Kris’s declaration wasn’t something entirely strange or surprising.
From the beginning, Kris and I had done things that anyone would see as dates multiple times at Café Medici.
I had heard her say dozens of times that a man like me was her ideal type.
However, I had been cautious about making any moves on Kris, fearing it might distance her from Chloe.
‘Chloe and Kris were practically like sisters.’
It wasn’t that I was being awkward about it.
So I voiced my honest feelings.
“I like you too, Kris.”
Even if I had a stroke of bad luck and almost hit someone while walking, as long as I didn’t actually hit anyone, I could somehow get by without incident.
However, if a pedestrian suddenly jumps into a crosswalk-less street while jaywalking and I hit them, I would be the guilty party.
Making a woman confess to a man isn’t a crime.
But still,
‘As a man, I felt like I had done something terribly wrong.’
To wash away this complex emotion, I decided to respond to Kris’s confession with tenfold appreciation.
“Honestly, from the first time I saw you, I was intrigued. The will to risk everything to avenge your parents and family. The way you are recognized by everyone for your abilities despite being a woman. I found all of that really admirable.”
Upon hearing my words, Kris covered her mouth with her hands.
She had confessed first, yet she reacted this way with just a little bit of encouragement.
If the employees under Kris saw this scene, they would probably faint in shock.
‘When working, Kris seems like a woman who wouldn’t bleed even if pricked.’
“Other young nobles might prefer beautiful dolls they can control as they wish, but I’m different.”
In the context of our empire, or rather the continent, that was quite an unusual taste.
Nobles would probably think something like:
‘This perverted guy prefers an adult woman with AAA-cup breasts and a height of around 148 cm.’
Considering that most people prefer women around 160 to 170 cm tall with large breasts, this was indeed a very absurd preference.
“A woman who lives earnestly with her convictions is my ideal type.”
“That’s quite unique,” Kris responded.
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As she said that, I placed my hand under Kris’s chin.
She didn’t reject my touch.
Though her face was as flushed as a ripe apple, her eyes fluttered about.
“And if she’s pretty, that’s even better.”
Then I asked the most important question at this moment.
“Have you talked to Chloe about this?”
No matter how much I cared for and considered Chloe, strictly speaking, I didn’t need to involve her in the matter of expanding my women.
That was common sense in this world.
‘Some people even think it’s fine to have a concubine as long as she bears the heir.’
With political interests entangled, it’s understandable that there wouldn’t be much difference for a concubine.
I remembered the duke once told me,
‘If you have a favored concubine, it’s good to intentionally take on more concubines to make her jealous. Then she’ll desperately try to win your love.’
However, the reason I was being mindful was that I liked Chloe that much, and I couldn’t bear to see our closeness torn apart because of me.
“Yes, I’ve talked to her. Chloe, no, my sister also approved.”
The day before Kris sought me out, she had taken a day off to meet with Chloe.
The official reason was listed as “personal matters,” but...
“I’m so nervous, it feels like I’m going to ask for permission to marry.”
For nobles, or even for the ordinary middle class in the city, most marriages are typically arranged between families.
However, there are instances of love marriages, so it’s not completely foreign...
‘But thinking that I have to experience that rare occurrence makes me nervous.’
Unbeknownst to herself, Kris clenched her fists tightly.
Still, she had no intention of backing down.
Her relationship with Chloe was precious, and the Medici baron was also important, so she needed to care about both.
Lost in thought, she soon arrived at Chloe’s room, or rather, the baron’s room.
It was a pre-arranged meeting, and Fabio was not inside.
She knocked on the door and entered, greeted warmly by Chloe.
“Kris! Welcome!”
Under normal circumstances, seeing that warm smile would have made her heart feel warm too, but now it only weighed heavier.
Love isn’t a crime, but to think she wants to become the woman of the boy that this cute girl cherishes the most...
‘Chloe always talks about the baron when she opens her mouth...’
“Hey, Chloe.”
Seeing Kris’s tense expression, Chloe asked,
“Is something bothering you? I can’t offer much help other than listening, but I’ll try my best to help in any way I can.”
That kind-hearted demeanor made Kris’s heart feel even heavier.
Even though she was two years older than her, she essentially viewed her as a younger sister.
Yet, she had to say something like, “I also like your husband.”
“...Actually, I like the baron.”
Chloe immediately thought that the time had come.
Although Kris had never engaged in acts typical of lovers, such as holding hands or kissing, she had done enough things that others could easily misunderstand.
Like going to a café and sharing a parfait just the two of them or going on a picnic with Fabio...
Anyone nearby who couldn’t pick up on Kris’s feelings would be foolish.
And Chloe, although she had fewer opportunities to learn, was wise enough.
‘Kris has finally been honest with herself.’
“I see.”
“I’m sorry, Chloe, but I don’t want to hide my feelings anymore. If I keep quiet like this, I’ll have to marry a man who only wants my money and assets.”
Tears had begun to flow from Kris’s eyes.
Her feeling of guilt towards Chloe was the strongest.
Yet, just as much, the despair of having to marry men who would not respect her simply because of her noble status was also overwhelming.
It was despairing and incredibly disgusting.
Just thinking about it made her feel nauseous.
“I don’t want that.”
It was a very short phrase, but it was filled with emotions beyond what could be imagined.
Chloe wiped Kris’s tears with the handkerchief she had and said,
“...Honestly, I want to monopolize the baron forever. Sometimes, I think I wish he would quit his work altogether.”
Of course, Chloe had never said anything like that before.
She was terrified that if she voiced such thoughts to Fabio, she would be disliked...
‘The young master looks happy when he’s pursuing his goals.’
“However, wanting to monopolize the young master is my selfishness. Although he has his own circumstances, women will inevitably swarm around such a wonderful man. Just like I have become addicted to him.”
Upon hearing those words, Kris began to cry even more.
“Even if the young master decides to take on other women, I couldn’t oppose it. But I would be happy if it were you, Kris.”
To Chloe, who had almost no family, Kris was like an older sister.
If they were to become a real family, then despite being younger, she would become a capable younger sister.
Then Chloe lowered her voice and whispered into Kris’s ear.
“Being able to be spoiled by the young master every day is wonderful, but he has such a high libido that I find it difficult to handle it alone. If he’s not busy with work, he’d want to do it at least 3 or 4 times a day, and when he’s really into it, it can go over 7 times.”
Bringing up such a topic was equivalent to Chloe declaring that she would accept Kris into Fabio’s harem.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have ventured into such intimate conversations.
But Kris was more shocked by that astounding number than anything else.
‘He’s impressive even at night...’
“If he’s not busy with work, he says we should do it first thing in the morning after waking up. I like feeling that I’m loved by the young master all the time, but my body can’t take it.”
In that moment, Kris felt blood rush to her face.
Just hearing slightly more risqué talk made her feel like she might start bleeding from her nose.
“The young master surely likes you, Kris, I mean, you. It will surely work out.”
Previously, no matter how close their relationship had been, the wall of status forced Chloe to use honorifics.
However, now they were family, bonded through Fabio.
They had reached a position where they no longer needed to worry about such things.
“I understand, sister.”
And then Chloe quietly embraced Kris.
At that moment, Fabio was with the duke, listening to tales of the duke’s granddaughter, missing out on this scene.
Kris continued speaking clearly.
“I’ve already gotten permission from sister.”
Then, hesitating, she continued,
“...I heard that the baron is resting tomorrow, so may I join in? I’ve already put in for vacation.”
“I’ll also be pulled in and out of things in a few days, so sure. Let’s leave behind any worries and concerns and rest for now.”