Derek understood, at least a little, what respect meant.
The matters between nobles could sometimes be so loyal that they made you think you had witnessed faith itself.
But more often, they were so depraved that even bards could not invent anything so outrageous.
Derek admitted that he was a hypocrite.
He could accept sleeping with another man's wife, but not another man sleeping with his own wife.
So he immediately made his stance clear. "I can give you respect, but perhaps not the kind you want."
Miss Tiona did not find this strange. Quite a few nobles held such views.
Though she was willing to accept the reality of Derek fooling around, that did not mean she harbored no resentment.
There might not have been no reason for her to say those words.
But at least for now, before bearing her first child, she had no other thoughts.
That was a noble wife's duty and responsibility. If she violated it even slightly, not even her own family would stand up for her.
Once Derek had made his position clear, she naturally did not feel annoyed. Instead, she smiled brightly. "If you can give me greater respect, then everything I have will be as you wish."
Want him to behave himself? No problem. Turning a viscountess into a countess and letting her enjoy greater power and splendor could likewise satisfy a noble lady's desires.
"No problem. And before my title rises any further, you will be able to experience the glory of becoming the Matriarch of the Augusta Family."
Derek was extremely confident. Though the Augusta Family was currently only an empty shell, its strength was not weak.
Being a countess might not necessarily be more glorious than being this viscountess.
Tiona's request was entirely reasonable.
A political marriage was