Chris’s statement wasn’t particularly surprising or shocking.
From the past, Chris and I had done things that could easily be mistaken for a date many times at Cafe Medici.
I had heard numerous times that my ideal type was a guy like me.
However, I was cautious because I didn’t want to end up creating distance between Chloe and Chris.
“Chloe and Chris were practically like sisters.”
This was definitely not because I was shy or anything.
So I voiced my honest thoughts.
“I like you too, Chris.”
If you happen to accidentally hit someone while walking, as long as you don’t actually hit someone, you can somehow get through without a hitch.
But if a pedestrian suddenly jumps into the street with no crosswalk, then you’d become a criminal for hitting them.
It’s not a crime for a girl to confess to a guy.
“But as a man, it feels like I might be doing something drastically wrong.”
To wash away this complicated feeling, I had to accept Chris’s confession at an inflated value of ten times.
“Honestly, I’ve been concerned about you since the very first time I saw you. Your determination to risk everything to avenge your parents and family; overcoming the limitations of being a woman and being recognized for your abilities by everyone. That seemed really cool.”
Hearing my words, Chris covered her mouth with her hand.
She had initiated the confession, yet just a little reciprocation made her react this way.
If the staff working under Chris saw this scene, they would probably faint in surprise, right?
“While the young lords from other noble families prefer doll-like beauties who can do as they please, I’m a bit different.”
In the context of our empire, or rather, the continent, this is a very peculiar taste.
Nobles would think of it like this:
“A perverted guy who prefers an adult woman with AAA-cup breasts and about 148 cm tall.”
Considering that most people like girls who are about 160-170 cm tall and preferably with bigger breasts, this is indeed an absurd preference.
“My ideal type is a woman who lives diligently with her own convictions.”
“That’s unique.”
Saying that, I placed my hand on Chris’s chin.
She didn’t reject my touch.
Her face was as flushed as a ripe apple, and her gaze was darting around.
“And if she’s pretty too, then that’s even better.”
Then I asked the most important question right then and there.
“Have you talked to Chloe?”
No matter how much I paid attention to and cared for Chloe, strictly speaking, there was no need to concern myself with her in expanding my female relationships.
That’s just basic common sense in this world.
“Some people even think it’s okay to have a main wife who only produces heirs while they take in concubines. So what?”
Even politically entangled main wives wouldn’t fare better than concubines.
I remembered the Duke once telling me something like this.
“If you have a beloved concubine, it’s good to purposely take in other concubines so that she’ll get jealous. Then she’ll desperately try to earn my affection.”
Yet the reason I bothered to care was that I liked Chloe that much, and our relationship was that close, and I didn’t want to see it tear apart because of me.
“Yes, I’ve talked to her. Chloe, or rather, my sister also understood.”
The day before Chris went to see Fabio, she took a day off to meet Chloe.
She wrote down “personal matters” as the official reason, but…
“I’m so nervous, it feels like I’m going to ask for permission to marry.”
For nobles, or even just common middle-class folks in the city, marriage mostly happens through arrangements between families and clans.
However, it’s not completely unheard of to have romantic marriages, so it’s not entirely strange…
“But just thinking that I have to have that rare experience makes me anxious.”
Unknowingly, Chris clenched her fists tightly.
Nonetheless, she had no intention of backing down.
Both her relationship with Chloe and the Medici Baron were precious, so she had to be considerate of both.
Lost in her thoughts, she soon arrived at Chloe’s room, or rather, the Baron’s room.
It was a pre-arranged meeting and Fabio wasn’t inside.
When she knocked and entered, Chloe received her warmly.
“Welcome, Chris.”
Normally, just seeing that warm smile would have made her heart glow, but now, it felt heavier instead.
Although love isn’t a crime, wanting to become the woman of this cute girl’s favorite man felt so conflicted.
“Chloe is always talking about the Baron…”
“Well, Chloe.”
Seeing Chris’s expression harden, Chloe asked,
“Do you have any worries? I can’t really help other than listening, but… I’ll try to be of as much help as possible.”
That precious look only made Chris feel even heavier.
She was two years older than Chloe, but in reality, she considered her like a younger sister.
And having to say something like, “I also like your husband,” to someone like that.
“…Actually, I like the Baron.”
Chloe immediately thought that the moment had finally come.
Chris hadn’t engaged in acts that couples typically do—like holding hands or kissing—but she had done many things that were easy for others to misunderstand.
Like going to Cafe Medici and eating parfaits alone together, or going on outings with her and Fabio…
Seeing that right nearby and not noticing Chris’s feelings would be foolish.
And Chloe, while lacking opportunities to learn, was wise enough.
“Chris has finally been honest.”
“I see.”
“I’m sorry to Chloe, but I no longer want to hide my feelings. Otherwise, if I stay like this, I’d end up marrying men who just want my money and assets.”
Tears were slowly flowing from Chris’s eyes.
Her biggest sorrow was toward Chloe.
But equally despairing was the reality that she would have to marry men who didn’t respect her just for being a noble.
It was disheartening and extremely disgusting.
Just thinking about it made her feel nauseous.
“I don’t want that.”
It was a very brief statement, but it held an unimaginable amount of emotion.
Chloe wiped Chris’s tears with a handkerchief she had.
“…Honestly, I want to monopolize the Baron. I wish he would give up everything and just stay with me.”
Of course, Chloe had never said such a thing even once.
She was scared of being hated if she said that to Fabio…
“The Baron looks happiest when he’s running toward his goals.”
“But wanting to monopolize him is greedy on my part. He has his own position too, but, naturally, women will be drawn to such a wonderful man. Just like I am.”
Upon hearing those words, Chris started crying even more.
“Even if the Baron decides to take in other women besides me, I can’t oppose it. But I also like you, Chris.”
For Chloe, who had almost no family, Chris was like an older sister.
If they were to truly become a family, she would become the younger sister as she was younger than her.
Then Chloe lowered her voice and whispered in Chris’s ear.
“It’s nice to pamper the Baron every day. But he has such a strong libido that, to be honest, I have a hard time keeping up. When he’s not busy, he does it at least 3-4 times a day, and sometimes over 7 times.”
Bringing this up was equivalent to declaring that Chloe would accept Chris into Fabio’s harem.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have brought up such intimate matters.
However, Chris was shocked not by that but by the overwhelming frequency.
‘He’s impressive even at night…’
“If he’s not busy, tell him to do it right when he wakes up in the morning. I love feeling loved by the Baron, but my body can’t handle it.”
Chris suddenly felt the blood rush to her face.
If she heard even a slightly more risqué story, she felt that her nose would start bleeding.
“The Baron must like you, Chris, I’m sure it will work out.”
Previously, no matter how close they were, due to the barrier of status, Chloe had to speak formally.
But now, they had become a family through Fabio.
So they had reached a point where they didn’t have to worry about such things.
“I get it, sis.”
And then Chloe quietly embraced Chris.
At that time, Fabio was captured by the Duke, bragging about his granddaughter and missed this scene.
Chris continued to speak clearly.
“I’ve already gotten permission from you, sister.”
Then she hesitated before continuing.
“…I know the Baron is taking a break tomorrow, can I join as well? I’ve already taken my leave.”
“I’ll be busy in a few days too; so, let’s set aside our worries and take a rest now.”
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