The chaotic sitcom-like first meeting with my in-laws had ended.
“How was my performance today?”
The most important thing is always customer feedback.
‘Will I be able to get the incentive I aimed for?’
He glanced at his thigh as if deep in thought, then turned his head.
‘Hmm, no response. Does that mean he wasn’t particularly satisfied?’
I tilted my head as I observed Duke Kalinos and noticed the tips of his ears turning faintly red.
I’m quick to notice things, but this was the first time I’d encountered someone as peculiar as him.
When that happens, the best option is to be direct.
“Well, at least we managed to get the marriage approved, so I’d say that’s good enough, right?”
He, who had been avoiding my gaze the entire time, looked at me as if I were a reliable, trustworthy servant and said,
“Yes. I believed in you.”
“I was seriously surprised! When you called me ‘darling,’ I thought I’d misheard you or something!”
Even though Duke Kalinos was better than that danged Marquess Berto and his ilk, I’d still considered him the ultimate hidden villain.
Just as I was seriously impressed, he pulled a small note from his pocket and showed it to me.
> “I memorized ‘The Encyclopedia of Lovers! 191,719 Ways to Become a Couple’ word for word.”
“You memorized all of that?”
“Thinking of it as research made it enjoyable. Of course, I didn’t stop there. I summoned my researchers and studied the nuances of romantic speech. ‘Darling’ was ranked second most used term of endearment in the Empire around year 732.”
No matter how I looked at it, this man was far more terrifying than just an ordinary villain.
‘He really dug that deep?’
I stared at the duke with a wary expression. He gave me a curious look in return.
Thanks to years of social experience, I caught on quickly—he was fishing for praise.
“So um, honestly, it was really quite good. Whatever it was.”
“I’m relieved.”
In any case, life as his partner was more enjoyable than I expected.
It wasn’t bad being trusted so completely.
“But going forward, I’d prefer you avoid unnecessary physical contact.”
“Oh, sitting on your lap?”
“Yes. After your contact, my heart rate increased by 1.75 times, my ears turned red, and I exhibited signs of heightened anxiety. I suspect it was due to excessive norepinephrine secretion.”
I looked at him.
His cheeks did seem a bit flushed…
‘What does that even mean? Is that his way of saying he fell for me?’
No matter how I thought about it, it was hard to tell.
He was too eccentric to read properly.
But one thing was clear:
‘He hasn’t mentioned the incentive… Guess that’s a no.’
I’d even brought a separate money pouch.
This was a disaster.
Just as I was despairing and watching for cues, Duke Kalinos spoke again.
“Well then, let’s work well together for the next year.”
“Yes, understood.”
I mentally took notes about my employer’s eccentricities and moved on to the next topic.
“So, until the wedding, what exactly should I be doing?”
“You’ll be assigned etiquette and domestic tutors. You’ll also get a basic overview of the family’s affairs before the wedding.”
After all, I had popped out of nowhere as a fiancée—so it made sense I’d need to learn about the family.
“Who will be teaching me?”
“Agnis, a family elder. Looks like a bandit and has a temper. She’s my mother’s close aide. Expert with monsters and exceptionally good at disregarding people.”
He stared at me for a moment before casually adding,
“She might make you do something dangerous.”
“Oh really?”
Something dangerous, huh.
I narrowed my eyes as I read through the note he had given me and paused.
“Wait a minute.”
“Hmm?”
“You said her name is Elder Agnis?”
I gave a sly smile and locked my gaze on the name Agnis.
“Could you show me a map of the estate, by any chance?”
“…All of a sudden?”
“Yes, I suddenly need it.”
—
“Hah, goodness. You really don’t know this?”
“Nope, not at all!”
The next morning.
Giselle stared dead-on at her tutor, eyes sharp, as she recalled the note left by Duke Kalinos:
> [You’ll be guided through the basics of the family’s history and responsibilities. The tutor is quite sharp-tongued. A map of the Elder Council’s research center is attached below.]
“The Kalinos family is a research-based noble house. You knew that much, right? Even if you’re clueless…”
“Yawn, and so? What exactly does the Elder Council research?”
“Our Elder Council makes potions. I, in particular, am working on a masterpiece titled Goblin’s Phlegm.”
“Oh, potions, huh?”
“Exactly.”
Agnis looked at Giselle with open contempt as she yawned and thought:
‘Sure, I may not be as skilled as the other elders from other families, but this time, I’ll hit the jackpot.’
Potions developed by the elders often had poor sales despite decent effects. But his newest creation, Goblin’s Phlegm, would be a hit for sure.
“Haloness’s herb…”
“Yes, with Haloness’s herb, I could—! Wait, how do you know about that?”
“It was written in the book you brought. Imaginary Herbs: Haloness’s Herb.”
Flustered, he blurted out:
“Anyway! There’s a limit to what you can learn from books. Since you clearly know nothing about the Kalinos family, I’ll have to start you off with some on-site experience.”
“Hmmm? On-site experience?”
“Yes. I’d like to show you the Potion Lab, the pride of our Kalinos Research Institute. A place filled with extracts from all kinds of monsters. It’s so bizarre and horrifying that most people run away screaming.”
“Are you trying to scare me?”
When Giselle stared at him with a blank expression, Agnis coughed awkwardly and looked away.
“…Ahem! Also, since Lady Giselle is so intelligent, I think it would be good to introduce you to the other elders. They’re meeting right now, coincidentally.”
“That’s perfect! I really know nothing about the research institute, so I’d love to meet the other elders!”
Giselle stood up with a smile.
Her gaze remained fixed on a page in a casually opened book—the one on Imaginary Herbs: Haloness’s Herb.
—
At the entrance of the Elder Council
Agnis glanced sideways at Giselle, who appeared more docile than expected, and paused.
He had come warned by Yuliana that she wasn’t to be underestimated, but she looked quite delicate.
‘Well, compared to the great Agnis, she’s nothing.’
SHe was often told he looked like a terrifying bandit, so it wasn’t unusual for a frail lady to be intimidated right away.
Wearing a mocking smirk, Agnis opened the door to the research lab of the Elder Council. To intimidate Giselle, he had brought a live troll.
It was about 120 cm tall—a mini troll with green skin.
“Ha ha, scared, aren’t you? That’s to be expected—”
“Hmm, green skin, huh?”
“Graaaar!”
The troll raised its hands menacingly and roared, but Giselle simply blinked.
Looking at the troll, she tilted her chin and said casually:
“Ugly.”
The troll looked shocked, mouth agape, and then silently slinked down the hallway to escape.
‘What is this energy? She’s got such strong presence… too strong.’
As Agnis rolled his eyes, Giselle gestured with her chin.
“Well? Aren’t you going to open the door?”
To go deeper into the lab, a secret magic circle had to be drawn. But Agnis didn’t want to reveal the formation to an outsider like Giselle.
“Hah… I’ll open it. Please wait here in front of the lab. It’ll take a bit of time.”
SHe turned to go inside, leaving Giselle standing alone like she was on a deserted island.
That’s when she called her name.
“Lord Agnis.”
“Yes?”
“Spring has come, hasn’t it? Soon, the flowers and grasses will start blooming.”
“What’s with the sudden sentimentality? Are you scared? If you’re afraid, feel free to turn back now.”
He grimaced and stare
d at Giselle.
But Giselle was simply staring into the forest beyond the servants’ quarters, right beside the lab.
“No, Lord Agnis… It’s just that—Giselle has come up with a very good idea.”
