"What kind of move is this?"
Seeing Eros’s stunned expression, Mary hurriedly explained:
"Do you have any idea how much temptation your elven bloodline holds for those old women who refuse to watch their looks wither?"
"To obtain your Life Blessing, those old women would surely use every means possible to seduce you. They wouldn't care one bit about what others think."
Eros’s mouth twitched. While that was true, that is your mother we're talking about? Even if she didn't care about others' opinions, would she really not care about her own daughter’s?
Suddenly, Eros thought of Madam Florica. Fine! Mary’s concern wasn't entirely groundless.
Noticing Eros’s expression suddenly turn peculiar, Mary blinked her large eyes and looked at him with disbelief. "You don't actually want to be my stepfather, do you?"
Eros nearly choked on his own breath. After several dry coughs, he said repeatedly:
"No, no! I was just remembering some other matters just now."
Mary let out an unconvinced "Oh~" then her eyes darted around. She pulled Eros down so his ear was pressed against her lips. Then, in a shy, tiny whisper, she called out a specific address into his ear.
Eros’s eyes widened. Wait, you’re playing it like this? Immediately, he felt a stir of impulse.
However, as if knowing exactly what he was thinking, Mary gave a playful laugh and bolted. Having run a short distance, she turned back and laughed loudly at Eros:
"Not this time! Next time you come to Haidalam to find me, I’ll play with you again."
"Alright! I should pack my things and leave. I look forward to our next meeting, darling!"
With that, Mary turned around, humming a cheerful tune, and skipped away. Left behind, Eros watched her petite, retreating figure with a helpless smile. It seemed a trip to Haidalam was truly in the cards.
Of course, he would just be going there for tourism.
After Mary left, Eros returned to the room to find Annie and Claire. Both women had finished washing up. Seeing Eros return, a smile appeared on Claire’s beautiful face, and she spoke softly:
"Darling, we should head back after we finish breakfast!"
As she spoke, she pressed a call bell by her side. A few seconds after the bell rang, a team of maids carrying breakfast opened the door and walked in.
After breakfast, the three of them went outside the manor, preparing to return to Intiles. As for the noble girls who hadn't woken up or were still washing, the other maids in the manor would look after them. Even if they didn't want to leave and wished to stay for a while, Claire didn't mind. The manor was vacant anyway; they could stay as long as they liked.
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Once they boarded the carriage, Claire rested her chin in her palm, looking at Eros with a hint of seduction in her beautiful eyes.
"Darling, do you plan to send me home first? Or that tomboy first?"
Hearing Claire’s question, Annie couldn't help but fix her gaze on Eros, curious to see how he would answer.
Eros’s expression remained unchanged as he said easily, "That naturally depends on whose house is closer. Whoever is nearer gets dropped off first."
A flash of disappointment appeared on Claire’s face, and she said somewhat resentfully:
"What a cunning answer!"
Eros smiled but said nothing. What a joke! How could I possibly answer a question like that directly?
Before long, the carriage began to speed along the road toward Intiles. Since Annie’s home was closer than Claire’s, Eros naturally chose to drop off Annie first, then Claire.
After seeing Annie off, Claire leaned over and collapsed into Eros’s arms. Eros leaned against the carriage wall, watching the streets whip past through the partially lifted curtain.
As they neared Claire’s home, Eros saw someone who surprised him. It was Viscount Kenfield, Sifreya’s father. He was currently conversing with a man who looked like a butler. It seemed he hadn't achieved his desired goal, as he walked away looking rather dejected.
Seeing Eros looking that way, Claire leaned over to take a look, then retracted her gaze and said casually:
"That’s Viscount Kenfield. He was originally the head of the Chiton Steel Company, which used to be an industry under the Roffe family."
"But because the Roffe family participated in a certain cult activity, they were purged by the Royal Family, and some of their industries were put up for auction. My father bought the Chiton Steel Company at that auction."
"Although Viscount Kenfield is quite capable, he isn't a member of our family after all. So, my father wants to replace the head of Chiton Steel."
"Viscount Kenfield has been coming to our house frequently these past few days, wanting to prove to my father that he has extensive management experience and that he is the most suitable person to continue running the company."
"But my father stated that while he is very happy to have the Viscount stay and continue working there—and he trusts the Viscount's ability—due to family reasons, he cannot allow him to remain as the head of the company."
"I see!" Eros nodded, indicating his understanding.
After explaining why the Viscount was there, Claire suddenly seemed to remember something. She blinked at Eros and said:
"I just remembered, that Sifreya who followed you in the Domain of Sin seems to be Viscount Kenfield’s daughter."
"Are you very close with her? How about it—should I go persuade my father? Persuade him to agree to let Viscount Kenfield remain as the head of Chiton Steel!"
Eros waved his hand. "No need. I don't want to leave a bad impression on Grand Duke Rudy. What if he refuses to let you marry me in the future because of this?"
If he, an outsider, meddled in their family’s affairs and Claire’s father found out, it would indeed leave a poor impression. If he dared to incite the daughter to change a family decision now, what would happen in the future?
Hearing Eros use the words "marry me," Claire’s eyes instantly became watery. She pressed her face against Eros’s chest, nuzzling him as she said coquettishly:
"You really know how to talk. I like it so much!"
A smile appeared on Eros’s face. He lowered his head to give her a light kiss on the lips and said dotingly:
"Alright! You’ve reached home. It’s time to go inside!"
"No~ just a little longer~"
"Fine, then!" Eros gave a helpless smile.
"Heehee, kiss me again!" Claire said in a sweet, sticky voice.
"As you wish!"
After the two of them dallied for a while longer, Claire finally alighted from the carriage with great reluctance. Only after watching her enter the house did Eros instruct the driver to head toward his own home.
After driving for some distance, Eros saw Viscount Kenfield again. This time, the Viscount looked somewhat decadent, walking down the streets of the inner city with a face full of worry.
Watching the Viscount, a flash of thoughtfulness crossed Eros’s eyes, and then the carriage gradually pulled away from him.