He seemed somewhat tense, constantly studying Agnes’s face and lips intently.
“What do I think about the Duke? I consider you as my husband.”
“Well, how exactly do you consider me as your husband?”
Laslo persisted, unsatisfied with that answer.
Agnes couldn’t quite grasp the meaning behind his question.
“What do you mean by that?”
A husband is a husband, is there any other meaning in it?
“So, for example, a husband you deeply, kuhm, Lo, hmm.!”
Agnes blinked silently. Laslo coughed and added an explanation.
“Loaf?”
“L….la.”
“Lala?”
Agnes’ face looked confused as time went by.
Laslo couldn’t speak properly and said “Lo” dozens of times for a while.
“You know, Love, or something like that.”
After fumbling for a while, Rasslow finally finished his sentence.
“Love? Husband?”
“Well, yeah.”
“Do I love you?”
Laslo nodded slightly.
“Hmm.”
Agnes slowly blinked and looked at Laslo.
The problem that had never been considered before led to a long period of contemplation. However, the answer was already determined.
“No.”
“…….”
“It’s closer to respect and devotion than that.”
Mixed feelings of guilt for surviving alone and regret for those who have died because of her intertwined.
She wanted to grow old with him. She wanted to raise their children and protect each other until the end of their lives.
To her, Laslo was more than just a husband; he was a reliable companion whom she could trust and follow beyond that.
“I see.”
Laslo remained silent for quite a long time and only said one word.
A piercing pain surged through him.
Laslo found it difficult to look Agnes in the eye directly for some reason, lowering his head.
He knew their feelings for each other were not the same.
However, upon hearing the definitive answer, bitterness filled his mouth and his heart ached.
“Princess I…..”
It was too difficult to get the next words out.
Laslo repeatedly clenched and unfolded his fist several times.
“…that’s good.”
Perhaps she doesn’t know how much courage has been put into this short word.
“I’m satisfied with the duke too.” Agnes replied promptly.
Seeing clearly what that meant,Laslo let out a faint smile.
“That’s a relief.”
He consoled himself, thinking it was better than dissatisfaction.
Turning away from the sharp pain in his chest, he opened his mouth.
“It’s not that I don’t recognize the Princess as my wife, it’s just that I’m not used to it, so I think I need to correct the title.”
“Hmm.”
“You’re right. I can’t keep calling you a princess forever.”
He said, looking Agnes straight in the eyes.
“Then call me your wife.”
“Then I’ll call you Agnes.”
They both spoke simultaneously.
“Huh? By name?”
Somehow, it felt strange.Agnes knew that intimate couples called each other by name, but hearing it in reality was different.
“Do you dislike it?”
Laslo carefully asked her.
“Well, no. I like it. Please do so.”
“Agnes.”He whispered like a sigh.
She flinched for a moment. Only her family members had called her by her name before.
One side of my chest tickled strangely.
“As for spending the night together…”
He smoothed his voice and got to the point.
“I would like us to share a bed when you genuinely desire it, not because of others’ eyes or conventions.”
Laslo honestly shared his feelings.
“But…”
Agnes swallowed her words. The gaze of Laslo she met was incredibly serious and intense.
“When will that be?”
When asked about when, Laslo suddenly burst into laughter.
“Agnes, are you really asking me that?”
“Well, yes, but, um.”
How many noble couples married for love?
Moreover, the two of them are in a political marriage.
She couldn’t completely understand him. However, it wasn’t something she couldn’t grasp either.
“I want to walk with you at the same speed, holding hands.”
“……”
“I will look forward to that moment.”
Laslo left the bedroom leaving the words behind.
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
“What do you think about hosting a ball?”
Andrassy abruptly suggested. Agnes tapped the armrest of her chair and looked up.
“A ball? What kind of ball are you suddenly talking about?”
“We will use the light orbs to beautifully decorate the castle of Estar and then hold a grand ball to invite the nobles.”
“Hmm?”
“It would naturally serve as a promotion. If the Duchess subtly mentions how long-lasting and convenient the lights are, everyone will probably want to buy them eagerly.”
Andrassy passionately explained his idea.
Agnes straightened her slightly tilted back.
Andrassy took his family to Sutmar immediately after vowing loyalty to her.
She appointed him as new vassal of the estate.
“That’s a good idea.”
She had been considering hosting a social ball anyway. It would be a great opportunity to meet various nobles and gather information.
Agnes immediately ordered the preparations for the ball.
It had been a long time since a large-scale ball was held at Estar Castle, and the people inside the castle were gradually getting excited.
Moreover, as they started decorating the interior and exterior of the castle with a thousand light orbs, its true beauty became evident.
“It’s so beautiful. Madam.”
Ney held her hands tightly and murmured like a dream.
The Estar Castle, adorned with light orbs, looked like a castle from a dream as night fell.
Some even said it looked as if the stars from the night sky had been sprinkled on top of the castle.
Time flew by quickly, and the day of the ball arrived. The maids were bustling around from early morning.
Agnes, half-dozing, was led around by them.
At one moment, when she opened her eyes, the woman in the mirror looked unfamiliar.
Agnes worked hard to dress up for the first time in a long time.
“You’re probably the most beautiful in the world today.”
Ney choked up slightly as she smoothed out the wrinkles in her skirt.
Her glossy black hair was styled with flowers and jewels, elegantly pinned up.
The dress, intricately embroidered with golden threads, sparkled every time it caught the light.
A maid announced Laslo’s arrival.
The door opened, and Laslo entered. He had neatly styled his golden hair and dressed in smart formal attire.
That was the only thing that changed, but he looked like a different person.
“I’ve come to escort you, Agnes.”
He extended his hand with a somewhat stern expression.
Agnes gracefully walked over and placed her hand on top of his.
Laslo looked at Agnes silently for a long time.
“Why?”
“You look beautiful.”
Unlike usual, his eyes were so intense that she unconsciously avoided his gaze.
“Well, um, thank you. You look very elegant today, too.”
“Is that so?”
Laslo began walking with a smile that held an inexplicable meaning.
They arrived at the entrance to the ballroom.
The servant immediately opened the door for the two.
“The Duke and Duchess of Arpad are entering!”
All eyes turned towards them simultaneously. The hall was full, so there was no room to step on.
A few familiar faces were seen.
When Erica and Agnes made eye contact, Erica slightly lowered her head in greeting.
Agnes walked to the head table with him.
Laslo raised his glass.
“Thank you for accepting this invitation. As a token of gratitude, I have prepared something.”
Following his signal, several magicians who were standing behind came forward.
The attendants went around extinguishing the candles that illuminated the hall.
In an instant, the surroundings turned dark.
When only those in front could be faintly seen, one of the magicians raised his hand high.
A light orb floated up slowly.
People were surprised and murmured in awe at the sight.
“What’s that?”
“Is it magic?”
Another magician stepped forward and raised his arm.
This time, ten orbs floated up simultaneously, illuminating the ceiling. Now, the surroundings were bright enough to identify people’s faces.
The final third magician stepped forward.
As he reached his hand up, approximately over a hundred light orbs began to glow and float up.
“Wow.”
Expressions of amazement flowed among the people.
Now, the inside of the hall is bright as daylight.
“Welcome to the fortress of a thousand years.”
Laslo emptied his glass at once after finishing his speech. The nobles followed suit and drank their wine.
“Duchess.”
Erica, wearing a bright yellow dress, walked over with a smile and bowed.
“Long time no see, Miss Erica.”
“Can I talk to you for a moment?”
“Of course.”
Agnes walked alone with Erica.
“What is that exactly? It was so beautiful that I can’t stop looking at it.”
“It’s light orbs. They are made using magic stones.”
“All of them are magic stones?”
Erica raised her voice, causing the nobles around to glance in their direction.
“You looked like you have at least a hundred of them”
