095. The Engagement (2)

The day of Owen and Lucia’s engagement ceremony had arrived, despite initial hesitation from both Owen and the Duke of Edelte.

Edward’s potential use of dark magic, even under house arrest, had left them wary. But Lucia had been firm. She believed that once the engagement was official, Edward’s purpose would collapse, leaving him powerless to act further. Her conviction swayed both Owen and the Duke, and preparations went ahead.

The grand gates of the Verdun estate opened, marking the first major event held there in six years. Since becoming the Duke, Owen had avoided hosting even his own birthday celebrations.

“So, it’s finally happening…”

“It’s been a long time coming.”

As the gates swung open, the assembled nobles whispered among themselves. Flags bearing the crests of both the Edelte and Verdun families stood prominently on either side of the entrance. Inside, the estate was adorned in the respective colors of the two houses—crimson and black.

Despite the stark contrast, the arrangement was elegant, a testament to the estate staff’s meticulous planning. The guests followed their guides to the largest of the three grand halls within the estate, the venue for today’s ceremony.

Inside the hall, the theme of red and black persisted. Vases of black and red roses adorned the tables, their symbolism unmistakable. The tablecloths bore intricate embroidery in wine-red threads, repeating the crests of the two houses.

Nobles marveled at the scene until attendants escorted them to their designated seats. Unlike a typical banquet, the engagement ceremony adhered to strict seating arrangements, and only those invited were admitted.

As the nobles settled, murmurs rippled through the room when the last group of guests entered.

“The Crown Prince himself…”

“And the Crown Princess as well.”

“The saintess is here too.”

“The Mage Tower Lord has arrived.”

Crown Prince Richard and Crown Princess Daisy led the final arrivals. Their presence sparked whispers among the crowd, as Richard rarely attended such events. Daisy, despite her likely reluctance to celebrate Lucia’s engagement, had no choice but to accompany him.

Behind them were Bella and Kyle, completing the quartet of prominent figures. They were seated at the frontmost table alongside the representatives of the Edelte household.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we kindly ask for your attention as the ceremony begins.”

When everyone was seated, Logan, the head butler, stepped onto the stage, his voice amplified to carry through the hall.

“Please welcome His Grace, Duke Owen Verdun, and his betrothed, Lady Lucia Edelte.”

The grand doors of the hall opened once more, and all eyes turned to the couple of the hour.

A collective gasp rippled through the audience as Owen and Lucia appeared.

Lucia’s attire was breathtaking—a white gown reminiscent of a wedding dress, its shimmering fabric adorned with layers of sparkling embellishments. The train flowed gracefully behind her, and her hair was adorned with intricately crafted diamond accessories. Her earrings, long and elegant, matched the brilliance of her ensemble.

Owen, too, wore white, a ceremonial uniform embellished with gold threads and fine embroidery. His striking appearance in the pale attire drew just as much attention as Lucia’s.

But it wasn’t just their clothing that captivated the audience. The couple’s poise and beauty were undeniable. Lucia’s radiant smile and the way her hand rested lightly on Owen’s arm exuded grace.

“Owen,” she murmured softly, her voice just for him.

He tilted his head slightly toward her, his expression composed but his dark eyes glinting under the light. In his white attire, his presence seemed to glow, as if the brightness highlighted his usually restrained demeanor.

“Let’s go,” she said with a gentle smile, prompting him forward.

Together, they moved toward the stage.

“First, we shall hear the consent of both families,” Logan announced once the couple reached their designated spots.

“Duke Edelte, do you consent to this engagement?”

The Duke of Edelte stood from his seat and nodded firmly. “I do.”

“And Duke Verdun, do you consent to this engagement?”

Logan turned to Owen, as the question of parental consent now fell solely to him. Owen, as the last remaining member of his family, answered with equal certainty.

“Yes,” he affirmed.

Logan continued, turning back to the couple.

“Lady Lucia Edelte, do you accept Duke Owen Verdun as your betrothed?”

“Of course,” Lucia replied smoothly.

“And Duke Owen Verdun, do you accept Lady Lucia Edelte as your betrothed?”

“Without question.”

The ceremonial formalities proceeded, followed by the entrance of a priest who would bless their union.

“By the will of the gods, these two souls have been brought together on this day…”

The priest’s voice carried through the hall, reciting the customary blessings in a monotone that failed to engage either Owen or Lucia. They stood silently, enduring the lengthy speech with patience.

After what felt like an eternity, the priest finally concluded his words of blessing. The hall, now hushed, awaited the next part of the ceremony.

The engagement ceremony had taken an unexpected turn.

The orchestra had just finished their piece, and the atmosphere at the frontmost table had been one of casual conversation.

“Really, nobles are incomprehensible,” Kyle muttered, his remark catching the attention of the Crown Prince.

“Is this your first time attending an engagement ceremony?” Prince Richard asked, seemingly unbothered by Kyle’s informal tone—a breach of etiquette that might have offended others.

“Yes.”

“Then I suppose it might seem strange. These ceremonies follow traditions maintained for centuries,” Richard said with a calm understanding.

Despite his high status, Richard didn’t assign value based on rank. He was a progressive noble, often described as someone who brought hope for the future.

“Nobles are strange, but commoners don’t even bother with engagements, do they? They go straight to marriage,” Richard added with mild curiosity.

“That’s true, but they usually spend a long time as lovers first,” Kyle replied with uncharacteristic politeness. Despite his general disdain for the imperial family, he respected Richard, as the Crown Prince’s conduct starkly contrasted with the imperial norm.

As the orchestra concluded another piece, attendants began serving appetizers. Amid the bustle of nobles raising glasses of wine and water, a familiar voice reached Lucia’s ears.

“Milady.”

Lucia looked up to see Marie, her personal maid, approaching.

“…Marie?”

Marie was not supposed to be at the table. She was there to assist with Lucia’s attire and handle minor errands but should have remained in the background.

“Aren’t you nervous?” Marie whispered as she drew close. Her proximity raised no eyebrows, as her role as Lucia’s personal maid made it permissible.

Lucia, unused to drinking, had picked up her water glass. The others sipped from their wine and liquor, seemingly unaware of the tension building between the two women.

“What would there be to be nervous about? And why are you here, Marie?” Lucia’s tone was calm, but her brows furrowed slightly.

“I was worried about you, milady… After all, it’s such a joyous occasion—seeing you find your match after so long.”

“This isn’t my first engagement, Marie,” Lucia replied, her voice sharper now. Her previous engagement had left a bitter memory, and Marie knew that.

“I know, but this time it’s something you’ve longed for, milady,” Marie said with an unusual persistence.

Lucia’s suspicions deepened. Something about this didn’t feel right. Marie was loyal and kind-hearted, but she was also careful with decorum. She wouldn’t cross boundaries like this without good reason.

“You…”

A thought, chilling and sharp, struck her. Just as her mind pieced it together—

“Lady Edelte, put down the water glass,” Bella’s voice rang out sharply as she stood from her seat. Her tone was urgent, her hand bracing the table firmly.

“Step away from the maid as well. She’s being controlled.”

Lucia’s suspicions solidified in an instant. She shoved Marie away, her crimson eyes narrowing with cold precision.

“Edward Celid, is it?” she asked, her voice carrying across the room. The sudden tension drew the attention of every noble present.

“Yes, it’s him,” Bella answered instead. She rose from her seat and moved closer, her gaze fixed on Marie.

“It’s mental magic—one of the highest tiers of dark magic.”

“Marionette magic,” Lucia said bitterly, her words heavy with disdain.

Kyle stood as well, his presence commanding as his blue mana began to ripple faintly.

“Get out,” he said coldly, his words directed at Edward, though his gaze rested on the controlled maid. “Or I’ll sever the link by force.”

A low, distorted voice echoed through the hall, carrying a tone of twisted delight.

“Fleeing would gain me nothing now that I’ve been discovered.”

Edward’s words dripped with malice, his voice projecting unnaturally from the controlled maid.

“Go ahead, harm Lucia’s precious maid. Let’s see how much anguish it brings you, Lucia. If I cannot have you, I will see you dragged into the abyss with me.”

The room was utterly silent, the nobles frozen in shock. Only the sound of Marie’s labored breathing broke the stillness, her body trembling under Edward’s control.

Lucia’s crimson eyes burned with fury, her hand tightening around the water glass.

“Edward Celid,” she said in a low, dangerous tone. “You’ve gone too far this time.”

Kyle’s mana flared, casting a faint blue glow around him. His voice was icy, his patience clearly at its limit.

“You have until the count of three. After that, you won’t have a connection left to control.”

Bella, standing close by, quietly summoned her own divine power, the faint glow of holy energy emanating from her. The tension in the room thickened as the confrontation unfolded, all eyes on the dramatic scene.

 

 

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