Chapter : 2.3

* * *

‘It’s finally Monday.

The weekend flew by in the blink of an eye. I spent it reflecting on the years I’ve been through and formulating new strategies.

In the meantime, I made a discovery. I realized that I hadn’t even known Claude’s ideal type until now.

‘How could he be so shameless?

The Audrey of old was very simple. She believed that because she was so cute, Claude would like her one day.

‘Seriously, where does that confidence come from?

‘Cuteness.

‘What?

‘I’m cute, what more do you need?

‘…… you crazy bitch.

I should have listened to Hans back then.

Anyway, things will be completely different from now on. I was going to steal Claude’s heart more scientifically and methodically, based on thorough research.

The first step was to identify his ideal type.

＊ ＊ ＊ ＊

‘I’ll do this!’

‘Sure. I’ll be grateful if you help me.’

‘Hehe.’

‘…….’

What the hell was that?

Hans sat up stiffly and stared at the two of them with a sneer.

‘Isn’t that a goldfish?

Just last Friday, he’d been sobbing like a broken-hearted man, unnecessarily upsetting everyone else……. It was amazing how, in just two days, he was following his brother around.

‘Hasn’t he any self-respect?

His eyes had been glazed over since he got into the carriage. He wasn’t crazy, to begin with, but now he was even more perverted, his eyes filled with a madness that made him refuse to let go of Claude for even a moment. It made me wonder what the hell had happened to him over the weekend.

‘…… Ugly bitch.

Hans couldn’t hide his disappointment.

Just then, the men from the Treasury beckoned him over.

‘Come here, please.’

‘Yes, yes. Hans, have you seen the Duke today?’

‘Yes?’

‘You must not have seen him, phew. That’s all well and good.’

‘…….’

Unable to ignore the favor, Hans slipped off to join them in a corner, where they huddled together as if to tell a dreadful tale.

‘No. Was it that bad?’

‘Nonsense. They’re all saying he must have dyed the fabric with blood.’

‘Exactly. It was more of a bright red than pink, and there’s no pink like that in the world.’

But Hans’s whole attention was focused on the two of them, who were clinging to each other.

Then Audrey stumbled and leaned into Mr Salfossi’s arms.

‘Oh, that crazy acorn!

Hans jumped to his feet.

‘What do you think you’re doing, a man who’ll die if you do something he’s not supposed to do?’

‘Oh, I thought I’d help him…… out a bit. I’ll stand up first, then you can finish your story.’

Unaware of the other’s situation, they looked at the impatiently walking away and then spoke with admiration.

‘Hyaa, you brothers are very close. My sons are all big boys and they don’t make much of a fuss.’

‘With sons like that, the Earl of Emilton must be very fortunate.’

‘How good will he be to his wife afterward?’

But the words fell on deaf ears.

He was too busy interrupting their conversation.

‘What are you talking about?’

‘…….’

‘Oh, you’re in luck. Audrey knows of a fun psychological test.’

‘A psychological test?’

Hans’s eyes were filled with suspicion as he looked down at Audrey. He was not a great man who believed in such things, as the Acorn was unusually rational.

‘What’s she up to this time?

There must be something up his sleeve.

Audrey quickly flipped open her notebook, just in case Hans blew out the candle.

‘You stand in front of a mirror that shows you the future. What type of relationship and family do you think you’ll have in the future?’

This was too transparent, even if his intentions were transparent. It was a blatant attempt to ask my brother’s ideal type.

‘……Trying, trying, trying.’

‘A cheerful and lively, B active and enterprising, C intelligent and logical, D Jericho and sensitive, E sexy and sensual. Pick one of these.’

‘Hmm, I think I’m A. Cheerful and lively is good.’

‘……!’

Audrey’s complexion brightened. One would have thought Claude had picked her.

‘You, the one who chose cheerful and lively!’

‘Hey, I haven’t even picked-’

‘You may not be talkative or humorous, but you’re a good listener and a caring person! Cheers to your warm heart!’

‘……ha?’

‘That’s very interesting. Oh, so this is it.’

That’s bullshit. I could tell it was hastily thrown together.

Hans hadn’t even made a choice, so what was I supposed to do, blurt out the result? It was clear that she wasn’t interested in his choice in the first place.

‘That slut. Look at her not asking me!’

The words were not coming out of my mouth nicely.

‘Is there such a thing as a psychological test, and the result is a toast?’

‘Moe, Moe, I don’t believe it. Try something else!’

‘…….’

I stuttered badly, and it looked suspiciously like I was stuttering.

Audrey flipped through her notebook for a long time, as if stalling for time, before she finally managed to get the next question out.

‘Well……, you’ve been forced into an arranged marriage by your parents, what kind of relationship would you choose as a mate?’

‘What the fuck kind of psychological test is this?’

‘Shhh. Let’s hear it.’

‘…….’

‘Firstly, A. A relationship that is familiar and comfortable, B. A relationship that is unfamiliar but will burn quickly, C. A free relationship where you only meet out of necessity, D. A relationship where you actively bind each other, E. A toxic relationship where you fight every time you meet.’

Claude waited for his brother, who seemed to have already made up his mind.

Hans, however, knew that this psychological test was bullshit, but he was seriously considering it.

‘Wait, if A and E are mixed, which one should I choose?

In the meantime, Claude hit him.

‘I’m going with A again. Familiarity and comfort.’

‘You’re the one who chose familiarity and comfort!’

‘Dude, you again-’

‘Don’t you have someone close to you already in mind?’

‘……!’

The two Earl of Emilton men stiffened. It was as if they had been stabbed in the heart.

Audrey’s meaningful gaze turned to Claude.

‘The world is a big place, and there are many connections. Don’t get too wrapped up in one person, look around.’

‘…….’

‘Surely a better match is out there waiting for you!’

He snapped the blank notebook shut as if to destroy the evidence. His chartreuse eyes shone with a keen intensity.

‘You mean that bright, cheerful girl I met at the Academy?

Audrey passed through the first gateway too easily. Somehow, she had a good feeling about this.

＊ ＊ ＊ ＊

Ten in the morning. An unexpected visitor burst into the Treasury in the middle of the day.

‘Your Excellency!’

‘You don’t have to stand up.’

It was the Duke of Fritt.

They were surprised twice, once by his presence and again by his outlandish attire, which they had only heard about in rumors.

‘While I’m here, I plan to visit each department one day at a time. So, everyone, don’t worry about it and go about your business as usual.’

‘…… Yes.’

No one said it out loud, but they all looked shocked.

Had the Duke picked up a strange hobby over the weekend? If not, the tailor who made those clothes must be out of this world.

‘Lucas, fetch the desk.’

‘Yes.’

Audrey was stunned.

‘Oh, my God!

He looked like he was pouring oil on the fire to fuel the vicious rumors that followed him.

If that wasn’t a maniacal killer, what was it?

‘The sight of him in his black robes was enough to send shivers down my spine…….’

He certainly lived up to his reputation as the devil’s minion. Even those ridiculous sleeve frills look like they could kill someone.

A shiver ran down my spine as I suddenly remembered the murderous encounter in the archives.

‘I’ll have to be careful not to draw too much attention to myself,’ she thought.

But it was more than just a thought. Without magic, Audrey was nothing more than a breathing paper doll.

‘What a mess. What the hell is wrong with you?’

‘Sin, I’m sorry. I’ll clean it up again.’

‘I think it would be quicker to go home than to do it again.’

‘…….’

‘I hired a temp, not a slug. I’d rather not have them.’

‘I stand corrected.’

‘If you want to go home at the end of the day, you’re going to have to do it perfectly.’

‘It’s …….’

Audrey returned to her seat, still fuming. Behind her, she felt the pitying stares of the finance people. It was harsh to think that she might not go home tonight because she’d crossed the wrong line on a ticket.

But Duke Fritz had been pecking at Audrey all day, like a man possessed.

‘Again.’

‘Yes.’

‘That’s not what I meant.’

‘…… I’ll do it again.’

She hadn’t forgotten how he’d been napping nonchalantly in the archives.

He’d started an unplanned departmental rotation, and it was all because of Audrey. He had no intention of keeping any salary-chewing carnivores, and she was by far the plumpest of them all.

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