Hilane chuckled softly, pulling up the corners of her mouth.
“And before you criticize my divorce from three months ago, perhaps you should first reflect on the appropriateness of your own attire.”
“What…?”
Rosanna asked, bewildered.
“Is it really appropriate to wear a dress like that on the anniversary of the Count passing?”
It was genuinely astonishing for someone to criticize Hilane for remarrying shortly after a divorce, especially given that Hilane’s marriage was not a matter of personal sentiment but a union between nations.
Moreover, Rosanna’s tight-fitting dress was far from appropriate for a widow on her husband’s death anniversary.
As Rosanna bit her lip, struggling to hold back her anger, Hilane continued.
“Princess, are you mocking me…!”
Rosanna was about to shout, her eyes blazing, but Hilane cut her off, her expression serious.
It was clear to Hilane that Rosanna’s persistent use of the title “princess” was a deliberate form of mockery, and it only made the situation more irritating.
“Do the rest of you find this situation amusing? Speak up.”
Hilane’s sharp gaze shifted to the retainers who had been silently observing the exchange.
“Your Highness, with your permission, I shall speak.”
The atmosphere had been tense, but now one of the retainers raised a hand. Rosanna flinched at the gesture.
“I am Viscount Eldin.”
“Speak, Viscount Eldin.”
Viscount Eldin, often critical of Rosanna, spoke up.
“Since the Duchess has been formally inaugurated, she is now the mistress of Hestur Castle. The Countess of Riol should address her as ‘Your Grace,’ the Duchess.”
“Viscount Eldin! Are you interrupting our conversation?”
Rosanna glared at him, her eyes cold.
“I spoke with the Duchess’s permission. Is there a problem?” Viscount Eldin shrugged, seemingly unbothered.
“Viscount Eldin!”
Rosanna was seething with anger, but Hilane defended Viscount Eldin.
“Countess of Riol, raising your voice at Viscount Eldin is tantamount to blaming me. Restrain yourself.”
With Hilane defending Viscount Eldin, the other retainers felt emboldened to speak up as well.
“We are relieved to finally have someone like Your Grace here in Belzette.”
“Indeed, please lead Hestur Castle as its great mistress!”
“May you and the Duke guide Belzette with kindness and wisdom.”
As the retainers voiced their support for Hilane, Rosanna, trembling with anger, tried to find another angle.
“Belzette and Peztaine have very different climates. Can Her Grace really adapt to such conditions…?”
“Adaptation? I am not experiencing winter for the first time.”
“But soon the snow of Parthenos will fall. If you think lightly of it…”
Hilane cut her off with a soft smile.
“No need to worry about me freezing to death in Hestur Castle. The mistress’s quarters where I stay are quite warm.”
“What?”
“Perhaps it’s because the Duke, worried about my comfort, ordered the heating system to be installed.”
Rosanna, knowing Aachen’s personality, was shocked by this revelation.
“He’s been very considerate in many ways.”
Rosanna had endured the news of Aachen’s second marriage, believing it was merely a political alliance. Now she felt as though the ground was slipping from beneath her feet.
“Even if the snow of Parthenos falls, I won’t mind. I didn’t accept the Duke’s proposal lightly.”
“……”
“So there’s no need for the Countess of Riol to concern herself with such trivial matters.”
Rosanna was stunned by Hilane’s words, feeling as if her entire being was being undermined.
She had grown up as the only legitimate princess of Daphne, cherished by the king and queen.
Never had she had to bow to anyone, and the humiliation she felt now was unbearable.
‘This is unbelievable… But maybe, perhaps Aachen will pity me for this…’
Rosanna, on the brink of tears, turned to Aachen, hoping for sympathy.
“How could you do this to me, Your Grace? I’ve done so much for Belzette, like managing the reading circles…!”
As Rosanna, in a panic, mentioned the reading circles, Hilane addressed it directly.
“Ah, now that you mention it, indeed, the Countess of Riol has been overseeing the reading circles.”
“……”
“From now on, as the mistress of Hestur Castle, I will be in charge of the reading circles. Thank you for your efforts.”
In one sentence, Hilane took over the management of the reading circles, stripping Rosanna of her last vestige of influence.
‘Why does she keep taking things that belong to me?’
The reading circles were a symbol of Rosanna’s pride, the only official role that allowed her to act as the mistress of Hestur Castle.
In a fit of rage, Rosanna deliberately knocked over a glass, spilling wine onto Hilane’s dress.
“Countess of Riol, what is the meaning of this?”
Aachen’s sharp rebuke stung Rosanna, who let a tear slip down her cheek.
“Oh dear, such a mistake… I’m so sorry, what should I do?”
Feigning distress, she added, “My hand slipped, I didn’t mean to drop it. But perhaps Your Grace should change quickly?”
As Rosanna eyed the wine-stained dress, Aachen removed his jacket and draped it over Hilane, covering the stain.
“Duke…?”
“Please wear this. And, Countess of Riol, as for this incident…”
As Aachen began to reprimand her, Rosanna feigned a panic attack, gasping for breath.
“Your Grace… It seems I’ve overexerted myself. I feel unwell and must take my leave.”
Attempting to escape the situation, Rosanna looked to Aachen, but he firmly passed the authority to Hilane.
“Countess of Riol, it is not I you must ask for permission to leave, but Her Grace.”
“……”
“Your Grace, may I take my leave? This is Rosanna Riol requesting permission.”
Slowly, Rosanna bowed her head to Hilane, her demeanor starkly different from before.
“If you are unwell, you should go and rest.”
Hilane placed a hand on Rosanna’s shoulder.
“Given that the Countess of Riol seems unwell, we’ll postpone any proper apologies. I hope to see you at the next reading circle.”
Hilane called for Gaeren, who had been waiting outside.
“Gaeren!”
“Yes, Your Grace?”
With a stern voice, Hilane gave her orders.
“I cannot see the Countess of Riol off personally because of the banquet. Escort her on my behalf, Gaeren.”
“As you command, Your Grace. Please, this way, Countess of Riol.”
Hilane smiled as she called Aachen in a calm voice. Aachen, as if waiting, led her to the head seat.
“Please, have a seat, My Lady,”
he said, pulling out a chair for her.
Everyone was watching, and yet Aachen acted so nonchalantly. Hilane buttoned the first button of the jacket, which carried Aachen’s scent.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Grand Duchess. My name is Benjamin Kos” one of the vassals said, bowing respectfully.
“I am Julian Eldin, greeting you again.”
“I’m Anathara of the Marquisate of David.”
After all the vassals had greeted her, Hilane sipped her wine.
“It’s thanks to all of you here that Belzette exists as it does today. I look forward to working with you all. Please, feel free to eat and drink as you wish,” she said, raising her glass.
The vassals cheered at her composed demeanor, even after Rosanna had spilled wine on her dress.
“You all seem to be saying unusually pleasant things today,”
“Master, we protest! We are expressing our sincere loyalty!” one vassal exclaimed.
“Indeed, we could even swear an oath to Freya if you doubt us.”
As Aachen laughed, the atmosphere at the banquet grew increasingly lively.
“My Lady, your silver hair is truly beautiful,” one of the ladies remarked.
“Indeed”
“Thank you. The jewelry you ladies wear is also quite lovely. Are those pearls from Ramute?” Hilane inquired.
“Oh, yes, you recognized them!” one lady replied, blushing.
“They are rare, so of course, I recognized them. They suit you well, Lady of Baron Heath,” Hilane complimented, making the lady blush even more.
At that moment, a clearly drunk Viscount Denveron hiccupped and commented, “Isn’t this the first night you two will spend as a married couple? Hic!”
Hilane, having completely forgotten about their first night, choked on her drink.
“Viscount Denveron, that is not your concern,” Aachen said sternly, patting Hilane on the back.
The vassals exchanged glances between Hilane and Aachen.
“Ha ha, it seems we’ve overstayed our welcome on such a day,” one vassal remarked.
“Indeed, we should take our leave. The children must be waiting for me at home,” another added, inventing excuses to leave.
“Dear, you don’t look well. Perhaps we should leave?” one husband suggested to his wife.
“Yes, I am a bit tired. Let’s go home and rest.”
Before anyone could stop them, everyone discreetly slipped out of the dining room.
“…My Lady, I apologize. The vassals, well…,” Aachen said, covering his face in embarrassment as he apologized to Hilane.
“Grand Duke,” she called, cutting him off.
“…Yes?” he responded.
“Could you come to the bedroom later? I have something to discuss.” she said.
As Hilane spoke, the chair Aachen had been sitting on fell backward with a clatter, startled by her words. His earring jingled as he moved.
“I understand,” he said, blushing fiercely before leaving the room.
‘He was so calm when teasing me earlier, but now he’s embarrassed?’ Hilane mused, guessing that this was how Aachen had felt when he saw her earlier in the tower. She smiled lightly and stood up, heading to the third floor.
* * *
Hilane, dressed in a flowing silk nightgown, waited in the marital bedroom, contemplating how to tell Aachen that she didn’t want to share their bed this night.
It wasn’t that she disliked him; in fact, he suited her taste in many ways, which made him dangerous.
Forming an emotional bond could deepen her feelings, and she couldn’t afford that right now.
‘How can I explain that I don’t want to sleep with him? It seems like he’s expecting something…’ she thought, feeling anxious. As she pondered, she heard footsteps and saw Aachen’s shadow approaching.
His hair, still damp from a recent wash, dripped water onto the floor. His blue eyes seemed darker, with a hint of moisture, and he smelled of soap, not his usual citrus cologne. The scent was intimate, like skin. Hilane’s heart raced.
“My Lady,” Aachen called softly as he approached, wearing only a robe.
“You’ve… come, Grand Duke?” she stammered, noticing that he had removed his gloves. His exposed hands were pale, with prominent blue veins.
‘He’s not keeping a mistress, that’s for sure,’ Hilane thought, puzzled. ‘If he were looking for a political advantage, marrying Rosanna, a princess of Daphne, would have been more beneficial. So why…?’
Unable to understand Aachen’s actions, she hurriedly drank some wine.
“My Lady, drinking too much will upset your stomach.” Aachen said, placing a blueberry into her mouth.
“T-thank you?” she replied, startled by the gesture.
“If you want more, just ask,” he said gently.
“…No, that’s fine,” she said, chewing the blueberry.
‘Does he have no prejudices, despite knowing about my relationship with his brother?’ she wondered. Her previous lover, Revan, had rejected an illegitimate child merely for having different hair. For anyone else, this would be an unforgivable line.
‘It doesn’t make sense to say he has no interest in me after all he’s done,’ she thought, still puzzled by his behavior.
Wanting to simply go with the flow but unable to do so, Hilane decided to address the situation directly.
“Grand Duke.”
“Yes, My Lady?”
“Until the state marriage ceremony, I’d like to postpone our marital duties,”
“Marital duties? You mean…”.
“….”
“Ah… I understand. As you wish, My Lady”
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