Chapter 33
The grand ducal estate was in an uproar. Rumors were circulating that the madam was a genius. Since the story had come from the butler’s office, it carried a lot of credibility.
“Hey, did you hear? They say the madam remembers everything she’s seen even just once.”
“They say she’s a genius who comes along maybe once in a hundred years!”
Yulia was dumbfounded when she heard these rumors. Raymond, Nanny Sophie, and even the butler all looked as if to say, “It’s true, so what’s the problem?”
To make matters worse, the butler was making even more of it.
“Thanks to these rumors, the number of requests has decreased. Even those who previously made requests are canceling them.”
“How insolent.”
“Indeed. To think they would dare try to push their own daughters into the grand ducal estate when the madam is here.”
“Oh my, how shameless.”
Roughly, the idea was that since Yulia came from a low-ranking family, she wouldn’t have received much education, so she would need an assistant or advisor as Grand Duchess.
Our daughter has been well-educated from a young age and will be a great help to the Grand Duchess. Hohoho.
And if, by any chance, she catches the eye of the Grand Duke, who seems to have been cured of his gynophobia, she might become a concubine… maybe even the legal wife, if things go well?
The Empress might pay attention, but the imperial family has never interfered much with northern nobility, so they figured they could just turn a blind eye. Hahaha.
While the person in question hadn’t even considered it, the northern nobles were chugging all that delulu soup by the bowlful.
Yulia’s expression soured at the shamelessness of the nobles.
When Yulia requested the list, the butler handed over the documents as if he’d been waiting for it. The flaws of those nobles were all listed in detail.
Yulia skimmed through it once and handed it back to the butler.
They say anger can be a great motivator. Just as the rumors said, she really could remember everything after just a single reading.
***
That evening—
The two of them finished their work early and soaked themselves in the bath.
‘How should I deal with these people? They dare covet my man?’
Yulia narrowed her eyes, recalling the scandals of the nobles.
‘Count Tuitui has over twenty illegitimate children, Marquess Garcen cheats during gem appraisals, and Count Millez poisoned his wife because of a mistress…’
Raymond, watching Yulia deep in thought, flicked the surface of the water with his finger. The small ripples spread out in circles and bumped against Yulia’s body.
Even at his little prank, Yulia remained deep in thought, so Raymond pressed his lips together into a straight line.
He felt resentful that Yulia was leaving him neglected over those incompetent, greedy people. If she just told him to, he could wipe them all out in an instant…
As a newlywed, Raymond hated having even a little more of their time together taken away.
With wet hands, Raymond tousled his hair and drew close to Yulia, whispering in her ear.
“Master. Please look at me.”
“……!”
At the sound of Raymond’s voice, carrying on a hot breath, Yulia instinctively shrugged her shoulders.
When she turned her head, Raymond was looking at her with his eyebrows drooped, blinking at her. His neat hair was slightly tousled and damp, giving him an innocent look.
“……”
Yulia was at a loss for words. She knew all too well that this man, who was now acting like a cute kitten, was actually a ruthless beast.
Every time she saw how Raymond treated other nobles, Yulia was shocked inside. He was so cold and intimidating.
She’d seen plenty of that side of him today, and yet as soon as they were alone, he could change like this. She liked it, but couldn’t help being dumbfounded as Raymond took her hand.
“Master. Do you remember? You always used to bathe me like this.”
Raymond gently took Yulia’s hand, placed both her hands on his cheeks, and moved as if stroking his own face.
Chu. Chu. One after another, Raymond kissed Yulia’s palms, then gently guided her hands lower.
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