Chapter 50

Once the formalities ended, people freely stepped out to the center of the hall to dance.

The atmosphere in the banquet hall loosened, nobles gathering in groups to converse.

And I…

“Such a splendid dance, Duchess. Hohoho.”

“My, I thought the gown looked marvelous—it’s the latest from Psyche atelier, isn’t it?”

“But the gemwork of your accessories is unusual. Not flashy, but refined.”

…I joined the circle of noble ladies.

As a duchess, I could no longer mingle with the young ladies’ community of my age, at least not in good form.

The Duchess of Regwin was said to be in poor health, Duke Oswald had no lady of the house, and the Duchess of Mayblin had outright declared she would not attend this season.

As a result, among the ladies, my rank stood the highest.

I met their cascade of compliments with a faint smile.

“Your kind words put me at ease. Psyche devoted much care to this gown. Since all of you are so beautiful, they must have wished for me not to look out of place by your side.”

“Oh my!”

No one looked down on me for my youth. That sort of mistake was for newcomers to society.

Unlike Helena, they showed me outward courtesy, and though it may not have been sincere, it was easier to deal with.

Of course, they haven’t truly accepted me.

No doubt they were still testing me, probing me quietly beneath their smiles.

But since no one openly picked a fight, there was no reason for me to stir discord either.

So I passed the time chatting about gowns and accessories, planning to relay their compliments later to the servants who had worked so hard for me.

How long has it been?

A glance at the clock told me the banquet had been going for about two hours.

Nine had said we couldn’t skip the imperial banquet, but we wouldn’t linger long. It was about time to leave.

Sure enough, Nine, looking bored to death, slipped free from the Regwin duke’s circle and approached me.

“Oh my.”

“My, my…”

The noble ladies’ reactions to his arrival were varied—some gasped softly, some only let their eyes sparkle, others snapped open fans to hide their lips.

Yet one thing was the same among them: none of their eyes left him, as if enchanted.

Well, that’s no surprise. Nine tonight is breathtaking, the kind of handsome one never tires of looking at.

Even I, who had been with him since we left the estate, knew that if I let my guard down, I’d end up gazing at him with the same dazed expression.

Whether Nine noticed the ladies’ stares or not, he placed a hand on my shoulder without glancing their way.

“Forgive me for interrupting your delightful conversation, but I’ll be taking my wife away first.”

“Oh, leaving already?”

“Until next time, Duchess.”

I bid farewell to the ladies and followed Nine out of the hall.

The night sky had fully darkened, stars spilling overhead.

“Are you tired?”

Nine studied my face as though searching for the slightest trace of fatigue.

When in truth, the unfamiliarity of such social affairs must have wearied him more than me.

“I only had a brief chat. Aren’t you tired, my lord?”

“I’m fine.”

Even in the carriage, until we reached the estate, Nine kept his attention fixed on me.

His concern filled me with a bittersweet mix of feelings:

Half joy—that, with all the proof I had gathered, perhaps he might believe me now.

Half sorrow—that my time at his side was growing short.

Though we had returned early, the tasks of removing my makeup and preparing for bed dragged on, and I soon fell into an exhausted sleep.

When I woke, it was already later than my usual rising hour. Nine had been summoned to the palace and was gone.

Having grown used to breakfasting together, his absence felt oddly lonely.

I was finishing my solitary meal when a knock sounded. At my word, the butler, Van, entered.

“My apologies for disturbing you during your meal, Lady Chacha.”

As ever, he bowed with perfect courtesy, but today his face seemed oddly alight, almost excited.

Puzzled, I tilted my head, only to understand at once why he looked at me so brightly.

“A great number of invitations have arrived for you, my lady.”

On the silver tray in his hands was a pile of envelopes, stacked high.

The sparkle in his eyes made it plain: for Van, it was a joy to see so many invitations delivered to House Eclipse.

I decided to humor him.

“My, are those all invitations?”

“Yes, my lady,” he replied, his expression radiant, unable to contain his delight.

I picked up one of the envelopes and skimmed it, all the while aware of the expectant gaze fixed on me.

Well, it’s true House Eclipse has been absent from society for a long time.

Nine’s father, the former duke Milo, had never been unfriendly with the palace, but like Nine, he was more a warrior than a politician.

Unlike the straightforward North, the capital’s society was mired in petty etiquette and winding words—not to his taste.

And since Kate, his duchess, was not the type to play the lively hostess either, Eclipse had naturally withdrawn from the social scene.

For Van, loyal to the family, this absence must have been a sore spot. After all, among the four ducal houses, Eclipse’s reputation in society was the weakest.

Even during the season’s preparations, he was quite zealous.

The servants’ unusual devotion to me had surely sprung from the same root as Van’s excitement:

I was not only a new duchess but also one of central noble blood and an alumna of Dragonia Academy. To them, I must have seemed the perfect chance to restore the house’s social standing.

They must think I’m well-versed in society.

Which, in truth, I am.

At first my only goal had been to avoid standing out, but now—for their sake—I felt I ought to support the house’s name until the divorce.

And of course, I couldn’t avoid society anyway—not with Helena around.

No matter what I did, Helena was bound to spread ill rumors about me.

So, I couldn’t simply sit idle.

Resolving to take the first step, I looked over the invitations and waited for Nine to return.

He came home past noon.

At the news of his return, I went straight to his office.

Though calm as always, Nine’s expression was a shade darker, and the pen in his hand scratched the paper more harshly than usual. Clearly, something unpleasant had happened at the palace.

I glanced at his aide, Norman. His face was also soured, though he smoothed it over quickly when he noticed me.

Ever since our visit to the Count of Blueberry, his attitude had softened toward me. In the past, he wouldn’t have bothered to hide his displeasure.

“Nine,” I called softly.

Without looking up from his papers, he asked, “What brings you here?”

“I apologize for disturbing you at such a busy time, but I have something to discuss.”

“There’s no need to apologize. Will you wait a moment?”

I nodded, and Nine ordered a servant to bring refreshments.

Soon, tea and confections were arranged before me. I reached for a cookie, only to pause in surprise.

They were all my favorites.

Though we had shared tea only a few times in the North, Nine—or someone under his direction—had already noticed my tastes and arranged accordingly.

Perhaps it was no more than the polished manners of a male lead in this world, but still—knowing the man I loved remembered my preferences warmed my heart.

Wrapped in that gentle feeling, I sat quietly until Nine signed the last document and approached.

I handed him three invitations I had chosen.

No long explanation was needed.

“I thought we might attend these three.”

Nine surely knew as well as I did that House Eclipse’s social standing was meager, and my intention was to strengthen its face. He had no reason to refuse.

But—

“That will not do.”

His voice was firm, unyielding.