At the end of a brief silence, the veins on Claudia’s temple bulged.
“You married that guy without even knowing that?!”
“Oh dear. He’s my son, but there’s really no hope.”
The matriarch clutched her throbbing head. Rumors about Lexion? Surely, they couldn’t compare to the notorious reputation Claudia had in the North. She was even called the murderer of her own sister.
“Listen carefully, Milena. This isn’t coming from us as family, but just objectively sharing rumors going around. So don’t be too shocked.”
But Milena’s expression, which had been carefully composed, stiffened as the rumors turned out to be worse than she expected.
. . .
“Jenny, can you do me a favor?”
Milena, having finished her tea time without issue, immediately called Jenny as soon as she entered her assigned quarters.
“Yes, yes? Do you need anything?”
Since learning that Milena hadn’t heard about Lexion’s rumors, Jenny, her personal maid, was cautiously worried that Milena might divorce and leave.
Even the matriarch had intervened to urge forgiveness for Lexion, reassuring Milena that the past was the past and that Lexion would treat her well from now on.
Claudia even threatened to straighten him out with harsh words.
From the actions of Gerard and Hector, it was clear that no one in the household was on Lexion’s side.
“Could you bring me all the gossip magazines you mentioned, especially those with Lexion in them? Including his past deeds, if possible.”
“Really…? Do you have to see them?”
“Yeah, I’m curious about what people are saying about my husband.”
Everyone seemed worried Milena would run away after hearing the rumors, but honestly, she was only surprised by the rumors themselves, not shaken.
She had proposed dating Lexion, but they hadn’t been deeply involved. After the one-year valid marriage contract period ended and the duke’s turmoil settled, she planned to leave. She had always thought of the relationship lightly.
“Miss, here you go! I gathered everything for you!”
Milena thought she could handle it until she saw the thick bundles of papers stacked in the wooden box.
“Thanks, Jenny.”
“You’re welcome. Let me know if you need anything else.”
Milena unfolded one bundle and opened the cheap, rough paper. She couldn’t bring herself to speak.
[Shock! The Silver Wolf, Lexion Silbert, the Playboy of the Silbert family. Secret trysts with a certain baroness— The baroness couldn’t erase the smile from her lips, saying she would never forget that night of ecstasy. Her flushed face showed how incredible the night had been. Winning a night with him, she’s envied by many women. When will it be my turn? Among many eagerly waiting, even Her Royal Highness, the princess, is said to be waiting for her turn…]
Sensational phrases and “fact-based” information filled the rough paper.
Her green eyes read through the words, her grip tightening on the paper. Jenny asked cautiously,
“Are you okay, Miss?”
“Yeah.”
She thought she was okay, but—
“Not okay.”
Milena realized Claudia had softened the story when explaining Lexion’s rumors. According to the gossip magazines, he was the lover of everyone in the capital, never stopping any woman from coming or going. Despite that, his popularity never faded.
She had married a world-famous playboy.
Drizzle. A rain signaling the end of winter fell. The grand ducal mansion, shrouded in darkness, was asleep with only minimal lights on.
Splash. The sound of wet shoe steps squelched on the ground. Someone moving stealthily in the darkness finished their task and returned home.
“My lord.”
Drops fell from a black robe, stained red. Just before stepping onto the polished marble floor, he took off the robe and handed it to the waiting butler.
“Burn it.”
“I will incinerate it.”
After bowing respectfully and leaving, Lexion checked his body for any bloodstains. He pushed down his irritated nerves and entered the mansion.
“Haah.”
Inside the room, lights flickered on brightly, then dimmed again. His red eyes cooled.
‘Calion Luxen.’
The reports from the duke’s retainers had stopped. That meant only one thing: he must be dead. The duke’s whereabouts were unknown. There was nothing left to gain from the duke, but he was still watching carefully. He had to prepare, for Milena and the child.
But things were going strangely. Instead of the missing duke, the duke’s retainers stationed in the capital were moving. What orders had they received? They were in contact with the emperor’s faction.
His guild members, who quickly moved after sensing something strange, all met death. So he came out personally.
‘Another puppet appeared.’
A mage had intervened. He caught the mage with his magic but the mage self-destructed when asked about the whereabouts of the tower master. Lexion was soaked in blood sprayed everywhere and was in a very bad mood.
Furthermore, having used magic, his emotions were out of control. He felt like he might explode with violent feelings at any moment.
“My lord, the crown prince summons you.”
He strode through the corridor with soaked feet and said,
“Tell him I’m busy and will come later.”
“We’ve been refusing with that excuse ever since we arrived in the capital.”
“Well, His Highness must be busy, too.”
“Now he’s even entertaining foreign women.”
They were daughters of influential figures from various countries, sent under the pretext of studying abroad. Everyone who knew the situation was aware of this. The political implications of a one-night affair were well known.
“Disgusting, really.”
Lexion did not hide his true feelings. If he was faking his life, the crown prince was actually living it. He changed sleeping women daily.
“My lord, you’re not keeping your composure.”
“I know.”
He pressed his furrowed brows hard. Unable to control his magic, his face showed it.
“What’s the public opinion?”
“They say once the crown prince becomes emperor, he’ll be worse than the current emperor. People worry a foreign-born empress might be appointed and sell out the country.”
“Hah. Useless worries. He’s not the kind to form attachments to women. He sees everything as a tool.”
“Isn’t that the same for you, my lord?”
‘Using your reputation as a tool, too.’ Gerard grumbled boldly, making Lexion reveal his true self under the cold mask.
“Don’t treat me the same if it makes you uncomfortable.”
Gerard carefully kept his distance and said,
“Yes, understood. By the way, shouldn’t you wash up and go to your bedroom? The smell of blood is overwhelming.”
Without answering, Lexion headed to the empty large bath. His bedroom had already been converted into a couple’s room where the three of them lived with the child. They were probably all asleep by now.
Click. A faint noise from the silently opened door. Lexion, cautiously heading to the bedroom, stopped in his tracks. His hair was dripping wet.
“Milena?”
Without the curtain drawn, the sudden light revealed the woman’s figure, then quickly she was swallowed by darkness.
“You’re just coming? I’ve been waiting.”
Milena, lightly dressed in pajamas, sat on the bed quietly watching him. The unusual atmosphere made him swallow dryly.
“Where’s the nephew?”
“He’s sleeping in the next room.”
“Oh? Oh, I see…?”
Normally, he would have teasingly asked if this was finally their wedding night, but sensing Milena’s mood, he kept quiet.
She got down from the bed and walked over barefoot, using the towel in his hand to dry his hair. Lexion, naturally bowing his head, was uncharacteristically tense seeing her expressionless face.
‘What is this? Did I do something wrong?’
“Were you waiting for me? Do you have something to say…?”
“Lexion.”
“Hmm?”
His eyes naturally fell to her lips. Damn it. His magic quietly stirring, he intensely desired her.
Milena stopped drying her hair and looked steadily at him. His handsome face looked tired.
According to the gossip magazines, just having that face exclusively made all women envy her. Milena placed her hand on his smooth cheek. The moment her hand touched him, his tense expression melted.
“Is it because of your rumors that you were trying to silence Ashdel?”
Lexion’s body twitched again under Milena’s single touch loosening his tension.
