“Duke Franto!”
The man was one of the three dukes of the empire, Louis Franto.
“I see you are here. I didn’t know I’d run into you like this and didn’t bring your handkerchief,” Seira said apologetically.
“You can give it to me next time, so don’t worry,” he reassured her.
His gaze steered towards Aven, who stood next to Seira.
“Count Helford.”
At Louis’ greeting, Aven bowed his head slightly. Noting Aven’s expressionless face, Louis turned again to Seira.
“You must be out together,” he commented.
Seira didn’t feel the need to explain, and answered him with a slight smile, “How about you? What are you up to out on the streets so early?”
“Well…”
Despite his indifferent reaction, he spoke firmly without breaking his smile, “If you don’t mind, may I invite you to dinner?”
Seira’s eyes narrowed and stared at Louis. She thought he might have come out because she had met with Miel earlier.
‘I can’t think of any other reason for this.’
There was no contact between Seira and the young Duke of Franto, who recently just inherited the title. It was the beginning of their relationship that everyone, even the emperor, was shocked over the handkerchief incident.
Seira didn’t tend to believe in pure goodwill, and she guessed as much that there must be a hidden motive with Franto’s new Duke trying to wedge himself into her life.
‘If he’s going to make a deal, then I will need to hear it,’ she thought.
Seira glanced at Aven first. She wanted to go with him.
“I…”
Aven couldn’t speak right away. She could tell because she kept an eye on Louis. He didn’t intend Aven to come in the first place. She didn’t want to ignore it, but it seemed like Aven already knew he couldn’t accompany her.
“…I don’t think I can go with you. I’m meeting with Zion.”
Seira was reluctant, but it couldn’t be helped. Zion was always busy as he was one of the best wizards in the empire. There was no guarantee that he would be able to make time for them again soon if they missed him today.
Since Seira already came to Viseltium, she had to make sure the house was worked on. To do so, a wizard like Zion was essential.
“Ah… That’s right,” she looked at Louis and said, “I don’t think Aven will be able to join us.”
“Oh, that’s too bad. I was looking forward to a conversation with Count Helford.”
Aven responded formally to Louis’ formal remarks, “Please make room for me next time.”
“I’ll make sure of that. Please accept my invitation then.”
“Alright.”
Louis politely reached out to Seira after his conversation with Aven. She glanced at Aven and placed her hand in Louis’.
“Have a safe trip, Duchess.”
“Thank you.”
Seira climbed into Franto’s carriage, leaving Aven, who saw her off calmly as usual.
* * *
The dinner was one that exceeded what the likes of Duchess Askan would usually have. The variety of desserts that made her full with just a bite surprised Seira.
The seafood was fresh and was quite unbelievable as they were quite far from the sea. The lamb meat melted in her mouth, and she was blown away with the texture and flavor of the food in general.
But if she had to choose between the food that Aven cooks and Duke Franto’s dinner, Seira will, without a doubt, choose the former. Starting with the attitude of the attendants, everything was too cumbersome for her.
“Listen to this a little more.”
The food she thought was even a bit delicious was immediately placed in front of her.
“The glass is empty.”
Whether it was water or wine, there was no time for the glass to be empty.
‘What the hell…’
Even when she lived in the palace, she wasn’t treated this much. She felt like a queen or princess of a country.
Of course, being uncomfortable is quite inconvenient, and there was nothing wrong with the food so Seira finished her meal with great satisfaction. Then, she observed the man in front of her as she licked the sorbet off her lips.
‘He must be 23 years old because he was a year younger than me.’
Louis Franto’s physique was about the same as that of Aven.
Although he is relatively slim, Aven was a master-class slayer that specialized in close combat. His physical condition wasn’t a match for ordinary alphas or wizards. His similar physique meant that Louis Franto didn’t neglect to train his body even though he was a wizard.
Seira was roughly measuring the amount of muscle hidden beneath his suit, then she turned to his face after.
‘Is there anything wrong with Franto at all?’
There were no wrinkles or blemishes over his pale skin. Arched eyebrows that matched his gentle eyes, straight nose, and lips that draw a line completed such a handsome profile.
Not only that, his gentle smile and soft-spoken voice was a perfect tool to break his opponent’s guard.
‘I’m glad my eyes see beyond what he shows me.’
It was no exaggeration to say that her ex-fiance was Calrad Viseltium. And the eyes of Aven Helford, to Seira, was something exquisite like the skies above them.
‘Come to think of it, I think he looks a little like Aven…’
Aven with gray hair and black eyes was like an uncolored sculpture because his expression was blank. Louis, on the other hand, had gorgeous jewel-like blue-green eyes and gold-melted hair.
Yet strangely, Seira kept comparing the two of them. Were they similar or different? She couldn’t really tell.
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