I Taught You Carefully, So Why Are You Obsessed?

Kyle let out a sigh.

“Anyway, you should really start expressing yourself. I’ve told you this countless times, but now you must admit it.”

He narrowed his eyes and asked.

“The news, it’s bothering you, isn’t it?”

“……”

“Her Grace the Grand Duchess and Duke Roger being linked together, that’s bothering you too.”

“……”

“See? I told you.”

Clicking his tongue, Kyle shook his head.

“For goodness’ sake, try to make an effort. If not, she’ll really be taken away from you, and don’t say I didn’t warn you!”

Ian scowled in displeasure at Kyle’s words.

“Enough with the nonsense, Kyle Elzeir.”

“Hmph…”

“We’re done here. Leave.”

Hearing his full name spoken so firmly, Kyle knew it was time to retreat.

He shook his head in resignation.

“Alright, alright. The documents are over there, so take a look. I’ll take my leave now.”

Ian watched him dash out of the office, as if afraid the conversation might continue.

Only after Kyle’s presence completely faded did Ian press his fingers against his forehead.

“…I’m exhausted.”

The headache was starting to pound, a result of worrying about things he shouldn’t be concerned with.

As Ian massaged his temples and skimmed through the papers, his irritation grew, and he slammed them shut.

‘I need to clear my head.’

He headed for the library, located at the end of the east wing on the third floor.

Whenever Ian’s thoughts became too tangled, he had a habit of visiting the library to read any book he could get his hands on.

Thanks to that, the Grand Duke’s library was now second only to the Imperial National Library in size.

Walking slowly between the bookshelves, Ian started picking out books. But after a while, he paused.

‘Come to think of it… wasn’t there a book the Grand Duchess brought home around this time?’

Ian recalled the stack of books Eloise had brought home a few months ago, arms full of what seemed to be trivial romance novels, the kind adolescent ladies would read.

He had barely glanced at them back then, but for some reason, they came to mind now.

“Please, make an effort. Or she’ll really be taken away. Consider this your warning!”  

Why was Kyle’s voice replaying in his head now?

That subordinate of his seemed to take perverse satisfaction in getting under his skin.

‘It’s obvious nonsense.’

He tried to brush it off, but the nagging feeling wouldn’t go away. Kyle Elzeir had an unusual talent for saying just the right thing to annoy him.

After a moment of hesitation, Ian turned toward the opposite bookshelf.

It didn’t take long to find the books Eloise had bought.

They were shoved haphazardly into the farthest corner, not even properly arranged. The bright pink covers were so garishly bold that it would have been hard to miss them, even if he’d tried.

Frowning, Ian pulled one from the shelf.

“……”

His eyes narrowed. He was sure these were the books Eloise had purchased, but upon closer inspection, the title was strange for a book meant for young ladies.

How to Be Loved by a Woman! 

…If the Grand Duchess had bought these, shouldn’t it be How to Be Loved by a Man instead?

As he stared at the title, Ian scanned the rest of the bookshelf.

Now that he was paying attention, all the other books had similar titles, like How to Capture a Woman’s Heart and 100 Ways to Make Her Yours.

“What on earth is this…?”

Muttering in disbelief, Ian closed his mouth.

After a brief moment of contemplation, he opened the book in his hands.

Step 1. Take the lead. Relationships start with an active pursuit. If you truly want to capture her heart, take the initiative and guide her! But be careful not to rush things, or you might lose her.

“……”

Flip, flip.  

He turned a few more pages.

The advice was all the same—smile kindly at her, compliment her, show good manners.

It didn’t sound much different from what Kyle had been nagging him about earlier in the office.

Wasn’t this making it look as if that fool had been right all along?

“……”

With an unsatisfied expression, Ian continued reading before closing the book with a loud snap.

“They’ll write anything in these things.”

 

❖ ❖ ❖

 

“Ugh! What in the world are they saying!”

Letting out a silent scream, I grabbed my head in frustration while sitting on my bed.

After enduring the hellish breakfast, I had run straight to my room and started reading the newsletter I hadn’t been able to finish earlier.

Reading it calmly now, the content was truly absurd.

The main article, which had linked me and Duke Roger in an almost scandalous way, was one thing. But the comments below were beyond belief.

“Is this the power of anonymity? Seriously?”

When I briefly glanced at the newsletter during breakfast, it had been buzzing about my meal with Duke Roger.

But now, that was barely mentioned, and they were comparing Ian and Duke Roger in various categories and arguing about it.

Sure, Grand Duke Cloud might be better as a marriage prospect, but when it comes to romance, no one beats Duke Roger.

Just look at that smile—who wouldn’t want to be saved by him? No, he’s the kind of beauty who could ruin an entire country…

‘Are they out of their minds?’

“Are these people even nobles?”

The same people who acted all refined were even worse behind the mask of anonymity.

But the real issue was something else.

Most of the comments on the front page of the newsletter leaned positively towards Duke Roger.

‘No! How hard have I worked to build up Ian’s image!’

Of course, Ian being an ass was true!

And it’s also true that, apart from being a Grand Duke and a Swordmaster, he doesn’t have many appealing points!

But that’s something I get to criticize!

Some faceless noble criticizing Ian was an entirely different matter.

‘Ian is Diana’s future husband!’

I couldn’t just sit back and watch this disaster unfold.

I stopped pulling at my hair and grabbed a notepad and quill, ready for battle.

– But isn’t the real winner Grand Duke Cloud? Bad boys are always more attractive when they’re sweet to you.

This was the time for some good old public opinion manipulation.

For a brief moment, I felt a pang of shame, knowing I was diving headfirst into this ridiculous debate, but there was no other way.

Fortunately, once my comment appeared, other people slowly started agreeing.

– True, there’s no one like Grand Duke Cloud in the capital.

– Right, remember how unforgettable his entrance was at the last season’s party? When he kissed Her Grace’s hand, didn’t half the women faint?

– Oh my, that includes me.

– It’s been ages since I felt my heart flutter over another man.

– I’d die happy just to get a hand kiss from him!

– Stop it, the Grand Duchess is right there!

– Just because there’s a guard doesn’t mean you can’t get past the gate, right?

– But I heard Her Grace reads this newsletter too?

– Does anyone know how to delete comments?

No, no. Keep going.

Turn Ian into the hottest guy in the capital.

For a moment, I was feeling satisfied watching the debate shift.

But soon, subtle rebuttals started to pop up again.

– But if I were the Grand Duchess, I’d prefer Duke Roger over Grand Duke Cloud. Don’t you remember the dip in his reputation after they got married?

– Didn’t that turn out to be a misunderstanding?

– Still, the rumors existed. Plus, doesn’t Duke Roger understand women better?

– True, even if you’re the Grand Duchess, you’d still feel something sitting across from Duke Roger at dinner, wouldn’t you?

– Right, and let’s be honest—what kind of woman has a private meal with a man she has no interest in? Especially in a place like that.

– I do it, and from what I heard, Duke Roger took her there without any notice.

– Are you a Duke Roger fan? You sound jealous.

– Roger definitely has the upper hand…

Wait, why is Roger coming up again? We’re supposed to be talking about Ian!

But no matter how hard I willed it, the tide of opinion shifted once more in Duke Roger’s favor.

It was almost shocking to see how much a single meal could spiral into this mess.

“Sigh…”

I let out a heavy sigh, dropping my head in frustration.

‘How much effort have I put into making that Ian Cloud guy presentable…’

I ruffled my hair in frustration and sprang up from the bed.

‘I can’t just let this happen.’

I stormed out of the bedroom, my steps purposeful and aggressive as I climbed the stairs.

Arriving on the third floor, I didn’t even bother knocking as I threw open the door to the office.

“Grand Duke! Let’s go on a date!”

Ian, who had been sitting at his desk, focused on something serious, flinched in surprise at my sudden intrusion.

A pink-covered something slipped from his hand and fell under the desk.

“…Grand Duke?”

What on earth are you reading right now?

 

 

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