TPGV 15

Chapter 15

“I’ll have your room changed.”

Lexius opened the conversation while dining with Elicia.

As usual, she seemed reluctant to share a meal with him. She moved her fork slowly, barely eating anything.

“Change rooms? To where, exactly?”

Elicia paused mid-bite. Her deep ocean-blue eyes were filled with confusion.

“Next to mine, of course. That’s where the lady of the house normally stays.”

Lexius spoke in a deliberately gentle voice to gauge her reaction. Whether it came off that way was uncertain.

Elicia shook her head firmly.

“No, thank you. I like my current room. I’m used to it.”

“Do you plan to show that tiny room to the designers and jewelers? No lady of the house uses such a small room.”

“Then why did you let me stay there until now?”

She shot back with a sharp retort, but Lexius replied without flinching.

“Because I didn’t want to care about you.”

“And now?”

“Now, I can’t stop caring.”

Lexius found that such shameless lines were becoming easier to say.

“I won’t move rooms. Whether you care or not is none of my business.”

“Whose orders do you think the servants will follow? By now, your things are probably already being moved.”

“What? Who gave you the right to move my things without asking?”

Elicia, visibly upset, raised her voice and shot up from her seat.

“I need to check. I won’t let them move a thing.”

“It means I’m recognizing you as the lady of the house. Is that so offensive to you?”

“When have you ever treated me like one? I didn’t know you were so forceful.”

“If I were truly forceful, I’d have taken you to bed already. I can still consummate our marriage right now.”

Lexius dropped the word she feared most.

Her reaction was immediate. Her face turned pale as she glared at him.

“Are you saying you’d force yourself on me? Regardless of my will?”

“I mean I’ll wait until your heart opens. So for now, just go along with what I say.”

Despite trying to soothe her, Lexius was confused.

Why had she married him if she feared the wedding night so much? Why cast a seduction spell on him? Nothing made sense.

“I’ve told Bangshu. Start learning how to manage the ducal estate’s finances. You should fulfill your duties as the duchess.”

Elicia’s face turned even paler.

“What on earth has gotten into you? Why are you doing this?”

“I told you—I’ve taken an interest in you. What’s so wrong about a husband being interested in his wife?”

Lexius said calmly, even smiling.

Elicia’s face flushed as she argued back.

“Everything’s wrong! It feels like you have some hidden motive.”

“Of course I do. I want to drag you to bed right now.”

“How can you say something so indecent?”

Elicia jumped in shock.

“I don’t see the connection between bed and decency. Isn’t it natural for a married couple?”

Lexius shrugged with a neutral expression. Then, realizing how amusing it was to tease her, his face hardened in surprise at his own reaction.

“There’s no way I’m ever sharing a bed with you.”

Elicia spoke firmly. Her trembling lips betrayed how angry she truly was.

“Well, we’ll see. Don’t worry. I’ll help you forget that ex-lover of yours locked in prison.”

That was the final straw. Elicia stormed out.

Lexius watched her retreating figure with sharp eyes.

Today’s report from Judel had been unexpected—Elicia had visited a guild. Not just any, but Gloom, the most powerful intelligence guild spread throughout the Empire.

What had she requested?

Gloom’s fees varied wildly. They helped the poor for a pittance, but charged the nobility exorbitantly.

If Elicia had been selling medicines to save up to hire them, that would be odd.

Why would the emperor’s daughter need a guild’s help instead of just asking her father?

Unless… it was a secret from the emperor. Like rescuing a lover from prison.

Then what was the seduction spell about?

And her terrified reaction to the word “wedding night” didn’t match that scenario either.

Putting it all together, it seemed her heart was still with her imprisoned lover—but she had tried to bewitch Lexius into doing her bidding.

But even that theory felt off. She didn’t seem to have the slightest intention of seducing him. If anything, she seemed terrified and constantly cursed him.

His thoughts were interrupted.

Suddenly, an unnatural blue light filled the dining room.

Before Lexius could react, Calyx appeared.

“That woman. Where is she?”

Without explaining anything, Calyx barged in.

His usual playful face was gone, replaced by a murderous glare—as if he might destroy whatever lay in front of him.