Chapter 68

The white marble floor and the marble statue were in harmony.

A crown woven of diamonds and platinum was placed on the head of the stone statue in the shape of a knight with a sword.

Around it, various golden statues stood in circles, and all kinds of jewelry wrapped in velvet cushions glistened like heavenly light inside a long crystal display.

Seashells, large tapestries, and ornate gold leaf decorations adorning the huge walls add to the ecstasy of this luxurious space.

It was like a jewelry fair, not a jewelry warehouse.

Another view emerged as the marble sentries climbed up the stairs.

A crude and simple view that contrasted sharply with the lower floors.

On one side, several balck heavy safes lined up in unison like guards, with majestic shapes, locked chests, and antiques covered in black sheets.

“It’s shabby, but this is how it is. It’s not comparable to my father-in-law’s warehouse, but this is the most expensive place in the castle.”

Was he being sarcastic?

There was nothing to be ashamed of. And even the Pope’s treasure trove would not have been enough to hold the dragon’s jewels.

As for this place, even if not as good as the dragon’s home, it was well-matched with its distinctive artificial splendor and secretive style.

“I’ve never looked at my father’s treasure trove, so I don’t know how to compare. Only my father and older brother can enter there.”

Even Enzo couldn’t get in his way.

It was obvious that Enzo, the playful one, would pick up whatever he wanted and use it to have fun.

“Really? That’s surprising.”

“What’s in those coffers?”

“Similar stuff, trinkets or old weapons cherished by ancestors. All the coins we put in that chest are as old as fossils, and the old-fashioned furniture over there is old enough to have become dust if it hadn’t been preserved as sacred.”

I couldn’t tell whether this was sarcasm or playfulness, so I stopped laughing.

Old-fashioned furniture, even the golden-legged tea table under the tablecloth would be worth a fortune now.

“So, it’s more like a real treasure trove. It’s not just expensive and fancy, it’s a history of blood that no one can buy.”

“I’d like to show you everything, including the safe, but I don’t have time.” Izek, who murmured, put his gauntlet arm around my waist and pulled me close to his arms.

My ears started burning.

“You can show me later.”

“That’s right, but do you like it?”

Is that even a question?

Suddenly, I felt like this might be some kind of trap.

For example, a nasty attempt to test my greed....

“There’s no jewel as big as the shameless lizard boy’s though.”

...what nonsense is this?

I lost my sense of humour and looked up at his face.

My unwavering husband tilted his head with a shamelessly innocent face.

“Are you upset?”

“T-That can’t be true! I honestly don’t even know if the jewelry he gave me is real....”

“Aha, so that’s why you haven’t told me to put it out for purchase? Because there’s a high possibility it’s fake?

“No! Of course not....”

“The lizard will be upset if he finds out.”

“Iz!”

My face turned red.

Who doesn’t know it’s a real gem! I just couldn’t wait in case you doubted me with that twisted mind!

My mean husband kissed me on the top of my head, giving strength in the arms he hugged me with.

A playful smile made his red eyes sparkle like ruby.

“All of a sudden, I’m starting to feel uneasy. My Southern Princess is so beautiful that even Satan’s servants offer a gift of admiration.”

“Come on, stop teasing me.”

“Why? I don’t think I can be more proud of you. Now, keep your nose up and control this shabby warehouse. You can sell out what you don’t like and use it to buy something else, or you can give it to someone if you think it’s good enough.’”

A heavy key with a rattling bead fell on my palm.

I was speechless for a moment.

I really didn’t know what to say at that moment.

I thought it was weird when he brought me here to show me around the jewelry warehouse, but I couldn’t imagine....

“The lizard’s jewel is in that safe. Speaking of which, why don’t you make your storage out of it later?”

What do you mean, my storage? ... Oh, the storage of public funds.

When I became an official Duchess one day, I would wear a jeweled crown given by the Dragon as a public fund.

Of course, it’s a joke.

“With the jewel given by Satan’s servant?”

“I’m a Paladin.”

I don’t know what that has to do with it, but let’s just leave it. Let’s focus on this key for now.

“Do you really leave it to me to take care of this place?....”

“You don’t have to feel pressured to take care of it. I just told you, do whatever you want.”

Does this man even know what it means to hand over the jewelry warehouse management?

No words came out as if my tongue had hardened.

Meanwhile, the one who was fiddling with my hair suddenly sighed and buried his head in my neck.

“Damn it, I don’t want to get dirty. I can’t wait for the Sabbath.”

As the gladiatorial match season approached, Izek was having busier days.

The dragon disappeared and the appearance of other monsters was temporarily reduced, but he was making all-out efforts to make the path clear.

In addition, he was a candidate for the gladiatorial match.

Candidates who had to risk their lives against top-tier monsters brutally tamed in every conceivable way.

Everyone thought he would be present, and even though he had yet to affirm it, I knew he would be present.

He’d win the final championship again.

Nevertheless, I didn’t know which side I was worried about.

“Are you coming back late again today?”

“I know how anxious you are every day before you go to sleep.”

The hand that had been stroking my hair went down and ran down my back.

My body and breath trembled at the gentle ripples his finger drew.

My arm went up on its own and hugged his neck.

“I wish I could come with you.”

“If you go with me, you won’t be able to meet your friends.”

“T-That’s not what I meant.”

“Strong refusals are affirmations.”

“...Isn’t it the other way around?”

“Is it?”

My body lifted up as I gained strength with the arms wrapped around my waist.

This chick was about to get warm.

“Your friends sneak in while I’m away, and you follow them. Or if my shameless colleagues sneak up on you again, you follow them with chocolate, then......”

“I’m not following them right now!”

“Such confidence, did you forget you were caught in an affair just a few days ago?”

Just who said I stopped the frost wolf from exploding, you’re the one with an affair!

When I came out of the warehouse, the clear morning sky appeared.

My husband grabbed my hand and kissed my finger with a sneaky, grinning face.

“Don’t be a pushover. Eat well and play well. Okay?”

See this jerk? These days, I feel like I’m getting caught up in his weird mind, but I decided not to pay heed to it. Well, I’m a fandom leader.

“I’m having a tea party with Ellen this afternoon.”

“Really? Is it a Southern tea party?”

“No! Of course not.”

“Well, you’re having a northern tea party in a Southern garden, then? Do you like the garden?”

“Of course, I feel like I’m back in the South. Ellen said we could go boating.”

“Oh, a boat ride. A little gondola would be nice.”

The butler and the guards, who were waiting around the entrance, exchanged gazes, finding it hard to say anything.

It was not too much.

It did look like Izek was possessed by something. To be honest, I couldn’t get used to it either.

But...

“If there’s anything else you want to fill in, feel free to tell me. Something you need here, or if you want to play with your little friends.”

Little friends meant Princess Arien and Leah.

It was clear that Izek didn’t like the children at all, but he must have thought they were my best friends and left them alone.

And I was sad because it seemed true.

I couldn’t believe all my friends are 6-year-old kids and monsters.

Well, that was fine.

“Or a book, maybe. Don’t hesitate to say anything. I haven’t got to know much about you so far.”

That’s right. But why do I feel the same way? I’ve been thinking I know you well.

I didn’t hate the gentle stroke on my back.

An unidentified strange feeling and familiar anxiety tickled my chest.... I smiled as I tried to empty my head full of thoughts.

“Yes, I will.”

***