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Chapter 93
“Anyone who wants to place iron on this land should consult with my beloved husband first.”
I rested my head fully against the Grand Duke’s chest as I spoke. He smiled leisurely, smoothing my hair at the nape of my neck before pressing his lips to my temple.
Haha, now that I’ve accepted it once, he kisses so boldly…
I lifted my head to look at him. His violet eyes were burning hot, focused solely on me. Fearing he might kiss me again if we continued holding eye contact, I quickly turned my head.
All the lords’ attention in the hall was now on the Grand Duke. The murmurs among them instantly fell silent. From the high ceiling of the banquet hall, a heavy silence seemed to press down on the air. Everyone was lost in their own calculations, as if their innermost thoughts were visible.
How can I pressure that young prince who has secured the seat next to the young duke?
Until now, I had no justification to interfere directly with the governance of other lords in Dvorka. The most I had done was support rebellious residents quietly, causing the downfall of some corrupt lords.
But with the Grand Duke, it was different. He might be a symbolic monarch without ruling power, but he was someone who could speak directly about the treatment of this country’s people.
The king’s permission to extend the railway to Dvorka worked in our favor. Everyone was so eager to capitalize on it.
I scanned the banquet hall again. The colonial governor, Crown Prince Daimon, was nowhere in sight. He usually appeared late, drunk, so he would probably show up much later.
The lords who had finished their calculations moved toward the Grand Duke. It was his turn to speak, so they gave way slightly. I took a wine glass from a servant and stepped away from his embrace, standing beside him.
Sipping slowly, I listened as the Grand Duke addressed the lords.
“I hear that you intend to extend Levanteia’s railway line into Dvorka territory.”
His voice resonated solemnly throughout Barbica Hall. The lords’ gazes instantly focused on him.
“Before signing any contracts, I wish to visit your estates in person to examine the land. Establishing the optimal route geographically benefits my people and maximizes your business potential, does it not?”
The lords murmured among themselves. Though the Grand Duke’s words were not wrong, the idea of inspecting their lands seemed to fluster them.
“David, I shall come along as well.”
I whispered in his ear loudly enough for those nearby to hear and pressed closer to his arm. He smiled sweetly at me and whispered a quiet, Yes, of course.
He wiped the smile off his face and raised his voice toward the lords again.
“I am not here to meddle in your business plans. I am merely concerned with the conditions and treatment of the people who will work on this project. After all, it is my country’s people who will forge the rails from the iron you purchase and transport those heavy materials, is it not?”
The lords’ faces turned pale instantly. Naturally, the labor for the railway would be Dvorka residents under their control, most of whom were already being worked harshly.
“If you wish to discuss contract details in depth, I welcome you to visit Blansk where I reside. Ah, for contract negotiations… preparing a document outlining the labor force and their compensation will be helpful.”
The Grand Duke stated his requirements directly. He was not the type to use roundabout speech.
He added finally:
“My business here is concluded, so I shall enjoy the banquet with my wife. I hope you all enjoy yourselves as well.”
The lords looked displeased but did not protest. Just then, the orchestra shifted to a lively dance tune. They politely bowed to the Grand Duke and me, then returned to their seats.
I gulped down my wine.
I was honestly a little surprised by the Grand Duke’s impromptu speech. Before entering the hall, we had only kissed, without coordinating our words.
Yet he had been thinking the same way I was—probably an intention he had harbored for some time.
Finally, we were free from the crowd’s scrutiny. The lively dance continued. The Grand Duke held me close and whispered:
“Da… no, Alisa.”
Ah, he’s just using my name, but why does it feel so ticklish?
“Yes, David.”
He pressed his lips near my ear as if whispering something.
“Did I perhaps act too arrogantly, trusting only in you?”
Pfft.
He had spoken confidently earlier, and now suddenly he was self-censoring with me. Though he did not show it outwardly, he was clearly nervous inside.
“No, you didn’t say anything wrong. Even if the Crown Prince had been here, he wouldn’t have stopped you. He too wants to build railways in Yorca.”
Relieved by my words, the Grand Duke’s lips softened. His lips, still tinged with the imprint of mine, glistened with red.
“Shall we dance?”
He released me from his embrace and faced me. Seeing his shyly extended hand, I chuckled.
After just having kissed, why is he acting so awkward now?
“Gladly.”
I smiled and took his hand.
We danced several dances in a row. Though normally partners change after one or two dances, there was no rule for today. I would immerse myself entirely in the Grand Duke, acting as if nothing else existed.
Yet, it wasn’t even necessary to pretend. In truth, I could see no one else.
“Grand Duke, you’re not missing many steps today.”
“That’s because you’re leading me well.”
“My feet hurt from these shoes… shall we have a glass of wine over there?”
I led him toward a table. Ignoring the glances from around us, I filled his glass with wine.
Clink.
“Now you seem much more relaxed. At the wedding banquet, you were stiff as stone.”
“Everything was new then. I thought I was alone too.”
He sipped his wine, a faint self-deprecation in his tone.
“Not now?”
“Alisa.”
He called my name seriously. My face warmed slightly, perhaps from the wine.
“…Yes?”
“Sometimes it feels like you already know all the answers before asking the questions.”
“….”
I flinched. I did tend to probe him to elicit answers, especially when dealing with him as a pawnshop owner.
“I did not believe in God. In Purana, in the goddesses, in Archangel Michael—I only believed in invisible, fanciful things.”
“That would disappoint your distant ancestor, the Archangel, greatly.”
“That does not matter. But there is one thing I am grateful for.”
“I am curious. What is the Grand Duke grateful for?”
“My country fell, and I was sold to this land against my will… yet among so many people, I ended up by your side.”
Grateful for such trivial things.
I had wanted to take it lightly, but his expression was serious.
“I thought I would be lost in endless ruin, shattered without a trace… yet you supported me like a comforting cloud.”
He set down his glass and brushed my hair back behind my ear. A faint scent of pine lingered.
I set my glass down and looked up at him.
Hmm, he seems to want something.
“…Shall we go get some fresh air?”
He gently held my hand and asked.
His gaze and tone were so tender, I could not refuse.
He led me to the far corner of Barbica Hall’s lobby. There was a waiting area and terrace for the banquet hosts and staff. Two guard knights blocked the way, but seeing us, they let us pass.
We opened the glass terrace door and breathed in the outside air. The space felt familiar… I remembered now, it was the same terrace from the wedding banquet. Michel had knelt to me there, saying he wanted to be my partner. It had been absurd.
Ah, thinking of someone else now would be rude to the Grand Duke. I wriggled my hand free slightly and asked:
“Grand Duke, are you already drunk? Why suddenly go outside?”
“I am not drunk.”
“Your face is so red…”
Honestly, it wasn’t. He was just startled, covering his cheeks with his hands. Redness crept up his temples.
“Ah… the reason I brought you here is…”
“Yes, why did you bring me out?”
He stepped closer, breathing slightly heavy, and wrapped his arms around my waist, resting his forehead against mine.
Ah, he came out because he wants to kiss me.
The Grand Duke could not take his eyes off my lips.
“…Because it might taste sweeter inside.”
He whispered.
Now even my face is hot. Why does he have to say such lewd things? There are ways to express wanting a deeper kiss.
“So?”
Just say you want it if you do.
“I want to taste… just a little. Please open up.”
He omitted the word lips, embarrassed, perhaps.
Flushed, he cupped my face again. It seemed he intended to press his lips to mine as before…
Step. Step. Step.
Voices and footsteps came from inside the door.
My eyes snapped open. Instinctively, I grabbed the Grand Duke and hid behind a terrace column. I quickly gathered my voluminous skirts, wrapped them around my legs, and pressed my body fully against him.
He stared bewildered at the door beyond the column. I turned to look. The door creaked open.
“Now I understand why my father pushed me to become a colonial governor. To thoroughly exclude me from central politics, wasn’t it?”
“…Daimon, why speak so resentfully?”
It was Crown Prince Daimon and King Salesio.
Ah, how did it come to this? Clearly serious, and it won’t end quickly… yet we’re still pressed behind this column.
While holding the Grand Duke, I felt an obstruction. The hilt of the sword at his waist kept poking my lower stomach.
I whispered quietly into his ear:
“Grand Duke, could you move the sword hilt?”
“The sword hilt?”
He mouthed.
“It keeps poking my stomach.”
“The sword is worn on my back.”
“What? Then… what is this!”
He covered my mouth with his hand.
