Chapter 28

In reality, it had all been little more than Nectar Orelcian’s calculated scheme,  a ploy to land a lucrative marriage match. Among those taken aback were foreign dignitaries, many from countries closely allied with the Kingdom of Renium.

“This won’t be easy. The granddaughter is said to resemble the late queen even more than the princess herself.”

That was what people often said about the King of Renium, a devoted husband still mourning his departed queen. The foreign guests, fully aware of this, exchanged uneasy glances.

The current situation was delicate because the kingdom was seeking an alliance to counter the empire’s growing influence. This marriage had been the emperor’s countermove. And now, the card the empire had played was proving to be a far greater complication than anyone had expected.

As the atmosphere grew increasingly unsettled, someone finally broke the silence.

“It likely changes nothing. The Kingdom of Renium made a show of refusing the invitation, and since the princess left, there has been no further contact. This marriage shouldn’t change anything.”

“Even so…”

Conflicting opinions passed between them, though no one could say for certain what the outcome would be. No one could predict what this marriage might bring.

So the reception hall simmered with confusion.

Amidst the swirl of noise, Diego and Anais stood gazing at each other. So focused on one another, so tightly wound with nerves, they seemed not to hear a thing, not the clamor, not the gossip, not the voices swirling around them. It was as if, for the two of them, time alone slowed to a gentle crawl.

He still held her veil. In his crimson eyes, her snow-white image was all he saw.

Seeing that, she felt a strange, indescribable feeling come over her.

“….”

‘If something can’t be avoided, it’s better to get it over with quickly.’

Anais, holding her breath, came to that conclusion. Without further hesitation, she gave the Grand Duke a subtle look, signaling him to come closer.

Only then, tense as ever, did he begin to move, slowly, cautiously, never taking his crimson eyes off her. Even standing just before her, he regarded her with careful scrutiny, his vivid red gaze wavering as if he might stop at the slightest sign of her discomfort.

He looked as though he would halt the moment she objected.

In that instant, Anais, acting on impulse, reached up to grasp his shoulder and rose up slightly on her toes. Seeing the Grand Duke’s eyes widen in shock, she pressed her lips to his.

“….!”

She had thought that if she finished it quickly, it would be over and done with. But when she actually acted, it wasn’t as simple as she imagined. Her heart, so calm as she approached, now raced wildly—thump, thump, thump—echoing in her mind like a drum.

Her amethyst eyes fluttered shut, almost instinctively, as she tried to steady the unfamiliar sensation flooding her. But all too soon, loud and exuberant applause began to ring in her ears, muffling everything else.

As befitted the final rite of a wedding, the kiss of the newlyweds, cheers and congratulations filled the hall. However, Anais and Diego were too dazed to take any of it in. Even after their lips parted, they simply stood there, lost for words, gazing at each other in silence.

“….”

The kiss was lighter and more fleeting than she’d expected, barely a brush before it was gone.

But to Anais, it felt as if her lips had been burned. She had always thought of him as someone gentle, always radiating a soft warmth. But when the Grand Duke finally drew close, he was far hotter than she had imagined. Despite his earlier hesitation and care, his lips had carried a deep, vivid heat.

That first kiss, brief as it was, left a striking impression on her, seared into her memory.

Perhaps that was why, having been the one to approach first, her cheeks were now tinged a warm, rosy red.

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵

After the short wedding ceremony, the reception began immediately in the same hall. The true star, without question, was the emperor.

“Let us all enjoy this moment.”

His toast had nothing to do with the Grand Duke and his bride. Nonetheless, the Emperor raised his glass with practiced ease, and the assembled nobles followed suit, raising their wine without a second thought.

It was as if the newlyweds’ ceremony had already been forgotten.

“….”

Left with no other choice, Anais brought her own glass to her lips.

Just then, the Grand Duke hurriedly grabbed her glass to stop her.

“This one is rather strong. It would be better to drink this instead.”

He accepted a new glass from a passing attendant and handed it to her. In the new glass, white wine shimmered. Having already emptied his own, he immediately finished off Anais’s red wine as well.