Duke, Please Stop Because it Hurts

Even though she nodded at Raven’s words, Molitia still had a worried look at that particular moment.

“I’m not doing this for no reason………?”

“No, it’s much better than knowing it after a problem has emerged.”

In contrast to the fact that she had pointed out the problem properly, she looked quite uneasy. She wasn’t sure what her husband had really heard. Nevertheless, it didn’t feel bad that he listened to all her worries.

Now then, what should he do with this person in front of him? Should they play another round of chess, which they didn’t get to finish yesterday? Or would it be fine for him to take her to the bedroom and keep her there all day long?

“Oh, and I’m expecting a visitor this afternoon.”

Molitia’s words had shattered Raven’s plans all at once.

“Who?”

“She is the wife whom I got close to during the tea party last time. I gave her a present back then and she said that she’d like to thank me by gifting me something in return.”

“Does it have to be today?”

“I’ve already made an appointment… and I really didn’t expect that you’d finish this early.”

While peering over her carefully, Raven just couldn’t bear to tell her no.

“How long will it take?”

“Would you like me to send her away right after I receive her?”

Yeah. He murmured and Molitia immediately smiled quietly.

“I won’t chat for too long.”

“Madame, Baroness Ariane has arrived.”

As soon as the news of the guest arrival had come just in time, Molitia rose from her chair.

“Oh, I’ll be right there. Please show her to the drawing room.”

“Understood.”

“Then, just do what you have to do first. I’ll be right back.”

Her hand patted him gently on the shoulder. He clasped onto it for a moment before dismissing the idea of wanting to retain it.

“…I’ll do just that.”

Right after Molitia had left the study, Raven could feel a stuffy state of silence. He thought that he had to finish some work, but he just didn’t do it. His wife appeared to be much busier than he expected.

Raven then looked out the window. The garden, which was even more colorful than before, had also been her handiwork and Molitia had been doing well even during his absence. Despite having a fragile body, she never delayed her duty at all.

Eventually, Raven flopped down to where she had just sat. He had his own separate study, but he didn’t want to go over there.

He brought over his own business and began examining it. He just couldn’t believe that he had already finished his work somehow, but still had to start working all over again. It was rather inevitable that all of this had to transpire.

How long had it been then? Molitia peeped open the door of the study before popping her head inside.

“Did you wait long?”

His gloomy face was instantly cleared at the moment he saw her. His behavior was definitely akin to a small squirrel.

Wasn’t that just cute—or not. Even if he knew that he could have gotten something done by waiting as well, he still didn’t do it. Instead, he held her close and enveloped her tightly in his arms.

“You’re already done with your business now, aren’t you?”

“Uh…”

Her hesitating voice had stopped his smile completely.

“It’s not over yet?”

“It’s just this one last thing and there’ll be no more work after this.”

Molitia then continued in a small manner as she really never would’ve expected him to come home this early.

“Is there anything that I can help you with? If we were to do it together, things could go down pretty quickly.”

“It’s okay, it’s not too much that requires any help. Besides, I like to do what I’m supposed to in advance.”

The warmth in his arms dissipated slowly. Even at that moment, Raven had already reached out and held her hand. That small and soft hand appeared to be a little cold.

“I’ll be right back. Let’s play chess together when you’re done, then.”

“Sure.”

“Would this time be fair and square?”

”If you’d like to lose again, then it’s absolutely fine.”

“Exceptions could always happen during unexpected moments.”

Molitia flashed a smile broadly. Did she even know that her smile has become brighter as of late? Raven then smiled faintly towards her in response.