Of all the possible fairy tales, why was it a dark fairy tale? Vivian searched him to see if he was truly being serious, and when she came to the conclusion that he was being serious, she moved to the edge of her seat on edge.

She truly wished he was either bad or good!

Does a threat like this one actually work properly somewhat on her?

Aidan sighed and opened his book once more. Soon the carriage had nearly arrived at the estate.

***

The carriage didn’t go too far before it came to a stop.

The Grand Duke’s estate, which was expected to be located near the center of the Capital, was far from the center and located in the outer vestiges of the Capital. When she looked out the window, she saw the servants lined up perfectly in front of the estate as they waited with their heads bowed.

Even though it was merely a townhouse in the Capital instead of the Valentine Grand Duchy’s castle, it seemed like there were at least several hundred servants.

Vivian might have once been the young mistress of a Earldom, but she had been dirt poor. As a result, she was not used to such a sight. She made an expression of discomfort and wrung her fingers.

“Welcome, your Highness.”

A man neatly dressed in a tuxedo opened the carriage door and expressed his etiquette –  a very strict and nervous gesture. Of course, it was true that the butler was supposed to express his manners towards the Grand Duke, but, at the butler’s unusually nervous actions, Vivian looked at him oddly.

However, before she could continue her thoughts, Aidan extended a hand from outside of the carriage as if to tell her to grab it. Vivian shivered and withdrew at the strange environment in front of her.

“I won’t eat you.”

Vivian immediately pouted. She found it cheeky how he remained peaceful after carelessly tossed out words that would cause others to cower in fear.

Knowing that ‘Bluebeard’ was his favorite childhood fairy tale was more than enough reason to be fearful. After Vivian was invited to an estate that looked much like a dark fortress, she couldn’t help but find his words all part of a cruel joke.

In retrospect, he was so cheeky that her true feelings popped out unconsciously.

“It would be nice if you would eat me in a different way.”

Aidan judged that Vivian was normal and turned around without regret. At that, Vivian jumped out of the carriage and rushed after him as she pouted.

“So cold!”

The Grand Duke walked in front with large strides, Vivian chased after him, and behind her the butler rushed after them in a strange race.

She, who barely caught up to Aidan, searched for the butler before she whispered such that only he could hear.

Due to the difference in their strides, she had to nearly run to keep up, and her words mixed her rough breaths.

“Wasn’t it Ray who told me you’d teach me personally with your body?”

“…….”

She then rolled her large eyes before she laughed and looked up at Aidan with a complicated gaze.

Isn’t it usually the reverse? Why did he worry himself over this overly bold woman’s security, and why was this woman able to seduce him with such an innocent face?

Aidan was unsure what he should do with this woman who only contained theories and curiosity without any actual experience.

“Why don’t we talk about it inside?”

Aidan let out a deep sigh and walked out in front. This time clearly at a slower pace perhaps for the sake of Vivian.

He looked down at her who smiled so innocently as she walked next to him and sighed once more.

***

Vivian looked around and thought I wonder just what this place is for.

There weren’t any particular unique physical appearances to mention, but when Vivian stepped into the hall, she couldn’t help but let out an exclamation of surprise.

It was as if she saw a single, large artistic masterpiece. The large dome and ionic columns were as elegant as the ancient temple and the beautiful marbling of the stone made her think that it was snowing indoors.

The pieces of art exhibited in the various corners blended so well with the rest of the hall that it was hard to estimate their true value.

However, unlike the fancy, ancient outer appearance, the atmosphere was oddly dark and chilly. It was because all of the servants appeared suddenly without the sound of a footstep.