# 68
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Kyle sighed deeply.
"Anyway, you should really start expressing yourf. I've told you this countless times, but now you should admit it."
He narrowed his eyes and asked.
“The news, it bothers you, doesn’t it?”
“The association of Her Highness the Grand Duchess and Duke Roger together also disturbs you.”
“See? I told you.”
Kyle clicked his tongue and shook his head.
“Please, try your best. If you don’t, it will really be taken away from you, and don’t say I didn’t warn you!”
Ian frowned in dissatisfaction with Kyle's words.
“Enough of the bullshit, Kyle Elzer.”
“Hmph...”
“We're done here. Leave.”
After hearing his full name said firmly, Kyle knew it was time to withdraw.
He shook his head resignedly.
“Okay, okay. The documents are over there, so take a look. I’ll leave now.”
Ian watched him rush out of the office, as if afraid to continue the conversation.
Only after Kyle's presence had completely faded did Ian press his fingers to his forehead.
“...I'm exhausted.”
The headaches started coming back with a vengeance, caused by worrying about things he shouldn't be concerned about.
As Ian massaged his temples and leafed through the papers, he became increasingly annoyed, and slammed them shut.
“I need to clear my mind.”
Head to the library located at the end of the East Wing on the third floor.
Whenever Ian's thoughts became tangled, he used to visit the library to read any book he could get his hands on.
Thanks to this, the Grand Duke's Library is now the second largest library after the Imperial National Library in terms of size.
Ian started to walk slowly between the bookshelves, but stopped after a while.
“Come to think of it… wasn’t there a book that the Grand Duchess brought home at this time?”
Ian remembered the pile of books Eloise had brought home a few months ago, full of trashy romance novels, the kind that teenage girls read.
He hadn't even glanced at it then, but for some reason, it came to his mind now.
“Please, do your best. Otherwise, she will really be taken away. Take this as your warning!”
Why was Kyle's voice echoing in his head now?
His subordinate seemed content to bother him.
“This is clearly nonsense.”
He tried to ignore it, but the uncomfortable feeling wouldn't go away. Kyle Elzer had an extraordinary talent for saying the right thing to upset people.
After a moment of hesitation, Ian turned to the bookshelf opposite.
It didn't take long to find the books Eloise had bought.
They were randomly pushed to the farthest corner, and not arranged properly. The bright pink wrappers were so bold that it was hard to miss them, even if he tried.
With a frown, Ian pulled a book from the shelf.
His eyes narrowed. He was sure these were the books Eloise had bought, but upon closer inspection, the title was odd for a book intended for young girls.
How a woman loves you!
...If the Grand Duchess bought these books, shouldn't they be titled "How to Love a Man" instead?
As he stared at the title, Ian scanned the rest of his bookshelf.
Now that he was starting to pay attention, all the other books had similar titles, like “How to Capture a Woman’s Heart” and “100 Ways to Make Her Yours.”
“What the hell…?”
Ian murmured in disbelief, closing his mouth.
After a brief moment of contemplation, he opened the book in his hands.
Step 1. Take the lead. Relationships begin with active pursuit. If you really want to capture her heart, take the initiative and guide her! But be careful not to rush things, otherwise you may lose.
Heart, heart.
He turned a few more pages.
The advice was all the same – smile kindly, compliment her, and show good manners.
It wasn't much different from what Kyle had been teasing him about earlier in the office.
Didn't that make it seem like that idiot was right all along?
With a dissatisfied expression, Ian continued reading before closing the book loudly.
“They write anything in these things.”
❖ ❖ ❖
"Ah! What in the world are they saying!"
I let out a silent scream, clutching my head in frustration as I sat up on my bed.
After enduring the hellish breakfast, I ran straight to my room and started reading the newsletter I had not been able to finish earlier.
Reading it quietly now, the content was truly ridiculous.
The main article, which linked me and Duke Roger in an almost scandalous way, was one thing. But the comments below were incredible.
“Is this the power of anonymity? Seriously?”
When I glanced at the newsletter during breakfast, it was about my meal with Duke Roger.
But now, it was barely mentioned, and they were comparing Ian and Duke Roger in different categories and arguing about it.
Sure, Duke Claude the Elder might be a better marriage option, but when it comes to romance, no one beats Duke Roger.
Just look at that smile – who wouldn't want to save him? No, he's the kind of beauty who could destroy an entire country...
“Are they crazy?”
“Are these people noble?”
The same people who behaved politely 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 were favorably skewed towards Duke Roger.
"No! How hard I worked to build Ian's image!"
Of course, Ian being an idiot was real!
It is also true that, apart from being a Grand Duke and a Sword Master, he does not have many attractive points!
But this is something I have the right to criticize!
Some faceless nobles criticizing Ian was a completely different matter.
“Ian is Diana's future husband!”
I couldn't sit back and watch this disaster unfold.
I stopped pulling my hair and grabbed a notebook and pen, preparing for battle.
-But isn't the real winner the Grand Duke Claude? Bad boys are always more attractive when they are nice to you.
This was a good time for some good old-fashioned manipulation of public opinion.
For a brief moment, I felt a twinge of shame, knowing I was diving into this ridiculous debate, but there was no other way.
Fortunately, once my comment went up, other people slowly started agreeing.
-True, there is no one like Grand Duke Cloud in the capital.
- True, do you remember how unforgettable his entrance was at last season’s party? When he kissed Her Majesty's hand, didn't half the women faint?
- Oh my God, this includes me too.
-It's been a long time since I felt my heart fluttering for another man.
-I would die happy just to get a hand kiss from him!
- Stop, the Grand Duchess is here!
-Just because there's a guard doesn't mean you can't get past the gate, right?
-But I heard that Her Majesty reads this newsletter too?
– Does anyone know how to delete comments?
No no. I continue.
- Turn Ian into the hottest man in DC.
For a moment, I felt satisfied as I watched the discussion turn.
But soon the hidden responses began to appear again.
-But if I were the Grand Duchess, I would prefer Duke Roger over Grand Duke Claude. Don't you remember her reputation declining after their marriage?
- Didn't this turn out to be a misunderstanding?
– However, the rumors were there. Besides, doesn't Duke Roger understand women better?
-True, even if you are the Grand Duchess, you still have the feeling that you are sitting in front of Duke Roger at dinner, right?
- True, and let's be honest - what kind of woman would have a private meal with a man she's not interested in? Especially in a place like this.
-That's right, and from what I heard, Duke Roger took her there without any notice.
-Are you a fan of Duke Roger? You seem jealous.
-Roger definitely has the upper hand...
Wait, why is Roger coming again? We're supposed to be talking about Ian!
But no matter how much I insisted, the tide of opinion had once again turned in Duke Roger's favour.
It was almost astonishing to see how much one meal could turn into such a mess.
“Ah…”
I let out a heavy sigh, dropping my head in frustration.
“How much effort did you put into making that guy Ian Cloud fit…”
I ruffled my hair and got out of bed.
“I can't let this happen.”
I walked out of the bedroom, my steps purposeful and aggressive as I walked up the stairs.
When I reached the third floor, I didn't even bother knocking as I opened the office door.
"Grand Duke! Let's go on a date!"
Ian, who was sitting at his desk, concentrating on something serious, flinched in surprise at my sudden intervention.
Something pink slipped out of his hand and fell under the desk.
“…Grand Duke?”
What on earth are you reading right now?