Feeling that scrutinizing gaze, Eros maintained a faint smile and bowed to the man.
Grand Duke Milan gave a sharp huff. "Thin and delicate like a girl—only those little lasses who haven't seen the world like this type. Let me tell you, boy, don't you dare go making any moves on my little Doreen. Otherwise, I’ll tear down your front gate and strip the wheels right off your carriage."
Hearing this, Annie and Claire exchanged a glance. They remained silent in a tacit understanding, though both of them wore rather peculiar expressions.
Eros smiled, his tone sincere. "Doreen is still young. I only think of her as a younger sister."
Yes, a very 'good' sister.
Seeing Eros’s attitude, Grand Duke Milan nodded in satisfaction, though he added one last point: "Don't go making moves when she’s grown up, either!"
Eros was stunned for a moment, then didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He actually understood the Grand Duke’s sentiment quite well. If some "golden-haired punk" tried to abduct his daughter in the future, he wouldn't just tear down the gate—he’d smash every window in the house.
After finishing his piece, Grand Duke Milan pulled out a checkbook, scribbled "10,000" with a casual flick of his wrist, tore it off, and tossed it into the donation box. Eros expressed his gratitude, but the Grand Duke merely waved him off and prepared to head elsewhere.
Before leaving, he looked at Eros and said, "Thanks for looking after my Doreen during the assessment. If you ever need help with anything in the future, you can come find me directly."
As soon as he finished, without waiting for Eros to reply, he walked off on his own. Once the Grand Duke's silhouette vanished into the crowd, Claire’s eyes shimmered as she looked at Eros.
"You lied just now~ You clearly ate little Doreen all up."
Eros spread his hands. "If I told the truth, I think he would have actually punched me. I was merely avoiding a conflict."
Claire knew Eros was telling the truth, so she didn't dwell on the matter. The group continued chatting until nearly midnight, when their families called them to return home.
Looking at the now significantly emptier banquet hall, Eros figured it was about time to leave. Just as he was about to look for Estelle and Undine, a maid approached him and whispered:
"Your Highness, Lady Elaine is looking for you."
This maid wasn't one of his own; she appeared to be a personal maid of a noble. The name "Elaine" rang a bell—she had come by to donate earlier while he was talking to Annie and Claire. Claire had introduced her as a lady full of intellectual grace and ladylike poise.
Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!
What does she want with me? With a hint of confusion, Eros followed the maid.
About ten minutes later, Undine looked at Estelle beside her and asked, "Where’s Eros? Weren't we supposed to go back? Why can't I see him?"
Estelle frowned and scanned the hall. Indeed, there was no sign of Eros. Suddenly, as if realizing something, a faint blush rose to her cheeks. Looking at her daughter, who was still peering around, Estelle spoke in a slightly unnatural tone:
"Let's head back first. He might not be coming home tonight."
Undine froze, puzzled. "Does he have something important to do?"
"Don't ask so many questions! Let's go!"
Seeing that her mother was unwilling to explain, Undine pouted, feeling a little unhappy in her heart. As is well known, nobles often have "after-party programs" once a banquet concludes.
Several hours later, the silver crescent moon hung high in the night sky as a carriage traveled through the deep, quiet darkness. Inside, Eros lay with his head on Irina’s lap, sighing with a touch of wonder.
"In the end, ladies who have been polished by the years really do have more 'flavor.' She understands your meaning with just a single glance."
"In fact, you don't even have to do anything, and she can make you experience what true pleasure feels like."
Irina frowned slightly. "That Lady Elaine... her outward appearance seemed..."
"Very ladylike and intellectual, right?" Eros finished the sentence for her before she could.
"Yes," Irina nodded.
"That's called a 'gap' or 'contrast.' Some people have a huge difference between their exterior and their heart. The more ladylike they appear, the crazier they might be inside," Eros explained with a smile.
Irina gave an "oh" of understanding, but then a confused look returned to her face. "During the process, Lady Elaine kept calling out the name 'Carter.' That should be her husband's name. Doesn't that mean she loves her husband very much? So why would she..."
Eros gave a light chuckle. "She did that on purpose."
"Huh?" Irina looked bewildered.
"Calling out her husband's name during the act gives the participant a thrill—a sense of 'stealing' from someone else. People hate being the victim of a 'cuckold' scenario because they fear being the one losing out, but if they are the one doing the 'stealing,' well, that’s a different story."
Irina listened with only half-understanding. After a long while, she looked down at Eros and asked curiously:
"How do you know so much about this?"
Ah... this! Eros gave a dry laugh. "Would you believe me if I said the Spirit Lady taught me?"
Barbara: "..."
To be honest, when he first heard Lady Elaine was looking for him, Eros hadn't actually expected that. He thought she genuinely had business with him. Although he knew the private lives of most nobles were chaotic—husbands and wives each having their own flings was the norm—hearing about it and experiencing it were two different things.
It wasn't until the maid led him into one of the resting rooms behind the Rhine Palace that he instantly understood what was happening. Then, with the mindset of "doing as the Romans do" and "well, I'm already here," he... did as the Romans do.
Sometimes, this kind of "socializing" is unavoidable. If he had turned around and left, rumors that he was impotent might have started spreading by the next morning. How could he endure that? They say "rumors stop with the wise," but if everyone were wise, why would there be so many rumors? On the first day, it might be impotence; by the second day, someone might say he was a "bottom." One must guard against the power of public gossip.
The next morning after breakfast, Undine leaned in toward Eros and asked curiously:
"What were you doing last night? We couldn't find you when we were ready to leave!"
Hearing this question, Estelle, on the other side, cast an inconspicuous glance toward Eros.