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Elena stared at Benedict in amazement.
He must have known that the contract required Aiden to be her partner today.
His voice was low but firm as he asked her to choose him.
“Um...the previous contract with the Marquis...”
Elena's eyes lowered, as if worried, as she answered hesitantly.
Benedict frowned.
“Forget it.”
“Huh?”
“Just ignore him.”
Elena blinked.
What on earth was he talking about?
There was no trace of a smile in his voice or face, which made it difficult to take it as a joke.
Of course, Benedict wasn't the type to joke around.
Elena stared with her puzzled blue eyes at Aiden Spencer, who was standing there.
He smiled slightly when their eyes met.
Then he shrugged, as if to say, 'Do whatever you want.'
A bright smile finally appeared on Elena's face, as she froze in this embarrassing situation.
“I think the young Marquis has changed his mind.”
Isn't this the solution then?
Elena babbled, overwhelmed with joy at being free of this mysterious feeling that was weighing her down.
"I thought people would look at me strangely if I wasn't the Ashduke's partner.
That's why I suggested postponing the contract to another party.
At first, he acted as if he would refuse, but upon reflection, I think the young Marquis found it a bit inappropriate."
“….”
With these words, Benedict's gaze fell on Aiden, who was leaving the banquet hall.
He turned around, his fist clenched.
Benedict slowly looked away from Aiden, remembering the conversation they had had moments ago, after they left the banquet hall.
"What is this?"
On the empty balcony, Aiden frowned upon seeing the check Benedict held up.
It was a rather large amount.
He had originally planned to give it to Aiden in person yesterday.
“It's your investment in Richard.”
“Did I... ask you to repay the investment?”
Aiden slowly tilted his head, as if he didn't understand.
But Benedict read caution in Eden's voice.
Benedict replied stiffly.
«Investment.
"For Richard, suppose you never hand him over."
“Are you saying you won't give Spencer exclusive distribution rights to the watches now?
“This is a problem.”
Aiden's voice suddenly became harsh.
If his caution had merely been a businessman's objection, the conversation would have been easier.
Benedict shook his head slowly.
“I do not intend to change these conditions.
I have to pay interest on the investment you have lent me so far.”
"permission …?"
A worried smile appeared on Eden's lips.
“So, do you want to delete the other condition?”
Finally, Aiden spoke first, revealing the true purpose of this conversation.
He feigned ignorance and talked at length about something else, but he seemed to know the meaning of the check from the beginning.
'Why avoid talking when you already know?'
Benedict frowned.
Eden Spencer was a businessman who valued time as gold.
He couldn't understand why he pretended not to notice the matter even though he already knew the purpose of his summoning.
'Elena will be alone all this time.'
Even for nobles accustomed to parties, the first party was a difficult experience.
He looked nervously toward the dance floor.
Fortunately, Elena was left alone, but she was chatting with the ladies.
It seemed much better than his first party, where he stood alone on the dance floor, unwelcome because he was an illegitimate son.
'You always adapt so quickly.'
Benedict's lips curved slightly.
Feeling a little relieved, he turned to Aiden and answered briefly.
"Good.
"Let's pretend this ridiculous condition never happened."
“Hmm, I don’t like you saying that, because it makes me feel like a loss.”
He answered calmly, but Aiden's look was sharp, almost sarcastic.
Benedict felt a strange turmoil in his stomach.
Elena had set a ridiculous condition for receiving the investment money.
His judgment had been distorted since he heard that condition.
Benedict took a step towards Aiden.
“I didn't realize that being my wife's dance partner at the summer ball was so important to you.”
Aiden's shoulders shook in surprise.
Benedict stepped back, taking a half step.
He was threatening Eden without realizing it, as if he were facing an enemy.
Various thoughts raced across Aiden's face.
Finally, after he had everything arranged, Aiden heaved a short sigh.
He snatched the check from Benedict's hand.
"Okay.
Now that I think about it, it would be in my best interest to accept your offer.”
Aiden's eyes crinkled with a smile, as if he had never been angry.
But his calm green eyes gleamed with defeat, as if something important had been taken away from him.
'Why do I feel this ugly?'
Benedict gritted his teeth.
It was clear that things were going his way, but his heart was beating hard.
He didn't like the expression on Aiden's face towards Elena.
Aiden slowly put the check into his jacket pocket, then suddenly turned to him curiously and asked.
“It was not easy to get this amount suddenly.
How did you do that?
“I didn't realize you needed a source of money to complete the contract.”
"Good.
"I wasn't expecting an answer."
“Anyway, since you have received the money, let us discuss the terms further.”
Instead of answering, he reconfirmed today's deal and turned away.
As Benedict headed toward the banquet hall, memories of the past few days came back to his mind.
"Oh, my God!
Why, sir, would you hunt bears when there are hunters?'
While Elena was absent from the Archduke's household due to the Duchess of Bovary's divorce, Lady Perona was shocked by his sudden announcement that he was going bear hunting alone.
Benedict did not answer her question, but rather packed his gear and left the Archduke's house.
'If it's something that's inevitable…'
It was money.
Summer in the Empire was bear hunting season.
As summer approaches, the numbers of bears increase, and they often attack private homes and harm people.
Therefore, there was a reward for hunting wild bears during this period.
Moreover, selling the skin of a captive bear generated a large sum of money.
Never in his life had he waved his sword for profit.
But this was the second time since he met Elena.
It's all because of Elena's annoying necklace.
'I must have been scammed by that talkative Aiden.'
There was no other explanation.
He knew the meaning of first partner at the dance.
An imperial citizen cannot help but know.
But it was not possible for Elena's first partner, who loved him, at the party to be that bastard Aiden.
‘Thanks to her, she had a great impact on the Archduke’s territory…’
Thinking about it, he felt like he didn't thank her properly.
So this time, he decided to be very generous.
He will personally intervene to save Elena, who innocently entered into a corrupt contract.
Of course, his eyes trembled for a moment when he saw the investment amount he owed Aiden.
He hunted bears like crazy, without sleep or food.
His fighting skills, both shooting arrows and swinging his sword, were a feat unmatched by most hunters.
Finally, when Aiden repaid his investment, he returned to the Grand Archduke's palace, covered in bear blood.
He didn't intend for Elena to find out.
He returned from his distraction to the sight of the dance hall.
What interrupted his thoughts was Elena's incessant chatter.
“A person willing to invest this much money cannot be so narrow-minded.
As expected, the Young Marquis is a good person!”
Elena, oblivious to the circumstances, was praising Aiden.
‘ها.
What kind of generous and kind person is this.'
Benedict, remembering the ordeal he'd been through the past few weeks trying to break that ridiculous contract, caressed the faint scar on his chin.
It was a wound resulting from a fierce fight with a bear.
Benedict felt a little bitter, so he replied with a frown.
“Why don't you stop talking and be loyal to your partner?”
“Haha, please take care of me, Your Excellency.”
Elena's smile made Benedict clear his throat, because she seemed so endearing to him.
He quickly wrapped his arm gently around Elena's waist.
Before he knew it, the two were moving to a fast waltz.
Every time Elena moved, a pleasant scent wafted into his nose.
He felt the softness and elasticity of the waist between his hands.
He forced himself to straighten his back, catching his quickened breaths.
'This can't be happening.'
Benedict's heart beat in perfect rhythm as the waltz was approaching its climax.
He didn't hold his breath, even as he brandished his sword.
But this dance, although simple compared to the fight, left him breathless and his heart beating madly.
Without realizing it, Elena mumbled something strange.
“You are a good dancer.
You must have danced a lot.”
"no."
"Awesome.
You're really the type who can do anything with his body."
Elena laughed admiringly.
'Now, you don't even hide the fact that you lust after my body.'
Benedict's ears reddened.
He is adept at using his body.
Of course, he had never tried this before, but he honestly thought that there was nothing he couldn't do with his body.
Elena continued her chatter, oblivious to his thoughts.
“Who was your first partner, Archduke?”
“Elena Christie.”
“Huh?”
Benedict held his breath for a moment as he looked at Elena, who was staring at him with an innocent face, then answered her in a low voice with the truth.
“…You are my first partner.”
“...!”
Elena's eyes widened at his answer, and her steps faltered.
In an instant, their bodies intertwined.