"All the work has been pushed onto your hands while she enjoys all the free time she could have.

And everyone in the Sylveris dukedom would grieve for days if they can't even see her for a while whereas if you were gone for weeks or even months, they'd act as if nothing's going on.

Isn't that a bit unfair, Lord Sylveris? I'm only worried for you."

Iris asked with a worried face and touched Ramir's arm sympathetically as she tried to poison his mind—plant ideas in there so he'll grow to hate his little sister, favored and beloved by everyone.

However, Ramir only had this empty and confused look on his face. Because, those ideas never once crossed his mind. If anything, he'd even gladly shoulder all the work for his most beloved little sister.

Did he say that he'd even die for her?

"Not at all." Ramir replied, as calmly and as plainly as he could.

"If me shouldering all the work could make my sister happy, then I'll take it all. If me being the next Duke would spare her from this cruel and tiresome job, then so be it.

I'd even steal this position from her if she happened to be the one to succeed it and then I'll find out how taxing the work is. I am very happy to do all of these tedious tasks in her stead, Miss Latifolia, you need not worry about me."

Ramir immediately dashed the idea aside like it was nothing but dusts in his hands and smiled politely. He returned his gaze to the cakes in front of him and decided to buy both before bidding the lady farewell and went on his way—all done in less than two minutes.

He had this gnawing feeling that Iris didn't like Adira and was ruining her in his eyes. He needed to hurry home and warn his beloved sister of her plan.

Since Ramir could tell that he wasn't the only next-in-line or current head she has approached. She could very well have spread these seeds everywhere and destroying Adira.

And he must do something to counter this. Cause how dare she ruin his beautiful, cute and lovely sister? How dare she mess with his precious treasure?

Although, he wouldn't mind providing for her instead should she be stripped of her title as the prince's fiance. But he'd hate that.

Cause then, he'll see nothing everyday but her tears.

So he must make sure that nothing this woman says will affect the heirs' heads. Because, he would literally do anything just to keep his precious sister happy and safe.

As for the current heads, guess he could leave that up in Casimir's hands.

...

"Well, how'd it go? I would've gone myself as I've always done these past few days but that Ramir always hated me since forever."

Triton yammered while sipping from his black and strong coffee—the same kind Adira always hated yet had to endure because she wanted to be closer to him.

His eyes followed the woman that was, as clear as the bright day outside, incredibly upset and agitated.

Seems she failed, huh?

Iris plopped on the couch and rested her chin on her propped up elbows while wearing this frown that told Triton everything he had to know.

"I did tell you Ramir is as hard as a stone to crack as Casimir is."

"What is so good about that woman anyway? Even her step-brother's all gung ho about her!"

Iris grumbled and started punching at the throw pillow on her side, venting out her extreme irritation at this woman who always, always took what she wanted. Even though it should've been hers.

"Well, it's understandable. Because she's perfect, is all." Triton murmured under his breath to keep the raging woman from hearing as he smiled softly to himself.

And of course, the perfect woman should belong to the best man, right? Who else was perfect aside from he, himself?

Just a little bit more, Adira. And I will offer the throne to you.

...

"Are you still not talking to me?"

Adira asked as she leaned her head on top of Casimir's desk while the latter flipped from pages to pages, wearing this sulky frown, and refused to acknowledge her.

"Come on, I said I was sorry. I didn't know you'd also believe that."

"Well, sorry, I believe everything that you do and what comes out of your pretty little lips."

The man shot back with a disgruntled soft and sulking glare before turning back to the papers he was trying to read but to no avail.

"Oh~ so my lips are pretty~?"

The woman stood up and rounded his table before taking off the papers he's been flipping over and over again for the past hour off his hands and placed it on top of the desk while smiling mischievously and teasingly.

"No. They're not." Casimir stubbornly tried to retract his earlier words and turned away.

He didn't hear anything from the woman anymore and figured that she must be done talking with him and felt a little sad.

That was until he felt her whole weight dropped on top of his lap and her arms snaked around his neck before a pair of lips hotly placed themselves there—leaving a mark that stamped their territory.

"Damn... It... Adira."

"Oh~~? Why~~? Weren't my lips not pretty~~? You can just ignore them then, husband."

Adira continued to tease and she peppered brief and quick kisses all the way up to his sharply angled jaws, to his ears and all the way back to his cheeks before Casimir, losing his self restraint, grabbed the woman's face and claimed those cherry red and delicious lips.

He pushed his tongue in the moment the woman breathed for air as he continued to dominate her—devour her.

Casimir briefly left her lips to admire her very seductive and beautiful blushing face gasping for air. That beautiful ashen eyes looking up to him with overflowing love.

"What? You don't get this chance very often, husband. If you stop now, Heise will be back before you know it."

The woman continued to provoke him before he started to undo her dress' buttons and revealed her snow white shoulders that hasn't seen the sun.

He gently grazed his teeth and bit lightly at her skin, making the woman moan softly and arousing him even more, before he lapped at a spot on the crook of her neck and left his own mark as well.

That was payback for the mark she left.

As he was about to go further down, a knock shocked the both of them before the woman hurriedly fixed herself and slid down on the little space beside Casimir's large desk—enough that it hid her.

"Your high....ness? Umm.." Damn, what did I do wrong?

Roman immediately thought as what he met after just opening the door was that amazing angry glare on Casimir's eyes as if the man was dying to kill him anytime now.

"You.. again.. Roman?" Casimir tried to speak calmly albeit miserably failing as he clenched his jaws to keep himself from roaring and killing this poor clueless subordinate in his spot.

"Umm... Did I do something.. wrong?" Roman haltingly asked as he quivered and cowered at Casimir's intense glare.

It was then that he noticed the red dress, that was a stark contrast to his silver floor and dark grey carpets, peeking from the corner of his desk.

It made him pause a while before he had this eureka moment and blushed furiously at his blunder.

"Oh my goddesses! I'm terribly sorry your highness! I left something! I'll be back later in the middle of the night! Or tomorrow! Please excuse me!"

And with that he ran far, far away from the Great Demon Lord's sights as he screamed his apologies in his heart,

Oh God! I'm really, truly, deeply sorry, your highness!!!

Notes:
Hi~ updating twice cause why not? No classes so I got the chance to write. Anyway, thank you for the support as always~ love you guys a loooot 😘🤓
Banzaaaiii~~~ 🎉🎉

*The art above is Roman by the way 💕