episode_0099

The reception room of the townhouse was designed with a protruding structure that jutted out towards the garden, unique to the mansion’s architecture.

While the shape may seem a bit awkward from the outside, inside the reception room surrounded by large windows, one could enjoy the view of the famous townhouse garden from the comfort of the sofa.

Thanks to this design, the people of Beauren Ga could sit comfortably on the sofa in the reception room and enjoy the beautiful garden in all four seasons.

Those who visited the mansion, mostly women, couldn’t help but marvel at the view of the expansive garden beyond the windows.

Eleanor, who had no interest in flower beds or gardens, spent her days enjoying tea time in the reception room, gazing at the scenery from morning to evening.

Of course, the structure wasn’t without its drawbacks.

Since it protruded alone from the building, there was no structure to shield the reception room from the sunlight streaming in.

So, on sunny days, the sunlight poured in through the large windows regardless of the season.

In winter, the reception room was warmed by the sun even without additional heating, but in the current season of increasing heat, it became uncomfortable.

The reception room of Beauren Ga was once again filled with warm sunlight streaming through the transparent windows.

Having already had tea time once, there was now a teacup placed on the table in the reception room.

However, the atmosphere surrounding it was far from a pleasant tea time. The awkward tension that hung thick in the air made it difficult to even breathe under the intense sunlight.

Dmitri, taking a cold tea with droplets of water on the surface, muttered to himself as he brought the cup to his lips.

Earlier, Eleanor, with a flushed face, had pushed Dmitri out of her room on the second floor, saying she needed to tidy up and decorate.

Although Dmitri knew he looked fine in his current state, he also knew that being too stubborn would earn him disapproving looks from the ladies.

So, he only whispered his thoughts to the air, hoping they would reach Eleanor’s ears. With an excited heart, Dmitri descended to the reception room on the first floor, only to be met by Albrice, who was waiting for him with an uncomfortable expression.

Dmitri set down the teacup in his hand on the table and glanced at Albrice.

The blue eyes directed at him were incredibly cold. It was a gaze that seemed like frost would form on the moist eyes.

Dmitri let out a small sigh at the sight.

Of course, as someone with a precious younger sister, he understood to some extent as an older brother. If Hilda had brought a man in front of him as someone she cherished, Dmitri would have given him a more intense look than this.

However, Albrice had not pushed Dmitri to confess to Eleanor. He felt a bit offended by Albrice’s cautious gaze.

Well, he couldn’t just reveal his true feelings to Eleanor’s brother. Anyway, that blue-eyed man would be a family member to him.

Dmitri hid his frustration and spoke softly.

“The cold tea is quite refreshing.”

“I suppose.”

“Say, isn’t the weather quite nice these days?”

“I suppose.”

“Ah, Albrice, do you not need anything to drink? It’s not alcohol, but tea. Drinking alone like this makes me feel uneasy.”

The blond man didn’t even bother to respond now.

Oh, how scary!

He thought no one would treat him like this except for Daphne in the capital…

Trying to hide his unease, Dmitri picked up the teacup again. Albrice, with a blank expression, then quietly asked him a question.

“Your Highness, what do you plan to do about Eleanor?”

A calm voice settled in the room.

But his gaze was still as cold as ever.

“What do you mean?”

“You didn’t give her the Duchess’s ring. Are you planning to take Eleanor up north right away?”

Dmitri quickly shook his head in response.

“No, no. I didn’t give her the ring for that purpose.”

“Of course, I understand that Your Highness is worried that someone might snatch Eli away, given her exceptional beauty. However, Eli has just made her debut as a debutante. She is still young to take on the role of a Grand Duchess. And just as Your Highness enjoyed revelry at a young age, shouldn’t our Eli also enjoy her youth? But if you suddenly give her a ring like this, and insist on rushing her to become a Grand Duchess, it is truly unsettling in many ways. This will surely have a negative impact on the constructive relationship between the North and the West in the future-”

Albrith’s words, pouring out without taking a breath, did not come to an end.

“Albrith! That darn brother of mine! Ugh, I can’t stand it!”

A sharp, high-pitched voice.

And with a sharp, crisp sound, her voice reverberated throughout the reception room.

As soon as she came down to the first floor, Eleanor ran into the reception room. With a refreshing sky-blue gaze that instantly cooled down the tense atmosphere in the reception room, she smacked Albrith on the back of his head.

And so, the situation came to a close.

#.

Dmitri, sitting on the sofa, looked around.

The sight before him was not unfamiliar to Dmitri.

Seeing Eleanor rushing towards the raging Albrith with her sky-blue eyes flashing, her appearance overlapped with that of his own younger brother, Hildegarde. Dmitri couldn’t help but smile.

In fact, there were rumors circulating in the social circles of the capital.

And having briefly lived in the townhouse of Beaurne, Dmitri had seen and heard things himself.

But seeing it with his own eyes, he couldn’t help but feel a certain fondness for Eleanor, who had just struck Albrith’s back while screeching. Eleanor, who had changed her expression as if nothing had happened, approached Dmitri’s side. And she took a somewhat awkward seat next to him on the sofa.

Albrith’s thick eyebrows slightly furrowed at the sight. Seeing Eleanor and the wolfish guy leaning on each other affectionately, Albrith pursed his lips with a displeased expression.

“Now that the coronation is over, I am thinking of sending Eli down to the West gradually.”

His voice, devoid of any emotion, was calm and plain, contrasting with the expression he was making.

Dmitri glanced at Eleanor sitting next to him in response to Albrith’s words. Since Eleanor had already talked to Albrith about it, she didn’t feel the need to add anything.

“What do you plan to do from now on, Your Highness?”

“Me? Shouldn’t you start heading back to the North soon?”

Dmitri nodded quietly in response to Albrith’s words.

Dmitri had stayed in the capital longer than originally planned. When he first took the train to the capital, he had planned to return to the North before the coronation began.

Fortunately, Dmitri had not faced any major problems yet, thanks to Daphne and Hildegarde, who were still in the capital. But as he said, it was now time for him to return to the North.

“Yes, I should start heading back.”

“If that’s the case.”

Albrith, who had been looking at Dmitri somewhat disrespectfully, changed his gaze and faced Dmitri with a serious expression.

“As Your Highness knows, the situation in the capital is unstable in many ways. And considering the recent events near Eli, I don’t think the train is safe either.”

Despite the cute voice shouting, “Am I a troublemaker?” coming from the side, even Dmitri, who had firmly shut his mouth, could only nod in response to Albrith’s words.

“So if you’re not in a hurry, how about personally escorting Eli to the West?”

Even though he was the only Grand Duke in the Empire, Albrith boldly suggested escorting Eli as if she were just his younger sister. Of course, Eli was not an ordinary person, and she was the woman he cherished, so naturally, he was inclined to follow his words. But deep down, Dmitri, who was feeling a bit displeased, furrowed his eyebrows.

And as if sensing that, Albrith approached Dmitri and continued the conversation.

“It’s not just for Eli’s protection.”

“What do you mean?”

“Right now, the nobles in the west are gathered under the name of Beorn, but Your Excellency is well aware of the nobles’ fickleness, aren’t you? There are some who send unfavorable glances in this support.”

Despite the awkwardness of bringing up a topic that might be embarrassing to an outsider, Albriss now seemed unhesitant to delve into the situation in the west, indicating that he also somewhat considers Dimitri as part of the family.

“So, Your Excellency, it would be appreciated if you personally visit Beorn’s territory and shed some light on the nobles in the west.”

Dimitri nodded at Albriss’ words. He was in a position where he had already received help in various ways, and with the increasing interaction with the west in the future, he thought it wouldn’t hurt to show his face in advance.

Moreover, there was not just that reason alone.

After expressing his feelings, it was indeed uncomfortable for Dimitri to be separated from Ellie so quickly. He was inwardly managing his expression, thinking that he could use it as an excuse to stay a little closer to Ellie.

“Alright. Since we’ll be using the same path until we reach the branching point anyway.”

“Furthermore.”

As if there was still something left, Albriss looked at the two men and women in front of him with a meaningful smile. Finally, pointing to the platinum ring on Eleonore’s finger with his chin, Albriss continued.

“There is something that needs to be explained about that ring.”

“No, I mean, this ring, you see. It wasn’t given with the intention of immediately making Ellie a duchess or anything like that-.”

Such excuses were unnecessary, as Albriss interrupted Dimitri somewhat rudely.

“That’s something you should say to my father and younger brother. By the way, those two humans are even more cunning than me, if not less.”

With a sly smile on his face, Albriss’s words caused Dimitri’s black pupils to shake as if an earthquake had occurred.

“I-It’s okay, Dimitri. I-I’m here! I’ll explain everything to my father and, and my little brother, so don’t worry!”

With a trembling voice hidden, Eleonore firmly held Dimitri’s hand, bravely straightened her small chest, and spoke confidently.