The Duke's Son Claims He Won't Love Me Yet Showers Me with Adoration (「きみを愛する気はない」と言った次期公爵様がなぜか溺愛してきます)

Lady Elsa, a guest for your tea party has arrived.

Very well.

The Duke's Son Claims He Won't Love Me, But Showers Me with Adoration

Episode 4

"Behind a Smile"

Today, with my husband's permission, I am hosting my first tea party.

My, I've never seen fare like this before.

I used the vegetables I've cultivated here

to try to develop a sweets menu.

I do hope it suits your tastes, Lady Rebeka.

It's quite delicious!

Oh, she's right! This is delicious!

I'd never imagine it's made of vegetables from this flavor.

I'm so glad.

Please have some of this fresh herb tea as well.

Lady Serafina, would you like some, too?

Yes, I will have some.

Lady Elsa invited Lady Serafina, too.

You're as lovely as always today!

Thank you, Lady Elsa. You look lovely as well.

That hair accessory in particular. It's quite unusual, isn't it?

Thank you. Actually, this was a gift from my husband.

Is it?

Recently, my treasured music box broke.

In order to have it repaired, my husband took the trouble to travel to Liberum.

When he returned, he gave me the repaired music box

along with this barrette as a present.

I-I'd expect nothing less of him.

Lord Julius is quite accustomed to dealing with ladies.

Of course he would pick out something thoughtful.

He's given me all sorts of lovely things, too.

Still, what he did with the music box...

Lord Julius is so busy, but, in private, he seems very considerate of his wife.

That's so true! He is truly a kind person.

If you're interested, would you like to see the mended music box?

N-No, that's all right.

Lady Elsa.

Thank you for today.

And... did Lady Serafina say anything to you?

Yes, she complimented my barrette.

It's a gift from my husband.

My! From Julius?

Speaking of which, how did your birthday present for Julius turn out?

I gave him a shirt and cufflinks.

Oh! And I made him some gratin.

Lady Elsa?

Lady Serafina!

Thank you for coming today.

The pleasure is all mine. Thank you for inviting me.

It was perfect because there's something I wanted to give to you.

This is a cufflink that Lord Julius left behind.

It's the one I gave him with the shirt.

Previously, when Lord Julius and I were alone together, he forgot it.

It's already been two weeks.

Today is the day I'll tell her.

Welcome home, Husband.

I'm sorry to greet you dressed like this.

Given the time of night, I prepared for sleep out of habit.

It doesn't bother me.

I have to tell her properly.

How was your tea party today?

Thanks to all the help the maids gave me, we managed to get through everything.

I see.

The cufflink... Today is the day I'll tell her.

Um, I...

Um, I...

What is it?

Well...

It's this.

This is...

Where did you find this?

Lady Serafina was kind enough to give it to me at the tea party today.

It must have been then, on the day of the ceremony.

I must have dropped it after I spoke to her at the Sun Festival.

I'm glad it's been found.

I've been searching for it this whole time.

Men from the city certainly do sparkle, don't they?

Lord Julius is quite accustomed to dealing with ladies.

We're going to be family from now on. I must grow used to the way he shines.

For now...

I'll go to sleep.

I never imagined that Serafina would have it.

It's no wonder I couldn't find it.

Still...

she seemed unconcerned when she spoke of Serafina,

and she didn't seem troubled about the cufflink either.

Perhaps she doesn't see me as a romantic interest at all!

For now...

I'll go to sleep.

Elsa, work will probably keep me late again today.

So, you don't need to wait for me to...

You don't have to wait for me. Please eat dinner without me.

Yes, Husband.

Today, I'll work hard at my sewing with the maids again.

Oh, Mister Stim! Where has Lord Julius gone?

I just saw him off.

What do we do?

He's forgotten the important document case he said he needed today!

I'll do it! I'd like to take it to him!

My lady, you can see it now.

We'll arrive at Ralt Castle momentarily.

No matter how many times I see it, it still looks so big!

I-It's so lavish.

This is the first time I've gone this far into the castle. It's so exciting!

Lord Julius is on the third floor of the south wing.

I didn't expect a garden here!

I wonder if it would be all right to take a closer look.

If it's just a peek, then...

There are so many plants I've never seen before.

Miss, are you lost?

No! I, um...

I'm terribly sorry to have entered without permission.

I couldn't help but wonder what sorts of flowers are growing here.

No need to apologize. This isn't my garden, after all.

Pleased to meet you. My name is Jarmo Parnilla.

Parnilla?

Is it possible that you know Lady Serafina?

Yes. Serafina is my younger sister.

You're her older brother?

It's true they both have the same beautiful aura about them.

Thank you for everything you do for us. I'm Julius Royas's wife, Elsa.

Oh! So, you're Julius's wife!

Lord Jarmo, do you have some connection to Lord Julius?

Yes. Julius and I both attended the royal academy.

Is that so?

If there's ever an opportunity,

I'd love to hear stories about Lord Julius's school days.

Do you mean...

you'd like to hear stories of his scandals from school?

Oh, no!

I was hoping to hear stories of what he used to like, please!

Lady Elsa, you're quite amusing, aren't you?