🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter : 35
What on earth was he trying to say?
Agatha looked up at him silently. Theodore, who had been hesitating, continued with difficulty.
“…By chance, the Marchioness’s name came up while I was with my grandmother, mother, and sister. I didn’t hear the details of what happened, but it certainly didn’t sound like good news for you.”
“……”
“Please keep a quiet watch on the nobles connected to my family, Marchioness. …Wherever you may be, I hope you find happiness.”
After bowing once more toward the Crown Prince, Theodore withdrew.
Since he had stayed only a very short time in the Crown Prince’s presence, the nobles’ briefly piqued curiosity soon faded.
Antony looked surprised.
“That’s unexpected. Was the duke always that kind of man?”
Agatha gave a small nod without saying anything.
She knew better than anyone that Theodore Neuta, despite his cold and efficient public demeanor, was gentle toward his family.
Of course, he had been utterly inept at mediating family matters.
Still, his reaction was unexpected.
A man who had always yielded to his grandmother, mother, and sister—now, when they were no longer even family, he had taken her side instead of theirs.
And only after the divorce.
When Agatha remained silent for a long moment, Enoch studied her face.
“Are you all right?”
“I already knew they wouldn’t stay quiet. I was just surprised by the duke’s reaction.”
Agatha brushed off the meaningless sentiments Theodore had left behind.
“Lady Neuta, the dowager marchioness, and the young lady will return to the autumn social season. Once the new season begins, things can be resolved naturally.”
“If you’re fine, then that’s enough for me.”
Compared to Fernand, Theodore’s appearance had been far more gentlemanly and reasonable.
With this much, Enoch wouldn’t misunderstand.
Just as Agatha finished collecting her thoughts and straightened her posture, a deep horn sounded.
Pwooooo—
It signaled the Emperor’s arrival.
“His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Warmilaire II, the Sun of the Roxbard Empire! Her Majesty, Empress Marguerite Roxiva, the Moon of the Empire! And Her Highness, Crown Princess Elizabeth Roxiva, the Little Moon of the Empire, enter!”
With the imperial family’s entrance, Antony moved to fulfill his duty as Crown Prince.
“We’ll talk later.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
After seeing Antony off, Agatha immediately bowed toward the Emperor.
The Emperor looked more imposing than usual. A crown of the sun rested upon his head, a purple cloak embroidered with the imperial crest draped over his shoulders, and in one hand he held the golden Scepter of Glory.
“Raise your heads.”
In the deathly silent hall, only the Emperor’s voice rang out. It was not loud, yet it reached every corner of the vast space.
“In recognition of the efforts of you all, who labor for the prosperity and peace of the Empire, I hereby extend this summer ball by one additional day. Enjoy yourselves fully today, and may this be a time filled with much good news.”
He did not name Agatha and Enoch outright, but anyone with ears and sense understood his meaning.
After looking at them with satisfaction, the Emperor commanded the Crown Prince.
“Let the Crown Prince lead the first dance today.”
“I shall do so, Your Majesty.”
As Crown Prince Antony Roxiva stepped into the center of the hall with the Crown Princess, a lively waltz began to play.
One of Roxbard’s most infamous libertines swept gracefully across the floor with practiced elegance.
By unspoken rule, the first dance of the ball belonged to those of the highest status or greatest renown in society.
Thus, the nobles who should follow the Crown Prince onto the floor today were the Marquess and Marchioness of Aratus.
“My lady, would you grant me the honor of the first dance with you?”
Smiling, Agatha took the hand Enoch offered.
“I’ve been waiting for this.”
Escorted to the center of the hall, Agatha faced Enoch as they danced together.
Though countless noble gazes poured over them, she was so focused on Enoch that none of it mattered.
Beneath his neatly arranged blue hair, his handsome face was carved with sharp lines.
As Agatha gazed into Enoch’s endlessly deep gray eyes, she suddenly spoke.
“Did it bother you when Duke Neuta approached?”
Knowing she had six ex-husbands was one thing; facing one of them in person was another matter entirely.
“I believe he had a reason to do so today.”
“Running into my ex-husbands has only happened recently. There weren’t many opportunities before.”
“I also know this was never your intention.”
More people began filling the center of the hall, and the tempo quickened. As skirts swirled and the steps grew more intense, Enoch’s voice reached her ears.
“Still, I can’t say I feel good about it.”
His eyes were dark as he said it. Seeing the depth of his thoughts, Agatha tightened her grip on his hand.
She wasn’t sure whether his displeasure came from affection—or simply from being her husband.
I hope it’s because he has feelings for me.
Thinking that, Agatha met his gaze.
“How is my dancing today? Much better than at the wedding, isn’t it?”
She raised her voice slightly to lighten the mood. When she sent that signal, Enoch’s expression softened as well.
“You’re excellent today.”
“I was just a little nervous back then.”
Unlike at the wedding, Agatha danced without tension, showing her full skill.
She stepped lightly, moving with elegance and ease through the music, and Enoch matched her perfectly.
When the first piece ended and they left the center of the hall, Enoch draped his formal jacket over Agatha’s shoulders.
His large, solid hand gently smoothed the strands of hair that had slipped free.
As they moved naturally toward familiar faces, the Emperor called out to Enoch.
“Marquess of Aratus. Come here!”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
After answering the summons, Enoch lifted Agatha’s hand—still held in his—and pressed a kiss to the back of it.
“I’ll be back shortly, Agatha.”
“All right. I’ll be waiting.”
Ever since their last audience, the Emperor had clearly taken a liking to him.
He even offered Enoch a seat and began an extended conversation.
The imperial platform and steps quickly filled with high-ranking ministers and nobles from every department, all eager to form ties with the newly debuted marquess favored by the Emperor.
“Come now, another drink, Marquess.”
“I am deeply honored, Your Majesty.”
Seeing the troubled look in Enoch’s eyes, Agatha gave him a small nod. She had said she would wait, but she never expected it to be immediate.
This was the debut of a new marquess, newly arrived at court and beloved by the Emperor.
He likely wouldn’t escape until the mountain of alcohol and food had been thoroughly consumed.
Noticing her calm expression—as if she had anticipated this all along—his own expression grew subtle.
Well then.
Enoch didn’t seem to need worrying about.
As soon as he gave a slight nod in return, Agatha turned her attention to her own affairs.
“Marchioness Agatha. I’ve been waiting.”
“We saw the marquess place his jacket over your shoulders the moment the first dance ended.”
“It was such a beautiful sight.”
Many nobles had already gathered here as well, including her close aides.
“Thank you, everyone. Shall we sit over there and chat for a while?”
“A wonderful idea. It seems there are more guests than usual—no need to tire ourselves standing.”
“Oh ho ho. Lady Iris, honestly.”
One side of the hall held several sofa and couch arrangements meant for conversation.
Choosing the largest and most spacious area, Agatha took the seat of honor. Her aides and their subordinates naturally filled the surrounding space, forming a kind of barrier.
Amid the flood of congratulations, her aides selected a few individuals they had been watching closely and invited them into the inner circle.
“Marchioness Agatha, this is Lady Sion of House McKellan. She’s scheduled to debut in the next social season and wished to pay her respects.”
“Good evening, Marchioness of Aratus. I am Sion McKellan. Though late, please allow me to congratulate you on your marriage earlier this year.”
“Thank you, Lady McKellan. Would you like to sit here? And perhaps Lady McKellan as well—shall we chat for a while?”
“It would be an honor, Marchioness.”
Agatha offered seats to several others as well.
Those who managed to enter the inner space and even secure seats drew looks of envy and jealousy.
“I didn’t realize you had taken an interest in House McKellan, Marchioness.”
“I did hear that your aide, Lady Vanessa, had invited them to her salon quite often.”
As she selected new aides and retainers—and identified figures worth cultivating within high society—Agatha occasionally glanced toward Enoch.
The sight of Theodore seated near him was slightly concerning, but nothing seemed amiss yet.
When the nobles’ attention gradually began to scatter, Agatha called over her closest friend and aide, Marchioness Iris Domunia.
“Lady Iris.”
“Yes, Marchioness Agatha. Go ahead.”
Quick-witted Iris Domunia immediately leaned closer.
Surrounded by layered curtains and the hum of voices, their words could not be overheard.
Agatha covered her mouth with her fan and whispered quietly.
“We should keep an eye on the Neuta family.”
