“Wait a moment.”
Sienna grabbed the hem of her dress and chased after him. She had to practically run to match the pace of the man’s long strides, finally catching and turning him by his arm. Declan looked at her with cold eyes.
“What’s your reason?”
“Reason?”
He echoed quietly. Sienna spoke without averting her gaze.
“I’m the one who’s curious. For such a minor matter, you could have had subordinates investigate it. Why is the Grand Duke personally involving himself?”
She kept her hand on his arm as she sneered. Their gazes met with fierce intensity.
She began interrogating him relentlessly.
“Why are you suddenly investigating what happened at the funeral?”
Instead of answering, Declan tilted his head slightly. His expression seemed to say ‘go ahead, try me.’
“Did the Emperor order it?”
Her grip on his arm tightened. Declan’s gaze moved from her hand on his arm to her face.
“I have no obligation to tell you.”
“Your Grace!”
Sienna cried out, unable to contain her frustration.
Declan raised the corner of his mouth. After consistently being cold and indifferent, even this kind of reaction was quite welcome. He took hold of the hand gripping his arm. Sienna’s gaze immediately fell to their joined hands.
Taking advantage of her diverted attention, Declan leaned close to her ear.
“It seems inappropriate for someone who spun ridiculous lies to escape a situation to now make such demands of me.”
When Sienna jerked her hand away in surprise, he laughed silently.
Then he walked past her and left.
Sienna remained frozen in place, watching his retreating figure.
Why had he asked Jeremiah about what happened then?
‘Surely not…’
Even as she thought it couldn’t be possible, her face gradually filled with anxiety.
****
On the day of the reception welcoming the envoys from Parma, Sienna headed to the banquet hall with her partner Jeremiah. Although they arrived quite early, many people were already there.
When Sienna and Jeremiah entered, people’s gazes became busy. Everyone pretended not to look while stealing glances at the pair.
Both Jeremiah and Sienna were used to drawing attention for various reasons, so they paid no mind to the stares directed at them.
The two walked along the marble-tiled corridor, making conversation. Though it was just idle chat about halfhearted compliments on each other’s attire and whether champagne or wine would be served as a welcome drink.
Walking on the smooth tiles, Sienna suddenly stopped.
She had spotted Declan not far away, talking with someone. His companion’s face was hidden behind a pillar.
He looked exceptional as always today. The bright light from the chandelier scattered across his distinct features. Dressed in formal wear rather than his uniform, he looked more like an elegant nobleman than a soldier.
As she stood there stupidly, Jeremiah beside her looked at her with a puzzled expression.
“What are you doing?”
“Nothing.”
At her short reply, Jeremiah gave a bland smile.
Just then, slow music began playing from inside. When Jeremiah extended his arm, Sienna placed her hand on it without hesitation.
Declan’s gaze turned toward the hall where the music was flowing from.
Through the arched pillars, he saw Sienna entering arm in arm with the Prince. After watching her, Declan turned his attention to the Head Chamberlain trembling before him as if about to collapse.
The Head Chamberlain panted heavily for a while before exclaiming breathlessly, “I, I truly, truly know nothing about this, Your Grace!”
“Lower your voice.”
In contrast, Declan’s voice was utterly calm. The Head Chamberlain’s face showed genuine indignation.
“Moreover, I’ve already reported everything I know to His Majesty.”
“I haven’t heard anything about it, so why don’t you recite it again?”
Declan brushed aside the Head Chamberlain’s protests as he ran his hand through his hair.
“Let’s go through it from the very beginning. Start from the day the former Emperor passed away.”
The Head Chamberlain dropped his gaze in dismay. However, his hesitation was brief. How could he dare defy the Grand Duke? Soon, he began speaking with a resigned expression.
“When I arrived, His Late Majesty had already… ceased breathing. I immediately called for a healer… I believe that’s when the official pronouncement of death was made.”
The Head Chamberlain paused and glanced at Declan, who gestured with his chin to continue.
“As everyone knows, the original will was in the safe. All I did was open the safe and deliver the will to the successor.”
“You couldn’t have opened it easily. How did you manage?”
“His Late Majesty had a habit of keeping the key attached to the deep inner wall of the drawer. I was the only one who knew this…”
“Who else was present?”
“His current Majesty, who was the successor, was there. That’s why I handed over the sealed will immediately upon opening the safe.”
Declan nodded quietly before asking the crucial question.
“Were there any frequent visitors before His Late Majesty’s passing?”
“It wasn’t much different from usual. He occasionally met with his children and those he was close to.”
The Head Chamberlain tried to be vague, but Declan wouldn’t let it pass. Under his steady gaze, the Head Chamberlain stammered additional details.
“Duke Lowell… members of the noble council… and sometimes, I think, the Knight Commander… Ah, he also sent people to the annex several times. Though he couldn’t meet the Princess in person as she never came…”
The Head Chamberlain’s voice trailed off. The Grand Duke lowered his gaze, deep in thought. The Head Chamberlain added nervously,
“This is truly all I know, Your Grace.”
Declan met his eyes and smiled.
“Please understand. I tend to be quite suspicious. This seems sufficient; you may go now.”
Only then did the Head Chamberlain finally exhale deeply. He gave a short bow and turned around. As he walked away with lighter steps, Declan suddenly spoke.
“Ah, by the way.”
The Head Chamberlain turned back startled. The Grand Duke was smiling – remarkably, it was an unusually refreshing smile.
“About Duke Lowell’s residence. It seems the maids there need to be cautioned.”
“Pardon…?”
The Head Chamberlain asked with a bewildered expression.
“They appear to be rummaging through the Duke and Princess’s luggage carelessly.”
“…”
“It could cause quite a problem if the Duke discovers this.”
The Head Chamberlain’s blank expression gradually turned ashen.
When Declan returned, the hall was bustling with music and crowds. The nobles who had arrived early spotted him and offered him champagne.
“The Empress surprisingly has better taste than her husband. This is much better than the previous wine.”
The Marquis commented while glancing at the high table. At those words, Declan raised the glass to his lips. But his brow furrowed almost immediately after taking a sip.
“Sickeningly sweet.”
“Well, I suppose it wouldn’t suit your taste, since you’re used to drinking sailor’s liquor every day. Despite your looks, your taste in alcohol is remarkably peculiar.”
At Marquis Hoffman’s sardonic remark, Declan chuckled and turned toward the hall.
The women dancing to the string instruments’ melody moved in perfect unison. It was almost time for the turn. Sienna, who had been moving mindlessly to the music, turned with the rhythm. As she did, her eyes met with Declan’s, who was leaning against the wall at the edge of the hall.
She hastily averted her gaze without realizing it. Even as she continued dancing hand in hand with Jeremiah, all her attention was focused on the man behind her.
Soon it was time for the second turn. Unlike before, Sienna kept her gaze in a different direction while stealing glances toward where he stood.
Declan was no longer looking this way. He was leaning against the wall, gazing out at the terrace. Sienna, while keeping her hand on Jeremiah’s shoulder and moving her feet, slightly twisted her head to follow his line of sight.
At the end of his gaze was the moon. Only then did she realize how exceptionally bright the moonlight was tonight.
And when she saw such a bright moon, there was a night she remembered.
After staring absently at the moon, she lowered her gaze back to him.
She wanted to ask if he remembered.
‘Though it’s probably not possible.’
What kind of time we spent together on such a brilliantly moonlit night. What you whispered to me under the bright moonlight.
As longing and melancholy intersected, Sienna bit her lip.
****
After the music ended, Jeremiah and Sienna moved to the edge instead of continuing to dance. At that moment, the Empress approached them.
Sienna, who noticed her first, curtsied.
“Your Majesty.”
Jeremiah followed with a bow to the Empress.
“It is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty.”
“I am also very pleased to meet you, Prince.”
The Empress responded with her characteristic gentle smile.
“I actually had something I wanted to ask the Prince. I’m quite curious about Parma.”
As she said this, the Empress glanced subtly at Sienna. Understanding the implicit request to leave, Sienna curtsied and quietly withdrew from the scene.
As soon as Sienna was out of earshot, the Empress smiled sweetly and guided him to the terrace. Jeremiah followed her with a slightly tense expression.
