I Didn’t Know I Had Two Husbands - Chapter 21

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“…Okay, I’ll do my best.”

“That said, there is no need for you to worry too much, Madam. You have been visiting our ducal house since you were young. You will grow accustomed to it quickly.”

“Do you think so?”

“Of course.”

Encouraged by the butler’s reassurance, Elaria checked everything, even the vegetables and fruits grown in the rear gardens, before returning to the main residence. She hadn’t even toured the entire Asiel estate, yet almost the whole day had already passed.

Even so, she wanted to examine things thoroughly. For the time being, she decided to focus on properly understanding the ducal household.

As she rested in her room after returning, Amanda came to see her.

“Madam, His Grace said he will be able to have dinner with you this evening.”

“Truly?”

“Yes. Would you like to change your dress?”

She glanced down at the dress she was wearing and answered lightly.

“I suppose I should?”

“You’ve been walking around all day, so you must be a bit warm. It would be better to change.”

“Yes, that sounds good.”

With Amanda’s help, she changed into a deep violet dress. It was formal and suited for dinner. After changing her accessories as well, she hurried down to the dining room.

Just as she was about to enter, Lucian appeared from the distance. He approached her at a slightly hurried pace.

“Elaria.”

He stood in front of her, steadying his slightly uneven breath. For some reason, there was a faint scent of damp wind about him. It was an unfamiliar smell for someone who should have been working only in his office, but she didn’t think deeply about it.

Rather, she never questioned what he did. If she began to grow curious, it might lead to desire.

That was how she had been able to remain by his side for so long. So, as always, instead of asking anything, she simply smiled and greeted him.

“Lucian, you worked hard.”

“…Shall we go in?”

The worry and impatience that had been faintly visible on his face disappeared in an instant. A trace of relief and regret flickered briefly, but Elaria didn’t notice.

It was their first time dining together since the wedding, and she was so excited that even after sitting in the chair Lucian pulled out for her, instead of the butler, she couldn’t take her eyes off him. Watching him sit across from her, she spoke carefully.

“I’m really happy we can eat together.”

At her honest words, Lucian replied with a faint curve of his lips.

“I’m glad too.”

“The head chef prepared veal steak today. I heard he paid special attention to the sauce.”

He quietly listened to her cheerful chatter, which came in a soft, lively stream. Even though he didn’t respond much, she continued talking without minding. Since he was naturally quiet, she was used to this.

As he leisurely drank his aperitif, he thought to himself that it had been the right decision to return early.

Even with her in his residence, he had been too busy with work to properly make time for meals together. No, more accurately, whenever he had time, he had been too absorbed in ravishing her.

As if competing with someone, he had sought her again and again.

Even that hadn’t been enough, but now that he saw her today, it seemed that what he had truly missed was her smile rather than her body. He couldn’t take his eyes off Elaria as she kept smiling brightly.

“I haven’t seen the entire residence yet, but it’s really huge. I used to visit often, but I only realized it today. I must seem foolish.”

Sensing the self-reproach in her voice, Lucian added quickly.

“…There are probably places even I don’t know.”

At his remark, the butler, who was attending nearby, added with a hint of amusement in his voice,

“His Grace focuses only on his work. At this rate, Madam may come to know the estate better than the Duke himself.”

“That may be true.”

“Oh, I doubt it.”

Elaria shook her head after briefly denying it, then added,

“Well, alright, I’ll try to learn it even better than you, Lucian.”

She reminded herself that she was now his wife and the lady of the ducal house. She was still curious about his true intentions, but the person who had become his wife was none other than herself.

And besides, had he not chosen her?

There were things one could understand without hearing them spoken. There were still parts that confused her, but she believed she would come to understand them little by little. With that thought, she looked at Lucian sitting across from her and smiled brightly.

Lucian silently admired her curved eyes and the soft pink lips lifted into a full smile as he slowly savored his drink.