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Chapter 39
Finally, it was the day of the grand duke’s banquet.
This was the dressing room adjacent to the grand duke’s bedroom.
The grand duke stood before the mirror, dressed in a pristine white uniform.
Three servants were assisting with his preparations.
One applied pomade to his hair, smoothing it neatly. Another pinned a moonstone brooch onto his jacket collar. The last knelt at his feet, polishing his shoes.
“…Grand Duchess, what brings you here?”
Perhaps he was surprised that I appeared without warning.
The grand duke spotted me in the mirror and turned, widening his eyes.
“What brings me here? I’ve come to personally deliver a gift for the grand duke.”
I waved the lace cravat I held in my hands.
His collar still had no decoration attached.
The servants hurriedly finished their tasks and withdrew.
I stepped closer to the grand duke.
“This cravat was made by the people of Blansk as a tribute. May I attach it myself?”
“…Of course.”
He bent slightly to lower his height, making it easier for me to fasten the cravat.
Underneath his pure white collar, I placed the delicately woven lace cravat.
The lace bore the cineraria pattern, the national flower of Dvorca.
It had been offered as tribute by farmers from the western region who had visited the pawnshop previously. They had learned lace-making while taking refuge in monasteries during the war, and it seemed they wished to see the grand duke wear it at the banquet.
I liked it even more than the daisy-patterned lace I had brought before—it was far more intricate.
“All done.”
I pointed to the mirror and smiled brightly.
“See? It matches perfectly with the outfit you’re wearing today, doesn’t it?”
“Thank you, Grand Duchess.”
“The grand duke looks really good in white. Everyone says you’re the incarnation of Archangel Michael. It doesn’t seem like a baseless compliment.”
“You flatter me. I would prefer if the Grand Duchess didn’t say things like that.”
The grand duke cut off my compliment sharply.
I liked this reaction of his.
The men I had met before would get overconfident when praised, but the grand duke did not.
A person with restraint is always more fun to tease.
“What’s so flattering about it? The Dvorca royal family being the incarnation of Archangel Michael is mentioned even in the founding myth, isn’t it?”
“…Myths are just myths. There are no angels in this world.”
“Grand Duke, don’t you believe in the goddess Purana? I didn’t expect you to be a disbeliever in Purana. Don’t worry—I won’t spread the word.”
“It seems the Grand Duchess has a habit of teasing people.”
The grand duke gave me a sidelong glance with a pouty expression.
At times like this, he really seemed like a twenty-one-year-old.
Yes, a person should act their age.
“Why do you wear that only on your wrist? I gave it to you to tie in your hair.”
He pointed to the silver-gray ribbon wrapped around my wrist.
It had been a gift from the grand duke himself.
He had mentioned buying it while passing by during the Blansk visit.
“I tied it on my wrist so it would be more visible. If it bothers you, tie it yourself.”
“…Please, sit here.”
The grand duke indicated the chair by the mirror.
What?
Was he really going to tie my hair?
Surprised by his unexpected response, I obediently sat.
“Do you know how to tie a woman’s hair?”
“Hand me the ribbon.”
When I extended my wrist, the grand duke untied the ribbon and took it.
Then his large, claw-like hands began to comb my hair.
I had thought his touch would be rough, but he gathered my long hair with a skill that clearly came from experience.
“Do you want it tied high as usual?”
“…Yes.”
“Understood.”
The grand duke carefully tied the silver-gray ribbon, matching the height I usually wore.
Once done, he even arranged the stray hairs along my forehead.
It was fascinating to watch him focus so intently on tying my hair.
A man who ties hair this delicately…
“You’ve tied a lot of women’s hair before, haven’t you?”
“It doesn’t require much skill. You just need to gather it neatly and tie it together.”
“I still can’t believe it. Grand Duke, you’ve had quite a few romances on Fardon Island, haven’t you?”
“I’ve told you many times, no.”
“Are you not aware of how you look? Surely there were women who took an interest in you.”
“….”
A sudden shadow passed over the grand duke’s face.
His lips pressed tightly together, signaling he did not wish to discuss this further.
Ah, I spoke out of turn, assuming we were close.
It is indeed impolite to pry into someone’s romantic history when you’re not familiar.
Yet, it makes me even more curious.
A darkened expression like that surely indicates hidden romantic history—perhaps even tragic.
“Sorry for upsetting you. I won’t pry into your past romances anymore.”
“Yes.”
“Oh, I almost forgot. Katarina! Bring them in!”
A call went out to Katarina, standing by the door.
She entered the dressing room carrying a box as large as a person’s head and another long, staff-like box.
“Yes, Lady Alisa. Here they are.”
“Katarina, what are those boxes?”
The grand duke asked her. Knowing she was a knight, he always addressed her with respect.
“They are items that His Grace will wear at the banquet today.”
“I’ve already dressed. Is there more to wear, Grand Duchess?”
He turned to me.
“If you’re curious, open them.”
I winked as I answered.
Katarina placed the boxes on the dressing table.
The grand duke opened the lid, questioningly.
Inside the head-sized box was the ceremonial crown.
The crown he had worn at his coronation, encrusted with 3-carat diamonds.
“…You expect me to wear this at the banquet?”
He frowned.
Even his disgust looked amusing on such a handsome face.
“Of course. You are the sole ruler of Dvorca.”
“Haah.”
The grand duke washed his face briskly, his expression complex.
Then he stared at me with a strong gaze.
“The Grand Duchess will also wear this beside me at the banquet. You’ll have an identical ceremonial crown.”
“Pfft. Are you trying to say two heads are better than one?”
It seemed meant to reassure me that it would be less embarrassing if we both wore them.
The grand duke sighed deeply and opened the long box.
Inside was the royal scepter he had held at his coronation.
“Grand Duchess, are you really trying to make me look like a king?”
“Not much different from a king. You need to realize that you’re not just a prince—you’re the ruler of Dvorca.”
“…But aren’t you also the wife of Dvorca’s ruler?”
The grand duke growled in a low voice.
True, but today I had no intention of appearing as the grand duchess at the banquet.
I was attending as the representative of Blansk.
“Oh, I should go change my clothes too.”
“Don’t change the subject, Grand Duchess. Will you be by my side at the banquet?”
The grand duke’s voice trembled slightly as he asked.
It seemed he wanted to avoid being the center of attention alone.
Even at our wedding banquet, he had quietly stood beside me.
But the grand duke needed to get used to official settings without me.
I hoped he could remain composed even when others bowed to him.
“I’m a bit busy. Many people want to meet with me separately. Of course, I’ll accompany you when you meet Joachim.”
“There are… many people who want to meet you?”
“Of course, there are people who dislike me, but quite a few like me too. They line up—long lines.”
I thought of those who came to the pawnshop for loans.
Among Blansk’s influential figures, few hadn’t borrowed funds from me. Even merchants without my stake were rare.
Surprisingly, they repaid well, which I found admirable.
But at the banquet, they’d be distant—they wouldn’t know it was me.
“…Will the Levantea garrison attend as well?”
The grand duke asked, his face stiff as plaster.
Why bring up the garrison now?
“Yes. The colonel, who leads the garrison, and a few officers will come with him.”
“The officers… will come?”
“Yes.”
A letter had arrived from Mikel a few days ago, stating he would definitely attend the banquet.
I was nervous he might spout nonsense at me again, but I had replied affirmatively.
I didn’t want to lose one of my few friends.
“Anyway, Grand Duke, see you later. No matter what happens, stay calm as usual. Understood?”
I placed my hands on his shoulders.
Though reluctant, the grand duke finally replied:
“…Understood.”
