MGN | Chapter 32

With a desperate expression, he suggested having sex with someone else. I couldn’t help but laugh, and Maël gave me an uncomfortable look. I had to ask.

“Isn’t that grounds for divorce for a married man?”

Watching Maël’s face twist, I kindly added, “I’m supposed to be a hopelessly obsessed homo with no chance of having kids, but you want me to have sex with other women?”

“Wasn’t what happened between us yesterday… not exactly a pleasant experience for you?”

Is that something you say to the guy you had sex with?

“You’re harsh on yourself.”

The answer was sincere, but Maël’s eyes tightened, perhaps thinking I was mocking him.

It seemed quite enjoyable to me.

There wasn’t as much resistance as I expected. The man beneath me was a proud beauty, and though it was a hassle to get in, it was tight and hot inside.

‘What’s there to complain about?’

Ah, thinking about the end did sour my mood. The man in front of me, who quietly sobbed and desperately covered his eyes to hide it.

Recalling that part, it was indeed not a pleasant experience. But still…

“The important thing is that it was possible.”

I stated firmly, “I’ll need that in the future, especially when we need to show that jerk of a crown prince with our own eyes.”

“Was that really sincere?”

The deepest part of his light brown eyes wavered. I knew what was shaking inside.

The world of common sense, law, and all things safe and solid that Maël Montmatier had built.

A fall was always sudden. I stared into those eyes for a long time without rushing and spoke.

“Should I say it again?”

“…”

“If you don’t like it, quit now. I don’t care if it’s not you, and I’ll get what I need somehow.”

Maël bit his lips, pale as his skin, and glared at me.

His eyes, slightly different in shape, and the clear pupils inside. I wondered how I looked in them. The curiosity amused me, and I let out a chuckle. Maël shivered.

“I won’t quit.”

The answer, willing to use his body for his sister’s secret, was quite definitive. I nodded.

“If you’re done talking, let’s go.”

Welcome to the bottom. I only recited the welcome speech in my mind.

The rose garden, cleared of the party’s remnants, was pristine. Even though the morning dew had evaporated, the gardener must have watered it, as droplets sparkled on the red petals.

Maël, who usually didn’t enjoy walks, followed me more slowly than usual.

Those who had partied all night were still in bed. It was rare to meet anyone other than staff in the garden, but we encountered an elderly couple on their morning walk.

“Your Highness the Grand Duke, Your Highness the Grand Duchess.”

Maël bowed first, and I followed suit.

“Maël. And this is… the executive director of the Riviera Hotel, right?”

The first to speak was the Grand Duchess Irini. A woman with roots from a fallen Greek royal family. Blue blood that lent some strength to this country’s family, which wasn’t properly recognized as royalty elsewhere.

I nodded to her with indifferent eyes.

“I’m Yves Valois.”

“Yes, Yves. Lucien and I were walking in the garden. It seems the roses are coming alive with the new owner. Did you change the gardener?”

“I heard they only changed the pesticide, if I remember correctly.”

“That was much simpler.”

She marveled with a softly wrinkled face. Next to her, a rough voice spoke.

“You must have had a hard time with the suddenly changed reception schedule. We didn’t get to properly introduce ourselves last time. You did business somewhere in Eastern Europe? Where are you from?”

Only then did I look at the Grand Duke.

The person who shared his blood with me. An old man who was tall for his age, with eyes the same color as mine but not much resemblance. I thought for a moment before answering.

“It’s complicated. There’s a lot mixed in.”

“Having several passports makes business easier. What about Monaco residency?”

“I’m thinking of applying for citizenship instead.”

At the leisurely remark, Maël’s gaze finally met mine. After greeting the couple, he had been looking at the ground in agitation. When I smiled, the Grand Duke asked, as if assessing.

“Are you trying to reduce your passports to one? It might be inconvenient for other businesses.”

“I like it here.”

“Haha, it’s a nice place to live. I’ll have a word with the immigration office to help you out.”

He spoke with a wrinkled smile. There was no reason to dislike someone bringing money into their country. The Grand Duchess, still curious, asked.

“I heard you’ve been close with Felix lately. Are you going to Only Watch? Have you thought about what to buy?”

“Yes, roughly.”

“I hope it’s not similar to mine. You have to be confident to win. Where do you plan to watch the Grand Prix? Do you have a sponsoring company?”

“I have one, but I’m still considering. I’m not sure where the best spot is.”

“Maybe we should make a spot next to us for the Grand Prix. Our spot isn’t bad. What do you think, Lucien?”

The Grand Duke also smiled at the Grand Duchess’s words.

“That’s doable. You’ve helped wrap up my son’s reception.”

“I might have company.”

I added a request to the generous offer and looked at Maël. His eyes widened as he secretly massaged his right thigh with a pale face.

“Maël?”

Everyone except me couldn’t hide their surprise. Irini, feeling the need to say something, spoke again.

“Maël can come anytime since he’s family. But the two of you…”

“We’re in a good relationship. Thanks to the gift you sent yesterday, we’re quite happy.”

At Yves’ assertion, the couple, who had been blatantly scrutinizing their relationship, paused. Maël, who had been gaping, finally managed to nod.

“Ahem.”

“Oh my.”

The Grand Duke cleared his throat, showing discomfort, but the Grand Duchess’s light fuss covered it.

“Maybe you’ll become family soon. It’s funny how families grow all at once.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Family. I responded quite sincerely to that amusing word. It was also the best way to express gratitude to the woman who would become my stepmother.

“Your Highness the Grand Duke.”

The conversation awkwardly paused but didn’t last long. It was interrupted by the Grand Duke’s secretary, who hurried over. He glanced at Yves and Maël, whispered to the Grand Duke, and deep wrinkles formed between the old ruler’s eyebrows.

“I must go. There are many people to see and call at family events.”

His voice wasn’t urgent. Just a hint of everyday, faint anger.

Watching the departing Grand Duke and Duchess, Yves muttered.

“They must have found out.”

The eldest son, the scoundrel, disappeared the day after the wedding.

It was about time. The only one with any backbone seemed to be the younger sister, as Maël stood beside me, trembling slightly with lowered eyes.

“Do you feel sorry now?”

Maël couldn’t even properly meet the couple’s eyes, as if he had no face to show. That shallow conscience was amusing.

“Then go and tell them.”

It was advice. Even though he clearly heard it, Maël only tightened his lips.

* * *

“Oh… is this for me to drink?”

When Yves handed him a strawberry champagne, Maël finally put down his phone, which he had been checking on the messenger app. His hand was awkward as he accepted the welcome drink.

The staff at the bespoke suit shop, who claimed to adhere to the Neapolitan style, gave him a kind smile. Yves instructed the staff.

“This person needs something to wear from head to toe immediately. I plan to have a few more suits tailored, by next week.”

“Understood. Should I discuss the location and time with the secretary who contacted me?”

Nodding, the staff looked at Maël. When asked if he could come over for a moment, Maël was reluctantly led away, only returning after Yves finished his champagne and bit into a strawberry.

Ignoring the busy staff selecting clothes, Maël growled quietly.

“What’s all this about?”

“Buying clothes, making our relationship known around town. Spending money.”

“I have money. I can buy the clothes I need.”

“Were we close enough to follow each other around while shopping?”

Should I add a clause in the prenuptial agreement to stop arguing?

If he was going to be distracted, he might as well continue. Asking and confirming everything was tiresome.

“If you want to keep your damn secret, save your energy from this bickering and act like a proper fiancée. We have a lot to choose by noon.”

Almost simultaneously, the staff arrived, pushing a rolling rack. Seeing the jackets and pants lined up, Maël gritted his teeth and said.

“Show me the most expensive ones first.”

It was the best thing he’d said all day.