Breeding Instinct - Chapter 4: Full Moon I (2)

Rumors about the Duke of Royce continued to spread, seemingly multiplying by the day. Some claimed to have seen him with his pink rose at the Rotten Hotel, while others reported that he had visited the Penelope Wells Boutique himself. The gossip never ceased among the aristocrats.

These constant whispers made Leonie restless. Originally, her plan had been to seduce the Duke and receive a proposal from him. But her thoughts had shifted—if necessary, she was willing to send him a proposal first. She had made up her mind that she must become his wife before it was too late.

During breakfast, she began pleading with her father, Count Ripe.

“Father, I won’t marry anyone who doesn’t have a higher title than ours! Please…!”

Given the current lack of eligible bachelors, only two unmarried men held titles higher than a count—Duke of Royce and the heir to the Marquis of Wagner.

“You can’t simply send a proposal to the Duke,” the Count replied, shaking his head.

“Father!” Leonie protested.

“He’s an important business partner. We can’t risk offending him. Just be patient a little longer.”

“But—”

“If you’re worried about the woman from those rumors, there’s nothing to concern yourself with,” he said with a dismissive wave.

Leonie couldn’t believe how little her father understood women’s hearts and sulked. Sensing her disappointment, the Count softened his tone and spoke more gently.

“He bought a slave, nothing more. You’re far above her. Don’t let such a trivial thing lower your worth.”

“That’s exactly why we should send the proposal now!” Leonie insisted, her resolve unwavering.

Seeing her stubborn determination, Count Ripe glanced at his wife and son, who were quietly observing the conversation. He cleared his throat and began to speak seriously.

“Leonie, about men…”

“Yes, Father?”

“Hmph… I can’t believe it’s already time for me to share such things with you. It makes this old man a bit sad.”

“If you have something to say, just say it! I’m an adult now. When will you stop treating me like a child?” Leonie snapped, folding her arms.

With a wistful expression, the Count turned toward his wife, seeking approval.

“I hope you won’t misunderstand what I’m about to say.”

“Yes, yes. I already have an idea of what it might be. Just say it,” his wife answered with a nod.

Encouraged by her permission, the Count continued with a more resolute expression.

“Most men—well, not your father, of course—see their mistresses and their wives differently.”

“Father!”

Leonie’s sharp voice interrupted him, her eyes narrowing in frustration.

“Fine, fine. What I’m saying is, noblemen often distinguish between their lovers and their spouses. Even if that woman isn’t worth your concern, there’s always a chance the Duke might think differently. Besides, getting involved with a newly formed couple could reflect poorly on you. Do you understand what I mean?”

Despite the lengthy explanation, Leonie remained defiant.

“I made up my mind to marry him even when people were spreading rumors about him being a sodomite! I waited, Father. And now that it’s clear he can love a woman, do you know how many families are sending him proposals? I won’t wait any longer!”

The Count sighed, realizing how deep his daughter’s feelings ran.

Seeing her unwavering resolve, he paused in thought, his eyes narrowing. As a father, he could not stand idly by and watch his daughter get hurt.

“Then give your father a little time,” the Count said with a sly smile.

“…Why?” Leonie asked, her curiosity piqued. She knew very well how clever her father was. He must have come up with a plan. But the Count merely chuckled, picking up his fork and knife again.

“Hmm, today’s steak is perfectly cooked,” he remarked, smoothly dodging the question.

Leonie frowned, realizing there was no point in pushing further. Whenever her father chose to change the subject like this, it was clear he had no intention of revealing anything. She sighed in defeat and reluctantly kept quiet.

Later, after the meal, the Countess brought tea to her husband’s study.

“Oh, my dear wife, to what do I owe this surprise visit?” the Count said in his usual playful tone.

Ignoring his charm, the Countess quickly walked over, her voice urgent.

“Tell me what you’re planning—before your advisors arrive!” she whispered sharply.

“Hmm,” he mused, taking his time.

“You’re not thinking of keeping it from me, are you?”

“Of course not,” the Count replied with a grin as he sank into the sofa. The Countess placed the tea tray on the table and began pouring him a cup.

The Count leaned back, sipping his tea leisurely, confident that the Duke’s sudden interest wouldn’t last long. After all, from what he had observed, the Duke of Royce had always been someone with little interest in people—someone easily bored.

If it’s just a passing whim, all I need to do is make that whim fade faster.

The Count set his teacup down, his eyes glinting like a snake’s.

“Years ago, there was something I really hated,” he began.

The Countess immediately caught on, her expression turning wary.

The Count’s gaze grew distant as he recalled an old memory. “If I had loved you a little less, who knows how things would have turned out. When your parents came knocking and started making financial demands, it was… unpleasant.”

“I’m sorry about that,” the Countess said softly.

“It wasn’t your fault. What I mean is, men don’t usually have warm feelings toward their in-laws. And in this case, we aren’t even talking about proper in-laws—the people the Duke might consider as such are far beneath him. But imagine if those shameless people suddenly showed up and demanded money. What do you think would happen?”

The Countess’s eyes widened with understanding.

“My husband, you’re brilliant! How did you come up with such an idea?” She clapped her hands in delight, showering him with praise.

The Count smirked, raising his teacup again. “Experience, my dear. Just experience.”

“Honestly…”

When her husband couldn’t resist teasing her by bringing up the past again, the Countess couldn’t help but pinch his thigh. The Count yelped in mock pain, making her laugh.

As she watched him, a thought crossed her mind. I should write a letter to my old friend. It’s best not to get tangled up with the Meklen family any further.

* * *

Recently, Kanna had found a new hobby. Although it had started at Damian’s suggestion, she genuinely enjoyed it.

“Marie, there’s a piano in this room!”

Her new hobby was exploring the Royce mansion. Damian had begun subtly encouraging her natural instincts, hoping to help her adapt to her identity. While he still wasn’t certain of her exact species, he confirmed she was a fox hybrid after observing her tail.

Though she wasn’t the same species as him, he was relieved and happy to know for sure that she was a fellow beastkin. To celebrate the discovery and help her become more familiar with the mansion, he encouraged her to explore it. He also thought it would be helpful for her to learn about the estate as a future duchess. Eventually, he planned to take her to the Royce estate in the countryside and introduce her to its surroundings step by step.

“The piano is so big,” said Marie in awe.

Kanna smiled shyly. “I’ve never seen a piano before. It’s your first time too, right, Marie? Hehe.”

Marie found Kanna’s innocence charming. She knew she shouldn’t have such thoughts about the person she served, but every time Kanna smiled like that, Marie couldn’t help but think she was adorable.

“This room is on the far end of the first floor of the main building. It might have been a space for the previous duchess to enjoy her hobbies,” Kanna said thoughtfully.

“Or perhaps it’s here so that guests can use it occasionally,” Marie suggested.

“Ah, you’re right! I didn’t think of that. Marie, you’re really smart!”

“…I’m not,” Marie replied modestly.

“No, you are! You’re kind and smart, Marie,” Kanna said sincerely.

Having never received kindness from anyone other than Marie, Kanna found herself growing attached to her. She hoped Marie would stay by her side for a long time. But that thought led to another—one that made her sigh quietly.

“Is something wrong, Miss?” Marie asked, concerned.

“Oh, it’s nothing,” Kanna replied, shaking her head.

She knew deep down that Damian would eventually marry a proper noblewoman, someone unlike her. It was an inevitable reality she had already accepted.

Still, the thought left a dull ache in her chest, and her face darkened. Marie, ever observant, gently led her away from her thoughts.

“You’ve been walking a lot today. You must be tired,” Marie suggested.

“…Maybe,” Kanna admitted.

“The Royce mansion is enormous. It’s no surprise you’re tired,” Marie said with a warm smile.

“You’re right. I’ve never explored this much before, so I didn’t realize how big the mansion is,” Kanna said, walking toward the window.

The view of the garden wasn’t as clear as it was from the window in Damian’s bedroom, but she could still make out a patch of hyacinths. Many of the petals had already fallen, leaving the flowers looking a bit worn, yet Kanna found them oddly captivating.

She gazed at the garden, lost in thought, her hair swaying gently as she tucked it behind her shoulder. Standing tall and poised, she looked more elegant than ever—a far cry from the timid girl she had once been.

To Marie, Kanna was reminiscent of an exotic scarlet flower she had once seen at the market. Its vibrant petals had stood out even from a distance, catching her eye.

“Miss Kanna, have you ever heard of the Canna Lily?”

“Huh?” Kanna tilted her head in surprise.

“Before I came to the Royce household, I worked at a fruit stand in the market. Occasionally, foreign merchants would visit. They sold the most beautiful scarlet flowers called Canna Lilies,” Marie explained.

“How strange… It’s like someone combined my name with my sister’s,” Kanna said, intrigued.

“Oh? That’s true! I thought of you right away when I first saw them. The petals are the same color as your gorgeous red hair,” Marie said cheerfully.

“Hehe, thank you!”

Curious, Kanna asked, “Do you remember which country they came from?”

“I don’t recall exactly, but I do remember the merchants saying they came from a land where it’s warm all year round. Their skin was a deep tan,” Marie answered thoughtfully.

“I see…” Kanna’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

An idea suddenly struck her.

“Marie, what time is it?”

At Kanna’s question, Mari carefully took something out of her apron pocket. It was a pocket watch given to her by the steward. Having confidently learned how to read the time, Mari answered.

“It’s almost 3 o’clock, miss.”

“Oh no, then we’d better hurry!”

Damian had told Kanna to explore the various rooms but added one condition: she had to come to his study in person by 3 o’clock.

Kanna hurried with quick steps. Lately, she had been attending etiquette and cultural lessons every morning, where she was taught that noble ladies must not run.

Even though she had been sold into slavery, she was still technically a noblewoman. Shouldn’t she behave according to what they said?

If she became a slightly better person, would he come to like her too?

Even though she knew it was a hopeless dream, she couldn’t stop herself from imagining a future with him. As she crossed the lobby, she suddenly ran into someone she had never seen before.

“Oh my, it’s you?”

Kanna froze at the voice of a woman with rose-red hair styled up. It was the first time she had seen a stranger in this mansion, and she had no idea how to respond. As she stood there, flustered, the woman, Leonie, smiled gently and greeted her.

“Hello. I am Leonie, daughter of Count Liffé. May I ask who you are?”

Kanna didn’t notice that the woman already seemed to recognize her. Instead, she found herself staring at Leonie’s graceful posture, which reflected everything she had been taught in her etiquette lessons.

Leonie’s pink eyes were especially mesmerizing. For Kanna, who had only known her sister and mother as beautiful women, Leonie’s appearance was a fresh shock.

“Ah, I… um…”

Kanna had hoped this would be a good chance to practice what she’d learned in her etiquette lessons, but she couldn’t continue. She didn’t know how to introduce herself.

Her name was indeed Kanna von Mecklenburg, but since her brother had sold her at the slave market, her name might have already been removed from the family register. In that case, should she just introduce herself with her first name?

But she belonged to her master now. Could she introduce herself so freely?

Realizing the situation in a short time, Kanna muttered quietly in a timid voice.

“I am… my master’s property, so I… can’t introduce myself without permission…”

Just as she was about to finish her sentence, a voice came from above.

“Kanna.”

“Master!”

At the sound of the familiar voice, Kanna’s face lit up. She quickly ran up the stairs to where he stood. Damian watched her approach with a soft expression. He was quite pleased.

Unlike in the beginning, when she had been timid and overly cautious, she now moved about the mansion like it was her own home. It was a nice change. Still, discipline was necessary where it was due.

“What were you doing here past 3 o’clock?”

“Well, um…”

Kanna glanced nervously down the stairs. It was only then that Damian noticed the woman standing at the base of the staircase. Watching the seemingly close interaction between Kanna and Damian, Leonie observed silently until her eyes met Damian’s.

“Ah, hello, Your Grace. I am…”

“Landon.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Did we have a guest scheduled for today?”

“…My apologies, but we did not.”

“Then why is there an uninvited guest in my home?”

“I’m sorry. The Count of Liffé’s household sent word that they had urgent documents to deliver. I allowed her to wait in the lobby temporarily…”

Landon knew that Damian always stayed in his study with Kanna at 3 p.m. and had intended to have Leonie wait in the drawing room. However, a sudden problem arose with the attendants, so he asked Leonie to wait in the lobby and stepped away for just a moment.

In that brief absence, Leonie and Kanna encountered each other. What Landon hadn’t expected at all was for Damian to come down looking for Kanna right after 3 p.m. and run into Leonie as well.

Regardless of the circumstances, Landon admitted his mistake and bowed deeply.

“Landon.”

“Yes, Master.”

“It wasn’t your fault. Raise your head. The fault lies with the guest who left the lobby without permission. That’s what’s truly improper.”

“Yes, understood.”

Damian subtly criticized Leonie’s breach of etiquette without openly blaming her, a very aristocratic way of handling the situation. This demeanor seemed quite different from the Damian Kanna knew.

Surprised, Kanna glanced up at him with wide eyes. Without a word, Damian wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. Standing on a slightly elevated level, he looked down at Leonie with a cold expression and spoke.

“I understand that the Count of Liffé had urgent documents to send. However, it is curious why the young lady herself came instead of a business representative.”

“…My apologies. My father was in a hurry, and I simply wanted to help. It was terribly rude of me. Please forgive me, Your Grace.”

“I will discuss this matter with the Count separately. This isn’t something for you to involve yourself in. Landon, retrieve the documents.”

Without waiting for a response, Damian finished speaking and led Kanna upstairs without so much as a parting glance at Leonie.

As Leonie watched them ascend the stairs, her eyes met Kanna’s. Kanna’s wide, innocent gaze reflected surprise and curiosity.

In contrast, Damian didn’t acknowledge Leonie at all, which left her visibly shaken. She stared blankly at the staircase until Landon approached and politely extended his hand.

“Please leave the documents with me.”

“…All right. Here are the documents. I apologize for wandering without permission.”

“No need to apologize. It was mostly my fault for stepping away. Allow me to escort you back to your carriage.”

Landon summoned one of the nearby attendants and instructed them to escort Leonie out. After giving the order, he left the scene.

Leonie followed the attendant’s guidance and returned to the carriage that had brought her. Standing in front of the carriage, she glanced back at the Duke’s residence, her face slightly pale.

At that moment, she fully understood what her father had warned her about. Fighting to hide her frustration, she climbed into the carriage.

As the carriage departed from the Duke of Royce’s mansion, she made a firm resolution: the next time she returned, she would ensure that woman was gone. Only then would she be able to visit with peace of mind.