Prologue
The grand banquet hall of the Brienne royal palace was unusually noisy today.
As it was a celebration for the engagement of the First Prince, Alexis de Brienne, the event was lavish, attended only by the most illustrious nobles from across the continent.
Yet the topic most frequently whispered among the nobles was not the guest of honor, Alexis, nor his fiancée.
“Do you think the Grand Duke has really married?”
“If Le Chaque Journal reported it, then it must be true.”
“They’re almost never wrong… but who knows? Maybe this is their first mistake.”
“I doubt it. They said the Grand Duchess would attend with him today.”
“My goodness!”
From dignified gentlemen to elegant ladies, everyone was gossiping about the man who had yet to arrive—the lord of the Duchy of Lorraine, Claude de Lorraine.
Not just at this banquet, but at any social gathering, Claude de Lorraine was always the center of attention.
A child of the goddess, born once every century or two, possessing both divine power and aura.
A grand noble who rivaled the Brienne royal family, yet voluntarily enrolled in the notoriously brutal Royal Military Academy.
A man who became the one and only Lorraine after a bloody purge that followed soon after his succession as Grand Duke.
And universally acknowledged as the most handsome man on the continent.
From the moment he was born, he had been considered the ideal husband. And after the incident that further solidified his authority as Grand Duke, his fame only grew. Countless young ladies dreamed of becoming his wife.
Then, not long ago, shocking news struck them all like a bolt from the blue.
Claude de Lorraine had married.
The fact that a great lord had married in secret, without warning, was unbelievable enough—but no one knew who the Grand Duchess was. That uncertainty only fueled more speculation.
“His Grace the Grand Duke of Lorraine, Claude de Lorraine, and the Grand Duchess, enter!”
The doors opened, and a young man and woman entered the banquet hall arm in arm.
So dazzling were their appearances that anyone unaware might mistake them for the true hosts of the evening. Naturally, all eyes turned toward the entrance.
Jet-black hair like the night sky, captivating red eyes, a tall, well-built frame—normally, nobles would rush toward him, desperate to make an impression.
But today, no one dared approach.
Because of the woman at his side—the mysterious Grand Duchess.
“Oh my…”
“She’s absolutely beautiful.”
“They look stunning together.”
“I finally understand why the Grand Duke suddenly married.”
Her platinum-blonde hair was swept up elegantly, her eyes shimmering like melted emeralds. Her blue dress, carefully matched to Claude’s, sparkled brilliantly under the lights of the hall.
Clutching Claude’s arm tightly, her trembling lashes gave her the delicate appearance of a soaked baby bird.
Most admired her beauty openly, but there were plenty who whispered behind fans and gloved hands.
“Do you know which family she’s from?”
“No idea. I’ve never seen her before.”
“With looks like that, I wouldn’t forget her…”
“Could she be from the Kingdom of Hisar?”
“Unlikely. Everyone there has darker skin, don’t they?”
Amid the flood of speculation, the couple crossed the hall as if they heard nothing.
Realizing the Grand Duke and Duchess were heading toward the true hosts of the banquet, the nobles stepped aside. Only then did the Brienne royal family notice them.
Queen Marie and the prince’s fiancée Celine gazed at the woman walking beside Claude with the same curiosity as the others.
Everyone except one person.
“You— you!”
Alexis alone recognized her instantly.
“Jeanne—why are you here…?!”
Alexis’s eyes bulged as if they might pop out. Unable to form words, he stammered, mouth opening and closing, while Marie and Celine looked on in confusion.
“What is the matter, Prince?” Queen Marie asked.
“You’re the Grand Duchess?! This makes no sense! How—how could you—!”
Ignoring his mother, Alexis raised his voice and pointed at Jeanne. Murmurs spread through the crowd. Celine stepped closer and whispered urgently.
“Your Highness, everyone is watching. Please calm down—”
“Stay out of this!”
Alexis violently swung his arm, striking Celine. She screamed and fell, crashing into a table. Wine spilled from a goblet, soaking her dress.
Marie bristled at her son’s disgraceful behavior.
“Prince! What is the meaning of this insolence?!”
“Your Majesty! That woman is not some Grand Duchess! She is my—!”
“Your Majesty.”
Claude, who had been silently observing, finally spoke.
“First, allow me to congratulate Prince Alexis on his engagement. I had thought I, too, might receive congratulations today, but instead I’m met with this treatment. Perhaps I should not have come at all.”
His cold red eyes bore into Alexis.
“For the man who will one day rule Brienne to use such vulgar language—especially toward the Grand Duchess of Lorraine, my wife—is deeply disappointing.”
“What? Wife? Then this is really—!”
“Enough!”
Queen Marie shouted.
Alexis looked at her with indignation, but she grimaced, clearly exasperated, and gestured toward the exit.
“Prince, step outside and cool your head.”
“Mother!”
“Unless you wish to be dragged out by the guards!”
At the final warning, Alexis fell silent, his mouth hanging open. Unable to resist further, he stormed out of the hall. Celine, too, excused herself to change her dress and left for the lounge.
In an instant, the banquet was left without its main characters.
“I apologize on behalf of my foolish son. Please forgive him, Your Grace,” Queen Marie said.
“I regret causing trouble at such an auspicious event, Your Majesty,” Claude replied.
“No, no. Still, I must admit—I was surprised. A sudden marriage…”
Marie looked curiously at Jeanne.
Jeanne lightly gathered one side of her dress, placed a hand over her chest, and bowed gracefully.
“I am Jeanne de Lorraine, wife of Claude de Lorraine. Thank you sincerely for inviting us to Prince Alexis’s engagement celebration.”
“Jeanne…?” the Queen murmured.
Upon hearing the name, Queen Marie alternated her gaze between the couple, realization dawning.
For a brief moment, she failed to hide her discomfort.
Claude seized that opening.
“That is how it came to be, Your Majesty.”
“…”
After a quick glance around, Marie resumed her gentle smile.
“Congratulations on your marriage. You make a splendid pair.”
“Thank you for your kind words.”
“I am pleased to meet you, Grand Duchess. I have many questions, but I must excuse myself for now. Let us speak later.”
“I would be honored.”
After addressing the guests and assuring them that the disturbance was nothing to worry about, Queen Marie headed toward the lounge.
The music, which had briefly stopped, began to play again. The nobles returned to dancing.
“Haa…”
So quietly it was nearly drowned out by the strings, Jeanne sighed.
“Damn it… I’m already exhausted.”
Her tone was nothing like before.
Frowning, Jeanne instinctively raised her hand toward her hair—then stopped.
When irritated, she usually ran a hand through it. But she couldn’t do that today.
She had been styled since dawn. She couldn’t ruin it now.
Besides, she was a Grand Duchess.
The title sent shivers down her spine every time she heard it.
“There are many eyes on you, my lady,” Claude murmured close to her ear. His lips were tight, clearly suppressing laughter.
Of course he found it amusing. Not long ago, she had been wielding a sword and slaughtering monsters. Now she was dressed up and pretending to be refined.
“Don’t call me that.”
“You bear the Lorraine name and have filed the marriage registration. You are, in fact, my lady. My. La. Dy.”
Claude smiled brightly, eyes crinkling.
Jeanne let out a hollow laugh.
He was enjoying this far too much.
“Don’t get carried away. This farce ends in a year.”
She reminded him sharply: this was a contract marriage, nothing more.
“As if I could forget,” Claude replied cheerfully, extending his hand.
“In that case—shall we dance, my lady?”
“What does ‘in that case’ even connect to?” Jeanne muttered.
“To commemorate our first official appearance as a married couple?”
“……”
“Or how about celebrating the look on Alexis’s face?”
Claude raised an eyebrow teasingly.
Jeanne stared at his outstretched hand for a moment—then smirked and took it.
“That one I like.”
After all, compared to the life she had lived—and died—because of Alexis, this was nothing at all.
