Chapter 99
Chris' statement wasn't an extremely unfamiliar or surprising story.
We had done things that looked like dates to anyone several times at Cafe Medici before.
And I had already heard her say dozens of times that men like me were her ideal type.
However, I was careful not to make the first move on Chris for fear of distancing Chloe and Chris.
'Chloe and Chris were almost like siblings.'
This absolutely wasn't because I was shy.
So I put my honest thoughts into words.
"I like you too, Chris."
Even if you almost hit someone unluckily while walking, you can somehow get through without incident as long as you don't actually hit them.
But if a pedestrian suddenly jumps out onto a road without a crosswalk and jaywalks, you become guilty of hitting someone even if you hit them then.
It's not a crime to make a woman confess to a man.
'But as a man, it feels like I've done something terribly wrong.'
To wash away this complicated feeling, I should accept Chris's confession at about 10 times the value.
"Honestly, I've been concerned about you since I first saw you. The will to put everything on the line to avenge your parents and family. The appearance of being recognized by everyone for your ability despite the limitations of being a woman. These things seemed really cool."
Hearing my words, Chris covered her mouth with her hand.
She confessed first, but she reacts like this with just a little reciprocation.
If employees working under Chris saw this scene, they'd probably faint from shock?
'Chris seems like someone who wouldn't bleed a drop even if stabbed when working.'
"Other noble family young masters might like beautiful dolls they can do whatever they want with, but I'm a bit different."
It's an extremely unusual preference by our empire's, no, continent's standards.
To nobles, it would probably feel roughly like this:
'A pervert whose ideal type is an adult woman with AAA cup breasts and about 148cm tall.'
Considering that most people like girls about 160-170cm tall with preferably large breasts, it's an incredibly absurd preference.
"My ideal type is a woman who lives earnestly with her own convictions."
"You're unique."
Saying that, I put my hand on Chris' chin.
She didn't reject my touch.
Her face was flushed red like a ripe apple, and her eyes were shaking back and forth.
"If she's pretty on top of that, it's even better."
Then I asked the most important question in this situation right now.
"Have you talked with Chloe?"
No matter how much I care about and consider Chloe, strictly speaking, I don't need to care about Chloe up to increasing women.
That's the basic common sense of this world.
'There are even people who say it's fine to leave the official wife in solitude after she gives birth to an heir, what more.'
If even the official wife tied up in political interests is like that, how could a concubine be any better?
I remember the Duke once telling me something like this:
'If you have a favored concubine, it's good to deliberately bring in other concubines to make her jealous. Then she'll desperately try to act cute to receive my love.'
However, the reason I'm particularly concerned is because I like Chloe that much and their relationship is that close, so I don't want to see them torn apart because of me.
"Yes, I talked with her. Chloe, no, big sister understood too."
**
The day before Chris went to see Fabio, she took a vacation and went to meet Chloe.
The official reason was written as 'personal business' but...
"I'm nervous, it feels like I'm going to ask for permission to marry."
For nobles, no, even ordinary middle class people in cities, marriages are mostly arranged between families in most cases.
But love marriages aren't non-existent, so it's not a completely unfamiliar thing...
'But I feel nervous now that I think I have to have this rare experience myself.'
Chris clenched her fist without realizing it.
Still, she had no thoughts of avoiding it.
Her relationship with Chloe was precious, and Baron Medici was precious, so she had to care about both of them.
While worrying about all sorts of things in her head, she arrived at Chloe's room, no, the Baron's room before she knew it.
An appointment was made in advance, and Fabio wasn't inside.
After knocking on the door and entering, Chloe welcomed her very warmly.
"Miss Chris, welcome."
Usually she would have felt warm in her heart seeing that warm smile, but…
Now it made her feel even heavier.
Love may not be a crime, but to want to become the woman of the man this cute child likes most.
'Chloe is a child who only talks about the Baron whenever she opens her mouth...'
"Yes, Chloe."
Seeing Chris's hardened expression, Chloe asked:
"Do you have some worries? I can't help much other than listening... But I'll try my best to be helpful."
That admirable appearance made Chris's heart feel even heavier.
Although she's two years older, she practically considers her like a younger sister.
She had to say something like 'I like your husband too' to such a person.
"...... Actually, I like the Baron."
Chloe's first thought was that what was bound to come had finally come.
Chris hadn't done things that couples would do like holding hands or kissing before, but she had done many things that others could easily misunderstand.
Like going to cafes and eating parfaits alone together, or going on picnics with her and Fabio, and so on...
Only a fool wouldn't notice Chris' feelings seeing this up close.
And although Chloe had few opportunities to learn, she was on the wise side, so.
'Miss Chris has finally become honest.'
"I see."
"I'm sorry to Chloe, but I don't want to hide my feelings anymore either. No, if I keep staying still like this, I'll have to marry men who are only after my money and assets."
Tears were already falling drop by drop from Chris' eyes.
Her apologetic feelings towards Chloe were the biggest.
But just as much as that, the fact that if she goes on like this, she'll have to marry men who won't respect her just because she's a noble was also desperate.
It was desperate and very disgusting.
To the point of feeling nauseous just thinking about it.
"I don't want that."
It was a very short statement, but it contained an unimaginable amount of emotion.
Chloe wiped Chris's tears with the handkerchief she had and said:
"...... Honestly, I want to keep monopolizing the young master. I feel like I want him to quit work and everything, that's how much I want him."
Of course, Chloe had never said such things even once.
She's scared of being hated if she said such things to Fabio...
'Because the young master looks happy when he's running towards his goals.'
"But wanting to monopolize the young master is my greed. He'll have his own position, but women are bound to flock to such a wonderful person. Like me who's addicted to the young master."
Hearing those words, Chris shed tears drop by drop.
"Originally, I couldn't oppose even if the young master said he'd increase other women besides me. But I like it if it's you too, Miss Chris."
To Chloe who has practically no family, Chris is like an older sister.
Now that she's becoming family in the true sense, she'll become a sharp younger sister since she's younger in age.
And Chloe lowered her voice and whispered in Chris' ear:
"It's nice to be able to act spoiled with the young master every day. But he's so vigorous, honestly it's been hard for me to handle alone. When he's not busy with work, he does it at least 3-4 times a day minimum, and over 7 times when it's a lot."
Bringing up such talk is practically equivalent to Chloe declaring that she'll accept Chris into Fabio's harem.
Otherwise she wouldn't have brought up such an intimate story.
But Chris was more shocked by that incredible number than that.
'He's amazing at night too...'
"When he's not busy with work, he asks to do it as soon as we wake up in the morning. I like feeling like I'm constantly being loved by the young master. But my body can't keep up."
Chris suddenly felt blood rushing to her face.
She felt like her nose would bleed if she heard any more explicit talk.
"The young master will like Miss Chris, no, Chris too. It'll definitely work out well."
Before, no matter how close their relationship was, Chloe had to use honorifics because of the wall of status.
But now they're family tied through Fabio.
It means they've become in positions where they don't need to mind such things.
"Okay, big sister."
And Chloe quietly hugged Chris.
At this time, Fabio was caught by the Duke and couldn't see this scene because he was listening to him brag about his granddaughter.
**
Chris continued speaking word by word:
"So I've already gotten permission from big sister."
And Chris hesitated as she continued speaking:
"...... I know the Baron is resting tomorrow too, may I join you? I've already taken time off."
"I'll be busy being called around in a few days too, so sure. Let's rest now and put aside all worries and concerns."