The next morning, Ethan woke before the first rays of sunlight touched the horizon. The faint warmth of the bed and the presence of Amara nearby gave him a sense of calm he hadn't experienced in either life. Quietly, he sat up, careful not to disturb her.
Amara's delicate form was still nestled under the covers, her face soft and peaceful. For a fleeting moment, he allowed himself to simply observe her. It was rare to see her without the weight of suspicion and mistrust clouding her expression.
The Villainess Wife Pampering System chimed.
Notification:
"Amara's sleep quality improved due to a sense of security.
Happiness increased by 4%. Trust in you increased by 3%."
Ethan smirked faintly. Looks like I'm off to a good start.
After dressing, Ethan decided to visit the estate's morning briefing with the steward and key staff. In the novel, this meeting had been a routine Duke Ethan often ignored, which had allowed inefficiencies and corruption to fester in the Delacroix estate.
This time, Ethan intended to handle things differently.
The steward, Mr. Hargrave, a stern-looking man with sharp eyes, greeted him with a bow as he entered the study. The gathered staff murmured among themselves, clearly surprised by his presence.
"Your Grace," Mr. Hargrave began, his tone respectful but cautious, "it is unusual for you to attend these meetings. To what do we owe the honor?"
Ethan took a seat at the head of the table, his expression calm but commanding. "As Duke, it's my responsibility to understand how this estate operates. Consider this a new policy—I'll be attending these meetings regularly."
The room fell silent, the staff exchanging nervous glances. Ethan could sense their unease; they were used to the old Duke Ethan's negligence and feared what his involvement might mean.
"Proceed," Ethan said, his tone firm but not harsh.
The meeting was enlightening. As the staff reported on various matters—finances, agriculture, trade, and household affairs—Ethan quickly identified areas where improvements could be made. His business acumen kicked in, and he offered several practical suggestions.
Mr. Hargrave, initially skeptical, began nodding in approval as the meeting progressed. "Your Grace," he said finally, "your insights are most welcome. The estate will undoubtedly benefit from your attention."
"Good," Ethan replied. "I'll expect regular updates. If anyone has concerns or suggestions, bring them directly to me or the Duchess."
The mention of Amara caused a ripple of surprise among the staff. In the past, her involvement had been minimal, primarily because Duke Ethan had excluded her.
"Understood, Your Grace," Mr. Hargrave said, though he looked curious.
After the meeting, Ethan made his way to the library, intending to review more about the estate. However, as he walked through the halls, whispers reached his ears.
"The Duke seems different lately," one maid said to another.
"Do you think it's for the better?" the other asked hesitantly.
"He was so cold before, but now..."
Ethan paused, listening silently. The gossip didn't bother him—in fact, it was useful. People's opinions were shifting, which would benefit not only him but also Amara.
He returned to the dining room to find Amara already seated, a delicate teacup in her hand. She looked up as he entered, her emerald eyes narrowing slightly in suspicion.
"You're up early," she remarked.
"I had some estate matters to attend to," Ethan replied, taking a seat beside her instead of across the table.
Amara raised a brow. "You? Estate matters?"
"I thought it was time I started acting like a proper Duke," he said with a small smirk. "You're not the only one who can run this household."
She studied him for a moment, clearly trying to determine if he was being serious. Finally, she set her teacup down. "And what brought about this sudden sense of responsibility?"
Ethan met her gaze, his expression softening. "I realized I've been neglecting my duties. That's not fair to you—or anyone else."
Amara blinked, surprise flickering across her face before she quickly masked it.
Notification:
"Amara feels a hint of curiosity about your sincerity.
Happiness increased by 2%. Trust in you increased by 1%."
Later that day, Ethan decided to visit the stables. He had read in the novel that Amara enjoyed riding horses but had stopped due to the hostile stares of the staff and her fear of being criticized for frivolity.
He found her in the garden, inspecting some blooming roses.
"Amara," he called out, catching her attention.
She turned, her expression guarded. "Yes?"
"Come with me to the stables," he said, offering her his hand.
"The stables?" she asked, frowning.
"I thought we could go riding," Ethan said. "I hear you're quite skilled."
Amara hesitated, her gaze flickering between his hand and his face. "I haven't ridden in some time."
"Then it's long overdue," he said, his tone warm. "Come on."
The stables were bustling with activity when they arrived, and the stablehands froze at the sight of the Duke and Duchess. Ethan ignored their stares, focusing on Amara, who seemed slightly uneasy.
"Which horse do you prefer?" he asked her.
Amara hesitated before pointing to a sleek black mare. "Shadow. She's always been my favorite."
Ethan smiled. "Perfect choice."
They rode through the sprawling fields surrounding the estate, the fresh air and open space creating a sense of freedom. At first, Amara was stiff and hesitant, but as the ride continued, her confidence returned.
Ethan watched as a small smile spread across her face, her emerald eyes sparkling with genuine joy.
Notification:
"Amara is experiencing genuine happiness.
Happiness increased by 10%. Trust in you increased by 5%.
Bonus reward: 100 points."
Ethan couldn't help but smile. This is what she deserves.
As they returned to the stables, Amara turned to him, her expression softer than he'd ever seen. "Thank you," she said quietly.
"For what?" Ethan asked.
"For...this," she said, gesturing to the fields behind them. "I didn't realize how much I missed it."
"You deserve to enjoy life, Amara," Ethan said sincerely.
Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she quickly looked away. "You're...different lately."
"Is that a bad thing?" he asked.
"No," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ethan smiled, satisfied.
System Store Notification:
"Points Available: 1,200. Recommended purchase: Confidence Charm (800 points) – Boosts Amara's confidence in social settings."
Ethan purchased the charm without hesitation, determined to give her every tool she needed to shine.
That evening, as they sat together in the drawing room, Amara glanced at him. "You're trying very hard to be kind to me," she said cautiously.
"I'm not trying," Ethan replied. "I simply want to."
Amara's lips parted slightly, her eyes wide with surprise. For a moment, she said nothing. Then, she gave a small nod, her expression unreadable.
Ethan leaned back, content. The walls between them were slowly coming down, and he intended to see them fall entirely.
End of Chapter 4