The Ugly Wife of the Shady Duke - Chapter 120.2

Yes, this was remarkably similar to the little con Grace had pulled at the imperial banquet with Aria and Sylvester.

They said married couples grew alike, and it seemed this was one way they had begun to resemble each other.

“If there happens to be anyone with some time to spare, I’d like them to show us around the Association and, afterward, explain the finishing material and furniture to my wife.”

Benjamin’s voice was gentle and phrased like a suggestion. But there was no mistaking that it wasn’t a simple request.

The person holding the greatest authority within the Magic Tools Association was Benjamin Felton. Once again, Grace felt the sheer weight of power and the casual exertion of it.

‘I really shouldn’t get used to this.’

“Oh, we have plenty of artificers who cleared their schedules for today. There’s no need to worry.”

“Of course!”

Only then did everyone hurriedly clear a path, ushering the couple into the Magic Tools Association building. All the while, Benjamin radiated an unmistakable Did I do well? air toward Grace.

‘Maybe he was worried because I hinted earlier that I didn’t want them to overprepare…’

So he’d taken the initiative and laid everything out from the very beginning.

By doing so, he made today’s priority unmistakably clear to the Association, and at the same time showed Grace what he cared about most.

‘Still… it’s not bad.’

It was embarrassing, but it didn’t feel unpleasant to see Benjamin put her first so openly in front of others. If anything, it made her feel oddly warm and ticklish inside.

The interior of the Magic Tools Association building was even more extravagant than the outside, so much so that Grace nearly gaped.

Some areas were even more dazzling than the annex where she lived.

‘But isn’t it almost too flashy? It kind of looks tacky… or am I imagining it?’

It felt overly conscious of appearances. To put it bluntly, it resembled a nouveau riche flaunting their wealth.

“You’ve changed the interior again.”

“Haha, creativity is born from new environments, isn’t it?”

Benjamin, clearly familiar with the place, chatted easily as they walked. Listening from the side, Grace realized that the Association changed its furniture quite frequently.

“I’m not trying to pressure you, so don’t mind me.”

“We were afraid it might look as though we were squandering the funds you provide, Your Grace.”

At the news of Benjamin’s visit, several artificers peeked out from their workshops with keen expressions. The documents in their arms made it clear they were eager to present their inventions to him as soon as possible.

“…You seem used to this.”

“Well, yes.”

Unlike Grace, who grew awkward whenever those gazes landed on her, Benjamin remained completely unfazed, as though unaware of the attention. She couldn’t help but admire that.

“If I make exceptions, it sets a bad precedent. So I generally only review projects that have passed final approval.”

When they arrived at the reception room, Benjamin seated Grace in the place of honor. The artificer guiding them looked momentarily flustered, but quickly recovered and excused himself to fetch tea.

“If a precedent is set, it’s always the powerless who end up paying the price, isn’t it?”

Grace thought he was right and nodded.

‘Though for someone who says that, he uses his position quite freely.’

“True—I do use my position fairly well, all things considered.”

Benjamin spoke as though he’d read her thoughts, making Grace flinch internally.

“That might be the difference.”

“The difference in what?”

“There are things like that.”

When Grace looked at him with a curious gaze for not explaining further, Benjamin simply laughed it off.

“If I leave a few secrets, won’t my wife take more interest in me?”

‘That’s more than just a few.’

“What if I start staring at you every day out of suspicion?”

“Then I’d be delighted.”

Knowing full well how much he hid, yet answering so brazenly, Grace found herself responding in kind.

“Of course, it’d be even better if it were interest rather than suspicion.”

“……”

If Benjamin’s face had reddened in the carriage, this time it was Grace’s turn.

She bit her lip. Noticing her reaction, Benjamin laughed lightly and turned his gaze toward the door.

“Looks like they’re here.”

The moment he spoke, there was a knock. Since she hadn’t even heard footsteps, Grace stared at him in surprise.

‘Does he have some kind of sensor instead of ears?’

On the tray the artificer brought wasn’t just tea, but also a small, round container.

“This is just a small token of our sincerity.”

“What is it? It doesn’t look like a magic tool.”

“Oh—yes. Your Grace, you know how the association previously exchanged correspondence with the ‘Everlasting Flower’ merchant guild? This was a gift we received afterward. It’s quite popular among noble ladies.”

Grace wondered if it was something like the cream she’d once received at a gathering with Young Viscountess Charles. But when the artificer lifted the container, a faint rattling sound came from inside.

“They say it’s a medicine that suppresses appetite.”