HSFCWH 37

Chapter 37

“Then may I have your permission to leave the office and go to the training grounds instead?”

The conversation had circled right back to the beginning.

I don’t want to work.

Evelyn stared at Elliot with intense pleading. This much should be forgivable, right?

Though it seemed like she had already lost, Evelyn still clung to hope for a reversal.

The path of a hero was long and arduous.

“I can’t trust anyone else. And since we’ve agreed to keep your identity as the Hero a secret, if I don’t grant you the rights of the Grand Duchess, people will begin to question our relationship.”

“Don’t you think there are few people who believe we’re actually in love anyway?”

“Which is why I must grant you those rights. So that no one can doubt our love.”

There was no way out. He had come to push all responsibilities onto her.

Sophia…
So this is how much you didn’t want to work, huh?

She recalled the cold back that had walked away without even a glance.

“I’m still inexperienced—”

Before she could finish her excuse to delay things for a few more days, Elliot spoke.

“Those who do not work, shall not eat. It’s a long-standing family motto of the ducal household.”

“I’m going to work—as the Hero.”

“You’re no longer Evelyn Graham.”

And there he was, a highway robber demanding payment from the very person who had saved his life.

Seeing not the slightest crack in Elliot’s expression, Evelyn gave up.

“Fine. If you think the work is necessary, I’ll do it.”

He wasn’t someone who would deliberately cause harm to the Hero. Helping the North would benefit her too.

This is a good thing for me, she reassured herself, nodding.

Even when she had studied as the heir to the Barrett family, she had hated sitting at a desk. Now, she was expected to handle affairs of an even larger household. She wanted to run before she even started.

“Please check the allowance you’ll be receiving each month.”

He must’ve noticed the resentment on her face, because Elliot smiled faintly and motioned to the documents on the desk.

Evelyn’s gaze dropped to the budget document.

“…”

Three million gold per month.

Golden coins exploded in her mind. She had never even touched that amount back at the Barrett estate.

“I’ll risk my life to work.”

Suddenly, she felt loyal. She imagined defeating the evil god, then retiring to a peaceful estate and living out the rest of her days in comfort.

Just the thought of buying a manageable villa with the money from the Grand Duchy and living a leisurely life with Tinya made her grin.

No one would bother her. She’d enjoy peaceful days with Tinya by her side.

“Then I’ll consider that you’re officially taking over internal affairs as the Duchess.”

The word “Duchess” rolled off his tongue in a low voice, sending a shiver down her spine.

“You don’t have to say that when we’re alone.”

“I didn’t say it for formality. Even if this is a contractual marriage, a marriage is still a marriage. Proper titles are appropriate.”

“Then should I call you, hu-hu—th-that?”

She almost said ‘honey’ but quickly changed course. No way she could say that.

She would’ve rather joined the knights. But fate had her becoming the Grand Duchess instead.

Calling that radiant face ‘honey’? Absolutely not.

Evelyn felt like a national traitor.

She couldn’t believe someone so perfectly sculpted was now someone’s husband.

That someone… is me.

I’m insane. Sorry, everyone. Just bear with me for a bit. It won’t last long.

“Just call me Elliot instead. It’ll be faster than hearing you say hu—ney.”

But Elliot boldly uttered the word Evelyn had avoided.

“Why are you emphasizing that word?”

Hearing the word escape his neatly shaped lips made her cheeks burn.

Wasn’t that kind of word too embarrassing to say for a relationship like theirs?

“I only pronounced it clearly because the Hero seemed flustered.”

There was no doubt—the Grand Duke was a personality disaster. Evelyn frowned at the faint amusement in his voice.

“If you keep being mean, I won’t sit quietly.”

“I’m curious to see what the Duchess will do.”

Seeing his lips curve in amusement sparked a fire in Evelyn’s eyes. Her competitiveness flared.

A line from a book Tinya had given her before the wedding popped into her mind.

Back then, she’d scoffed at it.

“I’ve already learned everything I need.”

But that book had been scandalous. Unlike the strict etiquette lessons from noblewomen, this red-marked book opened her to a whole new world.

Suddenly, Evelyn stood up and grabbed Elliot by the collar.

They were married after all, at least in name.

Though he could easily resist, Elliot was pulled in by her hand. Seeing the innocent curiosity on his flawless face, Evelyn grinned.

That should throw him off a little. He won’t tease me again.

Her competitiveness beat her embarrassment. Evelyn tilted her head.

Smooch.

A cute sound echoed through the office.

“…”

Both Evelyn and Elliot froze.

Their lips, briefly touching, were soft.

Grin.

Evelyn’s mouth curled into a victorious smile. She felt like she had won, seeing Elliot’s eyes flicker.

It felt like payback for what had happened during the wedding.

As she let go, his slightly flushed face moved away.

“Ahem.”

Elliot cleared his throat, covering his mouth with a large hand.

“I really must be more cautious.”

He turned his head slightly, avoiding eye contact.

“R-right. I’ll be more careful from now on.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Elliot swiftly exited the office.

Watching his retreating back, Evelyn smiled triumphantly—then snapped back to reality.

What the hell did I just do?!

She had remembered a scene where the heroine did this and left the male lead speechless.

She’d only copied that because it felt satisfying at the time.

Though Elliot didn’t react exactly like the male lead, he had run off flustered, and now she was the one heating up.

“He had no problem during the wedding! Why is he embarrassed now?!”

Evelyn raised her hands and rubbed her cheeks furiously.

So even ridiculously handsome people look good with any expression, huh?

Watching his snowy-white skin flush was like watching red ink swirl in water—soft and beautiful.

Rumors said he was the kind of handsome man who must’ve dated countless beauties, but the real Duke she saw was a workaholic who knew nothing but his job.

“I think I did something bad…”

In her desire to fluster him, she had acted on impulse and now regretted it.

Evelyn’s eyes wavered like someone who had just faced the northern winds.

We might divorce after achieving our mutual goal. What the hell did I do?!

Despite agonizing over it late into the night, Evelyn had no problem cursing Elliot the moment she started work.

I knew there’d be a lot to do, but…

This was outrageous.

Now she understood why Sophia had walked around so cheerfully the previous night.

“I’ve taken care of things as best I could, but I’m sure there’s much I missed.”

Seeing Evelyn frozen before the mountain of paperwork, Sophia spoke carefully.

“These documents are for domestic affairs. I’ve also organized the staff records. And—”

Evelyn, only half-listening to Sophia’s embarrassed explanation, sank into her seat.