Asellaâs failure to answer in a timely manner wasnât entirely her fault.
Her mind was messed up from the dizzying stimulation she had never experienced before. Her eyes fluttered like a newborn calf as she repeated the words she heard again in her mind.
âOh..!â
Her ears immediately began to turn bright red.
Her expression was usually calm and she didnât show many emotions so watching her expression change so rapidly into embarrassment made Calix feel strangely amused.
Suddenly he was curious about other expressions on her face that he had not seen yet. For example, her face when she felt joy, happiness, or pleasure.
âSister, whatâs a bridal chamber?â
A clear, innocent voice rang out. When Asella hurriedly turned her head, she was met with Mariel, tilting her head as she looked up at her with a face of pure innocence.
âMariel, thatâsâ¦â
Asellaâs mind went as pale as a blank sheet of paper due to the embarrassment that surged over her. How could she explain this to an innocent child who didnât know anything?!
As Asella hesitated, trying to find something to say, Marielâs face brightened and said, âAh! I understand!â and nodded understandingly.
âHis Highness, the Grand Duke made you a new room too, right?â
Asella tried to open her mouth but looking at Mariel, who looked proud like a puppy waiting to be praised, how could she say anything at this lovely sight? In the midst of all this, Mariel, thrilled by the fact that she had found out herself, exclaimed happily.
âSince you and His Highness are now a couple, I figured youâd be spending some quality time together! You know, get to know each other, talk and play together.â
âNo, thatâsâ¦â
âBut⦠what do you adults do for fun?â
âPfft..!â
Suddenly there was laughter heard from one corner. Marielâs eyes, which had been smiling brightly, grew round like those of a startled rabbit.
âZeke.â
Ryzen, who was standing beside her, called out his name as if to warn him, but that didnât prevent Zeke from laughing. Zeke smirked and spoke.
âYou might not know this because youâre still young, My Lady, but I can tell you that newlyweds are the ones where sparks ignite just by making eye contact. Day after day, night after night. and every- Argh! Why are you hitting me!â
Zeke squealed, but Ryzen didnât bat an eye when he hit his best friend in the back of the head. With a talkative mouth like his, he could go on and on for months.
âStop spouting nonsense.â
âWhat did I say wrong?!â
After being hit, Zeke began to whine as he rubbed his head with the palm of his hand and closed his eyes, but Ryzen, who completely ignored his cold stare, added nonchalantly.
âIf you want His Excellency to keep you around, go ahead and continue.â
ââ¦Ha!â
Zeke, finally realizing what crime he had committed, trembled as if he had been splashed with cold water. His head, stiff as a malfunctioning wooden doll, turned slowly to the side.
âEh⦠Ehhhâ¦!â
Sure enough, Calix was twisting one corner of his mouth.
âIs this a new suicide method?â
âNo! Never! Not at all!â
Crazy bastard. It was too harsh to comment on a friend, but Ryzen, who stopped Zeke from getting his head and body separated today, was qualified to say so.
He could bet on the cranberry candy he had hidden under his office desk that if he had left Zeke to speak for another second, it would have been his lordâs well-wielded sword, not the palm of his hand, that struck Zeke in the back of the head and the situation in hand would get ugly really quick!
No one wanted this to happen, especially not on Her Highnessâ first day in the residence!
Fortunately, the butler had grasped the situation well in that short period of time and skillfully said the appropriate words for this situation.
âYour Excellency, the room for Lady Mariel has been prepared too.â
âIs that so?â
âYes, how about we take a look there first?â
Calix turned his gaze away and looked at Asella. Her cheeks were still burning in embarrassment, and a red hue remained down to the nape of her neck, making it almost look like the neck of a fawn.
Shall we leave it at that? He enjoyed seeing her flustered, but that didnât mean he wanted to overdo it with his teasing.
âSounds good.â
What if he pushed her a bit too hard and she burst into tears? He would be the one troubled if that happened.
He didnât like the idea of her crying, even though there was no reason for him to be troubled.
âWhy donât you go check out your sisterâs room?â
Asella blinked slowly several times, and after a moment nodded, looking visibly relieved.
A smile crept across Calixâs mouth. He turned his gaze to the gray-haired old butler.
âYou will be responsible for showing them the way.â
âYes, Your Excellency.â
At the loyal butlerâs reply, Calix turned around. No, he tried to turn.
âAh..!â