#15. Estimating the Distance Between a Man and a Woman (4)

“A guest? Dmitri is part of my family!”

The woman’s sharp voice filled the mansion’s courtyard, reaching not only the head butler, who stood face-to-face with her fury, but also her family beside her, Dmitri, and even Eugenie, who had just stepped down from the carriage behind them.

After a difficult journey from the capital to Béarn in the West, Eugenie had only just set foot in her hometown when the ringing voice made her frown at once.

Eugenie had already thought it strange how unusually Eli treated her lover.

The two of them had been so sweet together on the train, utterly unlike how they’d been wandering around not long ago, unable even to identify the feelings they’d harbored for each other.

Could it be…?

Could Eli have been lying when she said that night that nothing had happened apart from a kiss?

Her irreverent thoughts were soon scattered by the rough voice of a man.

“W-what are you talking about? E-Eli, don’t tell me…?”

The Margrave’s face, ruddy to match his imposing build, had turned so red it looked ready to burst. Eugenie was worried he might collapse under the strain of his own temper...