Chapter 8

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It is certain that the young head of the ducal family, Niklas Jorma Lahtinen, has made a mistake. Oliver, his younger brother, who had not expected him to make such a proposal, was listening silently and was about to run out of the salon where tea was being served.

"Did I hear you wrong? Please say it again clearly," Katja said with a gentle smile, which allowed Oliver to somehow remain seated.

【You weren't very good at Lahden language, so it was hard to understand, right?】

With a kind expression, Niklas switched to Luleå language and said with a bright smile,

【Our brothers have been marrying one after another, but when Katja married, my parents were away in the territory and couldn't even greet her. They couldn't attend our wedding either, so they have been eagerly waiting to meet you. That's why I think it's best for us to go to the territory now and make a good impression, including on our parents.】

As the eldest son of the ducal family, Niklas was raised to live for the ducal family, to have pride and loyalty to his parents, grandparents, and ancestors who have continued the bloodline. Therefore, it might be necessary to greet his parents with his new wife.

【Why do I have to go and greet a criminal?】

Katja, who could speak Luleå language fluently, looked at Niklas with a piercing gaze and a smile.

【Wasn't it said that the foster daughter of the former duchess, who desires polyandry, was in league with the Omkus? And wasn't it for that reason that the former duchess and the Omkus, who might also be in league, were ordered to live in exile in a distant place?】

【Mother is not in league with the Omkus!】

【Oh! How can you say that? In a situation where intruders have entered the mansion, you can still say such a thing? I have no intention of flattering a criminal.】

【What!】

Since the duchess is responsible for managing the ducal mansion, the discovery of spies inside the mansion has already resulted in a significant penalty. Even so, Niklas still seems to believe that he, his father, and mother have not done anything so wrong.

【Hey, can you speak in Lahden language? If you do, I can join the conversation too.】

In an attempt to cut the tense atmosphere, Kastehelmi, with a strong accent, spoke up, and Oliver leaned forward and said,

"I'm sorry, but I'm not very good at speaking Lahden language. I can understand Luleå language, but speaking it is a bit difficult."

"Oh! I see! I'm sorry! Let's chat in Lahden language together!"

When Katja speaks her native language, she exudes a demonic aura, but when she speaks Lahden language, she transforms into a soft and comical image.

Oliver cleared his throat a few times and said,

"Brother, I am also against going to the territory with our wives at this time."

He looked straight at Niklas and said,

"Brother, have you forgotten that Kastehelmi was almost kidnapped twice? Given that our enemies are already trying to bring about our downfall, for the head of the family and his wife to travel a long distance to the territory now is like going to commit suicide."

While saying this, Oliver thought to himself,

〈Brother! Normally, a new bride doesn't want to go and greet her in-laws! She wants to skip it if possible! Especially since our parents have just caused trouble! The truth is, she doesn't want to get close to them! Please understand this! I beg you!〉

But Niklas said,

"Mother says she can't wait to meet Katja. If she has been waiting so long, when should we arrange a meeting?"

He said something he shouldn't have.

Currently, the former duchess, Paula, is under a significant penalty and has been moved to the territory by the royal family. It is a fact that the royal family has been lenient in their punishment.

While it is understandable that Niklas wants to show his new wife to his mother, who is in exile, it is not something he should say out loud. Oliver noticed that his wife, sitting next to him, had switched to her demon general mode, and that Katja, sitting next to Niklas, had horns growing out of her head. This is bad, absolutely bad. If this doesn't end smoothly, hellish times will begin.

Using his wild instincts, Oliver raised his hand straight up, surprising even himself.

"I have an idea. Will you hear me out?"

〈You damn brothers, if you're going to make a proposal, think it through with your limited brains before speaking!〉

〈Do you really have a proposal? If you just raised your hand out of fear of the hellish atmosphere, I won't let you off easily!〉

Receiving silent messages from Katja and Kastehelmi (they are skilled at speaking with their eyes), Oliver puffed out his chest and maintained a bright smile while saying,

"To dispel the rumor that the ducal family's marriage is a sham, the next day, it was reported that Oliver and Lady Katja had become affectionate towards each other. I think we should use 'rumors' to counter this."

"「Rumor?」"

"Yes, a rumor. There is no one who loves rumors more than the citizens of our country. The two sons of the Lahtinen ducal family love a single young lady and share her among themselves. If it is said that this has led to them neglecting their wives, then we should appear in society and loudly proclaim that we are a loving couple!"

Katja said with a look of disdain in her emerald eyes,

"Being a loving couple is fine, but I would find it suspicious. I would first think that they are lying."

"Of course, some people might think that, but if my brother and I show an unusual amount of affection for our wives, I think people would be very surprised. After all, neither of us has ever acted in a sappy way towards any specific woman in social settings."

It is true that they kept their distance from specific individuals in social settings to avoid being seen as potential marriage partners. After all, they had not made any engagements until this age, and there were certain considerations and efforts that others did not understand.

"Showing affection is indeed interesting," Kastehelmi said.

"Katja and I are in a state where we cannot believe the love of our husbands. If we, who have always ignored beautiful young ladies, suddenly become desperate to cling to them, it would be quite interesting."

If Kastehelmi finds something interesting, it will spread as a rumor at a speed of three thousand miles in one night.

"Brother! Let's do it! Moreover, asserting that the brothers of the ducal family undoubtedly love their wives will also leave a good impression on the royal family!"

Since the royal family arranged the marriages of the two brothers, showing affection will also leave a good impression.

Today, I will update another chapter at 5 PM! It's been unbearably hot, but I hope this can be a bit of a mood changer for you!

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