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Benedict stared intently at the bundle of papers that had caught his attention, holding it tightly with both hands.
[The dazzling social appearance of the wife of the murderous Archduke Richard ♡]
It was a newspaper article from this morning.
This came after news of the resumption and prosperity of trade with the Kingdom of Grace, as well as the sudden death of the owner of a winery.
[Archduchess Elena Richard, widely known for her ill-fated love affair with the murderous Archduke Richard, suddenly stormed into Imperial society at the Summer Ball yesterday.
Among all the countless attendees, she stood out with a beauty that caught the eye without competition, reminding everyone of the appearance of Vivian, the wife of the Crown Prince, three years ago when she entered high society like a blooming flower accompanied by the Crown Prince and alone attracted the attention of all the young nobles...]
“Journalists are still a mess.”
A growl of complaint escaped Benedict's throat as he tossed the bundle of papers aside.
Every statement in the article was unsatisfactory.
Of course, phrases like 'Archduke Richard the Killer' weren't the only thing that bothered him.
He could have easily ignored the fact that journalists had been calling him such provocative names for years.
But…
'Vivian, Zahra?
She is clearly a human being.'
He couldn't help but frown at the boastful comparison between Vivian's first social appearance three years ago, which had not particularly impressed him, and Elena's recent appearance.
What about the salacious details about young men flirting with a married woman?
He could easily have sued journalists who negligently wrote such stories for obscenity.
Of course, if these young men had actually existed, they would have deserved to be beheaded for insulting Richard.
Benedict's eyes narrowed sharply.
‘…Could it be the Young Marquis Dion?’
Suddenly, Benedict's hand absentmindedly touched his sword, and then fell.
‘لم يفت الأوان بعد للقضاء عليه.’
He was ready to cut off any scoundrel who flirted with Elena.
Of course, it was for Richard's honor, not Akkar.
He looked at the crumpled newspaper with dismay.
What was even more disturbing was that Elena's first appearance in high society was not published on the first page, nor even on the second page, but on the fifth page.
The trivia article about Vivian visiting a state-of-the-art winery to choose wine for her summer party was published on page two.
“You bastards who don't even know what's important.”
Benedict stared at the picture of Elena on page five.
It was a picture of a woman wearing a delicate, pale pink dress, her hair falling in golden strands that shone like sunlight.
It was a perfect picture of Elena at the party last night.
If he compared people to flowers, Elena's appearance last night would have been more like a flower.
Her shy rosy cheeks, the sweet fragrance emanating from her pale skin, and her soft lips...
Soft lips without a doubt...their texture...
Check-
Deep in thought, Benedict crumpled the edge of the newspaper in his hands.
Finally, he sighed deeply as if his world was collapsing.
“That woman is dangerous.”
In fact, he almost passed out last night.
It was a captivating kiss.
He was intoxicated by Elena's scent and touch, subconsciously embracing her more deeply at last.
He tried to explain his sixth sense, but he couldn't even think about it.
The sensations flowing through his five senses were extremely exciting.
Honestly, he didn’t know that Lawrence or the Empress were near until Elena told him.
'No matter what, we shouldn't have personal feelings for each other.'
Benedict reconsidered the terms of his contract, praising himself for his wisdom in his situation that day.
If he had not set those conditions, everything would have become a complete chaos.
Maybe Elena, who only knew love, would shower him with sweet kisses every day.
“….”
Benedict's eyes grew blurry involuntarily as he imagined that scene.
In a distant daydream, his symmetrical lips parted slightly.
"His Excellency!"
The office door suddenly opened with a loud bang.
“...!”
He hadn't committed any crime, but he felt like he'd been caught red-handed.
Benedict quickly arranged the newspaper clippings spread across his desk.
His trained hands moved with incredible precision and agility.
He rolled up the articles about Vivian and the winery, crumpled them, and threw them in the trash, but kept the pages with Elena's picture on them.
Finally finding peace, Benedict stared at Victor.
Carelessly, as if nothing had happened.
“What's wrong?”
“A message from Mr.
Spencer.
The young Marquis has an urgent matter and wants to postpone today’s meeting.”
“Suddenly?
Did something big happen to Aiden?”
Benedict frowned at the sudden schedule change.
Elena's workshop was already completing prototype watches.
Preparations for the distribution and trading of watches were underway quickly, and he had planned to discuss this matter with Spencer, his exclusive supplier.
“Oh.
Nothing happened to the young Marquis.
He just said he needed to make an offer for a winery that had been put up for sale because its owner had disappeared.
He said it was a very good deal.”
“Hmm.”
It seems more certain than watch trading.
Benedict muttered softly and snorted.
Spencer's company had been involved in all sorts of lucrative ventures in the empire, and now it seemed to be expanding into wine manufacturing.
Victor frowned at the sight of Benedict, and discreetly watched his reaction.
“He will definitely visit the watch shop next week.
He said he will make sure there is no disruption in the distribution of watches.”
"certainly."
Benedict muttered in frustration.
From a young age, Aiden Spencer had a keen sense of finance.
So, he must have acted quickly this time too, prioritizing the purchase of a profitable winery over his previously scheduled meeting with Richard's workshop.
“He is a clear-minded businessman, yet he invested in Elena on exaggerated terms.”
This brought to mind the last few weeks of his fierce battle with the bear, and Benedict felt a jolt of anxiety.
He had always been upset by Aiden's unusual behavior towards Elena, and yet, somehow, he felt uncomfortable.
Victor quickly changed the subject to calm his worried boss.
“By the way, isn’t Her Excellency the Archduchess really gorgeous?”
"indeed."
Benedict's voice softened slightly at his wife's praise, and Victor grew more enthusiastic in turn.
“Thanks to her brilliant business plan, the people of the estate are enjoying unprecedented prosperity!
These days, if you go out into the streets, their faces light up with joy.”
“What a relief.”
Benedict nodded, as if it wasn't unusual, but he knew it was.
Every time Albert submitted a report, the financial situation improved dramatically.
Moreover, the streets, which had previously been cold and silent, were now full of warmth and laughter.
Victor's smile widened, and his eyebrows furrowed.
“No one in the world loves you more than Her Excellency the Archduchess.
Doesn’t she do all this for you?”
“I see...that's how other people see it too.”
Benedict muttered a familiar truth, sighed softly and rubbed his face with his hand.
Upon closer inspection, Elena seemed naive, hardly hiding her feelings.
"Anyway, thanks to today's cancellation, our schedule is empty.
Should we schedule our training as usual?"
“….”
“Um…or should we use our weapon maintenance times?”
Victor saw the hesitation on Benedict's face, so he suggested with slight confusion.
Benedict usually gives the nod of approval for physical or military training.
But now, Benedict was thinking about something completely different.
‘If I ask her to meet me, she will definitely like it.’