Chapter : 07

The squirrel, seeing my expression, shook its head as if it could guess what I was thinking.

“…Yes, probably.”

What if Raphael regains his memories from before the regression?

I don’t know how he thought of me before the regression, but the memories we built together were real.

If he learns about the memories that only I possess. Then perhaps there might be a little more possibility between us!

“To completely rebuild the North, let’s start by constructing the outer castle first. As I just mentioned, the outer castle is divided into five areas, and it’ll be complete once we build those five buildings. …Next comes the estate, but that’s for later.”

I nodded with determination.

Despicably and cowardly, I’ll seduce Raphael by any means necessary.

Just you wait. Raphael Kairozen, and… Isidel Kairozen!

***

“Do you need me for the salon construction?”

“Yes! I need you very much!”

Raphael looked impassively at the squirrel-like woman who had entered his study and was confidently sticking out her belly.

Somehow this woman knew his schedule and appeared to hover around during every gap in his appointments.

It meant she was well-versed in his schedule.

Of course, just because this woman was moving around didn’t mean his mind became chaotic.

His perfect schedule wouldn’t change because of one woman scurrying around like a squirrel.

But…

“Y-Your Grace, I plan to visit this place for the salon construction. Here, please sign this visit-related document!”

“Someone else can do it.”

“Ah! And please sign this section too, I beg you!”

When this happened about three times, Raphael realized that this woman was annoying.

“Why do useless things? This is work that doesn’t require seeing me.”

Against his clear iron wall, Serenthia…

“Useless work? It’s only natural that I keep hovering around here!”

…Does she have some other logic?

It was when Raphael had been staring at Serenthia impassively for about 3 seconds.

“I need to see Raphael often so we can grow fond of each other! That’s why I deliberately kept hovering and lingering around…! Especially, I designed it to utilize Raphael’s spare time so it would never be bothersome or tiring – how does that sound?”

An extremely determined expression, and even a calculated face.

‘Certainly… That’s right. She was thorough.’

It was less bothersome than expected.

Serenthia ‘attacked’ him in 1-minute intervals when he was peaceful, when he was taking appropriate rest.

The problem was that these attacks didn’t feel as troublesome as expected.

‘Sharp.’

Raphael, who had been staring at her intently for another 3 seconds, nodded.

“I see. From now on, there’s no need to grow fond – consult with Tein over there instead.”

However, he was still an iron wall.

Serenthia’s hands, which had been clasped in front of her chest, dropped to the floor with a thud.

Regardless, Raphael turned around without hesitation…

Serenthia didn’t try to stop him as he left coldly.

At the lack of warmth he felt from behind, Raphael suddenly thought.

‘…Is she hurt?’

But…

A cheerful voice came from behind him.

“Wow, you’re even assigning me an aide, thank you so much!”

…What the hell?

Raphael’s nerves detected a bit more irritation.

But that was only momentary.

After cleanly forgetting about Serenthia, he entered the family’s meeting hall for his well-organized schedule.

Raphael casually folded up his sleeve cuffs a couple of times and whispered.

“Now, next. So how far did we discuss the 【Estate Reconstruction】? Ah, the budget. Let’s start from there.”

***

A few hours later.

Tein, having finished all the estate reconstruction meetings with Raphael, was holding an armful of documents with a joyful heart.

Lady Serenthia was taking charge of the salon construction.

Moreover, Serenthia, no, the prospective madam had met with Lord Raphael several times.

With unscheduled appointments?

“Will spring winds blow through our Duke’s Castle too? Mmm-hmm~”

Raphael’s love life was currently his only and most pressing interest.

But it was right when he was humming and walking through the mansion.

“Spring winds my foot. Has the one supposed to assist His Grace the Duke filled his lungs with nothing but useless hot air?”

“Eh, who…”

…It’s not just anyone.

Startled, Tein stopped in his tracks.

Countess Isidel.

She was a major figure managing the family’s internal affairs, and the person who would be in charge of training Serenthia as a duchess.

She was also known as the Iron Lady, the tiger of Kairozen.

Lady Isidel’s expression became even more menacing than her usual cold look.

“…Moreover, entrusting the salon construction, which is no different from family secrets, to an outsider woman who isn’t even married yet. And one with little experience in building construction – are you in your right mind?”

“Yes, yes. I don’t really understand what you mean…”

“I’m talking about constructing my salon! You gave that opportunity to Serenthia Rosemary, that young lady?”

“Ah… Y-yes. What a wonderful thing…”

At that moment, Lady Isidel waved the documents in her hand.

[Architecture Academy Enrollment Certificate

Name: Serenthia Rosemary

Rank: 30/30]

“These are that young lady’s Architecture Academy grades.”

“Hii, hiik. Where did you get such information… B-but in reality, she might be good…”

“Good? Don’t talk nonsense! Do you even know what meaning is contained in that salon?”

Tein’s eyes quickly became darting eyes.

“I have no idea… Yes.”

“That salon will become a legend of Northern high society!”

Along with her clear, ringing voice, Lady Isidel’s deep, dark eyes flashed with a fierce light.

“Anyway, I need to meet her once. I mean I need to meet her and properly put her in her place. Hmph, how dare she not know her position…”

Hearing her fierce harsh words, the corners of Tein’s mouth drooped downward.

‘This is trouble. When I hear Lady Isidel’s words, even I, a healthy adult man, get hurt.’

Worry doll Tein’s brow furrowed deeply.

***

“You’ve been put in charge of Lady Isidel’s salon construction?”

“Yeah.”

Head maid Melorsi looked at me with a worried expression.

“The thing is… Lady Isidel is no ordinary person. So please be very careful.”

“…”

“Lady Isidel has completely dominated Northern high society. When 【Epinetia Salon】 is built, she will rule over numerous Northern high society women as the salon’s madam.”

“Oh.”

“If you get on Lady Isidel’s bad side, it’s like becoming enemies with all of high society… You must be careful, my lady. Moreover, she’s said to be so dangerous that she’s exactly like His Grace the Duke. You absolutely must not give her any reason to find fault…”

She definitely had a gloomy expression. But I picked out only one sentence from her long speech.

“…Wait, head maid. What did you just say?”

“Lady Isidel is seriously dangerous…”

“No, that she’s exactly like His Grace the Duke?”

“Ah, so someone who resembles Lord Raphael both in appearance and personality…”

“Oh my goodness.”

My eyes widened.

There’s another person who looks exactly like my ‘husband’!

My heart pounded like crazy.

“So where is this person?”