***
***
Victor only let Amarion go after two more dances.
The etiquette of not dancing with the same person seemed quite important to her.
Embarrassed, she pushed Victor away forcefully and went to greet a few ladies who were kind to her.
Victor fixed his eyes on her graceful back, swallowing his champagne and regret together.
“Your highness likes her a lot.”
His amber eyes turned to the left.
Catalina Catalonia had a contrived smile on her lips.
Likewise, Victor forced the corners of his mouth up and replied.
“She likes my looks a lot.”
“That’s amazing. If it were me, no matter how beautiful you were, I wouldn’t be able to sleep with death.”
Victor Morte was a man who always left a pitch-black shadow wherever he went.
He was born with a position and power, and was strong enough to take anyone’s breath away in an instant. His cold eyes and the scars on his body proved that he knew how to wield his strength.
Even if he hid it with a smooth smile, they always felt intimidated.
They talked about the heroic story of Grand Duke Morte, but even the young ladies who babbled about his beauty were unable to speak in fear when they met him in person.
‘What’s wrong with Amarion’s taste?’
Catalina lamented and continued.
“Let’s talk about work.”
“…”
“The Welch family has closed their doors. They haven’t conducted business since then. Thanks to that, the damage to our profits has been huge.”
A cold smile crept across the Grand Duke’s lips. Catalina gripped her glass tightly.
“What did you do?”
“It was nothing. I just taught them a lesson.”
Victor slowly rolled his glass, sloshing the sparkling champagne around.
“I hate dreamers. It’s good that they still have their heads attached to their necks, isn’t it?”
Catalina, unable to meet his cold eyes, shot him one last look before she turned her head away.
‘Do I think the Grand Duke is beautiful? No.’
Catalina had never found this man beautiful.
For her, who led numerous ordinary people, Victor Morte was a disaster in the form of a human being.
She compared his wife to him.
Catalina watched Amarion, smiling in the distance.
‘Didn’t she say that she came to say hello to the ladies that had been kind to her?’
But, Catalina felt, they weren’t particularly on her side.
Because of Victor’s power, they were only silent to avoid any unnecessary conflict.
Neither the people around Victor nor her stupid escort knights were able to become Amarion’s real strength.
Still, Amarion was always grateful.
She was clumsy and awkward, but she was steadfast like a knight.
“At first, I approached her just out of curiosity, but I found that she was a strong and lovely person.”
“If you want to talk about work, then talk about work. Aren’t the Welch Knights’ commissions quite expensive?”
‘Snake.’
Catalina narrowed her eyes and gulped down her champagne.
“Of course. But I am talking about my close friend.”
Catalina spoke quietly.
“She endured the insults all by herself, and only took up her sword at the insults against her land. There are already quite a few knights in the Capital who have come to admire her. She has the most honor among us.”
There was a twinkle in Victor’s eyes. It was a deep emotion that could not be described in words, paired with a genuine smile.
“I know. So I’m not going to show her to anyone anymore. Not to the idiots in the Capital, just to you.”
His cold tone signaled the end of their conversation.
“I will discuss the escort contract with my vassals.”
The Grand Duke exhaled briefly and headed towards the Grand Duchess.
Catalina stared at his back for a while.
***
It was her first fun banquet.
Amarion returned to the house, promising to stay in touch with Catalina and her friends.
But Victor seemed to have a lot of thoughts. Strangely, he didn’t try to push her away.
He didn’t even want her to move away from the bed, so she had to sit next to him with her sword in her right hand and Victor’s hand in her left.
A warm breeze swept through the bedroom.
Victor, who was watching her quietly, spoke suddenly.
“I’m sorry.”
She looked at him in surprise.
‘I’ve been worried for days that I might have hurt Morte’s honor. Why is he apologizing to me?’
Victor added sadly.
“I found out that you were insulted.”
Her heart dropped.
When he was talking about Nanael, she hoped he didn’t, but as expected, he seemed to have learned of the rumors that had circulated in society.
They were words she hid because she was afraid that they might be true, and she didn’t want to be caught caring about rumours.
Some of it sounded bitter because she knew it was true.
She wanted to hide it forever and endure everything alone, but she couldn’t. And in the end, she had to have a duel.
She tried to smile.
“No, I hid it on purpose.”
“…”
“I didn’t want to bother anyone. The rumors were also true to some extent.”
Victor’s expression contorted.
She bowed her head.
“Because I was only brought to put the Duke to sleep… I thought that there was nothing I could do if I was treated as someone who would return too soon. His highness said that he would not marry Lady Nanael, so-”
“I won’t remarry.”
Victor interrupted her urgently.
His big hand squeezed hers, as if he wanted to crush it.
“You are my wife. I won’t leave you and I won’t let you go. Don’t even think like that.”
She opened her eyes wide.
Victor looked at her with sunken eyes, then suddenly hugged her tightly.
Contrary to his desperate words, his hands were very careful while holding her.
A gentle voice whispered into her ear.
“Did you really think I would let you go when I got better? I was the one who found you…”
Her heart raced.
‘So, will I be able to stay in the Empire even after Victor is healed? Here, by his side?’
“Do I have to go back…?”
“Even if you want to, I won’t let you.”
He shook his head with trembling shoulders. Since she was standing and he was laying down, she could see his perfect skin and black hair from above.
Victor whispered bitterly.
“I am alive thanks to you. So everything I have belongs to you.”
“…”
“I will give you everything… myself, my people, anything.”
“…”
“Stay by my side. Don’t go anywhere, please…”
Her mind was buzzing.
It was such a desperate request that she could not refuse.
She nodded her head as if possessed, not fully understanding his words.
Victor, with an alluring smile, caressed her blushing cheeks.
‘Death hid me up his sleeve.’
***
The next day’s event was a garden party held at a Count’s manor.
Most garden parties were gatherings for light refreshments, but this party was truly luxurious, making it a great place for a large banquet.
Beautifully shaped shrubs surrounded the large marble fountain and statues, and colorful flowers were blooming everywhere.
She got off the carriage and secretly stared at Victor who was escorting her.
Her heart had been racing and excited since last night.
‘He said he wanted me by his side.’
He talked about what he could give her, but it was enough just to be with him.
He was the first person to show her warmth.
He was the first to say he wanted to give her anything. So, she was happy just being by his side.
Carlz, who had been dragged to the party, had a very stern expression on his face.
“The Grand Duke is attending, so I don’t know why he brought me here.”
“The more escorts, the better.”
“Well… I wonder who would want to fight a pair of ‘friendly’ dragons…”
Carlz, who was complaining, shut his mouth when he felt Victor’s glare. Victor forced a smile at Carlz’s joke and led Amarion through the garden.
The garden party was so crowded that it was hard to believe it was a daytime gathering.
In addition, unlike Catalonia’s party, where Catalina chose the guests, there were quite a few uncomfortable people in attendance.
Amarion spotted Lady Welch’s friends in the distance, and just looking at them made her face harden. She thought she would be okay if she didn’t see them for a few days, but she still felt uncomfortable.
Victor quickly asked.
“Do you feel uncomfortable?”
“Oh, no.”
Of course, Lady Welch insulted her many times, but Amarion had ended everything with an honorable duel. It was uncommon for a knight to hold resentment over something once it was concluded.
She smiled at Victor to assure him that she was okay.
Victor, who was silent for a moment, pressed his lips gently against the back of her hand.
“Just tell me. If you want, I will cut their heads off one by one and lay them at your feet.”
Her eyes almost popped out of their sockets.
She wondered if she heard him correctly.
There was no way that Victor, who was always gentle and noble, would say something like that.
Seeing her expression, he touched her lips with his gloved hand.
Even that movement was unspeakably elegant.
“Hey… I went out for a bit and returned to see this vulgar action!”
Carlz, who was standing behind Victor, opened his mouth with an unhappy expression.
Seriously, Sir Carlz sometimes spoke such harsh words…
He inflated his cheeks like a child, crossed his arms and turned away from the pair.
A fierce resentment was felt from Victor.
She tilted her head at the strange atmosphere and picked up a glass of champagne.
***