The Duchy of Miami.
It is the port of embarkation that the cruise Tavasonic wass heading towards.
It is an island located at the southernmost tip of the continent, and is famous for its natural beauty, marine sports, and a vacation spot for the nobility.
Beautiful seas, calm waves, coral islands and pearl farms, and various brightly colored tropical fish.
Despite being a warm island in the south, the icy cold blue lake provides fresh water to the residents year-round, making it an almost paradise-like place.
Having gained permanent freedom from the Perza Empire, and being recognized as an independent land, the island has long been operated as a sovereign Duchy.
Along with the complex political situation on the continent, it is the prevailing theory in academic circles that this was made possible due to the outstanding diplomacy of the previous monarchs and the unwavering support of the indigenous people towards the Dukedom.
“Wow. This is it! The Miami I’ve only heard about!”
As soon as Klisha got off the ship, she threw off her shoes and started hopping around, running along the beach.
“Northern Boss! The sand here is really soft. Wow, boss. There’s something red here. I think it’s coral.”
Eugene, whose title had completely stuck as ‘Northern Boss’, followed behind with a slightly exhausted expression.
“Lady, you might get hurt if you take off your shoes…”
“Haha. This place is really great!”
“…Where did you send all your worries about your father?”
“Spilled water cannot be put back. Besides…”
Klisha, clearly enjoying herself, said with a broad smile.
“Now, the worries are really no longer my problem. It’s something for the Northern Boss to worry about… Oof!”
As Klisha was walking backwards, something hard bumped into her back.
“Lady! Be careful….”
Before Eugene could even extend his arm and catch her, a soft voice rang out across the beach.
“Oh dear. ‘Sissy’, are you okay?”
Blonde hair.
Emerald eyes that resembled a meadow.
Sun-kissed, sparkling bronze skin, with a well-defining six-pack.
For some reason, he always walks around with his shirt off.
And attracts crowds of love-struck female fans.
A man with dazzlingly white teeth!
The Grand Duke of Miami has arrived.
* * *
Swishhh.
Swishhh.
Splash.
“Ahhhhhh!”
“Look here~ Your Highness the Duke! Ahhh!”
“Eek! So cool!”
The quiet Golden Coast was in chaos from the screams of the fangirls.
The 12th Duke of Miami, His Highness the Grand Duke Andrew Palmier Le Miami, appeared on the beach with his shortboard tucked under his arm, and smooth copper skin shining.
As he swept his blonde hair back and gave a charming smile, his teeth, even whiter than usual, were slightly revealed.
“Ahhhhhh!”
The Grand Duke subtly waved his hand at the surroundings before jumping into the sea.
The cool waves. The gentle breeze.
The young Grand Duke, wearing tight-fitting shorts, cut through the water like a bird with its feathers soaked…
“Same as always.”
Eugene shook his head slightly while seeing the sight, then opened his mouth without turning around.
“For now, we should head to the villa…”
The side was empty.
“…….”
Where did she go? This woman, again?
As Eugene turned his head, he saw Klisha, with her mouth agape and standing among the fangirls who were admiring the Duke on the beach.
“Lady. What are you doing there right now?”
“Wow…… That person is really cool.”
“Ha.”
Eugene’s eyebrows furrowed slightly.
“That’s something Andrew would definitely like to hear.”
“Andrew? Wow, boss! You know His Highness the Grand Duke?”
Klisha’s eyes sparkled.
“……”
Eugene, avoiding Klisha’s gaze, spoke up.
“Let’s head to my villa first. I was supposed to meet him once the ‘show’ is over…”
“Wow! Ahhh!”
Suddenly, a loud cheer followed, with even feet stomping, and Klisha and Eugene turned their gaze to the source of the noise.
It seemed the handmade board, which had been carved by Miami’s finest craftsmen for three generations, had stuck in the sand.
And the Grand Duke, with his wet upper body gleaming unusually, and his well-defined muscles moving smoothly without an ounce of fat, was walking towards them.
“Hey, bro!”
“Your Highness the Grand Duke.”
“Why such formality between us?”
Andrew, smiling brightly, touched the hands reaching out from all around and opened his mouth.
“Is the lovely babe from the mainland you came with is your lover, Bro?”
Klisha couldn’t help but be impressed by the man in front of her.
How much exercise did he even do? A muscular body that could only be achieved by training at least eight hours a day. And on top of that….
Someone who hasn’t mastered martial arts would never be able to notice, but the Duke’s body was quickly assessed by the sharp gaze of a certain someone.
“Wow.”
A slight flush spread across Klisha’s face.
“You’re…. the best.”
Duke Andrew chuckled at Klisha’s pure admiration as she raised her thumb.
Eugene felt uncomfortable all over for some reason.
* * *
On the cliff by the sea.
It is the place where Eugene’s villa was located, adorned with various vines and plants that exude the scent of the southern sea, vibrant flowers in a range of colors, and clean waterways where small fish swim.
“Master, I thought you’d be coming back in about a month.”
“It turned out to be like this.”
Eugene handed the thin jacket he was holding to the old butler.
“This is my… companion. We’ll be meeting His Highness the Duke Andrew shortly.”
For some reason, a cold breeze had been lingering around Eugene, and he spoke to the butler without even looking at Klisha.
“Please prepare an appropriate outfit for the lady.”
“!”
“Since she’s accompanying as a member of the Ryuiken Trading Company, it would be inappropriate if the attire was too out of line with etiquette.”
While looking around the villa, which had a different kind of charm from the hotel in Evanor, Klisha lost the flow of conversation and turned her head, wondering what they were talking about. But all she saw was the back of the head of the Northern Boss who had already walked away.
‘What is it? Why is he being like that?’
Klisha tilted her head slightly in confusion.
Late afternoon.
The old butler carefully knocked in front of the guest room that was given to Klisha.
“Excuse me, my lady. Are you ready?”
“Almost ready. You can open the door.”
Klisha, with a large yellow flower pinned in her red hair, wore a light green sleeveless one-piece dress that accentuated her slim waist. She seemed a bit awkward, constantly turning this way and that in front of the mirror.
“Is this how it’s supposed to be? You’re saying I should put such a big flower in my hair?”
“Haha. It’s a golden hibiscus. It’s a rare flower that only grows in our Miami Duchy.”
The old butler, a native of Miami and someone who had lived his entire life with pride as a citizen of the Duchy, spoke with a look of deep emotion in his eyes.
“Your red hair really suits you. I’m sure His Highness the Archduke will be pleased.”
“……”
Klisha scratched her head lightly.
Putting a flower in one’s hair.
Wasn’t that the symbol of madwomen in Schmarin?
In particular, the size of the flower is often associated with the degree of madness. The bigger the flower pinned to one’s hair, the more, much, and strongly it signifies the person’s craziness…
‘As expected. I guess the culture differs depending on the region. I have to be careful.’
Klisha answered, rubbing her awkward, bare arms without sleeves.
“Thank you… By the way, where is the Boss?”
“Master has already left.”
“Eh? He left alone? Without me?”
“The carriage is ready. I’ll accompany you.”
“……”
* * *
“Hey. Bro. What’s going on?”
Through the large window that took up an entire wall of the Duke’s office, the red sunset reflecting off the pristine sea engulfed the entire sky of Miami.
As the red sunset reflected in Eugene’s red eyes, who crossed his arms while gazing out the window, his handsome face appeared even more dangerously alluring.
“What are you talking about? Is it about the resort?”
Duke Andrew, still standing without his shirt, gave a slight smile as he responded.
“That’s not what I was asking. Bro, you usually don’t have many happy days, but today you seem especially blue.”
“……”
“Didn’t the babe from the mainland come with you? Our chef prepared a truffle mushroom salad with 17 different sweet sauces.”
“She’ll be here later.”
“Oh?”
“And that woman doesn’t eat salad. She only eats meat.”
“……”
“…….”
“Tch.”
When the Duke suddenly covered his mouth and laughed, a hint of irritation appeared between Eugene’s brow.
“What?”
“Nothing. Bro, since when did you start taking care of a babe’s diet? That’s unlike you.”
“……”
It was so unusual that Eugene couldn’t help but know.
During the full day’s journey from Myuta to the capital in a single carriage, there were four meal times along the way, but Klisha never ate a meal without meat. To be precise, she only picked out the meat.
Later, Noah’s report included the unnecessary information that, even at the hotel, Klisha picked out the celery and carrots from the meat stew.
And at the finest restaurant in Evanor, Blanche… let’s not even talk about it.
However, whether he knew about this or not, Duke Andrew was laughing with tears practically hanging from his eyes.
“Stop it.”
“Yes, yes. If His Highness the Archduke of Servan tells you to stop, then you should stop.”
“……”
Eugene turned around and opened his mouth.
“20% of the assets from Tomma Holdings will be invested in this resort project.”
“20%… that’s bigger than I expected.”
The Duke’s demeanor, which had been laughing just moments ago, vanished in an instant, replaced by a cold and imposing presence.
“Recently, the Perza Ministry of Finance has been very strict. Money laundering won’t be easy.”
“I see.”
Eugene picked up the quill pen on the Duke’s desk, wrote something in a fancy handwriting, and handed it to Andrew.
“We should make use of it.”
A sharp glint flashed in Eugene’s eyes, as if the crimson sunset itself had melted into them.
“Just in time. I got a good card in my hand.”
