"Hello, Sir Euclid."
As soon as Euclid entered the reception room, Erencia waved her hand warmly to greet him.
It was a look that suited Gredelus's splendid drawing room perfectly.
Erencia fit in so well with Gredelus's reception room that it felt as though Euclid himself were the guest and Erencia was the host.
Especially with her slightly upturned eyes and relaxed smile, she looked like someone who had come just to bask in the light.
Euclid was annoyed by Erencia's grinning face. Euclid narrowed his brows.
"It is not polite to drop by so suddenly like this."
"Are we close enough to be polite to each other?"
Euclid raised one eyebrow.
"The butler is excellent. The tea is very delicious."
He was about to retort sharply, but Erencia changed the subject. He noticed this last time too, but she got out of it when she was at a disadvantage.
The skill is amazing.
Embarrassing someone, changing the subject.
Contrary to Euclid's mood, the butler welcomed Erencia's praise.
Perhaps because he lived with a blunt owner who was not good at expressing himself, he seemed to welcome the praise accompanied by a bright smile.
That single word of praise brightened the atmosphere in the drawing room.
“Everyone is out.”
He had to talk about marriage even though he wasn't going to get married.
Euclid issued an order to expel the guest, as it would not be good for others to hear about it.
"You can all stay."
Erencia said as she sipped her tea.
"You must be losing face."
Because he will refuse.
Erencia narrowed her eyes and looked at Euclid.
Seeing how he showed up dressed shabbily, it seems he dislikes her quite a bit, but seeing him sit neatly and even look after her face, it doesn't seem like that's the case.
He is an inscrutable man. And on top of that.
'He's a sensitive man.'
"It's okay."
Euclid was furious at the two rejections.
"Let's just say it's a matter of my face."
“Then let’s do it.”
She is a difficult woman to talk to.
Feeling frustrated, Euclid raised his hand toward the cravat but flinched when he found nothing to grab. Where the cravat should have been, a loosely unbuttoned shirt hem was visible. Erencia watched Euclid's expression, which was worsening as time went by.
As his expression darkened, Erencia's brightened. Everything was going smoothly according to plan.
It was certain. Euclid was offended by her sudden proposal.
She was happy at the thought of being rejected.
"Did you receive my letter?"
“Well received.”
“So what’s the answer?”
'Doesn't she know how shameful this is?' Euclid stared intently at Erencia.
"What do you think I would say?"
Euclid asked back.
Erencia clasped her hands together tightly, and her eyes sparkled.
'Are you about to make a heartfelt confession?'
It was the most radiant expression Euclid had ever seen on Erencia.
There was also a subtle sense of anticipation.
"Of course you would refuse!"
The answer was filled with joy.
You're happy expecting a rejection?
At that moment, Euclid's mind was twisted.
"Do you really think that will be the case?"
"Yes?"
Erencia's eyes wavered, perhaps because Euclid's answer was unexpected.
'For the first time, I like it.'
Euclid leaned forward.
“Why me?”
He paused for a moment.
"Did you think I would refuse?"
Weird.
That was the first thought that came to mind.
Why doesn't Euclid refuse immediately?
Euclid was a busy man. He was frantically cleaning up the mess left by the corrupt forces, including Novellita.
He was not the kind of person to accept the absurd marriage proposal that Erencia had made for the destruction of the clan.
So naturally, I thought he would refuse right away...
Why is he sitting there engaging in a Zen riddle with Erencia?
'What you really need to say is 'I refuse'!'
- Why do you think I would refuse?
It wasn't something like that.
Erencia leaned back in her chair and looked at Euclid, who was waiting for her answer.
A smile appeared on his face, which had been full of irritation just moments ago.
Erencia's face hardened at the look of relief on his face, as if a painful tooth had been pulled out.
He fastened the loosely unbuttoned buttons one by one while waiting for Erencia's answer.
A trivial movement subtly pressured Erencia.
"Well... we met for the first time yesterday, didn't we?"
Erencia fiddled with her teacup to regain her composure.
"You're the one who proposed to me the first time we met."
"Uh. Um. Because I fell in love at first sight?"
"Can't you imagine that I would have done the same?"
"Yes?"
Erencia sprang to her feet. A broad smile spread across Euclid's lips.
Contrary to the smile, cold eyes stared intently at Erencia.
"W-what are you talking about? So, are you saying you're going to accept my proposal?"
Erencia snapped back.
Euclid found Erencia's reaction amusing. To think she was a woman who got angry just because he hinted he would accept after proposing...
After just saying with her own mouth that she fell in love at first sight and all that.
“Is there anything that won’t work?”
"I'm a minor."
Erencia spoke as if it were a huge fact, but Euclid just scoffed.
"You'll have your debutante in two months."
"Oh. How did you know?"
Erencia narrowed her eyes. Just as Euclid said, Erencia turned 18 two months later and had her debutante ball.
Then, officially, she was an adult. An adult who can spend the night with a man, drink alcohol, and smoke hookah at a salon.
"There is no way a young lady of the Novellita family would make her debut at just any banquet. It must be at least an Imperial banquet. Since it is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's birthday banquet in two months, it is perfect. Isn't it?"
That's right, I have nothing to say.
Erencia closed her mouth.
"Ha. So, are you really going to accept my proposal?"
Erencia slumped into the seat with a thud and placed her hand on the armrest.
She, too, like Euclid, lifted her chin while sitting somewhat idly.
Hoping that Euclid would get tired of her unnoble attitude.
"I’m just going to think about it.”
"Don't joke around."
"A joke? I'm serious. I'm not exactly a person with a sense of humor."
As he said, there was not a single trace of playfulness in his black eyes.
'That's ridiculous. You're seriously considering my proposal?'
Erencia's face turned pale.
***
“Nonsense!”
As soon as Erencia returned home, she jumped into bed. She shook her head wildly and stomped her feet.
As dust rose up, Agnes waved her hand to scatter it.
"What makes no sense, Miss?"
"Euclid said he would think about meeting me!"
"Oh? That's great. You have good taste! Ah! Wait a minute. What did you say, Miss? Saying you'll think about it is offensive. He is certainly quite something... but... our Miss is just as capable..."
Agnes's voice, as she offered congratulations without knowing what was going on inside Erencia's mind, grew softer and softer.
"Stop it, I get it."
It seems even Agnes has fallen for the charm of a man named Euclid.
Erencia let out deep sighs.
"Anyway, it's not a rejection, so congratulations?"
Erencia chased Agnes away with a whooshing sound, saying she was getting in the way of her thoughts.
It's not a good thing.
Erencia wanted to earn the title of an obsessive woman.
A woman who knows no bounds or place, coveting Euclid, the public good!
So she wanted to become someone who was resented by people.
In addition, she wanted to acquire a strong enemy named Euclid.
However, things went completely wrong.
She never imagined that he would positively consider Erencia's completely baseless proposal.
Erencia was confused.
What should I do? Erencia bit her nails.
'Should I make you tired of me? Should I meet you without washing my hair for a few days?'
But that was impossible. It was clear that Agnes would wash her, even if she had to carry her on her back.
'I need to make him completely sick of me...'
Something went wrong even with Stein, and nothing is going right now.
'Is that person sick?'
For example, the head...
Otherwise, there was no reason for Euclid to hesitate about her proposal.
'What on earth is the reason?!'
Erencia was racking her brain, trying to figure out Euclid's intentions, when she heard a knock.
"Miss, we have a guest."
It was the butler Sebastian.
“A guest?”
Agnes asked instead of Erencia.
"Yes, Lady Victorina of the Dathiri family has come to see you, Miss."
Victorina of the Dathiri family?
Erencia tilted her head.
Erencia rarely participated in social activities.
There were various reasons, but the biggest reason was that she didn't want to be the subject of gossip.
This was because most people showed great interest in even Erencia's small actions. It happened in an instant for that small interest to escalate into strange rumors.
Ohh?
Suddenly, Erencia's eyes gleamed like someone who had attained great enlightenment.
Should I try social activities in the future?
"Do you know someone?”
Agnes asked. Erencia nodded.
There was no one close enough to visit each other's homes.
Then who is it? Surely the rumor hasn't already spread that I proposed to Euclid, has it?
So, did someone who had feelings for that man come to get angry at me?
They say he's public property, and the reaction is immediate.
Alright!
Erencia quickly got out of bed.
"No. It's someone I know. Agnes, fix my hair. Tell her to wait a moment. Bring out the tea and snacks first."
"Yes. Understood."
After Sebastian left, Agnes straightened Erencia's disheveled clothes and hair.
"Don't wear makeup."
Erencia braced herself for a drenching.
"Because you are beautiful even without makeup."
Agnes looked at Erencia in the mirror with a proud expression and opened the door.
Erencia straightened her shoulders and headed to the drawing room
As soon as she entered, a woman sprang up like a spring.
Erencia recognized her.
She is...
"Lady Erencia! Thank you for meeting me even though I rudely showed up without notice! I stopped by to express my gratitude regarding the Stein matter."
She was Stein's former fiancée. The one who slapped him quite hard across the face.
“Thank... you?”
When Erencia asked in bewilderment, Victorina nodded vigorously.
"Ah...!"
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