Rosalind looked at Chase with a pleased expression.
It was unmistakably the look of a mother-in-law admiring her son-in-law.
“Ahem. Shall we, Your Grace?”
The Baron cleared his throat and gestured toward the door, his eyes signaling Chase, who was still holding Lizelle’s hand.
Chase released her hand and followed the Baron out of the room.
As the two men disappeared, only Rosalind and Wilhazelle remained in the drawing room.
“Don’t worry too much, dear. Your father is the kind of man who wouldn’t even offer a glass of water to someone he dislikes.”
Her mother’s words were a subtle indication that Chase had, to some extent, earned her father’s approval.
What could they have discussed in such a short amount of time that changed her parents’ attitude toward Chase so drastically?
Wilhazelle found herself immensely curious about Chase’s way of handling things.
And on the other hand, she was grateful to him for faithfully carrying out her request.
* * *
“This is the whiskey I bought when I went down to the Mejuel region last year.”
The Baron took out the whiskey he had been saving.
It was of considerably less value than the liquor Chase could obtain, but it was the best and most sincere offering the Baron could make.
“Thank you for your hospitality.”
Chase took a sip of the whiskey the Baron poured for him.
The aroma was strong, and even before tasting it, Chase could tell it was potent.
While he occasionally enjoyed a glass or two of wine, Chase was not a regular drinker.
His low tolerance meant that even one glass of strong whiskey could leave him noticeably affected.
But refusing the Baron’s offer wasn’t an option.
This was, after all, Lizelle’s father.
“Lizelle has always been a kind and upright child, even from a young age.”
Aiden began, tipping back his glass and diving into stories about his daughter.
“She was incredibly intelligent, speaking and walking earlier than most children her age.”
“I see.”
He was listening attentively despite the abundance of praise.
It was more interesting than he thought to hear about her past that he knew nothing about.
“She has a kind heart. The rumors don’t reflect the truth. When she found Raphelion trembling in fear, she tore her dress to cover him.”
It was the first time he heard about that.
Though he hadn’t seen it firsthand, he could easily imagine the scene.
The image he recalled of Wilhazelle frantically searching for Raphel when he had gone missing in the mansion overlapped with her rushing back from the garbage dump with the boy in her arms.
“She’s always been like that—determined to see things through once she sets her mind to them. I imagine this marriage is no different.”
The Baron’s expression darkened slightly as he took another sip of whiskey.
It was the look of a father worrying about his daughter.
“Your Grace, I can’t help but worry about her facing harsh words or criticism.”
He was worried that his young daughter, who did not yet know everything about the world, would be persecuted if she entered the Halos family.
Even if two people got married because they liked each other, the difference in status between the duke’s family and the baron’s family was enormous.
The gossip in social circles would undoubtedly be relentless.
Marrying Chase Halos alone would make Wilhazelle the center of attention and scrutiny.
“I understand your concerns, Baron. However, as long as I am by her side, no one will dare to mistreat her. I promise you that.”
Chase took this opportunity to promise the Baron that no one would dare touch her.
It was a promise to the Baron, and a pledge he made to himself.
“Thank you.”
The Baron smiled, as if his worries had been relieved.
The two of them drank more comfortably than before.
How much time passed?
“My daughter is the prettiest when she smiles!”
The heavily intoxicated baron slurred, struggling to hold his composure.
“No, she’s always pretty.”
Chase had already exceeded his drinking capacity.
Unlike the Baron, however, Chase’s strong will kept him from slurring his words.
“When she sang, there was a halo around her.”
Chase leaned back against the sofa, chuckling softly in his slightly disheveled state.
That moment was an experience he would never forget.
“When Lizelle was born, I felt as if I was welcoming an angel into the world!”
The Baron refused to back down.
It was clear he didn’t want to lose when it came to expressing his love for Lizelle.
“When she smiles, it feels like cherry blossoms are raining down.”
Chase retorted passionately.
The Baron, his eyes drooping from intoxication, mumbled about the first time he held Lizelle after she was born.
So, the two of them started to talk about their feelings for Lizelle.
They spiraled into a contest of affection for her, as if trying to determine a winner.
This endearing display continued until the Baron finally succumbed to his drunkenness and passed out on the sofa.
* * *
“Are you all right, Your Grace?”
Wilhazelle struggled to support Chase, who reeked of alcohol.
She couldn’t manage him alone and enlisted the help of the butler, Merhyn.
When neither Chase nor her father returned after a long time, she went to check on them, only to find both sprawled on the sofa, unable to move.
The whiskey bottle on the table was completely empty.
Given how strong the drink was, this outcome was inevitable.
“Why drink so much when you can’t handle it…”
Wilhazelle grumbled, struggling to keep Chase upright.
With his tall, solid frame, even holding him up was exhausting.
Chase, with Wilhazelle and Merhyn each holding one of his arms, was practically dragged to a guest room.
His flushed cheeks beneath his closed eyes were a testament to how drunk he was.
“Ugh…”
Finally, they reached the guest room, and Wilhazelle heaved a sigh of relief as they lowered him onto the bed.
He was so heavy and firm that her back felt like it might give out.
“I’ll call if I need anything. Thank you for your help.”
Lizelle sent the butler away then shook Chase’s shoulder as he sat there on the bed.
“Your Grace, wake up. Your Grace.”
“…Not.”
A faint mumble escaped from Chase’s lowered head.
“Pardon? What was that?”
His murmur was too soft for her to catch.
He didn’t say anything further.
“Your Grace, are you feeling unwell?”
Lizelle crouched down in front of Chase, extending her hand and waving it in front of his eyes.
The long lashes beneath his closed eyes didn’t so much as twitch.
“Is he asleep?”
As she started to withdraw her hand, Chase suddenly grasped her wrist.
“Your Grace, are you all right?”
Startled by his sudden action, Wilhazelle’s eyes widened as she looked him over.
“Not ‘Your Grace’.”
Chase slowly opened his closed eyelids at the sound of the sweet voice ringing in his ears.
The red eyes that finally appeared moved very slowly and were fixed on Lizelle who was crouching in front of him.
“Huh? What do you mean…”
She looked up at him, startled by his sudden nonsense after opening his eyes.
He didn’t seem like a drunk man at all as he gazed straight into her eyes, speaking each word clearly without any slurred pronunciation.
But his lashes blinked very slowly and deliberately.
When that overlapped with his deep red eyes, it looked strangely alluring.
His pursed lips were redder than usual, as well as his cheeks, due to the intoxication.
His clothes and hair were a little disheveled compared to before.
If he seemed like an unapproachable, sharp, and intellectual gentleman before, his current appearance, which has become more human, is, in a word, sexy, if not sultry.
This was the first time in her life she found a drunk man sexy…
And yet, she couldn’t deny it. His strikingly handsome face was to blame.
“Don’t call me ‘Your Grace’.”
Chase, who had been staring at Lizelle, licked his lips.
A cavernous voice, very low and muffled by the alcohol, filled the room.
“…Then what should I call you?”
Lizelle asked cautiously. Chase was still holding her hand and staring intently at her.
The unfamiliar atmosphere made it impossible for her to treat him as she usually would.
Especially with that heavy, unwavering look pinning her in place, it felt almost suffocating.
“Chase.”
Chase whispered, lowering his gaze from her bright green eyes to her lips.
“Please call me Chase.”
