked the Count, who was still silent. “Do you have anything else to say?”

The Count Hound, who was looking at Eve, suddenly changed his expression.

“Why didn’t you ever look for me?”

“Yes?”

“I heard from the butler that you never looked for me.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Are you calling this a question? I had nothing to say when I was asked about something obvious.

“……that’s because I don’t have to look for you, right?”

“Why?”

Because we don’t need to meet!

What is the reason for Eve to meet the Count? In the first place, the two had a relationship where she didn’t have to meet unless she had a request from him, and Eve had nothing to request for.

Now, she was well-off financially with many maids helping her without her asking for it. What else is there to ask for?

Wouldn’t it be worse when I asked to meet for no reason? Eve held back what she wanted to say, and instead, she asked, “Do you want me to visit you from now on?”

If the Count wished, Eve was willing to visit him regularly.

‘You give me a lot of money after all.’

“Nevermind, I know you don’t have any plans today. Come to my room after dinner.”

“In your room?”

“Yeah, in my room. I’ll tell the maids in advance.”

She didn’t know why the hell he asked her to come to his room, but she didn’t say much and nodded obediently.

“Yes, got it.”

Eve nodded gently, and the Count’s face softened again. Eve still had a hard time keeping up with the Count’s emotional changes. It’s very difficult to earn money from others.

As Eve sighed, the Count checked the time once and he reached out to Eve.

“Let’s go down now.”

It was the first escort she received since she married.

***