🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 72
“Sorry about this.”
Crown Princess Giovanna, wrapped in a shawl and seated on the sofa, didn’t look pleased.
“The Saintess is someone of high rank, so her male partner must also be suitable. Traditionally, the crown prince would serve as her partner, but right now, there’s no appropriate man in the imperial family.”
I wetted my dry lips and forced myself to speak.
“So… you’re saying my husband was chosen?”
“Who else? Other than members of the imperial family, he’s the highest-ranking man in the Empire. His age also matches the Saintess’s fairly well.”
The crown princess pressed her temples while gazing out at the dark early-winter sky.
“I don’t want to do this either. But this is protocol and tradition.”
I smiled faintly. Throwing a tantrum here wouldn’t change anything. Half in resignation, I nodded.
“All he has to do is escort the Saintess for half the ball…”
That was how the heroine of the original novel, Monica Conte, made her entrance—receiving a divine revelation, surrounded by pure white light, awakening her sacred power in the slums.
The state church rejoiced. The people went wild.
And I despaired.
I feared this might be the beginning of the male and female lead’s event from the original story. But such timid, pessimistic assumptions weren’t worth clinging to. I shook it off.
“Even if it’s disappointing, endure it. Once the ball’s over, we can still go to the exhibition together.”
“Viola. Because you’re my lady-in-waiting, I feel I should at least offer something I usually wouldn’t.”
Unlike the emperor or the privy council, the crown princess was at least considerate of me.
“You need to save face too. So while I can’t assign you a duke, I’ll give you a partner who is objectively respectable. How about it?”
“I…”
“If you walk in alone, gossip in society will be brutal. If you don’t want pitying glances, you must look unfazed.”
“I understand.”
Since Ezekiel had to escort the Saintess, I was given a partner as well.
It was uncomfortable, but the crown princess was right, and I was grateful she considered me. I couldn’t refuse.
“An honor to meet you, Duchess of Betra. I am Lorenzo Spinelli.”
Spinelli—he was from a distant cadet branch of the Piedmont royal family.
Not quite of the great nobility, but that bloodline shielded the family with its glorious past.
Any ambitious noble would drool at the thought of marrying into such lineage.
Lorenzo, with golden eyes and the royal family’s trademark pink hair, bowed politely.
“I’ll do my best to ensure the duchess feels no discomfort.”
“This isn’t about serving anyone. You’re just my temporary partner. That’s all this is.”
I returned the courtesy with a composed expression. Lorenzo, said to be in his early twenties, had a clumsy, almost endearing air.
“A-ah! Yes, of course! I’ll keep that in mind, duchess…”
His cheeks flushed pink as he scratched the back of his head, bowing repeatedly. I felt oddly unsettled watching him.
“Is he… similar to me?”
Shy, overthinking, easily flustered.
If so, there was no need to look down on him. I understood such a personality well.
“I’ll be counting on you until the ball.”
“A-and I’ll be counting on you too!”
At last, Lorenzo smiled like a child. He wasn’t my husband, which was disappointing, but he was still someone sent by the imperial household. I should treat him kindly.
Anna’s hands moved busily as she fixed my hair. My heart pounded, knowing an important guest would soon arrive.
“Ma’am, I learned that matching gemstone colors to your eyes makes you look especially beautiful.”
Anna, eager to apply her new skills, worked swiftly.
“He’ll probably arrive in an hour. Hurry.”
Michele, sitting on the sofa with a difficult book, urged her along. Anna’s nimble hands finished the work quickly.
Adorned with sparkling jewelry and amethyst fit for winter, I rose.
“The more I decorate you, the more beautiful you become, ma’am. I tried using as many accessories as possible.”
“She’s right. You look stunning.”
It felt like a transformation. Surely he’d still recognize me, even after three months apart.
When word came that the carriage had entered the garden, I stepped outside. A carriage bearing the Betra crest stopped, and the man I longed for descended.
He smiled shyly.
“Viola.”
“My love!”
After so long, we were reunited. Like a child receiving a long-awaited gift, I waved happily.
Ezekiel, with his usual stiff face, strode over and swept me into his arms.
“Ugh.”
Michele groaned in disgust without meaning to. Pretending not to hear, I wrapped my arms around Ezekiel’s waist.
My heart pounded loudly against his solid chest.
“You look thinner.”
“I’ve had little appetite lately.”
“Ugh. I wished for this, but seeing it is shocking.”
Michele muttered his odd commentary, but I ignored him, savoring our embrace.
“There’s something I wanted to tell you. I’m sorry I can’t attend the winter ball with you as we planned.”
“It’s only the partner that’s different. We’ll still be there together. I’m fine.”
Regret tinged our fingers as they brushed each other’s arms. Ezekiel lifted his gaze toward my residence, then shifted to the man standing nearby.
“And who might that be?”
“Ah. Let me introduce you.”
I gestured.
“My partner.”
“Lorenzo Spinelli, sir. An honor to meet you.”
Lorenzo greeted politely. Ezekiel’s brows furrowed ever so slightly.
“…So he’s the one assigned because you couldn’t attend the ball alone?”
Ezekiel’s eyes swept Lorenzo up and down. Subtle yet blatant, his stare left the young man fidgeting nervously.
“I see. Since I couldn’t fulfill my role, someone else had to step in.”
His smile was crooked, hardly reassuring. Was he really okay with this?
Lorenzo retreated a step, intimidated. Ezekiel’s presence alone was terrifying to a newcomer.
After glancing between us, Ezekiel quickly regained composure.
“Please take good care of my wife.”
“Y-yes, sir!”
Lorenzo answered firmly. Ezekiel then slipped an arm around my shoulder.
“It’s cold. Let’s go inside.”
Relieved by his lukewarm response, I nodded. After all, Ezekiel himself was escorting the Saintess. Why should it matter?
And Lorenzo was only a temporary escort assigned by order. Surely my husband wasn’t overthinking it.
“Jealous over something so trivial? Impossible.”
Ezekiel had already sized Lorenzo up—his personality, his capacity. Clearly, he hadn’t come to provoke anyone.
Once his mind settled, other details became clear. The soft pink hair, golden eyes, slender frame, and gentle features.
The complete opposite of himself. But Ezekiel wasn’t worried Viola would be swayed.
“He’s… cute.”
Seeing Viola with another man on her arm did irritate him, but more than that, it stoked his competitive spirit.
Even as a royal cadet, Lorenzo was far less influential than House Betra. The boy himself seemed timid.
Ezekiel’s grip tightened protectively on Viola’s shoulder as he smiled broadly.
Their contract still had about four months left. But now, he was certain—after that, they would remain together.
Lorenzo could never shake their bond.
Glancing back at the young man following from afar, Ezekiel dismissed him and stepped casually into the mansion.
