The Goal is to be Self-made

“That’s what happened.”

She explained things between her and Isaac and asked Sheardrick for forgiveness.

“So I think we have to act in accordance to confirm the Duke’s true love for me.”

That was what she was truly worried about. She didn’t think that this emotionless-looking man would be able to act like he’s in love.

It might be discovered by Isaac quickly, and the dukedom could be overturned from the fuss he might make.

“Act… ”

After a moment of thought, Sheardrick asked.

“Isn’t Count Hill your stepfather?”

“Yes. He’s more of a former one, but he’s the closest among my stepfathers.”

“Then there are good reasons to look good before him. I’ll try my best, for him to believe that my love is sincere.”

It was a simpler answer than she expected.

I thought he would make a fuss because he couldn’t do it.

“Are you sure?”

“Do you think I’m not going to do well?”

“Don’t you know the answer yourself? You don’t seem very good at acting. Especially when it comes to love.”

She stared at Sheardrick’s face. He was like an emotionless doll. He then tilted his head as he reached out to touch her face.

“I’ve never heard that I can’t do anything in my life. I’ve never done it before, but I think it’ll be fine.”

“…that’s a pretty bad remark, you know?”

“It’s the first time something like that has been said in my face.”

“Someone must have wanted to say it, but they must have put up with it. Because you are the Grand Duke.”

“But you do.”

“I’m the Grand Duchess. I fell in love with the Grand Duke at first sight, so I am fully qualified.”

“Oh, do you still have to act? It’s just the two of us.”

It was as Sheardrick had said.

After she came in, there were only the two of them in his office, because Sheardrick had told others to return.

“Yes. In fact, it’s good that there are only the two of us.”

I placed my hands on the table and bent my back slightly, leaning forward to bring my eye level to the same as Sheardrick’s, who was sitting on the other side.

“Try it once. I’ll be more relieved to see if you could do it right.”

“Is it possible that I will fail?”

“Of course.”

“What will happen in that case?”

“You’ll have to practise, while making excuses not to meet Mr Isaac right away. If not, I’ll have to send him away as soon as possible.”

A few countermeasures came to mind, but before that, questions filled her head.

“Have you ever been in love?”

“Don’t you think it’s a bit strange for you to ask that question?”

“Not at all?”

“I’m 19 and you are 16. Wouldn’t there have been more chances on my side?”

She may be now 16, but before she opened her eyes in Violet’s body, she was once twenty-three.

I’m older than you, kid.

Besides, back when she was 19, she was ‘a child’ by modern standards, and it was a little surprising to hear such words from Sheardrick.

Sure in real life I don’t have any dating experience, but…

She prided herself on having more indirect experiences than anyone else.

Since she was lying in the hospital, she saw all kinds of dramas, movies, and even books.

But I can’t say that.

A suitable excuse came to mind.

“Did you forget that I am Lady Adeline’s daughter?”

When it came to love, no one in this world could match Lady Adeline.

She’s been married a total of four times, and she’s the most romantic person of the Arnold Empire.

“So it’s an indirect experience. That would be a pretty good possession. I’ll admit it.”

“Then is the Grand Duke saying that you have direct experience?”

Instead of answering her question, Sheardrick smiled softly.

There was deep affection in the smile that slowly bloomed like a bud that had been tightly closed.

Uh… 

The moment when his lips slightly opened at the stunned expression on her face…

“Violet.”

Sheardrick called her name.

It was the first time this name came out of his mouth, so her heart sank in surprise.

‘Wow. Tons of women would be attracted by his handsome face just by looking at it.’

If it had been true Violet, not her, she would have fallen for it at once.

“Is this all right?”

As if he had already read the answer on her slightly bewildered face, Sheardrick smiled and stood up from his seat.

And in an instant, the affectionate smile on his face disappeared and his usual doll-like expression returned.

“Since a precious guest has arrived, I must go deliver my greeting. I’ll have a good talk with Earl Hill.”

It was the owner’s natural duty to meet and treat guests with utmost respect.

However, it was rare for a person as highly as the Grand Duke to go to greet others in person.

It meant that he really wanted to meet Isaac.

As she watched Sheardrick was neatly tidying up his clothes, she couldn’t help but ask.

“But who was it?”

“What do you mean?”

“The person you gave your affection to.”

“Ah.”

Sheardrick buttoned his coat and answered briefly.

“Lynn. She is a very cute little doe.”

“…doe?”

“She’s a rabbit, which I raised when I was young.”

A rabbit. Somehow, she felt the seemingly throb in her heart go away.

“No but how did you make those eyes when you think of a rabbit?”

“How did my eyes look?”

“They contained the kind of feeling when you think the other person is very lovable…”

As she spoke, she suddenly became embarrassed for no reason, so she kept her mouth shut, and Sheardrick chuckled.

“Because I really liked her. When I was young, I thought of her almost as family. When she died, I didn’t eat or drink for a whole week.”

“I can’t believe you also have such a sweet and sentimental time.”

“Everyone has a sweet childhood. I and you are the same.”

Is it though?

She didn’t think she was that sweet of a kid in her childhood.

“Anyway, if you make that face, Mr Isaac won’t be suspicious of you. So, as long as you’re with me, treat me like Lynn.”

“Treat you like Lynn….I and Lynn even shared a bed.”

“Those are very misleading words if heard by someone else, so please be more careful.”

She thought he was a clever person, but she didn’t know why his words were coming out of such a strange subject.

She sighed as he finished buttoning his coat.

“And since you just called me Violet, please continue to call me by my first name because it’s more natural that way as a couple.”

“Then milady, no, Violet should also call me by my first name.”

“The Grand Duke’s first name? Would it be okay for me to say it so casually?”

“Violet has already said Sid when you call–…”

Sheardrick shut his mouth before he could finish his words.

“Already what?”

As she waited for his next words, she tilted her head. To her question, Sheadrick kust shook his head dismissively.

“Anyway, it’s fine, call me by name.”

“Well, if you say so, very well then, I got it.”

In fact, it’d been a long time since she had called him Sheardrick. Thanks to him, she was able to call his name more naturally than she thought.

“Sheadrick.”

“Yes, Violet.”

“Um. I didn’t call you just now, I was just practising since you told me to call you by name.”

“I know. I also just practised, Violet.”

Is it just me or are we really getting closer to each other?

It’s a bit sad, but she had never had a real friend because she had been lying in the hospital the whole time.

It was the first time she met someone around her age who called her so friendly.

It feels nice to get close to someone.

Her heart tickled at the new discovery.

“Oh, and about the potion you mentioned earlier. The trial product is completed.”

It was huge news.

“Did it work?”

“The samples will arrive tomorrow, so let’s try it together.”

“It would be fun. I wanted to change my hair colour once.”

Blondes were just too common.

She had been wanting to try unusual hair colour like pink or purple for a long time.

“You want to test it yourself?”

“Why not?”

“It’s still a trial version. The effect is uncertain, so it would be better to postpone trying it yourself.”

“But someone has to use it to know the effect.”

“There are people who are perfect for that. Even if they eat spoiled food, they are perfectly fine, so I planning to leave the demonstration to them.”

Still baffled, she tilted her head at his words, but he smiled in return.

“Anyway, for now, let’s start with Count Hill. If we keep him waiting too long, we will make a bad impression.”