PSD Chapter 59

“Nice to—”

Smack—Her hand was suddenly grabbed by another large one. Startled, Milena turned to look at Lexion and finished her greeting.
“—meet you.”

“Hmm.” With a nasal chuckle, Blanc straightened his bent posture and smiled slyly.
“Your husband must be very jealous, huh?”

Lexion glanced at the hand Blanc had kissed and immediately passed it off to Ashid, who furiously scrubbed it with a handkerchief he’d been carrying. They looked like a father-and-son duo with perfectly divided roles.

Every one of their actions drew the eyes of onlookers.

Though Milena had seen it all before, those who had only known Lexion as the playboy of the capital—living as if he could seduce every woman in the empire—were stunned speechless.

‘Well, looks like that’s the end of the audience’s buzz.’

Blanc had summoned the nobles precisely to provoke a reaction and gauge the atmosphere, intending to steer it from there. But Milena took the initiative before he could act.

“My husband is a bit much,” she said.

Her voice wasn’t loud, but it carried power, capturing everyone’s attention.

“He gets prickly even at another man’s glance. I’d appreciate it if you could overlook his rudeness.”

Oh.

Blanc let out a quiet sigh of admiration, and Lexion beamed with pride. His eyes softened as if to say, “This amazing woman is mine.”

With the happiest smile in the world, Lexion wrapped his arm around her shoulder and led her forward.

“Darling, shall we go inside?”

Hearing him speak so politely, Milena glanced at the noble ladies behind their fans and smiled.

“Let’s. Mother-in-law said I could order as much as I want. That’s okay, right?”

They all knew how long it took just to get one dress from here. You had to fight tooth and nail to get a masterpiece from a renowned artisan. But to be told to order freely?

Eavesdropping nobles swallowed hard.

Only the House of Silbert could pull this off. Even if others got pushed down the priority list, no one would dare complain. That a newly arrived noblewoman from the provinces wielded such influence was shocking. It meant she had full recognition as the Grand Duchess.

“Of course. Buying the entire shop would be possible too,” Lexion said.

“I don’t need the shop,” Milena replied coolly.

Watching the couple’s banter, Blanc gave a faint chuckle.

“My, my. This shop isn’t for sale, you know. Now then, let’s head up. I’ll take you to the third floor.”

The third floor was reserved only for VIPs personally attended by Blanc himself. The first floor was managed by his apprentices, serving walk-in clients who often couldn’t even make a reservation. And even that was notoriously hard to book.

Once Lexion’s party disappeared up the stairs, the stunned silence on the first floor broke into murmurs.

“My goodness!”
“Did you hear that?”
“Hear it? I saw it! I’ve never seen the Young Lord make that face before!”
“This is unreal. Impossible.”
“They’re really, really married?”
“I heard she got pregnant, so they skipped the wedding and did the vows first. She’s from the North, and he’s been hiding her like a treasure, only now bringing her to the capital!”

Reactions varied wildly. Married noblewomen found it fascinating, while unmarried young ladies looked ready to shred their handkerchiefs in despair. The fact that Lexion—Lexion!—looked at someone with love in his eyes was unbelievable.

He hadn’t earned the nickname everyone’s lover for nothing. He always had a fair expression and manner toward all. Never once had he gazed at someone with such visible affection.

Yes, being near Lexion always made one feel special, but this was different. Any woman who had ever been face-to-face with him could sense the subtle change.

Far in the distance, hearing the rising buzz behind them, Blanc couldn’t hide his grin.

“Haha, Lexion. This might be the best thing you’ve ever done.”

Once they reached the third floor and entered the empty atelier, Blanc dropped the formal tone.

“Let me reintroduce myself, madam. I’m Blanc, Lexion’s dear friend.”

The self-proclaimed tailor and madam of the boutique was, in fact, Lexion’s man. In the information guild, he served as Lexion’s left hand. As he tried to lift her hand again for a kiss, Lexion swatted it away immediately.

“Just do your job.”

“Pfft. So cute.”

Milena, who had been puzzled at the mention of “friend,” now gave a slight nod, understanding. That seductive air, those glances—it did remind her of Lexion when he was acting. The playful, teasing mood between the two men was quite similar.

Pulling Blanc aside, Lexion whispered discreetly,

“Milena doesn’t know about the guild. Watch yourself.”

“Aha, got it. Just tell me one thing—why the sudden marriage? I thought you were gonna be a lifelong bachelor.”

In response, Lexion just smiled warningly. Not now.

“You always leave out the juicy parts. No wonder Gerard says you’re the worst boss ever.”

Sending only a short note and asking him to create a scene-worthy atmosphere—Blanc had found it too tempting not to tease a little. Accepting defeat, he turned to Ashid and Milena.

“Hello there, young duke!”

He bent low to meet Ashid’s eye level, and his long, white-blond hair slipped forward in waves.

“If you stare at me that intensely, I might get embarrassed~”

As Blanc winked playfully, Ashid gripped Milena’s hand tightly and stated,

“I was just thinking, maybe that saying’s right.”

“What saying?” Blanc asked.

“That friends come in the same kind.”

Despite the weight of Blanc’s gaze, the child made his point firmly.

“Haha! But I’m more handsome and prettier, right?”

Ashid thought of Duke Silbert—sickly but gentle and elegant. He was way more handsome than this guy. Ashid had no intention of answering and turned away pointedly.

“Enough nonsense. Let’s get to work.”

“Yes, yes~ Shall we start with your measurements, then?”

Blanc gave a charming smile, swinging his measuring tape as he led Milena behind a curtain.

Though it was for taking her measurements, Lexion didn’t like another man touching her. He watched the curtain like a hawk, but then noticed Ashid quietly sitting next to him. Lexion reached out and tapped the boy’s chubby cheek.

“Well done, nephew.”

“Hmph. It’s not like I did it to impress you, Uncle.”

Before leaving, Lexion had told Ashid that from now on, everything people saw would reflect on Milena. Even without detailed explanation, the boy had nodded in understanding. Already known in the duchy for his good behavior and lovable nature, Ashid was a sharp child.

As he sipped the juice Jenny had given him, a voice whispered next to Lexion.

“My lord,” said Gerard, stepping up.
“I believe you’ll need to leave now.”

Lexion frowned.

“The crown prince has sent his men. He says if you don’t come now, he’ll drag you in himself. He even brought the shadow knights.”

“Haa. What happened to patience?”

“Well, my lord has been delaying quite a bit. He’s probably out of it now.”

“Click.”

Lexion rose and signaled to Jenny, pointing at Ashid—protect him well.

“Darling, I need to step out for a moment.”

Milena peeked out from behind the curtain.

“Where to?”

“To the palace. Just for a bit.”

Stepping in close, he pulled the curtain to block Ashid’s view and kissed her. Milena flinched, surprised, but welcomed him naturally.

That unforgettable, passionate night—both of them could feel the distance between them had vanished. Even in that short kiss, there was lingering emotion.

“Sorry. I should be with you longer.”

“Will you be late today, too?”

“No, I’ll finish up as fast as I can.”

As if recharging on her warmth, he kissed her again before turning to Blanc with a warning look.

“Take good care of my wife.”

“Of course. Don’t worry~”

Blanc practically shoved Lexion out and curtly closed the curtain. Once his footsteps faded, he placed the measuring tape over Milena’s shoulder.

A secret space. As he measured, Blanc didn’t jot anything down—he memorized it all on the spot.

“Did you know?”

He casually slipped in a question while wrapping the tape around her waist.

“Or maybe you didn’t?”

When she gave him a curious look, Blanc acted like it was unavoidable, as if saying, I’m only telling you this for your own good.

“Do you know why the palace is so eager to see the young lord? Since you just arrived in the capital, you might not have heard the rumors.”

“…”

His tone clearly carried ulterior motives. Though his hands stayed busy with the tape, his eyes were gauging her reaction.

Milena calmly observed him, then looked down at the man kneeling to measure her leg and spoke softly.

“Blanc, was it?”

“Yes, madam?”

“I’m amazed you manage to deal with noblewomen speaking like that.”