Let’s Make Saving a Habit - Chapter 77

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 77
Duchess Papiope was aware of the recent rumors circulating through the Duke’s Residence.
Rumors that she and Aiden were lovers.
She wasn’t sure how such gossip had started, but from the Duchess’s perspective, there was no real harm in it, so she made no effort to deny it.
Though she hadn’t expressed it openly until now, she still harbored genuine affection for Aiden.
No—it went beyond mere affection. It was closer to an unrequited love.
“What occupies your thoughts so deeply, Your Grace?”
At the sound of that voice breaking through her reverie, she realized the Aide had entered the Office.
“When did you come in?”
“I knocked three times. I wondered if you’d abandoned your duties to sleep, so I entered—though I suppose I should be relieved it was merely daydreaming.”
“It wasn’t daydreaming. I was engaged in constructive deliberation for Papiope’s boundless prosperity.”
“…Yes.”
“I’m serious.”
“I never said otherwise.”
“Listen, manage your expression before you speak.”
“I shall correct it.”
The Aide perpetually claimed she would reform, yet nothing ever changed—yet there was an undeniable charm to her that made it impossible to resent her.
The Duchess shrugged and inquired about the reason for her visit.
“Regardless, what brings you here?”
“Nothing of great importance. The second son of the Marquis Blendi Family, Ashelon, has come calling.”
“Ah, not again. Tell him to leave.”
Annoyance flickered across the Duchess’s eyes.
He was among those who had pursued Viviana relentlessly with marriage proposals since her debutante ball.
As time passed, most of the noble suitors who had chased after her married others and established their own households—
Yet Ashelon remained undeterred even when Viviana adopted children, continuing to send marriage proposals.
He often appeared at Duke Papiope’s Mansion as he did now, and each time she was forced to drive him away.
“The matter is, he insists he won’t budge from the Main Gate unless you agree to meet with him.”
“He’s lost his mind again.”
“Yes. His obsession has flared up, and the servants are suffering for it. Troublesome as it may be, I believe it would be best if you personally drove him away.”
“Fine. Let me hear what nonsense he spouts this time. Bring him to the Reception Room.”
“Very well.”

✦ ✦ ✦
“It’s been a while, Ashelon.”
As the Duchess entered the Reception Room, Ashelon’s expression brightened instantly, replacing the anxious fidgeting with his teacup.
“I have missed you greatly during your absence. Your face haunts even my dreams.”
“Dreams? How unsettling. Don’t have me appearing in your dreams uninvited.”
“But… dreams are beyond one’s control, I’m afraid. I merely wished to convey how deeply I have longed for you.”
The Duchess settled onto the sofa across from him without ceremony, crossing her legs.
“Ashelon, I have rejected your proposals countless times. It troubles me when you appear unannounced like this.”
“If I don’t seek you out this way, you simply refuse me every time, do you not?”
“That’s because I have neither reason nor time to see you.”
Despite her blunt refusal, Ashelon persisted with his question.
“Then you have no intention of ever marrying?”
“No. I simply have no intention of marrying you. My heart remains open to others.”
“You have no desire to choose me?”
“Unfortunately, you are not my type.”
“Then what sort of person is your ideal? I shall endeavor to change myself.”
The Duchess opened her mouth with an expression suggesting he could never measure up even slightly.
“A man with bronzed skin, toned muscles, who appears taciturn yet possesses a gentle heart—that is my preference.”
These were precisely the opposite of Ashelon’s qualities.
He possessed pale, fair skin and had never touched exercise in his life.
Gentleness could be feigned, but his love of conversation placed him far from taciturn.
It seemed as though the words “a refined gentleman like you could never succeed, even if you died and were reborn” echoed mockingly in Ashelon’s ears.
“…Are you not simply listing traits opposite to mine and calling them your ideal?”
“If you won’t believe my words, why did you ask in the first place?”
Ashelon believed she was merely making excuses to push him away. He bit his lower lip firmly before speaking.
“Please, grant me just one opportunity. You are not currently courting anyone, are you?”
The Duchess tilted her head slowly.
“What if I were?”
“I have never heard of you having a lover…!”
“Perhaps you simply don’t know. I could be courting someone in secret.”
“You’re lying again.”
“And you dismiss everything I say as falsehood.”
Then it happened.
The Reception Room door burst open, and Tania rushed in.
“Mother!”
In that instant, the Duchess doubted her own ears at how naturally Tania called out. She had never heard the girl address her this way.
Since arriving at Duke Papiope’s Mansion, Tania had always called her “Duchess Papiope,” save for one exception.
The girl offered an exaggerated expression of surprise and apologized to Ashelon.
“Oh, you have a guest. My apologies. Please forgive my rudeness.”
“It is no trouble at all, New Maid.”
In truth, Tania had hurried to find the Duchess upon hearing that a nobleman claiming to have sent a marriage proposal had come calling.
Her sole objective was to drive Ashelon out of Duke Papiope’s Mansion by any means necessary.
She was already troubled enough by the ambiguous relationship between the Duchess and Aiden, after all.
She could not allow the Duchess to be taken from her like this.
Meanwhile, the Duchess’s eyes narrowed as she regarded Tania.
Given the nature of the Reception Room, she should have easily guessed there would be a visitor.
The way Tania called her “mother,” and her entire demeanor—it seemed the girl had come to help her.
The Duchess found this so endearing that she had to cover her mouth to stifle her laughter.
“Tania, what brings you here forgetting to knock? Are you looking for mother?”
“Oh, it’s nothing much. I was reading a fairy tale earlier, and there was a frightening monster in it.”
Tania trembled visibly, her brows knitting together.
“I think I might have nightmares. Would it be alright if I slept with mother tonight?”
The Duchess found it quite amusing and fascinating that Tania, usually so composed and mature, would put on such an act.
So she decided to play along with whatever the girl said.
“Of course. You can sleep with me every night if you wish.”
“When mother gets married later, I want to sleep between mother and father every single night!”
At the innocent wish of a child who knew nothing, Ashelon’s expression gradually hardened.
He was taken aback anew to learn that Viviana had an adopted daughter.
He was equally shocked by how indulgently Viviana catered to the child’s every whim.
He watched as Tania, now perched on the Duchess’s lap, clung to her closely, maintaining a forced smile.
“New Maid, you ought to cultivate more independence.”
“But I plan to live with mother my whole life.”
“You seem to be quite spoiled still.”
Tania answered with a radiant smile, her confidence unwavering.
“Yes. Because I’m still young.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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