Rose spun around Ian, who slightly loosened his cravat.
“Uncle, you look amazing!”
Ian smiled at Rose’s compliment.
“Do I look amazing?”
“Yes!”
His usually calm, lemon-colored hair was half tied up, and his snow-white skin gleamed more than usual.
His uniform, adorned with multiple medals, fit perfectly, enhancing his straight posture.
Despite his boyish appearance, the aura of authority that surrounded Ian added to his unique charm.
“Rose, you look so pretty too.”
“Hehe.”
Having tried it on once and then properly dressed up made a world of difference.
Her already cute dress was complemented by her well-braided blonde hair, decorated with Loenbaum fresh flowers.
To avoid burdening the child, she wore minimal accessories, except for the heirloom spirit jewel pendant imbued with spirit magic.
The servants and maids were beaming at the sight of the uncle and niece, both looking like sculpted masterpieces.
“Duke.”
Sebastian, pleased with his handiwork, handed Ian a pair of white silk gloves.
“Please, go ahead.”
“Alright.”
Ian nodded, putting on the gloves and tried to lift Rose. Sebastian quickly blocked Ian’s hand with his arm.
“No, you can’t.”
When Ian looked puzzled, Sebastian pointed to Rose’s dress.
“It’ll get wrinkled.”
Ian looked at Rose’s puffy dress and reached out again.
“Duke?”
As he lifted her by slipping his arm inside the dress, it spread beautifully under his arm.
“Is this better?”
Sebastian sighed.
Truthfully, the wrinkle excuse was a lie. While high-quality fabrics do wrinkle easily, no clothing would be made if it got wrinkled from just being held.
The real reason for lying was to prevent the duke’s dignity from being diminished by holding a child while entering.
“Off you go then.”
Unaware of Sebastian’s concerns, Ian climbed into the carriage with Rose. The carriage brought from the duchy was large but smooth.
Ian asked Rose, who was looking out the window.
“What should you say when you meet the emperor?”
“May the touch of Aether bless Spenbaum with the grace of the gods.”
Rose greeted him with clear pronunciation, making Ian smile.
“What should you say if the Emperor blesses you with Aether’s touch?”
“I would say, ‘I return the blessing to Spenbaum.’”
“Whose niece are you to be this smart?”
Ian marveled as he kissed Rose’s forehead.
This wasn’t just bias; Rose was truly a genius.
She remembered everything she saw or heard once, and she perfected the royal etiquette after just two tries.
Even Sebastian, who was watching Rose learn, was amazed. Rose burst out laughing at Ian’s kiss.
Feeling his heart flutter, Ian hugged Rose and spoke.
“Rose.”
“Yes!”
“Do you remember who to avoid at the ball?”
“Yes! The Crown Prince, the Chancellor’s son, and the girl with long red hair named Jeanne.”
Ian nodded.
“You remembered well.”
“Hehe.”
The people Ian warned Rose to avoid were all antagonists who opposed Rose in the novel.
First, the Crown Prince, the male protagonist.
Second, the Chancellor’s son, who was one of the female protagonist’s supporters.
And third, Jeanne, the red-haired knight who initially hated the female protagonist but later became her knight after being moved by her kindness.
Though it might have been a good idea to build good relationships with these people to change the flow of events, Ian didn’t want to do that.
Even if the events hadn’t happened yet, he didn’t want Rose to meet people who had done her any harm, even slightly.
Ian thought of the wolf cub that had been staring at Rose with flushed cheeks. He gritted his teeth.
‘Hopefully, that brat isn’t coming too.’
It’s impolite to bring someone who wasn’t invited, but it’s different if it’s your child.
Ian himself was bringing Rose, who wasn’t invited, just because she was his niece.
The carriage, which was running slowly as per Ian’s request, stopped.
It was to get through the gate to enter the palace.
There was a knock on the carriage door, and a man in a knight’s uniform peered through the window.
“Hello. I am Jonathan Kyle of the Royal Knights. Are you Duke Loenbaum?”
“Yes, I am.”
“And is the young lady with you Lady Rose?”
“Yes, she is.”
“Confirmation complete. Thank you for your cooperation.”
Once the knight who checked the list stepped back, the carriage started moving again.
“We are entering the palace now. Rose, shall we look around?”
The palace, built during the founding of the country, was a structure befitting its name, made of gold.
Rose’s mouth dropped open as she saw the golden palace glistening in the sunlight.
“The castle is shining.”
“Yes, it is.”
“Wow, there’s an angel over there.”
“That’s called an angel statue.”
“And what’s that?”
Feeling comfortable around Ian, Rose had many questions like a typical five-year-old.
Ian responded to her exclamations and answered her questions until the carriage stopped again. He then carried Rose out.
“We’re getting off now.”
“Yes.”
As Ian carried Rose and got off the carriage, she clung tightly to the hem of his robe. As they climbed the steps to the banquet hall, Ian comforted Rose, who was nervous, by patting her back.
With each step, Rose’s tension gradually eased.
“The Duke of Loenbaum and Lady Rose.”
As the attendant took a deep breath to announce their arrival, Ian raised his hand to stop him.
“Rose, cover your ears for a moment.”
Ian, who had been speaking coldly to him, whispered kindly to the child in his arms, causing the attendant to widen his eyes in surprise.
Rose, unaware of the attendant’s situation, nodded and covered her ears with her small hands.
“Hurry.”
Ian urged the attendant.
The attendant exhaled the breath he had been holding and shouted loudly,
“The Duke of Loenbaum and Lady Rose are entering.”
***
The largest banquet hall in the palace, Lily Hall, was packed with nobles attending the Crown Prince’s coronation ceremony.
“Is it because it’s the Crown Prince’s ccoronation ceremony? There are many people who are a disgrace to the title of nobility.”
While some averted their gaze at the comment, others chuckled and agreed.
Not all those who received titles and lands from the Emperor were considered the same kind of nobility.
Nobles were ranked according to their influence and power.
The nobles seated closest to the podium were all those who had made a name for themselves in the capital.
“The quality is truly disappointing.”
At someone’s remark, a countess opened her fan and covered her mouth.
“No matter how grand the Crown Prince’s coronation is, how could they invite just anyone?”
“What can we do about the Emperor’s soft heart?”
While the young noblewomen were nodding in agreement,
“The Duke of Loenbaum and Lady Rose are entering.”
“Loenbaum? Could it be that Loenbaum?”
Someone laughed softly.
“No way. What face would that idiot have to show up here?”
“But they did say Loenbaum.”
Curious eyes turned towards the door.
As the grand doors slowly opened and a man holding a child entered the banquet hall, the room instantly fell silent.
‘That person is Loenbaum?’
‘Is he the idiot Loenbaum?’
‘Crazy, was that idiot always looks this handsome?’
Since he had been cowering and keeping his head down during the title ceremony, no one had seen his face clearly.
Thus, there was much debate about whether the person now entering was indeed the Duke of Loenbaum.
“The Duke hasn’t changed, right?”
“Then they would have held another title ceremony. That man is definitely the Duke.”
“But he’s so different.”
Everyone nodded at the woman’s words.
The previously cowering body was now standing straight, and the head that had been hanging low was now held high with confidence.
Every step he took was filled with confidence, and he exuded an imposing presence befitting a duke.
Above all, his face.
A face that seemed to be on the border between a boy and a young man reminded one of an angel from mythology.
A young noblewoman watching let out an exclamation.
“Oh my. Was the Duke of Loenbaum always this handsome?”
“My goodness. Isn’t he too different?”
While everyone was admiring him, a young noblewoman spoke up.
“But who is that child?”
A young countess, who had been staring at Ian’s face, finally noticed the child in the Duke’s arms.
“…They say she’s a lady.”
“A lady?”
“Does that mean the Duke is married?”
“No way. Even if Loenbaum is in the north, there’s no way news of his marriage wouldn’t have spread.”
Even though Loenbaum was secluded, he had to constantly send news to the Emperor.
Especially for major events like marriage, there was no way they would keep it a secret.
“Then could she be an illegitimate child?”
At someone’s words, the young countess shook her head.
“An illegitimate child wouldn’t be called a lady.”
Only direct descendants could inherit titles.
An unrecognized child would never be brought to such a party.
Bringing an illegitimate child would be as good as a scandal.
“But the Duke is really…”
Although she didn’t finish her sentence, the young noblewomen knew what she meant.
The Duke’s appearance was one thing, but his physique was also impeccable.
He was neither too thin nor too fat, but just right, with long, strong legs.
Above all, even while holding a child, he showed no signs of strain, which made the hearts of the unmarried young noblewomen flutter.
Arriving at the center of the banquet hall, the Duke scanned the surroundings with an indifferent expression before continuing to walk.
His destination was the table where the drinks were placed.
After examining the various colored drinks, the Duke picked up a glass of orange-colored drink.
He took a sip and then offered it to the child in his arms.
“Oh my.”
The young noblewomen watching let out a collective gasp.
The moment his cold eyes turned towards the child, they softened with kindness.
