For My Birthday, I Was Gifted Five Husbands - Chapter 138

Perhaps because of that, he found himself unconsciously resting his chin on Eugenie Norton’s shoulder or using her lap as a pillow. She didn’t seem to mind, so it felt natural.

‘Hmm, maybe this isn’t so bad after all.’

After avoiding people for so long, he’d grown somewhat attached.

‘Still, it doesn’t mean I like her!’

Unlike the other men, he could leave freely after the ‘trial period’. But after the incident at the hunting festival and seeing Eugenie in such pain, something stayed lodged in his mind.

When she opened her eyes, would everything still be fine?

‘What’s the problem if it is?’

Even if he left, the other four men would remain by her side—they all clearly wanted to be the most important to Eugenie Norton.

…Was that okay now?

“Percival, this way! I’m right here!”

She blocked the frenzied Duke charging at Cassius and rolled into the underground with him…

After returning with the Duke, he could clearly see the effects of the enjoyable magic recharge. Did she not notice?

Cassius looked at Eugenie squarely and spoke.

“Answer me honestly, Lady.”

“What do you mean?”

“Aren’t you uneasy about my being here right now?”

“If you don’t mind, I need a more detailed explanation.”

“If I hadn’t been here, that tree pervert wouldn’t have noticed us, and even seeing our family back then, you’d know what kind of people we were.”

He wanted to confirm Eugenie’s feelings with this question.

“Now, speak, Eugenie Norton.”

This would determine whether he remained just a ‘decent contract partner’ or something more. No sugarcoating.

Eugenie blinked casually.

“It’s fine. I’m pretty strong now.”

“Hmm.”

“I wanted to take down that tree pervert and the Schroder family anyway. And you’re not entirely normal, but at least you honestly sell adult products. You even donate to the poor.”

“…”

“That’s more humane than your family.”

Cassius smiled at her. Then, on a sudden impulse, he kissed her on her lips loudly.

“Why all of a sudden? What’s this?”

“Oh? Isn’t it allowed?”

He asked softly, his pale pink lashes trembling.

“You let Duke Troys do all sorts of lewd things, but you won’t even kiss me?”

“Cassius, that’s not what I meant—”

“This is discrimination. You’re already showing favoritism? That’s too much!”

“…”

Eugenie sighed, staring at the hallway ceiling. She was too exhausted to argue.

Even someone born a century ago can still be younger.

Unaware that Cassius had already decided his mind, Eugenie walked with him down the hallway, speaking casually.

“I hope my family can help you, Lady. But I can’t vouch for their character.”

“That’s fine. My scholarship wasn’t based on having good character either.”

“True. So, what do you plan to do with the water from underground?”

When Cassius tapped his fingers together, a faint lavender-colored vial appeared in his hand. His summoning magic was indispensable for bringing up the underground water.

“I want to analyze its composition.”

“Because of what you saw in my memories?”

“Yes. I’m not sure if the effects from that time are still present.”

Much time had passed since the tree pervert spilled the raw mana stone, and the Duke’s estate no longer used the mine water for drinking.

‘But Percival lost control when he entered that place.’

She hoped they would notice something amiss. Either way, she hypothesized that the moisture or air in that space stimulated him, and it was worth verifying while they were here.

“By the way, where is everyone else? Are they resting?”

“The Southern hero is talking with the Duke. And that Count, hmm.”

Eugenie paused at that.

“…Napier? What’s wrong with Napier?”