Duke, Is This Your First Time? -R15 - Chapter 55

“……”

 

Elysia’s forehead frowned slightly while she skimmed through the two documents placed side by side.

 

Things she was looking at the moment were reports regarding the business of Helios and Camellia Family, proposed by Har and Lulien.

 

The problem was the growth that reduced noticeably compared to before.

 

It seemed that there was strengthening in the surveillance of Duke Russet using Veramus.

 

‘This will be difficult.’

 

Elysia, who clicked her tongue, raised her head.

 

“Is there any way to handle this? At this rate, will it take longer than I expect?”

 

At her question, Lulien answered right away without raising her head.

 

“I’m looking for it, but I don’t think it’s going to be easy using only our strength. However, there is not currently any external force we can pull toward us.”

 

“Sigh, anyway, the problem is Duke Russet, he’s sly. Even yesterday’s assembly made Marquis Berten do something weird…… Oh, right.”

 

Elysia, who sighed and grumbled, stopped talking as if she suddenly recalled something and spoke up again.

 

“Lulien, you went to the Juvelos Academy in the Cheville Kingdom, didn’t you?”

 

“But?”

 

“Do you happen to know someone named Nocturne Sied? He seems to know you.”

 

At that moment, Lulien’s hand stopped its movement when she was filling out the documents. Elysia didn’t miss the moment when it was shaking.

 

“What is this about?”

 

Even though the reaction was so subtle that she would’ve missed it if she wasn’t watching, Elysia was intrigued by Lulien who responded.

 

The Lulien Spencer she knew was someone who would never stop writing just because she heard the name of someone whom she was acquainted with.

 

“Something is suspicious.”

 

When Elysia’s eyes were about to squint, Lulien replied calmly.

 

“I know him. We went to the same academy. But how did you know Nocturne?”

 

“Would you mind to greet him first? I heard he followed His Excellency on a field trip. He was tall, handsome, and made a good impression.”

 

“Nocturne was popular at the academy. He also studied well.”

 

“Were you very close with him?”

 

“A little.”

 

After hearing Lulien’s answer, Elysia thought it was strange.

 

Just hearing from her words, they didn’t seem to have a deep relationship, but from Nocturne’s side, it was different.

 

When he talked about Lulien, his eyes and expression were too much to assume that their relationship was just friends.

 

‘I think there’s something between them. At least it certainly seems that Nocturne likes Lulien.’

 

Normally, she would have turned away from it without hesitation because it was considered a private matter. As Lulien and Har also did that.

 

But strangely enough, this time it remained on her mind.

 

The reason might be that she knew Har had given up something and returned to the empire. Lulien might have thought that way and done the same thing.

 

Elly was about to speak up again while thinking she should check whether it was true or not.

 

The butler’s voice was heard along with a knock on the door.

 

“My Lord. May I come in?”

 

“Come on in.”

 

When she granted permission to the butler, he came into the office with a silver tray in one of his hands.

 

Upon seeing the letter on the silver tray, Elysia’s eyebrows immediately furrowed.

 

The imperial family is the only one within the empire who would write a letter in golden envelopes.

 

“But why are there two letters?”

 

While wondering, Elysia didn’t know why the butler brought two letters until he put down the tray.

 

One came from the emperor and the other one from Dustin.

 

Upon reading the letter sent by the emperor, there was a slight frown on her face.

 

[I’m sure you’re not forgetting your promise to me last time. In an hour, the person whom I sent will come to visit, Marquess. I hope you have a wonderful time.]

 

It was a very strange letter.

 

It wasn’t the emperor, but she was the one who had to do the favor, but the contents of the letter sounded as if she had been the one asking the emperor to do it.

 

‘Have a good time? What is this about……’

 

Elysia, who stared at the emperor’s letter with a preposterous gaze, turned to read another letter. It was a letter she didn’t really want to touch, but she knew she had to.

 

Her face was filled with disgust when picking up the letter and frowned again after checking the content.

 

[I’m going to visit the marquess’ mansion in an hour. I’ll see you soon.]

 

It was definitely a letter without courtesy. Doesn’t it indicate that he doesn’t know the other person’s schedule?

 

“One is weird and the other one is polite. What’s this about?”

 

As Elysia grumbled with an irritated expression, Lulien asked.

 

“Where was the letter sent from?”

 

“One was sent by His Majesty and another one is from a lunatic.”

 

“What did he say?”

 

“Your Majesty says he’ll send someone here in an hour, and the lunatic says he’ll visit in an hour, too.”

 

For the first time upon Elysia’s answer, Lulien’s hand, which was holding the pen, stopped.

 

There was a look of disbelief on the face of her friend who raised her head.

 

“Both of them are going to come in an hour? Did they plan something?”

 

“That’s what I’m talking about. Oh, really, is it such a big deal to contact me in advance? It’s not like they have to exert influence just because they’re members of the imperial family.”

 

Elysia, who put down her pen and slumped down on the chair.

 

The mere thought of welcoming Dustin and an unknown individual sent by the emperor simultaneously made her stressed out.

 

Why does it have to be today all of a sudden? She had a lot of work to do.

 

Even so, Dustin couldn’t be sent back. She didn’t know what she would have to face with his sh*tty personality if she were to tell him to return.

 

Elysia, who released a deep sigh, looked at Lulien and asked.

 

“I shouldn’t say that I’m sick, right?”

 

“If you do that, he’ll go to the bedroom with the excuse of visiting you because you are sick. You know very well that the Second Prince is stubborn.”

 

“Oh, dear……”

 

Just imagining it gave Elysia goosebumps.

 

Dustin barging into her bedroom. She had never heard such a thing from men she’d dated before, it’s such a terrible thing to say.

 

Even Har had never entered her bedroom. He refused even though he said he could come in if there was an emergency.

 

What did he say? No matter how close he was to her as a friend, it was considered rude to enter a private space thoughtlessly.

 

‘Come to think of it, it’s the first time. For a man to enter my bedroom.’

 

The day before the extraordinary meeting of the nobles, Elysia had asked Iker to visit her mansion.

 

There was no place to meet in secret, so she chose her own bedroom, but it was a brave thing to do when she thought about it again.

 

Inviting a man who has a thing for her to her own bedroom is like tempting him.

 

The memory of that night flashed across Elysia’s mind.

 

The fierce gold eyes that looked as if he was about to swallow her immediately, the hot breath against her earlobes, his warmth, and the indescribably strong desire sensed in her lower abdomen.

 

[So tell me when you really want to borrow it, I’ll be waiting.]

 

Recalling his low and deep voice that reverberated deep inside her body, she unknowingly swallowed on her own. She merely thought about it, but her body seemed to be strangely hot.

 

Elysia, who had been occupied by her mind, returned from her thoughts after being startled by Lulien’s voice.

 

“However, it’s a relief. The person who’s sent by His Majesty will be here soon. Give him that excuse. Of course, it has to be someone who can beat the Second Prince, but you know what? Such an impatient man may not be able to wait and go back first.”

 

“Sigh, do I have no choice but to look forward to the man with such a sh*tty personality?”

 

Elysia let out a deep sigh.

 

It would be best for the impatient Dustin to return without waiting, but if not, she just hopes that someone sent by the emperor could beat the Second Prince, just like what Lulien said.

 

***

 

An hour later, Elysia left the office when she received the word that Dustin had arrived. She dragged her feet to the drawing room as if a heavy iron ball was attached to them.

 

As she entered the drawing room, she met eyes with Dustin who was standing in the center.

 

“Elly.”

 

He called her with her nickname as soon as his eyes met her figure.

 

Elysia smiled and spoke up, she cursed inwardly at the nickname he used to call her every time although he didn’t have any permission to use it.

 

“I was surprised to hear that Your Highness suddenly wanted to visit. What brings you here?”

 

“There’s a place I have to go with you, so you should get ready to go out.”

 

What is this crazy guy talking about?

 

Elysia looked at Dustin in bewilderment.

 

It’s already ridiculous to come over all of a sudden, but she had to go out with him as soon as he arrived. What kind of manners is this?

 

Even so, she couldn’t speak it out loud, so she asked again.

 

“Right now?”

 

“Right now. I’ll tell you the location on my way.”

 

Ugh, such a crazy man. What does he mean by saying ‘right now’? Moreover, he would tell her on their way later?

 

Elysia could barely swallow down the curse that was already emerging up to her throat. It suddenly felt as if luck was by her side as she had a reason to turn down his invitation.

 

If the emperor hadn’t said he would send someone to go there, wouldn’t she have been dragged immediately without knowing where they’re heading to?

 

‘Should I be grateful for His Majesty?’

 

Elysia deliberately put on an embarrassed expression on her face while admiring the fact that what she thought troublesome had turned into a good thing in an instant.

 

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. I think it’s difficult for me to do it right now.”

 

“Difficult?”

 

Dustin’s dark eyebrows rose and a sign of displeasure clearly emerged to his face.

 

Elysia quickly added an excuse upon seeing his face as if it said, ‘how dare you disobey me?’

 

“His Majesty’s servant came before you contacted me. His Majesty said he’s going to send someone to come here. It’s difficult for me to leave because I think he will arrive soon.”

 

Dustin’s eyebrows immediately furrowed upon hearing her words. His face seemed to be filled with a strange look.

 

“His Majesty? Who?”

 

“I have no idea. If Your Highness contacted me in advance, I could have adjusted the time so it wouldn’t overlap.”

 

She pretended to be guilty while pointing out Dustin’s sudden visit. She thought she had to do this in order to relieve her irritation toward him.

 

Luckily, it might be due to the power carried by the two words, ‘His Majesty’ that Dustin didn’t say anything.

 

Elysia prayed to herself that he would return quickly while throwing a glance at him. However, her wish wasn’t granted.

 

“I’ll wait.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

Elysia’s eyes trembled after hearing the answer which was the opposite of what she wished for.