“The alimony will be your entire fortune.”
That scene right now, and the fact that Anais might make such a choice—
Baldwin’s violet eyes glinted coldly for a moment.
“Your Grace, is there something that makes you uncomfortable? If so, we can adjust accordingly…”
Baldwin slowly turned his head to look at the man.
The man, who had been watching Baldwin with an anxious expression, forced an awkward smile.
“Please speak freely, Your Grace. We are ready to accept any conditions with an open mind.”
Baldwin scribbled something in his notebook and then held it up.
[I like your proposal. And the technology you have is better than I expected. With the foreign engineers arriving soon, it should be enough.]
“Ah!”
The man let out an exclamation.
[Let’s proceed with the contract as is.]
“But… it might not be my place to say this, but the cruise ship business is currently in deficit. I feel shameless accepting this…”
At the man’s honest words, Baldwin smiled faintly.
[That was only because it was your business. I have enough funds to cover its shortcomings. And I am confident I can make it succeed.]
Only then did the man close his mouth, realizing once again who was sitting before him.
Baldwin Constantine.
The young head of Constantine, who was building an undefeated legend.
Despite countless rumors surrounding him, he was never shunned by the nobility.
All entrepreneurs revered Baldwin.
“They say he’s infertile. That he prefers men. Or that he has some bodily defect. That his muteness is hereditary. Because of such vile rumors, he couldn’t marry properly.”
‘It’s hard to believe someone like him is the subject of those rumors.’
Moreover, Baldwin had completely compensated for his inability to hear or speak.
He could overwhelm his counterpart with just his gaze and presence.
His long legs stretched out like a sleek jaguar, and his imposing physique—all of it made up who Baldwin was.
The man shrank his shoulders.
“I misspoke, Your Grace. My worries got ahead of me… I am only grateful and will support you fully, Your Grace.”
Baldwin nodded.
“You even promised to take over the current employees. I never imagined such good fortune would come my way, Your Grace.”
The man repeatedly bowed.
[Lutheric will handle the rest. Today’s meeting was pleasant.]
“Yes, Your Grace!”
Baldwin rose gracefully from his seat to leave.
It was to confirm the person who had been drawing his attention since earlier.
However, by the time Baldwin stepped out of his seat, Anais had already left.
Only Egbert remained, squealing like a goose as he was restrained by some burly man.
Baldwin glanced at Egbert and clicked his tongue softly.
‘Surely you didn’t place your hopes on trash like that, Anais.’
She should have come to Baldwin instead.
He had both the capability and the will to help her.
Baldwin let out a cold smile.
He didn’t know why, but when it came to Anais, he felt inclined to be generous.
Egbert burst out of the restaurant, cursing as he brushed past Baldwin.
“Egbert! Wait for me! Why did you meet that woman? Egbert!”
Egbert’s mistress quickly chased after him.
It was truly a farce.
The incident at the hotel restaurant swept through the gossip magazines once again.
Papers featuring Egbert, me, and Sophia spread everywhere.
They sure made a fuss.
Of all places, it had to be a hotel restaurant.
They didn’t even mention Heres’s presence.
That was the last time I was ever entangled with Egbert.
Today was the day I was to meet Baldwin.
However, the meeting place had changed at the last minute.
Although it was a sudden and one-sided request from Constantine’s side, it was still within reason.
Heres and I arrived at the Constantine mansion on time.
Before stepping down from the carriage, I stopped Heres.
“How do I look today, Heres?”
“You look amazing as always, Madam!”
Heres flashed a refreshing smile and gave a thumbs up.
“No, I mean… do I look desperate, more sincere, someone people want to help… something like that?”
“…Hmm.”
Heres pursed his lips with a serious expression.
“So… I don’t, right?”
“No, Madam! Now that you mention it, you do look like that too!”
My diligent Heres.
I let out a deep sigh.
Really, does that even matter?
Taking a deep breath, I entered the mansion.
It was my first time visiting the Constantine estate.
Unlike the Graham mansion painted in pale rose for aesthetic flair, it was entirely different.
This mansion preserved the natural elegance of its materials.
The red brick walls, covered in climbing green ivy, were dazzling just to look at.
The mansion was adorned with vibrant orange trumpet creeper flowers blooming in celebration of spring.
It was a mansion where spring itself had blossomed.
Amidst its antiquity lived a quiet, gentle loveliness.
“Wow, I never imagined I’d come to Constantine. It’s truly beautiful.”
Heres continued to gasp in admiration beside me.
The Constantine mansion was renowned even on Royal Street.
“Indeed.”
Tall plane trees were planted from the entrance all the way to the mansion, and it felt like a residence well-suited to Baldwin.
Riding through that path in the carriage felt like being greeted by the sunlight itself.
The mansion crowned the already beautiful scenery.
Everything blended together in perfect harmony.
“Welcome to Constantine.”
The head butler came out to greet us, his face brimming with pride for the mansion and the family he served.
“His Grace is waiting for you in the garden. The weather is exceptionally pleasant today, so I suggested the garden. I hope you both have a delightful time.”
“Thank you for giving us the chance to enjoy such a beautiful estate.”
I responded softly.
Indeed, Constantine’s garden was said to rival those of the imperial palace, so my expectations were high.
They say the roses that bloom in spring here are breathtaking. It must be their season now.
“Please, allow me to guide you.”
I nodded slightly, feeling a bit flushed with anticipation. Heres’s face was also filled with excitement.
Even the corridor leading to the garden was filled with the scent of flowers.
Roses were in full bloom, covering the corridor walls.
The fountain sprayed clear water vigorously, and the sunlight created rainbows. It was an enchanting sight, as if fairies might dance there.
Baldwin was waiting for us right in the middle of it all.
His long legs were elegantly crossed as he sat, turning the pages of a book with a faintly melancholic expression.
He looked picturesque, no matter what he did.
For some reason, my mouth felt dry.
Tension rose within me like shimmering heat waves.
The butler approached Baldwin and made his presence known.
Seeing the tip of the butler’s shoe, Baldwin slowly turned his head.
Locking eyes with the butler, Baldwin then shifted his gaze to us.
“Your Grace. Thank you for inviting us.”
I reflexively bent my knees in greeting. Baldwin nodded and put down his book. The butler stepped back.
“I will bring refreshments shortly. It will not take long.”
Everything flowed as naturally as water.
Baldwin gestured to the chair opposite him.
As I sat down, it felt surreal that I was now part of this scenery.
People usually call Constantine the Garden of Spring, while the Imperial Palace is called the Garden of Water.
I was witnessing one of the capital’s most famous sights.
“It’s truly beautiful here.”
I spoke without thinking.
“It feels like I’ve stepped into a fairytale.”
[Thank you for saying that. I’m sure my ancestors, who worked so hard to cultivate this garden, would be pleased.]
Baldwin smiled softly.
[I apologize for suddenly changing the meeting place today. Was it inconvenient for you?]
“Not at all.”
His deep violet gaze on my lips felt as though it entangled my very soul.
[I’m glad to hear that. The trumpet creepers and roses are in full bloom today. It seemed like a sight worth seeing, so I changed the location.]
“Thanks to you, I’ve been given the honor of witnessing such a grand scene. Thank you again for inviting me, Your Grace.”
Baldwin smiled in response.
His gaze shifted to Heres.
[Your new secretary looks very reliable.]
“Ah, yes. Thank you.”
[He seems capable of protecting his lady from any danger. No matter who the opponent may be.]
I nodded in agreement. That was indeed one of Heres’s most attractive qualities.
Baldwin gazed at me intently.
His violet eyes felt as if they were speaking something directly to me, and without realizing it, I held my breath.
Even though our eyes hadn’t met for long, it felt as if an eternity had passed.
My toes curled involuntarily.
