ITIF Chapter 91

Preparations for Having an Heir

Count Preston shook his head with an expression that showed he truly had no idea whether that was what Kavelaseth really thought.

“If you’re done eating, get up now.”

Kavelaseth immediately stood from his seat and walked to the desk where he had been sitting for the past ten minutes.

The real reason Kavelaseth evaded Count Preston’s question was because even he couldn’t find the answer.

Why had he revealed a secret that could become his weakness to Giselle Grante at that time?

Of course, he was certain about other aspects.

He was certain that Giselle Grante would never disclose his secret to outsiders.

From the moment she learned his secret, Giselle Grante was as good as belonging to the Alliance.

Moreover, from what he had observed, Giselle Grante was as capable as the strategist who had once been called the Great Sage.

He had no doubt that bringing her to his side would be of great help to the Alliance in the future.

Thinking about it again, the engagement with Giselle Grante was a good decision.

Having finished rationalizing, Kavelaseth was nodding his head and lowering his gaze to the parchment to resume work when something came to mind.

Yesterday’s events suddenly surfaced.

The sensation of soft lips. Those ocean-blue eyes that looked at him with confusion while her cheeks were dyed rose pink.

It had been rather impulsive behavior, incomprehensible even to himself, but he didn’t regret it.

After all, this gave him confidence that there would be no difficulties in having an heir with the woman he would marry.

Actually, it was a bit troublesome.

From time to time, things like the sensation of her soft lips would come to mind, and each time, tension would build in his lower abdomen.

Just like right now…

Kavelaseth, without panicking, quickly erased thoughts of Giselle Grante from his mind.

‘It’s perfectly natural for the body to react when seeing a beautiful woman. Yes, yes. It’s proof of being healthy.’

Kavelaseth consoled himself that way.

However, even with his considerable self-control and restraint, controlling his body’s changes was extremely difficult.

It was something he hadn’t experienced before, so it was also flustering.

“……”

The butler, who had been watching Kavelaseth and Count Preston return to their respective places and resume work after finishing their brief meal, soon cleared away the empty plates.

A faint smile soon appeared on his lips.

He thought he understood why the Duke had chosen an engagement with Duke Amaterasu’s daughter as the method to keep the Crown Prince in check, setting aside other options.

Though it seemed he himself didn’t quite know yet.

****

“Congratulations on seeing the fruits of your labor.”

Lady Greykin’s expression was somehow mischievous as she said this.

“Don’t tease me.”

That was the best answer Giselle Grante could give.

Although there had been the major incident of kissing Kavelaseth a few days ago, that didn’t necessarily mean he liked her.

“Lady Greykin, you’re the one who’s been getting along well with Count Preston lately.”

“What?”

Lady Greykin jumped in surprise, widening her eyes, then immediately continued speaking.

“Lady Amaterasu, you’re greatly mistaken. I’m merely helping Count Preston with his work.”

Giselle Grante brought her teacup to her lips with a faint smile.

Then Lady Greykin quickly added.

“I’m serious. This won’t do. I should just stay out of it from now on. If I’d known such strange rumors would spread, I wouldn’t have helped Count Preston with his work.”

“……”

“I’m sure you know, my lady. Count Preston’s relationships with women are a bit… complicated. And……”

Before Lady Greykin could finish her words, Count Preston walked over.

It seemed he had heard the previous conversation, as Count Preston immediately spoke.

“I’m sorry about that.”

Lady Greykin, who had gasped and immediately covered her mouth, sent a look to Giselle Grante.

‘What should I do? I think he heard what I was saying just now……?’

To that questioning gaze, Giselle Grante looked between the two of them and quietly stood up.

“I’ll take my leave first. I hope you two reach an amicable agreement.”

As if pleading not to be left alone, Lady Greykin shook her head and tried to grab the hem of Giselle Grante’s dress.

However, this only served to prove that she had indeed been speaking ill of Count Preston moments ago.

Cough, cough.

Count Preston cleared his throat and glared at Lady Greykin.

Only then did Lady Greykin offer an apology.

“……I’m the one who’s sorry. I just…there seemed to be strange rumors circulating about the Count and me. I was trying to clear up the misunderstanding……”

Lady Greykin began stammering out an excuse, and Count Preston responded.

“I didn’t realize you found me so uncomfortable, my lady. I’ll be more careful from now on.”

“Ah, I didn’t mean it that way……”

Giselle Grante moved slowly with her ears perked up.

Neither of them seemed to have hard feelings toward each other, as they quickly returned to a reconciliatory atmosphere.

‘Rather, it seemed like they had favorable feelings toward each other as potential romantic interests…….’

With such thoughts, Giselle Grante, who had been heading toward the mansion, froze when she saw someone walking toward her.

It seemed Count Preston wasn’t the only one who had come to the tea time location with Lady Greykin.

At the sight of Kavelaseth striding toward her, Giselle Grante began to feel conflicted.

‘What should I do? Would it be better to turn back that way……?’

Just as the toe of Giselle Grante’s shoe was about to turn slightly toward Lady Greykin.

Kavelaseth spoke to her.

“I heard you were enjoying tea time, but is it already time to leave?”

His attitude was no different from usual.

Giselle Grante also wanted to maintain such composure in their conversation.

She would have done so, if only she could stop glancing at Kavelaseth’s lips.

“It seems I should. Count Preston appears to have business with Lady Greykin. I just happened to remember something I needed to do as well. Also……”

Was it because this was the first time meeting after kissing Kavelaseth?

Right now, Giselle Grante was definitely nervous. Her rambling speech was proof of that.

“Were you on your way back to the mansion, my lady?”

“Perhaps……?”

“Then I’ll accompany you.”

Giselle Grante glanced toward Lady Greykin and Count Preston and asked.

“Didn’t you have business with Lady Greykin?”

“My business was with you, my lady.”

Saying this, Kavelaseth walked toward the mansion.

Giselle Grante glanced once more at Lady Greykin and Count Preston, who were in conversation, before moving her feet.

Unable to do otherwise, Giselle Grante followed Kavelaseth toward the mansion and, after some deliberation, spoke up.

“By the way, there’s something I’d like to ask you.”

Kavelaseth nodded as if telling her to speak.

“Could you tell me why you kissed me that time?”

“I don’t make decisions that leave room for reversal.”

“……”

“I consider an engagement to be a contract to bind each other while preparing for marriage.”

“……”

“It’s not so strange to check in advance whether one can have an heir with the person one will marry, is it?”

“Are you truly thinking of marrying me?”

When Giselle Grante asked with a somewhat shocked expression, a crack appeared even in Kavelaseth’s straight brow.

“……My lady?”

His lips twitched slightly, as if something else had displeased him.

“Yes, please go ahead.”

When Giselle Grante nodded, Kavelaseth, who was about to say something, shook his head slightly as if giving up.

It seemed he had decided to hold back what he was going to say.

‘One of the two ways to irritate someone is to start speaking and then stop……’

Just as Giselle Grante thought that far, Kavelaseth changed the subject.

“So I’d like to hear your thoughts on how it was.”

“What thoughts are you referring to?”

“Do you think there will be any difficulties in having an heir with me in the future?”

Giselle Grante unconsciously shook her head slightly.

Far from disliking it, her heart would flutter whenever she recalled the kiss with Kavelaseth, which was troublesome.

However, she couldn’t show such feelings, so her answer was hesitant.

Then Kavelaseth suddenly stopped walking and looked around.

“If you’re still not certain, it might be fine to kiss again. I’d like to hear your thoughts.”

“Ah…….”

It was as if he had read her thoughts, making her both flustered and nervous at the same time.

Giselle Grante swallowed dryly with her cheeks flushed red.

After gazing at Giselle Grante, who gave no answer, for a while, Kavelaseth’s neat lips curved into an arc.

The moment she thought the smile on his face was wonderful, a shadow gradually fell over Giselle Grante’s face.

Perhaps because it was quite possible to anticipate what would happen next?

She felt even more nervous than before, when they had kissed for the first time.

Giselle Grante lowered her head slightly to hide her flushed cheeks.

Kavelaseth’s face, which had been drawing close as if about to kiss her at any moment, moved slightly away.

‘……Is he going to stop?’

As she thought that and slightly raised her gaze, a low rumble like a whisper continued near her ear.

“I’m glad you didn’t seem to dislike it either, my lady.”

Kavelaseth’s lips touched and then parted from Giselle Grante’s lips, which had been trembling as if hesitating over what to answer.