Chapter 17
***
Vincent and the butler were dizzy with preparations for Diana’s coming-of-age ceremony and Christmas.
“Secretary Ford.”
The butler, who had been looking at the list of invitations sent out, looked at Vincent with dark gray eyes clouded by age.
‘’Yes.”
Coming from an aristocratic background, Noah’s secretary, Vincent Ford, has always been respectful to everyone, regardless of their status. He was a gentleman and elegant, unlike Noah who behaved in an anti-social manner depending on his mood.
“I wonder if Master really intends to marry her.”
“If there was anything better than marriage, he would have done that too.”
“An heir?”
Vincent let out a sigh at the butler’s question. If it was a general obsession, the method would have been used earlier, but the Duke’s very thoughts were different from the normal people.
This was the first time the Duke had shown interest in the opposite sex. He heard that despite the Duke’s long stay at the front, he had never stopped by a brothel, nor had he shown any interest in any of the women who approached him during the night.
“He is not a man of impulsive behavior.”
“I took care of him from an early age… I’m glad to hear that.”
The old butler, who was now old enough to take care of the mansion Noah visited occasionally, let out a vain laugh.
It was remarkable that the Duke, who was unlikely to love or be with anyone, would bring a woman and cherish her and do things he would not do.
It was noteworthy that people were curious about the woman named ‘Diana Parsene’. The Master was involved in politics and power struggles from an early age, and he did not grow up like an ordinary noble master.
Within the Progen Empire, one of the imperialist powers, the conflict between the divided powers was in full swing. After the death of the former Duke and Duchess, who were commander-in-chief, Noah inherited the title, land, and property at an early age and was subjected to all kinds of harm and threats. One of the military leaders who respected the former Duke advised Noah to become a soldier to protect himself.
Noah accepted the suggestion and graduated from the military academy, but again opposing forces forced him to go to war despite being a duke. However, Noah was an unusual person and began to advance at a very fast pace, showing an overwhelming power on numerous battlefields with his rather excellent strategic tactics and shooting skills.
He was victorious in the long trench warfare, a battle between the supplies and troops of the powers, using the terrain to destroy the enemy army, and after stopping the war plan, he was even able to demand reparations from Belford’s side. He was recognized by the emperor and emerged as an influential figure in the empire, which led to his rise to power.
Even an independent family that broke away from the line of succession could have become a general-level executive given the title of duke to the royal family and his achievements on the battlefield, but the opposing forces desperately tried to stop him on the grounds that he was young and inexperienced.
Moreover, Noah didn’t care much about the rank, saying that it was too much trouble.
As a large landowner, he had amassed enormous wealth by taking over the steel business, along with huge amounts of land, cash, shares and iron ore mines that came with small rents and rentals. The aristocrats of that time became soldiers mainly because of their inability to inherit property and titles.
Naturally, being the perfect groom politically and conditionally, he was inundated with proposals from the aristocracy and other countries. If there was one drawback, it was that he was a madman. He burned the proposal letters without even reading them, and made all the women who courted him cry.
One noblewoman who came into Noah’s room, took off her clothes and seduced him with her body, was even tried for attempted assassination and insult. It was for the ludicrous reason that she was dying of discomfort from the insult to her own eyes.
The anecdote of the Medea Princess who was willing to give up her claim to the throne to marry him was already famous. Just “Would you give it all up for me?” It was a funny skit in which she tried to give it all up after hearing just one prank word, “That’s nice.”
The woman he brought with him to marry was the daughter of an enemy military leader who he kidnapped….
Of course, only a few knew this fact, but it wouldn’t matter if many came to know. Since no one could complain about that fact recklessly, they found it peculiar, but it seemed that his taste was also peculiar.
What was so special about that person with the casual expression on his face? There was one thing that the butler who had watched Noah for so long saw was the expression on Noah’s face when he looked at Diana. Noah looked like that when the Duke and Duchess were alive long ago.
This was something that Vincent and the butler, who had been watching him for a long time, felt in common.
“When will the wedding be? I can’t wait to see the baby when I’m old enough.”
The butler was a little excited, like a grandfather wanting to get a grandchild.
“Surprisingly, he went along with Miss Parsene’s opinion. She said she didn’t want to get married yet.”
The old butler’s face saddened.
“Hurry up, even if you are a secretary… you’re nice and there are many good women. I’ll take care of your child like my grandchild.”
“I don’t have time.”
“What do you mean you don’t have time to fall in love? That’s not even polite to your girlfriend.”
Dating is possible only when you have a lot of time. Vincent rubbed his face in a tired manner.
‘Damn it. I want to be in love too. But I don’t have the time to do it because of the the managing all the assets and business I’m entrusted.’
“Secretary, I see that the invitation list is all military personnel. It seems that Master doesn’t even inform the Queen of the media.”
The butler, who carefully read the list of invitations, tilted his head. Queen Grace II of Medea and Noah have a close relationship.
“It’s an engagement and coming of age ceremony in its own right. It’s full of military personnel.”
Their Master was going to have an engagement ceremony. Although there may have been a conflict with the Queen’s daughter, Erica, the news of his marriage was worth delivering for courtesy.
“He has his reasons.”
Vincent rubbed his forehead lightly and swept over his dark brown hair.The butler, realizing that this was a secret he could not tell anyone, nodded as if he had no choice.
“The Queen must be disappointed. She has always thought of Master as a brother.”
Vincent closed his eyes as he thought of the beautiful Queen with her long black hair and light blue eyes.
“You’re pretty, Queen… no, no, Princess Erica must already know and told her mother, because she comes to Progen often like going to the market. Anyway, the Queen is as good-hearted as her appearance, I think she will understand.”
***
Tomorrow was the coming-of-age ceremony, so the mansion was bustling with activity. The atmosphere was the complete opposite of the dim and cold mansion I had lived in the suburbs, and the servants were cheerful and smiling.
I prefer the old-fashioned and dark atmosphere of the main mansion, but this one was not bad either.
“How about this dress for your coming-of-age ceremony, young lady?”
“It’s nice.
“How do you know when you don’t even look at it?”
Rosie, who had been struggling with my dress until late in the day, finally made up her mind and showed me the dress. It was a dazzlingly gorgeous dress with lace running along the hem of the skirt and jewels encrusted on the top.
It was designed to cover the neck. As I had an unknown scar on my shoulder so I didn’t wear dresses that revealed my back and chest.
“Im feel like I am getting married …….”
“You’re going to do it, aren’t you?”
Rosie, excited with anticipation, blushed and clapped her hands. I gazed blankly at Rosie’s figure with the dress.
I was struggling in the waves and winds of chaos with Noah’s endless marital attacks coming at me, hoping to get a confession out of me.
Actually, I did it to live comfortably! Otherwise, there was no reason to ask for marriage from a woman who has been kidnapped.
It’s amazing that I’m able to endure without telling the truth until the end.
In spite of my efforts to persuade and brainwash myself, I was still fascinated by the man who made the request.
The fox-like man was constantly pulling me out of my reasoning, “Don’t be fooled by him”. He must have deceived me with his beautiful appearance and the seductive voice and put me in a state of paranoia.
Knock.
Rosie stood up and opened the door at the sound of knocking. Seeing Noah standing behind the door, she left the room with courtesy.
Noah walked in, wearing a thick wool cardigan over his shirt, sat on the couch, and looked around.
To my surprise, cardigans were part of the military uniform when I came to Progen. I sneaked a sideways glance at the mischievous man and how he looked so good.
“Are your preparations going well? It’s tomorrow.” (Noah)
“I haven’t done anything. Noah and the others are working hard.”(Diana)
“Prepare your heart.” (Noah)
‘I’m not going to war, what are you talking about?’ I coughed softly, grabbed an empty cup on the table and poured myself a cup of brewed tea. It was like Christmas Eve’s night, and the furry snow was blowing out the window.
“Thank you for preparing this for me. No one has ever done anything like this for me before.” (Diana)
“Yes. I’m the only one.” (Noah)
Crossing his legs and folding his hands in his lap, Noah let out what sounded like a low chuckle.
“We’re in a pre-marital relationship, so of course we’re going to have an engagement ceremony.” (Noah)
I asked casually, trying my best to manage my expression.
“I see. When is it?”
“Tomorrow.”
“What?”
I put the teapot down loudly without knowing it.
“Tomorrow is the coming-of-age ceremony, isn’t it?”
The word “coming-of-age ceremony” was also the title of a sexy singer’s song, which sounded a little embarrassing, so I quickly corrected myself.
“It’s a coming-of-age ceremony and engagement ceremony. You’re going to marry me later anyway, right?” (Noah)
This man……. There were no brakes. The gearshift gear was only straight ahead. My mouth opened slightly with a stunned expression.
An insane man, who was madly rushing into a fast fight but showed a carefree attitude, casually smiled at me without a care in the world.